Anyone have comments on Eric Winston?

[ZiaRam]

I hear he are interested in T Eric Winston formerly of the Texans, I have yet to find any reviews or anything else on him.... anyone know of anything helpful on him by chance?

[Nick]

Pro Football Focus calls Winston "one of the best right tackles in the league over the past three seasons."

Read their write-up on his release here.

Eric Winston Hits the Market. Really? | ProFootballFocus.com

[ZiaRam]

Pro Football Focus calls Winston "one of the best right tackles in the league over the past three seasons."

Read their write-up on his release here.

Eric Winston Hits the Market. Really? | ProFootballFocus.com

Holy Mother!!! Wow I'm impressed... wonder what kind of deal he'd be wanting? My favorite thing is how they stress his consitancy of play...
What you think of us picking him up, move Saffold over to RT and restructure Mr Smith and use him as a Guard?

[RealRam]

Interesting high marks on ProFootball Focus for T Eric Winston! I like their "Houston, We Had a Tackle" bottom line as the Texans fans lament the release of this OL.

I say, talk to the man pronto.

[TekeRam]

Holy Mother!!! Wow I'm impressed... wonder what kind of deal he'd be wanting? My favorite thing is how they stress his consitancy of play...
What you think of us picking him up, move Saffold over to RT and restructure Mr Smith and use him as a Guard?

Zia, I'm trying to figure out how this makes sense. Saffold has played two seasons at left tackle, where his better agility helps him, whereas he has not done as well against bull rushers, which frequently come off the right side.

Winston is a pro-bowl caliber right tackle, and you are suggesting moving him to left tackle. So we would have two guys who are having to relearn their techniques for use on the opposite side and quite possibly for opponent types that they are unused to seeing.

Sign Winston, keep Saffold on LT, and Smith either plays guard or is the swing guy... or maybe mans up and beats out Saffold. Or he's cut, who knows.

[richtree]

Everyone said he needs to overcome his injuries...he may be a couple weeks away from full health, but when healthy he is a solid player...

Rams lock up finnegan, if Jones is next, Wintson would make the topping

[RamOG]

I wouldn't mind this at all. I agree with Teke, Good idea Zia but not the right thing to mess up Winson as well now.

As far as I'm concerned I think Saffold will be allright. Just a fluke year last year like the rest of the teams. Watch how Fisher effects him, I think Saffold is in the making of a great LT next year.

[39WillRunYaOva]

DO IT RIGHT NOW!!!This guy is a beast and we need oline help,any1 else love this offseason so far like its crazy we arent being the doormats of the FA period we are talking and making moves.Awesome

[ZiaRam]

Zia, I'm trying to figure out how this makes sense. Saffold has played two seasons at left tackle, where his better agility helps him, whereas he has not done as well against bull rushers, which frequently come off the right side.

Winston is a pro-bowl caliber right tackle, and you are suggesting moving him to left tackle. So we would have two guys who are having to relearn their techniques for use on the opposite side and quite possibly for opponent types that they are unused to seeing.

Sign Winston, keep Saffold on LT, and Smith either plays guard or is the swing guy... or maybe mans up and beats out Saffold. Or he's cut, who knows.

I wouldn't mind this at all. I agree with Teke, Good idea Zia but not the right thing to mess up Winson as well now.

As far as I'm concerned I think Saffold will be allright. Just a fluke year last year like the rest of the teams. Watch how Fisher effects him, I think Saffold is in the making of a great LT next year.

LOL whoops My mistake he is a RT! Sorry thought he was a LT... haha has you can tell I didn't know turd about Winston but I am catching up very fast like!
Although I'd love to have Smith man up but don't know if that is likely?

[sosa39rams]

Lets not forget he thrived in a ZBS.. we're not going to be running a ZBS, we run a PBS. I still think we should sign him. He got released whilst making 5.5 mill a year, so I see him at a reasonable price. I definitely would be happy with cutting Jason Smith (unless he restructures and saves us a good 6 mill) and replacing him with a pro bowler for only 3 quarters (at max) the price.

[RamOG]

Although I'd love to have Smith man up but don't know if that is likely?

We can only hope

[RamOG]

Lets not forget he thrived in a ZBS.. we're not going to be running a ZBS, we run a PBS. I still think we should sign him. He got released whilst making 5.5 mill a year, so I see him at a reasonable price. I definitely would be happy with cutting Jason Smith (unless he restructures and saves us a good 6 mill) and replacing him with a pro bowler for only 3 quarters (at max) the price.

I think if smith doesn't restructure, its in our best interest to go ahead and cut him?

[tomahawk247]

I would be in favour of signing Winston

I also think Smith's future depends on what happens in FA

[Tampa_Ram]

I hope we get Winston. Would be a great move in my opinion.

[Nick]

Lets not forget he thrived in a ZBS.. we're not going to be running a ZBS, we run a PBS. I still think we should sign him. He got released whilst making 5.5 mill a year, so I see him at a reasonable price. I definitely would be happy with cutting Jason Smith (unless he restructures and saves us a good 6 mill) and replacing him with a pro bowler for only 3 quarters (at max) the price.

Yet weren't you critical of the team last year for mixing and matching offensive linemen who fit different blocking schemes because it hurt the team's offensive identity?

I think if smith doesn't restructure, its in our best interest to go ahead and cut him?

I seem to recall the cap savings wouldn't be tremendous, though I haven't been able to go back and find that information to confirm.

But yes, Smith is making way too much now as a starter considering his production on the field, let alone if the Rams would make him a back-up. Conceivably, if the Rams signed Winston (big if at this point, IMO), you could ask Smith to compete at either LT or LG where there would be more uncertainty.