My Final 53 Pre-Training Camp.

[LACHAMP46]

You've come a long way in a short time on Spruce. Good to see. What's changing your mind?

hmmmm, not sure my opinion on the player has changed...just the thought that he could stick....actually, he deserves a look on the PS. Just on stats alone....but when I look at Spruce, I still see a Salas...or a worse Pettis.

 

[VilleDeal]

"most will think Davis will be the odd man out."
Not so fast my friend... I for one as many others will think for themselves.. thank you very much.
yawn.....

 

[Florida_Ram]

An outstanding final 53, den, based on current known information.

Yours is superior to Wagoner's, IMHO. Loved your brief explanations of your decisions, too.

So many excruciating decisions, huh?

Kills me to not include Longacre, but what can one do?

Tough decisions at LB and FS, too.

And I agree that Quick best take the bull by the horns and truly impress from day one of camp. He's definitely not a lock at this point.

Looking back at the 2015 first release of the final 53 man Roster the 10 Offensive Lineman kept vs keeping only 8 D-Lineman was one of the few surprises for myslef. I know its way beyond early to project who will make the cuts but its intriguing to speculate on how many of each position the Rams will keep even if against our preferences.

I would expect the 2016... 53 man Roster to have 9 Defensive Lineman and 9 Offensive Lineman but for various performance/injury reasons, one of the units may end up with 10 forcing the other unit to carry 8 again?

There can be such a big trickle down effect on the roster when 10 players are kept at any position. Technically they kept only 8 defensive backs (safeties & corners) because M.Barron ended up at OLB for most of the season.

(When I release my last position battles in the next 24 hours I will do a pre-camp guesstimate breakdown)

So many variables when you pluck from one position and give to another. The roster numbers game is never simple math in the NFL.

This was the first official release last season. September 6, 2015... 53 Man ROSTER

http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2015/9...-roster-depth-chart-practice-squad/in/8325886

QB Nick Foles... Case Keenum... Sean Mannion ===== 3

WR Brian Quick... Tavon Austin... Bradley Marquez
WR Kenny Britt... Stedman Bailey... Chris Givens ==== 6

TE Lance Kendricks... J.Cook... Cory Harkey ========= 3

RB Tre Mason... Benny Cunningham
RB Todd Gurley... Isaiah Pead.. Chase Reynolds ===== 5

C Tim Barnes... Demetrius Rhaney
RG Rodger Saffold... Garrett Reynolds
LG Jamon Brown,... Cody Wichmann ============== 10
RT Rob Havenstein... Andrew Donnal
LT Greg Robinson... Darrell Williams


PK Greg Zuerlein
P John Hekker ================================= 3
LS Jake McQuaide

DT Aaron Donald... Nick Fairley
DT Michael Brockers... Ethan Westbrooks
DE Chris Long... William Hayes =================== 8
DE Robert Quinn... Eugene Sims

MLB James Laurinaitis... Bryce Hager
OLB Alec Ogletree... Daren Bates ================= 6
OLB Akeem Ayers... Cameron Lynch

CB Janoris Jenkins... Marcus Roberson
CB Trumaine Johnson... Lamarcus Joyner =========== 4

SS T.J. McDonald... Mark Barron OLB...
FS Rodney McLeod... Cody Davis.. Maurice Alexander = 5


Practice Squad ...Reserve/Suspended... Injured Reserve

RB Trey Watts
CB E.J. Gaines

DE Matt Longacre
DT Doug Worthington
DT Louis Trinca-Pasat
CB Trovon Reed
SS Jacob Hagen
FS Christian Bryant
RB Malcolm Brown
FB Zach Laskey
TE Justice Cunningham
OT Isaiah Battle

The numbers game

 

[Memento]

Here's my 53:

QB - 3 - Jared Goff, Case Keenum, Sean Mannion.
RB - 3 - Todd Gurley,Benny Cunningham, Malcolm Brown,.
TE - 4 - Lance Kendricks, Cory Harkey, Tyler Higbee, Temarrick Hemingway.
WR - 7 - Tavon Austin, Kenny Britt, Pharoh Cooper, Mike Thomas, Bradley Marquez, Nelson Spruce, Duke Williams.
OL - 10 - Greg Robinson, Rob Havenstein, Jamon Brown, Tim Barnes, Rodger Saffold, Demetrius Rhaney, Isaiah Battle, Darrell Williams, Cody Wichmann, Garrett Reynolds.
DL - 8 - Aaron Donald, Robert Quinn, William Hayes, Michael Brockers, Dominique Easley, Eugene Sims, Quinton Coples, Ethan Westbrooks.
LB - 6 - Alec Ogletree, Mark Barron, Akeem Ayers, Bryce Hager, Josh Forrest, Cameron Lynch.
DB - 9- Trumaine Johnson, E.J. Gaines, Lamarcus Joyner, T.J. McDonald, Mo Alexander, Cody Davis, Christian Bryant, Coty Sensabaugh, Marcus Roberson.
ST - 3 - Greg Zuerlein, Johnny Hekker, Jake McQuaide.

 

[Rams43]

Here's my 53:

QB - 3 - Jared Goff, Case Keenum, Sean Mannion.
RB - 3 - Todd Gurley,Benny Cunningham, Malcolm Brown,.
TE - 4 - Lance Kendricks, Cory Harkey, Tyler Higbee, Temarrick Hemingway.
WR - 7 - Tavon Austin, Kenny Britt, Pharoh Cooper, Mike Thomas, Bradley Marquez, Nelson Spruce, Duke Williams.
OL - 10 - Greg Robinson, Rob Havenstein, Jamon Brown, Tim Barnes, Rodger Saffold, Demetrius Rhaney, Isaiah Battle, Darrell Williams, Cody Wichmann, Garrett Reynolds.
DL - 8 - Aaron Donald, Robert Quinn, William Hayes, Michael Brockers, Dominique Easley, Eugene Sims, Quinton Coples, Ethan Westbrooks.
LB - 6 - Alec Ogletree, Mark Barron, Akeem Ayers, Bryce Hager, Josh Forrest, Cameron Lynch.
DB - 9- Trumaine Johnson, E.J. Gaines, Lamarcus Joyner, T.J. McDonald, Mo Alexander, Cody Davis, Christian Bryant, Coty Sensabaugh, Marcus Roberson.
ST - 3 - Greg Zuerlein, Johnny Hekker, Jake McQuaide.

Nice list, memento.

But I think 7 WR's is a stretch. And I don't think Duke Williams would be a favorite to be the 7th, anyway. Based on current feedback, anyway.

That 7th WR might be better invested in a RB, DL, or DB, don't you think?

 

[Rams43]

@den-the-coach I'll play coach,
Offensive Linemen (10)
LT...Greg Robinson, Darrell Williams
LG...Rodger Saffold, Garrett Reynolds
C...Tim Barnes, Kush (hey, I like the big muscles too....)
RG...Jamon Brown, Cody Wichmann
RT...Rob Havenstein, Isaiah Battle
Tight Ends (4)
Lance Kendricks
Cory Harkey
Tyler Higbee
Tamarick Hemingway
AGREE HERE 100%
Running Backs (3)
Todd Gurley
Benny Cunningham
Malcolm Brown

Wide Receivers (7)
Kenny Britt
Tavon Austin
Brian Quick
Pharoh Cooper
Mike Thomas
Marquez North
Nelson Spruce
Im buying the hype on North too
Quarterbacks (2)
Jared Goff
Sean Mannion
cause that's just how Champ rolls
Special Teams (3)
Greg Zuerlein
Johnny Hekker
Jake McQuaide
Defensive Linemen (9)
William Hayes
Aaron Donald
Michael Brockers
Robert Quinn
Eugene Sims
Damon Easley
Cam Thomas
Ethan Westbrooks
Quinton Coples
Easley's a beast, you'll like him....
Linebackers (6)
Mark Barron
Alec Ogletree
Hakim Ayers
Bryce Hager
Cam Lynch
Brandon Chubb
Barron is really a SS, and Chubb & Lynch are beasts....
Defensive Backs (9)
Trumaine Johnson
E.J. Gaines
Lamarcus Joyner
Marcus Roberson
Coty Sensabaugh
T.J. McDonald
Maurice Alexander
Christian Bryant
Brian Randolph
I liked your DB selection so much, I decided to write in....well done...tell me what you think?:yess::redcard::fuelfire::blah::blah::blah::blahn):huh:alm::coach:.....

You ALMOST got it right, Champ.

Gotta keep 3 QB's. Besides, Keenum might be our opening day starter!

Don't see 7 WR's, either. Give that 7th spot to to Keenum, and I'm on board.

Until camp reports, of course. Lol.

 

[Memento]

Nice list, memento.

But I think 7 WR's is a stretch. And I don't think Duke Williams would be a favorite to be the 7th, anyway. Based on current feedback, anyway.

That 7th WR might be better invested in a RB, DL, or DB, don't you think?

True, but I feel that Duke could be an absolute steal if we keep him. I'd give a spot to Chase Reynolds, but Marquez did the job just as well, if not better. So my list is technically six wideouts, as Marquez is purely special teams.

I could invest in another DL/DB, but most of the guys on there are on the bubble. Randolph, Longacre, and Michael Jordan are options, but ultimately, keeping Williams was my priority. Just my honest opinion.

 

[den-the-coach]

"most will think Davis will be the odd man out."
Not so fast my friend... I for one as many others will think for themselves.. thank you very much.
yawn.....

Just an observation, no need to take it personal. I'm glad you can think for yourself!

 

[JC-3]

True, but I feel that Duke could be an absolute steal if we keep him. I'd give a spot to Chase Reynolds, but Marquez did the job just as well, if not better. So my list is technically six wideouts, as Marquez is purely special teams.

I could invest in another DL/DB, but most of the guys on there are on the bubble. Randolph, Longacre, and Michael Jordan are options, but ultimately, keeping Williams was my priority. Just my honest opinion.

My thoughts exactly. We have to make room for him.

 

[Orchid]

Wow. A great post followed by several insightful comments.

I have had a file of my computer devoted to the Ram's 53 man roster since the day after the UDFAs were signed. It has changed somewhat by the OTAs, but barring injuries and accounting for likely suspensions here is how I project/see things after your comments:

Offensive Linemen (10)
LT...Greg Robinson, Darrell Williams
LG...Rodger Saffold, Garrett Reynolds
C...Tim Barnes, Demetrius Rhaney
RG...Jamon Brown, Cody Wichmann
RT...Rob Havenstein, Isaiah Battle
Donnal is odd man out here barring injury of course because if Saffold can't make it again then Reynolds slides into that position and Donnal stays behind Reynolds. Would not be shocked if Saffold can't answer the call, he could be the odd man out.

I am going with 9 OL. The battle in my opinion is Wichmann. Donald, Rainey and Kush.for the 9th spot. The winner is who is the best combination of C/G. I leaning toward Kush. He is more of a power center who was out of place in the KC stretch zone offense.

Tight Ends (4)
Lance Kendricks
Cory Harkey
Tyler Higbee
Tamarick Hemingway
Nothing to see here, new TE Coach John Lily has four solid guys to work with and here's hoping Higbee gets his head on straight.

Agree with your picks with the caveat that Higbee has to get and stay healthy. With his injury history he could easily end up on the PUP or NFI. He also is my the most likely to suspended on the Rams. They will keep 4 TEs ,if Higbee or Hemingway are not goes then i t will be J cunigham.

Running Backs (4)
Todd Gurley
Benny Cunningham
Malcolm Brown
Chase Reynolds
Reynolds stays because Tre Mason will be put on the PUP list to start the season and I don't feel Aaron Green does enough to unseat Reynolds. If Mason comes back then Reynolds because of Nelson Spruce is history.

I think they only keep 3. CR is a SP teams player only. Mason is going to miss games due to suspension. He got busted for 1 game earlier for mary jane. He is looking at 4 to 6 games. They will cut Reynolds initially and then bring him back.

Wide Receivers (6)
Kenny Britt
Tavon Austin
Brian Quick
Pharoh Cooper
Mike Thomas
Nelson Spruce
I'm buying in on the hype on Spruce because he can actually catch the football and Quick get his last chance because I feel he can be the deep threat.

Spruce or McRoberts are going to the PS. We keep 7 initially and Marquez bets them both out. He is the designated Special Teams player.

Quaterbacks (3)
Jared Goff
Case Keenum
Sean Mannion
A major weakness now becomes a strength, Goff starts the season and Keenum & Mannion give the Rams something they have not had for a long period of time.

No problems with your list. I just think Mannion will/do better than we think.Would love to see Mannion shine enough to ditch Keenum.

Special Teams (3)
Greg Zuerlein
Johnny Hekker
Jake McQuaide
Rams still could bring in another veteran kicker as promised, however, Zuerlein would have to fail miserably in preseason to not get the gig. Hekker and McQuaide are as good as it gets.

No problem.

Defensive Linemen (9)
William Hayes
Aaron Donald
Michael Brockers
Robert Quinn
Eugene Sims
Damon Easley
Cam Thomas
Ethan Westbrooks
Quinton Coples
This number could change just based on injury prone players like Easely, however, if all stay healthy I feel strongly the Rams keep 9 and would be quite a rotation with great depth as well.

No problem. Cam Thomas or somebody like him has to make the team as a run clogger. Longacre while nice does not fit the bill therefore he and Westbrooks are fighting for the last spot. I think EW wins on versatility.

Linebackers (5)
Mark Barron
Alec Ogletree
Hakim Ayers
Bryce Hager
Josh Forrest
Numbers crunch here and I'm giving Forrest the edge over Cameron Lynch, but I could see Forrest being the one draft choice that gets cut and ends up on the practice squad because Lynch does have game.

Problem is who are backing ups at MLB and Wlb. Hager is okay for Middle. Do no sleep on Wells as a WLB and we need to help our SP teams help. 6 linebackers will make the roster.

Defensive Backs (9)
Trumaine Johnson
E.J. Gaines
Lamarcus Joyner
Marcus Roberson
Coty Sensabaugh
T.J. McDonald
Maurice Alexander
Christian Bryant
Brian Randolph
Here is the upset with Cody Davis being ousted by Bryant and Randolph might not go this way, but most will think Davis will be the odd man out.

I think they will keep 9 but McDonald will not be on the roster initially due to a suspension. When TJ Mac comes back Randolph goes to the practice squad when he has abetter chance of clearing waivers. Davis is not in trouble period.

Here is my positional breakdown for the initial 53 man roster.

Offensive 26

Offensive Linemen (9)
Tight Ends (4)
Running Backs (3)
Wide Receivers (7)
Quarterbacks (3)
​

Defensive 24

Defensive Linemen (9)
Linebackers (6)
]Defensive Backs (9)
​

Special Teams 3

Kicker
Punter
Long snapper​

 

[den-the-coach]

Wow. A great post followed by several insightful comments.

Really enjoyed yours too and this is initial many things can change during training camp, but the reason I feel they will keep 10 offensive linemen is because I just don't see them cutting Wichmann, he played too well at RG IMHO and if he could play center you would be right about 9, but I feel they keep Wichmann. They kept him last year and he was injured for most of camp and it's a good thing they did.

 

[DickersonGurley]

Demetrius Rhaney = weak (cut )
Eric Kush - back up center, 313 pounds solid muscle (53 man roster)
-----------------------------------------------
Damon Easley = locker-room cancer/injury prone (cut)
Cam Thomas = Has high center of gravity and plays too tall, "low man wins in football' (cut)
Matt Longacre = great motor "talented sack artist 'potential' (53 man roster)
--------------------------------------------------
Cody Davis = fisher favorite (53 man roster)
Brian Randolph = raw (PS)
------------ --------------------------------------

IMHO your wrong on a lot. Easley is not a cancer. Teammates have said as much. Your crazy if you think he gets cut. In fact, if he's healthy he's in rotation and plays a lot. Easley is talented, motivated, and has a chance to play for probably the coach most players in NFL on defense want to play for. Writing him off is just uninformed .

Kush has been bounced around, been let go twice by two different teams. I don't care if he's built like Hulk Hogan, doesn't mean he makes the team. They have done nothing in pads so the line spots are as unknown as they were a month ago. Rhaney is listed as a guard now, so I don't know if he makes it or not, but Fisher likes him. I see them trying Wichmann as center for depth. Seeing if he can pull it out. If Kush makes the 53 man roster, then we have issues.

 

[Warner4Prez]

A lot of good stuff guys, just a couple thoughts.

A lot of folks have Forrest as the pick least likely to make the roster. I gotta go Hemingway there. He's just too similar to Higbee in that he offers no blocking or physicality to the position, and is incredibly raw. Forrest has more to offer in that I can see him as a S/T contributor if nothing else.

Cam Thomas has played like hot garbage much of his brief NFL career. If the sole reason for keeping him is his size, I'd rather just tell Coples that he's a DT.

A lot of us are souring on Bradley Marquez after he received a lot of love late in the year when he stepped up and made some nice grabs. Hopefully it's indicative of the influx of talent, but I think he really has a roster spot. Again, I can see him hanging around on S/T merit alone.

WR and S have to be the two most exciting position battles on the team. I'll be curious to see the line depth, but the talent at those two positions has a lot of potential. Very cool.

Still hoping to see Saffold pushed to the bench. Not because I don't want to see him succeed, in fact it's just the opposite. I think he'll be a million times better as the first man off the bench. I'd rather see Jamon B. and Reynolds man the guard posts, let Saffold and Wichman come in to spell guys.

Is it time for camp yet?

 

[StealYoGurley]

my 53

QB (3) Goff, Keenum, Mannion
RB (4) Gurley, Cunningham, Brown, Green
TE (4) Kendricks, Higbee, Harkey, Hemmingway
WR (6) Austin, Britt, Cooper, Thomas, Marquez, North
OL (10) Robinson, Saffold, Barnes, Brown, Havenstein, Battle, Reynolds, Kush, Whichman, Donnal

DE (4) Quinn, Hayes, Simms, Coples
DT (4) Donald, Brockers, Easley, Westbrooks
LB (5) Barron, Ogletree, Ayers, Hager, Forrest
CB (5) Tru, Gaines, Joyner, Sensabaugh, Roberson
S (5) TJ, Mo, Davis, Bryant, Randolph

ST(3) Hecker, McQuaide, GZ

Key Battles for me

4th RB- Aaron Green> Chase Reynolds (Green shows anything on special teams has offensive skillset to take Reynolds spot)
WR- Marquez North> Quick, Other UDFA WRs (North is my favorite UDFA WR first round talent career derailed by injury issues. May be time to move on from Quick with the better younger model)
Backup C- Kush> Rhaney (no clue why just a hunch at this point)
8th DL- Westbrooks> Cam Thomas, Longacre (Westbrooks plays both of their spots (NT, RE). 4th DT inactive on game day but he is versatile reserve in case of injury)
DB10 v. LB6- Brian Randolph > Cam Lynch, UDFA LBs and safeties (Rams play alot of sub Randolph probably the rams most talented UDFA with all the tools needed to be a special teams dynamo and eventual starting safety)

 

[BonifayRam]

Just some random thought differences from where I am at & the great above posts.....

*If Rob Quinn is close to healthy again then Quinton Coples real value to this Ram team drops, I would not be surprised if he is released @ pre season end....& Matt Longacre makes it. I do not hold Coples talent & value as high as most.
*I consider it doubtful TE Hemingway is a lock for that 4th TE post if the Ram carry 6 wide outs.....
*I think the Kush-Rhaney center battle is bona fide.....
*I value FS Cody Davis much higher than most.....
*If ORT Rob Havenstein is fully healthy, OL Andrew Donnal will not make the roster & is trade bait. The handwriting is already on the wall where Isaiah Battle will have the full opportunity to back up Rob.

 

[aloharamfan]

good subject for discussion.

Why do we have to have a specialist to snap the ball on extra points and field goals? Seems like the nfl did fine with the starting center or the backup center snapping the ball on those kicks for decades.

This year we have a number of potentially good football players that I would like to keep on the 53 man roster. Esp., the wr corp being quite interesting.

That being said, I like the roster that lachamp46 posted.

 

[Sportsed]

TE (4) Kendricks, Higbee, Harkey, Hemmingway

OL (10) Robinson, Saffold, Barnes, Brown, Havenstein, Battle, Reynolds, Kush, Whichman, Donnal

Like your 53 a lot, just MHO of course but, I'd say that who's better at their 2nd OL position is the one they keep----if Wichman is a better backup C than Kush is as a backup G, then Kush is gone. I think they keep Williams over Donnal. That gives us 9 OL instead of 10. I think Hemmingway goes PS, which opens up another spot as well.
Like you, I don't see Cam Thomas as being nothing more than a big body, which we definitely have a need for, but he's not a good player. I'd keep Longacre over him as a 9th DL. I also like North a lot but he has to stay healthy and play ST as well (someone in an earlier post said he can).The thing that concerns me about your 6 WR would be the lack of experience there, which is where Quick comes into the picture, although as you said it may be time to move on.
Green vs Reynolds could be an interesting battle as well, as I see Green being more in the mold as a "scatback" in Tre Mason's role and as a possible KR alongside Cunningham. Because of the emphasis they put on ST I don't see them cutting both Marquez and Reynolds-----maybe one but not both. Maybe North can be a KR as well. Finally, do you see Hager as an ILB and Forrest as an OLB?

Anyway, like your 53; some of my thoughts, and training camp will make the picture a lot more focused. Good job on your part.

 

[Orchid]

Finally, do you see Hager as an ILB and Forrest as an OLB?

Like your thoughts.

I see Hager as a better fit inside in terms of the calls needed (because he has more experience in GW's defense). Forrest's primary duty this year is to backup Ayers at SLB this year and Learn MLB for the future.

 

[BonifayRam]

............ I'd say that who's better at their 2nd OL position is the one they keep----if Wichman is a better backup C than Kush is as a backup G, then Kush is gone. I think they keep Williams over Donnal. That gives us 9 OL instead of 10. ........

We see the Cody Wichmann being linked as a possible back up center at times in here, I not so sure if Cody who close to 6-6 than 6-5 at over 320 plus pounds as being the best OL'er to convert further inside IMO. We know that Cody missed major part of TC & all of pre season last season due to a calf injury. Cody did get some action @ OLG but not much after the season started. Cody did replace Rhaney who was having issues when he replaced Saffold @ OLG in game 5. Cody did a better job than Rhaney did. 2016 OTA's Cody, from what I can find out, was worked at both OG posts. Cody was a right side OL'er in college where he play mostly @ ORG but did have some ORT experience too.

I sure do not have any issues with a plan of using one of these newly drafted OL'ers who will most likely be a reserve........to get time in training camp & pre-season @ both OG spots & center. My choice from the main 10 or 11 cadre unit is Rodger Saffold, but that just makes too much sense. But its obvious that Boudreau has RS cemented back in as the starter @ OLG (Big Mistake & as we know will not last for long). The 6-4 Saffold has experience starting @ four NFL OL positions & adding a 5th & letting him use his smart brain @ center making OL calls is a natural for me. Taking a young inexperienced OL'er & hoping he can back up Barnes is asking for trouble.

Rams did draft Center Demetrius Rhaney & he might be salvageable yet but from what I saw last season I just think thats very hopeful wishful thinking on my part. Of the other 3 Rams centers, Kush is a WWC like Folkerts & Arkins. This Forum ID'd "back up center" as the greatness need in the OL, very early this year. It would appear this still remains to date. Rhaney would be better suited for a ZBS & is miscast here with a Paul Boudreau.

Finally no other Ram unit has had some many injuries over the last decade as the OL unit. I would consider Fisher senile & It would be the last unit I would be looking to strip down to find a roster spot from. I might even go thicker than 10 OL cadre, but I would not go down to 9. When you have a Rodger Saffold (Mr,Glass) as your best & most high profile OL'er leading the way you might want to consider 12 OL'er unit to be safe. We might want Fisher to remember that all the 3 OL'ers drafted last year has injury filled rookie seasons (2 of which went down with leg injuries past the midway point & never returned). Starting ORT Rob Havenstein was still not healthy through-out OTA's.

 

[tomas]

good subject for discussion.

Why do we have to have a specialist to snap the ball on extra points and field goals? Seems like the nfl did fine with the starting center or the backup center snapping the ball on those kicks for decades.

This year we have a number of potentially good football players that I would like to keep on the 53 man roster. Esp., the wr corp being quite interesting.

That being said, I like the roster that lachamp46 posted.

It's not as easy as it sounds to use a center as a long snapper. A long snapper needs to be able to snap the ball to different players lining up at a variety of spots relative to the snapper. So while most centers are comfortable with snapping the ball to a QB lined up either directly behind him or about 4-5 yards away in the shotgun formation, a center replacing a long snapper would require additional reps to practice snapping the ball to punters and holders on field goal kicks.