Lineman with Boudreau connection visiting

Hmmm. Never heard of the guy. But, there’s this: http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/2/18/8052233/lions-free-agents-2015-garrett-reynolds.

Excerpts:

Case for re-signing him

Reynolds’ versatility proved to be extremely valuable in 2014. He initially joined the team as an offensive guard, and he was brought back just days after the first game of the season as an offensive tackle. He immediately stepped in as the starting right tackle due to injuries to the Lions’ starter and backup, and he helped keep things afloat on the O-line throughout the season with various players going down. Considering he should be a cheap option, the Lions could do a lot worse than Reynolds from a depth standpoint.

Case against re-signing him

Although Reynolds was versatile, there was a noticeable drop-off when he was in the game at right tackle in 2014. I guess that makes sense considering Reynolds wasn’t at his normal position and was the Lions’ third-stringer, but undrafted rookie Cornelius Lucas jumped him on the depth chart at tackle as the season progressed. It’s true that Reynolds is a better fit at guard, but part of being versatile is being able to perform well at multiple positions. If that’s what the Lions want out of a backup offensive lineman, then there may be better options out there.

Final verdict

Considering the Lions don’t really have any proven depth at guard, it would be wise to re-sign Reynolds. As mentioned earlier, he should be a cheap option, and the fact that he can slide outside to tackle if needed is valuable considering how many injuries the Lions dealt with on the O-line last season. Guard is certainly a better fit for Reynolds, but having someone with experience at multiple positions on the offensive line is important for when emergency situations arise on game day.

Sounds like a backup. Which means, the Rams would still need to acquire a center, guard and tackle. Unless this guy would be the Rams’ new starting guard. Which I’m not too excited about.

• This reply was modified 9 years, 9 months ago by Dak.

Dak wrote:

Sounds like a backup.

Unless he is at guard. That is, from what I just read here (quickly) his drop-off was at tackle.

The league is full of guys who do well at guard in their 2nd or 3rd stop.

Which promises nothing, of course…depends on how good they are at finding them.

They need more than a C, G, and RT. They need depth, too. They lost Person, right? They need bodies in camp.

I doubt the Rams are thinking of him as the “answer” as a starter. They won’t stop looking because they get Reynolds.

And they may not even offer him a contract.

Can confirm free-agent visit by Detroit OT Garrett Reynolds to Rams Park. In 6 NFL seasons w/Atl and Det, has played in 52 games w/27 starts

— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) March 18, 2015

zn wrote:

Adam Caplan ‏@caplannfl

G/T Garrett Reynolds is expected to sign with the #Rams, source confirmed.

He signed. It’s official.

I am ecstatically underwhelmed.

zn wrote:

Rams announce they have signed OT Garrett Reynolds; probable third tackle.

Third? I didn’t know we had a 2nd.

And the guy plays better at OG. So we sign him for #3 OT? I can’t help but think that he’ll be mainly at OG.

I wonder if this suggests that we are close on Joe B.

And of course we need to see the $ he signed for.

Joe Barksdale and Justin Blalock are still in play, but if they sign Barnes, it probably eliminates Stefen Wisniewski. imo

fwiw Snead indicated that they would address the line in the draft. Fisher is still lying to JT.

Agamemnon wrote:

Joe Barksdale and Justin Blalock are still in play, but if they sign Barnes, it probably eliminates Stefen Wisniewski. imo

fwiw Snead indicated that they would address the line in the draft. Fisher is still lying to JT.

Ag, I am wondering what the $ on Reynolds is. Does it make a dent in the cap margin? If so, that would probably suggest that they are projecting him to start. Yet his description makes him sound like a good swing guy for 2nd string. As a swing BUP, he may not punch too big a hole in the cap.

I am HOPING that they are planning on signing Joe B. and that they aren’t deluded.

But then we need an OC. Can Barnes be trusted with that key position?

rfl wrote:

Ag, I am wondering what the $ on Reynolds is. Does it make a dent in the cap margin? If so, that would probably suggest that they are projecting him to start. Yet his description makes him sound like a good swing guy for 2nd string. As a swing BUP, he may not punch too big a hole in the cap.

I am HOPING that they are planning on signing Joe B. and that they aren’t deluded.

But then we need an OC. Can Barnes be trusted with that key position?

I would expect minimum wage plus a modest bonus on a short term contract for Renyolds and Barnes. Barksdale at ~5 million for 4 years? I have no idea what they plan at center. I would try Jones and Barnes and draft one. I would also draft the best OT that I can.

• This reply was modified 9 years, 9 months ago by Agamemnon.

Cheap back up guard and third string right tackle. Worked with our own line coach before a couple of years ago

And hacksaw’s son!

Count me in. 🙂

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/rams-add-free-agent-ot-from-detroit/article_96744a79-f61f-5942-94ac-3994370080f1.html?print=true&cid=print
Rams add free-agent OT from Detroit
3 minutes ago • By Jim Thomas

Addressing a need on a razor-thin offensive line, the Rams signed free-agent offensive tackle Garrett Reynolds to a two-year deal, the team announced Wednesday.

Reynolds, 27, started four games for Detroit last season at right tackle. He spent his previous five seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, who drafted him in the fifth round out of North Carolina in 2009.

Reynolds, 6-7, 305, has played in 52 games with 27 starts in the NFL, and had starting experience at guard with the Falcons. For three consecutive seasons in Atlanta, he opened the season as the team’s starting right guard, but could never hold the job.

Rams offensive line coach Paul Boudreau was in Atlanta with Reynolds from 2009 through 2011, so there is a familiarity factor.

Until adding Reynolds, the Rams had only seven offensive linemen under contract, and only two (Greg Robinson and Rodger Saffold) who had started an NFL regular-season game.

Reynolds had never started more than 10 games in an NFL season, and appears to be more of a depth addition than necessarily an opening-day starter at guard or tackle.

He’s the nephew of former Rams linebacker John “Hacksaw” Reynolds.

Agamemnon wrote:

rfl wrote:

Ag, I am wondering what the $ on Reynolds is. Does it make a dent in the cap margin? If so, that would probably suggest that they are projecting him to start. Yet his description makes him sound like a good swing guy for 2nd string. As a swing BUP, he may not punch too big a hole in the cap.

I am HOPING that they are planning on signing Joe B. and that they aren’t deluded.

But then we need an OC. Can Barnes be trusted with that key position?

[color color=blue]I would expect minimum wage plus a modest bonus on a short term contract for Renyolds and Barnes. Barksdale at ~5 million for 4 years? I have no idea what they plan at center. I would try Jones and Barnes and draft one. I would also draft the best OT that I can.[/color]

• This reply was modified 9 years, 9 months ago by Agamemnon.
• This reply was modified 9 years, 9 months ago by Agamemnon.

rfl wrote:

Thanks, Ag.

Affordable. But, still, roughly 1/11 of our cap space?

Need to sign some starters soon …

1 out of 143. Cap is about 143 million. His cap hit this year is 1 million. Then he can be cut next year with no dead money.