Rams Match Offer for Butler
 

Looks like we still have our 5th Pick after all ..... I can't believe Danny Boy got outbid!! He'll be soooo pissed!


BY JIM THOMAS
Of the Post-Dispatch
03/11/2004


Rather than wait the full seven days, the Rams decided Thursday to match offer sheets on restricted free agents Jerametrius Butler and Brandon Manumaleuna.

Butler, a cornerback, received a five-year, $16 million offer sheet -- including a $4 million signing bonus -- from the Washington Redskins last Friday night.

Manumaleuna, a tight end, received a five-year, $8.3 million offer sheet -- including a $2 million signing bonus -- from the Carolina Panthers last Friday afternoon.

Teams have seven days to decide whether to match an offer on a restricted free agent. And the Rams originally had planned to wait the full seven days, which meant they would have had to make a decision Friday (March 12).

"But we had really made up our mind, and decided to just do it," Rams president of football operations Jay Zygmunt said.

By matching those offers, the Rams now have only about $1.8 million of room left on the salary cap. Unless the unlikely happens, and franchise player Orlando Pace agrees to a multi-year contract before March 17, the Rams have next to no money left to shop the free-agent market in the immediate future.

Especially since it's still possible that quarterback Marc Bulger and defensive end Bryce Fisher could receive offer sheets as restricted free agents between now and April 16.

Matching on Manumaleuna all but puts the Rams out of the running for a free-agent tight end, unless it's a tight end who's willing to play for the veteran's minimum -- or close to it. Free-agent tight ends Mark Bruener of Pittsburgh, Jason Dunn of Kansas City, and Jed Weaver of San Francisco all visited Rams Park this week.

The Rams also agreed to terms Thursday on a one-year deal with former Kansas City linebacker Tony Newson.

got a link for this Ade?

Sure do -

[url]http://www.stltoday.com/sports/rams[/url]

Sorry to be bearer of bad news today....

[QUOTE=Ade Jimoh Fan Club]Sorry to be bearer of bad news today....[/QUOTE]

Good news for you though

So does this mean the Skins cant offer an even better deal or is that the end of that?

Ha, Ha - that is true! Ade was supposed to Safety anyway - so he can show Taylor the ropes and all...

oh well,that's just money we can spend to revamp and help the defensive line.the rams are really gonna stink next year,especially if they lose bulger.
any chance dallas may fool us all and go after him?
[IMG]http://www.banzibaby.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Pics/18.gif[/IMG]

This is a shame, I really wanted to get him. If we rebid wouldn't we have to offer a higher draft pick?

I don't think he's a free agent anymore ... my understanding is that because they matched our offer, he's now under contract. No rebidding.

ah, ok. Thanks ghost.

It is too bad we could not get him. it is not every day you can get a starting caliber CB for a 5th round pick.
I wonder who they will go after now that this money is free'd up again?

he would have been a great addition especially seeing as to how Williams like using formations requiring anywhere between 4 and 6 players in the defensive backfield.

Bummer ... now we still need to add some depth a CB in case Smoot or Springs gets hurt.

I think this is good news to be honest. I think the one thing you can find with a 5th round pick is a quality blocking or H-back tightend. That is one of the few remaining holes in our offense. We could also draft a corner. According to Mel Kiper cornerback is the second deep's position in this draft behind WR.

[QUOTE=Ghost]Bummer ... now we still need to add some depth a CB in case Smoot or Springs gets hurt.[/QUOTE]

We still have Bauman, who isn'tt that bad of a nickel back himself. More depth is always a good thing but we are not to desperate

[QUOTE=skins009]I think this is good news to be honest. I think the one thing you can find with a 5th round pick is a quality blocking or H-back tightend. That is one of the few remaining holes in our offense. We could also draft a corner. According to Mel Kiper cornerback is the second deep's position in this draft behind WR.[/QUOTE]skins009... I think you're living under some kind of delusion that we're likely to get a stud with the fifth round draft pick. On a different thread you mentioned that you'd be willing to give up McCants for a 5th rounder. Rarely will you find someone who will contribute on McCants' or Butler's level out of the gates. Sure, you might get lucky and you may find a player that will develop in a few years... but the chances aren't very good and Joe is obviously looking for players who can contribute immediately.

[QUOTE=skins009]I think this is good news to be honest. I think the one thing you can find with a 5th round pick is a quality blocking or H-back tightend. That is one of the few remaining holes in our offense. We could also draft a corner. According to Mel Kiper cornerback is the second deep's position in this draft behind WR.[/QUOTE]

I have to completely disagree here. A quality blocking or H-back is probably already on our roster with either Rasby, Sellers, Byron Chamberlain or Bryan Johnson. Not to mention the countless number of undrafted free agents that will pop up in training camp.

While the draft is deep for corners, most of the 2nd or even 3rd tier quality levels of defensive backs will be long gone by the 5th round.

I see the Rams matching this offer as a major blow. Williams likes to have several CBs who can play pass coverage. We needed at least one more outside of Rashad Bauman.

Hopefully, more help will turn up.

Where's the Ade Jimoh Fan Club when ya need em! Step in and defend your man!

I think we we need depth after Rashad Bauman. I am not sold on Ade Jimoh. Last season, when ever he come on field he gave away a touchdown. Sorry there is nothing personal but he is just not a player talent wise who can cover a WR in NFL.

This sucks. I was eagerly anticipating Jerametrius Butler Fan Club on our message board :D

What about Mario Edwards or Will Peterson? What's their status? I know Peterson is restricted so I don't know what we'd have to give up for him

[QUOTE=smootsmack]This sucks. I was eagerly anticipating Jerametrius Butler Fan Club on our message board :D

What about Mario Edwards or Will Peterson? What's their status? I know Peterson is restricted so I don't know what we'd have to give up for him[/QUOTE]
As far as I know, [url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5209]Edwards[/url] is still available. [url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5525]Peterson[/url], as you mentioned is an RFA. Others I believe are still available include:
[url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5120]David Macklin[/url]
[url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5083]William Bartee[/url]
[url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3578]Juran Bolden[/url]
[url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5169]Ralph Brown[/url]
[url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=2136]Terrell Buckley[/url]
[url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3523]Walt Harris[/url]

Crisp, would you go after any of those guys? And I'm pretty sure Macklin just signed with Arizona

I'd take a look at Mario Edwards.

[QUOTE=EEich]skins009... I think you're living under some kind of delusion that we're likely to get a stud with the fifth round draft pick. On a different thread you mentioned that you'd be willing to give up McCants for a 5th rounder. Rarely will you find someone who will contribute on McCants' or Butler's level out of the gates. Sure, you might get lucky and you may find a player that will develop in a few years... but the chances aren't very good and Joe is obviously looking for players who can contribute immediately.[/QUOTE]


You have to remember that in Gibbs offense there is rarely more than 3 recievers on the field. We have Coles, gardner, and Jacobs. Jacobs should be a damn good number 3 WR for crying out loud we spent a high second round pick for him. So you can Keep McCants to or you can take a good blocking tightend in the 5th round. I would prefer to spread the talent on my team rather than stacking one position when only a couple can play. I think we can do a lot better in terms of blocking tightends than rasbey. He struggled against d-ends two years ago (part of the reason he was released) and he will be asked to block a lot of d-ends in gibbs offense. (when they are in the one back set and teams blitz up the middle.

edwards wouldn't be a bad signing as the 3rd or 4th db. any chance we could sign bobby taylor to a semi-decent deal? either one would be good not only because of their abilities but because they'd also be signed away from divisional opponents.

[QUOTE=skins009]You have to remember that in Gibbs offense there is rarely more than 3 recievers on the field. We have Coles, gardner, and Jacobs. Jacobs should be a damn good number 3 WR for crying out loud we spent a high second round pick for him. So you can Keep McCants to or you can take a good blocking tightend in the 5th round. I would prefer to spread the talent on my team rather than stacking one position when only a couple can play. I think we can do a lot better in terms of blocking tightends than rasbey. He struggled against d-ends two years ago (part of the reason he was released) and he will be asked to block a lot of d-ends in gibbs offense. (when they are in the one back set and teams blitz up the middle.[/QUOTE]
Jacobs hasn't shown us anything yet... and besides, he's a Spurrier draftee... doesn't that scare you at least a little? Name one 5th round tight end drafted last year that made a significant contribution to his team.

we could get lucky and draft a player like Crumpler who wasn't drafted til the 4th round a couple years ago. granted he didn't begin to shine until last year but I don't think we'd be using that pick on a tight end anyway.

[QUOTE=smootsmack]Crisp, would you go after any of those guys? And I'm pretty sure Macklin just signed with Arizona[/QUOTE]You're right about Macklin; the Cardinals just got him. The Skins won't be going after Bolden, either:

[b][QUOTE]

[b]NFL | Police & Courts: Juran Bolden[/b] - from [url="http://www.kffl.com/"]www.KFFL.com[/url]
Thu, 11 Mar 2004 11:57:48 -0800

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports free agent CB [color=#0000ff]Juran Bolden[/color]'s (Falcons) arraignment on charges of driving a stolen vehicle and marijuana possession has been set for April 8.

[/QUOTE] [/b]

As for the other guys, I'd definitely take a look at Bartee, Brown, Buckley and Harris. Bartee and Brown don't have much mileage on them (4 years each), and could still improve. Buckley and Harris are both savvy vets, and Buckley in particular has shown he can shine in the nickel/dime role, even at an advanced age.

Exactly why I'd look to sign Buckley. He should come comparatively cheap and would slot straight in as a nickel back and probable backup to Springs.

[QUOTE=skins009]I think we can do a lot better in terms of blocking tightends than rasbey. He struggled against d-ends two years ago (part of the reason he was released) and he will be asked to block a lot of d-ends in gibbs offense. (when they are in the one back set and teams blitz up the middle.[/QUOTE]

Wrong again, skins009. Rasby didn't struggle against D-ends. He was the best blocking TE we had on the '01 Schottenheimer team. He was released by Spurrier because Spurrier said he 'didn't need' a blocking tight end -- he needed more wide receivers.

We know how that worked out.

Yeah, the consensus around the league is that Rasby is one of the better blocking TEs.

[QUOTE=EEich]skins009... I think you're living under some kind of delusion that we're likely to get a stud with the fifth round draft pick. On a different thread you mentioned that you'd be willing to give up McCants for a 5th rounder. Rarely will you find someone who will contribute on McCants' or Butler's level out of the gates. Sure, you might get lucky and you may find a player that will develop in a few years... but the chances aren't very good and Joe is obviously looking for players who can contribute immediately.[/QUOTE]

Also keep in mind that McCants spent most of his first year on the practice squad or on the game inactive list. A 5th rounder usually takes a year or two to get significant playing time.

Brandon Manumaleuna #86
Position TE
Height 6-2 Now this guy is a blocking tightend, and what ya know
Weight 288 taken in the 4th round.
Birthdate 1/4/80
NFL Exp. 3
College Arizona

Kris Magnum Panthers drafted 7th round
Randy McMichael drafted 4th round (even though he's more of a pass catcher)

There is talent there.
Plus we still don't have room for all our recievers to consitantly play.

EEich and Skins 009
To say that we (the Redskins) will definitely find a starting caliber blocking TE in the 5th round is a joke. The undynamic duo of GM's Cerrato/Snyder have done a terrible job of drafting in the late rounds. Whats worse Cerrato/Snyder have not been able to draft a single player after the second round that can crack the starting lineup and be full time starter.
Since Cerrato/Snyder took over the GM job, only QB Gibran Hamden (who will most likely be cut this year) , Darnerian McCants, Rock Cartwright and Rober Royal, are the only players drafted after the 3rd round that were good enough to make the team. They are all backups. Other teams have gotten lucky and drafted a starting TE in the fifth round. Cerrato/Snyder have shown they are not able to do it.
That is why we raid other teams (Jets and Rams) rosters via restricted and unrestricted free agency.
Also, please don't say our draftee's have not made the team or cracked the starting line up because our roster and team is so good. Our team has been terrible since Gibbs left in 93!

[QUOTE=Defensewins]EEich and Skins 009
To say that we (the Redskins) will definitely find a starting caliber blocking TE in the 5th round is a joke. The undynamic duo of GM's Cerrato/Snyder have done a terrible job of drafting in the late rounds. Whats worse Cerrato/Snyder have not been able to draft a single player after the second round that can crack the starting lineup and be full time starter.
Since Cerrato/Snyder took over the GM job, only QB Gibran Hamden (who will most likely be cut this year) , Darnerian McCants, Rock Cartwright and Rober Royal, are the only players drafted after the 3rd round that were good enough to make the team. They are all backups. Other teams have gotten lucky and drafted a starting TE in the fifth round. Cerrato/Snyder have shown they are not able to do it.
That is why we raid other teams (Jets and Rams) rosters via restricted and unrestricted free agency.
Also, please don't say our draftee's have not made the team or cracked the starting line up because our roster and team is so good. Our team has been terrible since Gibbs left in 93![/QUOTE]
Thank you. Nice post.

[QUOTE=skins009]Brandon Manumaleuna #86
Position TE
Height 6-2 Now this guy is a blocking tightend, and what ya know
Weight 288 taken in the 4th round.
Birthdate 1/4/80
NFL Exp. 3
College Arizona

Kris Magnum Panthers drafted 7th round
Randy McMichael drafted 4th round (even though he's more of a pass catcher)

There is talent there.
Plus we still don't have room for all our recievers to consitantly play.[/QUOTE]
Don't see anyone here drafted 5th round or later that I'd rather have than McCants... keep trying.