Any Surprise Players at Camp?

[LARAMSinFeb.]

a short 4 years ago when we were talking about needing 3 starting OL guys to step up

Pretty much describes now

 

[Ants]

Pretty much describes now

Yeah, but "now" we're talking about young guys with potential, not nobodies without much hope.

 

[DR RAM]

Keep an eye on #14 Webster, WR. Kid is fast, good hands and cuts on a dime.

The other one that looked really good in camp is #9 Wolford, QB. It will be hard to make the final 53 but look for him on the practice squad where I have a feeling he won't last long with the Eagles losing their back up.

He looked good yesterday.

 

[PhillyRam]

He looked good yesterday.

Any chance they keep 7 WRs?

I still like Hodge, but also can see Webster as a real possibility as a returner and developmental slot guy or deep threat.

And I also like Bachman as a poor man's Kupp.

They have had 7 WRs on the active roster in the past and since they go 3 WR sets so often you would think they would want to keep at least 6 and the 7th WR might be a better talent than the 8th or 9th LB.

 

[dang]

Any chance they keep 7 WRs?

I still like Hodge, but also can see Webster as a real possibility as a returner and developmental slot guy or deep threat.

And I also like Bachman as a poor man's Kupp.

They have had 7 WRs on the active roster in the past and since they go 3 WR sets so often you would think they would want to keep at least 6 and the 7th WR might be a better talent than the 8th or 9th LB.

PS for a WS7. I like Hodge and Thomas for WR5 and WR6. Webster to the PS.

 

[oldnotdead]

I have no doubt that Demby will be on the final 53 roster. Nsimba looked very good and should take Jojo's spot. Thomas always looks good in practice and pre-season. He's got all the physical traits you want in a WR, i.e. excellent length and good speed. The problem is his stride. He's a long strider and has yet to show he can separate and beat press coverage. Thus far he has not shown the burst needed to do both. If he has worked on that and has improved in that area, he's got a shot. The problem is Thomas is really a Z or Y receiver and that's all. He's on a team that is very deep at WR so he needs to be more. Now there is Nsimba Webster who is faster, more agile and has that burst, making him a fit as a returner as well as WR. I think Thomas ends up playing somewhere else.

Frankly, I was surprised by Josh Carraway. He's got outstanding length, decent edge speed, but the question remains why was he waived by the Titans, and Redskins? His pre-draft (2017) evals indicated he needed to play with more aggression. I think Carraway might have elevated his status next week. If he can show he can now play with aggression and passion he could very well make this team. This team needs another edge rusher, especially since JFM totally disappeared last week. I wouldn't be surprised if Carraway gets JFM's reps in the next game.

It's clear to me that Rapp is in regular season form. I would sit him with the rest of the starters and move up Parker, Gervase or Scott next week. Parker, in particular, spent last year on the PS so it's time to showcase himself. He has the physical traits you want in the position. Now he needs to translate his coaching and those traits into performance. With Scott and Gervase behind him, he needs a sense of urgency.

 

[PhillyRam]

PS for a WS7. I like Hodge and Thomas for WR5 and WR6. Webster to the PS.

I think they try to move Thomas or he is cut. Will be an UFA next year so I would rather invest in a guy like Webster or Bachman who will be under team control for 4 yrs as opposed to one.

 

[fanotodd]

I would be willing to bet neither Demby or Thomas make this roster.

This regime especially, gives more attention and pre-season PT to those either on the bubble, rookies needing to acclimate to the NFL, or rotational players trying to move up.

Redundantly, I say this is a SB roster. We are going to release/not sign players who are going to be snatched up by the "also rans" every year. There is now the element, especially in Thomas, that we can trade people for picks. We dumped robinson for a snickers bar, traded austin for a bag of popcorn, and have burried the chiefs, titans, and jets with FA contracts of guys who were here when we "made our move."

Winning is twofold in a salary cap league. It's about talent, and what you pay for it vs lack of talent and what you're paying for that.

 

[DR RAM]

Any chance they keep 7 WRs?

I still like Hodge, but also can see Webster as a real possibility as a returner and developmental slot guy or deep threat.

And I also like Bachman as a poor man's Kupp.

They have had 7 WRs on the active roster in the past and since they go 3 WR sets so often you would think they would want to keep at least 6 and the 7th WR might be a better talent than the 8th or 9th LB.

I think it's a definite possibility, we have a lot of depth there.

 

[PhillyRam]

I think it's a definite possibility, we have a lot of depth there.

I wonder if the Bengals, Dolphins or Packers could be looking for a WR.... Their coaches know this roster and our WRs know their offenses.

 

[BonifayRam]

I have no doubt that Demby will be on the final 53 roster. Nsimba looked very good and should take Jojo's spot. Thomas always looks good in practice and pre-season. He's got all the physical traits you want in a WR, i.e. excellent length and good speed. The problem is his stride. He's a long strider and has yet to show he can separate and beat press coverage. Thus far he has not shown the burst needed to do both. If he has worked on that and has improved in that area, he's got a shot. The problem is Thomas is really a Z or Y receiver and that's all. He's on a team that is very deep at WR so he needs to be more. Now there is Nsimba Webster who is faster, more agile and has that burst, making him a fit as a returner as well as WR. I think Thomas ends up playing somewhere else.

Frankly, I was surprised by Josh Carraway. He's got outstanding length, decent edge speed, but the question remains why was he waived by the Titans, and Redskins? His pre-draft (2017) evals indicated he needed to play with more aggression. I think Carraway might have elevated his status next week. If he can show he can now play with aggression and passion he could very well make this team. This team needs another edge rusher, especially since JFM totally disappeared last week. I wouldn't be surprised if Carraway gets JFM's reps in the next game.

It's clear to me that Rapp is in regular season form. I would sit him with the rest of the starters and move up Parker, Gervase or Scott next week. Parker, in particular, spent last year on the PS so it's time to showcase himself. He has the physical traits you want in the position. Now he needs to translate his coaching and those traits into performance. With Scott and Gervase behind him, he needs a sense of urgency.

Some comments made about OLB'er Josh Carraway.......

Carraway’s size falls well short of NFL edge-player standards, he has long arms (34 1/4") and displayed impressive first-step burst and explosiveness as an outside rusher and pursuit....

Carraway is unlikely to develop into an every-down player, but he has a chance to become an impact sub-package force....

Outstanding athleticism and potential as an edge rusher....

he lacks the functional strength and toughness at the point of attack that most teams require on the edge

 

[oldnotdead]

Those evaluations date back to 2016 and 2017 and to say his length is below NFL edge standards is misleading and frankly wrong. Case in point, Shawne Merriman (6'4" w/ 33.6" arms) and Shaun Phillips (6'3" his arm length was around 33" I believe) and let us not forget Melvin Ingram who is 6'2" with 31.5" arms. So that comment is totally wrong.

Functional strength can be improved upon. But yes as a rookie he lacked the strength to set a hard edge when required. But that is different than a situational pass rusher who needs enough strength to get off blocks. Bull rushing isn't his game, he will need to win with quickness and speed much like Dante Fowler. BTW Fowler is 6'3" with 33.75" arms.

So whoever wrote that evaluation on Carraway, obviously doesn't know the position. The knock on Carraway was never about his physical traits, it was about his mental attitude towards the game. He needed to show more aggression and passion in his play. Sometimes guys are late bloomers, and perhaps Carraway is one of those. He played well in his 30 snaps.

Matt Miller is a professional evaluator and this is what he says about Carraway:

"A three-year starter at TCU, Josh Carraway posted 22.5 TFLs and 17 sacks in the last two seasons. He has ideal length and is a great athlete on film. He shows natural bend and can turn the corner with tight hips. Carraway counters well off the edge and has an inside move with a shoulder dip that looks pro-level. Carraway uses his length well to lock out blockers and can long-arm with his inside shoulder. There are tools here to develop if an NFL team is willing to be patient and put Carraway in a strength program. He projects well as a 3-4 outside linebacker. "

 

[Ramstien]

I too was impressed with Carraway but also noticed Reeder on several plays.

 

[SeminoleRam]

After last night’s game are there any players (Natrez Patrick, Dakota Allen, OBO, etc) that helped their chances to make the Rams final roster?