The Rams got their man in the first round of this years draft. Carriker will come in and be an iunstant starter most likely and he will help out on an improving defense.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
The X-Factor Lands
In an effort to solve one of the Rams team needs, the Rams went out and gave up their 5th round draft choice this year to acquire the "X-Factor" Dante Hall. Though Hall has been no more then average the past few seasons, he still has big play potential in the return game. On offense however, don't expect too much out of him. He may work to become 5th on the depth chart of wide receivers, maybe 4th if he can out battle a rookie. Before Hall, it was unknown who would start at the return game. At the beginning of 2005, the Rams traded Robert Thomas to the Packers for return man, Chris Johnson. Johnson played well in his first year, even scoring a touchdown but he never saw the field in 2006. Willie Ponder and JR Reed took care of most of the kick return duties last season while Shaun McDonald handled punts. Hall is probably an upgrade over all of them. Last season Hall recorded 1207 yards in kick returns alone. The Rams top 3 return men totaled 1139 yards. The Chiefs have been looking for a taken on Dante Hall for most of the offseason, and the Rams just happened to be the team to give up a 5th rounder. He should be a decent fit for a few years still.
After every team passed up on signing restricted free agent line backer Brandon Chillar, Chillar decided to resign back with the Rams to a one year, , $850,000 contract. Chillar was the Rams' starting starting strong-side linebacker, and he should keep his job for this season. Chillar is entering the fourth year of his career. last season was his best season so far where he totaled 57 tackles, had 2 sacks, and forced one fumble. Though he is still young, coaches are not to pleased with his progress. He should be playing at a higher level then he is. He may lose some snaps to Chris Draft or a rookie coming in, but I still think he'll record more then 50 stops.
On Friday, the Rams resigned restricted free agent G Adam Goldberg to a one-year, $850,000 contract and LB Raonall Smith to a one-year contract. Also DE Brandon Green visited with the Seahawks this week. All three players arn't stars by any means. They have contributed, but they arn't needed. All three ould be backups the the team. Green, who has recorded four sacks in the last two seasons, would like to move on, howver, i feel moving on still will not bring a starting role to him. Smith may look to do his best work on special teams waiting for an injury or two to let him see the field on defense.
If Ricky Williams can really stay off of drugs, would he be worth it to have on the team? I would say yes. Williams can be a good running back when healthy and not suspended. Now, with his reinstatement coming in the near future from his one year suspension, the Dolphins have to decision of what the are going to do with him. Reportedly, Scott Linehan is interested in the idea of Williams being Steven Jackson's backup. Both players play with the same style. Jackson is in his prime while Williams may be on the downfall. Though he isn't too old yet, things have hurt his career. Williams played under Linehan back in 2005 when Linehan was the Dolphins offensive coordinator.
"Based on how he played and the kind of person he was to be around, and the professional he was, I would certainly consider it," Linehan said Thursday. "He's proven himself with me. I know there would a certain amount of risk involved on that. . . I would have to look into it a little bit more."
Williams tried to play last season during his suspension from the NFL by playing for Toronto in the Canadian Football League. He rushed for 526 yards on 109 carries, and caught 19 passes for 127 yards. Injuries held him back as he missed two months with a broken arm.
The Rams are fianlly stacked with telent at the TE position this season. Back in the Mike Martz days, the offense hadly used a TE, and when they did, he usually just tried to block. One of the first things on Scott Linehan's mind when he arived in St. Louis was to upgrade and use the TEs. One of the first things he did was trade away then starting TE, Brandan Manumaleuna on draft day to the Chargers. He then selected two TEs ion the Draft, Joe Klopfenstein and Dominique Byrd. Then this offseason, when the oportunity came up of signing a talented TE, the Rams took it by signing Randy McMicheal from the Dolphins. With so much depth, where does this leave Aaron Walker? Well, Walker player well last season when he saw the field and Linehan noticed this. Though Walker will have to battle for playing time, he should get some. He realizes his situation and decided to sign his one-year, $850,000 tender offer with the club today. Though his future is unsure, he should try and make the most out off his situation this season. Next restricted free agent that needs to resign is Brandon Chiller. That deal should be worked out in the near future
Rams starting quarterback, Marc Bulger is entering the final year on his contract this season. He will make just under $4 million this season. Though both sides are interested in a long term deal, it appears not much is happening yet. It's reported that the Rams are not close to reaching a deal with him. Bulger would like to play the rest of his career in St. Louis but if the two sides can't reach an agreement, Bulger may end up playing for a different team in 2008. There isn't much to worry about though. Bulger has all season long to reach an agreement. As long as injury doesn't take him out for some of this season, he should still put up good stats with the team around him.
Rams starting quarterback, Marc 
