FA RB preview

UFA RBs/FBs as of 2/18/08 (from kffl.com)
RamView's Top 5: 1 - Michael Turner 2 - Jamal Lewis 3 - Ron Dayne 4 - Chris Brown 5 - Derrick Ward

Sleeper: Mewelde Moore

Gawd No: LaBrandon Toefield

Rams analysis: There is a lot of youth and uncertainty behind Steven Jackson, and the Rams have some work to do at the position. They need a reliable #2 back, a reliable fullback and a pass-catcher who can come off the bench. 2nd-year back Antonio Pittman is ostensibly the #2, though take away his 43-yard TD at New Orleans and he didn't even average 3 yards a carry. 2007 2nd-round pick Brian Leonard wasn't a big success at #2 tailback and is bulking up now to play fullback, where he struggled last year. Travis Minor was the only speed and receiving threat in the backfield for a while, but he blew a knee and was replaced by another raw RB, Rich Alexis. "FB" Richard Owens has no more business on the Rams roster than I do. The Rams have to come up with at least one RB behind Jackson who knows what he's doing out there.

Viewing the field: Jackson's going to get a lot more than 50% of the carries, making any of the top free agents poor deals for the likely money. Ward started the season hot for the Giants but ended it on IR and is surely buried on the depth chart behind Jacobs and Bradshaw. Moore is just 25, has the speed you love to have in a 3rd-down back, was a super receiving threat up till last season, and is buried on the Vikings depth chart for a long, long time. Aaron Stecker won't set the world on fire but could fill Minor's 3rd-down role. At fullback, there has been talk about Tony Richardson, a 3-time Pro Bowler who did superb work for Al Saunders in Kansas City, but he's 36. I'd rather go with Cecil Sapp, who's 29, has a career rush average of 4.6 and would be a better goal-line scoring threat. Sapp's also regarded as one of the league's best special teams players, so you'd improve two units.

RamView's move: If I can get Moore, he'd replace Pittman and Minor, and I'd use him similarly to the way New England uses Kevin Faulk. If can't get Moore, I'll go after Sapp, to replace Minor and the useless Owens. I'd then need to keep Pittman as the quick change of pace RB and cross my fingers that he or Leonard, probably Leonard, develops into the receiving threat the Rams need behind Jackson. Again, though, backups to Jackson aren't critical roster spots I'm willing to spend much money or a significant draft pick on. I'm not too bothered going into 2008 as-is, though there's no use having Owens on the roster in any event. Seriously. Use that spot on an extra lineman or even a kickoff specialist. Anybody would be more useful than Owens.

What the Rams could do: Well, they could draft Darren McFadden and dump everybody else except Jackson and Leonard. Or, they could leave everything the way it is, figuring that Pittman's struggles were due to the offensive line and that RB coach Art Vandelay (VALERO) can develop Leonard into the kind of blocking and receiving fullback Mike Alstott was. The young RBs do seem to have "the tools" if they can be "coached up".

Prediction: Minor's likely done, but the Rams will keep everyone else intact, including freaking Owens, who is already under contract for 2008. They'll entertain signing Richardson but will end up sticking with Alexis at #4 RB. The only other departure would seem to be John David Washington, whose practice squad eligibility I believe has expired.