OL Orlando Pace (7-time Pro Bowler, Super Bowl Champion, CFB HOF, NFL HOF)

[scott91575]

Most veterans dont like staph infection...or so I've heard....

Per the Cleveland Browns..."Staph is like the Chicken Pox. So we like to give it to our players to make sure they get it out of the way."

 

[GrizzlyBuck]

It would be the psychological scarring that would be worse than the physical scarring :( if he finished his career for the Browns. Mangini gives me some hope though.

It is obvious that Big O's career is winding down, and what a career it's been, he'll go down as one of the best collegiate and professional left tackles of all time (oh hello Captain Obvious)

A little off topic, does anyone know where Orlando will end up in retirement, will he return to Columbus like so many other former Buckeye greats did?

 

[SEREbuckeye]

Should Pace be released this off season, I hope that he inks a deal with another team for at least one more season. I would love to see the big guy go out on a successful, healthy note. As long as he doesn't become a journeyman in the next few years, I will be happy for him. A Canton lock for sure.

With the recruiting season of 09 wrapping up, we have just gotten done comparing the likes of Dorian Bell to AJ Hawk, and anointing Jamaal Berry as the next Eddie George. We use such names as George, Hawk, T. Smith, Ginn, and Pace because they are the best of the most recent Bucks to come through. However, Pace is a legit lock as OSU's most loved and feared Tackle. The man is a Buck legend that we will continue to compare ALL hulking incoming O-Lineman to (ala Alex Boone 04-05). Pace's dominance will never be matched, as he is one of college football's most decorated and best players. In short, lets stop comparing guys to HIM because, no one will ever ring bells the way he did! Great football player, even better human being.

Go Bucks.

 

[Buckskin86]

Holt, Pace still here ? for now
(Post-Dispatch file photos)By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
03/02/2009

As the frantic first weekend of free agency wound down, all was quiet with regard to Rams wide receiver Torry Holt and offensive tackle Orlando Pace.

General manager Billy Devaney indicated Friday that the Rams, in theory, had enough cap room to sign Jason Brown and James Butler and re-sign Ron Bartell without having to tap into the $14 million that would be created by releasing or trading Pace and Holt.

So for now, Pace and Holt remain Rams. But league sources are convinced that the team is shopping both players as trade bait. Perhaps the Rams' thinking is that once the early buying spree calms down, there will be a market for Pace and Holt ? even if it's a middle- to late-round pick.

The club has been extremely tight-lipped on the futures of the two veterans, who have spent their entire NFL careers in St. Louis. Then again, the Rams haven't come close to saying that Pace or Holt fit in the team's plans, either, for 2009.

03/02/2009 - Holt, Pace still here — for now - STLtoday.com

 

[3074326]

ProFootballTalk.com - RAMS “TRYING LIKE HELL” TO TRADE PACE

RAMS ?TRYING LIKE HELL? TO TRADE PACE
Posted by Mike Florio on March 7, 2009, 10:03 p.m. EST

The end of the road could soon be coming for tackle Orlando Pace in St. Louis.

But before the Rams cut the No. 1 overall pick in the 1997 draft, they?re doing everything they can to get something of value in exchange for his services.

Per a league source, the Rams are ?trying like hell? to trade Pace.

After injuries limited Pace to eight games in 2006 and only one in 2007, he started 14 in 2008. But with the Rams moving forward, guys like Pace who won?t be part of the future are destined to be let go.

It?s unlikely that any team would take Pace via trade absent a new contract. Currently, he?s due to earn $5.975 million in 2009, $7.175 million in 2010, and $8.375 million in 2011.

Our guess? Pace soon will be released, and if he wants to continue his career he?ll have to take a lot less money than he is due to earn this season.

 

[RLC65]

Untimley injuries or not, it is hard to believe that Pace would not figure in the Rams plans for '09. Healthy, he is still the best left tackle playing, who cares what the subtle aspects of the system may be. If they know he is going to be injury prone for some reason, then that, I suppose, is different. But if he is, they can't get much for him, I suspect. :(

Go Bucks!

 

[BB73]

The Rams have released Pace, per the ESPN ticker.

 

[RocketBuckeye]

PLEASE PICK HIM UP VIKINGS!

 

[twoodbuck97]

Hope he joins the 49ers. Niners could use another tackle. Wouldn't hurt if he's only but one of the best Buckeyes of all time.

 

[Buckskin86]

Orlando Pace's career highlights
03/11/2009

A look at offensive tackle Orlando Pace's career highlights:

St. Louis Rams

? Named to seven consecutive Pro Bowls from 1999 to 2005. MORE RAMS

? Blocked for three straight NFL MVPs (QB Kurt Warner, 1999, 2001; RB Marshall Faulk, 2000).

? First overall pick in 1997 NFL draft.

? Before Pace, an offensive lineman had not been selected No. 1 in the NFL draft in 30 years. (The previous was Ron Yary in 1968. After Pace, it would be 11 years before another

O-lineman went No. 1 ? Jake Long in 2008.)

The college years

? Consensus All-American at Ohio State in 1995 and '96.

? Did not allow a QB sack in his last two seasons at Ohio State.

? In 1996, became first player ever to win two consecutive Lombardi Awards, given to the outstanding collegiate lineman. Also won Outland Trophy in '96, which goes to nation's top

interior lineman. Finished fourth in Heisman voting that year.

? "Pancake block" statistic for O-linemen created because of Pace's college dominance.

03/11/2009 - Orlando Pace's career highlights - STLtoday.com

RAMS RELEASE PACE
Posted by Mike Florio on March 10, 2009

The St. Louis Rams have announced that tackle Orlando Pace, the No. 1 overall pick in the 1997 draft, has been released.

We recently were told that the Rams had been ?trying like hell? to trade Pace. Howard Balzer of the Sports Xchange pointed out earlier today that the move will save the Rams $5.975 million against the 2009 salary cap.

?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,? said Rams Owner/Chairman Chip Rosenbloom in a team-issued release. ?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.?

It remains to be seen where that next chapter unfolds. Injured for much of 2006 and 2007, he played most of last season.

Though he?s no longer among the best left tackles in the game, he?s better than most left tackles on most other NFL teams.

Our guess is that the Raiders, who cut Kwame Harris and who opted not to sign Khalif Barnes, could be interested. The Bengals might eyeball Pace, who went to Ohio State, as a possible replacement for Stacey Andrews.

The Ravens also are looking for tackles. The Vikings might be interested in Pace as an option on the right side, given that they were believed in some circles to be interested in making a run at Carolina?s Jordan Gross.

In Kansas City, Pace would provide instant leadership in the locker room, and give 2008 rookie Brendan Albert more time to develop.

Bottom line? If T.O. got another job in two days, Pace should be able to find a new home just as quickly.

ProFootballTalk.com - RAMS RELEASE PACE

 

[brutus1958]

good luck to orlando where ever he signs! great buckeye there.whoa!!!

 

[Buckskin86]

Report: Pace to visit Ravens

In a surprising move, the Ravens are expected to meet with free-agent offensive tackle Orlando Pace on Wednesday night, according to NBCSports.com.

Pace 33, was released by the St. Louis Rams last week in a salary-cap move. The first pick in the 1997 draft, Pace is a seven-time Pro Bowl left tackle.

This was an unexpected visit because Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome recently downplayed the team?s interest in that position.

"Hey, I'm always looking to improve this football team," Newsome told The Baltimore Sun in a story that ran Monday. "At this point, we have no plans to bring in any tackles."

If the Ravens sign Pace, it would create an uncertain future for offensive tackle Willie Anderson. The Ravens would save $2.9 million by cutting Anderson.

Pace would be an upgrade, but the 6-foot-7, 325-pound lineman comes with some injury concerns. He has missed 25 games over the past three seasons and hasn?t played a full season since 2005.

Last season, Pace missed two games with a torn thigh muscle and injured knee. In 2007, he was sidelined 15 games with a shoulder injury. In 2006, he was gone for half the season with a torn triceps injury.

Ravens Insider: Report: Pace to visit Ravens - The inside scoop and analysis on the team from The Baltimore Sun's Ravens columnist and Ravens beat writer. - baltimoresun.com

 

[Buckskin86]

Ravens on Pace to fill hole at right tackle
By Jamison Hensley | [email protected]
March 19, 2009

The Ravens are looking at Orlando Pace, a seven-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle. (AP photo / August 1, 2006)

Orlando Pace could become the most prominent right tackle in Ravens history ? if he's healthy.

Injury issues appear to be the biggest question mark for Pace, who is scheduled to meet team officials today.

Pace, 33, a seven-time Pro Bowl left tackle, was released last week by the St.Louis Rams after missing 25 games over the past three seasons.

If the Ravens are satisfied with the results of his physical examination, they are expected to make a strong run at him. It would probably signal the end for Willie Anderson, whose departure would open up $2.9million in salary-cap space.

Pace's agent did not return phone calls yesterday.

Still committed to developing Jared Gaither at left tackle, the Ravens would want to start Pace on the right side, a long-standing trouble spot.

The Ravens have had 13 linemen start at least one game at right tackle over the past 10 seasons. The list began with Harry Swayne in 1999 and continued through last season with Anderson.

The Ravens have tried to fill the void several ways. There was the return of Orlando Brown. There was the failed experiment with guard Edwin Mulitalo in 2002. And there were stopgaps like Ethan Brooks (who will be remembered more for his false starts than blocking), Kipp Vickers and Sammy Williams.

Only Tony Pashos has started an entire season at right tackle during this span.

But it's a gamble to address the need by signing a lineman over 30. The Ravens learned that with the Leon Searcy debacle.

In 2001, the team gave Searcy a $3 million signing bonus after the 31-year-old right tackle missed the entire previous season with a quadriceps injury. Then, in his first season with the Ravens, Searcy tore a tendon in his left arm during training camp, ending his season before it began.

If Pace becomes the Ravens' right tackle, he would bring a pedigree unlike any other at that position.

Pace went to seven straight Pro Bowls from 1999 to 2005 and blocked for three consecutive Most Valuable Players from 1999 to 2001 (quarterback Kurt Warner and running back Marshall Faulk).

Ravens on Pace to fill hole at right tackle -- baltimoresun.com

 

[billmac91]

if he's willig to play RT for Baltimore, why doesn't Cleveland try and entice to him to finish his career in Ohio? Maybe it is a money issue, but Thomas at LT, with Pace on the right would have to be the best Tackle combo in the NFL.

Again a pipe dream, but you look at all of these evteran signings other club are making, and I just don't understand why Cleveland hasn't made a run at any of them. Aside from being former Buckeyes, Shawn Springs would have been a GREAT addition. Joey Galloway would be awesome opposite Braylon. Orlando would fill a pressing need for Cleveland.

Maybe it is as simple as the organization feeling we are a ways away and would rather develop some talent.

I'm not sure, but this off-season has sucked horribly so far. Maybe a C grade, IMO.

 

[OSU_D/]

if he's willig to play RT for Baltimore, why doesn't Cleveland try and entice to him to finish his career in Ohio? Maybe it is a money issue, but Thomas at LT, with Pace on the right would have to be the best Tackle combo in the NFL.

Again a pipe dream, but you look at all of these evteran signings other club are making, and I just don't understand why Cleveland hasn't made a run at any of them. Aside from being former Buckeyes, Shawn Springs would have been a GREAT addition. Joey Galloway would be awesome opposite Braylon. Orlando would fill a pressing need for Cleveland.

None of these guys have ever played for the Jets so they are ineligible to be signed by Cleveland.

Having grown up in in NEO I don't want to see a single OSU player play for this horrible organization. The owner's family helped Art leave Cleveland, they hire bum coaches and bad gm's, they draft poorly and they have a losing environment. My allegiance will always be a thousand times stronger to OSU than it will be for any professional organization and therefor don't want to see OSU players go to places of such suckitude as Cleveland, Cincinnati, Detroit, etc.

I hope Pace goes to a team that just needs to shore up the OL and is a playoff contender now.