The Rams apparently told wide receiver Torry Holt and Orlando Pace not to show up to any offseason programs this spring.

The Sports Xchange’s Howard Balzer reports that the Rams have uninvited Torry Holt and Orlando Pace from their offseason program.

The Rams are trying to move on from the pricey duo, but this hurts their leverage in trade talks. Clearly, St. Louis isn’t open to bringing back either in 2009. Holt reportedly hasn’t heard from anyone in the organization since Steve Spagnuolo was hired as coach. It looks like Holt and Pace might both end up being released. Neither has been linked anywhere in a trade.

It would be highly unwise for a team to trade a draft pick for Holt and Pace after this news. Both of these players are sure to be released soon and it’ll be interesting to see where they wind up. I’d be shocked if the Bears don’t try to make a play for Holt, who would be a quality addition to a receiving corps in desperate need of a boost.

Notable Free Agents: Ron Bartell, CB; Richie Incognito, C; Dane Looker, WR; Dante Hall, WR;

Projected 2009 Cap Space: $8000,000

Draft Order: 2

Top Needs: The Rams have major holes along their offensive line and will likely look to upgrade their linebacker corps and secondary.

Offseason Outlook: Rumors are already circulating that the Rams will part with long-time veterans Orlando Pace and Torry Holt, although don’t rule out either player restructuring their current contracts in order to stay in St. Louis. Holt’s cap charge in 2009 is $10.25 million and Pace carries a charge of $9 mil next year. Neither player will be in a St. Louis uniform next year at their current prices. The team will either deal the players or flat out release them if they don’t agree to restructure their contracts.

The Rams might also consider releasing safety Corey Chavous ($1.2 million), linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa ($2.25 million), backup quarterback Trent Green ($1.3 million) and defensive tackle Claude Wroten ($726,000) this offseason. Considering they’re handcuffed at only $8 million, expect new head coach Steve Spagnuolo and his staff to make moves in order to free up some cap space this offseason.

If the Rams part with Holt, some believe they may target a wide receiver in the draft, possibly even Texas Tech’s Michael Crabtree. But don’t count on it. Even if the team releases/trades Holt, word is that the Rams love the potential of Donnie Avery and Keenan Burton, and therefore could address other needs with the second overall pick in the draft.

The St. Louis Rams might be willing to part with long-time veterans Orlando Pace and Torry Holt this offseason.

That bring us to Holt and Pace. The Rams would free up $8 million of cap space by cutting or trading Holt by June 1. They’d save $6 million by cutting or trading Pace by June 1.

So in essence, the Rams would double their cap room — from $14 million to $28 million — by dispatching Pace and Holt. These would not be easy decisions. Pace and Holt have been to seven Pro Bowls a piece. They were mainstays of the Greatest Show on Turf squads. They have conducted themselves in exemplary fashion on and off the field in St. Louis.

But with the arrival of Spagnuolo, the franchise is two coaching tenures removed from the “glory days” of Rams football. Will the wave of change sweeping over Rams Park extend to Pace and Holt — a pair of Hall of Fame candidates?

League sources told the Post-Dispatch that an NFL club — believed to be Tennessee — was offering a first-round pick for Holt before the trading deadline last fall. The Rams decided against making the trade, the source said.

It must be tough for a team to part with franchise-type players, but all good things must come to an end. The Rams need to turn a new leaf and what better way then to hire a new head coach and part with some of the aging veterans? These guys can’t play forever and as sad as it would be for some St. Louis fans not to see Pace and Holt in Ram uniforms next year, it’s an inevitable process. This team needs a new core group of players.