Ndamukong Suh has yet to find a new home on the free agent market, but the Los Angeles Rams are operating with the understanding that he won’t be back. They don’t have the cap space to re-sign him, and he’s likely looking to sign a lucrative contract one more time before hanging up his cleats.
In the fourth round of the draft on Saturday, the Rams moved closer to replacing Suh by selecting Greg Gaines out of Washington, trading up 28 spots to grab him. Suh isn’t easily replaceable and no one is saying that he is, but the Rams have high hopes for Gaines.
When Les Snead called Gaines to share the news that the Rams were taking him, Wade Phillips hopped on the phone. Needless to say, he hopes Gaines can at least help fill the shoes of Suh at nose tackle.
“We got a place for you. You know Ndamukong Suh left, so you’ve got a spot. We’re looking for you to get after it,” Phillips said.
Gaines replied: “Big shoes to fill, I’m up for it.”
Phillips has faith in the young defensive tackle, saying, “You can do it, that’s why we got you now, so we’re looking forward to seeing you. We’re excited about having you on.”
Gaines has a different build than Suh, being just 6-foot-1, 312 pounds, but he’s a powerful player who does his best work between the guards. That’s where he hopes to play with the Rams, too.
“I like head-up nose, three (technique) – anywhere on the inside between the guards. Anywhere in there. From guard-to-guard, I’m good. That would be my sweet spot,” Gaines said on a conference call.
Like he said, Gaines has big shoes to fill, but he has high upside and potential.
