St. Louis Rams Cut Orlando Pace

The St. Louis Rams have released future Hall of Fame offensive tackle Orlando Pace, a staple of the organization who was the first pick of the 1997 NFL draft, made seven Pro Bowls and won a Super Bowl ring with the team. The decision to release Pace is no surprise after the team told Pace he wasn't welcome at offseason workouts.

For several years Pace was one of the league's elite offensive linemen, but he's 33 years old and has battled a series of injuries in recent years. If he had been on the Rams' roster in 2009, he would have cost the team almost $6 million in salary cap space.

The team made the move official with an announcement on its web site:

"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," Rams Owner/Chairman Chip Rosenbloom said in a statement. "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."

The team said it came to the decision to release Pace after trying unsuccessfully to restructure his contract. Pace is now an unrestricted free agent.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

3-10-2009 @ 5:23PM

Bob said...

It's a shame how injuries can shoot down any player, no matter what their credentials are. I can't blame the Rams--it is a business, after all. I've tried to keep up with Orlando's career ever since his days as a "pancaker" at Ohio State (as in what he did to opponents, not what he ate). How many linemen become finalists for the Heisman?! I hope he has a couple more quality seasons in him for some team, and I also hope you're right about the Hall of Fame--he appears to have earned that honor.

3-10-2009 @ 5:54PM

Justin said...

So if he chooses to continue playing, what can he expect on the open market if, say, a world championship club who is a little thin at guard were interested.