Recapping the St. Louis Rams' Roster Moves: Josh Gordy and Vernon Gholston

The St. Louis Rams made news this week with a couple of noteworthy personnel moves. First, they traded cornerback Josh Gordy to the Indianapolis Colts for a future draft pick. They followed that maneuver with the signing of a disappointing former top-10 pick in Vernon Gholston.

Josh Gordy stepped up for the Rams when the team found itself with an alarming lack of of healthy cornerbacks. He recorded three interceptions in 14 games for a defense that was most efficiently beaten on the ground.

St. Louis added three corners that are expected to make immediate contributions to the team in Cortland Finnegan, Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson. It’s also returning Bradley Fletcher and Jerome Murphy from injury.

It is said that you can’t have too many cornerbacks. But if another team offers you a draft pick for one of yours, you’ve almost got to listen.

With what was presumably Gordy’s roster spot, GM Les Snead and Coach Jeff Fisher added Vernon Gholston to the preseason defensive arsenal.

Gholston was underwhelming as a pass rusher in the Jets’ 3-4 scheme after being drafted No. 6 in 2008, failing to record a sack in three years with the team. He was also released from Bears camp last season.

Before dismissing him as unable to succeed in the 4-3 scheme (which is descriptive of both the Bears’ and the Rams’ defensive fronts) either, Rams fans should note that Gholston admits he wasn’t in the best of shape during Bears camp.

Not a glowing self-endorsement, but it sounds like he’s willing to work.

Gholston also re-joins former Ohio State teammate—and current Ram—star linebacker James Laurinaitis. The duo played together from 2005-07 before Gholston declared himself eligible for the 2008 NFL Draft.

Whether the Buckeye connection will help him fit in with the Rams (or claim a roster spot) remains to be seen, but it probably doesn’t hurt.