Rams claimed G/T Jose Valdez off waivers from the Vikings.

Did not take Les long to go get one of his own... Valdez was with the Falcons and O line coach Paul Boudreau. Lets see if he can crack the starting line up.


Rams claimed G/T Jose Valdez off waivers from the Vikings.
Valdez was once a well-thought-of guard prospect in the Falcons' organization, when new Rams GM Les Snead was a personnel director. Valdez isn't any kind of long-term solution, but St. Louis has an enormous hole at left guard. May 16 - 6:53 PM
Source: Howard Balzer on Twitter


By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

FLOWERY BRANCH — Over the past two seasons when the Falcons played on the road, offensive tackle Jose Valdez usually hosted viewing parties for practice-squad players.

Now, Valdez hopes to land a final roster and make those parties a fond memory.

“It’s time to step up,” Valdez said. “I want to be out there helping the team.”

Valdez, who played at Arkansas and blocked for future NFL running backs Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, originally signed with the Falcons as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2009. He spent the entire 2009 and 2010 seasons on the team’s practice squad.

Over that period, the 6-foot-6, 321-pound Valdez has developed some nimble footwork.

In the exhibition opener against Miami on Friday, he played more than three quarters, spelling left tackle Sam Baker.

“I’m making the transition, so that I will be able to play both sides,” Valdez said. “It’s a work in progress, but it’s coming along great.”

Valdez knows that his practice-squad time is up.

“It’s now or never,” Valdez said. “It’s time. A couple of guys were let go. There is a spot there for me. I just have to compete and try my best to get that spot.”

From the viewing parties and going against the first-teamers in practice, the practice-squad players have developed a bond.

“It’s been a learning experience,” Valdez said. “Coach [Mike] Mularkey stressed to us that we have to work. Every practice is our game. Just compete and help give the guys a good look.”

In the past, offensive-line coach Paul Boudreau has singled out Valdez for praise.

“There was a reason why they kept me around for two years,” Valdez said. “There is something about me that they like.”

More than 25 scouts from the NFL and the Canadian Football League were on hand for the Falcons’ game against the Dolphins at the Georgia Dome.

New England, Baltimore, Seattle, Green Bay and the British Columbia Lions were some of the teams represented. They were scouting the bottom of the Falcons’ roster for players such as Valdez, who are NFL-ready.

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Originally Posted by Rambos

Did not take Les long to go get one of his own... Valdez was with the Falcons and O line coach Paul Boudreau. Lets see if he can crack the starting line up.

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Starting line-up? I think he's just hoping to make the team.

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Originally Posted by mh-i

Starting line-up? I think he's just hoping to make the team.

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I'm desperate :D

I'm with Rambos. The O-line coach liked him in Atlanta and we have a gaping hole at LG. I'm certainly hoping he makes the team, given his pedigree, and hope he can become a good starter as well.

Is this guy related to Juan Valdez? The coffee bean grower....:D good to the last snap!

Competition for Rockeveriounus at the right guard spot. The more the merrier at this point.

Ramming speed to all

general counsel

Let us just hope that his middle name is not Exxon...

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Originally Posted by RAMarkable

Let us just hope that his middle name is not Exxon...

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Exxon Valdez would be more approriate for a cover corner.

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Originally Posted by berg8309

Exxon Valdez would be more approriate for a cover corner.

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Or a very slick and slippery running back.

What concerns me is if this guy is waived by the Vikings who have bigger O-Line problems than we do, how good can he be. Perhaps we're just looking at a camp body here and no more.

Go Rams!

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Originally Posted by mde8352gorams

What concerns me is if this guy is waived by the Vikings who have bigger O-Line problems than we do, how good can he be. Perhaps we're just looking at a camp body here and no more.

Go Rams!

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Patriots won 3 superbowls and 5 AFC championships with a whole bunch of players other teams didn't want. let the boy play and take it from there i say.
Boudreau aint no Steve Loney ,if he`s coached him before and wants to coach him again then i`d say there is something about him that`s good. Boudreau is one of the best O-line coaches in the game.how good is Valdez, we`ll soon find out but the more options at this time of year the better.

6'6 321lbs...definitely a bigger body and our o-line is used to. Should compete for a back-up spot at the least.

Sounds like a good OL addition to me! Still green but ... ready to develop? :ram:

Strengths
Adequate size for either tackle spot, and swings between both spots. Has a good punch which knocks back even larger defensive ends. Feet are quick enough to pull or cut off backside defensive end. Plays with a wide base after initial hit in pass protection. Anchor is strong, even against 300-pound players. Has the length to punch the inside man and recover to push outside rusher around the pocket.


Weaknesses:
A bit top-heavy in his build; wide in the middle with relatively thin legs. Must move quicker off the snap to handle faster NFL defensive ends. Plays too tall and will get bull-rushed by ends effectively using leverage. Needs to improve his flexibility, knee bend and balance in pass protection. Will miss targets in space due to his lack of balance.

http://static.nfl.com/static/content...hots/71497.jpg

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Originally Posted by mde8352gorams

What concerns me is if this guy is waived by the Vikings who have bigger O-Line problems than we do, how good can he be. Perhaps we're just looking at a camp body here and no more.

Go Rams!

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Basically either that or the Rams see untapped potential that the Vikings coaches obviously didnt.

Happens all the time in the NFL. Put another teams scraps in a postition to succeed and anythings possible.

I heard he is going to return punts. . . . . . .