Holt was due a $1.25 million roster bonus March 17, and would have counted more than $10.2 million against the cap, a figure that includes the roster bonus, $6.65 million salary, a $100,000 workout bonus and slightly more than $2.2 million in prorated signing bonus. The release will save the Rams around $8 million of cap space.

"The Rams will forever be grateful for the way Torry Holt represented the Rams on the field and in the community," said Rams Owner/Chairman Chip Rosenbloom. "He is an All-Pro in every sense of the word. Over the past 10 seasons Torry has proven himself to be one of the finest wide receivers in league history. This is a difficult decision because Torry has meant so much to the organization. In my mind and for all Rams fans, Torry will always be a Ram and we wish him and his family nothing but the best as they move forward."

Holt ranks second in team history in receptions (869), receiving yards (12.660) and receiving touchdowns (74).

The release of Pace, who had a $5.975 million salary this year, along with a $25,000 workout bonus, saves the Rams $6 million of salary-cap space. They will still carry $3 million in dead money for the final year of his prorated signing bonus.

The Rams are making essentially a clean sweep of the past with the offseason departures of general manager Jay Zygmunt and club president John Shaw, who is still serving as a consultant to Rosenbloom.

Billy Devaney, in his role as general manager, hired Steve Spagnuolo as coach, and in the first two weeks of free agency added center Jason Brown, strong safety James Butler and fullback Mike Karney, while re-signing cornerback Ron Bartell.

In addition to Pace and Holt, the Rams have released quarterback Trent Green, wide receiver Drew Bennett, safety Corey Chavous and tight end Anthony Becht.

As for Pace, Rosenbloom said, "I can't begin to thank Orlando for all he has meant to the Rams organization. It is never easy to end a relationship that has had as much success as ours, but in the best interest of Orlando and the Rams, we feel now is the right time. ... (He) has been a true professional and will always go down as one of the finest Rams of all time."

Added general manager Billy Devaney, "As great a football player as Orlando Pace has been, it really makes it tough. You're losing the kind of person we've been preaching about bringing into the building. The character and professionalism that the guy represents ... that's a tough thing to get over. He's one of the great people in the game."

Concurrent with the release of Pace, the Rams plan to move Alex Barron from right tackle to left tackle, the position he played in college and in 2007 when Pace was lost for the season in the first game of the season. Barron is entering the final year of the contract he signed as a first-round pick in 2005.

Left guard Jacob Bell, who was signed as an unrestricted free agent last year, will be given an audition at right tackle in the offseason. Bell started three games at right tackle during his four seasons with the Tennessee Titans before coming to the Rams.

The Rams will also look long and hard at taking a tackle with the second overall pick in the draft.