10 Rams questions, revisited
• By Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/rams-questions-revisited/article_dce72365-d6bc-55c5-9af3-2b80669958c0.html
Revisiting 10 questions posed six weeks ago when the Rams assembled for training camp:
1. Make or break for Bradford?
This much we know: His knee is broken. So once again, there’s no chance to evaluate quarterback Sam Bradford over an entire season. Bradford was throwing as well as ever before the injury. Now the question becomes, do the Rams keep him around in 2015? He has one year left on his contract and is scheduled to make $13 million in 2015. The team must decide if it wants Bradford back but has months and months to make that decision. If the Rams do, they could seek to restructure that last year down from $13 million.
2. Can the other Sam make the team?
That answer came down Saturday. From the outset of training camp, it was apparent that undrafted rookie Ethan Westbrooks would pose a big challenge to Michael Sam. And in this case, the 2012 NCAA Division II defensive player of the year from West Texas A&M beat out the 2013 Southeastern Conference defensive player of the year from Missouri. Go figure. As the saying goes, that’s why you play the game — even in the preseason. Sam was good, but Westbrooks was better. Sam could still end up on the practice squad.
3. Is Fisher’s seat getting warm?
This is a question that will take an entire season to fully answer, but again only an outright collapse should make that happen. Outside Rams Park, expectations have been lowered by Bradford’s season-ending injury, but Fisher still seems relaxed and confident about this team and about new starting quarterback Shaun Hill. However, Fisher and general manager Les Snead won’t get many sympathy votes on Bradford’s injury since the team didn’t draft a QB until the sixth round — Garrett Gilbert — who was cut.
4. How good is Gregg?
Still a bit of a mystery because the Rams’ new defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams, showed only a limited part of his scheme in the preseason. It is clear, however, that the Rams will be more aggressive on defense, take more chances and blitz more often than a year ago. There is more volume and diversity in his defense, with at least 18 packages in the playbook using different personnel in different ways. He is passionate and outspoken and holds players accountable on the practice field and in the meeting room.
5. Can anybody cover back there?
One of the more underrated developments in the secondary has been the safety play of T.J. McDonald and Rodney McLeod. Williams is pleased with how they’ve picked up his system and then carried it out on the field. McLeod, in particular, has made an impression on Williams, displaying more aggressiveness and crisper tackling than a year ago. Cornerback remains a work in progress. Janoris Jenkins played in only one preseason game; Trumaine Johnson (knee) is expected to miss at least a month, leaving the unit even less experienced.
6. How good is this D-line?
Four of the top eight were either banged up in the preseason, or in the case of William Hayes, limited while recovering from offseason surgery. Hayes barely practiced during camp, and with Eugene Sims nursing a knee injury, the Rams’ depth at defensive end might not be so formidable early in the season. At D-tackle, Kendall Langford and Michael Brockers might not be 100 percent because of ankle injuries. Rookie Aaron Donald was no slouch in the preseason but didn’t flash as much in exhibition play as he had in practice.
7. What to make of Britt?
Considered a gamble, and a down-the-depth-chart type when he signed a “prove it” free-agent contract with the Rams, Britt will be an opening-day starter. He looks healthy, with his past knee problems not an issue. He has stayed out of trouble. And most surprisingly, he has emerged as the leader of the Rams’ still-young wide receiver corps. Who would have thought that possible when the team signed him April 5? Britt flashed big-play potential on the practice field and carried that into the preseason. All systems go.
8. And the other guys?
Brian Quick looks like a different player. He’s playing with confidence and maturity and is making more of the tough catches. Quick should be an opening-day starter, but seeing will be believing in the regular season when it comes to his improvement. Suspended Stedman Bailey also made significant strides, looking like a go-to type with good hands and improved separation. The Rams have hinted at an expanded role for Tavon Austin; we’ll see if that shows itself against Minnesota. Chris Givens stepped up his game over the last couple weeks.
9. Backfield by committee?
The biggest development here has been the strong overall play of Benny Cunningham. He averaged 5.3 yards a carry during the preseason and has been a strong contributor on special teams. It’s possible he could cut into starter Zac Stacy’s playing time at the start of the season. Stacy looked a little leg-weary as the preseason wore on. Tre Mason appeared to be fighting it a little and had problems on pass protection. Trey Watts made the most of the opening created by Isaiah Pead’s season-ending knee injury.
10. Guarded optimism?
It looks like No. 2 overall draft pick Greg Robinson will not be in the starting lineup against Minnesota. Like Auburn counterpart Mason, Robinson has had blips in pass protection, which was not totally unexpected given the Tigers’ extremely run-heavy offense. So it could be a veteran duo on opening day in Rodger Saffold at left guard and Davin Joseph at right guard. Joseph quietly looks like an excellent free-agent pickup; he appears healthy. Saffold’s health remains problematical, with shoulder and ankle issues in camp.
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Agamemnon
