Rams News Recap: Aug. 27

[RamBill]

Givens Feels Bradford’s Pain –PD
Unable to crack the first-team offense behind Kenny Britt, Brian Quick, and Tavon Austin, Chris Givens is dealing with issues of his own.

Bernie: NFL Ramps Up Efforts for LA Team
The timing of Sam Bradford’s season-ending knee injury was especially hurtful. Not only for Bradford, who worked tenaciously to put himself in position for a strong comeback after shredding the same knee last fall.

Rams at Miami: Five Things to Watch –PD
If you were scoring this defensive end battle like a heavyweight fight, give Ethan Westbrooks both Round 1 (New Orleans) and Round 2 (Green Bay). Round 3 (Cleveland) went to Michael Sam.

Versatile RB Trey Watts Has Come On Strong –PD
Rookie running back Trey Watts watched the Rams’ preseason-opening loss to the New Orleans Saints from the sideline, nursing a hamstring injury.

Rams Must Balance Need For Cohesion With Risk of Injury in Preseason Finale –Korte
While many NFL teams rest most of their starters in the final preseason game rather than risk injury, St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher has a major quandary in the aftermath of quarterback Sam Bradford’s season-ending knee injury.

5 Players to Watch Against the Dolphins –St.LouisRams.com
The fourth preseason game represents one final chance for players on the cusp of making the roster to make an impression. Here’s who you should keep an eye on in Thursday’s game.

Jared Cook: We’ll Miss Sam Bradford but We Believe in Shaun Hill –Radio Interview

Mortensen On if the Rams’ Starting QB Job is Shaun Hill’s to Keep –Radio Interview

Monitoring Rams’ Final Position Battles –Wagoner
Only the St. Louis Rams know exactly how many players they plan to keep at each position. Therein lies the difficulty in attempting to project a 53-man roster.

Jeff Fisher Angry Over ESPN Report on Sam’s ‘showering habits’ –PD
Rams coach Jeff Fisher remains angry over an ESPN report that dealt in part with the “showering habits” of defensive end Michael Sam by ESPN reporter Josina Anderson.

RB Trey Watts is One to Watch as Rams Trim Roster –Wagoner
Since returning to the practice field after a hamstring injury early in training camp, St. Louis Rams running back Trey Watts has embraced every facet of the game in an effort to steal a spot on the team’s initial 53-man roster.

Morning Ram-blings: What About Sanchez? –Wagoner
Since the St. Louis Rams confirmed the season-ending knee injury for quarterback Sam Bradford, there has been plenty of speculation about possible signal-callers they could add.

Wired: Rams WR Chris Givens Helmet Cam –Video

Wagoner: No Postseason For Rams –Video

Michael Sam Likely to Make Rams’ Roster –Video

Shaun Hill is Best QB Option for St. Louis Rams Right Now –Video

One-on-One with Rams DB Lamarcus Joyner –Video

Rams DE Robert Quinn: “This defense can be dominant” –Video

 

[RamBill]

Morning Ram-blings: NFC West projection
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/11018/morning-ram-blings-nfc-west-projection

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- The final round of preseason games take place tonight at stadiums all over the league. Which means it's almost time for final cuts and, more importantly, time for the regular season to begin.

That means it's also time for season previews and predictions to start popping up all over the place. That's been going on for a bit and there are plenty to peruse but for our purposes, we're going to lead today's Ram-blings with the work of the fine group over at sister site Five Thirty Eight.

In their season preview for the NFC West, they project the Rams to again finish fourth in the division. Using their mathematical methods, they have the St. Louis Rams with an expected win total of 6.8 and an 18 percent chance of making the postseason.

Obviously, the loss of quarterback Sam Bradford was cause for some adjustment and this actually comes somewhat close to my own projection for the Rams. With Bradford, I had them at 8-8 with the potential to elevate to 10-6 if all fell into place.. Without him, I have them at 6-10 with the potential to go 8-8 if things fall right. Seven is probably actually a better number based on coach Jeff Fisher's history.

In his 18 full seasons as a head coach, Fisher's teams have finished with less than seven wins just three times.

I.C.Y.M.I.

A roundup of Wednesday's Rams stories appearing on ESPN.com. ... In the Ram-blings, we heard from John Clayton on the chances the Rams pursue quarterback Mark Sanchez. ... Next, we looked at undrafted rookie running back Trey Watts' chances of winning a roster spot. ... Our season preview for each team came out including the Rams'. ... Finally, we took a spin around the Rams roster with a look at position battles to keep an eye on in the preseason finale.

Elsewhere:

Here's the team by team season preview courtesy of NFL Nation.

NFL Nation Confidential reveals that players agree with President Barack Obama that marijuana is not more dangerous than alcohol.

At 101sports.com, Sam Farmer of the L.A. Times discussed the possibility of the Rams going back to California.

At stltoday.com, Jim Thomas looks at the roster battle between Michael Sam and Ethan Westbrooks.

Joe Strauss examines the long-term repercussions of quarterback Sam Bradford's injury.