News & Info/Headlines

As Associated Press sports writer Jim Salter reported this afternoon, the St. Louis Rams released wide receiver Torry Holt on Friday, parting ways with one of the last remaining holdovers from their "Greatest Show on Turf" glory days.

The move came three days after the Rams released offensive tackle Orlando Pace, another mainstay from the era when the Rams won their only Super Bowl and lost another on the game's final play.

Both Holt and Pace are seven-time Pro Bowl selections.

Holt is 32 and Pace is 33 and combined the moves created $14 million in salary cap space. Holt was due a $1.25 million roster bonus on Tuesday.

Salter went on to explain the Rams are trying to get younger as they rebuild after going 2-14 in 2008 and 5-27 over the last two seasons. Since the end of last season they've named a new general manager, Billy Devaney, a new head coach, Steve Spagnuolo, cut several veteran players and signed three free agents from other teams.

Still, the decision to release Holt wasn't easy, owner Chip Rosenbloom said.

"The Rams will forever be grateful for the way Torry Holt represented the Rams on the field and in the community," Rosenbloom said in a statement released by the team. "Over the past 10 seasons Torry has proven himself to be one of the finest wide receivers in league history. This is a difficult decision because Torry has meant so much to the organization."

Holt ranks 11th in league history with 869 receptions and 14th with 12,660 receiving yards. His 80.1 yards-per-game career receiving average is the best in NFL history.

He teamed with fellow wide receiver Isaac Bruce, quarterback Kurt Warner, running back Marshall Faulk and a line anchored by Pace to give the Rams one of the most potent offenses in NFL history from 1999 through 2001. He caught a touchdown pass in the 23-16 win over Tennessee in the Super Bowl after the '99 season, and helped lead St. Louis back to the Super Bowl two years later. The Rams lost 20-17 to New England in the 2002 game.

St. Louis also made the playoffs in 2003 and 2004, but hasn't been back since.

And as Salter pointed out, Holt had grown increasingly frustrated with the team that was a perennial contender for the first part of his career -- and a perennial doormat more recently.

But. ... St. Louis Post-Dispatch staffer Jeff Gordon reminded readers that Holt is no longer one of the top few wide receivers in the game, as he had been for so many years.

Last year he caught 64 passes for 796 yards. That made him about the 35th-best receiver in the league.

Gordon further noted that Holt seldom showed his old route-running burst. He runs on balky knees these days, a deterioration that requires weekly management.

And his discontent was a growing issue.

Holt has been unhappy for a couple of years now -- something we all saw during a heated sideline confrontation with then-head coach Scott Linehan in December of 2007. He has openly talked of his interest in finishing his career elsewhere.

Gordon went on to explain that Holt was unwilling to restructure his contract here to make it more cap-friendly. When the team offered Holt around the league to see if there was trade value, he asked to be released.

Gordon summed up: "Add it all up and the decision was obvious: Holt had to go. ..."

Holt's departure means the Rams are likely in the market for receiving help as well. Earlier this offseason, St. Louis also cut Drew Bennett, who was a disappointment in 2007 and missed nearly all of 2008 after being injured in the season opener.

Last season's second-round draft pick, Donnie Avery, becomes the team's top returning receiver. He had 53 catches for 674 yards and three touchdowns in 2008, and also rushed for a touchdown.

According to NFL.com, Avery and Keenan Burton are the favorites to start next season.

Given that, NFL.com's Michael Fabiano suggests the value of Marc Bulger, who has been an immense fantasy disappointment in the last two seasons, takes a hit in a pass attack with no reliable options.

As for Holt. ... With the Seahawks, Bengals and Bills no longer in the market for a veteran wideout, the list of possible landing spots isn't what it was last month.

It's also worth noting that Charlotte Observer staffer Charles Chandler quickly shot down any notion that Holt, a North Carolina native (sixth overall pick in the 1999 draft out of North Carolina State), might be granted his longstanding wish to play for the Panthers.

But the Jets, Titans, Jaguars, Ravens, Giants, Eagles and 49ers (where he would have a chance to reunite with Bruce) could all use some help on the outside.

Holt is past his prime but might still have some good seasons remaining -- if he finds the right spot. It'll be interesting to see where he lands.