Rams release J. Long, Wells

The Rams released veteran offensive linemen Jake Long and Scott Wells Tuesday. The moves gain the team $12.5 million in salary cap space; according to Jim Thomas, the moves put them $16 million under the cap for the opening of free agency tomorrow. With starting right tackle Joseph Barksdale believed to be on his way out the door, the Rams braintrust better have a solid plan for filling a lot of holes up front. In both of these cases, free agent signings didn't have the big impact they would have hoped.

ESPN

Wells was the Rams' starting center for three seasons. He was a solid presence in the middle when he was at the top of his game, but he missed 13 games his first two seasons due to injuries. He answered the bell every week in 2014 but was weakened before the season by a mysterious tick-borne illness and during it by an elbow injury. His play declined noticeably during the season. He's probably got some juice left at age 33, but he'll have to find a front office willing to gamble on his injury history. My best bet is that he'll be a fill-in for a team that gets a key o-line injury. Wells was a fine and durable player in Green Bay, but the Rams bought high and he ultimately wasn't the key contributor hoped for when he came here. It's all part of the risk teams take signing older players.

Getty Images

Former first overall pick Long only played here two seasons. He tore an ACL at the end of the 2013 season and re-tore it midway through last season. Long was a fine mauler as a run-blocker but was much more of a liability in pass protection than expected for a left tackle signed at a franchise tackle rate ($34 million). Injuries started to pile up on him at the end of his run with the Dolphins and he was much less effective at the start of his career here than he was there. He probably came back too early from the 2013 injury, and the tons of rust he had last preseason were a major reason Sam Bradford didn't even make it to opening day.
Again, the Rams bought high on a free agent and missed.The Rams are reportedly interested in bringing Long back at a reduced rate, probably to play right tackle or right guard.

If the Rams are going to make any significant signings tomorrow, they'd better have done their homework well. Overpaying for older players or players breaking down with injuries are exactly how you blow money in free agency.

-$-