What's in a name?

With free agency stalled and some teams locking up players that would be unrestricted free agents, Howard Balzer a Rams beat writer made some valid points in a recent article.

He discussed and I agree that we only see one side of a player, the results on Sunday. We aren't privy to insight on if that player shows up on time, practices hard, and is generally a solid addition to a team. Also players that have injury histories, that we think that if our beloved Rams sign them that player is no longer bitten by the injury bug.

For example:
Safety Bob Sanders who signed with San Diego is a fantastic player when healthy. he has only played in 13 games the last 3 seasons. He's a physical player and needs to be to be effective but injuries look to have shortened his career.

WR Mike Sims-Walker has double digit TD's last year for Jacksonville. Still a young player, why wouldn't JAX attempt to re-sign him? Balzer discovered that he was deemed a "cancer" in the lockeroom, unwilling to play with minor injuries, and bad work ethic.

We as fans get caught up in reading too much into a certain recognizable player, especially when they fit a need on our team. That being said those guys in the front office have access to all kinds of information that we don't as fans and in the long run hopefully make the best decision for the team.


GEAUX RAMS

Quick thoughts

The Rams released Safety, O.J. Atogwe this week. Atogwe is a valuable leader in the lockeroom and seems to have a knack for creating turnovers. That being said 11.5 million cap hit would have taken place this year if the Rams would have paid his 8 million dollar bonus March 1st. Atogwe is a solid player with great intangibles but that was a prohibitive cap number. Hopefully something can be worked out or its another position to address later.

CBA countdown: 8 days and counting. At least the league and NLFPA have been meeting with a mediator. What progress if any is anyone's guess since both sides have refused to talk to the media.

If the CBA agreement isn't reached it will delay the start of free agency.

If nothing else the NFL and it's fans are in uncharted waters these days with a possible player lockout. Stay tuned.


GEAUX RAMS

Superbowl thoughts

Even though I really don't give the Steelers and Packers much thought unless they are playing the Rams, I do admire each organization. By in large both franchises have built their respective teams from the draft.

 Too often does this era of the NFL get labeled as a time when many players abadoned their long time teams to go get that large contract. Both Super Bowl teams have let some of these type players go to find other teams and simply drafted their replacements.

The bottom line is this is what the Rams would like to do.

GEAUX RAMS