Hi Everybody,

Last night's debacling notwithstanding, Smith is our LT of the future, but does anybody really know how and when we will put him at LT?  Unlike with Joe Thomas, Jake Long, and Ryan Clady, we're not sticking him at his natural position immediately.  I realize Alex Barron is the better pass-blocker, but we have too much money invested in Smith to keep Smith at RT for very long.  Here are the scenarios I foresee at the end of this offseason:

Barron Out, Smith In

This is the simplest one.  This one assumes that either (1) Barron was not a good LT, or (2) the Rams FO had already decided before the draft that they would put Smith in at LT after Barron walks.

Barron Re-signed

There are two possible scenarios within this scenario. 

The first is that We keep Barron at LT, but how can we justify doing that?  If Barron excels at LT tackle then what do we do?  Yes, we could keep him there, but then we have a 60 million dollar right tackle.  Do we then keep Barron for four years  (assuming he gets a four-year contract) and then, after 5 years at RT, switch JS to LT?  That seems like a huge waste of money.  Plus, JS will be in a contract year by then.

The second is we re-sign Barron and then simply flip-flop both.  I don't need to remind everyone what a bad tackle Barron was on the right side.  In addition, the rate for re-signing tackles on the open market is ridiculous, so assuming we don't get a sweetheart deal before the season ends, we may have to over-pay to keep him? 

Conclusion

Based on the arguments above, it seems like the only likely route, given the money is simply jettisoning Alex Barron (or trading him, but I don't see that happening).  What does everyone else think?  Will next year's line feature Jason Smith at LT and some mammoth run-blocker (FA like Tyson Clabo or a draftee) at RT?  I would love your input.