The Rams cut LB Pisa Tinoisamoa today, according to ESPN.com.  Tinoisamoa, a second round pick in 2002, had 104 tackles and 3 sacks in 2008, after spending much of 2007 and 2006 on I.R.  Tinoisamoa is a quick, aggressive linebacker that has adequate pass coverage skills, and it's quite a surprise to see that the Rams have released him.

You would think that, with Hawk, Barnett, Poppinga, Chillar, and Bishop already at linebacker and Kampman and Matthews joining the fray, there wouldn't be any room for a player like Tinoisamoa.  However, the transition to the 3-4 defense puts quick, flexible linebackers at a premium, and that's exactly what Tinoisamoa is.

Obviously, linebacker isn't an area of need right now.  Nor is signing a free agent a top priority, since we have extensions to dole out (Jennings, Collins), a possible re-signing of our own (Tauscher), and the rookie class to sign up.  But, Tinoisamoa was the Rams best linebacker and (probably) defender, so wouldn't that merit at least a phone call to his agent?  Or does the fact that a defensively-challenged team like St. Louis just flat out released the guy send a strong signal to stay away?