Rams Release Bulger

Rams released QB Marc Bulger. The move saves $8.5 million in salary, which will come in handy when the Rams make Sam Bradford one of the league’s highest paid quarterbacks later this month. Bulger, who turned 33 today, has seen his YPA average drop in six consecutive seasons and his completion rate fall in five straight while looking shell shocked in the pocket behind a swinging-gate offensive line.

He’ll have suitors (e.g. old coaches Mike Martz and Scott Linehan in the NFC North), but is unlikely to receive a serious chance to start with his new team.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

New Orleans: According to the Chicago Tribune, the “unknown team” free agent Alex Brown will visit with on Tuesday is the New Orleans Saints. The 31-year-old is also getting interest from the Bucs and Panthers, who both run the Tampa 2-style system Brown has played in for most of his career. In New Orleans, though, he’d help fill a gaping hole at left end and allow the Saints to draft the best player available with the Nos. 32 and 64 overall picks.

Cincinnati: Bengals OG Jason Shirley may be lost for the year after suffering what’s believed to be a torn Achilles’ tendon during spring workouts. Shirley, whose transition from defensive tackle to offensive guard was profiled closely on last year’s edition of HBO’s Hard Knocks, was injured during a charity basketball game.

Houston: Texans agreed to terms with K Neil Rackers on a two-year contract worth up to $4.1 million, though just $350,000 is guaranteed. The Houston Texans will hold an open competition between Rackers and Kris Brown in camp. Rackers has a stronger leg for touchback purposes and has been more accurate over the last two seasons, missing just four regular season field goal attempts compared to Brown’s 14, including 11 last year alone. Neither is especially great in the clutch, but Rackers should be the favorite.

Green Bay: Packers re-signed restricted free agent G/C Jason Spitz to a one-year, $1.76 million contract. He got a 10% raise from his 2009 salary after receiving a second-round tender. A third-round pick out of Louisville in 2006, Spitz beat out Scott Wells to be Green Bay’s starting center last September before landing on injured reserve with a herniated disc in his back five games into the season. This year, Spitz will battle T.J. Lang and Daryn Colledge at left guard.

Washington: The Washington Redskins will reportedly allow the player rep for restricted free agent Jason Campbell to seek a trade for his client. Washington is “open” to retaining him as Donovan McNabb’s backup, but Campbell would obviously prefer a chance to start elsewhere. Redskins coach Mike Shanahan is expected to address Campbell’s situation further at McNabb’s introductory press conference Tuesday. In the unlikely scenario that Campbell sticks around, he’d collect $3.14 million per his one-year tender.

Jonathan Stewart

Jonathan Stewart’s January surgery was designed to remove a bone spur pressing into his Achilles tendon while also alleviating bursitis and tendonitis by shaving away excess calcium deposits and cleaning out his bursa sacs. Stewart originally thought he’d be limited to six games last season before requiring surgery, but his high pain threshold allowed him to get through the season. Though he had hoped to be cleared for OTAs, Stewart won’t begin running until June. The Carolina Panthers still expect to have him ready for training camp, but he could be limited early on — just as he’s been for the first two seasons of his career.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

New York: Free agent K Neil Rackers will visit with the Jets on Tuesday. Rackers reportedly turned down a $2 million-per-year offer from the Arizona Cardinals, and he doesn’t figure to do better with a Jets team that wanted Jay Feely to take a paycut. The Jets apparently aren’t ready to turn the job over to Nick Folk after all.

Philadelphia: Responding to a report that the Washington Redskins inquired about Donovan McNabb, the Washington Post says the team’s interest was “much earlier in the process.” Though Jay Glazer offhandedly “tweeted” the information, he did add that the Redskins’ interest was “more than just mild … they even talked players.” Mike Shanahan’s vote is reportedly “the only one that really counts” at Redskins Park right now, and he’s not believed to be seriously interested in McNabb. Glazer also reiterated that the Eagles have received offers from Buffalo and Oakland, but Andy Reid isn’t willing to banish McNabb to either team.

St. Louis: The player rep for Marc Bulger revealed that “there are a few teams waiting” for the quarterback to get released this offseason. Scheduled to receive $8.5 million, Bulger is as good as gone if the St. Louis Rams select Sam Bradford. GM Billy Devaney would trade him if he could, but no team is going to take him on at that salary. The Bears (with Mike Martz), Panthers, and Bills make the most sense as potential landing spots.

Baltimore: Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron expressed confidence that Oniel Cousins has “starter ability” at right tackle. “If Oniel Cousins winds up being the starter, we are playing with a starter,” said Cameron. “We’re not playing with a backup.” The team’s confidence in Cousins helps explain their apparent willingness to part with Jared Gaither for the right price. Cousins held his own in two games last season before LaMarr Woodley devastated him in a third game.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

Washington: Washington Redskins DT Albert Haynesworth denies reports that he told teammates to show up late for a Christmas day practice and sources tell the Washington Post that the $100 million man will start Sunday night. Its clear that Haynesworth doesn’t care for the defensive scheme and was reportedly laughing with teammates when Jim Zorn went with the ridiculous fake field goal play twice last week.

Chicago: Chicago Bears beat writer Brad Biggs thinks that Devin Hester (calf) is unlikely to play against the Vikings Monday. Hester was unable to put in a complete practice all week and the 20 degree weather will likely keep his calf tight.

Chicago: The Bears placed LE Adewale Ogunleye (leg) on injured reserve, ending his season.
Ogunleye, 32, is expected to fully recover from this small fracture in his fibula, but his career with the Bears may be over. He’ll be a free agent after this season and the Bears traded for Gaines Adams to possibly take his spot. Ogunleye finishes the season with 6 1/2 sacks.

Indianapolis: The Colts signed QB Drew Willy off their practice squad Saturday, a sign that Peyton Manning will likely rest Sunday. If you haven’t been convinced to bench your Indianapolis Colts yet, this should be the final straw. Willy will start the game as the No. 3 QB but will become Curtis Painter’s backup if/when Manning takes a seat.

Carolina: DeAngelo Williams (doubtful, ankle) traveled with the Panthers to New York for Sunday’s game against the Giants. The fact that Williams made the trip is a glimmer of hope that he will play, but we still doubt it.

Minnisota: Vikings WR Percy Harvin was not on the Vikings’ final injury report. Harvin practiced all week and no one seems concerned at all with the rookie’s neck problems. He should resume a full workload as a major part of the game plan Monday night.