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Projecting Rams depth chart: Offense
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/8470/projecting-rams-depth-chart-offense
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Free agency and the NFL draft are over and the St. Louis Rams will soon be back on the field for organized team activities. Soon enough, training camp will be here and the competition will heat up.
At first glance, there doesn't appear to be much guesswork in figuring out which new additions will fit in where but there will be plenty of competition at a number of positions.
With that said, here's one man's guess at how the offensive depth chart figures to shape up as we head toward summer. (Asterisk indicates a rookie and undrafted rookies not included)
OFFENSE:
Quarterback
Projected starter: Sam Bradford
Backups: Shaun Hill, Austin Davis, Garrett Gilbert*
Comment: Bradford and Hill are locked into their spots. Had the Rams used an earlier pick on a rookie signal caller, he'd probably be the clear favorite for a third spot but Gilbert and Davis will probably have to compete for that spot assuming the Rams even keep three.
Running back
Projected starter: Zac Stacy
Backups: Tre Mason*, Benny Cunningham, Isaiah Pead, Daryl Richardson, Chase Reynolds
Comment: Stacy will hang on to starting job but it would be no surprise if Mason pushes him. Pead and Richardson could be dueling for one spot and it's possible both could be fighting for any spot at all.
Fullback
Projected starter: Cory Harkey
Backups: None
Comment: Harkey isn't technically a fullback but he played there quite a bit in 2013 and figures to return to his versatile role again.
Wide receiver
Projected starter: Chris Givens and Tavon Austin
Backups: Stedman Bailey, Kenny Britt, Brian Quick, Austin Pettis, Justin Veltung, Emory Blake
Comment: These jobs are thrown in flux by Bailey's suspension. Probably the most open competition of any position on offense but Givens and Austin should get the first look.
Tight end
Projected starter: Jared Cook
Backups: Lance Kendricks, Harkey, Justice Cunningham, Mason Brodine
Comment: Harkey will do some in-line blocking as well and Kendricks can also move all over the offense. Cunningham is a sleeper to watch from the practice squad. Brodine is transitioning from defensive end.
Left tackle
Projected starter: Jake Long
Backups: Mike Person, Mitchell Van Dyk*
Comment: Person will probably get some opportunities but the Rams have flexibility here with Greg Robinson, Rodger Saffold and Joe Barksdale also capable of handling the job. Van Dyk will have an uphill battle to land a roster spot but the Rams like his upside.
Left guard
Projected starter: Greg Robinson*
Backups: Brandon Washington, Barrett Jones
Comment: Robinson likely starts out here but will get chances to move around. Washington holds some promise and Jones can fill in anywhere.
Center
Projected starter: Scott Wells
Backups: Tim Barnes, Jones, Demetrius Rhaney*
Comment: Wells figures to hold the job down for now but the competition could be feisty for the backup job. Jones is projected as the long-term answer but Barnes got some games under his belt last year and Rhaney brings athleticism and potential.
Right guard
Projected starter: Rodger Saffold
Backups: Washington, Jones
Comment: Saffold can finally settle into his best spot and should offer Pro Bowl potential over the course of a full season.
Right tackle
Projected starter: Joe Barksdale
Backups: Person, Sean Hooey, Graham Pocic
Comment: Like the left side, Robinson and Saffold can also fill in here and would before Person but the Rams also have some hopes for Hooey to develop even if he's still a year or two away.
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/8470/projecting-rams-depth-chart-offense
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Free agency and the NFL draft are over and the St. Louis Rams will soon be back on the field for organized team activities. Soon enough, training camp will be here and the competition will heat up.
At first glance, there doesn't appear to be much guesswork in figuring out which new additions will fit in where but there will be plenty of competition at a number of positions.
With that said, here's one man's guess at how the offensive depth chart figures to shape up as we head toward summer. (Asterisk indicates a rookie and undrafted rookies not included)
OFFENSE:
Quarterback
Projected starter: Sam Bradford
Backups: Shaun Hill, Austin Davis, Garrett Gilbert*
Comment: Bradford and Hill are locked into their spots. Had the Rams used an earlier pick on a rookie signal caller, he'd probably be the clear favorite for a third spot but Gilbert and Davis will probably have to compete for that spot assuming the Rams even keep three.
Running back
Projected starter: Zac Stacy
Backups: Tre Mason*, Benny Cunningham, Isaiah Pead, Daryl Richardson, Chase Reynolds
Comment: Stacy will hang on to starting job but it would be no surprise if Mason pushes him. Pead and Richardson could be dueling for one spot and it's possible both could be fighting for any spot at all.
Fullback
Projected starter: Cory Harkey
Backups: None
Comment: Harkey isn't technically a fullback but he played there quite a bit in 2013 and figures to return to his versatile role again.
Wide receiver
Projected starter: Chris Givens and Tavon Austin
Backups: Stedman Bailey, Kenny Britt, Brian Quick, Austin Pettis, Justin Veltung, Emory Blake
Comment: These jobs are thrown in flux by Bailey's suspension. Probably the most open competition of any position on offense but Givens and Austin should get the first look.
Tight end
Projected starter: Jared Cook
Backups: Lance Kendricks, Harkey, Justice Cunningham, Mason Brodine
Comment: Harkey will do some in-line blocking as well and Kendricks can also move all over the offense. Cunningham is a sleeper to watch from the practice squad. Brodine is transitioning from defensive end.
Left tackle
Projected starter: Jake Long
Backups: Mike Person, Mitchell Van Dyk*
Comment: Person will probably get some opportunities but the Rams have flexibility here with Greg Robinson, Rodger Saffold and Joe Barksdale also capable of handling the job. Van Dyk will have an uphill battle to land a roster spot but the Rams like his upside.
Left guard
Projected starter: Greg Robinson*
Backups: Brandon Washington, Barrett Jones
Comment: Robinson likely starts out here but will get chances to move around. Washington holds some promise and Jones can fill in anywhere.
Center
Projected starter: Scott Wells
Backups: Tim Barnes, Jones, Demetrius Rhaney*
Comment: Wells figures to hold the job down for now but the competition could be feisty for the backup job. Jones is projected as the long-term answer but Barnes got some games under his belt last year and Rhaney brings athleticism and potential.
Right guard
Projected starter: Rodger Saffold
Backups: Washington, Jones
Comment: Saffold can finally settle into his best spot and should offer Pro Bowl potential over the course of a full season.
Right tackle
Projected starter: Joe Barksdale
Backups: Person, Sean Hooey, Graham Pocic
Comment: Like the left side, Robinson and Saffold can also fill in here and would before Person but the Rams also have some hopes for Hooey to develop even if he's still a year or two away.
