It has been announced that the St. Louis Rams and Dallas Cowboys have finalized a trade that will send offensive tackle Alex Barron from St. Louis to the Cowboys for linebacker Bobby Carpenter. This is one instance that both teams will come out on the good side of the trade, but I like what the Rams are getting for their defense.
Barron will most likely move into the left tackle position left vacant by the release of Flozell Adams. The Cowboys drafted Sam Young from Notre Dame and it is possible he is moving into the position after he gets his legs under him in the NFL. Dallas also drafted Sean Lee in the second round, and he looks to move into the starting lineup as well. But unless Young can make the transition to the pro game Dallas will be looking to find a long term solution to the left tackle position. Barron has been a solid player but his best years seem to be behind him.
Which is one reason why the Rams drafted Rodger Saffold in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft. They saw him as the bookend to 2009 first round pick Jason Smith and now they have a pair of young tackles they can build their offense around. Now with Carpenter joining former Ohio State teammate James Laurinaitis in the linebacker corps their defense gets a shot of youth that it will need. The Rams defense was horrific in 2009, and Carpenter can help solidify the unit. He never did find his place in Dallas. A fresh start in St. Louis can help him live up to his first round draft billing.
It's not often that a one-for-one trade helps both teams. This one does. I feel that in the long run it will help the Rams more than most people think at this time.
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