@RapSheet Rams cut James Laurinaitis, Chris Long and Jared Cook, team announced. Major roster cuts by Rams.
I would sign Laurinaitis. What do you guys think? I'd take Chris Long also lol.
No comment cause I didn't watch too much of the Rams, just the PFF rankings cause they watched a heck of a lot more of both of them than any of us did.
Mac Robinson @_mac_robinson 5m5 minutes ago
According to
@PFF, James Laurinitas was the 83rd best LB and
Chris Long was the 98th best edge rusher in 2015
Everyone and there PFF grades. The stupidest rankings.
I would love Chris Long on the DL rotation, he has been down the last 2 years due to injuries and he is only 30, but to go with Fowler and another young DE he would be perfect
Quote:Everyone and there PFF grades. The stupidest rankings.
PFF isn't perfect, but two different people independently grading every snap of all 16 games of all 3 of those players prooooobably has a better idea than you do.
How about taking it straight from the players words then? Even Long agrees with PFF.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CbmiW2VUAAAZ-6z.jpg:small
The only advantage Laurinaitis has on Poz is that he's a couple years younger. I think Long could bounce back some from his poor past couple seasons and be a good rotational player, but he'd be down a bit on my list for potential signees. He'll also likely be signed before the first day of free agency and we should be waiting to sign more impactful players before settling on someone like him.
So I'd pass on all of them.
Quote:I would love Chris Long on the DL rotation, he has been down the last 2 years due to injuries and he is only 30, but to go with Fowler and another young DE he would be perfect
Yeah, Chris Long has been injured. That's probably why he's ranked so low in a PFF system. I saw a few Rams games this season. Long wasn't playing each time I happened to see them.
If he could stay healthy (I don't know about his injury situation), I'd "kick the tires" on him, sure.
I'd try Laurenitis also. Why not? See if he's still got something left in his game (I wouldn't depend on him to be a starter). You never know. Cincy picked up AJ Hawk as a spot player, and he contributed for his role. Laurenitis may be a similar situation.
Quote:Yeah, Chris Long has been injured. That's probably why he's ranked so low in a PFF system. I saw a few Rams games this season. Long wasn't playing each time I happened to see them.
If he could stay healthy (I don't know about his injury situation), I'd "kick the tires" on him, sure.
I'd try Laurenitis also. Why not? See if he's still got something left in his game (I wouldn't depend on him to be a starter). You never know. Cincy picked up AJ Hawk as a spot player, and he contributed for his role. Laurenitis may be a similar situation.
This. We also need solid LB depth.
Quote:This. We also need solid LB depth.
There are going to be better/younger linebackers on the market.
Quote:@RapSheet Rams cut James Laurinaitis, Chris Long and Jared Cook, team announced. Major roster cuts by Rams.
I would sign Laurinaitis. What do you guys think? I'd take Chris Long also lol.
My first FA goal along the DL would be Mario Williams, but failing his signing, I would certainly kick the tires on Chris long at LDE.
Long is aging (31 next month) and has had significant ankle and knee injuries over the past 2 seasons. In these last 2 seasons, he has managed only 4 sacks in 18 games played. If he checks out medically, and you could pick him up reasonably, he may be a good mentor for Fowler and provide an experienced vet for the rotation. However, I would lean towards being more of an advocate for someone that has not had the recent availability issues if an older vet is desired (like a Tamba Hali).
Laurinaitis is a solid 29 year old former 2nd round LB, although his tackling production has been trending down over the past 4 years. My concern with James is he ran a 4.88 (rounded 4.9) 40 at the combine with younger legs. With the Jags being rumored to want to increase defensive team speed, he doesn't seem to be a fit.
Laurinatis backing up Poz is a significant upgrade over Armbrister or even Tripp.
Or Poz backing up Laurinaitis
I can't see James Laurinaitis coming here to backup Poz. Also keep in mind that your backup LBers are usually going to be heavy special teamers, which I also don't see JL doing.
Chris Long's career is turning out to be almost identical to Tony Brackens with injuries.
8 years. 54.5 sacks (Brackens had 55)
Brackens was probably a better player however, 3 INTs & 27 FF to go along with all of those sacks.
Long has ZERO career picks and only 8 forced fumbles.
EDIT: Had to look it up. Brackens actually had 5 picks in his career :woot:
I see Chris Long being our Aaron Kampman 2.0 not that it's the worst thing as he may help Fowler but I don't see him making a huge impact
Quote:This. We also need solid LB depth.
Someone will give him the chance to start.
Quote:Laurinatis backing up Poz is a significant upgrade over Armbrister or even Tripp.
Or Poz backing up Laurinaitis
Poz is better than Laurinaitis; he's has been a more impactful player on a less talented defense over the last few seasons.
Also if anyone thinks Poz is slow, just take a look at Laurinaitis sometime.
Quote:
Laurinaitis is a solid 29 year old former 2nd round LB, although his tackling production has been trending down over the past 4 years. My concern with James is he ran a 4.88 (rounded 4.9) 40 at the combine with younger legs. With the Jags being rumored to want to increase defensive team speed, he doesn't seem to be a fit.
In general, James Laurinaitis probably reached the point that he will be a 2 down LB moving forward. Much like Stephen Tulloch ( who will be released by the Lions ) became in 2015, after suffering a torn ACL the year before. From a team speed standpoint, there's certainly far better options.
I could see the Giants signing James Laurinaitis.
James L and Poz are complete clones of each other. Strikingly similar players in many ways.