PA Season Ticket Holder
04-07-2003, 01:52 PM
There's a rumor making the rounds that the Rams might trade left tackle Orlando Pace to the Houston Texans for the third overall pick in the 2003 draft.
The feeling in some circles is that the Rams have paid Kyle Turley too much to be a right tackle, and that he'll move to the left side if the Rams move the disgruntled Pace out of town.
We asked Howard Balzer of USA Today Sportsweekly and RamsNation.com for his take on the issue, and he told us that such a move wouldn't surprise him. He added, however, that there's no indication that Pace is negotiating a contract with the Texans, which would be a prerequisite to any trade.
Pace, an unrestricted free agent, wears the franchise tag in St. Louis. As a result, he's free to negotiate with other teams. Though, technically, the compensation for signing a franchised player is two first-round draft choices, most teams accept less than that if a deal can be struck.
The other side of the coin here is the Texans. Adding Pace surely would beef up their offensive line. But they have Tony Boselli and Zach Wiegert penciled in as left tackle and right tackle, respectively. Wiegert could be moved to guard, but neither Boselli nor Pace would be thrilled with the notion of moving to the right side.
If the trade happens, then, Boselli could be nudged out.
With the third overall pick, the Rams could go in several different directions. Receiver Andre Johnson would fuel rumors that Isaac Bruce's days in the dome are numbered. Defensive end Terrell Suggs or cornerback Terence Newman would add punch to a defense that slid backwards in 2002.
And don't forget that coach Mike Martz has hinted at the possibility of drafting a quarterback in the first round.
http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm
The feeling in some circles is that the Rams have paid Kyle Turley too much to be a right tackle, and that he'll move to the left side if the Rams move the disgruntled Pace out of town.
We asked Howard Balzer of USA Today Sportsweekly and RamsNation.com for his take on the issue, and he told us that such a move wouldn't surprise him. He added, however, that there's no indication that Pace is negotiating a contract with the Texans, which would be a prerequisite to any trade.
Pace, an unrestricted free agent, wears the franchise tag in St. Louis. As a result, he's free to negotiate with other teams. Though, technically, the compensation for signing a franchised player is two first-round draft choices, most teams accept less than that if a deal can be struck.
The other side of the coin here is the Texans. Adding Pace surely would beef up their offensive line. But they have Tony Boselli and Zach Wiegert penciled in as left tackle and right tackle, respectively. Wiegert could be moved to guard, but neither Boselli nor Pace would be thrilled with the notion of moving to the right side.
If the trade happens, then, Boselli could be nudged out.
With the third overall pick, the Rams could go in several different directions. Receiver Andre Johnson would fuel rumors that Isaac Bruce's days in the dome are numbered. Defensive end Terrell Suggs or cornerback Terence Newman would add punch to a defense that slid backwards in 2002.
And don't forget that coach Mike Martz has hinted at the possibility of drafting a quarterback in the first round.
http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm