What the hell are the Rams doing at DE?

The Rams cleared $7 million or so under the cap by re-structuring Leonard Little and cutting James Hall. Though a capable run-defender, Hall was due to make too much money for a defensive end who never gets to the quarterback. Hall is also what TV viewers would call a "show-killer". Among current players, the winning percentage of the teams James has played on is one of the NFL's worst, if not the worst. Hall's most important tackle last year was when he took Leonard Little down at the beginning of the "Romo Rumble" in Dallas.

That said, Hall's good enough to bring back at a minimum contract. The Rams better do something. Right now, they have three defensive ends - Little, Victor Adeyanju and Eric Moore, who combined for TWO sacks last season. (UFA Trevor Johnson would jack that total up to three if re-signed.) Little's the only proven starter. The Rams did nothing in free agency despite all that cap room, while solid young DEs like Antwan Odom and Travis LaBoy were picked up by other teams. (And yes, I'd wonder what the hell the Titans are doing if I were a Tennessee fan.)

Whether or not the Rams are done dawdling, the FA cupboard at DE is pretty much bare now. The best pass-rusher left is probably 32-year-old Mike Rucker, and since 2003, he hasn't even averaged five sacks a season. That he's pretty clearly the best DE left tells you the quality of the market. The Rams would be just as well off re-signing Hall, or asking Adam Carriker to lose a few pounds and move outside, an idea I'm not real enamored with. Adam doesn't have the speed off the edge.

Ultimately, the Rams' apparent plan to upgrade the DE position is gambling that the Dolphins don't take Chris Long with the first pick of the draft. A risky plan, to be sure; if it doesn't work, the Rams may have to draft Vernon Gholston at #2. Short of that, defensive end looks like it will be the diciest position on a team that will be dicey at a lot of positions next season.