Coming into the free agency open season, I legitimately didn’t think the Los Angeles Rams would do much. After franchising cornerback Trumaine Johnson, the Rams were sitting at a little over $18 million in cap space and even with the news the team was looking to recoup some of the picks it lost in last year’s Jared Goff deal by trading Johnson, it still didn’t give them tons of room to jump in on day one. I figured the Rams would sit back, wait for the initial rush to end, then try to pick up some bargains. And they still might, but that didn’t keep them from jumping into NFL Christmas season and picking out some high-dollar presents.
The first move the Rams made was the smartest, signing Andrew Whitworth, the Pro Bowl left tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals to a three-year, $36 million contract with $15 million guaranteed. Bringing in Whitworth immediately reshuffles the Rams line, with former No. 2 pick Greg Robinson likely moving to left guard or right tackle in the fourth year of his rookie contract. Robinson failed in his first three seasons at left tackle under Jeff Fisher’s inept coaching staff and while new head coach Sean McVay probably isn’t giving up on him, he’s also taking no chances.
#Rams have agreed to terms with OL @awhitworth77
📰 » https://t.co/rkuP4ic80b pic.twitter.com/zTvAMa2G50
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) March 10, 2017
Whitworth was graded as the second best left tackle in the league by Pro Football Focus last season and the Rams got him for $12 million a year.
McVay made no attempt to keep Kenny Britt or, at this point, Brian Quick and there was a reason for that. He had another wideout targeted in free agency. In spite of all the chatter about Alshon Jeffrey, Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson, McVay and general manager Les Snead landed former Buffalo Bills wideout Robert Woods.
Former Bills WR Robert Woods is returning to LA, to the Rams, per sources. Back in the Coliseum, like at USC.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2017
Last year with Tyrod Taylor ineptly slinging the ball around Woods caught 51 passes for 613 yards and a touchdown. If the 6-1, 201-pound former second rounder blossoms under McVay’s system, it will be the second year in a row the Bills let a productive pass-catcher walk as a free agent. The Bills lost Chris Hogan to the New England Patriots last season. McVay and Snead think enough of Woods to lock him in for five years at $39 million with $15 million guaranteed.
With Goff and Sean Mannion both under contract, the Rams added a third QB to the mix when they brought in former Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Aaron Murray. Murray was drafted in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL draft by the Kansas City Chiefs and spent last season with the Philadelphia Eagles. Murray was a productive college quarterback and teammate of Rams running back Todd Gurley’s, but he’s yet to throw a pass in a real NFL game. Murray will likely be the No. 3 quarterback. Terms haven’t been disclosed.
.@aaronmurray11 is headed west to the @RamsNFL. #LegendsLiveHere #LARams pic.twitter.com/3U5bUu69xh
— SportsTrust Advisors (@_SportsTrust) March 9, 2017
It wasn’t all welcome mats and back rubs for the Rams Thursday. They cut ties with starting center Tim Barnes The move opens up $3.35 million in cap space for the Rams who don’t lose much in terms of talent with Barnes. He was, at best, a placeholder at the position and barely held off Demetrius Rhaney and Hard Knocks’ favorite waste of film Eric Kush last season.
It’s been a busy week for the Rams, who announced a uniform and helmet change, going with the white horns of the 1960s for at least the next two years while they play in the Colosseum.
❄️❄️❄️ pic.twitter.com/bpSUALjNYf
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) March 3, 2017
We also found out why cornerback Trumaine Johnson was so eager to sign his franchise tender last week. The Rams are in trade talks with multiple teams in a trade scenario that could send a couple of draft picks back Los Angeles’ way. Frankly, if they can get a one and a two for Johnson and end up with a full, seven-round draft this April, it would be a real coup. Even though losing Johnson would be a blow, it’s obvious that new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips thinks he can do fine without him or the trade wouldn’t be on the table.
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