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By Rich Hammond | rhammond@scng.com | Orange County Register
PUBLISHED: August 25, 2017 at 6:13 pm | UPDATED: August 25, 2017 at 6:42 pm http://www.ocregister.com/2017/08/2...uation/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
The Rams and Chargers brawled three times when the teams practiced together this month, but when they meet in Saturday’s preseason game at the Coliseum, the true battle for the Rams will be internal.
This is the third of four preseason games, and at the conclusion, the Rams’ roster will be cut from 90 to its season-opening limit of 53. Next week’s game, though, is window dressing, the very definition of “exhibition.” For players on the roster bubble, Saturday’s game could be the last chance to shine.
“It just seems like I’ve been a part of teams every single year,” Coach Sean McVay said, “where a few guys you never expect to, they end up finding a way to make a contribution and give themselves some value, whether that be through special teams, or showing up on offense or defense.”
So who is off the bubble? Only McVay and Rams executives know, but here’s a reasonable guess:
Quarterbacks Jared Goff and Sean Mannion are safe, as are running backs Todd Gurley and Malcolm Brown, receivers Robert Woods, Sammy Watkins, Cooper Kupp, Pharoh Cooper and Tavon Austin, tight ends Tyler Higbee, Gerald Everett and Temarrick Hemingway, and offensive linemen Andrew Whitworth, Rob Havenstein, Cody Wichmann, Rodger Saffold, Jamon Brown and John Sullivan.
On defense, linemen Michael Brockers, Ethan Westbrooks, Matt Longacre, Tanzel Smart and Louis Trinca-Pasat seem set, as do linebackers Robert Quinn, Connor Barwin, Alec Ogletree, Mark Barron, Ejuan Price and Samson Ebukam, and defensive backs Trumaine Johnson, Mike Jordan, Lamarcus Joyner, Kayvon Webster, Nickell Robey-Coleman, Mo Alexander and Cody Davis.
Finally, kicker Greg Zuerlein, punter Johnny Hekker and long snapper Jake McQuaide are locks.
That’s 39 players. Recent playing time indicates that fullback Sam Rogers, receiver Josh Reynolds, offensive linemen Jake Eldrenkamp and Darrell Williams, defensive linemen Mike Purcell, linebacker Josh Forrest and defensive backs John Johnson and Marqui Christian also will make the cut.
Then there’s Aaron Donald, who presumably will end his holdout one way or another and become No. 48. Remember also that receiver Mike Thomas and Troy Hill will be suspended for the start of the season and running back Lance Dunbar will start on the injured list, meaning none of them will occupy a roster spot.
That leaves perhaps five spots, and how will they be broken down?
The Rams figure to keep either running back Justin Davis or Aaron Green, and one of three offensive linemen: Austin Blythe, Andrew Donnal (whose current injury status makes this murky) and Pace Murphy.
Four linebackers – Nic Grigsby, Bryce Hager, Cory Littleton and Cassanova McKinzy – could be competing for one spot, as could defensive backs Blake Countess, Isaiah Johnson and Kevin Peterson.
The last spot? Could the Rams consider keeping Dan Orlovsky as a third quarterback? Could underdog hero receiver Nelson Spruce make the cut for a second consecutive year? Or will one of the previously listed bubble players make enough of a late impression to earn a spot?
Then there’s the wild card. Call it the ghost of Akeem Ayers.
A year ago, Ayers was one of the Rams’ final cuts. He was a five-year veteran who had been slotted as a starter at linebacker, and nothing in preseason games or practice reps indicated Ayers was about to be a cut-day casualty. Yet it happened, as a stark reminder that few roster spots are safe.
There’s been a change. In previous years, teams would cut down from 90 players to 75 after the third preseason game. Now it will be a dramatic drop, from 90 to 53 on Labor Day weekend. Up to 10 other players will have a chance to land on the Rams’ practice squad.
“I think the next couple weeks offers us a great opportunity to really find those last handful of spots that we will have,” McVay said. “I think being able to have 90 guys for that fourth preseason game will be a great opportunity for a lot of those playe
PUBLISHED: August 25, 2017 at 6:13 pm | UPDATED: August 25, 2017 at 6:42 pm http://www.ocregister.com/2017/08/2...uation/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
The Rams and Chargers brawled three times when the teams practiced together this month, but when they meet in Saturday’s preseason game at the Coliseum, the true battle for the Rams will be internal.
This is the third of four preseason games, and at the conclusion, the Rams’ roster will be cut from 90 to its season-opening limit of 53. Next week’s game, though, is window dressing, the very definition of “exhibition.” For players on the roster bubble, Saturday’s game could be the last chance to shine.
“It just seems like I’ve been a part of teams every single year,” Coach Sean McVay said, “where a few guys you never expect to, they end up finding a way to make a contribution and give themselves some value, whether that be through special teams, or showing up on offense or defense.”
So who is off the bubble? Only McVay and Rams executives know, but here’s a reasonable guess:
Quarterbacks Jared Goff and Sean Mannion are safe, as are running backs Todd Gurley and Malcolm Brown, receivers Robert Woods, Sammy Watkins, Cooper Kupp, Pharoh Cooper and Tavon Austin, tight ends Tyler Higbee, Gerald Everett and Temarrick Hemingway, and offensive linemen Andrew Whitworth, Rob Havenstein, Cody Wichmann, Rodger Saffold, Jamon Brown and John Sullivan.
On defense, linemen Michael Brockers, Ethan Westbrooks, Matt Longacre, Tanzel Smart and Louis Trinca-Pasat seem set, as do linebackers Robert Quinn, Connor Barwin, Alec Ogletree, Mark Barron, Ejuan Price and Samson Ebukam, and defensive backs Trumaine Johnson, Mike Jordan, Lamarcus Joyner, Kayvon Webster, Nickell Robey-Coleman, Mo Alexander and Cody Davis.
Finally, kicker Greg Zuerlein, punter Johnny Hekker and long snapper Jake McQuaide are locks.
That’s 39 players. Recent playing time indicates that fullback Sam Rogers, receiver Josh Reynolds, offensive linemen Jake Eldrenkamp and Darrell Williams, defensive linemen Mike Purcell, linebacker Josh Forrest and defensive backs John Johnson and Marqui Christian also will make the cut.
Then there’s Aaron Donald, who presumably will end his holdout one way or another and become No. 48. Remember also that receiver Mike Thomas and Troy Hill will be suspended for the start of the season and running back Lance Dunbar will start on the injured list, meaning none of them will occupy a roster spot.
That leaves perhaps five spots, and how will they be broken down?
The Rams figure to keep either running back Justin Davis or Aaron Green, and one of three offensive linemen: Austin Blythe, Andrew Donnal (whose current injury status makes this murky) and Pace Murphy.
Four linebackers – Nic Grigsby, Bryce Hager, Cory Littleton and Cassanova McKinzy – could be competing for one spot, as could defensive backs Blake Countess, Isaiah Johnson and Kevin Peterson.
The last spot? Could the Rams consider keeping Dan Orlovsky as a third quarterback? Could underdog hero receiver Nelson Spruce make the cut for a second consecutive year? Or will one of the previously listed bubble players make enough of a late impression to earn a spot?
Then there’s the wild card. Call it the ghost of Akeem Ayers.
A year ago, Ayers was one of the Rams’ final cuts. He was a five-year veteran who had been slotted as a starter at linebacker, and nothing in preseason games or practice reps indicated Ayers was about to be a cut-day casualty. Yet it happened, as a stark reminder that few roster spots are safe.
There’s been a change. In previous years, teams would cut down from 90 players to 75 after the third preseason game. Now it will be a dramatic drop, from 90 to 53 on Labor Day weekend. Up to 10 other players will have a chance to land on the Rams’ practice squad.
“I think the next couple weeks offers us a great opportunity to really find those last handful of spots that we will have,” McVay said. “I think being able to have 90 guys for that fourth preseason game will be a great opportunity for a lot of those playe
