Timeline: 13 raucous days of Rams moves
The Los Angeles Rams have dominated the early part of the offseason, making seven major moves to let everyone know they're in it to win it in 2018.
Here's a recap of how general manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay overhauled much of the team's core in just under two weeks:
Feb. 23: Acquire Marcus Peters from Chiefs
It was 13 days ago that the bonanza began, with the Rams agreeing to pull the trigger on a blockbuster trade to acquire two-time All-Pro cornerback Marcus Peters from the Kansas City Chiefs. Los Angeles will send a 2018 fourth-round pick and a 2019 second-rounder the other way to consummate the deal.
March 1: Cut the cord on Tavon Austin
Six days after adding a big piece in Peters, the Rams decided to shed one in wide receiver Tavon Austin. The former first-round pick was only two years into a four-year, $42-million contract when Los Angeles decided to pull the plug on him. Austin is expected to be traded or released in the near future.
March 2: Trade Robert Quinn to Dolphins
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
Only a day after the Austin news broke came another bombshell, as Los Angeles agreed to trade defensive end Robert Quinn to the Miami Dolphins. The Rams will acquire a 2018 fourth-round pick and swap sixth-rounders with the Dolphins in the deal for Quinn, who ranked second on the Rams with 8.5 sacks last season.
March 6: Use franchise tag on Lamarcus Joyner
Silence followed the Quinn trade - but not for long. Three days later, the Rams placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Lamarcus Joyner, preventing the standout safety from hitting unrestricted free agency. The Rams were one of six teams to use the franchise tag this year.
March 7: Trade Alec Ogletree to Giants
There was only time for a nap before Snead and McVay were back to their blockbuster ways, this time dealing linebacker and leading tackler Alec Ogletree to the New York Giants. Ogletree and a 2019 seventh-round pick will fetch back a fourth-rounder and sixth-rounder this year.
March 8: Sign Sam Shields
Sam Shields hasn't played since the 2016 season opener due to concussion-related issues, but the Rams signed the former Pro Bowl cornerback Thursday. Just as the ink on Shields' contract finished drying, the Rams struck again.
March 8: Acquire Aqib Talib from Broncos
Los Angeles capped off its 13 days of furious activity with another blockbuster trade, agreeing to take veteran cornerback Aqib Talib off the Denver Broncos' hands for a fifth-round pick. Talib has made five consecutive Pro Bowls, and should form one of the league's top cornerback tandems with Peters in Hollywood.