Rams depth chart musings
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/11229/rams-depth-chart-musings

EARTH CITY, Mo. — Now that we are finally into Week 1 of the regular season, the St. Louis Rams released their unofficial depth chart Tuesday evening.

It’s always important to note the word unofficial but usually the chart at least provides a solid guidepost for what will come to be Sunday when the Rams open at home against the Minnesota Vikings.

With that in mind, let’s take a spin around the depth chart with some random thoughts on things that stick out:

As expected, rookie No. 2 overall pick Greg Robinson is not listed as a starter on the offensive line. Things have been trending this direction for the past couple of weeks as Robinson didn’t get a chance to settle into one spot on the line during the preseason. Davin Joseph is listed as the starter at right guard with Rodger Saffold at left guard. Robinson is listed as the primary backup at left tackle and left guard. Coach Jeff Fisher hasn’t expressed any concern with Robinson’s development but if indeed he’s not a Week 1 starter, that registers as a disappointment.

Also as expected, the Rams are listing the quarterback depth as Shaun Hill, Austin Davis and Case Keenum. That’s only logical considering Keenum just arrived and Davis has extensive knowledge of the offense. There might come a day when Keenum moves into the No. 2 spot but it won’t be for awhile.

Zac Stacy is listed as the starting running back, which is to be expected. But Benny Cunningham is No. 2 and outperformed Stacy in the preseason. I still expect Stacy to get the majority of the carries but it’s worth watching how those carries are divvied up Sunday.

At receiver, the listed starters are Kenny Britt and Tavon Austin. Brian Quick is listed behind Britt but it’s safe to expect that duo to be on the field together regularly with Austin in the slot. The Rams also list two starters at tight end with Jared Cook and Lance Kendricks on the top line.

On defense, there are no surprises to be found but something we discussed in this week’s buzz video is notable. Trumaine Johnson is the listed starter at his usual left cornerback spot but it is indeed E.J. Gaines checking in at No. 2 behind him. That might mean nothing since Brandon McGee is listed as the backup at right cornerback. That will sort itself out throughout the week but it wouldn’t be a major surprise if Gaines started in his first NFL game.

For what it’s worth, Lamarcus Joyner is listed as the third team free safety behind Rodney McLeod and Cody Davis. That really doesn’t mean anything, though. Joyner still projects as the team’s primary nickel cornerback.

On special teams, one job worth watching is kick returner. Chris Givens looked like he was going to claim the job in the preseason but he’s actually listed behind Cunningham on the chart. Again, this is unofficial so it’s entirely possible Givens will get the first shot against Minnesota. But for now, the list goes Cunningham, Givens, Austin.

Sam to join Cowboys’ practice squad
• By Joe Lyons

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/sam-to-join-cowboys-practice-squad/article_1a224d74-40fb-5180-a2ce-c8db9deb6eb0.html

Michael Sam’s NFL football career is heading to Big D.

Sam was scheduled to fly into Dallas on Tuesday night, take a physical today, and sign with the Cowboys’ 10-man practice squad. Practice squad players practice with the team but can’t play in games. With several injuries on their defensive line, Dallas needs help. And with that in mind, Sam could work his way onto the team’s active roster before too long.

Sam, the standout defensive end from the University of Missouri, was cut by the Rams on Saturday. The co-defensive player of the year in the Southeastern Conference competed and fared well in St. Louis but simply couldn’t earn a spot on a defensive front considered one of the best in the NFL.

Sam is the first openly gay player drafted into the NFL. Some have wondered if that — and the possible distractions that go along with it— is keeping NFL teams from giving him a chance. But Dallas owner Jerry Jones has never been one to avoid the media spotlight, which could make the Cowboys a perfect fit for Sam, a Texas native. He grew up a Cowboys fan and is elated at the prospect of playing in his home state.

By the way, the Cowboys will travel to St. Louis to take on the Rams on Sunday, Sept. 21.

RAMS are NFL’S YOUNGEST

For the third time in as many seasons since Fisher and general manager Les Snead came on on board, the Rams will open the season as the NFL’s youngest team.

In a study conducted by Jimmy Kempski of Philly.com on Saturday evening, when the initial 53-man rosters were turned in, the Rams had an average age of 25.09 to beat out Jacksonville (25.2) and Kansas City (25.34). Dallas (25.44) and Minnesota (25.58) round out the top five.

The Rams host the Vikings to open the season Sunday at noon.

The five oldest teams are Oakland (27), the New York Giants (26.75), Chicago (26.72), Indianapolis (26.66) and San Diego (26.64).

The Rams, who also topped the list in 2012 (25.32) and 2013 (24.98), have just three players age 30 or older on the roster – quarterback Shaun Hill (34), center Scott Wells (33) and guard Davin Joseph (30). The squad’s youngest members – offensive lineman Greg Robinson, running back Tre Mason and cornerback Marcus Roberson – are just 21.

The rest of the breakdown: 13 players are age 23, 10 players are 26, eight players are 24, five players are 25, four players are 29, three players are 27, two players are 28, two players are 22.

That doesn’t include 23-year-old receiver Stedman Bailey, who’s suspended for the first four games for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy.

Nowhere on the roster are the Rams younger than in the secondary, where Roberson (21) is joined by E.J. Gaines (22), Maurice Alexander (23), Larmarcus Joyner (23), T.J. McDonald (23), Brandon McGee (23), Trumaine Johnson (24), Rodney McLeod (24), Cody Davis (25) and Janoris Jenkins (25).

GAME-DAY PROMOTIONS

The Rams’ promotional schedule for 2014 is highlighted by a Greatest Show on Turf celebration and the Robert Quinn “Bernie’’ bobblehead.

“Each year, it’s important to us to continue to be innovative and deliver exciting enhancements to our fans’ game-day experience,’’ said Brian Killingsworth, vice president of marketing and branding. “For Monday Night Football, we are tremendously excited to be welcoming back members of the Super Bowl winning team with the throwback foam sticks that were so popular during the Greatest Show on Turf days. We think our fans will also enjoy the unique Robert Quinn ‘Bernie’ bobble and the James Laurinaitis action figure in addition to rally towels and flags to help Rams fans defend our turf. We’re looking forward to and exciting season on the field and in the stands.’’

The promotional schedule:

Sunday vs. the Minnesota Vikings, noon • All fans will receive a Rams rally towel presented by Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University Physicians.

Sunday, Sept. 21, vs. the Dallas Cowboys, noon • The team will host its annual “Green Game’’ to spread awareness for living an environmentally stable and socially responsible lifestyle.

Monday, Oct. 13, vs. the San Francisco 49ers, 7:30 p.m. • The Rams will recognize the Super Bowl XXXIV winning squad with a special halftime celebration. All fans will receive a throwback foam stick for Monday Night Football on ESPN. The Rams will be wearing 1999-era throwback uniforms.

Sunday, Oct. 19, vs. the Seattle Seahawks, noon • To commemorate Robert Quinn’s record-breaking 19 sacks last season, the first 15,000 fans will receive a bobble that will mimic the “Bernie’’ dance that Quinn uses as his stack celebration. The game will also serve as the Rams’ “A Crucial Catch’’ Breast Cancer Awareness game, with the bobblehead featuring the American Cancer Society logo.

Sunday, Nov. 16, vs. the Denver Broncos, noon • Local U.S. military heroes will be honored throughout the annual Military Appreciation game.

Sunday Nov. 30, vs. Oakland Raiders, noon • The Rams will highlight the NFL Play 60 program, which encourages youngsters to be active 60 minutes a day and live a healthy lifestyle. Following the game, fans will enjoy a free postgame concert by a national recording artist.

Thursday, Dec. 11, vs. the Arizona Cardinals, 7:25 p.m. • All fans will receive a Rams rally flag, courtesy of Dr. Pepper, for the Thursday Night Football primetime contest.

Sunday, Dec. 21, vs. the New York Giants, 3:05 p.m. • As part of Fan Appreciation Day, the first 15,000 will receive a James Laurinaitis action figure.

RAM-BLINGS

As expected, rookie Greg Robinson was listed No. 2 behind Rodger Saffold on the team’s first unofficial depth chart of the regular season.

• The entire Rams roster, along with Fisher, Snead and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Kevin Demoff, attended a kickoff luncheon at Union Station on Tuesday. Proceeds benefited the United Way.

• The newest Ram, quarterback Case Keenum, will wear No. 17.

Jim Thomas of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.

Rams notebook: Team announces practice squad, but no Sam
• By Joe Lyons

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot…cle_fe98840b-eba7-5886-8a1b-d4664448886d.html

Like most teams in the NFL, the Rams stuck with the players they knew when it came time to stock their practice squad. But the team elected not to bring back defensive end Michael Sam, a seventh-round draft pick from the University of Missouri.

It was rumored that Sam, the first openly gay player drafted into the NFL, was headed to Denver’s practice squad or being courted by the Canadian Football League’s Montreal Alouettes. But league sources denied the rumors and Sam still is looking for work.

Of the 10 players named to the Rams’ practice squad Monday, eight were among the club’s recent cuts. They are quarterback Garrett Gilbert, wide receivers Emory Blake and Justin Veltung, safeties Matt Daniels and Christian Bryant, defensive tackle Matt Conrath, guard Brandon Washington and tackle Sean Hooey.

The team also signed a pair of linebackers who were in camp with other teams — Kevin Reddick (New Orleans Saints) and Denicos Allen (Carolina Panthers). This season, practice squads were expanded from eight to 10 players.

Reddick, 24, was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Saints shortly after the 2013 draft. He played on special teams a year ago, finishing with 12 tackles and two forced fumbles. The 6-foot-3, 246-pounder was an All-Atlantic Coast Conference performer as a senior at North Carolina, leading the conference in tackles for loss (18½). He had five tackles in the preseason for New Orleans.

Allen, a 5-11, 225-pounder from Michigan State, signed with the Panthers shortly after this year’s draft. He was a three-year starter in college for the Spartans, finishing third in career tackles for loss and sixth in career sacks. Allen had three tackles in the preseason.

Gilbert, from SMU, was drafted in the sixth round of May’s draft by the Rams.

Blake, the son of former NFL quarterback Jeff Blake, spent the 2013 season on the Rams’ practice squad. He played at Auburn, where he finished fifth in career touchdowns and became just the ninth receiver to record 100 career catches.

Veltung was claimed off waivers during last year’s training camp and spent most of the season on the practice squad. He had some success late last season as a punt returner, averaging 8.7 yards on seven returns.

Daniels, signed as an undrafted free agent in 2012, is a player with smarts, skill and tough luck. In 2012 (knee) and 2013 (ankle), his season was cut short by injury. Then, in this year’s preseason opener, he suffered a concussion.

A seventh-round pick in May, Bryant had his senior season at Ohio State cut short by a fractured ankle and got off to a slow start with the Rams. But he showed some ability in the preseason and could benefit greatly as a developmental player.

Conrath has been with the Rams since signing as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2012. He played one game that season and eight last year, finishing with 11 tackles, a sack and a pass defended. He was slowed this preseason by a shoulder injury.

Washington spent 2012 on the Rams’ practice squad and split time between there and the inactive list last year. He made his NFL debut in the regular-season finale last year in Seattle.

Hooey, a 6-foot-9, 304-pounder from the University of Cincinnati, spent last year on the practice squad.

NFL TRAVEL

The Rams, at 16,046 miles, are 13th in projected NFL travel mileage during the coming season.

The list is headed by the Oakland Raiders, who are set to travel 36,078 miles. A trip around the world is 25,000. Others in the top five are Miami (24,740), Dallas (24,530), Seattle (23,916) and Jacksonville (21,964).

The five teams that will stay closest to home this season are Pittsburgh (5,918 miles), Cleveland (6,050), Chicago (7,052), Carolina (7,398) and Tennessee (7,870). By division, the AFC West is the runaway winner — or is it loser? — with 91,062 miles to be covered this season.

The AFC East (72,114) is second, followed by the NFC West (70,458), the NFC East (68,782), AFC South (54,956), NFC South (45,534), NFC North (43,225) and AFC South (31,170).

The mileage total for the NFL in 2014 is 477,304 miles.

RAM-BLINGS

A day after being cut by the Arizona Cardinals, Hazelwood East High and Murray State University receiver/kick returner Walter Powell was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets. Powell, younger brother of former Rams receiver Brandon Williams, was a sixth-round draft pick by the Cardinals in May.

Among the players signed to practice squads Monday were:

• Former Missouri running back Henry Josey, by Jacksonville and wide receiver Marcus Lucas, by Carolina.

• Ex-Illinois standouts linebacker Jonathan Brown by Arizona, defensive end/linebacker Justin Staples, by Cleveland, and wide receiver Ryan Lankford, by Indianapolis.

• Old Dominion guard T.J. Morrell, by Buffalo. Morrell was in camp with the Rams.

• Running back Daryl Richardson, who opened last season as the Rams’ starter, by the Jets.

• Linebacker/defensive end Kenneth Boatright, a Southern Illinois UniversityCarbondale product, by Dallas.

• Running back Michael Hill, from Missouri Western, by Green Bay.

• Defensive back Brandon Dixon, who played at Northwest Missouri, by Tampa Bay.

Jim Thomas of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.

Case Keenum quickly snatched up by new team, proving his doubters wrong again — and leaving Texans questions

By Chris Baldwin

http://houston.culturemap.com/news/sports/09-01-14-case-keenum-quickly-snatched-up-by-a-new-team-proving-his-doubters-wrong-again-and-leaving-texans-questions/

That didn’t take long.

One day after getting released by the Houston Texans in favor of Bill Belichick reject Ryan Mallett, Case Keenum’s found a new NFL team. The quarterback-needy St. Louis Rams picked up the former University of Houston record breaker off waivers on Monday.

And just like that, the Keenum doubters have been proven wrong again.

In reality, there was little question that a passer who showed plenty of potential in his first half season of starting would be snatched up in a league so desperate for quality quarterbacks. Still, many of the Houston media outlets that inexplicably hated on Keenum during his run with the Texans predicted he’d struggle to find a new NFL home. The Houston Chronicle went as far as suggesting his NFL career could be over, parroting the kind of nonsense 610 AM radio host Nick Wright regularly spewed.

With a fierce defensive front and explosive playmakers, St. Louis is a real opportunity for the right QB.

But it’s not even close to the end for Keenum.

Instead Keenum is joining a Rams team that could give him a chance to start for a real contender at some point this season. With St. Louis’ franchise quarterback hope Sam Bradford injured again — and lost for the season — Rams coach Jeff Fisher is looking for possible quarterback solutions.

The Rams will open the season with unremarkable veteran Shaun Hill as their starter, but Hill is hardly locked in.

With a fearsome defensive front seven and some explosive offensive playmakers like Tavon Austin, St. Louis presents a real opportunity for the right quarterback. Getting to play for Jeff Fisher — one of the most respected and open-minded coaches in the NFL — could be another boon for Keenum.

Fisher is unlikely to fixate on Keenum’s lack of traditional quarterback height the way new Texans coach Bill O’Brien seemingly did. O’Brien never gave Keenum a chance to compete for the starting quarterback job —or even a single opportunity to play with the first team during the preseason.

Now Keenum gets a fresh start. As new beginnings go, it sure looks like a touchdown.

Keenum a solid choice for patient Rams
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/11190/keenum-a-solid-choice-for-patient-rams

EARTH CITY, Mo. — It took all of about an hour for the rumors and speculation to run rampant after St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford’s season-ending knee injury became official on Aug. 24.

Outside of Rams Park, names like Mark Sanchez, Kirk Cousins, Ryan Mallett, even Tim Tebow were tossed around as possible quarterback additions for the Rams. But coach Jeff Fisher was adamant from the beginning that his team wouldn’t jump into some short-sighted solution. He backed veteran Shaun Hill as the starter and preached patience in the search for more depth.

“It makes no sense to jump and react right now and try to fill the hole, whatever it costs,” Fisher said then. “We’re going to take our time and evaluate this. There’s going to be some quarterbacks that are getting released and there may or may not be some quarterbacks that have trade value. We just don’t know. It’s way too soon.”

Fisher made those comments a little more than a week ago but proved true to his word Monday afternoon when the Rams claimed quarterback Case Keenum off waivers from the Houston Texans.

In Keenum, the Rams are getting a third-year player with some actual game experience, something current backup Austin Davis lacks. The Rams placed tight end Justice Cunningham on injured reserve with an ankle injury to make room for Keenum. Having Davis allows the Rams to have a backup who knows coordinator Brian Schottenheimer’s offense and should also allow Keenum to take his time getting acclimated in St. Louis.

Keenum started eight games for the Texans in 2013, posting 1,760 yards, nine touchdowns and six interceptions while completing 54.2 percent of his passes. He actually ascended to the starting spot after the Rams soundly beat Houston 38-13 in week 6.

Keenum shouldn’t be viewed as any sort of long-term answer for the Rams in Bradford’s absence. That will have to be addressed in the offseason but picking him up looks to be a solid if unspectacular move in the interim.

If nothing else, the Rams did well to find a quarterback who has some game experience without having to give up anything in return. Amongst the many ideas for quarterbacks that some clamored for were fantasy football offers of draft picks up to and including a second round choice. But none of the players being discussed offered any sort of proven upgrade to Hill and would have cost the Rams valuable draft picks.

Those are the same draft picks the Rams will eventually need to select their quarterback of the future and, if they aren’t positioned to get such a player, need to put in a package to move up to get said quarterback in the next NFL draft.

With Keenum, the Rams did the prudent thing by finding a signal caller who has started a half season’s worth of NFL games but costs them nothing more than a simple roster move.

A look at the Rams’ roster makeup
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/11168/a-look-at-the-rams-roster-makeup

EARTH CITY, Mo. — St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher was very open about the possibility of the 2014 roster taking on a different look than it has in his first two years in St. Louis.

Although it is certainly subject to change in the coming days or weeks, it turns out the Rams had some spots with a different look and others that were pretty standard.

Here’s the breakdown of how many players the Rams are carrying at each position on the 53-man roster compared to what they had going into week 1 each of the past two years. (Previous numbers courtesy of ESPN’s Mike Sando’s excellent roster file)

Quarterback

2014: 2
2013: 2
2012: 2

Quick hit: The Rams will probably continue to look to add at this position but might wait a week to find a veteran so his contract won’t be guaranteed.

Running back

2014: 5
2013: 4
2012: 5

Quick hit: Chase Reynolds counts as a fifth but he’s here for special teams. Isaiah Pead didn’t count as a fifth entering 2013 because of a suspension.

Tight end

2014: 5
2013: 4
2012: 3

Quick hit: The Rams are heavy at this spot and if they’re to make a move to add at another position, this seems like a strong contender to provide the corresponding move.

Wide receiver

2014: 5
2013: 5
2012: 5

Quick hit: Stedman Bailey will return after missing the first four games because of a suspension. The Rams will then have to make a decision on where to trim elsewhere to put Bailey back in the mix.

Offensive line

2014: 9
2013: 10
2012: 9

Quick hit: The Rams are apparently expecting Barrett Jones to return soon enough, but in the meantime they’ll carry just eight healthy linemen.

Defensive line

2014: 9
2013: 9
2012: 10

Quick hit: This is a deep, talented group but it’s fair to wonder how healthy they are at end since William Hayes did not play in a preseason game and Eugene Sims missed practice and last week’s preseason game with his leg in a brace.

Linebacker

2014: 5
2013: 6
2012: 6

Quick hit: The Rams could really use some more depth here, especially if they could find a capable veteran. They should be able to get by with five because they spend so much time in sub-packages but if they have injuries here, the depth is shallow and unproven.

Cornerback

2014: 6
2013: 5
2012: 5

Quick hit: With Trumaine Johnson working back from a knee injury, the Rams had to go a bit heavier here, hence the inclusion of undrafted rookie Marcus Roberson.

Safety

2014: 4
2013: 5
2012: 5

Quick hit: The decision to keep only four was an easy one considering there was no obvious option for the fifth spot. Like linebacker, the Rams have no proven depth with any sort of meaningful defensive snaps behind the starters.

Specialists

2014: 3
2013: 3
2012: 3

Quick hit: As dependable a group as you’ll find in the NFL.

Rams Insider Howard Balzer says the reports of Michael Sam being distraction were overblown and that he has shown that he is capable of playing in the league.

http://www.rams-news.com/balzer-michael-sam-not-a-distraction-showed-he-can-play-in-league/

ESPN Rams reporter Nick Wagoner discusses the projected offensive line set to protect QB Shaun Hill in the season opener.

http://www.rams-news.com/wagoner-offensive-line-key-to-rams-success-video/

ESPN’s Mark Schwarz and Nick Wagoner discuss the Rams’ decision to cut defensive end Michael Sam and what could be next for Sam.

http://www.rams-news.com/wagoner-why-the-rams-cut-sam-video/

• This reply was modified 10 years, 2 months ago by RamBill.

Rams coach Jeff Fisher on cutting Michael Sam, and the process of making the decision. (1:29)

http://www.rams-news.com/jeff-fisher-on-cutting-michael-sam-i-was-pulling-for-mike-i-really-was-video/