(4:30 Update) So Long, Big Game

-         After spending the past five-plus years around Rams receiver Torry Holt, I wanted to take the opportunity today to tip my cap to one of the classiest, friendliest and most talented players I’ve ever had the pleasure of covering.

-         The Rams released Holt today in what had to be an extremely difficult decision for those making the choices.

-         Holt will go down as one of the best receivers in league history and his accomplishments in his decade in St. Louis were nothing short of historic.

-         There has been nary a receiver more productive in this decade than Big Game. His numbers places him among some of the game’s greats and should one day land him in the Hall of Fame assuming he can piece together a few more productive seasons.

-         Along the way, Holt has been so much more to this organization and this community than just a productive receiver. Playing a position that seems to spawn copious amounts of attitude problems and arrogance, Holt has been a paragon of excellence on and off the field.

-         Few players in this league carry themselves with the type of class and attitude of Torry Holt. Rare was the day when Holt didn’t have a smile on his face or a kind word for everyone he encountered.

-         For whatever it’s worth and Rams owner Chip Rosenbloom said it better in his statement than I ever could, best of luck to you, No. 81. You will be missed.

-         As for how this affects the Rams, well, it certainly makes finding a few receivers more of a priority. The team has released Holt and Drew Bennett in the past couple of weeks and Dane Looker is an unrestricted free agent. That leaves just Donnie Avery, Derek Stanley and Keenan Burton as the only wide outs on the roster with any kind of game experience.

-         Expect the Rams to make a move on adding some receivers in free agency and or the draft. This move doesn’t pigeonhole them into anything but it does mean the team needs to add to the position, something general manager Billy Devaney readily admits.

-         When the Rams released Orlando Pace, Devaney said it didn’t bind the Rams into taking a tackle with the No. 2 selection and this move doesn’t tie them into taking a receiver at that spot, either. Still, Devaney did say that the Rams have ruled out nothing in terms of that draft pick. In other words, the Rams will still take the player they feel is the best player who is also the best fit for what the team is trying to do.

-         That’s all for now but I’d like to invite you fans to write into the mailbag with some of your favorite memories of Torry and Orlando whether it be on the field or a personal encounter and I’ll post them in a special Monday mailbag.

-         Have a good weekend all and be sure if you’re in St. Louis to head down to the St. Patty’s Day Parade downtown where Devaney will be serving as the parade’s grand marshal.