Brandon Chillar Goes Back to the Bay

St. Louis Rams linebacker Brandon Chillar was signed to a two-year contract worth $5.2 million by the Green Bay Packers on Wednesday. Brandon was the Rams starting outside linebacker for most of the games played over the last two years. I would normally not think of this as much of a loss but the Rams depth is lacking. We now have another hole to fill. Chillar’s biggest upside is that he is only 25 and seemed to be coming around under Jim Haslett. Bernie Miklasz on ESPN 1380AM said we have depth at linebacker. I am not sure how Bernie comes up with that statement. The Rams now have a linebacker core of Will Witherspoon, Pisa Tinoisamoa, Quinton Culberson, Tim McGarigle & Chris Draft. That is certainly not a great linebacker core or a team with any depth. Witherspoon is a solid player even playing out of position. Chris Draft is an older player good at spot action and very good in the locker room. Quinton Culberson is basically a walk on who made the most out of his opportunities last year, mostly on special teams. Pisa Tinoisamoa is the walking wounded and I have no faith in him getting past game one of the season. When healthy he is ok but not outstanding. That only leaves Tim McGarigle who had a total of 6 tackles in 2007. With the 2008 NFL Draft right around the corner and everyone looking for the Rams to get a DE to play on the other side of the line from Leonard Little, or an OT to backup Orlando Pace and Alex Barron, and a WR to replace Isaac Bruce, we now have a huge hole to fill at linebacker as well. With the draft right around the corner the Rams have a lot of work to do.