Jobs Won/Lost Through 3

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Merlin

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So as always we all see it differently, but here's my take fwiw...

QB: Mannion LOST the QB job tonight. His knowledge of the offense doesn't really matter when he can't place the ball, let alone hit the receiver. Even the TD to Pharoh was poorly placed. Also, a backup's job is to go in there and execute the offense without major mistakes. Dude has not progressed, which is the final key in this equation. Allen IMO will be our backup QB as of next week, although he may be required to start game 4 and hold onto the job so there may be a third act in this terrible battle.

RB: Kelly WON a roster spot and maybe the backup job. He didn't draw the top matchups of the game, but his one-cut-and-go decisiveness and explosiveness not to mention power means he's in. Certainly he is 3 on the depth chart at the lowest. IMO Davis will be stashed. RB room looks great.

TE: Hemingway LOST his job tonight. He sucked in just about every way a TE can suck. Honestly what disgusts me here is the playing time he has gotten, the dude does not belong on that field. Missed blocks with halfass effort, dropped passes, penalty in key situation, Jesus man. IMO the Rams will cut him this week. How bout that? Mundt looks like the defacto three and at this point I doubt the position wins a four in competition with others. Would like to see more of McElroy.

OL: This group overall continues to play well. Really the question here in my mind is how long the rooks will take to sieze primary backup jobs. Another strong game by Noteboom, who outside of a couple rushes was his usual consistent and earnest self. Same with Allen, who consistently pushes to move to the next level. Lucas looked pretty good at RG btw, on the 15 yard TD run where his seal and Allen's blockdown opened up the initial gap. I think the slotting for this group is mostly unchanged from last week, where IMO some things got settled.

WR: Hodge WON a roster spot tonight. They will find a way to keep him. He has actual hands, which are lacking in so many of the opposing roster decisions, but also brings size, strength to break tackles, etc. He is going to be a really nice bottom of the roster dev option for this staff. Natson once again looked good, and I'm not going to commit but as I alluded to before he and Pharoh are in a bit of a battle. Pharoh just doesn't look like the same guy. Does a Pro Bowl nod exempt him from needing to look good in preseason? I don't know just yet and maybe the fourth game will decide. Or maybe I'm nuts, as I'm sure some of you are thinking.

DL/OLB: Lawler and Price both WON roster spots tonight. Lawler sets the edge with toughness and much like Longacre has a non-stop motor that will work in multiple spots as needed, but mostly looks like a strongside OLB. Price played his @$$ off and also can flip sides as depth and brings more athleticism. DL looks pretty set to me, no real changes that I feel were made off this game so lumping them together.

ILB: Kiser WON a roster spot tonight. It could be fairly argued that already happened, but his drops in coverage showed excellent progress and he still brings a nice burst on the inside rush. Hager is still ahead of him, and rightly so since he undoubtedly knows the defense better and is in his own right greatly improved under this staff. On the weak side no change, as Ramik Wilson looked outstanding and will provide top-notch backup quality behind Barron.

CB: Hill LOST his job tonight. He won't make the cut IMO. Dude has been inconsistent as F all preseason and doesn't deserve a roster spot in this secondary. This is his second year in this defense after playing well for us down the stretch, he needs to be better than a guy who goes out there and sucks it up vs depth options. That TD he gave up tonight he looked back at the ball in textbook fashion but the guy just doesn't have it. Not sure why, but don't really care why.

S: No real change here as the last guy to win a job to my eye among this group, Christian, continues to look the part in his run support hybrid type role they want to use him in. He's gonna play a lot this year I think, for a depth guy.
 

PressureD41

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Excellent read, and I agree w/ you on all of it.

Cooper isn't a WR that much he has proven. So the next question is can he can be replaced as punt returner. Of course returners change like the wind so why not take the dude w/ WR upside, easy decision to be honest.

I am really like how our front 7 is taking shape! the young guys keeps showing up!!
Just many we can have an elite D this season if the health and rotation at LB can get going early in the season.

Hill did suck ass tonight, time to cut bait.
 

ProGen

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Enjoyed reading your review Merlin! Cooper sounds like he is not his same self and he has limited potential as a WR. Hodge keeps on showing up in these reviews, the guy clearly has talent. Tough decisions at wide out to be made.

Lawler, Kiser and Price having a good game is music to my ears. Much needed progression at positions of need.

As for Hemingway...that due has been gone for a long time in my head. Any football fan can see that he just doesn't have it up top.
 

dieterbrock

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Who did Mannion lose his job to? Allen is not better.
Agree on Hodge, he definitely earned a spot.
On the practice squad
 

Rams43

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Just an outstanding post, Merlin.

Yeah, Hodge seems to have more “want to” in his little finger than Hemingway does in his whole body, huh?

Gotta keep players that produce and with attitudes like Hodge has.
 

Memento

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As a former Hemingway fan, I have to admit that he's been worse than a disappointment. He's been a complete nonfactor in every aspect of the game. Blocking sucks, couldn't catch a cold if he was standing stark naked in the Arctic, and when he does catch the ball, he goes down to the smallest contact. With that said, I don't think that our third tight end is on the roster right now. Mundt's blocking sucks more than Hemingway's, and his receiving doesn't make up for it. MacElroy isn't the answer either. Honestly, if we had to keep a third tight end who's on our roster, it should be Henry Krieger-Coble. Blocking tight end who doesn't completely embarrass himself in the passing game.

Hodge is an interesting case. We might decide to keep seven receivers because of his play. He's not going to last on the practice squad, and I'm not sure that you cut Thomas, Reynolds, or Cooper. I disagree with Natson looking good; he's pretty much Tavon, except not as highly touted. He hasn't stood out in any of the games, in my honest opinion. Cooper is easily a better returner.

Agree on Price and Lawler making the roster. Also agree with Kiser making the roster.

Have never been a fan of Hill or Mannion. Unfortunately, I don't know who you give the job to instead of Hill. Hatfield was atrocious out there; he just couldn't cover anyone. Nixon? Maybe, but he struggled at times as well. This is where we really miss Kevin Peterson. He would've been the perfect fifth cornerback.
 

jrry32

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Excellent read, and I agree w/ you on all of it.

Cooper isn't a WR that much he has proven. So the next question is can he can be replaced as punt returner. Of course returners change like the wind so why not take the dude w/ WR upside, easy decision to be honest.

Respectfully, I don't see how Natson has shown more WR upside. Cooper showed well as a WR in that game. And there's no doubting him as a returner. The dude was an All Pro last year. He's not going anywhere right now. Natson might earn a PS job, and if Pharoh catches the Austin yips (where he starts to muff everything), Natson might get a shot.

Who did Mannion lose his job to? Allen is not better.
Agree on Hodge, he definitely earned a spot.
On the practice squad

Agreed. The numbers game at WR won't work in Hodge's favor, but he'll stick on the PS. And he might end up on the roster sooner than later. There's a skill-set worth developing (especially with his hands), but he definitely needs development.

CB: Hill LOST his job tonight. He won't make the cut IMO. Dude has been inconsistent as F all preseason and doesn't deserve a roster spot in this secondary. This is his second year in this defense after playing well for us down the stretch, he needs to be better than a guy who goes out there and sucks it up vs depth options. That TD he gave up tonight he looked back at the ball in textbook fashion but the guy just doesn't have it. Not sure why, but don't really care why.

I have been unpleasantly surprised by Hill this preseason. He balled out against the Falcons last year, but has stunk it up this preseason. However, I'm not sure who on this roster will replace him. If a DB we like on another team shakes loose, I wouldn't be surprised if Hill is the casualty, but I'm not sure we have anyone worth keeping over him at the 5th CB spot.
 

Karate61

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Biggest disappointment to me is Hemingway. What's up with him???

The player that piques my interest the most so far this Camp/Preseason, by far, is Sammy Shields. If his heads on straight, pun intended, he may become the off season move of the Century! (Yeah, I'm all geeked on him).
 

XXXIVwin

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My takes:

Mannion has looked below mediocre, but McVay’s comments after halftime lead me to believe he is still ahead of Allen for now. McVay commented how “Mannion settled down nicely and finished 7-8”, something like that.

Kelly was awesome tonight. That 15-yard TD, the spin move...wow. Hard to imagine how Brown holds him off.

Pharoh— I’m not seeing what some others are seeing. Pharoh looks fine to me, same as always. The dude made the Pro Bowl as a punt and kick returner— and has only returned ONE all preseason. Today he had his lone return, for nine yards, and I thought he looked solid. Natson looks good too, loved his effort making that first down, but I just don’t see a competition here.

Agree with Memento that our #3 TE will probably be a pickup after last round of cuts. Mundt looks decent, but he has injury problems, and was gimpy today. Ask not for whom the bell tolls, Tamarick, it tolls for thee.

IMHO Hill has been crazy inconsistent during his entire stay with the Rams.

Nixon’s performance was... impeachable.

Westbrooks continues to impress. Saw good stuff from Kiser, Longacre, Hager, and Easley.

Suh and AD side by side? Good Lord.
 
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MachS

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Suh and AD side by side? Good Lord.

Please God let this happen in the next week. Suh is a monster still, and with AD back they're going to bring so much pressure from the inside it could be something never seen before. I'm trying to think how QBs will operate when every pocket is collapsed within a second or two.
 

den-the-coach

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Nixon’s performance was... impeachable.

You're supposed to save those lines for me.
giphy.gif
 

den-the-coach

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I have been unpleasantly surprised by Hill this preseason. He balled out against the Falcons last year, but has stunk it up this preseason. However, I'm not sure who on this roster will replace him. If a DB we like on another team shakes loose, I wouldn't be surprised if Hill is the casualty, but I'm not sure we have anyone worth keeping over him at the 5th CB spot.

@Merlin excellent thread, however, I do agree with @jrry32 Hill has been uninspiring, but I don't see Hatfield beating him out either because Hatfield is just good enough to get beat, in fact, he's good to give up a TD a game when he only plays a half.

I have a feeling Hill is one of those guys who does not practice that well or plays well in preseason, but seems much better during the season. Not sure if there is someone on the squad I would keep over him just based on talent.

Right on point on Hemingway, hopefully Mundt is okay because I really like Mundt. Not spectacular, but catches the ball and blocks well, I will take that. I'm not shocked on what John Kelly has done, was underrated at Tennessee, whose alum think they are Alabama and they are not even Auburn.

Cornelius Lucas did play better inside, but Williams was solid at RT again and will be the guy they keep for the exemption, if the Rams do keep in essence 10 offensive linemen. Price & Lawler are fun to watch and Price might just really surprise during the season. would be nice to acquire a legit number 2 QB, just don't think it will happen, but all of us would love the RG3 scenario to come full circle.
 

Loyal

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Who did Mannion lose his job to? Allen is not better.
Agree on Hodge, he definitely earned a spot.
On the practice squad
Who did Mannion lose his job to? You, if you can throw a tight spiral for 10 yards....
Hodge is a legit WR who will never make the practice squad, before getting stolen by another WR needy team. He doesn't need two years on the roster before catching the d@mn ball. He's ready now, and it's not too big for him.
 

ramfan46

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I had very high hopes for Hemingway, but he's blown it all summer. Mundt has something to him. He catches the ball clean even when he's been given grenades to go after. Hopefully he only got nicked up and is ready to roll for the season. My 4th would be Krieger Coble. He can run block and I noticed him as the LS on ST late in the game as well. Nice versatility to have on the roster. McElroy should get some looks in the 4th game to see if he is Practice Squad worthy.
They could keep 7 WR if they only keep 3 RBs. Hodge seems to keep making plays. Even hustled to make a block at the end of Kelly's 3rd and long TD run.
Lawler is the surprise of the D to me. He's always around the ball when he's in. Price was a terror off the edge yesterday. Another strong game next week and he's got a real shot. Wonder if they cut Easley for Price or Lawler? They've gotta be a ton cheaper right?
 

kurtfaulk

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hemingway has been the biggest disappointment so far. just no signs of effort from him. why wouldn't you fight to be on a nfl team?

i'm excited to see if all these lbers can perform this well in the regular season.

.
 

dieterbrock

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Who did Mannion lose his job to? You, if you can throw a tight spiral for 10 yards....
Hodge is a legit WR who will never make the practice squad, before getting stolen by another WR needy team. He doesn't need two years on the roster before catching the d@mn ball. He's ready now, and it's not too big for him.
Lol on Hodge. We fans over rate our players year in and out. Every team has their “Hodge”. I seriously doubt he’s on any teams radar and if they lose him, so be it. Who’s spot is he taking? Mike Thomas our ST stud? Nah. Pro bowl returner Pharoh Cooper? Nah. Last year Pre season star josh Reynolds? Nah...
good problem to have, log jam of talent.
 

fearsomefour

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Who did Mannion lose his job to? You, if you can throw a tight spiral for 10 yards....
Hodge is a legit WR who will never make the practice squad, before getting stolen by another WR needy team. He doesn't need two years on the roster before catching the d@mn ball. He's ready now, and it's not too big for him.
Hodge has been fun to watch.
It is a tough numbers game for him.
5 WR spots are spoken for I believe. Maybe six.
 

Loyal

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Hodge has been fun to watch.
It is a tough numbers game for him.
5 WR spots are spoken for I believe. Maybe six.
I agree...Yet, I just see something special in him, and we will regret watching him excel on someone else’s team, imo.
 

fearsomefour

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I agree...Yet, I just see something special in him, and we will regret watching him excel on someone else’s team, imo.
The Rams kept seven WR last year (I think it was last year).....I would think that won't happen this year.
A lot of youth and depth to sort through on the backside of the D.