On the roster front, according to Mike Sando of ESPN.com, the Rams have the third-oldest roster in the NFL, and have just 12 players that they drafted on their 53 man roster. This is a football administration that talked about drafting and developing players when they came in, but it hasn't happened. Even if we add in the drafted players on injured reserve, and there are eight of them, the 20 players drafted in the Rams employ put them in the bottom 10 of NFL franchises.
This is opposed to division leaders Pittsburgh and San Francisco having 33 players they drafted on their rosters, and Green Bay having 32. When Dick Vermeil coached the Rams, young players were developed. In 1999, London Fletcher was ready, in his second year, to take over for Eric Hill. Billy Jenkins Jr. was ready to step in at strong safety, Robert Holcombe at fullback and Roland Williams at tight end. When Vermeil left, Ryan Tucker had been groomed to replace Fred Miller at right tackle, and James Hodgins was ready to step in at fullback.
With all due respect, why is James Butler on the Rams roster and Jermale Hines not being developed? Why is Ben Leber here but not dressing, and Jabara Williams in Chicago? Why was John Greco never given a chance, yet the Rams had to go out and sign Harvey Dahl, and renegotiate Jacob Bell's contract? Why is Stephen Spach on the roster and Fendi Onobun not being readied to step in? What required the signing and cutting of Mike Sims-Walker, and why weren't Mardy Gilyard and Donnie Avery nurtured more? Why C.J. Ah You and not George Selvie?