Projecting the 53

[rams24/7]

Now that we're midway through the preseason we have more clarity in regards t position battles. I'm curious as to who YOU think will make the initial 53.

Imo there are 47 spots I think are relatively set, and I'd be moderately surprised if any of these 47 missed the cut.

QB: Foles/Keenum/Mannion
RB: Gurley/Mason/Cunningham
FB: Harkey
WR: Britt/Quick/Bailey/Austin/Givens
TE: Cook/Kendricks
OL: Robinson/Saffold/Brown/Havenstein/Jones/Reynolds/Rhaney/Barnes

DL: Quinn/Brockers/Donald/Long/Hayes/Sims/Fairley/Westbrooks
LB: Laurinaitis/Ogletree/Ayers/Dunbar/Bates
CB: Jenkins/Johnson/Joyner/Roberson
S: McDonald/McLeod/Barron/Davis/Alexander

ST: Hekker/Zuerlein/McQuaide

So I guess my question is which 6 of the below bubble guys makes the cut? Are there any guys on my 46 you disagree with?

RB: Pead/Reynolds
TE: Cunningham/Bayer
OL: Donnal/Whichmann/Battle
DL: Ifedi
LB: McFadden
CB: Claiborne/McGee
S: Bryant

Remember that Trey Watts is suspended for the first 4 games, so his roster spot doesn't count. I think Pead or Reynolds gets cut when Trey returns, but imo they're safe for now. McFadden is another candidate to bring in on ST for the first 4 weeks until Bates is healthy. Christian Bryant has exciting talent, unfortunately he's on a team with great S depth.

 

[shaunpinney]

Agree with your 47, I think Battle (48) makes the cut, they used too much on getting him, can't put him on our practice squad, he'll just get picked up, Pead (49) and Reynolds (50) I think make it, Ifedi (51), Claiborne (52) and I think Andrew Donnal or Bryce Hager (53)

I'd like to see Malcolm Brown, Cody Wichmann, Marshall McFadden on the PS...

Can I sneak Bayer in somewhere, who to drop????

 

[rams24/7]

Agree with your 47, I think Battle (48) makes the cut, they used too much on getting him, can't put him on our practice squad, he'll just get picked up, Pead (49) and Reynolds (50) I think make it, Ifedi (51), Claiborne (52) and I think Andrew Donnal or Bryce Hager (53)

I'd like to see Malcolm Brown, Cody Wichmann, Marshall McFadden on the PS...

Can I sneak Bayer in somewhere, who to drop????

I can see Battle making it, but not at the expense of a player whose outperformed him.

 

[ChrisW]

Pead is showing better this preseason, but Brown had a great fucking game on Sunday, Offense and Special teams. The kid is a player. I think he either makes it, or gets cut in the last round. I wouldn't be surprised to see him take Pead's spot at this point. Pead is also due like a mil this year, or really close to it.

 

[WestCoastRam]

Unless Reynolds showed some real drop-off in ST play, I just don't see them cutting him. This isn't Mike Martz's Rams. He has been the top ST performer for this team for years.

If it were me, I'd cut Pead and try to sign Brown to practice squad. If we can keep Brown great, if we can't so be it. When Watts comes back, can we try to put him on Practice squad too or has he played too many games? Not sure he has.

 

[Jorgeh0605]

I don't think Keenum is safe just yet. However, that would be my choice as our #2 QB. I don't think all three of the Centers are safe, I believe we cut one. As for which one, perhaps Rhaney can make it back to the PS?

I don't think Wichmann makes the final roster. Possibly a PS member. Battle makes the cut, zero question in my mind, so that is # 48. Pead and Reynolds both stay on until Watts comes back so # 49 and #50 right there. A battle between Cunningham and Bayer, I think Cunningham wins and earns # 51. I really like Bryant and don't want to risk him getting picked up by trying to stash him on PS. He also gives FS depth so #52. Fisher has a tendency to go lean on LBs, especially with the plans of having only 2 on the field at one time. So the last spot is between DT and CB IMO. My vote goes to Claiborne for #53.

So my votes are:
48 - Battle (OT)
49 - Pead (RB)
50 - Reynolds (RB)
51 - Cunningham (TE)
52 - Bryant (S)
53 - Claiborne (CB)

 

[Jorgeh0605]

When Watts comes back, can we try to put him on Practice squad too or has he played too many games? Not sure he has.

I am sooooo confused how the new PS rules work now. Before it was easy, something like "If you are active for more than half the season" or something, but now I think there are exceptions to that rule.

 

[Fatbot]

Pead is showing better this preseason, but Brown had a great freaking game on Sunday, Offense and Special teams. The kid is a player. I think he either makes it, or gets cut in the last round. I wouldn't be surprised to see him take Pead's spot at this point. Pead is also due like a mil this year, or really close to it.

Agree. I think the Rams need to showcase Pead at this point for trade so Brown makes the squad. Or just don't play Brown anymore or else someone will steal him off the practice squad! Overthecap.com has only a $585k cap savings in just cutting Pead at this point, would be nice to get a draft pick for him if he's not gonna make the numbers crunch.

 

[Fatbot]

Can I sneak Bayer in somewhere, who to drop????

Yes, drop Justice Cunningham for him. Despite the scouting book that claims J.Cunningham is a blocking specialist, I have yet to see it on the field. I think he's a pretty bad blocker in fact. Bayer is just as effective of a blocker and a far better receiver when he gets targets, so might as well keep him. I would much rather have a pancaking, dominating, edge-setting blocking TE that's going to help the running game than either, but that doesn't exist on the Rams roster. I wish it was J.Cunningham, but he's just not that guy.

 

[LACHAMP46]

still not sure @rams24/7
but hardly believe Westbrooks, Rhaney, Roberson, and Davis are safe just yet....

 

[TheDYVKX]

QB: Wang/Wang/Wang
RB: Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang
FB: Wang
WR: Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang
TE: Wang/Wang/Wang
OL: Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang

DL: Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang
LB: Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang
CB: Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang
S: Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang

ST: Wang/Wang/Wang

 

[Fatbot]

When Watts comes back, can we try to put him on Practice squad too or has he played too many games? Not sure he has.

I think Watts has an accrued NFL season so cannot be on the practice squad.

 

[Jorgeh0605]

QB: Wang/Wang/Wang
RB: Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang
FB: Wang
WR: Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang
TE: Wang/Wang/Wang
OL: Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang

DL: Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang
LB: Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang
CB: Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang
S: Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang/Wang

ST: Wang/Wang/Wang

I just don't think Wang beats out Wang for that last spot.

 

[DrLurkalot]

Cunningham looked like the worst of the rbs in the last game - going to make for some tough decisions. Pead, Watts, and Brown all looked more talented, yet I loved Cunningham last year. Good problem to have. I'm so used to the mindset of looking for the best of other team's cuts - tables may have turned and our cuts are now top tier.

 

[Jorgeh0605]

I think Watts has an accrued NFL season so cannot be on the practice squad.

Just found some clarity on the matter, PS allows two "special" spots that require less than 2 accrued seasons instead of just one. So Watts can go on the practice squad.

http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2014/8/29/6077941/nfl-practice-squad-rules-eligibility-salary-deadline

 

[Cullen Bryant]

This isn't what I think the Rams will do but what I would like.

QB - Foles - Keenum - Mannion
RB - Gurley - Mason - Cunningham - Pead - Brown
Watts replace Pead or Brown when he returns

I think our special teams will be fine without Reynolds, I'd rather keep our top 4 or 5 running backs.

FB - Harkey
WR - Britt - Austin - Quick - Bailey - Givens
TE - Cook - Kendricks - Bayer
OL - Robinson - Saffold - Rhaney - Brown - Havenstein-
Jones - Battle - Donnal - Wickman

Just trying to keep our draft picks, I'm sure they'll keep Reynolds. I haven't seen enough to really know who the best ones are.

DL - Long - Donald - Brockers - Quinn - Hayes - Westbrooks - Fairley - Sims
LB - Ogletree - Laurinaitis - Ayers - Dunbar - Bates - Hager
CB - Jenkins - Johnson - Joyner - Roberson - Claiborne
S - McDonald - McLeod - Barron - Alexander - Bryant

 

[Fatbot]

Just found some clarity on the matter, PS allows two "special" spots that require less than 2 accrued seasons instead of just one. So Watts can go on the practice squad.

http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2014/8/29/6077941/nfl-practice-squad-rules-eligibility-salary-deadline

Nice catch! Of course there might be some weird "suspended players can't go on the p.s." internal rule knowing the NFL. It's still unlikely Watts would go on the p.s. since he'd have to clear waivers at a time when probably a lot of RBs will be dropping like flies around the league.

 

[Jorgeh0605]

Nice catch! Of course there might be some weird "suspended players can't go on the p.s." internal rule knowing the NFL. It's still unlikely Watts would go on the p.s. since he'd have to clear waivers at a time when probably a lot of RBs will be dropping like flies around the league.

I agree, I think Pead gets cut once Watts comes back. Unless (says prayer) another RB gets hurt within the first 4 games. That is the only way I see Pead staying. Though I like the guy, running backs that can pass block always get put on a pedestal in my eyes.

 

[Dr C. Hill]

I think Pead has more value as a 3rd down back, and yes as a special teams player than Reynolds. If you cut Pead, he will find a new home, I doubt Reynolds would. He offers a big fat zero on offense and a good but not great ST option. I would not let Pead or Brown go for him for all the tea in China! Of course that's just me.

 

[hotanez]

So you guy's really believe that Brown can beat out Reynolds? The guy is our special teams ace and leads the team in special team tackles! He is in on all phases of special teams but he gets replaced because Brown had two good plays in a preseason game. Lol