Dallas game

Cowboys rookie RB Ezekiel Elliott not expected to play in first preseason game Saturday against LA Rams

http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-cowboys/cowboys/2016/08/09/cowboys-rookie-rb-ezekiel-elliott-expected-play-first-preseason-game-saturday-la-rams

OXNARD, Calif. – Dallas Cowboys fans waiting to see the debut of first-round pick Ezekiel Elliott will have to remain patient.
The running back isn’t expected to play Saturday in the Cowboys’ opening preseason game at the Los Angeles Rams because of a strained right hamstring that has kept him out of practice for the last week.
“If you don’t practice, you usually don’t play,” Cowboys running backs coach Gary Brown said about Elliott’s availability against the Rams, adding that nothing has been decidedly officially.
Cowboys coach Jason Garrett never likes to rule players out early in a game week, but he also indicated the Cowboys would be extra cautious with their four overall pick out of Ohio State.
“He falls into the category of soft tissue injuries that you have to be pretty deliberate with before you bring guys back,” Garrett said. “That’s one of those injuries if you bring him back a day or two too soon all of a sudden you can have a six- or seven-week injury and we don’t want that for him.”
Running back DeMarco Murray had a similar start to his Cowboys’ career, missing his first two preseason games his rookie season in 2011 with a strained hamstring.
With Elliott not playing against the Rams, he could make his Dallas debut in front of Cowboys fans in their second preseason game Aug. 19 against Miami at AT&T Stadium.
Elliott last practiced Aug. 2. He’s been working on the side for the last week and had a slight limp Tuesday when he made his way over to sign autographs after practice.
“He looks good. He looks better,” Brown said. “But first and foremost we’re going to do what’s best for us and what’s best for Zeke.”

off the net from alyoshamucc

I have a few spotlights to cast out before the game starts.

1) Roberson … Roberson was after Haden and Jenkins, before Hargreaves … and was there during the brutal coaching change fiasco with Muschamp. He has the physical talent to be a starting caliber and even shutdown CB, so who is he this year and how hard has he worked? His biggest question mark is long speed … but he’s long and can play.

2) FS, Randolph and Bryant … I don’t believe Mo is a FS … can they come in and track the defense? I liked both kids coming out and honestly I’d give the edge to Bryant from a leadership and intelligence standpoint even though Randolph is crazy strong.

3) Wichmann … I want him on the O line, he’s a beast. And if he, Brown and Hav are solid? We have our O line in place mostly for the next few years.

4) Coples/Easley … can they play?

5) UDFA WR … Can someone please push Quick off the team?

Spruce .. is he a bigger Welker?
Duke … is he going to play like a top 25 pick?
McRoberts … is he going to distinguish himself?
M North … is he going to play up to his potential?
Austin HIll … anything left in the tank of the former beast Belitnikoff runner up?

Anyway, that’s my focus … and I probably missed something

Rams’ preseason games mean everything to undrafted free agents like running back Aaron Green

RICH HAMMOND

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/green-725608-rams-players.html

IRVINE – In the early-evening hours Saturday, when Rams starters relax on the sideline during the second half and even diehard fans reach for the remote control, Aaron Green will be running for his football life.

The Rams’ preseason opener against Dallas doesn’t mean the same to everyone. For the (possible sellout) crowd at the Coliseum, it’s the symbolic return of NFL football for the first time in 22 years. For veteran players, it’s a low-key tune-up game. For those on the fringes of the roster, it’s a night of survival.

The Rams have 89 players in training camp, and 53 will make the season-opening roster. That’s brutal math, and the four preseason games present the best opportunities for players to stand out to coaches.

After the starters play a handful of series against the Cowboys, most of the game will be contested by little-known rookies such as Green, who seemingly is in a perilous position. Last year, the Rams kept five running backs coming out of training camp. Green might be running back No. 5 or No. 6 at this point.

“There’s not anxiety at all,” Green said this week. “I really feel like I have ice water in my veins. That’s why I’m able to come out here and make plays. There’s no reason to be nervous when you’re prepared and ready. I’ve waited my whole life for this opportunity, and I’m here and enjoying the ride.”

First roster cuts, which will take the Rams down to 75 players, don’t have to be completed until Aug. 30, but players – particularly rookies – can be released at any point, so there’s no margin for error.

A big run, a key kickoff-return hit or, on the other hand, a missed tackle in a nationally televised preseason game could swing the momentum for a young player, and that’s why Green is one to watch.

NFL teams made 253 picks at this year’s draft, and Green’s phone didn’t ring. In the view of scouts, Green, listed at 5-foot-11, 201 pounds, wasn’t strong enough to be a between-the-tackles runner and went down too easily upon first contact.

Still, Green’s 1,272-yard senior season at TCU made him an intriguing back, and shortly after the draft, the Rams signed Green as a free agent.

That’s a contract with very few strings attached, with no promises. Green earned the right to show up at rookie mini-camp in May, at OTA practices in June and training-camp practices in July and August. That’s it. Anything else would have to be earned.

“You definitely remember all the people drafted ahead of you and all the running backs, especially,” Green said. “But now, none of that matters. When the smoke clears, I’ve just got to make sure I’m here.”

Typically, the odds are long. Last year, the Rams signed 15 undrafted players and only two – linebacker Cameron Lynch and receiver Bradley Marquez – made the opening-week 53-man roster. Five other players were signed to the practice squad and eight were released during training camp.

Lynch ended up playing all 16 games last season, mostly in a special-teams role, and this week he instantly recalled his first preseason snap of 2015. The Rams sent him out on a fourth down and asked him to chase down then-Raiders returner Trent Richardson. Lynch had a bit of anxiety.

“My legs were so heavy,” Lynch said. “After a while you settle down and get into a flow and you have so much excitement and so much pent-up energy. It’s a good feeling. I’m excited for the young guys.”

Who will stand out? There’s a fierce competition ongoing among rookie receivers, given that the Rams already return Tavon Austin, Kenny Britt, Brian Quick and Bradley Marquez.

Pharoh Cooper, this year’s fourth-round pick, seemingly is guaranteed a spot, so that leaves four significant undrafted free agents – Paul McRoberts, Nelson Spruce, Mike Thomas and Duke Williams – fighting perhaps to unseat Quick or Marquez or to land a spot on the Rams’ 10-player practice squad.

For a player such as Spruce, who has displayed great hands in camp, it’s a time for excitement, eagerness and anxiety.

“All of it,” Spruce said. “It’s our first NFL game. Camp and OTAs and practice is a big part of it, but ultimately it’s what you do in the games that is going to distinguish you from the rest. For me, it’s a huge day and I’m really looking forward to it.”

So is Green, and it will be fascinating to see how Coach Jeff Fisher divides carries against Dallas.

Todd Gurley isn’t expected to get much work, and with last year’s primary backup, Tre Mason, involved in a bizarre legal situation (and not in camp), Benny Cunningham has slid into the No. 2 spot.

After that, there’s opportunity. Green, Malcolm Brown, Terrence Magee and Chase Reynolds all can contribute on special teams, but it’s likely that only two or three of them will make the Rams’ final cut.

A fumble would be disastrous. A touchdown would be huge. A big special-teams block could turn some heads. Throughout the first two weeks of camp, these young players have been attempting to make an impression, but now things change.

“The players understand that there’s an intensity level on the practice field,” Fisher said, “and it ratchets up a notch before preseason games, especially on special teams, because everybody that’s covering a kick or returning a kick is trying to make the football team. It’s a different deal.”

What to expect from the Rams in preseason opener against the Cowboys

Gary Klein

http://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/la-sp-rams-watch-20160812-snap-story.html

What to watch for in the Rams’ preseason opener against the Dallas Cowboys:

QUARTERBACK ROTATION: Case Keenum will start and is expected to play two or three series before No. 1 draft pick Jared Goff makes his pro debut. The Rams were 3-2 in regular-season games Keenum started last season. He has been efficient in training camp and, perhaps even more impressive, has handled with candor and humor all of the questions about Goff. Goff played in the Coliseum against USC in 2014. Don’t expect offensive coordinator Rob Boras to give either quarterback too much of what you’ll see in the regular season. Second-year pro Sean Mannion will play late in the game. Dylan Thompson also is on the roster.

OFFENSE: Running back Todd Gurley was the NFL’s offensive rookie of the year last season after not participating in exhibition games while recovering from knee surgery. So it would not be a surprise if the Rams severely limit his snaps or hold him out completely. Tavon Austin and Kenny Britt are the starters for a receiving corps that features the best competition for roster spots. Look for rookie Pharoh Cooper and rookie tight end Tyler Higbee to get multiple opportunities. Left tackle Greg Robinson’s development will be a topic of interest throughout the exhibition schedule.

DEFENSE: Alec Ogletree makes his debut at middle linebacker and gets his first opportunity to show the Rams did not err by releasing veteran James Laurinaitis. Tackle Aaron Donald leads a line regarded as the unit’s strength. Quinton Coples and Dominique Easley were free-agent acquisitions signed to add depth. Cornerbacks Lamarcus Joyner, E.J. Gaines and Coty Sensabaugh are competing to start opposite Trumaine Johnson. Maurice Alexander is making a run to start at safety.

ODDS AND ENDS: Kicker Greg Zuerlein struggled last season and now he’s kicking outside the controlled conditions of a domed stadium. He converted a 64-yard field-goal attempt last week during a practice at the Coliseum. Punter Johnny Hekker is a two-time Pro Bowl selection. Linebacker Josh Forrest, the only defensive player among the Rams’ 2016 draft picks, is among those trying to find a spot on special teams. This is the first game with the Rams for assistants Mike Groh (receivers and passing game coordinator), Skip Peete (running backs) and John Lilly (tight ends)