Recent Forum Topics › Forums › The Rams Huddle › Wagoner, etc. – roster analysis after cutdowns
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August 30, 2014 at 5:28 pm #5589
znModeratorSt. Louis Rams cut-down analysis
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/10994/st-louis-rams-cut-down-analysis-3
Most significant move: From the moment the St. Louis Rams drafted him, it was no secret it would be difficult for defensive end Michael Sam to make the 53-man roster. Despite a strong preseason, Sam was released. This was simply a matter of the numbers working against him. The Rams kept nine defensive linemen on the depth chart, including the eight we already knew were well-positioned. The ninth spot was up for grabs but ultimately went to Ethan Westbrooks. His versatility and strong daily effort was simply too much for Sam to overcome. Now the Rams will wait and see if Sam clears waivers so they can bring him back to the practice squad.
Light at linebacker: It’s no surprise the Rams cut four linebackers, leaving only five on the current roster. Though they are likely to continue searching for a sixth linebacker to add some depth, none of the rookies vying for a spot did enough to earn a spot. The Rams gave Phillip Steward plenty of chances to make a case to be on the roster, but he couldn’t take advantage. Don’t be surprised if the Rams add to the position before the opener against Minnesota.
Final Roster Cuts
Quarterback quandary: Again, nobody will be taken aback by the team’s decision to cut sixth-round quarterback Garrett Gilbert. He wasn’t able to provide the consistency needed to win a spot, though the team could bring him back to the practice squad. But since starter Sam Bradford was lost for the season, the plan has been to add another quarterback with some experience. Even if the Rams had kept Gilbert on the roster, it was almost certainly as a place-holder until they can find a veteran capable of backing up starter Shaun Hill.
What’s next: The Rams will spend Saturday evening and Sunday morning piecing together their 10-man practice squad. Many of the practice squad players will be those released by the team in the past week. Some candidates include tackle Sean Hooey, defensive tackle Deantre Harlan, linebacker Lawrence Wilson, cornerback Greg Reid, guard Travis Bond and receiver Austin Franklin.
Rams moves: Released WR Emory Blake, G Bond, DE Kourtnei Brown, S Christian Bryant, DT Matt Conrath, S Avery Cunningham, WR Franklin, QB Gilbert, DT Harlan, LB Aaron Hill, T Hooey, DB Reid, LB Etienne Sabino, DE Sam, TE Brad Smelley, LB Steward, T Mitchell Van Dyk, WR Justin Veltung, OL Brandon Washington, LB Wilson and CB Darren Woodard.
WR Stedman Bailey will be placed on the reserve/suspended list for first four games.
August 31, 2014 at 1:49 am #5626
RamBillParticipant
Rams notes: Rams will go with two QBs for now
• By Joe LyonsThe Rams are set to open the season with two quarterbacks, 13-year veteran Shaun Hill and second-year pro Austin Davis.
That could change if the team spots somebody of interest on the waiver wire or via trade. But for now, there are two quarterbacks on the roster.
Garrett Gilbert, a sixth-round draft pick from SMU, was among the cuts as the Rams trimmed their roster to 53 over the weekend. Gilbert is considered a prime candidate for a spot on the 10-man practice squad.
“We’ve gone into most games with two quarterbacks on the active roster,” Rams coach Jeff Fisher said Saturday after being asked about adding a third quarterback. “We have one on the practice squad here and there, (but) that’s not an issue. The quarterback position is a position that we’re going to address, that we’re going to monitor. The picks went in 45 minutes ago and we’ll get the list and we’ll see what’s out there. I’m sure there will be workouts and tryouts and (there is) potential to do some things at the position, but right now, as I said a couple of days ago, we’re not going to overreact.
“We’re going to apply patience to this situation.”
Fisher made the initial statement after starting quarterback Sam Bradford suffered a season-ending knee injury in the third week of the preseason.
In each of the last two seasons, the Rams have opened with two quarterbacks. Bradford and Davis opened the 2012 season, with Clemens coming aboard in Week 2. Last year, the Rams went with Bradford and Clemens to open the season. Then, after Bradford went down with a torn ACL to the left knee, Davis and veteran Brady Quinn were added to the roster.
The Seattle Seahawks waived former Oakland Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor and Cleveland cut former South Carolina quarterback Connor Shaw, someone the Rams showed some interest in during the predraft process in the spring.
Another possible backup, veteran Kyle Orton, signed with the Buffalo Bills on Saturday.
Would the Rams consider trading for a quarterback?
“There’s always that possibility,” Fisher said. “We’re not engaged in any (trade talk) at this point.”
ROSTER SET FOR NOW AT 53, BUT MAYBE NOT FINALIZED
As required by NFL rules, the Rams cut from 75 to 53 over the last couple of days. But the roster-shuffling may not be finished.
“Again, a difficult couple of days,” Fisher said of making cuts. “We got to 53, as everybody else has. I can’t say that we’re done. We’re no different that any other team in the league. We’re going to watch the wire and see if it’s at all possible for us to upgrade our football team over the next couple of days.’’
The Rams’ 53-man roster, as it stood Saturday evening, includes four undrafted rookie free agents: cornerback Marcus Roberson, tight end Alex Bayer, running back Trey Watts and defensive lineman Ethan Westbrooks.
In the cutdown from 75 to 53, the Rams waived four of their last five selections from May’s draft, including Gilbert and three seventh-rounders: tackle Mitchell Van Dyk, safety Christian Byrant and defensive end Michael Sam.
Another seventh-rounder, offensive lineman Demetrius Rhaney, is on injured reserve.
Others cuts announced Saturday were wide receivers Emory Blake, Austin Franklin and Justin Veltung, defensive tackles Matt Conrath and Deantre Harlan, cornerbacks Darren Woodard and Greg Reid, linebackers Aaron Hill, Phillip Steward, Etienne Sabino and Lawrence Wilson, guard Travis Bond, tackle Sean Hooey, defensive end Kourtnei Brown, safety Avery Cunningham and tight end Brad Smelley.
Hill, a free agent from the University of Minnesota, attended Lutheran St. Charles High.
Following is a rundown of the current roster (subject to change):
Quarterbacks (2): Shaun Hill, Austin Davis.
Running backs (5): Zac Stacy, Benny Cunningham, Chase Reynolds, Tre Mason, Trey Watts.
Wide receivers (5): Tavon Austin, Kenny Britt, Brian Quick, Chris Givens, Austin Pettis.
Tight ends (5): Jared Cook, Lance Kendricks, Cory Harkey, Alex Bayer, Justice Cunningham.
Offensive linemen (9): Jake Long, Rodger Saffold, Scott Wells, Davin Joseph, Joe Barksdale, Greg Robinson, Tim Barnes, Mike Person, Barrett Jones,
Defensive line (9): Robert Quinn, Chris Long, Michael Brockers, Aaron Donald, Kendall Langford, William Hayes, Eugene Sims, Alex Carrington, Ethan Westbrooks.
Linebackers (5): James Laurinaitis, Alec Ogletree, Jo-Lonn Dunbar, Ray Ray Armstrong, Daren Bates.
Defensive backs (10): Janoris Jenkins, Trumaine Johnson, T.J. McDonald, Rodney McLeod, E.J. Gaines, Lamarcus Joyner, Maurice Alexander, Brandon McGee, Cody Davis, Marcus Roberson.
Specialists (3): Greg Zuerlein, Johnny Hekker, Jake McQuaide.
Note: WR Stedman Bailey will be suspended for the first four games for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
RAM-BLINGS
Saturday’s cuts included several players with ties to the area and to the Rams:
Carolina • Ex-Missouri WR Marcus Lucas; former Ram TE Mike McNeill, a Kirkwood High product.
Cleveland • T Abasi Salimu, who started training camp with the Rams.
Dallas • DE Kenneth Boatright, who played at Southern Illinois.
Denver • DB Jerome Murphy, a third-round draft choice of the Rams in 2010.
Detroit • Former Mizzou TE Michael Egnew; ex-Illini RB Mikel Leshoure.
Indianapolis • WR Ryan Lankford, a University of Illinois alum.
Jacksonville • DE Gerald Rivers, who was with the Rams until the Jags claimed him off waivers last season.
Kansas City • Former Missouri DT Dominique Hamilton.
Miami • Ex-Mizzou LB Andrew Wilson; former Illini TE Evan Wilson.
New Orleans • Former Illinois K Derek Dimke.
Oakland • Ex-Illini G Jack Cornell.
Philadelphia • RB Henry Josey, who starred at Mizzou.
Pittsburgh • Former Illini T Graham Pocic, who spent time in camp with the Rams in 2013.
San Diego • LB Colton Underwood, an Illinois State product.
Tampa Bay • Ex-Missouri DB Kip Edwards.
Tennessee • Former Mizzou TE Chase Coffman.
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