Usually the first day of free agency doesn't see such a big kicker story (relatively speaking). The Rams saw their longtime kicker, Jeff Wilkins, retire on Friday. Wilkins informed the team in the morning that he was taking his K-ball and going home.
Wilkins declined to meet with reporters Friday, instead issuing a statement: "Throughout my 11 years with the Rams, everybody in the organization has been fantastic - from the top to the bottom," he said. "But my retirement is best for me, my family, and the Rams."
Wilkins' retirement has as much to do with health issues as anything.
Nagging leg and back injuries, which could be nerve-related, have spread, and treatments have been unsuccessful.
No biggie. The Rams then go out and sign free agent kicker Josh Brown to a five-year deal later in the evening. Brown, who spent his first five seasons with the Seahawks, has been a Rams killer during his career. Last year, he kicked two game winning field goals over St. Louis that directly affected the outcome of the NFC West. So, not only do they find a capable replacement, they hurt a division rival.
With Wilkins retiring and Issac Bruce getting released, there are only three Rams left from their Super Bowl XXXIV championship team: Torry Holt, Leonard Little and Orlando Pace.
For the second straight week, the 49ers are undeserved victors. When you outgain someone 392 yards to 186 and 20 first downs to eight, as St. Louis did today, you'd expect to emerge victorious. But a couple of big plays did the Rams in and it was 
