For the time being, Chris Draft will be the team's middle linebacker.

The Rams re-signed unrestricted free-agent defensive end Eric Moore and guard Mark Setterstrom. Setterstrom was slated to be the team's starting right guard in 2008, but suffered a season-ending knee injury early in training camp. The previous year, Setterstrom opened the season as the starting left guard, and suffered a knee injury in the third game, which ended his season.

The Rams did not tender Setterstrom as a restricted free agent, and likely signed him to the veteran minimum of $535,000 with a split contract in the event he's injured again.

The Rams also signed safety Craig Dahl, who has experience with the Giants in coach Steve Spagnuolo's defense. Dahl has played solidly, but has been hit by knee injuries. He spent all of 2008 on injured reserve, and was not tendered by the Giants in February as an exclusive rights free agent.

TEAM NEEDS/OFFSEASON STRATEGY

The Rams have made some key additions, but there were holes created with the releases of tackle Orlando Pace, wide receivers Torry Holt and Drew Bennett, backup quarterback Trent Green and blocking tight end Anthony Becht.

The departures of Pace and Holt created $14 million in salary-cap space, which the Rams are expected to use on a veteran backup quarterback like Gus Frerotte, and possibly depth additions at wide receiver, defensive tackle and running back. The draft could also be used for those spots. They will need about $6 million in cap space for their draft picks.

Coach Steve Spagnuolo would like to get bigger on the defensive line, where the Rams ended 2008 without a nose tackle behind starter Clifton Ryan.

The draft could also be the place where the Rams find a back capable of taking over for Jackson during games or if is injured, which has been the case the last two seasons.

TEAM NEEDS

1. Tackle: With left tackle Orlando Pace having been released and Alex Barron entering the final year of his contract, a revamping of the position is possible. In the short term, the Rams plan to move Barron from right tackle to left tackle, the position he played in college and for 15 games in 2007 when Pace was injured. That still leaves a void on the right side, where left guard Jacob Bell will work in the offseason.

2. Wide receiver: With Torry Holt and Drew Bennett released, there is no real veteran presence at the position. Donnie Avery and Keenan Burton return for their second season, and it's possible the Rams could add a receiver in free agency while still going for another young player in the draft.

3. Middle linebacker: There is a desire to move Will Witherspoon from the middle to the outside where it is believed he will be able to excel. But it can't be done unless a credible middle man can be found. The Rams have looking for that ever since London Fletcher left after the 2001 season.

MEDICAL WATCH: No updates.

FRANCHISE PLAYER: S Oshiomogho Atogwe: Tendered at $6.342M.

TRANSITION PLAYER: None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

--CB Fakhir Brown was a favorite of former coach Jim Haslett, and is not expected to return.

--CB Jason Craft was acquired during the 2008 season and made some valuable contributions. Could be back at the right price.

--OT Anthony Davis didn't play after being signed during the season, but might be back to compete for depth.

--DT La'Roi Glover played with a bad knee for most of the second half of the season and is contemplating retirement.

--T/G Adam Goldberg started at four different positions last season making his versatility valuable on the line.

--OT Brandon Gorin missed the entire 2008 season with a shoulder injury and is unlikely to return.

--WR/KR Dante Hall has experienced leg injuries the last two seasons, and his age is catching up to him.

--WR Dane Looker has always gotten the most out of his ability, but coaching change might means it's the end of the line for him.

--CB Ricky Manning played five games before going on injured reserve, but could compete for a spot if recovered from his injury.

--RB Travis Minor has contributed on special teams, but it seems to be a longshot that he'll be re-signed.

--OT Rob Petitti never made it to training camp after being injured in offseason workouts. Very unlikely to be back.

--LB Gary Stills added leadership to the special teams before being slowed by a knee injury. It's unknown how the new coaching staff views him.

--C Cory Withrow is another undersized lineman added to the roster because of injuries. Not expected to be re-signed.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

--DE Victor Adeyanju (tendered at $1.01M with fourth-round pick as compensation) has showed steady progress in his three seasons, and he is needed for depth on the line.

--OG Richie Incognito (tendered at $1.01M with third-round pick as compensation) has ability, but has to curb his emotions during games. The question is whether he's worth a $1 million tender.

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED

--CB Ron Bartell: UFA; $25M/4 yrs, $4.1M SB/$8.6M base guarantees; 2009 cap: $5.35M.

--QB Brock Berlin: Potential ERFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.

--LB Quinton Culberson: Potential ERFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.

--DE Eric Moore: UFA; terms unknown.

--OG Mark Setterstrom: Not tendered as RFA; terms unknown.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED

--C Jason Brown: UFA Ravens; $37.5M/5 yrs, $11M SB/$9M base guarantees; 2009 cap: $6.2M.

--SS James Butler: UFA Giants; $14M/4 yrs, guarantees unknown.

--S Craig Dahl: Not tendered as ERFA by Giants; terms unknown.

--FB Mike Karney: FA Saints; $3.6M/3 yrs, $1.2M guaranteed.

PLAYERS LOST

--TE Anthony Becht (released).

--WR Drew Bennett (released).

--S Corey Chavous (released).

--QB Trent Green (released/failed physical).

--WR Torry Holt (released).

--C Nick Leckey: UFA Saints; 1 yr, terms unknown.

--OT Orlando Pace (released).

--C Brett Romberg: UFA Falcons; terms unknown.