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Barrett Jones, by the way, remains practice squad eligible.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) September 5, 2015
Jones has been on 46-man gameday roster for 10 games, but could still theoretically qualify as one of team's practice squad exceptions.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) September 5, 2015
Interesting, maybe a bit of hope. đ
AgamemnonAn even bigger surprise than Jones, is Marquez making the team. I didn’t have any of the WRs even making the practice squad, too many drops and no separation. imo
AgamemnonBarrett Jones just didnât do enoughâhad injury issues and itâs time to just cut the losses on that investment and move on. Go with Barnes with Rhaney as back-up and Rhaney has the flexibility to play guard. It makes sense.
Well, ok. But I will be really pissed if they keep McGee.
AgamemnonAmazingly, Rams hold a press conference (w/Jeff Fisher) one-hour after final cuts are due into league, but refuse to discuss roster cuts.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) September 5, 2015
lmao scum
AgamemnonBeen told Rams also have released DE Martin Ifedi, a seventh-round draft pick from Memphis.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) September 5, 2015
Been told that LB Bryce Hager has made the Rams' 53-man roster.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) September 5, 2015
In first surprise among Rams cuts, I'm told former Alabama star Barrett Jones has been released.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) September 5, 2015
Oh no, too bad Barrett, we hardly knew you.
AgamemnonRams have released cornerback Trovon Reed.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) September 5, 2015
Rams have released DE Matt Longacre, an undrafted rookie from Northwest Missouri State.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) September 5, 2015
AgamemnonI have Wichmann going to the practice squad, cause I think that is a pretty safe bet. But, I would be fine with cutting Barnes, having Jones and Rhaney at center, and Wichmann as my 10th OL. I would then see if Wichmann could play center, cause right now he is a one position player and I am not keen on having one position players on the OL, unless they are starters. Barnes falls into that category too. imo
AgamemnonThis could almost be considered Rhaney’s rookie year. He was on IR last year.
This could almost be considered Robinson’s rookie year. Because he still hasn’t had much experience.
Even Jones, this could almost be considered his rookie year. Because of his various injuries and subsequent setbacks resulting from those injuries.
The point is, you can still expect serious improvements in their games. Where as, Reynolds, Saffold, and Barnes are pretty much who they are by now. imo
You have guys like Havenstein, Brown, and Wichmann, who have all played 40+ games in college. That counts for something. Then lastly, you have Donnal, Battle, and I think Williams(he was a 2 years starter at LT) who have had limited games even in college. We have a lot of room for all these guys to improve.
AgamemnonBoy, that O-line is seriously young and inexperienced.
Yes, but we will be cutting players that would have made last year’s roster. And they will all get better.
28 Reynolds
27 Saffold
27 Barnes25 Jones
23 Rhaney
23 Donall
23 Wichmann
23 Havenstein22 Robinson
22 Brown
22 Battle
22 Williams AgamemnonI read Wagoner’s roster. It turns out mine was wrong. I have 54 players. But, I make One change and it matches Wagoner’s. I cut Longacre. So, Wagoner is a smart guy. đ
AgamemnonRams making some roster cuts today. OG Brandon Washington has been told he's being released.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) September 4, 2015
Agamemnon4 guys that I am not cutting are Mannion, Donnal, Battle, and Hagen. Cause all 4 of those are close to being good starters, if not this year then down the line. Cutting any of those players is a mistake. The rest are just mixing and matching to suit personal preferences. imo
Agamemnon
Here is one possible projection. Watts replaces Pead when he come off SUS. Maybe we see some trades?
I am short at TE and CB, but I figure those are the positions that I can most likely stash a couple players on the practice squad.
AgamemnonCenter is the only position that affects a starter. imo
I am ready to keep 10 OL and 10 DL.
AgamemnonIâm having Pasta stuffed with mushrooms.
And in honor of the Governor or West, byGod, Virginia,
Iâm going to make special
Fracked-Toast.
Thatâs toast thats injected with chemicals
and then ingested, while the Star Spangled
Banner is played.w
vSounds good, wv. I thought you hated mushrooms? Pizza turned out well. Although the crust is strange. It is a yeast dough, but you don’t let it raise. You just spread it on the tray, at the toping and bake it.
Agamemnonhttp://www.stlouisrams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Position-Battles-Offensive-Line/91be5310-dd0d-4e70-9b00-de5a9f32c161
Position Battles: Offensive LinePosted 14 hours ago
Myles Simmons Rams Insider @MylesASimmons
Throughout training camp, the Rams have been working to find the best combination of offensive linemen who can not only effectively protect quarterback Nick Foles, but also pave the way for the clubâs strong stable of running backs.
Along with selecting running back Todd Gurley, using four draft picks on âmaulerâ offensive linemen in the spring — and adding another through the supplemental draft in July — was an indication of the way St. Louis would like to play up front. The Rams expect to be able to run the ball well, which should then open up the rest of the offense.
And so far, there are two rookies who have progressed well enough to be expected starters for Week 1: Rob Havenstein and Jamon Brown.
Offensive line coach Paul T. Boudreau said part of what has made those two ready to go is their attention to detail and experience with pro-style offenses in college.
âThey didnât have to learn how to put their hand in the ground,â Boudreau said. âThatâs a plus, because some guys coming out of these read-zone teams, they never put their hand down.â
âTheir situation is basically figuring out our language,â Boudreau continued. âFirst, learn a new language, and now, react to the defense and the speed and the adjustments that happen. âWhy do you make a call? Why do you have to change a protection based on not the guy across from you? It might be based on the safety.â So theyâre learning the whole picture a little bit better and cleaner now.â
While the pair of rookies worked together on the right side for much of OTAs and camp, Brown has spent more time at left guard as of late. Boudreau said Brownâs experience playing swing tackle in college has helped the rookie make that transition.
âIf they were in right formation, he was the left tackle. If they were in left, then he was a right tackle,â Boudreau said of Brown. âMost people canât make that foot switch and that balance switch because itâs too hard to do every other play.â
Brownâs shift may have an added benefit for Havenstein, it puts veteran Rodger Saffold at right guard.
âA lot of times, the offensive line is about feel, so you have to be able to feel certain things,â Saffold said. âI can point those things out to [Havenstein] because heâs a smart player. Heâs really been able to get this offense down. And hopefully I can get him to the next level so that if I miss something, he can help me. Itâs all about helping each other.â
Havenstein has already been using Saffold as a resource, saying earlier in camp the veteran had been providing plenty of advice for how to succeed in the NFL.
âRodgerâs the type of guy you really want to stick close to in any aspect of life — whether thatâs the weight room, practice, film room, anything that has to do with how to be a professional football player,â Havenstein said. âHe demands a lot out of us young guys, but itâs something that weâre definitely more than happy to prove to him that we have his back.â
While Saffold has been held out of the last two preseason contests as a precaution for his mild shoulder injury, the situation has presented opportunities to mix and match up front in order to maximize versatility. Boudreau said itâs important to do so because head coach Jeff Fisher will vary the groupâs numbers on the gameday roster.
âSome weeks, coach [Fisher] will say, âHey, youâve got seven linemen.â Some weeks you might have eight linemen,â Boudreau said. âRight now, weâre just working combinations for the disaster situations.â
âLast year, we played Seattle in the last game of the season and Rodger played four positions,â Boudreau added. âSo thatâs kind of what weâre doing now.â
Many of those variations are going on in the interior of the line.
âWith the way we drafted this year, we had an opportunity to keep guys who are tackles in the tackle spot, and mix and match the guys inside,â Boudreau said. âNow, weâre keeping guys inside who are playing inside, and guys who are outside playing outside.â
To increase that versatility, some of the mixing-and-matching has come with the three players in the competition for center — Tim Barnes, Barrett Jones, and Demetrius Rhaney. Rhaney, for instance, started at right guard last week against the Colts.
âThe beauty with him is, he came into every meeting and he took notes on center and he took notes on guard,â Boudreau said of Rhaney. âHe played guard and center in college, so I knew he had some flex in him.â
âMy biggest thing has just been getting the playbook down pat, and being ready whenever my name is called,â Rhaney said.
Over the last two games in particular Rhaney has shown his ability to impact a play downfield.
âHeâs been playing well at both positions, especially productive on the second level in the screens and downfield,â Fisher said. âHeâs very athletic and made some really good blocks.â
The center competition remains tight because players like Barnes and Jones have both shown an ability to make all the proper line calls.
âWhen you have a center who comes up and makes the right calls, [Foles] doesnât have to trump it and change them to the next spot,â Boudreau said. âHe can just read the safety, know how weâre going to set the front, know how weâre going to set the protection, and it takes one more thing off of Nickâs plate.â
No matter who earns the starting role, the Rams should have a solid player snapping the ball.
âItâs been a great battle,â Jones said. âAll three of us want to make the team better, and all three of us are trying to make each other better.â
âObviously, youâre a competitor and you want to be the starter,â Jones added. âBut you just have to lock in on the things you can control, and for me thatâs going out every single day and having a good practice, having good games, working hard in the film room — just doing those little things. And hopefully, at the end of the day, Iâll achieve my goal.â
And so while the Rams have not revealed exactly who their starting five will be on Sept. 13, with the unitâs talent infusion, St. Louisâ offensive line has potential to be in good shape for years to come.
VIDEO LINK:
AgamemnonLB Korey Toomer and TE Brad Smelley have gone from Rams waived/injured to injured reserve.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) September 2, 2015
AgamemnonThat is a lot of numbers, but does it really tell any truths? It is like the “rush-the-ball-xx-times-and-you-win” thing that used to be so popular. Posters on this board and other boards have gone much deeper into the “penalty effect”.
Agamemnon2016 Draft Preview
With the start of the college football season now less than three weeks away, now is as good a time as any to start thinking ahead to the 2016 draft. As such, weâll be previewing the top prospects at the various positions over the next few weeks.
Defensive ends
Posted: September 1, 2015 | No CommentsBack at the beginning of the series, we described the 2016 QB class as âinteresting, intriguing and challenging!â In many ways the same could be said about this yearâs DE group. On the one hand, DE could very well end up being the best and likely deepest position of any group at the upcoming draft. At the same time, though, there is still a ton of work for pro scouts to do on the group which is talented, but still has players with questions to be answered, while there is still much sorting out to be done.
The one DE that pro scouts are pretty much agreed upon is Ohio State junior Joey Bosa, who is generally considered to be the consensus #1 prospect overall for the upcoming draft. Indeed, the 6-5, 275-pound Bosa, who has prototype size, strength and quickness as well as a non-stop motor, reminds pro scouts of Houston DE J.J. Watt, the most dominating defensive player in the NFL these days. In fact, about the only chink on Bosaâs armor is that he has had some minor off-field issues in the past and, in fact, will miss the Buckeyesâ season opener against Virginia Tech for one of those proverbial violations of team rules.
Adding to the flavor of this yearâs DE class is the fact that there are as many as three guys who at one time or another were rated as top 10 prospects for the 2015 draft in Shawn Oakman of Baylor, Oregonâs DeForest Buckner and Shilique Calhoun of Michigan State, but all three ultimately opted to return to school for their senior campaign this fall. In fact, both Oakman and Buckner are still pretty close to elite prospects, although neither figures to be a top 10 lock this coming April. Oakman, for example, is a freakish 6-8, 275-pound specimen with a sculpted physique and the quickness and agility of a much smaller player; Oakman has also been absolutely dominant at times in his career â he had 11 sacks in 2014 â but he is still an unfinished product who struggles with pad level at times while there are also lingering questions about his overall football instincts. At 6-6, 290, Buckner is also an imposing physical presence on the football field who is probably a better prospect than Arik Armstead, his former Oregon teammate who was the 15th player selected (by the 49ers) at the 2015 draft. Buckner just eats up blockers holding the point of attack; however, heâs also pretty much exclusively a 5-tech DE who isnât going to get much more than an average pass rush, but could get some looks from 4-3 teams as a DT. On the other hand, while Oakman and Buckner still look opening round picks for the upcoming draft, Calhoun has seen his stock slip somewhat. In particular, while scouts really like his technical consistency and work ethic, Calhoun isnât necessarily a great athlete and lacks elite explosion off the snap.
At the same time, there is a growing top 10 buzz about a couple of other junior DEs in Emmanuel Ogbah of Oklahoma State and Auburnâs Carl Lawson. At 6-4, 275 with long arms and good quickness and explosion, Ogbah is one of the few really promising prototype 4-3 DEs in this yearâs draft. Ogbah, who had 11 sacks in 2014, though he is still somewhat rough around the edges and needs to refine his pass rush arsenal as he tends to win most of his battles these days with raw physical ability. No question, though, that the raw physical tools are there. Meanwhile, Auburnâs Lawson has the tools to be this yearâs Dante Fowler, the former Florida Gator DE who was the third player off the board this past spring after rocketing up draft boards late in the process. Lawson didnât play in 2014 because of a torn ACL, but if healthy â and he reportedly looked terrific in fall camp â is a solidly built 6-2, 270-pounder with explosive quickness off the edge.
Of course, the other huge wild card at DE this year is Louisville junior Devonte Fields. Fields looked like a future elite prospect when he tore up the Big XII as a freshman at TCU in 2012, but was injured much of the following year and then spent the 2014 campaign at a junior college after being booted from TCU as a result of a domestic violence incident involving an ex-girlfriend. Whether he ultimately passes the character â and given the NFLâs current sensitivity to domestic violence â that wonât be easy, Fields at least still looks the part of a 4-3 DE or 3-4 edge rusher; heâs 6-4, 255 with long arms and very quick first step.
However, like a number of other positions for the 2016 draft, teams may not want to dawdle at DE as there really isnât a lot of depth at the position. The exception might be 3-4 DE as Jarran Reed and Jonathan Allen of Alabama, Jonathan Bullard of Florida, Charles Tapper of Oklahoma and Notre Dame junior Sheldon Day could be good value on the second day. In contrast, there just doesnât appear as if there will be many interesting second-day options among 4-3 DEs, athough the one exception may be Brnson Kaufusi of BYU who, a 6-6, 275 athlete, who will be bacj at DE full-time this year after an ill-fated attempt to have him play OLB last year.
http://gbnreport.com/2016-draft-preview/
AgamemnonRams continue all line combinations known to man. Barrett Jones was at C today with 1s, and Garrett Reynolds also working w/1s at guard.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) September 1, 2015
AgamemnonI think they were tired, again.
Thats what i think.
They need more naps.w
vAnd pillows on the side lines. And no long bus trips. That should be in the CBA.
Agamemnon
