Orlando Pace released by St. Louis Rams
Orlando Pace has been released by the Rams.
Pace, 33, was taken by the Rams as the No. 1 overall pick in the 1997 draft and has been with the team since then. He was a staple at left tackle, earning seven trips to the Pro Bowl. Pace was hampered by injuries in recent seasons. A knee injury caused him to miss two games and part of a third this past season.
The Rams save $6 million under the salary cap by letting Pace go.
Statement by Rams owner Chip Rosenbloom:
“I can’t begin to thank Orlando for all he has meant to the Rams organization, since we selected him with the first overall pick in the 1997 draft. It is never easy to end a relationship that has had as much success as ours, but in the best interest of Orlando and the Rams, we feel now is the right time.
“As a Super Bowl Champion and seven-time Pro Bowler, he has been a true professional and will always go down as one of the finest Rams of all time. We wish him, Carla and their children the very best as they move onto the next chapter of their football journey.”
Statement by Rams general manager Billy Devaney:
“Orlando Pace has been a mainstay on the Rams’ offensive line since he was drafted in 1997, and has proven to be one of the most efficient offensive tackles throughout his career. We thank him for all that he has done for the St. Louis Rams and we wish him the best for the remainder of his career.”
All for now . . . more later today, hopefully
Wow…that’s all we get for Orlando “Pancake” Pace, some salary cap room?
So much for my dreams of taking Curry at number two..
Was expected but very sad….
Thanks to big O for all of the great years. In his heyday he was a real horse. He also was involved in lots of charity work that flew under the radar. A real class act.
Great. Now where are we gonna get another tackle. The Draft? What if we get Curry? I hope we resign him to a different contract. Remember what Roaf did in KC after the Saints said he had nothing left? I do. Filling holes at WR (Pending Holt’s deperature), OT, and LB is gonna be pretty hard in one offseason. And I don’t want to hear anything about rebuilding. We’ve been rebuilding for the last 3 years already. The team isn’t talentless. Much worse teams did better than the Rams last year.
can’t understand why we couldn’t get a draft pick or something, what a ripoff
Hate to see him go, I was hoping he would restructure. I think he still has some good years left. Hope this doesn’t mean that we don’t draft Curry, That would be a real shame!!!
We release another great player. Warner, Bruce, now Pace next Holt. I know we are trying to do something new in St. Louis, but come on show some class on how we get rid of our players.
I hope pace finds the fountain of youth like warner did in AZ and kicks ASS. Best of luck to you Orlando, and Thanks for the memories.
I too am amazed that we would rather free up cap money that get at least something for Pace and all pro, former 1st pick of the Draft.
I hope these moves actually help the RAMS.
Only time will tell
Good Luck Big O! We’re gonna miss you!
I pity Bulger next season with a gaping hole at left tackle! Good luck Orlando.