Countdown to Camp: Defensive Line/Simmons

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Countdown to Camp: Defensive Line
By Myles Simmons

View: http://www.stlouisrams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Countdown-to-Camp-Defensive-Line/b77f630b-2e1c-4ea7-a024-f19a6dfc2529


In today’s edition of Countdown to Camp, team insider Myles Simmons takes a look at the Rams’ defensive linemen. Be sure to send in your question about tomorrow’s subject, running backs, either in the comments or @MylesASimmons on Twitter.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Newcomers: Nick Fairley, Martin Ifedi, Matt Longarce, Louis Trinca-Pasat

It’s no secret that over the last few years, the Rams’ defensive line has been one of the best in the league. And under the leadership of D-line coach Mike Waufle, the unit’s success should only continue in 2015.

Robert Quinn, Aaron Donald, Michael Brockers, and Chris Long comprise the unit’s starters. All are former first-round draft picks with a bevy of accolades between them, most recent of which would be Donald’s 2014 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Donald and Quinn, who combined for 19.5 of the Rams’ sacks last year, were both named to the Pro Bowl.

After suffering a unique ankle injury in Week 1 of last year, Long said during OTAs that he’s getting back to feeling like himself again. A healthy Long should be a significant boost in helping the defense accomplish its stated goal of starting fast.

Having filled in admirably for the sidelined Long in 2014, William Hayes is back for his fourth season with St. Louis. Hayes, Eugene Sims, and newcomer Nick Fairley comprise the core of the Rams’ rotation players on the defensive line. While they may not be starters, with the way Waufle and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams like to keep guys fresh, Hayes, Sims and Fairley will all have plenty of chances to impact the game. And with Fairley, the first-year Ram holds a reputation for being a strong pass rusher up the middle.

Ethan Westbrooks made the 53-man roster last year as an undrafted free agent out of West Texas A&M and flashed his potential in his share of games. With not only a full season, but also an offseason under his belt, he could be in position to increase his contributions in 2015.

St. Louis added Doug Worthington to its practice squad in December of last year, and then signed him to a futures contract shortly after the season’s conclusion. He’s spent time with San Diego, Washington, Tampa Bay, and Pittsburgh in the past.

As for the rookies, the Rams selected Memphis product Martin Ifedi in the seventh round with their final pick of the 2015 draft. The club also signed two undrafted free agents, Louis Trinca-Pasat out of Iowa and Matt Longacre out of Northwest Missouri State.

QUESTION OF THE DAY

In each of our Countdown to Camp posts, we’ll feature one of your Twitter questions on the position group. Today’s Q comes from @wynnde13.

@MylesASimmons With Sims & Hayes FAs in'16, do you think the Rams will try to find a way to keep Ifedi, Trinca-Pasat & Westbrooks on the 53?
— Wynnde (@wynnde13) July 27, 2015

I like this question because it’s kind of our first chance to play “guess the 53-man roster,” which I’m sure we’ll continue to do for the next month. But looking the numbers, keeping all three of those guys on the 53-man will be tough.

For the sake of the hypothetical, let’s use last season as a guide, when the Rams kept nine defensive linemen. In 2014, Westbrooks was essentially the ninth guy. So if we work off the assumption St. Louis will keep nine once again, of the 12 D-linemen coming into camp, let’s also assume seven have a secure roster spot: Quinn, Long, Donald, Brockers, Fairley, Hayes, and Sims.

So if the Rams did want to keep all three of Westbrooks, Trinca-Pasast, and Ifedi, they would then have to carry 10 linemen, which, in turn, means another roster spot would have to decrease in quantity. Where could that happen? If the secondary is healthier than it was last year, that’s maybe one position where the Rams could possibly create a spot. Two more positions could be tight end or running back.

But the thing is -- at least in theory and for the purpose of this exercise -- the Rams also could have to open a roster spot for supplemental draft pick Isaiah Battle, as he works through his “red shirt” year. And if the club would like to keep three quarterbacks, then that would be another slot to be claimed.

So I guess to (finally) answer the question, I can see a scenario in which the Rams do keep those three defensive linemen. However, I think it’s a little more probable that at least one is waived and the club tries to get him onto its practice squad. Do think it’s worth mentioning, though, that we haven’t seen Ifedi and Trinca-Pasat in pads yet. So we’ll probably know a little more about them and this process once there’s some game film to break down in the preseason.

Thanks for the question, Wynnde. Fans, be sure to leave your question about the Rams’ running backs in the comments below, or send it over to @MylesASimmons on Twitter and it could be featured right here in tomorrow’s Countdown to Camp.
 
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