Rams release TE Hoomanawanui and G Ojinnaka

[tomahawk247]

according to Howard Balzar on twitter:

More surprises by Rams: Release TE Michael Hoomanawanui and G Quinn Ojinnaka. Claim T Ty Nsekhe and G Shelley Smith from Colts and Texans.

[Rambos]

Michael Hoomanawanui - TE - Rams

Rams waived TE Michael Hoomanawanui and released OL Quinn Ojinnaka.
They claimed OT Ty Nsekhe and OG Shelley Smith off waivers from the Colts and Texans, respectively. Although "Illinois Mike" was a solid blocker who flashed decent pass-catching ability underneath, in two seasons with St. Louis he was regularly on the shelf and ultimately not enough of a difference maker. Ojinnaka will be replaced as the Rams' swing tackle by Wayne Hunter.


Texans waived OG Shelley Smith.
A sixth-round pick in 2010, Smith has yet to appear in an NFL game. He spent 2011 on injured reserve with an ankle injury.


To fill the vacated roster spot, the Colts signed tackle Ty Nsekhe, a former Arena Football League player from 2010-2012.

[Rambos]

I have no idea what the O line will look like but it will be far better without Quinn Ojinnaka. Thanks Michael Hoomanawanui hope you land somewhere and stay healthy.

[berg8309]

I liked uh oh, but he never did seem to stay on the field. Hope he does well somewhere else!

[Nick]

I'm not devastated by either of these moves.

Some things about the new Rams, Ty Nsekhe is 6'8" and 325 pounds. He originally went to Texas State, but has been playing in the Arena League for the past three years. Here's what NFL Draft Scout had to say about Smith as a prospect in 2010...

Despite missing the first three games of 2009 with an ankle injury suffered in preseason practice, Smith earned honorable-mention All-Mountain West honors because of his strength and athleticism.

Smith redshirted coming off an all-state high school career in Arizona on both sides of the line, then played sparingly in 2006. He earned the starting left guard spot in 2007, then turned his game up a notch as a junior, receiving second-team all-conference accolades.

Smith's ability to move defenders at will and get out in front of run plays will gain him fans among NFL offensive line coaches, especially those using zone-blocking schemes. The fact he was among the quickest (5.03-second 40, 1.74 10-yard split) and strongest (26 reps) guards at the combine means scouts will also be on board when coaches want to select him sometime Draft Saturday.

[r8rh8rmike]

Wow, the purge continues. I loved Illinois Mike's potential and skill set and am sorry to see him go. That said, he didn't seperate himself during the preseason like Mike McNeill did, who I also like.

[Rambos]

Is this the starting line?

LT Rodger Saffold
LG Rokevious Watkins
C Scott Wells
RG Harvey Dahl
RT Barry Richardson

[RockinRam]

Is this the starting line?

LT Rodger Saffold
LG Rokevious Watkins
C Scott Wells
RG Harvey Dahl
RT Barry Richardson

I think it's:

Saffold
Turner
Wells
Dahl
Richardson

[Rammed]

Well I guess that's the end of the devaney hopefulls era. All his projects and type of players that haven't really shown anything consistantly are gone now.

What's left is Fletcher, Darell Scott, Josh Hull, Sam Bradford, Laurinaitis, Quinn, Pettis, Kendricks and Saffold.

All players who have shown something in the past or in this pre season.

Burn it down and build it up. And is it me or are all the linemen that where brought in HUGE! That goes for O and D-line.

[Rambos]

Ojinnaka will be replaced as the Rams' swing tackle by Wayne Hunter.

Just read that rotoworld report again. I wonder of this is the case Hunter at LG?

[LA Rammer]

i actually liked Hoomanawanui he was tough good hands. hope Chargers pick him up.

[RealRam]

Wow, the purge continues. I loved Illinois Mike's potential and skill set and am sorry to see him go. That said, he didn't seperate himself during the preseason like Mike McNeill did, who I also like.

That 'wow' came to my mind too. I thought he would make a difference as a Rams TE but his injuries put the writing on the wall and his tenure was no longer. Just like that...

[HUbison]

And another Scrabble winning Ram bites the dust.....

Manumalauna
Tinoisamoa
and now.....Ojinnaka & Hoomanawanui.

Alas, we could hardly spell ye.

[Fortuninerhater]

Wow.................................I"ll bet Roger Saffold and Bradley Fletcher won't get a wink of sleep tonight.

[Azul e Oro]

i actually liked Hoomanawanui he was tough good hands. hope Chargers pick him up.

His athleticism was tantalizing but tough ? Wasn't he one of those guys who came to football later in his youth than most pros. I think there are very few of those guys who make the transition. Maybe something about the survival skills you learn as a kiddie player that become virtually instinctual once you get to the NFL.

And it wasn't just the injuries that make me question his football quotient/innate football toughness; he had more than a few passes knocked out by hits that a guy his size should be able to absorb.

It's a bit mean to say but I'm thrilled that the Decidedly Unmighty Quinn is gone.