He injured himself at the end of this game and it took him part way into the season to get healthy and then got hurt halfway through the year. By the time we started playing rookies like Cooper and would have played him he was on IR.
Nelson Spruce; what kind of gold is he?
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He injured himself at the end of this game and it took him part way into the season to get healthy and then got hurt halfway through the year. By the time we started playing rookies like Cooper and would have played him he was on IR.
The practice squad/IR guy I'm curious to see if he develops is Marquez North.
Elmgrovegnome
Legend
I love Spruce's potential. It probably is partly due to being a huge Amendola fan while he was a Ram. Plus the Rams have lacked receivers that can run good routes, and even more so with good hands. Spruce gets a check in both boxes. However, if he can't stay healthy he can't really develop into a productive Ram.
I am pulling for him. I am sick of watching physically gifted guys that don't play hard, or work to be good at their craft. When I see a receiver that has learned to run routes, can concentrate and catch passes, and can be productive despite not having the elite measurable, I tend to root for them.
I am pulling for him. I am sick of watching physically gifted guys that don't play hard, or work to be good at their craft. When I see a receiver that has learned to run routes, can concentrate and catch passes, and can be productive despite not having the elite measurable, I tend to root for them.
Spruce is a depth possession option. I don't think it's fair to him to hang all manner of hopes on him. At this point he has to make the final roster and do what he did so much of in college: run crisp routes and catch the ball. The dude might be able to play in this league and as it stands right now he's one of the better fits for what McVay covets. Receivers need to be exact depth on their routes now. Nelson's gonna have an advantage there if he can stay healthy this season.
Oh and re: him having a history of injury, he played in a lot of games in college. I don't view him as a chronic injury type provided he returns and continues what he did at the previous level. There are a lot of wideouts who carved out careers at this level as possession options without ideal talent. He could be one of them, just gotta wait and see if he's willing to do the work.
Oh and re: him having a history of injury, he played in a lot of games in college. I don't view him as a chronic injury type provided he returns and continues what he did at the previous level. There are a lot of wideouts who carved out careers at this level as possession options without ideal talent. He could be one of them, just gotta wait and see if he's willing to do the work.
HeiseNBerg
Pro Bowler
That's it, in a nutshell. It's just too small of a sampling to really know what they've got in Spruce.
There was a lot to like from that highlight vid (thanks for posting that, DYVKX) -- really nice hands and a nose for the first-down stick. That was encouraging, for sure.
But you also have to remember that he was doing that in Preseason Week 1 in the 4th Quarter....ie, against defensive personnel who, for the most part, didn't make the Cowboys' final 53.
Yeah, I hope he comes back healthy this year and shows us some more of that. Ultimately, I want to see if a healthy Spruce cracks the final 53.
Lots of average or worse players can have decent preseason performances. IMO, Spruce didn't rightfully earn a spot on this roster last year. He should be cut if he can't stay healthy or can't reproduce the Dallas game this preseason.
If healthy Spruce can be a solid contributor for the Rams.
He makes up for his lack of athletic ability with good route running.
and knows how to turn a 50/50 ball into a reception.He could
excel in McVays offfense which will scheme receivers open.
(Really guys, it's not a myth. Scheming someone open actually exists.
Check your history books.It happened during the Martz era.)
That being said the guy I am most excited about is Pharoh.
I think he will breakout for 6-8 hundred this year.A sure handed
3rd down option.We will still need to find a true #1 to make it happen.
He makes up for his lack of athletic ability with good route running.
and knows how to turn a 50/50 ball into a reception.He could
excel in McVays offfense which will scheme receivers open.
(Really guys, it's not a myth. Scheming someone open actually exists.
Check your history books.It happened during the Martz era.)
That being said the guy I am most excited about is Pharoh.
I think he will breakout for 6-8 hundred this year.A sure handed
3rd down option.We will still need to find a true #1 to make it happen.
shaunpinney
Hall of Fame
I thought I was watching Bradford throwing to Amendola for a minute - If he can stay healthy, and turn out to be an Amendola 'Get Out of Jail Free' type of player for our QB then that's a good thing to have on your team - he doesn't look like a burner, just someone you can count on for those yucky essential yards.
I thought Mannion looked good there too
shaunpinney
Hall of Fame
Boston Ram
Hall of Fame
Spruce "injury history?" He played in every game for Colorado from his freshman year to his senior year. Never missed a game in 4 years. Averaged over 10 yds a catch. Most rec yds for Colorado WR.
Chances are he gets a lot of playing time this pre-season. Go look at his college game film on YouTube, He looks just like Welker and Amendola. Crisp routes, sure hands and a nose for the 1st down marker. A "football smart" p layer. I like his chances to make the team again.
Chances are he gets a lot of playing time this pre-season. Go look at his college game film on YouTube, He looks just like Welker and Amendola. Crisp routes, sure hands and a nose for the 1st down marker. A "football smart" p layer. I like his chances to make the team again.
Keenan Burton was more like D. Alexander. They were both excellent WR , but had bad knees. If not both would have had very good careers
