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Rams depth chart musings
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/11229/rams-depth-chart-musings
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Now that we are finally into Week 1 of the regular season, the St. Louis Rams released their unofficial depth chart Tuesday evening.
It's always important to note the word unofficial but usually the chart at least provides a solid guidepost for what will come to be Sunday when the Rams open at home against the Minnesota Vikings.
With that in mind, let's take a spin around the depth chart with some random thoughts on things that stick out:
As expected, rookie No. 2 overall pick Greg Robinson is not listed as a starter on the offensive line. Things have been trending this direction for the past couple of weeks as Robinson didn't get a chance to settle into one spot on the line during the preseason. Davin Joseph is listed as the starter at right guard with Rodger Saffold at left guard. Robinson is listed as the primary backup at left tackle and left guard. Coach Jeff Fisher hasn't expressed any concern with Robinson's development but if indeed he's not a Week 1 starter, that registers as a disappointment.
Also as expected, the Rams are listing the quarterback depth as Shaun Hill, Austin Davis and Case Keenum. That's only logical considering Keenum just arrived and Davis has extensive knowledge of the offense. There might come a day when Keenum moves into the No. 2 spot but it won't be for awhile.
Zac Stacy is listed as the starting running back, which is to be expected. But Benny Cunningham is No. 2 and outperformed Stacy in the preseason. I still expect Stacy to get the majority of the carries but it's worth watching how those carries are divvied up Sunday.
At receiver, the listed starters are Kenny Britt and Tavon Austin. Brian Quick is listed behind Britt but it's safe to expect that duo to be on the field together regularly with Austin in the slot. The Rams also list two starters at tight end with Jared Cook and Lance Kendricks on the top line.
On defense, there are no surprises to be found but something we discussed in this week's buzz video is notable. Trumaine Johnson is the listed starter at his usual left cornerback spot but it is indeed E.J. Gaines checking in at No. 2 behind him. That might mean nothing since Brandon McGee is listed as the backup at right cornerback. That will sort itself out throughout the week but it wouldn't be a major surprise if Gaines started in his first NFL game.
For what it's worth, Lamarcus Joyner is listed as the third team free safety behind Rodney McLeod and Cody Davis. That really doesn't mean anything, though. Joyner still projects as the team's primary nickel cornerback.
On special teams, one job worth watching is kick returner. Chris Givens looked like he was going to claim the job in the preseason but he's actually listed behind Cunningham on the chart. Again, this is unofficial so it's entirely possible Givens will get the first shot against Minnesota. But for now, the list goes Cunningham, Givens, Austin.
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/11229/rams-depth-chart-musings
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Now that we are finally into Week 1 of the regular season, the St. Louis Rams released their unofficial depth chart Tuesday evening.
It's always important to note the word unofficial but usually the chart at least provides a solid guidepost for what will come to be Sunday when the Rams open at home against the Minnesota Vikings.
With that in mind, let's take a spin around the depth chart with some random thoughts on things that stick out:
As expected, rookie No. 2 overall pick Greg Robinson is not listed as a starter on the offensive line. Things have been trending this direction for the past couple of weeks as Robinson didn't get a chance to settle into one spot on the line during the preseason. Davin Joseph is listed as the starter at right guard with Rodger Saffold at left guard. Robinson is listed as the primary backup at left tackle and left guard. Coach Jeff Fisher hasn't expressed any concern with Robinson's development but if indeed he's not a Week 1 starter, that registers as a disappointment.
Also as expected, the Rams are listing the quarterback depth as Shaun Hill, Austin Davis and Case Keenum. That's only logical considering Keenum just arrived and Davis has extensive knowledge of the offense. There might come a day when Keenum moves into the No. 2 spot but it won't be for awhile.
Zac Stacy is listed as the starting running back, which is to be expected. But Benny Cunningham is No. 2 and outperformed Stacy in the preseason. I still expect Stacy to get the majority of the carries but it's worth watching how those carries are divvied up Sunday.
At receiver, the listed starters are Kenny Britt and Tavon Austin. Brian Quick is listed behind Britt but it's safe to expect that duo to be on the field together regularly with Austin in the slot. The Rams also list two starters at tight end with Jared Cook and Lance Kendricks on the top line.
On defense, there are no surprises to be found but something we discussed in this week's buzz video is notable. Trumaine Johnson is the listed starter at his usual left cornerback spot but it is indeed E.J. Gaines checking in at No. 2 behind him. That might mean nothing since Brandon McGee is listed as the backup at right cornerback. That will sort itself out throughout the week but it wouldn't be a major surprise if Gaines started in his first NFL game.
For what it's worth, Lamarcus Joyner is listed as the third team free safety behind Rodney McLeod and Cody Davis. That really doesn't mean anything, though. Joyner still projects as the team's primary nickel cornerback.
On special teams, one job worth watching is kick returner. Chris Givens looked like he was going to claim the job in the preseason but he's actually listed behind Cunningham on the chart. Again, this is unofficial so it's entirely possible Givens will get the first shot against Minnesota. But for now, the list goes Cunningham, Givens, Austin.
