By:  Warner4Prez

The final preseason game has been a long road coming. From the ugly beginnings of the Vikings and Browns games to the roller coaster ride that was last weeks’ game against the Patriots; it’s been a ride for this team. Week four is where you separate the men from the boys though and we won’t see much excitement from the first string. Baltimore comes to town as a team still rising after the past two years and looking to claim a seat atop the AFC throne.

Even more importantly, they’re a team that doesn’t slow down during the preseason. Ravens QB Joe Flacco has aired it out 62 times this preseason, more than any other starting QB. It’s doubtful he’ll see much, if any time in the game Thursday, but be sure that former Ram Marc Bulger will see plenty of action and will definitely try and stick it to his former employers here in St. Louis.

Sam Bradford will get the starting nod Thursday as AJ Feeley still recovers from a banged up thumb. Early reports seem to suggest that none of the first team offense will see much more than a quarters’ worth of action in this game. It would seem that the more snaps Bradford receives, the better off he is; so it will be interesting to see how much game time he actually receives. It’s widely regarded that the Ravens are very thin in the secondary, so look for Coach Spagnuolo and O.C. Pat Shurmur to attempt to exploit that perceived weakness. Something that no one else has been able to do this preseason.

Last weeks’ injury to Donnie Avery was as bad as it looks and will cost him the entire 2010 campaign, so there are questions to be answered on the WR front. It seems as though Laurent Robinson is a favorite to take one starting spot, but he’s still done little to prove it throughout camp. Robinson is likely to get the starting nod this week, and early indications are that Danny Amendola will start opposite of him. It’s still wide open behind those two with guys like Keenan Burton and Brandon Gibson hungry to save their jobs, as well as Mardy Gilyard still fighting to prove he was worth the draft pick used to grab him. Mike “Uh-Oh” Hoomanawanui has entrenched himself as the favorite TE after a huge game last week, and may have edged Daniel Fells out of a roster spot. Watch closely to see how playing time is divided there.

The ground game will likely be devoid of Steven Jackson this week, so expect the bulk of the work to go to Kenneth Darby and Keith Toston; both of whom had solid showings against the Patriots and are looking to steal a spot away from Chris Ogbonnaya. Toston has the only rushing TD for the team in the preseason, and sadly, there isn’t a back (not named Steven Jackson) with more than 2.9 yard per carry. The battle for backup RB figures to be wide open.

Defensively the Rams are looking confident with who their front line starters will be. The biggest surprise could likely be who’ll be starting next to Fred Robbins on the interior. Gary Gibson looks to be the favorite at the end of the preseason, but Darrel Scott has had a great camp as well as young guys like E.J. Reid and Jermelle Cudjo. Though it’s unlikely the two will have made a case to start, either could steal a roster spot.

The starting LB corps has looked solid thus far, featuring Larry Grant and Na’il Diggs on the outside, and with James Laurinaitis in the middle. Newly acquired LB Bobby Carpenter has played solidly. Maybe not quite strong enough to start, but will be a rock solid third down defender and special teamer. David Vobora should have a strangle hold on the other backup LB slot leaving Josh Hull as my likely vote for the final reserve. Even though he’s somewhat limited to just the middle spot, he’s had an incredible preseason and is worth keeping around to develop further.

The backfield appears to be pretty well stocked and set as well. Ron Bartell and Bradley Fletcher have looked very impressive since returning from injury and should be a stout pairing — maybe one of the best in our division. Beyond them, Kevin Dockery is a steady veteran who can hold the nickel back spot until Jerome Murphy is ready. Quincy Butler has had a solid camp with a pick and a couple of passes defensed. H e should round out the CBs with Justin King likely missing the cut. The safeties will have a show down for the final spot with OJ Atogwe, Craig Dahl and James Butler taking the top three spots. I’d expect Darian Stewart to take the last spot allowing the Rams to avoid giving the Bears a compensation pick for Kevin Payne.

Get familiar with these names because much of Thursday’s matchup will be dominated by them. Of course as previously mentioned, much of the Baltimore story line will revolve around Marc Bulger’s return to St. Louis. Joe Flacco was openly disappointed after Bulger was signed, as he felt Troy Smith was deserving of the second QB role. So far Bulger and Smith have split the QBing opportunities between each other so each will likely see a lot of playing time. Another player to watch will be Willis McGahee who is rumored to be on his way out of Baltimore and has been denied a lot of playing time thus far.

The Ravens defense will always bring a lot of heat and the pressure will be on this young Rams roster to showcase their talents, make a case for themselves, and impress the coaches. It should play out to be a pretty entertaining game.

Kick-off is Thursday at 8:00 ET and the replay will be Friday at 9:00 AM ET.

Go Rams!