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National Football League
Draft King Analysis
March 10, 2009
Lou Pickney, DraftKing.com
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There is a nice article up on CBSSports.com outlining early free agency moves. I agree with most of Clark Judge's analysis, and while some of his predictions remain to be seen (such as putting the Jets in the "passed the test" category), he gives a nice overview of what has gone down since February 27.
 | Orlando Pace was the #1 overall pick in the 1997 Draft. (Icon SMI)
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Two big news stories involving the St. Louis Rams' offensive line came out today, with
St. Louis cutting offensive tackle mainstay Orlando Pace and the NFL nullifying center Jason Brown's contract with the Rams. The cut of Pace didn't come as much of a surprise, given that Pace was due $5.975 million in base salary in 2009 and that he has battled injury problems over the past couple of years. Despite his injuries and his age (he turns 34 this year), Pace should find a market out there for his services. But the move to cut Pace further leads me to believe that the Rams will draft an offensive lineman with the #2 overall pick.
The team's deal with former Ravens center Jason Brown being disapproved by the NFL is due to a rule that no contract signed this off-season is allowed to increase no more than 30 percent of the first-year total. This is in place to keep teams from attempting to circumvent the 2009 salary cap, since as for now, 2010 is slated to be an uncapped year (which will be chaotic if it happens).
For the Rams and Brown, it creates a challenge in forcing both sides to hammer out a modified deal that meets the NFL's approval. It could also allow Brown to potentially sign elsewhere, but I would be rather surprised to see that happen. Odds are that the two sides will work out a new contract that meets the NFL's approval. Of course, until it's locked in, it's not official.
It appears that LaDainian Tomlinson will be returning to San Diego for his ninth NFL season with the team. There was a time when I didn't anticipate LT coming back to the Chargers, particularly with the bizarre situation of Chargers GM A.J. Smith making a statement about Tomlinson that many interpreted as mocking the star running back. With Darren Sproles kept via the franchise tag and now Tomlinson being on board for this fall, it seems likely that the Chargers won't be using their first-round draft pick on a running back.
Tomorrow is Alabama's pro day, and all eyes will be on Crimson Tide offensive tackle Andre Smith. He went from being possibly the first offensive tackle to go in this year's draft to being an iffy prospect in the eyes of some following a bizarre series of events at the combine last month. He likely won't be able to jump back to the front of the line, not with Baylor OT Jason Smith looking like such a good prospect, but perhaps Andre Smith would be able to climb back into a top five spot with a good workout. We shall see.
The Jacksonville Jaguars made an interesting move in free agency by signing former Eagles OT Tra Thomas to a three-year contract. Thomas turns 35 later this year, so the move doesn't necessarily preclude the Jaguars from considering an offensive tackle at the #8 spot in the draft. At the same time, Thomas gives Jacksonville strength at the tackle position in the immediate future, potentially giving the Jaguars flexibility to take a tackle a little later in the draft to develop for a starting spot in 2010 or beyond.
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