Dr. Rock Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2012782 Orlando Pace's days as the franchise player of the St. Louis Rams appear to be coming to an end. With a Wednesday deadline in place to get a long-term contract with the Rams, Pace and his new agent, Kennard McGuire, flew to Houston on Monday to visit the Texans. Their goal: to facilitate a trade that would end his eight-year career as the Rams' left tackle. The Texans took Pace to dinner Monday night. They plan to talk to the Rams in the next 48 hours about a possible trade that might involve the 13th pick in the first round of the April draft and more. If they agree to the terms of a trade, the Texans would have no problem reaching a contract agreement with Pace. The Rams have franchised Pace for three consecutive years. Under terms of that designation, the Rams have until Wednesday to work out a long-term contract and regain the ability to franchise a player in 2006. Any long agreement reached between Wednesday and July 15 would cost St. Louis its franchise tag for the length of that contract. Pace and the Rams have been discussing a long-term deal for the past two weeks. At different points during the past month, there have been thoughts that the Rams would either trade Pace or that the former Ohio State offensive lineman would ask to be traded. The fact that Pace spent the day in Houston shows that he is willing to move on. It's his right as an unsigned franchise player to visit other teams and talk contract, but the timing of Monday's visit signifies questions in his mind whether he can get a long-term deal done with the Rams. The 29-year-old former first-round pick recently hired McGuire and Fletcher Smith two weeks ago after not being represented by an agent since the middle of the season. McGuire, who accompanied Pace on the trip to Houston, was unavailable for comment. The Rams would have to receive two first-round picks if Pace signs an offer sheet, but if Pace intends to leave the Rams for the Texans, it would be more likely the sides would have to work out a trade for a first-round choice and something in addition. At the scouting combine in Indianapolis, the New York Giants and a couple other teams heard initial inquiries from the Rams about the possibility of trading Pace. Those thoughts died down when Pace hired his new agents. The Rams were excited about Pace hiring agents in time to do a long-term contract before the start of their offseason program. Pace was the first selection in the 1997 draft. He signed his first contract Aug. 16 after a long holdout. He's been to two Super Bowls and two Pro Bowls as a Ram. The 6-foot-7, 325-pound Pace played his college ball at Ohio State Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziachild007 Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 This is an aree that is long overdue. While they might be able to get Barron at 1.13, I think this would be better due to the fact that Pace is proven, and Barron could possibly go before the Texans pick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jo Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Marc Bulger gonna get killed. The OL as a whole wasn't very good anyway, especially given that Bulger needs a lot of time to let the late developing pass routes that the Rams like to run develop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moneymakers Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 (edited) If Pace leaves. Rams will be forced to sign Jim Miller and Chris Chandler to start games for them. Then they can bring in Bulger to start the second half and hope the defense is tired of sacking the QB. Edited March 15, 2005 by moneymakers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigdadreed Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 This is a tough one as the Rams have been trying for several years to sign Pace to a long-term deal. First, it was impossible to deal with the moron Poston brothers. Now, it sounds like their offer is pretty close to the Walter Jones deal but with a bit less money in the first 3 years. It is pretty frustrating as other Rams have structured their deals to allow the team to try & retain their upper echelon guys & pick up a few free agents. Orlando's approach seems to be to try to squeeze out every dollar that he can. This is totally his right to do so, it just seems that with the many millions of dollars coming his way regardless he would want to take his best shot at another ring. Yes, the Rams line is mediocre at best even with Pace. If they lose him, they will have a lot of money to work there are no stud O lineman available via free agency. I have read that the Houston deal would likely include their current left tackle, but I know nothing about him. It wil be interesting to see how this plays out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziachild007 Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 Looks like Houston might have just been a negotiating tool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rovers Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 I remain amazed that the Postons get any clients at all. They screw up more players than they help. Yea, I'm pullin the race card. They get clients because they are black, and most of the clients are black.....no, make that ALL of thier clients are black. There is much truth in the BANG cartoons. Nuff said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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