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Said Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo, "As we continue to shape our roster and address the needs of our club, we believe this trade helps improve our team. We wish Alex the best and appreciate his efforts as a member of the St. Louis Rams."

Barron had signed his restricted free-agent tender of $2.73 million on Friday to facilitate the trade. That tender figure is correct, not the $2.621 million figure that has also been reported. The lower number is the tender for players with five accrued seasons where a first-round pick would be the compensation.

Not when he was a two-star recruit coming out of St. Joseph High School in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, or when the Dallas Cowboys drafted him in the fourth round in 2007 after a decent career at Northern Illinois.

Remember, the Cowboys drafted tackle James Marten (who was released a year later) a round before Free in the same year.

So despite playing well in place of the injured Marc Colombo last year, Free never fell for the notion that he would be given the starting spot at left tackle following the release of Flozell Adams without pause.

He put himself in this position because of hard work and plans to continue down that path as he prepares to compete with the newly-acquired Alex Barron at left tackle.

Not when he was a two-star recruit coming out of St. Joseph High School in Manitowoc, Wis., or when the Dallas Cowboys drafted him in the fourth round in 2007 after a decent career at Northern Illinois.

Remember, the Cowboys drafted tackle James Marten (who was released a year later) one round before Free in the same year.

So despite playing well in place of the injured Marc Colombo last year, Free never fell for the notion that he would be given the starting spot at left tackle following the release of Flozell Adams without pause.

He put himself in this position because of hard work and plans to continue down that path as he prepares to compete with the newly acquired Alex Barron at left tackle.