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- May 8, 2014
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- 37,508
In the last look/discussion it was obvious that the X position was a problem. The Rams just didn't have that guy and the best hope was that Thomas would get it done when he returned from his suspension. Well, lo and behold this regime just aggressively went out and solved it.
So how does it look now? Enormously better:
Guaranteed roster spots
1. Watkins X. Legitimate skills for that role in this offense if he can stay healthy this season.
2. Woods. Y>Z. Not ideal at X (speed) but experienced and can do it if needed.
3. Kupp. Y>Z. Could probably play X but not ideal (speed).
4. Austin. Z>X. With his speed they need him outside, Z can be schemed for release from LOS.
5. Thomas. X>Z. May end up being their best option at X tbh.
Fighting for ONE roster spot
6. Reynolds. X. Probably gets one of the roster spots. Maybe a medical stash/DL?
7. Cooper. Y. 4th round pick a year ago, been very visible with first team in Austin's absence.
8. Spruce. Y. Fan favorite and UDFA who looks like he's facing a cut by week 5 at the latest.
9. McRoberts. Y. Been doing some good things here and there by some accounts.
10. Ryan. Y. Caught a real nice fade in practice the other day, I think Rams really like him.
Things just got real for the guys on the bottom of the roster. Competition there was already good, however now it's downright nasty.
What could happen from here?
* Trading Tavon is a clear and obvious option to everyone now. But since they already paid most of his cost for this season holding on to him won't be a problem as long as he shows the staff he is going to grasp and execute in this offense. So this is still up in the air IMO, since I do not think he has impressed them just yet. And with his history it wouldn't surprise me if he was struggling to learn the offense.
* Trades of Cooper and/or Spruce. Both will be showcased and have impact this preseason. One or both, if they play well, could be flipped for picks. McRoberts, if he keeps showing well and does so in preseason, enters this equation as well.
* At this point I suspect they redshirt Reynolds. He's a problem on the roster. I know they love his upside, however he's not going to offer them much in special teams or depth chart spot duty to warrant his roster spot. Other guys will definitely be ahead of him there. How are they going to play it? Drama ahead dudes, the good kind of drama too.
So how does it look now? Enormously better:
Guaranteed roster spots
1. Watkins X. Legitimate skills for that role in this offense if he can stay healthy this season.
2. Woods. Y>Z. Not ideal at X (speed) but experienced and can do it if needed.
3. Kupp. Y>Z. Could probably play X but not ideal (speed).
4. Austin. Z>X. With his speed they need him outside, Z can be schemed for release from LOS.
5. Thomas. X>Z. May end up being their best option at X tbh.
Fighting for ONE roster spot
6. Reynolds. X. Probably gets one of the roster spots. Maybe a medical stash/DL?
7. Cooper. Y. 4th round pick a year ago, been very visible with first team in Austin's absence.
8. Spruce. Y. Fan favorite and UDFA who looks like he's facing a cut by week 5 at the latest.
9. McRoberts. Y. Been doing some good things here and there by some accounts.
10. Ryan. Y. Caught a real nice fade in practice the other day, I think Rams really like him.
Things just got real for the guys on the bottom of the roster. Competition there was already good, however now it's downright nasty.
What could happen from here?
* Trading Tavon is a clear and obvious option to everyone now. But since they already paid most of his cost for this season holding on to him won't be a problem as long as he shows the staff he is going to grasp and execute in this offense. So this is still up in the air IMO, since I do not think he has impressed them just yet. And with his history it wouldn't surprise me if he was struggling to learn the offense.
* Trades of Cooper and/or Spruce. Both will be showcased and have impact this preseason. One or both, if they play well, could be flipped for picks. McRoberts, if he keeps showing well and does so in preseason, enters this equation as well.
* At this point I suspect they redshirt Reynolds. He's a problem on the roster. I know they love his upside, however he's not going to offer them much in special teams or depth chart spot duty to warrant his roster spot. Other guys will definitely be ahead of him there. How are they going to play it? Drama ahead dudes, the good kind of drama too.