Rams rookie review: Week 8/Wagoner

St. Louis Rams rookie review: Week 8
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/13141/rams-rookie-review-week-8

EARTH CITY, Mo. — A look at the playing time and production of each of the St. Louis Rams’ drafted rookies and a quick glimpse at the undrafted rookie class in Sunday’s 34-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

OL Greg Robinson, first round, No. 2 overall: Robinson got his third straight start at left guard but didn’t finish the day there. He moved to his long-term position at left tackle when Jake Long departed with a knee injury. Robinson was one of just three Rams to play all 52 snaps, splitting time between tackle and guard. He had some rough moments at tackle, as you’d expect in his first appearance there, but will have to learn on the go now as the job will be his for the rest of the season and beyond if he handles it well. His most impressive play of the day was running down Chiefs safety Ron Parker after an early interception and making the tackle.

DT Aaron Donald, first round, No. 13 overall: Donald continues to be one of the team’s few consistent bright spots every week. He played 40 snaps in this one and posted a tackle for loss and forced a fumble that the Rams recovered deep in Kansas City territory. Rams coaches had him down for three quarterback pressures as well.

DB Lamarcus Joyner, second round, No. 41 overall: Joyner continued his upward trajectory with another solid outing against the Chiefs, though it came with a few hiccups. He played 35 defensive snaps, including some at free safety after injuries to Rodney McLeod and Cody Davis. Joyner led the team with 10 tackles, including two for loss. Aside from getting beat for a third-down conversion early in the game, Joyner was solid again and has now put together three pretty solid performances in a row.

RB Tre Mason, third round, No. 75 overall: Mason didn’t get the opportunities some thought he would after a strong effort against Seattle, as he was on the field for just 18 snaps. He did get the most carries among backs with seven for 32 yards. He also had a catch for 1 yard.

S Maurice Alexander, fourth round, No. 110 overall: Alexander was a pregame inactive against Kansas City.

CB E.J. Gaines, sixth round, No. 188 overall: Gaines had a tough day at the office while playing 65 of a possible 66 defensive snaps. Although he finished with eight tackles, including one for loss, he also picked up a pair of penalties (though the personal foul was questionable at best) and missed a golden opportunity to recover a fumble early in the game.

C Demetrius Rhaney, seventh round, No. 250 overall: Rhaney is on injured reserve for the season with a knee injury.

Undrafted rookie roundup: Marcus Roberson made his first start at cornerback, playing 65 snaps and making four tackles. He didn’t have any glaring mistakes and seemed to acquit himself well in place of an injured Janoris Jenkins. … Trey Watts played 17 snaps on special teams. … Tight end Alex Bayer and defensive end Ethan Westbrooks were inactive.