Roster Battles - Offense

[12intheBox]

Just looking at some of the offensive roster battles to keep an eye on these next 2 weeks

2 - QB: Goff / Mannion -- any reason to keep a 3rd QB on the 53 man roster? I don't see it. Its not like Orlovsky isn't going to be available off the streets if we need to sign him mid season.

4 - RB: Gurley and then it gets pretty interesting. I think Malcom Brown is probably safe - is Dunbar? Justin Davis / Aaron Green? Does keeping Sam Rogers or Corey Harkey mean one of the tailbacks loses a spot? (Note Sam Rogers went out there as a lead blocker in the first series with the ones on Saturday night) How much would it change things if Tavon is used fairly often as a RB?

6- WR: Watkins, Kupp, Woods, Reynolds, Tavon - all completely safe. Cooper - probably safe. Thomas and Spruce look like they may both be in trouble - but I suppose we could run with 7 WRs and one of them survives.

3 - TE: Everett, Hemingway, Higbee - all likely to make the team. Harkey?

9 - OL: Whit, Saffold, Sullivan, Brown, Hav, Donnal - all perfectly safe. Then it gets interesting. Blythe v Eldrenkamp - gotta figure only one of those 2 survives. Wichmann probably scrapes in as does one of Williams or Murphy. The depth of this unit is kind of frightening, really, especially at the tackle positions - although I thought Williams looked pretty decent Saturday night.

Assuming the numbers at each position are correct (I know, they won't be) - but thats 24 which means you can add one more guy to one more positional group. I'd probably spend that on Harkey and run with 4 tight ends.

So my final 25 man offense is

Goff, Mannion
Gurley, Brown, Davis, Rogers
Watkins, Kupp, Woods, Reynolds, Austin, Cooper
Everett, Hemingway, Higbee, Harkey
Whit, Saffold, Sullivan, Brown, Hav, Donnal, Blythe, Wichmann, Williams

 

[bubbaramfan]

Harkey is safe, he's the only reliable blocking TE. The others wiff too much.

OL depth is a concern. I expect the Rams to try and upgrade after teams cut down to 53.

WR is up in the air. Watkins, Woods, Kupp for sure. Who knows what they think after that. Hard to say what McVay values, good hands? great route running? stretch the field? size? Lots of ways he can go, a matter how he sees his WR group as a whole and covering all the aspects.

 

[DaveFan'51]

So my final 25 man offense is

Goff, Mannion
Gurley, Brown, Davis, Rogers
Watkins, Kupp, Woods, Reynolds, Austin, Cooper
Everett, Hemingway, Higbee, Harkey
Whit, Saffold, Sullivan, Brown, Hav, Donnal, Blythe, Wichmann, Williams

It's just me, I know, but I would be tempted to Drop Williams, and add either a WR or RB! JMHO

 

[BonifayRam]

Harkey is safe, he's the only reliable blocking TE. The others wiff too much.OL depth is a concern. I expect the Rams to try and upgrade after teams cut down to 53.WR is up in the air. Watkins, Woods, Kupp for sure. Who knows what they think after that. Hard to say what McVay values, good hands? great route running? stretch the field? size? Lots of ways he can go, a matter how he sees his WR group as a whole and covering all the aspects.

Afternoon bubbaramfan......Those other 3 young TE's have 2 more pre season games to prove they can get better because as a group they have turned in 2 dismal games in their protection & blocking, if not they will secure Harkey a roster spot in place of Sam Rogers whom I hope can make it to the PS.

OL depth looks better than it been in yrs......Blythe is a better reserve than Rhaney . Cody Wichmann who was our starter @ OG the last 2 seasons is now top swing OG . Eldrenkamp is a much better upgrade over David Arkins who was our #9 OL last season. We still have Andrew Donnal who was our starting RG/RT over the later half of last season as our top OT even though he is rehabbing at the moment. Then there's Darrell Williams who was awful in pre season last season @ swing OT & was shipped off to IR he has a very solid game in behind Andrew Whitworth. The there last seasons swing OT Pace Murphy who has been playing injured with one arm in a 2 ton metal elbow brace still playing through pain & looking over-matched . That 6 reserve OL'ers there alone I count 5 & 1 not bad IMO. Both Donnal & Murphy could get healthy very soon.

Our WR's are on par with any other western divisional team & that is one serious upgrade from last season. The RB's of Gurley- Brown- Davis- Green- Tillery & Austin is upgraded.:yess:

 

[MrRiceGuyRJ]

https://sports.yahoo.com/los-angeles-rams-projected-final-162625186.html

Quarterback (2)
Jared Goff and Sean Mannion.

Running Back (3)
Todd Gurley, Malcolm Brown, and Justin Davis.

Wide Receiver (7)
Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, Tavon Austin, Josh Reynolds, Pharoh Cooper, and Nelson Spruce.

Tight End/Fullback (4)
Tyler Higbee, Gerald Everett, Temarrick Hemingway, and Sam Rogers.

Offensive Line (9)
Andrew Whitworth, Rodger Saffold, John Sullivan, Jamon Brown, Rob Havenstein, Andrew Donnal, Cody Wichmann, Jake Eldrenkamp, and Alex Kozan.

Defensive Line (7)
Aaron Donald, Michael Brockers, Louis Trinca Pasat, Ethan Westbrooks, Matt Longacre, Tanzel Smart, and Mike Purcell.

Linebacker (8)
Robert Quinn, Connor Barwin, Alec Ogletree, Mark Barron, Ejuan Price, Josh Forrest, Samson Ebukam, and Bryce Hager.

Cornerback (5)
Trumaine Johnson, Kayvon Webster, Nickell Robey-Coleman, Troy Hill, Michael Jordan

Safety (5)
Lamarcus Joyner, Maurice Alexander, Cody Davis, John Johnson, and Marqui Christian

Specialists (3)
Johnny Hecker, Greg Zuerlein, and Jake McQuaide

 

[snackdaddy]

AT RB I do like the quickness and change of pace Justin Davis offers. But was his ball security problems an anomaly? Or will it be an issue? The first 4 games I gotta think Spruce has a chance. When Thomas returns that would change things. I like Spruce as a good underdog story, but Thomas offers more as far as making plays and athleticism.

 

[BonifayRam]

https://sports.yahoo.com/los-angeles-rams-projected-final-162625186.html

Quarterback (2)
Jared Goff and Sean Mannion.

Running Back (3)
Todd Gurley, Malcolm Brown, and Justin Davis.

Wide Receiver (7)
Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, Tavon Austin, Josh Reynolds, Pharoh Cooper, and Nelson Spruce.

Tight End/Fullback (4)
Tyler Higbee, Gerald Everett, Temarrick Hemingway, and Sam Rogers.

Offensive Line (9)
Andrew Whitworth, Rodger Saffold, John Sullivan, Jamon Brown, Rob Havenstein, Andrew Donnal, Cody Wichmann, Jake Eldrenkamp, and Alex Kozan.

Defensive Line (7)
Aaron Donald, Michael Brockers, Louis Trinca Pasat, Ethan Westbrooks, Matt Longacre, Tanzel Smart, and Mike Purcell.

Linebacker (8)
Robert Quinn, Connor Barwin, Alec Ogletree, Mark Barron, Ejuan Price, Josh Forrest, Samson Ebukam, and Bryce Hager.

Cornerback (5)
Trumaine Johnson, Kayvon Webster, Nickell Robey-Coleman, Troy Hill, Michael Jordan

Safety (5)
Lamarcus Joyner, Maurice Alexander, Cody Davis, John Johnson, and Marqui Christian

Specialists (3)
Johnny Hecker, Greg Zuerlein, and Jake McQuaide

Appears that Yahoo Sports writers area bunch of yahoos with this prognostication.

4th string RG Alex Kozan beats out back up OC Austin Blythe or LT Darrell Williams?
WR Spruce gets a roster spot over a Cory Harkey?
Longacre is presently our starting WSLB'er not DL'er.DL will be a 6 DL cadre no more.
LB Samson Ebukam may be heading for the IR? so why would you let him take a roster spot of Cory Littleton or a Casanova McKinzy, Samson has earned nothing?
Marqui Christian is a one post SS over the DB star in the 2 pre season gms 3 post Nickle/FS/SS Blake Countess??
Troy Hill has a 2 gm suspension date & Peterson has played way better in the first 2 PS gms.

 

[Rams43]

Appears that Yahoo Sports writers area bunch of yahoos with this prognostication.

4th string RG Alex Kozan beats out back up OC Austin Blythe or LT Darrell Williams?
WR Spruce gets a roster spot over a Cory Harkey?
Longacre is presently our starting WSLB'er not DL'er.DL will be a 6 DL cadre no more.
LB Samson Ebukam may be heading for the IR? so why would you let him take a roster spot of Cory Littleton or a Casanova McKinzy, Samson has earned nothing?
Marqui Christian is a one post SS over the DB star in the 2 pre season gms 3 post Nickle/FS/SS Blake Countess??
Troy Hill has a 2 gm suspension date & Peterson has played way better in the first 2 PS gms.

That pretty much covers it, BonifayRam. Lol.

Those yahoo guys are a bunch of Yahoo!'s, huh?

 

[PhillyRam]

I wonder if Rogers and Harkey both get cut with Rogers going to PS. Saying that as we saw Everett lining up at FB at times on Sat. So if they need an extra spot, they could use one of the TEs for those lead blocking plays, plus more unpredictable as they can also swing out to the flats for a pass.

 

[den-the-coach]

So my final 25 man offense is

Goff, Mannion
Gurley, Brown, Davis, Rogers
Watkins, Kupp, Woods, Reynolds, Austin, Cooper
Everett, Hemingway, Higbee, Harkey
Whit, Saffold, Sullivan, Brown, Hav, Donnal, Blythe, Wichmann, Williams

Like it, but have a feeling with the Thomas roster exemption, when he comes back, they cut Rogers and add him to the PS.

 

[fearsomefour]

Afternoon bubbaramfan......Those other 3 young TE's have 2 more pre season games to prove they can get better because as a group they have turned in 2 dismal games in their protection & blocking, if not they will secure Harkey a roster spot in place of Sam Rogers whom I hope can make it to the PS.

OL depth looks better than it been in yrs......Blythe is a better reserve than Rhaney . Cody Wichmann who was our starter @ OG the last 2 seasons is now top swing OG . Eldrenkamp is a much better upgrade over David Arkins who was our #9 OL last season. We still have Andrew Donnal who was our starting RG/RT over the later half of last season as our top OT even though he is rehabbing at the moment. Then there's Darrell Williams who was awful in pre season last season @ swing OT & was shipped off to IR he has a very solid game in behind Andrew Whitworth. The there last seasons swing OT Pace Murphy who has been playing injured with one arm in a 2 ton metal elbow brace still playing through pain & looking over-matched . That 6 reserve OL'ers there alone I count 5 & 1 not bad IMO. Both Donnal & Murphy could get healthy very soon.

Our WR's are on par with any other western divisional team & that is one serious upgrade from last season. The RB's of Gurley- Brown- Davis- Green- Tillery & Austin is upgraded.:yess:

My concern with Williams is this.
He has looked good early in preseason his first two years then fallen apart the second half. If he can string together a couple more decent games I will feel better about him being the backup T.
Maybe he gets a little injured and can't hang. But he looked ok last year then had one of the worst games I've ever seen a linemen have the last game of preseason.
Fingers crossed.
Having solid depth at T, particularly a guy who can play LT is huge. Keeps from shifting Saffold and the ensuing musical chairs if there is an injury.
Williams could make a nice long career for himself if he can prove to be a solid #3 T.

 

[So Ram]

Just looking at some of the offensive roster battles to keep an eye on these next 2 weeks

2 - QB: Goff / Mannion -- any reason to keep a 3rd QB on the 53 man roster? I don't see it. Its not like Orlovsky isn't going to be available off the streets if we need to sign him mid season.

4 - RB: Gurley and then it gets pretty interesting. I think Malcom Brown is probably safe - is Dunbar? Justin Davis / Aaron Green? Does keeping Sam Rogers or Corey Harkey mean one of the tailbacks loses a spot? (Note Sam Rogers went out there as a lead blocker in the first series with the ones on Saturday night) How much would it change things if Tavon is used fairly often as a RB?

6- WR: Watkins, Kupp, Woods, Reynolds, Tavon - all completely safe. Cooper - probably safe. Thomas and Spruce look like they may both be in trouble - but I suppose we could run with 7 WRs and one of them survives.

3 - TE: Everett, Hemingway, Higbee - all likely to make the team. Harkey?

9 - OL: Whit, Saffold, Sullivan, Brown, Hav, Donnal - all perfectly safe. Then it gets interesting. Blythe v Eldrenkamp - gotta figure only one of those 2 survives. Wichmann probably scrapes in as does one of Williams or Murphy. The depth of this unit is kind of frightening, really, especially at the tackle positions - although I thought Williams looked pretty decent Saturday night.

Assuming the numbers at each position are correct (I know, they won't be) - but thats 24 which means you can add one more guy to one more positional group. I'd probably spend that on Harkey and run with 4 tight ends.

So my final 25 man offense is

Goff, Mannion
Gurley, Brown, Davis, Rogers
Watkins, Kupp, Woods, Reynolds, Austin, Cooper
Everett, Hemingway, Higbee, Harkey
Whit, Saffold, Sullivan, Brown, Hav, Donnal, Blythe, Wichmann, Williams

Real solid prediction. Rogers ??

 

[TexasRam]

Blythe has to be an absolute lock. Eldrenkamp is probably safe to.

Thomas has been playing some dam good ball getting open and holding onto the ball. He's on the 53 when he's back.

Pharaoh, Austin, Sammy, Kupp, Woods and Reynolds are locks.

Not sure on Donnal. He may be a surprise cut along with Troy Hill.

Pace Murphy has zero chance of making it unless they feel his issues are related to the arm injury.

Justin Turner is a lock. Aaron Green seems to be odd man out.

 

[pmil66]

Hemmingway does not seem to be contributing much in the passing game this preseason, he may be battling Harkey for a spot. Special teams is another area that is often overlooked when putting together a roster. Having coach Fassel on your side will give a player an advantage to make the team over a non-contributor to special teams.

 

[fearsomefour]

Hemmingway does not seem to be contributing much in the passing game this preseason, he may be battling Harkey for a spot. Special teams is another area that is often overlooked when putting together a roster. Having coach Fassel on your side will give a player an advantage to make the team over a non-contributor to special teams.

I haven't seen much of Cunningham either.
May have missed him.
Harkey would have that spot locked down to me at this point given the two ahead of him are lackluster blockers and Harkey is a ST guy too.

 

[Ramstien]

Justin Turner is a lock. Aaron Green seems to be odd man out.

I haven't seen much of Cunningham either.

I believe Turner was released last week and Cunningham is no longer with the Rams.

 

[LACHAMP46]

Marqui Christian is a one post SS over the DB star in the 2 pre season gms 3 post Nickle/FS/SS Blake Countess??

Don't hate. LOLOLOL

Seriously, I've read that Marqui can play multiple positions too...but Countess has been the only one to do it in games. Maybe Joyner has done a little too.

This may be Marqui Christian's last chance to prove himself...I hope he gets first half reps. I think he can play...and he flies to the ball.

Justin Turner is a lock. Aaron Green seems to be odd man out.

I believe Turner was released last week

JT should be a lock...few more AB's...he could be MVP

 

[Ram65]

(Note Sam Rogers went out there as a lead blocker in the first series with the ones on Saturday night)

I saw Everett on one play in the backfield when he caught the flair pass and only TG on another. Really didn't notice Rogers. Might of been first couple of plays not on the highlight video. Could be Harkey over Rogers because the big three TEs need to improve their blocking. This is an interesting decision. I thought we would see more of Rogers.

 

[12intheBox]

I saw Everett on one play in the backfield when he caught the flair pass and only TG on another. Really didn't notice Rogers. Might of been first couple of plays not on the highlight video. Could be Harkey over Rogers because the big three TEs need to improve their blocking. This is an interesting decision. I thought we would see more of Rogers.

I was surprised to see him trotted out there with the 1s - it was on a short yardage running situation on the very first series of the game - just the one play from what I saw. He made a good decision and blocked the end (or maybe OLB) effectively and Gurley ran for the first down.

 

[LACHAMP46]

I was surprised to see him trotted out there with the 1s

Just looking at Everett run...he could probably play tailback or fullback.