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Rams release LB Tinoisamoa (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Lott's Fingertip
- Start date
Caveman_Nick
Footballguy
Having Laurinitas (assuming he starts) and Witherspoon, Tinoisamoa would probably have a tough time seeing the field.ETA: Also, IIRC there are different cap implications if a player is on your roster past June 1, so maybe it was an issue of getting the space clear and moving along.
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Chadstroma
Footballguy
Wow, that was surprising... and being a Raider fan, it is hard to surprise me anymore.
Zoomanji
Footballguy
Assuming they play at least 3 LBs in their base defense (like most teams) they really don't have anyone else. Not really sure who exactly is challenging him for PT.
Caveman_Nick
Footballguy
Maybe they didn't like the fit of Tinoisamoa on the strong side. Witherspoon is going back the the weak side, where Tinoisamoa played last year, and Laurinitas is in the middle. maybe Draft is playing the Strong side.I am not saying it makes a ton of sense, just that perhaps they felt like the expense of his depth wasn't needed.
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TheFanatic
Footballguy
There was definitely a split locker room during the Linehan years in St. Louis. At least at the end. Spags is weeding out all noncontents. Not saying this is why he did this but it could be. The Rams could use the depth at LB so I can't think of why he would do this....
lyon812
Footballguy
I'm perfectly happy with Draft at strongside. Maybe they're clearing cap space for a WR. I think this clears $2.4 million.
I have no problem with his effort, but Tino was inconsistent. Maybe Spags is looking for people who'll control the gaps and be in the right spot on every snap. They've been wanting a more physical defense, and I think Tino's a bit undersized for what they're looking for.
I have no problem with his effort, but Tino was inconsistent. Maybe Spags is looking for people who'll control the gaps and be in the right spot on every snap. They've been wanting a more physical defense, and I think Tino's a bit undersized for what they're looking for.
Chadstroma
Footballguy
This would make more sense to the move.
Lott's Fingertip
Footballguy
Whatever the reason is, you gotta believe he had SOME kind of trade value.
Lott's Fingertip
Footballguy
Just a blurb, but still annoying that a good team may have interest, whereas the LB-starved weaker team is letting him go:
Pisa Tinoisamoa-LB- Rams May. 8 - 2:40 pm et
The Boston Globe suggests the Patriots could be interested in recently released LB Pisa Tinoisamoa.
(rotoworld)
Pisa Tinoisamoa-LB- Rams May. 8 - 2:40 pm et
The Boston Globe suggests the Patriots could be interested in recently released LB Pisa Tinoisamoa.
(rotoworld)
-baller
Footballguy
dude, this is just speculation by mike reiss, the pats beat writer.I'm not saying he's wrong, but it's just his speculation.Just a blurb, but still annoying that a good team may have interest, whereas the LB-starved weaker team is letting him goisa Tinoisamoa-LB- Rams May. 8 - 2:40 pm et The Boston Globe suggests the Patriots could be interested in recently released LB Pisa Tinoisamoa.(rotoworld)
HMH
Footballguy
This is a good thing in my opinion:
1. Saves cap dollars to sign players (saves $2.25 in Cap space)
2. Pisa plays the WILL , and Witherspoon is moving over to that position (Pisa is too undersized to play SAM)
3. I am tired of watching him over pursue , and miss on tackles
4. The SAM position requires linebackers who have coverage skills , and Pisa was never known for his pass coverage skills
Win-win for the Rams
The hasty moves by the Rams the last couple days (i.e. Leonard traded , Pisa dropped) could be leading to something bigger, or opening up CAP room to sign Atogwe long term.
Good move for the Rams - out with the old regime in with the new
Bye Linehan
1. Saves cap dollars to sign players (saves $2.25 in Cap space)
2. Pisa plays the WILL , and Witherspoon is moving over to that position (Pisa is too undersized to play SAM)
3. I am tired of watching him over pursue , and miss on tackles
4. The SAM position requires linebackers who have coverage skills , and Pisa was never known for his pass coverage skills
Win-win for the Rams
The hasty moves by the Rams the last couple days (i.e. Leonard traded , Pisa dropped) could be leading to something bigger, or opening up CAP room to sign Atogwe long term.
Good move for the Rams - out with the old regime in with the new
Bye Linehan
Bob Magaw
Footballguy
this was a surprising move, but perhaps it shouldn't have been...
since it isn't a big surprise that tino may have been found wanting as a SLB in the scheme... it has been speculated at least since last year after rumblings that the rams wanted to move witherspoon to his natural WLB position, that he could be the odd man out in a game of LB musical chairs with nowhere to sit at the end... he makes too much to be a reserve... he did begin his NFL career at SLB, with perhaps his best season (he wasn't as beat up then), making plays with his athleticism & scrappiness... but the plays came at a cost at times... due to his being undersized, he would run around blocks, sometimes not only taking himself out of the play but compromising the integrity of the overall defense itself... he was never good at containing, stacking blockers & spilling plays to the inside & his teammates... he may be listed at 230-235, but insiders like jim thomas have stated he is actually closer to 225 or even 220... one reason they almost experimented with him at SS a few years ago...
remember, trades don't occur in a vacuum... there are cap repercussions involved in inheriting the existing trade (see boldin & braylon edwards, who somewhat surprisingly weren't moved on draft day)... it wouldn't surprise me at all if teams don't think his contract would be a sensible risk given his evil knievel-esque injury history...
draft can play SLB... he's nothing special, but everybody acknowledges this is a rebuilding year, & they are making moves more for the future & not just this season... cap money saved by cutting him could help next year as well as 2009...
as far as the curious timing to some... this could also mean that the rams like what they see from the other young LBs on the roster... guys like voborra, chamberlain & grant (who showed promise with ohio state)...
imo, this move has absolutely nothing to do with locker room politics, & everything to do with remaking the roster in spag's image, & clearing cap space... if anything, i think tino was well liked by the previous regime (linehan & haslett)... they were, after all, the ones that re-upped him (in 2006 i think?), in retrospect overpaid with a EJ henderson-like contract...
speculation on the rams board is that the next two holdovers from the previous regime that are logical candidates to get axed... tye hill & TE klopfenstein (ouch, the rams have had some positively BRUTAL brutal drafts prior to last year... the legacy martz/linehan draft classes already have been & are even further in the process of being gutted from the roster)... if so, it will because they don't fit in spag's plans ON THE FIELD... not because they are locker room cancers...
so for the conspiracy theorists... i don't see any shooters on the grassy knoll... (& aplogies in advance for the great length of this post... it would have been shorter if i didn't have to address this tediously played out last point
)...
* also, lets not forget roster cuts on other teams are coming as we approach the season... the rams now have more cap room/flexibility to pursue LBs they find a better fit scheme-wise...
** JT article with 5-0 statements...
Rams release linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa
BY JIM THOMAS
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Saturday, May. 09 2009
Linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa bid a gracious adieu to the Rams after being
released Friday.
"I really like the direction they're going," he said. "Because the team wasn't
winning, you knew this year was going to be different, and a lot of faces would
be different. I didn't really honestly think it would involve me. But the
change is here, it's come, and I think it's a good change. If something isn't
working, you've got to figure things out."
Tinoisamoa, 27, led the Rams in tackles in four of his six seasons but didn't
fit the mold of coach Steve Spagnuolo, who prefers bigger linebackers. Neither
Spagnuolo nor general manager Billy Devaney was available for comment Friday,
though Spagnuolo said in a statement, "This was a difficult decision based on a
lot of factors. I have a great deal of respect for Pisa and wish him all the
best."
Chief among those factors was size. Tinoisamoa was listed at 240 pounds but
played at 220 last year. When the Rams announced that Will Witherspoon would
move to the weak side and Chris Draft to the middle, the only spot remaining
was on the strong side, which requires an even beefier guy who frequently mucks
with tight ends. The addition of James Laurinaitis in the second round of the
draft further complicated Tinoisamoa's situation.
"They thought I was too good to be a backup," Tinoisamoa said. "I'm getting
paid too much to be a backup. They had brought that up earlier in the week, so
(being released) wasn't a total surprise."
Tinoisamoa's release frees up about $2.25 million in cap space but leaves the
linebacking corps thin. Draft probably will fill the hole on the strong side,
leaving Quinton Culberson as the only experienced reserve. Culberson started
the first three games of 2008 on the strong side but was replaced by Draft and
finished the season with 54 tackles.
The rest of the group lacks seasoning. David Vobora, Mr. Irrelevant of the 2008
draft, had nine tackles last year. Chris Chamberlain, another seventh-rounder,
had two tackles. Larry Grant contributed five tackles on special teams.
Tinoisamoa said he spent last weekend's minicamp rotating as a backup with the
group.
"I thought I did decent. It was a new position, but I didn't think it was
anything that was going to be unrealistic or unattainable," he said. "But when
you see a rotation, you know there was something that just wasn't solidified
yet, and that made me uneasy. I thought that I had a good chance of making this
team, so the timing kind of hit me out of the blue."
A second-round pick out of Hawaii in 2003, Tinoisamoa became the first rookie
to lead the team in tackles, with 121. He led the team in tackles the following
two seasons and was named a team captain in 2004.
Tinoisamoa signed a $24.7 million contract extension after five games of 2006
that locked him up through 2011. About that time, though, he suffered a series
of injuries to a hand, elbow, shoulder, ankle and knee that forced him to miss
12 games in 2006 and 2007. He started every game last year, though, and again
led the team in tackles, with 135.
"It was a great moment in my life, coming into a team and making the playoffs
my first two seasons," he said. "The past couple years haven't been the best,
but I've always tried to get back to that level of success as a team. My
attitude never changed, and I always strove to be the best."
since it isn't a big surprise that tino may have been found wanting as a SLB in the scheme... it has been speculated at least since last year after rumblings that the rams wanted to move witherspoon to his natural WLB position, that he could be the odd man out in a game of LB musical chairs with nowhere to sit at the end... he makes too much to be a reserve... he did begin his NFL career at SLB, with perhaps his best season (he wasn't as beat up then), making plays with his athleticism & scrappiness... but the plays came at a cost at times... due to his being undersized, he would run around blocks, sometimes not only taking himself out of the play but compromising the integrity of the overall defense itself... he was never good at containing, stacking blockers & spilling plays to the inside & his teammates... he may be listed at 230-235, but insiders like jim thomas have stated he is actually closer to 225 or even 220... one reason they almost experimented with him at SS a few years ago...
remember, trades don't occur in a vacuum... there are cap repercussions involved in inheriting the existing trade (see boldin & braylon edwards, who somewhat surprisingly weren't moved on draft day)... it wouldn't surprise me at all if teams don't think his contract would be a sensible risk given his evil knievel-esque injury history...
draft can play SLB... he's nothing special, but everybody acknowledges this is a rebuilding year, & they are making moves more for the future & not just this season... cap money saved by cutting him could help next year as well as 2009...
as far as the curious timing to some... this could also mean that the rams like what they see from the other young LBs on the roster... guys like voborra, chamberlain & grant (who showed promise with ohio state)...
imo, this move has absolutely nothing to do with locker room politics, & everything to do with remaking the roster in spag's image, & clearing cap space... if anything, i think tino was well liked by the previous regime (linehan & haslett)... they were, after all, the ones that re-upped him (in 2006 i think?), in retrospect overpaid with a EJ henderson-like contract...
speculation on the rams board is that the next two holdovers from the previous regime that are logical candidates to get axed... tye hill & TE klopfenstein (ouch, the rams have had some positively BRUTAL brutal drafts prior to last year... the legacy martz/linehan draft classes already have been & are even further in the process of being gutted from the roster)... if so, it will because they don't fit in spag's plans ON THE FIELD... not because they are locker room cancers...
so for the conspiracy theorists... i don't see any shooters on the grassy knoll... (& aplogies in advance for the great length of this post... it would have been shorter if i didn't have to address this tediously played out last point
)...* also, lets not forget roster cuts on other teams are coming as we approach the season... the rams now have more cap room/flexibility to pursue LBs they find a better fit scheme-wise...
** JT article with 5-0 statements...
Rams release linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa
BY JIM THOMAS
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Saturday, May. 09 2009
Linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa bid a gracious adieu to the Rams after being
released Friday.
"I really like the direction they're going," he said. "Because the team wasn't
winning, you knew this year was going to be different, and a lot of faces would
be different. I didn't really honestly think it would involve me. But the
change is here, it's come, and I think it's a good change. If something isn't
working, you've got to figure things out."
Tinoisamoa, 27, led the Rams in tackles in four of his six seasons but didn't
fit the mold of coach Steve Spagnuolo, who prefers bigger linebackers. Neither
Spagnuolo nor general manager Billy Devaney was available for comment Friday,
though Spagnuolo said in a statement, "This was a difficult decision based on a
lot of factors. I have a great deal of respect for Pisa and wish him all the
best."
Chief among those factors was size. Tinoisamoa was listed at 240 pounds but
played at 220 last year. When the Rams announced that Will Witherspoon would
move to the weak side and Chris Draft to the middle, the only spot remaining
was on the strong side, which requires an even beefier guy who frequently mucks
with tight ends. The addition of James Laurinaitis in the second round of the
draft further complicated Tinoisamoa's situation.
"They thought I was too good to be a backup," Tinoisamoa said. "I'm getting
paid too much to be a backup. They had brought that up earlier in the week, so
(being released) wasn't a total surprise."
Tinoisamoa's release frees up about $2.25 million in cap space but leaves the
linebacking corps thin. Draft probably will fill the hole on the strong side,
leaving Quinton Culberson as the only experienced reserve. Culberson started
the first three games of 2008 on the strong side but was replaced by Draft and
finished the season with 54 tackles.
The rest of the group lacks seasoning. David Vobora, Mr. Irrelevant of the 2008
draft, had nine tackles last year. Chris Chamberlain, another seventh-rounder,
had two tackles. Larry Grant contributed five tackles on special teams.
Tinoisamoa said he spent last weekend's minicamp rotating as a backup with the
group.
"I thought I did decent. It was a new position, but I didn't think it was
anything that was going to be unrealistic or unattainable," he said. "But when
you see a rotation, you know there was something that just wasn't solidified
yet, and that made me uneasy. I thought that I had a good chance of making this
team, so the timing kind of hit me out of the blue."
A second-round pick out of Hawaii in 2003, Tinoisamoa became the first rookie
to lead the team in tackles, with 121. He led the team in tackles the following
two seasons and was named a team captain in 2004.
Tinoisamoa signed a $24.7 million contract extension after five games of 2006
that locked him up through 2011. About that time, though, he suffered a series
of injuries to a hand, elbow, shoulder, ankle and knee that forced him to miss
12 games in 2006 and 2007. He started every game last year, though, and again
led the team in tackles, with 135.
"It was a great moment in my life, coming into a team and making the playoffs
my first two seasons," he said. "The past couple years haven't been the best,
but I've always tried to get back to that level of success as a team. My
attitude never changed, and I always strove to be the best."
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One
Not Allowed In Mexico
Ron_Mexico
I Love Doggies
BB to the white courtesy phone.BB to the white courtesy phone.Just a blurb, but still annoying that a good team may have interest, whereas the LB-starved weaker team is letting him go
Bob Magaw
Footballguy
that didn't take long...
per local st. louis journalist randy karraker, there are some previous coaching connections...
"Perry Fewell, Buffalo's DC, was with Pisa here for a couple of years. And their linebackers coach, Matt Sheldon, was a Rams assistant for Pisa's first three seasons in the league."
per local st. louis journalist randy karraker, there are some previous coaching connections...
"Perry Fewell, Buffalo's DC, was with Pisa here for a couple of years. And their linebackers coach, Matt Sheldon, was a Rams assistant for Pisa's first three seasons in the league."
T Man
Footballguy
Seems simple. Pisa is small for Spags' system. He wants bigger backers. Spags now gets a little cap relief and doesn't feel compelled to try to fit a square peg in a round hole.
Pisa can find a home in a system that fits him better. Buffalo may be that fit. Although I hope the Bills do not overpay.
Win Win for both.
Pisa can find a home in a system that fits him better. Buffalo may be that fit. Although I hope the Bills do not overpay.
Win Win for both.
hostile
Footballguy
These two.I would agree I think he's an upgrade to Ellison. I would like to see him w/ the Bills this year.
switz
Footballguy
He'd be a great addition as a role player... I think he's a bit undersized as a fulltime starter, and that's why StL let him go...visiting Buffalo tomorrow.
jgb95
Footballguy
Free agent LB Pisa Tinoisamoa is expected to decide between the Bears and Bills.
Buffalo has a bigger need on the weak side, but Tinoisamoa is more familiar with the coaches in Chicago. He's probably going to take a one-year deal.
per Rotoworld
Is there any chance he's a 3 down backer in BUF?
Buffalo has a bigger need on the weak side, but Tinoisamoa is more familiar with the coaches in Chicago. He's probably going to take a one-year deal.
per Rotoworld
Is there any chance he's a 3 down backer in BUF?
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Gottabesweet
Footballguy
No he wouldn't play in nickel situations.
