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http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/10609/three-rams-who-helped-themselves
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- The St. Louis Rams dropped their second preseason game to the Green Bay Packers by a count of 21-7 Saturday afternoon. Along the way, some players helped themselves, while others did not.
We'll take a look at those who didn't later, but for now, here's three players who either helped themselves prepare for the regular season, bolstered their case for a roster spot or both with strong performances against the Packers.
1. Sam Bradford
We've covered Bradford's return performance at length, but it's worth noting again in this space because he's the most important player in the Rams offense. Bradford not only made it through the game healthy but was mostly sharp in delivering accurate, on-time throws save for a miss to open receiver Kenny Britt down the sideline.
Bradford finished 9-of-12 for 101 yards and a touchdown for a passer rating of 127.4. His touchdown pass to tight end Lance Kendricks was a particularly welcome sight as he put a fastball into a tight window while standing tall in the pocket.
2. Ethan Westbrooks and Michael Sam
These two have been battling for a potential ninth roster spot on the defensive line all through camp, but both continued building a case for that spot on Saturday. Westbrooks was a bit more active than Sam against the Packers and actually played with the second-team defense, while Sam waited until the third group entered in the second half.
Westbrooks played both end spots and lined up inside on occasion in his 39 snaps and was effective no matter where he played. He finished with four tackles, a sack and two quarterback hits and pushed the pocket a handful of times beyond that. Sam played 27 snaps and posted two tackles, a sack and two quarterback hits while also generating enough pressure to set up linebacker Phillip Steward's sack.
This competition looks like it's really just heating up.
3. Cody Davis
Davis had a really rough first outing against New Orleans in the preseason opener, missing multiple tackles despite being in position to make the play. But Davis rebounded well against the Packers with four tackles and a fumble recovery on 28 snaps. Davis looked more comfortable against Green Bay and looks to have the inside track on a fourth roster spot at safety. He already factored into the 53-man discussion because of his value on special teams, but if he can continue to perform on defense more like he did against the Packers than he did against the Saints, he should be able to solidify his spot.
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- The St. Louis Rams dropped their second preseason game to the Green Bay Packers by a count of 21-7 Saturday afternoon. Along the way, some players helped themselves, while others did not.
We'll take a look at those who didn't later, but for now, here's three players who either helped themselves prepare for the regular season, bolstered their case for a roster spot or both with strong performances against the Packers.
1. Sam Bradford
We've covered Bradford's return performance at length, but it's worth noting again in this space because he's the most important player in the Rams offense. Bradford not only made it through the game healthy but was mostly sharp in delivering accurate, on-time throws save for a miss to open receiver Kenny Britt down the sideline.
Bradford finished 9-of-12 for 101 yards and a touchdown for a passer rating of 127.4. His touchdown pass to tight end Lance Kendricks was a particularly welcome sight as he put a fastball into a tight window while standing tall in the pocket.
2. Ethan Westbrooks and Michael Sam
These two have been battling for a potential ninth roster spot on the defensive line all through camp, but both continued building a case for that spot on Saturday. Westbrooks was a bit more active than Sam against the Packers and actually played with the second-team defense, while Sam waited until the third group entered in the second half.
Westbrooks played both end spots and lined up inside on occasion in his 39 snaps and was effective no matter where he played. He finished with four tackles, a sack and two quarterback hits and pushed the pocket a handful of times beyond that. Sam played 27 snaps and posted two tackles, a sack and two quarterback hits while also generating enough pressure to set up linebacker Phillip Steward's sack.
This competition looks like it's really just heating up.
3. Cody Davis
Davis had a really rough first outing against New Orleans in the preseason opener, missing multiple tackles despite being in position to make the play. But Davis rebounded well against the Packers with four tackles and a fumble recovery on 28 snaps. Davis looked more comfortable against Green Bay and looks to have the inside track on a fourth roster spot at safety. He already factored into the 53-man discussion because of his value on special teams, but if he can continue to perform on defense more like he did against the Packers than he did against the Saints, he should be able to solidify his spot.
