4 ways the Rams can replace John Sullivan at center in 2019

4 ways the Rams can replace John Sullivan at center in 2019

By: Cameron DaSilva | 5 hours ago

The Los Angeles Rams are moving on from John Sullivan, declining to pick up his option for the 2019 season. This move makes him a free agent next week when the new league year begins on March 13, opening up a hole at center.

Sullivan, who will be 34 in August, is clearly approaching the end of his career and it showed late in the 2018 season. He struggled down the stretch, particularly in the Super Bowl against the Patriots. He doesn’t have the same strength he once had in the running game and gets overpowered against bigger pass rushers.

So with Sullivan on his way out, how will the Rams replace him? It’s actually much easier than it seems, and they prepared for this very day. The most obvious replacement is Brian Allen, who the Rams took in the fourth round last year.

The Michigan State product saw minimal playing time last season in spot duty, replacing Sullivan late in blowouts. He should still be considered a “rookie” in 2019, though, having played just 36 total snaps in the NFL.

While he’s not the best athlete, he is physical and tough in the middle of the line. He loves to finish blocks and put defenders on their backs, which is a great trait in a lineman. Allen is a viable replacement for Sullivan and should be considered the front-runner for the starting job next season.

Another potential option could come in the draft. The Rams hold the 31st overall pick and in a defense-heavy class, there’s a good chance a top interior offensive lineman could fall into their laps. It’s unlikely the Rams would spend a first-round pick on a center after drafting Allen in the fourth round last year.

If the Rams want to stay in-house, Austin Blythe is another option. He originally began his career at center and was slotted there in 2017 before taking over at guard last season. He also backed up Ryan Kelly at center for the Colts in 2016, so he has the requisite experience there.

The downside of moving Blythe is A) he may not be as good at center and B) it leaves another hole at guard. If Rodger Saffold leaves, the Rams would be looking at two new starting guards if they moved Blythe to center. That’s certainly not ideal, but it’s a possibility.

Lastly, Los Angeles could dip its feet into the free agency pool. Matt Paradis would be an excellent option, but a costly one. The same goes for Mitch Morse, who’s only 27 years old. B.J. Finney was coached by one of the best offensive line gurus in the league the past few years in Mike Munchak, and he can play both guard and center.

It’s possible for the Rams to upgrade the center position this offseason and possibly sink even less money into the position than the $6.25 million Sullivan was going to cost them. It was somewhat surprising to see them move on from him, but given the price and his regression, it’s easy to see why they made this move.

The #Rams are not picking up the option on center John Sullivan’s contract. His leadership and savvy will be missed. Rams have spoken highly of Brian Allen, who they always viewed as the heir apparent.

— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) March 5, 2019

http://footballnextlevel.com/tag/2019-practice-squad-pay/

Draft

Rookie Pool Estimates

The Rookie Pool is the total cost in cap dollars that a team needs to sign its rookies in the summer. The cap space required to do this is less than the rookie pool. This is because every draft pick signed will replace a player already counting against the cap.

The effective cap spaced needed is equal to: Rookie Pool – ($495,000 x number of picks).

$5,534,505 -(7 x $495,000) = $2,069,000
Right now we only count 51 players against the Salary Cap. Later we will count 53. that will and another 2 x $495,000 = $990,000
Practice Squad of 10 players for games equals, 2019 Practice Squad Weekly Pay: $8,000.00 ($136,000 if on all 17 weeks) x 10 = $1,360,000.
$2,069,000 – draft pool
$990,000 – 51-53
$1,360,000 – practice squad
~$5,000,000 – Injured Reserve
—————–
$9,419,000 yearly expenses
.
Usins Spotrac numbers: $29,126,386 – $9,419,000 = ~ $20 million effective Cap Space with the cutting of Sullivan. imo

Find this article at:
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001021142/article/rams-dont-exercise-19-option-on-center-john-sullivan
Rams don’t exercise ’19 option on center John Sullivan

By Herbie Teope
Around The NFL Writer
Published: March 5, 2019 at 11:54 a.m.
Updated: March 5, 2019 at 01:03 p.m.

One of the NFL’s top offensive lines will need a new starting center.

The Los Angeles Rams did not exercise a 2019 option on veteran John Sullivan, making him eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on March 13, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported.

Sullivan, who turns 34 in August, has proved durable over the past two seasons, starting 31 regular-season games. The lone game Sullivan missed over that span came in the 2017 season finale when the Rams rested a majority of their starters ahead of the postseason. On his career, Sullivan has played for the Rams, Washington Redskins (2016) and Minnesota Vikings (2008-15).

Meanwhile, the Rams’ front five has stability at left tackle after Andrew Whitworth announced he was returning for the 2019 season, but losing Sullivan will leave a hole.

Additionally, the Rams could experience further transition on the offensive line depending on what happens with pending free-agent guard Rodger Saffold, who should command plenty of attention on the open market.