Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
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| Sims |
The Rams' and 49ers'
reported interest in veteran offensive lineman
Barry Sims makes sense even though both teams want to develop young talent up front. Sims played every snap on offense for the Raiders last season. None of the Rams' offensive linemen played every snap last season.
Alex Barron came close, but he moved from right tackle to left tackle amid a long list of injuries to his fellow linemen. While the 49ers' offensive linemen were more durable, the team lacks depth at tackle behind
Joe Staley and
Jonas Jennings.
Sims is 33 years old. He has played in at least 15 games every season but one (2006) since 1999, all for the Raiders. Oakland released Sims before a $2.5 million roster bonus was due to him. He reportedly played well against pass rusher Jared Allen last season, although the Raiders helped him quite a bit, coach Lane Kiffin said afterward.
The Ravens and Patriots also reportedly will take a look at Sims. Both are facing potential issues at tackle. Jonathan Ogden might retire after anchoring the left side of Baltimore's line for more than a decade. The Patriots' starting right tackle, Nick Kaczur, also faces an uncertain future pending the resolution of a criminal investigation into possession of painkillers.
