Getting to the 53 man roster…. more cuts listed 9/5

Rams’ roster brings continuity everywhere except QB, offensive line

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/20827/rams-roster-brings-continuity-everywhere-except-quarterback-and-offensive-line

Nick Wagoner, ESPN Staff Writer

EARTH CITY, Mo. — Here’s a player-by-player look at the St. Louis Rams’ 53-man roster:

Quarterback (3)

Nick Foles: The Rams are banking on Foles to stay healthy, take care of the ball and connect on the occasional deep ball as they hope he can help them take the next step back to a winning record and the postseason.

Case Keenum: After a full offseason with the team, Keenum is up to speed on the offense and will get the first opportunity should something happen to Foles.

Sean Mannion: This will essentially be a redshirt year for Mannion, who has some work to do to be ready to contribute at the NFL level.

Running back (5)

Todd Gurley: When Gurley returns from a knee injury, he’ll need some time to get acclimated to contact before taking on the larger workload that will be expected of the No. 10 overall pick.

Tre Mason: Until Gurley gets back, it’s Mason’s job to carry the load and keep the offense moving.

Benny Cunningham: Still the team’s best pass protecting back, Cunningham is also an underrated option in short-yardage and goal-line situations as well as a solid pass-catcher.

Isaiah Pead: Still here after three lost seasons because he can contribute on special teams and Trey Watts is suspended.

Chase Reynolds: Special-teams leader will continue in that role.

Tight end (3)

Jared Cook: The Rams are hoping for more from Cook now that Foles is in place, and Foles seemed to look for him in the red zone during camp quite a bit.

Lance Kendricks: Both the team and Kendricks have discussed an expanded role in the passing game for him, but either way, his versatility will have him on the field more often than not.

Cory Harkey: Like Kendricks, Harkey brings positional versatility and will be on the field a lot. As a de facto fullback, Harkey will be integral to the team’s efforts to bolster the running game.

Wide receiver (6)

Kenny Britt: The most experienced receiver in the group had an up-and-down camp and preseason but will be one of Foles’ top targets, especially when it comes to going deep.

Brian Quick: An impressive recovery from a devastating shoulder injury has Quick poised to reclaim his role as the team’s top pass-catcher after he showed signs of a breakthrough in the first half of 2014.

Tavon Austin: Once again, the Rams have touted Austin as a unique weapon they will exploit in the offense, but whether they have the creativity to do it consistently remains to be seen.

Stedman Bailey: The steady Bailey could find himself playing in the slot on a more consistent basis this year and should push for more snaps as the season wears on and he develops rapport with Foles.

Chris Givens: Still the team’s best deep threat because of his speed, Givens looks like he could enjoy a renaissance in 2015.

Bradley Marquez: Made the roster primarily for special-teams purposes, a role he’ll maintain barring injuries in front of him.

Offensive line (10)

Greg Robinson: One of the most important players on the roster, Robinson must take a step forward this year so the Rams can protect the three inexperienced starters on the line.

Jamon Brown: Of the unknowns on the line, Brown looks like the player best poised to find his footing early in the season.

Tim Barnes: Coach Jeff Fisher said a decision on a starting center will be made this week but Barnes appears to be the front-runner, if for no other reason than he’s the only one on the roster with any starting experience (four games).

Rodger Saffold: Upon his return from a shoulder ailment, Saffold is expected to move to right guard where he played his best ball at the end of 2013.

Rob Havenstein: The rookie right tackle should be fine in the run game, but the Rams will need him to improve his footwork and bend in pass protection and/or send plenty of help his way.

Garrett Reynolds: The primary backup on the line, Reynolds can fill in anywhere but center.

Demetrius Rhaney: The other contender for the starting center job, Rhaney impressed at guard in the preseason and is right there with Reynolds as primary backups on the line.

Cody Wichmann: A calf injury kept Wichmann out of most of the preseason and camp, but he earned high marks when he returned as a pure guard.

Darrell Williams: As the fourth tackle on the roster, Williams won’t be expected to play much right away, but he won a roster spot with a solid camp.

Andrew Donnal: Donnal showed the versatility to play inside and out, making him a sort of understudy to Reynolds in the meantime.

Defensive line (8)

Chris Long: The leader of the defensive line, Long enters an important season as he bounces back from an injury and carries a big cap number in 2016.

Robert Quinn: Unsatisfied with the 10.5 sacks and Pro Bowl trip he had last year, Quinn is expecting bigger numbers this time around.

Aaron Donald: Already one of the best at his position, Donald’s encore season could be better than his award-winning rookie year if for no other reason than he’ll be starting from Day 1.

Michael Brockers: After dealing with a shoulder issue in camp, Brockers is the man the Rams are counting on to do the dirty work, taking on multiple blockers and stopping the run.

Nick Fairley: A quiet preseason means Fairley must get untracked early, as he plays on just a one-year deal.

Ethan Westbrooks: In the team’s efforts to develop at this position for the future, Westbrooks figures to get more chances at end and tackle this year.

William Hayes: Still a solid backup to Long, Hayes is a top run defender and still offers a little push as a pass-rusher.

Eugene Sims: Like Hayes, Sims is entering a contract year but brings similar versatility and skills to the table.

Linebacker (6)

James Laurinaitis: The smart, steady leader of the defense, Laurinaitis is the one who makes it all go.

Alec Ogletree: Expectations for a breakout season surround Ogletree, as he’s 10 pounds lighter and focused on the details more than simply relying on his athleticism as he has in the past.

Akeem Ayers: The free-agent acquisition will start at strongside linebacker and find himself used in a variety of ways by defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.

Daren Bates: The heart and soul of the special-teams units, Bates will have to overcome a knee injury before he contributes this year.

Cameron Lynch: Will be expected to help on special teams right away.

Bryce Hager: Also will be a core special-teams player but also could be first option off the bench in the event of injury to a starter.

Cornerback (4)

Janoris Jenkins: A contract year for Jenkins has him poised for bigger and better things if he can cut down on the mental mistakes that have plagued him in the past.

Trumaine Johnson: Without E.J. Gaines, Johnson won the starting job opposite Jenkins by default. Now he has to be more consistent as he, too, enters a contract year.

Lamarcus Joyner: The Rams still have high hopes that Joyner can be their nickel corner, but he remains a work in progress as he works on his ability to handle the mental side of the position.

Marcus Roberson: Will be first up should any injuries to the first three appear, but the Rams believe his potential could turn into production if need be.

Safety (5)

T.J. McDonald: Much like Ogletree, the Rams are expecting big things from McDonald in 2015 after he closed last year with a flourish.

Rodney McLeod: Yet another member of the secondary entering a contract year, McLeod also must limit the mistakes he made a year ago that led to big plays for the other side.

Mark Barron: The Rams will use Barron in a variety of ways, including as a de facto linebacker in the dime, and he could even be the first to step in should an injury hit at outside linebacker.

Cody Davis: Special teams remains Davis’ primary function, but he had a good enough preseason that he could play if McLeod has injury issues.

Maurice Alexander: An up-and-down preseason that closed with an up but Alexander’s role will likely be limited to special teams for now.

Specialists (3)

Greg Zuerlein: The kicker seeks more consistency in 2015, particularly on grass surfaces.

Johnny Hekker: Still one of the best punters in the game.

Jake McQuaide: See Hekker and plug in “long-snapper’ for the word ‘punter.’