Howard Balzer posted on February 26, 2009 07:43
Earlier this week, Rams general manager Billy Devaney said any moves the team makes as free agency approaches would have more to do with football decisions than salary-cap considerations.
Wednesday, that was made clear with the release of wide receiver Drew Bennett. That decision sends a strong message that slackers won’t be tolerated, that toughness and passion is what this organization is seeking.
In retrospect, it’s difficult to fathom that in 2007, talent evaluators believed Bennett would be an adequate replacement for Kevin Curtis and then Isaac Bruce. Bennett was famous for being injured and hardly producing on the field.
Still, there was the belief by some that he might stick around this year because he counts as much against the cap off the roster as he would have on the roster. But 
it’s a mistake sometimes to think only with the cap in mind. It’s important to consider the actual dollars spent and decide whether it’s worth it.
Yes, Bennett now counts $5 million in dead money against the cap. On the roster, he would have counted $5.05 million. However, on the roster, he would have been paid another $3.8 million, which includes a $500,000 roster bonus that was due soon.
Bravo to the Rams for refusing to pay even one more dollar to a player that would have hardly set an example for the attitude new coach Steve Spagnuolo wants in his team.
Of course, the question now is what will become of Torry Holt. If Holt is traded or released, the team’s receiving corps will be bereft of a veteran presence pending other potential moves. Holt is due a $1.25 million roster bonus around the middle of March, so a decision has to come by then.
Speculation in Philadelphia has the Rams dealing Holt to the Eagles for wide receiver Reggie Brown and a draft pick. And the Rams don’t need salary-cap space immediately. The cap has been increased from $123 million to $127 million, and the Rams are not expected to go for the big splash in free agency. They need too much.
They have interest in Minnesota center Matt Birk, but he is said to be close to re-signing with the Vikings. Keep an eye on 6-5, 326-pound Buffalo center Duke Preston, who played at Illinois and started 11 games for the Bills last season. Preston, Giants strong safety James Butler and Seattle tight end Leonard Weaver would be solid moves that will improve the roster without paying insane dollars.
Player contracts expire at midnight tonight (Thursday), and if the Rams aren’t able to convince cornerback Ron Bartell to re-sign, he will become an unrestricted free agent. Signing Bartell became difficult when Colts cornerback Kelvin Hayden signed last week for $43 million over five years with $22.5 million guaranteed.
Bartell was one of the few draft choices the team was able to develop in the last few years, and now they are in danger of losing him just as they lost Brandon Chillar last year.
One step forward, two steps back. That’s why the Rams are 5-27 over the last two seasons.