7 Takeaways from Rams victory over Chargers ...

[kurtfaulk]

Greg Robinson to Andrew Whitworth.

Britt/ quick/ tavon to woods/ Kupp/ Watkins then cooks.

.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Britt/ quick/ tavon to woods/ Kupp/ Watkins then cooks.

.

I was just getting ready to turn in; and now I am going to have nightmares. THANKS A LOT!!!

 

[fanotodd]

These are my, "I know it's early, but..." thoughts..

The TEs, behind Higbee, are liabilities when it comes to any kind of blocking. I miss Mundt.

The biggest threats I see to the Rams ability to have another tremendous season are the Oline overall, and the Dline depth.
I am NOT saying the Oline is bad or will be bad, it's just got the biggest question marks, as a unit. It has the potential to be good, but I do think that we can't expect it to be good as last year. You don't lose Whitworth and Corbett and not miss something. We'll see how quickly the replacement(s) for Corbett step up... and whether Noteboom can be healthy AND pick it up a little in the run game.

Bobby Brown being suspended troubles me because the Rams will be missing some real size depth on the dline. We didn't see Hoecht or Copeland... so we know those two are absolutely locked in. Copeland is an undersized, classic, 3-tech. Hoecht is listed at 310.. but I don't feel like he's a guy who anchors well? Maybe that's just wrong. But I'd like an absolute clogger on the depth chart.

Other than that? Outside of injury, I can't think of anything I'm worried about.

I think the DBs floor is about a 6 out of 10.. with the potential to be a 9.
ILBs are just an 8, imo. I think we know what they are and know what they'll be. Really fucking good.
Edge.. I think this is an area where the Rams are fine. I'm not worried because I think the floor is pretty high, as long as they stay healthy.
RBs.. I'm just not that worried because I think there are always solutions out there.

It's a hell of a roster, imo.

One of the reasons even the best OLs warrant some concern is depth. It’s the position group occupying the most roster spots and can be very specific. Especially with a potential 21 game season, you’re only as good as your first 2 backups, possibly 3.

…but I’m liking what I’m seeing and that doesn’t even count Bruss because he’s kind of an unknown at this point.

As for the TEs, I liked what Blanton brought (in the Nick of time) last year. I can’t see him going backwards.

The DB group is exciting. Lots of young talent that should benefit from a good pass rush, though I do share your concerns re the DL depth.

 

[dang]

?
Not a chance
Funk doesnt make the team unless there's an injury to the 1st 3
I'd like another look at that Rose kid, he ran pretty hard.

Disagree. He’ll make it for his versatility and ST play. He looked good against Chargers.

 

[Allen2McVay]

We didn't see Hoecht or Copeland... so we know those two are absolutely locked in. Copeland is an undersized, classic, 3-tech. Hoecht is listed at 310.. but I don't feel like he's a guy who anchors well? Maybe that's just wrong. But I'd like an absolute clogger on the depth chart.

Hoecht played against the Chargers. He changed his number to #97.

 

[Kupped]

One of the reasons even the best OLs warrant some concern is depth. It’s the position group occupying the most roster spots and can be very specific. Especially with a potential 21 game season, you’re only as good as your first 2 backups, possibly 3.

…but I’m liking what I’m seeing and that doesn’t even count Bruss because he’s kind of an unknown at this point.

As for the TEs, I liked what Blanton brought (in the Nick of time) last year. I can’t see him going backwards.

The DB group is exciting. Lots of young talent that should benefit from a good pass rush, though I do share your concerns re the DL depth.

Blanton made some nice plays, for sure... but I don't feel like he's any kind of legit blocking factor. That's my biggest worry if Higbee goes down. But if Higbee had a significant injury, I think they might make a move for a purely blocking type guy.

I don't "worry" too much.. because I have immense faith in the program. I just look at what's on hand and see that those are the things that really have to go the right way for the season to be a big success. What I saw from Anchrum made me very happy, though. My biggest worry is keeping Stafford healthy and Anchrum looked like a total rock in pass protection from what I saw.

 

[Kupped]

Hoecht played against the Chargers. He changed his number to #97.

Ah. I totally missed that. I see he made 4 tackles. Just didn't see any real impact. He showed some stuff last year, so we'll see.

 

[fanotodd]

Blanton made some nice plays, for sure... but I don't feel like he's any kind of legit blocking factor. That's my biggest worry if Higbee goes down. But if Higbee had a significant injury, I think they might make a move for a purely blocking type guy.

I don't "worry" too much.. because I have immense faith in the program. I just look at what's on hand and see that those are the things that really have to go the right way for the season to be a big success. What I saw from Anchrum made me very happy, though. My biggest worry is keeping Stafford healthy and Anchrum looked like a total rock in pass protection from what I saw.

Yes! I was pleasantly surprised witnessing Anchrum’s play. He’ll be starting next year when someone leaves.

 

[Tano]

Blanton made some nice plays, for sure... but I don't feel like he's any kind of legit blocking factor. That's my biggest worry if Higbee goes down. But if Higbee had a significant injury, I think they might make a move for a purely blocking type guy.

I don't "worry" too much.. because I have immense faith in the program. I just look at what's on hand and see that those are the things that really have to go the right way for the season to be a big success. What I saw from Anchrum made me very happy, though. My biggest worry is keeping Stafford healthy and Anchrum looked like a total rock in pass protection from what I saw.

Make Skow a blocking TE (just a thought)

 

[Riverumbbq]

Blanton made some nice plays, for sure... but I don't feel like he's any kind of legit blocking factor. That's my biggest worry if Higbee goes down. But if Higbee had a significant injury, I think they might make a move for a purely blocking type guy.

He's not the tall more traditional type TE like the recently cut Pettigrew, but the 6'2", 250 lbs. Roger Carter from Georgia St. is your 'purely blocking' type guy, although whether he makes the 53 or practice squad is still up in the air. In college he was mostly considered a FB with excellent hands, but he lined up as both a TE and FB. Right now it appears the competition for #4TE is between Carter and Jared Pinkney, and may the best blocker win ...

 

[Kupped]

He's not the tall more traditional type TE like the recently cut Pettigrew, but the 6'2", 250 lbs. Roger Carter from Georgia St. is your 'purely blocking' type guy, although whether he makes the 53 or practice squad is still up in the air. In college he was mostly considered a FB with excellent hands, but he lined up as both a TE and FB. Right now it appears the competition for #4TE is between Carter and Jared Pinkney, and may the best blocker win ...

Having a guy like that on PS makes me feel a little better, for sure.

 

[Riverumbbq]

Having a guy like that on PS makes me feel a little better, for sure.

I'm hoping he will have come far enough in the pre-season to actually justify a spot on the 53. He has the potential to be much better than Mundt as a blocker, and his hands as a true & consistent receiver are genuine, although I wouldn't expect all that many targets for a 6'2" TE. Line him up as a HB or TE, he'll lay the wood. He was also a leader on special teams in college. jmo.

 

[Kupped]

I'm hoping he will have come far enough in the pre-season to actually justify a spot on the 53. He has the potential to be much better than Mundt as a blocker, and his hands as a true & consistent receiver are genuine, although I wouldn't expect all that many targets for a 6'2" TE. Line him up as a HB or TE, he'll lay the wood. He was also a leader on special teams in college. jmo.

I can't see it on the 53 at this point.
McCutcheon and Powell have complicated the math a bunch, imo.. If you had a different guy who could reliably return, you wouldn't have Powell on the roster... and McCutcheon just looks like one of those crazy gems you find in UDFA once in a while.

I'm already counting Perkins out, but I'm probably in the minority.

 

[Tano]

I'm hoping he will have come far enough in the pre-season to actually justify a spot on the 53. He has the potential to be much better than Mundt as a blocker, and his hands as a true & consistent receiver are genuine, although I wouldn't expect all that many targets for a 6'2" TE. Line him up as a HB or TE, he'll lay the wood. He was also a leader on special teams in college. jmo.

FB @den-the-coach

 

[Tano]

I can't see it on the 53 at this point.
McCutcheon and Powell have complicated the math a bunch, imo.. If you had a different guy who could reliably return, you wouldn't have Powell on the roster... and McCutcheon just looks like one of those crazy gems you find in UDFA once in a while.

I'm already counting Perkins out, but I'm probably in the minority.

I am counting Perkins out too.

I bet there are quite a few other people as well

Put Perkins on the PS - I doubt he will be picked up by anyone

 

[Riverumbbq]

I can't see it on the 53 at this point.
McCutcheon and Powell have complicated the math a bunch, imo.. If you had a different guy who could reliably return, you wouldn't have Powell on the roster... and McCutcheon just looks like one of those crazy gems you find in UDFA once in a while.

I'm already counting Perkins out, but I'm probably in the minority.

As per my posted pre-season game 1 depth chart, the math works for McCutcheon, Powell & Carter making the 53. And yes, I agree, Perkins as QB #3 would be out.
jmo.