2006
Departures:
Ryan Pickett, DT; Adam Archuleta, S; Chris Claiborne, LB; Aveion Cason, RB; Mike Furrey, WR/S; Corey Ivy, CB; Chris Johnson, CB; Damione Lewis, DT; Arlen Harris, RB; Bryan Barker, P; Tyoka Johnson, DE; Rex Tucker, T; Roland Williams, TE; Brandon Manumaleuna, TE; Jamie Martin, QB
Ryan Pickett led the league in tackles at his position last year, although in all fairness that was partly because the rest of the D-line and linebackers weren't pulling their own weight. I think we will miss Pickett, but he signed for less than we offered him to play somewhere else, so it's probably best for both sides to move on. He had a number of years of underperforming before that anyway, so there's a lot of debate whether he's really that good.
Adam Archuleta had a lot of hype as a big hitter when he entered the league. Several years, concussions, and back problems later, he wasn't looking so hot. The Redskins shelled out an obscene amount by all accounts to get him. He was only so-so in run support, tended to miss tackles, and was a liability in coverage. So, we won't lose that much, and Archuleta becomes the highest paid safety in the league. It couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.
Chris Claiborne was signed last year to improve our linebacker corps. He had underperformed elsewhere, but he had potential. He continued to underperform, and the new coaching staff saw him as dead weight. So they jettisoned him.
Brandon Manumaleuna was another starter and another disappointment. The new coaching staff wasn't very keen on him, and you should have seen the wows in the Rams forums when we found out we could still get a fourth rounder in trade value.
Damione Lewis is not only a poor player but a dirty player as well. Good riddance.
Jamie Martin and Roland Williams were back-ups and aging. They were both brought in last year because they were familiar with Martz' system; they aren't familiar with the new system, and their other talents weren't enough to warrant roster spots. Aveion Cason and Arlen Harris were okay backup running backs who could also contribute as returners, but we have ranked near the bottom of the league in returns the last couple years and neither was an incredible back. Other than that, Mike Furrey and Tyoka Jackson were great in terms of leadership but not so much in talent. They were favorites of Martz', but the new coaches didn't have the same sentimental attachment. The rest of the players that we let go or did not resign were not even primary backups at their positions, except the punter.
New Arrivals:
Will Witherspoon was considered by some to be the best defensive player available in free agency. The only knock on Witherspoon is that he is more of a weakside linebacker, and that is the only linebacker position at which we already had a defensive star. In fact, Witherspoon and Tinoisamoa's statistics have been nearly identical over their careers. Witherspoon will move inside and represents a huge upgrade over Chris Claiborne
Gus Frerotte was Culpepper's backup in Minnesota when Linehan was Offensive Coordinator. When Linehan moved to Miami, he brought in Frerotte to start. When he came to the Rams, Frerotte followed again to be a backup. He's fully capable of starting in the league and is another huge upgrade when compared to Jamie Martin.
Corey Chavous is a savvy safety with good coverage skills. It's almost like having a coach on the field. He is not a top tier player, but he is a solid starter and no worse than Archuleta but almost surely more consistent.
La'Roi Glover went to the Pro Bowl last year. He is a great pass-rushing defensive tackle whose best years came when he was working with Jim Haslett, our new defensive coordinator. He is getting close to the twilight years of his career, but he is effectively filling the shoes of Damione Lewis, the pass rusher; not Ryan Pickett, the run stuffer. There is simply no comparison between the talent levels of Lewis and Glover.
Fakhir Brown played for Haslett as well and has some starting experience. He will compete for a starting position and at the least provide depth at corner; given the fact that our best two or three defensive backs suffered season-ending injuries last year, even if he fails to win the starting position initially, he could see playing time.
Raonall Smith has only played more than half a season twice since he started college. He has had a lot of injuries to his head, knee, foot, and shoulder but he came on down the stretch last year for the Vikings. He is a strongside linebacker who might be good enough to start and has lots of upside. He excels at special teams as well.
Brad Pyatt's injury history reads like a doctor's resume. He has missed time for back spasms, lower back strain, bruised chest, an ankle injury, a thigh injury, and a neck injury. He hasn't lasted more than half a season in the NFL either. He is one of the league's best returners when he is healthy. Tony Fisher is a good third down back and backup. He might be a little bit of an upgrade to Arlen Harris but not much. Todd Steussie was involved in a steroid scandal in Carolina, and I do hold that against him. He is a solid backup offensive tackle who was starting not that long ago.
Matt Turk will take over punting duties from Bryan Barker for now. Turk is decent, but we will likely look for someone younger with a fresher leg. We have also brought in Andy Groom to compete. We were actually in discussions with the best punter available, Jason Baker, but apparently contract negotiations held things up. I would consider this the main goof in free agency. I also would have liked to see them try to bring in DE Darren Howard, as his asking price was not unreasonable. That is nitpicking, though, since I don't know what the salary cap situation looked like at that point.
