Robert Turner to Titans

Associated Press

The Rams lost another valuable roster piece over the weekend as offensive lineman Robert Turner signed with the Titans for just a one-year, $1.5 million deal. He's the second valuable run-blocker to leave the team this weekend. The Rams also lose 16 o-line starts from last season in the deal. Turner had 9 starts at LG and 7 starts at center for injury-snakebitten Scott Wells.

Turner is valuable for his versatility and run-blocking ability but also had some flaws last season. He had some trouble with linebacker blitzes and struggled against more athletic defensive tackles like Brandon Mebane and Sammie Lee Hill. He also had trouble with false starts (at least 4). But then again, 2012 was the first time Turner had ever been a starter, and he had to switch from guard to center during the season opener. He's one of the reasons an offensive line that had to shuffle constantly held up as well as it did.

The Rams apparently weren't offering Turner much, since he didn't leave for much, and it's a calculated risk. Losing Turner's versatility won't be as critical if the Rams can get a full season out of Wells, who was a much more durable player in Green Bay than he was in 2012. The heir apparent at LG seems to be Rokevious Watkins, who was taking reps away from Turner in training camp last year before having his season ended after one game due to an ankle injury. He's an unproven commodity, though, and the Rams are really tempting fate if Wells gets hurt again; the backup center at the moment is Tim Barnes, who's had just a handful of snaps in the pros.

A guard who can play center is a valuable commodity. It's a shame the Rams let a solid one like Turner get away. They're rolling the dice (again) without a solid backup option for Wells.

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