Early Issues (good to have?)

[fanotodd]

After only one preseason game, and vs the terrible cowboys no less, I see a few conundrums. The Rams are deep. Staring roster aside, there is gonna be a logjam at nearly every position group when it comes to finalizing the 53. There is a good argument for carrying an extra FILL IN THE BLANK, but which group do you go LIGHT on?

QB: it starts here with me. Most teams who do NOT suck carry only 2 QBs on the roster. Can the Rams stash Bennet another year? He couldn’t get a shot as a #2 anywhere else? I think he could right now.

WR: we know the big 4 who are shoe-ins, but do the Rams carry 5 or 6 to keep both Xman and Mump? What does that do to our return candidates?

CBS: Witherspoon, DW, Durant, and possibly Forbes. Now what? Are the Rams carrying 5 or 6?
Safeties: same situation as CBs. How many are the Rams gonna carry? Lake, Kinchen, Curl, are probably locks. Don’t see cutting McCollough. That’s 4 right there.
The Rams are gonna be releasing guys from a he secondary who will get snapped up.

TEs: Are the Rams really gonna carry all 4 and risk losing talent at another position? I would be disappointed to see Allen relegated to the PS.

RBs: Schroeder is not gonna survive on the PS. The Rams are gonna have Corum and KW.
Can the Rams stash their rookie on the PS until someone gets hurt? Every other team passed on him more than once in the draft. What if he comes out of camp “ready”? The Rams would have to keep him on the 53.


ILBs: they have 5 and they cannot keep more than 4, maybe only 3. Who’s going to the PS?
I know the idea of Reeder starting repulses some folks, but I don’t think the formula for this group is that simple. Pooh and Dolac are rookies who will see very little time, if any, vs true starters in these preseason games.

OL: THIS is the biggest problem, IMO. After the projected starting 5, the Rams have some tough choices. Of all the position groups, some guys cut will be immediately picked up.
Just how many can the Rams carry? Easily 10. Ironically, if AJ had been healthy all along, the Rams would not have picked up 2 Tackles. I don’t want to cut the “future” of Leveston, Limmer, and Dedich; but, McClendon, and Acuri will be picked up and Lampkin has already turned heads. These cuts are gonna hurt.

So just who are you willing to part with or at least risk on the PS?

 

[PhillyRam]

I can see them trying to trade Parkinson if they believe Allen can step up if needed. Then put the two rookie TEs on the PS and use them if needed.

If a team loses their starting TE he could be an option as trade target. Allows the Rams to keep an extra young player elsewhere, while also saving some cap room.

 

[Flatlyner]

Regarding them putting Hunter on the PS, I think there is 0% chance of that. Schroeder looked good in the pre season game against 3rd stringers, but he's been a PS player before and would definitely have a chance of sticking to ours IMO. Hunter has everything you want in a back and I have every confidence he is on this 53. Think Rivers gets cut, although the dude has filled in admirably.

 

[Merlin]

Allen made the team. We'll keep 4 TEs unless they trade Parkinson.

Jackson may end up on IR. But if not then I think it's Jackson > Hav > Dotson > Avila > Shelton > Limmer > Lampkin > Humphries > McLemon.

Last spot is Dedich vs McMahon, Bowles, Leveston, Dooley. Dedich likely to win the 10th spot though I must admit I have not spent any real effort to look at their performances in the first preseason game.

Arcuri and Quessenberry would need to beat out either Humphries or McLemon, as I think we stand pat at 4 OTs in that group. Which I don't think is insurmountably hard or anything. I don't recall Humphries being particularly good, and same with McLemon. But I suppose if either Arcuri or Q can show something at Guard then maybe they could compete with Dedich for that 10th spot. Either way that 10th spot will be strongly contested I agree.

ILB they keep 4. Reeder will be odd man out. If they cut Dolac he will get claimed IMO.

Bennett has made the team unless he self destructs in the next game. His performance is important for this year's team. Stafford with the back plus Jimmy tends to get dinged up. Also what if some team makes us an offer we can't refuse on Jimmy, which again I think can always happen depending on how desperate some teams may get at the position due to injury.

 

[PhillyRam]

After only one preseason game, and vs the terrible cowboys no less, I see a few conundrums. The Rams are deep. Staring roster aside, there is gonna be a logjam at nearly every position group when it comes to finalizing the 53. There is a good argument for carrying an extra FILL IN THE BLANK, but which group do you go LIGHT on?

QB: it starts here with me. Most teams who do NOT suck carry only 2 QBs on the roster. Can the Rams stash Bennet another year? He couldn’t get a shot as a #2 anywhere else? I think he could right now.

WR: we know the big 4 who are shoe-ins, but do the Rams carry 5 or 6 to keep both Xman and Mump? What does that do to our return candidates?

CBS: Witherspoon, DW, Durant, and possibly Forbes. Now what? Are the Rams carrying 5 or 6?
Safeties: same situation as CBs. How many are the Rams gonna carry? Lake, Kinchen, Curl, are probably locks. Don’t see cutting McCollough. That’s 4 right there.
The Rams are gonna be releasing guys from a he secondary who will get snapped up.

TEs: Are the Rams really gonna carry all 4 and risk losing talent at another position? I would be disappointed to see Allen relegated to the PS.

RBs: Schroeder is not gonna survive on the PS. The Rams are gonna have Corum and KW.
Can the Rams stash their rookie on the PS until someone gets hurt? Every other team passed on him more than once in the draft. What if he comes out of camp “ready”? The Rams would have to keep him on the 53.


ILBs: they have 5 and they cannot keep more than 4, maybe only 3. Who’s going to the PS?
I know the idea of Reeder starting repulses some folks, but I don’t think the formula for this group is that simple. Pooh and Dolac are rookies who will see very little time, if any, vs true starters in these preseason games.

OL: THIS is the biggest problem, IMO. After the projected starting 5, the Rams have some tough choices. Of all the position groups, some guys cut will be immediately picked up.
Just how many can the Rams carry? Easily 10. Ironically, if AJ had been healthy all along, the Rams would not have picked up 2 Tackles. I don’t want to cut the “future” of Leveston, Limmer, and Dedich; but, McClendon, and Acuri will be picked up and Lampkin has already turned heads. These cuts are gonna hurt.

So just who are you willing to part with or at least risk on the PS?

I know we always say this guy or that guy will be picked up if cut, but history shows even the most talented teams at most will lose 2 or 3 guys to waivers.

They normally write up an article every year listing which teams had the most players claimed and there is normally one or two teams that lose 3 and typically each team loses 1 or 2 guys at most.

Teams nowadays like keeping their own young players so they can keep developing them. So while I'm sure we will lose a couple guys, it will likley be a case that a few guys that many assume will get snapped up, will still end up on our PS.

 

[DzRams]

After only one preseason game, and vs the terrible cowboys no less, I see a few conundrums. The Rams are deep. Staring roster aside, there is gonna be a logjam at nearly every position group when it comes to finalizing the 53. There is a good argument for carrying an extra FILL IN THE BLANK, but which group do you go LIGHT on?

QB: it starts here with me. Most teams who do NOT suck carry only 2 QBs on the roster. Can the Rams stash Bennet another year? He couldn’t get a shot as a #2 anywhere else? I think he could right now.

WR: we know the big 4 who are shoe-ins, but do the Rams carry 5 or 6 to keep both Xman and Mump? What does that do to our return candidates?

CBS: Witherspoon, DW, Durant, and possibly Forbes. Now what? Are the Rams carrying 5 or 6?
Safeties: same situation as CBs. How many are the Rams gonna carry? Lake, Kinchen, Curl, are probably locks. Don’t see cutting McCollough. That’s 4 right there.
The Rams are gonna be releasing guys from a he secondary who will get snapped up.

TEs: Are the Rams really gonna carry all 4 and risk losing talent at another position? I would be disappointed to see Allen relegated to the PS.

RBs: Schroeder is not gonna survive on the PS. The Rams are gonna have Corum and KW.
Can the Rams stash their rookie on the PS until someone gets hurt? Every other team passed on him more than once in the draft. What if he comes out of camp “ready”? The Rams would have to keep him on the 53.


ILBs: they have 5 and they cannot keep more than 4, maybe only 3. Who’s going to the PS?
I know the idea of Reeder starting repulses some folks, but I don’t think the formula for this group is that simple. Pooh and Dolac are rookies who will see very little time, if any, vs true starters in these preseason games.

OL: THIS is the biggest problem, IMO. After the projected starting 5, the Rams have some tough choices. Of all the position groups, some guys cut will be immediately picked up.
Just how many can the Rams carry? Easily 10. Ironically, if AJ had been healthy all along, the Rams would not have picked up 2 Tackles. I don’t want to cut the “future” of Leveston, Limmer, and Dedich; but, McClendon, and Acuri will be picked up and Lampkin has already turned heads. These cuts are gonna hurt.

So just who are you willing to part with or at least risk on the PS?

My early thoughts...

QB - Bennet looked very good. I'm starting to side with what I at first thought was Merlin's ridiculous suggestion that he could challenge for #2. The problem is, Jimmy G. is a 1.5. He could probably start over the bottom handful of QBs in the league. Verdict: I think we gotta keep all 3 especially given Stafford's back issues.

WR - this one is easy. Carry 6. The big 4 plus Smith and Mumpfield.

TE - Given Higbee's age and previous injury issues, we can't go light here. Also, Ferg is not ready so they can't trade or stash Parkinson or Allen. They need all 4.

RB - They're 5 deep but I see them keeping 4 on the roster. I don't know that anyone will pick up Rivers so he'd be my PS player.

OL - Starting 5 plus McClendon, Humphries, Limmer, Lampkin, and Dedich. I don't want to lose Lampkin but don't know if he's crosstrained at guard. He's safe though because talent trumps all. Maybe this is why they had Limmer crosstraining at guard.

DL - Fiske, Ford, Turner, Davis, Hamilton, and the best man between DJ and Murchison.

OLB - Verse, Young, Stewart, Jackson. I'd try to get Hampton and Thomas on the PS but if we lose 'em, we lose 'em.

ILB - This is not necessarily what I prefer but what I feel the Rams will do. They don't pick up a vet like Reeder if they don't think highly of him and plan to have him on the squad. I'm also not convinced that Dolac will get poached. Every year we think our guys will get poached but it rarely happens.
I see Dolac on the PS with the 4 LBs being Speights, Landman, Reeder, and Paul.

CBs - DWill, AW, Durant, Forbes, Kendrick. The PS will be secondary heavy including Woods, Wallace, and Green.

S - Lake, Curl, Kinchens, McCollough

That's 27 offense, 23 defense like last year.

Load the PS up with OL and secondary.

 

[DzRams]

I know we always say this guy or that guy will be picked up if cut, but history shows even the most talented teams at most will lose 2 or 3 guys to waivers.

They normally write up an article every year listing which teams had the most players claimed and there is normally one or two teams that lose 3 and typically each team loses 1 or 2 guys at most.

Teams nowadays like keeping their own young players so they can keep developing them. So while I'm sure we will lose a couple guys, it will likley be a case that a few guys that many assume will get snapped up, will still end up on our PS.

Yes. Every year we overestimate how many of our guys we will lose.

 

[Merlin]

QB - Bennet looked very good. I'm starting to side with what I at first thought was Merlin's ridiculous suggestion that he could challenge for #2. The problem is, Jimmy G. is a 1.5. He could probably start over the bottom handful of QBs in the league. Verdict: I think we gotta keep all 3 especially given Stafford's back issues.

Well you certainly weren't alone. Also it wasn't so much that I thought Bennett could beat Jimmy out straight-up, but rather that he may in year three play well enough that the Rams could say "well we just got this great trade offer for Jimmy and we do have a backup still due to Bennett soo..."

I mean imagine if a team used to winning comes in desperate with a round 2 offer for him. Even round 3 would make me think, given that we may be packaging picks to move up for QB next year in the draft.

But fast forward to recent news about Stafford's back and it looks like we wouldn't be able to take that risk. That would require Stafford starting out the gate hot and looking like his usual late season badass self. Not to mention he's gonna get hit a lot if Jackson can't go.

Oh well. It's always something with this team to start the season out..

 

[hotanez]

My early thoughts...

QB - Bennet looked very good. I'm starting to side with what I at first thought was Merlin's ridiculous suggestion that he could challenge for #2. The problem is, Jimmy G. is a 1.5. He could probably start over the bottom handful of QBs in the league. Verdict: I think we gotta keep all 3 especially given Stafford's back issues.

WR - this one is easy. Carry 6. The big 4 plus Smith and Mumpfield.

TE - Given Higbee's age and previous injury issues, we can't go light here. Also, Ferg is not ready so they can't trade or stash Parkinson or Allen. They need all 4.

RB - They're 5 deep but I see them keeping 4 on the roster. I don't know that anyone will pick up Rivers so he'd be my PS player.

OL - Starting 5 plus McClendon, Humphries, Limmer, Lampkin, and Dedich. I don't want to lose Lampkin but don't know if he's crosstrained at guard. He's safe though because talent trumps all. Maybe this is why they had Limmer crosstraining at guard.

DL - Fiske, Ford, Turner, Davis, Hamilton, and the best man between DJ and Murchison.

OLB - Verse, Young, Stewart, Jackson. I'd try to get Hampton and Thomas on the PS but if we lose 'em, we lose 'em.

ILB - This is not necessarily what I prefer but what I feel the Rams will do. They don't pick up a vet like Reeder if they don't think highly of him and plan to have him on the squad. I'm also not convinced that Dolac will get poached. Every year we think our guys will get poached but it rarely happens.
I see Dolac on the PS with the 4 LBs being Speights, Landman, Reeder, and Paul.

CBs - DWill, AW, Durant, Forbes, Kendrick. The PS will be secondary heavy including Woods, Wallace, and Green.

S - Lake, Curl, Kinchens, McCollough

That's 27 offense, 23 defense like last year.

Load the PS up with OL and secondary.

I bet your list is going to be very close to what will happen. I would change Kendrick for Wallace only because of how they are using him, he's very versatile.

 

[Merlin]

I know we always say this guy or that guy will be picked up if cut, but history shows even the most talented teams at most will lose 2 or 3 guys to waivers.

IR stashing can also be a thing if a player has so much as a stubbed toe. Rams have never abused that, though I am sure they stretch the truth time to time.

So at ILB for example maybe Paul (he was dinged up not long ago) or Dolac get stashed. But I really prefer they let Reeder walk. It's time, plus I'd cut him soon to give him a jump on finding another team.

 

[Karate61]

Wyatt Bowles, guard #60. No one is talking about him, but he tore it up good Saturday night against the Cowboys.