A Look at the Rams' Roster Makeup/Wagoner

[RamBill]

A look at the Rams' roster makeup
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/11168/a-look-at-the-rams-roster-makeup

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher was very open about the possibility of the 2014 roster taking on a different look than it has in his first two years in St. Louis.

Although it is certainly subject to change in the coming days or weeks, it turns out the Rams had some spots with a different look and others that were pretty standard.

Here's the breakdown of how many players the Rams are carrying at each position on the 53-man roster compared to what they had going into week 1 each of the past two years. (Previous numbers courtesy of ESPN's Mike Sando's excellent roster file)

Quarterback

2014: 2
2013: 2
2012: 2

Quick hit: The Rams will probably continue to look to add at this position but might wait a week to find a veteran so his contract won't be guaranteed.

Running back

2014: 5
2013: 4
2012: 5

Quick hit: Chase Reynolds counts as a fifth but he's here for special teams. Isaiah Pead didn't count as a fifth entering 2013 because of a suspension.

Tight end

2014: 5
2013: 4
2012: 3

Quick hit: The Rams are heavy at this spot and if they're to make a move to add at another position, this seems like a strong contender to provide the corresponding move.

Wide receiver

2014: 5
2013: 5
2012: 5

Quick hit: Stedman Bailey will return after missing the first four games because of a suspension. The Rams will then have to make a decision on where to trim elsewhere to put Bailey back in the mix.

Offensive line

2014: 9
2013: 10
2012: 9

Quick hit: The Rams are apparently expecting Barrett Jones to return soon enough, but in the meantime they'll carry just eight healthy linemen.

Defensive line

2014: 9
2013: 9
2012: 10

Quick hit: This is a deep, talented group but it's fair to wonder how healthy they are at end since William Hayes did not play in a preseason game and Eugene Sims missed practice and last week's preseason game with his leg in a brace.

Linebacker

2014: 5
2013: 6
2012: 6

Quick hit: The Rams could really use some more depth here, especially if they could find a capable veteran. They should be able to get by with five because they spend so much time in sub-packages but if they have injuries here, the depth is shallow and unproven.

Cornerback

2014: 6
2013: 5
2012: 5

Quick hit: With Trumaine Johnson working back from a knee injury, the Rams had to go a bit heavier here, hence the inclusion of undrafted rookie Marcus Roberson.

Safety

2014: 4
2013: 5
2012: 5

Quick hit: The decision to keep only four was an easy one considering there was no obvious option for the fifth spot. Like linebacker, the Rams have no proven depth with any sort of meaningful defensive snaps behind the starters.

Specialists

2014: 3
2013: 3
2012: 3

Quick hit: As dependable a group as you'll find in the NFL.

 

[Memphis Ram]

A look at the Rams' roster makeup
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/11168/a-look-at-the-rams-roster-makeup

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher was very open about the possibility of the 2014 roster taking on a different look than it has in his first two years in St. Louis.

Although it is certainly subject to change in the coming days or weeks, it turns out the Rams had some spots with a different look and others that were pretty standard.

Here's the breakdown of how many players the Rams are carrying at each position on the 53-man roster compared to what they had going into week 1 each of the past two years. (Previous numbers courtesy of ESPN's Mike Sando's excellent roster file)

Quarterback

2014: 2
2013: 2
2012: 2

Quick hit: The Rams will probably continue to look to add at this position but might wait a week to find a veteran so his contract won't be guaranteed.

Running back

2014: 5
2013: 4
2012: 5

Quick hit: Chase Reynolds counts as a fifth but he's here for special teams. Isaiah Pead didn't count as a fifth entering 2013 because of a suspension.

Tight end

2014: 5
2013: 4
2012: 3

Quick hit: The Rams are heavy at this spot and if they're to make a move to add at another position, this seems like a strong contender to provide the corresponding move.

Wide receiver

2014: 5
2013: 5
2012: 5

Quick hit: Stedman Bailey will return after missing the first four games because of a suspension. The Rams will then have to make a decision on where to trim elsewhere to put Bailey back in the mix.

Offensive line

2014: 9
2013: 10
2012: 9

Quick hit: The Rams are apparently expecting Barrett Jones to return soon enough, but in the meantime they'll carry just eight healthy linemen.

Defensive line

2014: 9
2013: 9
2012: 10

Quick hit: This is a deep, talented group but it's fair to wonder how healthy they are at end since William Hayes did not play in a preseason game and Eugene Sims missed practice and last week's preseason game with his leg in a brace.

Linebacker

2014: 5
2013: 6
2012: 6

Quick hit: The Rams could really use some more depth here, especially if they could find a capable veteran. They should be able to get by with five because they spend so much time in sub-packages but if they have injuries here, the depth is shallow and unproven.

Cornerback

2014: 6
2013: 5
2012: 5

Quick hit: With Trumaine Johnson working back from a knee injury, the Rams had to go a bit heavier here, hence the inclusion of undrafted rookie Marcus Roberson.

Safety

2014: 4
2013: 5
2012: 5

Quick hit: The decision to keep only four was an easy one considering there was no obvious option for the fifth spot. Like linebacker, the Rams have no proven depth with any sort of meaningful defensive snaps behind the starters.

Specialists

2014: 3
2013: 3
2012: 3

Quick hit: As dependable a group as you'll find in the NFL.

I wonder if the special teams practice squad pick up, LB Kevin Reddick could eventually replace Reynolds giving the team perhaps a better roster number (IMO) of 4 RB and 6 LBs.

Post week one QB additions?
Josh Freeman? Brady Quinn? Rex Grossman? Kevin Kolb? David Carr? Vince Young? Matt Lienhart?

 

[JackDRams]

Wow I didnt know that Sims was in a leg brace. Maybe Westbrooks does suit up week 1.

 

[RamBill]

Rams roster breakdown: offense
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/11175/rams-roster-breakdown-offense-2

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- The St. Louis Rams have their initial 53-man roster in place and they are now in full preparation mode for Sunday's season opener against the Minnesota Vikings.

Coach Jeff Fisher made it clear the roster could still have some tweaks, but for now let's take a look at how the roster looks. We will start with the offense and offer the defense a little later.

Quarterback (2) Shaun Hill, Austin Davis

Fisher has repeatedly said the Rams will be patient in their search for more help at this position, but he means it when he says he is committed to Hill as the starter. Davis has extensive knowledge of the offense and should stick around because of it, but there is still a need to find a veteran who has some playing experience to add more depth. Whether the Rams can find such a player remains to be seen, but don't be surprised if it comes a little later when contracts aren't guaranteed.

Running back (5) Zac Stacy, Benny Cunningham, Tre Mason, Trey Watts, Chase Reynolds

Once again, the Rams opted to go heavy at running back after Watts impressed enough during the preseason and training camp to win a roster spot. A legitimate argument could even be made that Watts outplayed Mason when given the opportunity. Stacy looks to remain the starter, but don't be surprised if Cunningham gets his share of chances.

Tight end (5) Jared Cook, Lance Kendricks, Cory Harkey, Justice Cunningham, Alex Bayer

What looked to be a battle for a fourth roster spot between Bayer and Cunningham turned out to be an opportunity for the Rams to keep five. Cunningham is a talented blocker and Bayer showed some pass-catching prowess, making the choice between the two a difficult one. With the Rams down to five at receiver, they were able to keep both players. But that might not be a permanent setup. If the Rams can find help at spots like quarterback or linebacker, this is a spot where the corresponding move could come.

Wide receiver (5) Kenny Britt, Brian Quick, Tavon Austin, Chris Givens, Austin Pettis

Receiver Stedman Bailey is suspended the first four games for violation of the league's policy on performance enhancing drugs. The Rams have an exemption for Bailey, but he will be on this roster when that suspension ends. When that time comes, the Rams will have to make a move to free a spot, but it would be a bit of a surprise if it came at the expense of one of the other wideouts. It was no surprise the Rams opted not to keep a sixth wideout in the interim.

Offensive line (9) Jake Long, Rodger Saffold, Scott Wells, Davin Joseph, Joe Barksdale, Greg Robinson, Tim Barnes, Barrett Jones, Mike Person

This group is a little lighter than last year, but it offers more versatility. The starting five have plenty of experience and potential, but amongst the four backups, only Barnes offers any real game experience and even that is limited to four starts at the end of last season. Robinson, Jones and Person offer the ability to play multiple spots, but Jones is likely still at least a few weeks from returning from back surgery.

 

[TheDYVKX]

since William Hayes did not play in a preseason game and Eugene Sims missed practice and last week's preseason game with his leg in a brace.

I'm all for giving Westbrooks some rotational snaps if these guys aren't ready to go. I have faith that he can play with the big guys. We really struck gold picking this monster up.

 

[RamBill]

Rams roster breakdown: Defense
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/11179/rams-roster-breakdown-defense

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- The St. Louis Rams have their initial 53-man roster in place, and they are now in full preparation mode for Sunday's season opener against the Minnesota Vikings.

Coach Jeff Fisher made it clear the roster could still have some tweaks, but for now let's take a look at how the roster looks. Earlier, we started with the offense . Now, let's take a look at the defense and special teams.

Defensive line (9) Chris Long, Robert Quinn, William Hayes, Eugene Sims, Michael Brockers, Kendall Langford, Aaron Donald, Alex Carrington, Ethan Westbrooks

The deepest collection of talent on the team and perhaps the best line in the league, this group has a little bit of everything. The Rams kept nine in 2013 and it was no surprise when they did so again this week.

Linebacker (5) James Laurinaitis, Alec Ogletree, Jo-Lonn Dunbar, Ray-Ray Armstrong, Daren Bates

This is the thinnest position on the defense and it would not surprise if the Rams looked to add more help, particularly if they can find a veteran with some experience. Because offenses around the league regularly play with three or four receivers, the Rams will be in sub packages quite a bit which means the need for help here isn't urgent. But a single injury of any note would certainly change that.

Cornerback (6) Janoris Jenkins, Trumaine Johnson, Lamarcus Joyner, Brandon McGee, E.J. Gaines, Marcus Roberson

Johnson's sprained MCL will cost him four to six weeks and forced the Rams' hand to keep an additional body that likely came in the form of Roberson. McGee has an ankle injury which has cost him time in the preseason. Joyner projects to stay as the nickelback, with Jenkins starting in one spot on the outside. The interesting battle in the short term is who gets the nod to start opposite Jenkins. McGee has a little more experience but if he's not fully healthy, Gaines could get the first chance.

Safety (4) T.J. McDonald, Rodney McLeod, Maurice Alexander, Cody Davis

Instead of the five the team has carried in the past, the Rams are going with these four for right now. Alexander and Davis will be key special teams contributors right away, but neither offers any meaningful playing experience in the league as depth behind the starters.

Specialists (3) Johnny Hekker, Greg Zuerlein, Jake McQuaide

This trio should be together for the long haul.

 

[Jumava1968]

Bradford or not we have a good football team,and looking forward to them proving it on the field