What's the saying? Take one step back, so you can take two steps forward?
The Rams hope to be doing just that by cutting leading tackler and perhaps the best player on their defense the past several years, LB Pisa Tinoisamoa. The move further weakens a team thought to be the worst in the division.
Now, to be fair, they did just draft LB James Laurinaitis in the second round, and he will start at middle linebacker. New HC Steve Spagnuolo also utilizes bigger linebackers in his system, and Tinoisamoa was due $3.25 million this year.
To continue...
At 235 pounds, Tinoisamoa was too small to play strongside linebacker for them. In his place is Chris Draft, who was a poor starter for them last year at middle linebacker. He's also even smaller than Tinoisamoa.
The Rams are already a team devoid of good talent. They have plenty of young players, but none have yet to develop into more than solid players.
Needless to say, Spagnuolo has plenty of work ahead, and this seems to be a step in the wrong direction, at least for the present.
The Rams have yet to comment on why the decision was made, only that it was a difficult one.
Reach Jeff Richards at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
