St. Louis Rams: Rams Reportedly Making Huge Cuts of Ron Bartell and James Hall

According to a tweet from Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, the St. Louis Rams will release defensive back Ron Bartell: 

"Brad Biggs ‏ @BradBiggs

#Rams will release CB RonBartell

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Bartell, 30, missed almost all of last season after suffering a severe and dangerous neck injury in the home opener in St. Louis.

The release of Bartell will clear a whopping $6.2 million dollars for the Rams, who already decided to part ways with center Jason Brown and defensive tackles Fred Robbins and Justin Bannan. 

The Rams will also be cutting ties with defensive end James Hall, according to the following tweet from Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

"Jim Thomas ‏ @jthom1

The chopping block is still out at Rams Park; team plans to release CB Ron Bartell and DE James Hall on Tuesday.

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All told, the Rams will have cleared an astounding $18.25 million in cap space by tomorrow night, if my Math is correct, from the reported cuts so far today. 

St. Louis may not be done creating space just yet, however.

Other potential alternatives to create more space under the 2012 cap would include restructuring the deal of Jason Smith (who may be cut if he doesn't agree to a pay cut) and inking Chris Long to a new deal.  

Long is due over $18 million this year. A new contract for Long could save big bucks this year and make for even more room for the upcoming 2012 NFL draft and free agency period.  

Shane Gray covers the St. Louis Rams year-round. You are encouraged to check out the rest of his work here and to follow him on Twitter.