Rams to shut down Orlando Pace?

by Ryan Van Bibber on Nov 18, 2008 11:04 AM CST in News

Rams LT Orlando Pace is out at least 2-4 weeks with an MCL strain.

However, the team might opt to go the rest of the season without the seven-time Pro Bowler. The Rams are considering putting Pace on IR, ending his season. With just six games left to play and the team's problems extending far beyond anything Pace can do, there's no reason to put him at further risk for injury, especially with the LT under contract through 2011.

Speaking of that contract, look at the dollars coming his way, as pointed out by ESPN's Mike Sando. That's a boatload of green for a guy who's played 18 games in the last three seasons. I'd think the Rams have to approach Pace about reworking that contract. Especially, given that the Rams MUST add a tackle in the upcoming draft. I'd be really, really surprised if he had another full season of play left in him at this point. If you're Pace, at what point do you start thinking about retirement?

0 recs | 9 comments

Comments

They're better off cutting him.

If my calculations from a couple weeks ago were correct, the Rams would take a $6.42M hit to the salary cap. While that’s not an easy number to swallow, it’s better than paying him year after year to not be healthy enough to play more than 6 to 8 games.

On the other hand, it might be worth it to keep him around another year and see if he can’t get healthy. If they did this, he’d count 8.115M against the cap next year and then (if cut after 2009) would count 4.28M against the cap in 2010.

But, I don’t know what restructuring his contract would help. His guaranteed money is not outlandish right now and gets better each year going forward. That is if we’re all in agreement he can maybe go one more year.

Tackle Box - November 18, 2008 reply

If they did cut him,

the salary cap would only take a hit for one season right? I would do that then take a chance on him. I still wouldn’t take a lineman with our first round pick. With a top pick I would take a guy that I know is going to be good. An OL I think is harder to predict, then a cornerback or linebacker.

srdmad - November 18, 2008 reply

To your question

Yes.

Tackle Box - November 18, 2008 reply

cap

i don’t think there’s much of cap hit left on Pace. When did he sign his last deal?

Ryan Van Bibber - November 18, 2008 reply

He's got 3 years left.

Would count 6.42M.

They can probably afford to cut one of Pace (6.42M) and Bennett (6.67M) depending obviously on what else they planned to do.

Tackle Box - November 18, 2008 reply

they won't cut Pace

they’ll cut Bennett for sure. Maybe. At this point I don’t really know anymore. But Pace does have value when he’s healthy, the o-line is more than just a one man job though.

Ryan Van Bibber - November 18, 2008 reply