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Synopsis of the roster
With the break in the open practices leading up to Friday’s Preseason opener, I thought I would take a shot at looking at the roster and giving a thumbnail take on the 90 guys fighting to be a part of the 2014 Rams.
So here are my thoughts about each player and their roles thus far in training camp:
Starting with the QBs, RBs & TEs
QB’s
8 Sam Bradford 6'4 224 5 Oklahoma
He has put to rest any concerns about his recovery from the ACL injury. He looks comfortable in the offense. Arm strength only seems to have gotten better. Physically, he is stronger, and looks bigger. Absence of any set backs physically, Bradford is set up to have his best year.
14 Shaun Hill 6'3 220 13 Maryland
Looks exactly like what a professional backup QB should look like. Seems comfortable and doesn’t get rattled. An upgrade over last year’s backup. Arm Strength is ok, good enough to make the throws he has to make, but his experience allows him to put the ball where it needs to be, WHEN it needs to be there.
5 Garrett Gilbert 6'4 221 R Southern Methodist
Before Camp opened, I was questioning whether they keep a 3rd QB on the roster this year. After seeing Gilbert, there is little doubt they have to. He is a pleasant surprise. Good size, better than average arms strength, and the game doesn’t look too big for him at all. Still has issues in the offense at times, but he has displayed nice touch on the intermediate throws, and can improvise when necessary.
9 Austin Davis 6'2 221 2 Southern Mississippi
Has been pretty much the epitome of what is known as a “camp arm”. Has not shown any improvement over last year’s training camp, in which he took a major step back. He gets very limited reps, and when he does, he still struggles to show any command of the offense. Accuracy issues continue. Not likely to last past the 1st round of cuts.
RB’s
30 Zac Stacy 5'8 216 2 Vanderbilt
There is no reason to think he won’t pick up right where he left off in 2013. Decisive and runs hard. Still needs to show improvement in pass blocking, but as long as he can avoid the bumps and bruises that seem to crop up, he should have a great year.
36 Benny Cunningham 5'10 209 2 Middle Tennessee
Appears to be much leaner, but stronger this year. Still has that burst through the hole, and enough speed to break off long runs when he gets in the open. Much improved in blitz pickup. At this point, should be considered the primary back up to Stacy.
24 Isaiah Pead 5'10 197 3 Cincinnati
Was in the mix getting regular reps with all the other RBs. Since injuring his hand, he is limited to Special Teams reps (mostly as kickoff returner, and gunner on the punt team). While I continue to be one of his biggest supporters, even I have to concede that he needs to “show up” in Preseason games or he may be running out of time.
27 Tre Mason 5'8 207 R Auburn
Demonstrates the quick feet and sudden burst, but needs to be more of a north south runner. Has a tendency to want to dance through the hole, and looks to bounce outside more than he should. He wasn’t even a part of the blitz pickup drill, which tells me, his status as a potential 3rd down option isn’t real good. Still has a ways to go to earn a spot on the game day active roster.
34 Chase Reynolds 6'0 200 2 Montana
Just another year in the life of an underdog. It seems he goes into every training camp as the guy they are looking to replace. And yet, he finds a way to show his worth. While not expected to get much work out of the backfield, whenever he gets his turn, he makes plays. He has resurfaced on ALL of the core Special Teams, suggesting to me, that he still is going to be part of this team.
42 Trey Watts 5'11 192 R Tulsa
UDFA who shows flashes when given the opportunity. He hits the hole and has the speed to get in the open field. Has had a couple of breakaway runs. His injury may have derailed some of the momentum he had gained, especially showing up on a couple of 2nd unit Special Teams. He most likely will be one of the guys added to the Practice Squad.
45 Kadeem Jones (FB) 5'11 246 R Western Kentucky
Has yet to get on the practice field, so nothing to report.
TEs
89 Jared Cook 6'5 248 6 South Carolina
He will continue to be an enigma in this offense. With the emergence of the WRs, cook isn’t targeted as often as he was in last year’s camp. But when he is, he is a match up nightmare for anyone not name Ogletree to cover. He still has the ability to get behind LBs, and running up the seam can be lethal. If they WRs continue to progress, it stands to only make Cook that more dangerous working the middle of the field.
88 Lance Kendricks 6'3 247 4 Wisconsin
I would look at this as a big year for Kendricks. He came to camp looking healthier than he has in the past 2 years. Leaner, and appears faster. He has shown vast improvement in his pass catching abilities. Doesn’t drop much if they hit him in the hands. He should play an important role in the offense this year, as they look to employ plenty of two TE sets.
46 Cory Harkey 6'4 260 3 UCLA
He appears to be set as the guy lining up in the backfield as the lead blocker and “move TE”. He is a threat in the passing game, but his primary role will still be as the best blocking TE on the roster. He will also see some time as an in-line TE. Again, a vital piece of what they intend on doing this year.
84 Justice Cunningham 6'3 258 1 South Carolina
Athletic and powerful, he has shown some signs of being one of the real surprises of this year’s training camp. Lining up as Harkey’s backup in most cases, getting his turn in the backfield, as well as being a “move TE”. Inconsistent as a pass catcher at this point, but shows enough athleticism that he can be a threat in the passing game. Also getting plenty of play on Special Teams.
86 Mason Brodine 6'7 284 1 Nebraska-Kearney
Converted from Defensive Tackle, Brodine looks the part of a seasoned TE. Obviously has the size to be an effective in-line blocker, and has shown to be much more athletic than one might expect while running routes. Has decent hands, enough to be at least a threat. Has shown up on Special Teams as well.
82 Alex Bayer 6'4 258 R Bowling Green
Another of the UDFA who has shown he can play at this level. Numbers seemed to be stacked against him, in terms of competing for a roster spot, but should garner serious interest as one of the Practice Squad additions. Good route runner, better blocker.
With the break in the open practices leading up to Friday’s Preseason opener, I thought I would take a shot at looking at the roster and giving a thumbnail take on the 90 guys fighting to be a part of the 2014 Rams.
So here are my thoughts about each player and their roles thus far in training camp:
Starting with the QBs, RBs & TEs
QB’s
8 Sam Bradford 6'4 224 5 Oklahoma
He has put to rest any concerns about his recovery from the ACL injury. He looks comfortable in the offense. Arm strength only seems to have gotten better. Physically, he is stronger, and looks bigger. Absence of any set backs physically, Bradford is set up to have his best year.
14 Shaun Hill 6'3 220 13 Maryland
Looks exactly like what a professional backup QB should look like. Seems comfortable and doesn’t get rattled. An upgrade over last year’s backup. Arm Strength is ok, good enough to make the throws he has to make, but his experience allows him to put the ball where it needs to be, WHEN it needs to be there.
5 Garrett Gilbert 6'4 221 R Southern Methodist
Before Camp opened, I was questioning whether they keep a 3rd QB on the roster this year. After seeing Gilbert, there is little doubt they have to. He is a pleasant surprise. Good size, better than average arms strength, and the game doesn’t look too big for him at all. Still has issues in the offense at times, but he has displayed nice touch on the intermediate throws, and can improvise when necessary.
9 Austin Davis 6'2 221 2 Southern Mississippi
Has been pretty much the epitome of what is known as a “camp arm”. Has not shown any improvement over last year’s training camp, in which he took a major step back. He gets very limited reps, and when he does, he still struggles to show any command of the offense. Accuracy issues continue. Not likely to last past the 1st round of cuts.
RB’s
30 Zac Stacy 5'8 216 2 Vanderbilt
There is no reason to think he won’t pick up right where he left off in 2013. Decisive and runs hard. Still needs to show improvement in pass blocking, but as long as he can avoid the bumps and bruises that seem to crop up, he should have a great year.
36 Benny Cunningham 5'10 209 2 Middle Tennessee
Appears to be much leaner, but stronger this year. Still has that burst through the hole, and enough speed to break off long runs when he gets in the open. Much improved in blitz pickup. At this point, should be considered the primary back up to Stacy.
24 Isaiah Pead 5'10 197 3 Cincinnati
Was in the mix getting regular reps with all the other RBs. Since injuring his hand, he is limited to Special Teams reps (mostly as kickoff returner, and gunner on the punt team). While I continue to be one of his biggest supporters, even I have to concede that he needs to “show up” in Preseason games or he may be running out of time.
27 Tre Mason 5'8 207 R Auburn
Demonstrates the quick feet and sudden burst, but needs to be more of a north south runner. Has a tendency to want to dance through the hole, and looks to bounce outside more than he should. He wasn’t even a part of the blitz pickup drill, which tells me, his status as a potential 3rd down option isn’t real good. Still has a ways to go to earn a spot on the game day active roster.
34 Chase Reynolds 6'0 200 2 Montana
Just another year in the life of an underdog. It seems he goes into every training camp as the guy they are looking to replace. And yet, he finds a way to show his worth. While not expected to get much work out of the backfield, whenever he gets his turn, he makes plays. He has resurfaced on ALL of the core Special Teams, suggesting to me, that he still is going to be part of this team.
42 Trey Watts 5'11 192 R Tulsa
UDFA who shows flashes when given the opportunity. He hits the hole and has the speed to get in the open field. Has had a couple of breakaway runs. His injury may have derailed some of the momentum he had gained, especially showing up on a couple of 2nd unit Special Teams. He most likely will be one of the guys added to the Practice Squad.
45 Kadeem Jones (FB) 5'11 246 R Western Kentucky
Has yet to get on the practice field, so nothing to report.
TEs
89 Jared Cook 6'5 248 6 South Carolina
He will continue to be an enigma in this offense. With the emergence of the WRs, cook isn’t targeted as often as he was in last year’s camp. But when he is, he is a match up nightmare for anyone not name Ogletree to cover. He still has the ability to get behind LBs, and running up the seam can be lethal. If they WRs continue to progress, it stands to only make Cook that more dangerous working the middle of the field.
88 Lance Kendricks 6'3 247 4 Wisconsin
I would look at this as a big year for Kendricks. He came to camp looking healthier than he has in the past 2 years. Leaner, and appears faster. He has shown vast improvement in his pass catching abilities. Doesn’t drop much if they hit him in the hands. He should play an important role in the offense this year, as they look to employ plenty of two TE sets.
46 Cory Harkey 6'4 260 3 UCLA
He appears to be set as the guy lining up in the backfield as the lead blocker and “move TE”. He is a threat in the passing game, but his primary role will still be as the best blocking TE on the roster. He will also see some time as an in-line TE. Again, a vital piece of what they intend on doing this year.
84 Justice Cunningham 6'3 258 1 South Carolina
Athletic and powerful, he has shown some signs of being one of the real surprises of this year’s training camp. Lining up as Harkey’s backup in most cases, getting his turn in the backfield, as well as being a “move TE”. Inconsistent as a pass catcher at this point, but shows enough athleticism that he can be a threat in the passing game. Also getting plenty of play on Special Teams.
86 Mason Brodine 6'7 284 1 Nebraska-Kearney
Converted from Defensive Tackle, Brodine looks the part of a seasoned TE. Obviously has the size to be an effective in-line blocker, and has shown to be much more athletic than one might expect while running routes. Has decent hands, enough to be at least a threat. Has shown up on Special Teams as well.
82 Alex Bayer 6'4 258 R Bowling Green
Another of the UDFA who has shown he can play at this level. Numbers seemed to be stacked against him, in terms of competing for a roster spot, but should garner serious interest as one of the Practice Squad additions. Good route runner, better blocker.
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