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http://theramswire.usatoday.com/201...ul-5-bold-predictions-for-rams-training-camp/
By: Jake Ellenbogen | 21 hours ago
Position battles are about to really heat up this summer in Oxnard.
The best 53 players will stay put. But Los Angeles Rams fans might be surprised at who sticks around and who gets the training camp axe.
Here are five bold predictions for the Rams’ upcoming training camp:
1. Brian Quick-to-be-cut?
Head coach Jeff Fisher and general manager Les Snead need to call it quits on “Project Quick.” The fifth-year receiver had an injury during what could’ve been his 2014 breakout season, and overall, there’s just been too much disappointment. He won’t be included in the final 53-man roster.
Why? This stat from Nathan Jahnke of Pro Football Focus sums it up well:
Quick has now played in four seasons (51 total games due to injuries), and still hasn’t accumulated 1,000 receiving yards in his career. To top it off, with the emergence of a four-headed monster of undrafted free agents vying for roster spots, that should only solidify the end of Quick’s time wearing horns.
2. Relying on Randolph?
With the departure of former starting free safety Rodney McLeod, there’s a golden opportunity for some Ram — any Ram — to step in.
UDFA Brian Randolph has the physical traits and tools to emerge from a group that features Cody Davis and Maurice Alexander. He’ll be the starter come Week 1 in San Francisco.
Watch his career highlights below. He’s making those plays against SEC-level competition; the jump to McLeod’s old jump shouldn’t be a big one.
3. Pharoh rules the slot?
The fourth-rounder from South Carolina shows similar traits to Stedman Bailey and Danny Amendola. He’ll step right in and be Jared Goff’s slot machine from Week 1.
NFL Media’s draft guru Mike Mayock praised Cooper’s slot skill set as soon as the Rams drafted him.
The full expectation is that Cooper will be a matchup nightmare in tight spaces. With no established tight end on the team — a position that usually works routes over the middle — he could be on track for a big rookie debut.
Pharoh Cooper: If I'm on the field with Tavon Austin, it 'could be dangerous'
4. Undrafted, un-cuttable?
The Rams simply love this group of pass-catchers. They cut big checks to assemble them after the 2016 Draft — and that investment should pay off.
Former Auburn WR Duke Williams and former Colorado WR Nelson Spruce will be on the 53-man roster. Two other UDFAs could (and probably should) make the practice squad.
Fellow UDFAs Paul McRoberts and Marquez North have great size and hands, but Williams has the bigger upside, as well as a 6-foot-2, 216-pound frame.
Spruce (6-foot-1 and 206 pounds) has size as well. And he’s benefitted from some one-on-one time with Goff that’ll only help his case come camp cut-downs.
5. See you later, Mr. Mason?
The former Auburn running back had fans abuzz after Auburn’s magical season. Then, he really caught their attention after a three-touchdown afternoon vs. the Oakland Raiders in 2014.
The Rams took Todd Gurley the very next year. And Mason has done nothing since to stick behind TG3 as the team’s RB2. His recent legal troubles certainly don’t help.
He could very well the join the list of Rams runners — like Daryl Richardson, Isaiah Pead, and Zac Stacy — who were all replaced by UDFAs. Former TCU standout Aaron Green is waiting.
By: Jake Ellenbogen | 21 hours ago
Position battles are about to really heat up this summer in Oxnard.
The best 53 players will stay put. But Los Angeles Rams fans might be surprised at who sticks around and who gets the training camp axe.
Here are five bold predictions for the Rams’ upcoming training camp:
1. Brian Quick-to-be-cut?
Head coach Jeff Fisher and general manager Les Snead need to call it quits on “Project Quick.” The fifth-year receiver had an injury during what could’ve been his 2014 breakout season, and overall, there’s just been too much disappointment. He won’t be included in the final 53-man roster.
Why? This stat from Nathan Jahnke of Pro Football Focus sums it up well:
Quick has now played in four seasons (51 total games due to injuries), and still hasn’t accumulated 1,000 receiving yards in his career. To top it off, with the emergence of a four-headed monster of undrafted free agents vying for roster spots, that should only solidify the end of Quick’s time wearing horns.
2. Relying on Randolph?
With the departure of former starting free safety Rodney McLeod, there’s a golden opportunity for some Ram — any Ram — to step in.
UDFA Brian Randolph has the physical traits and tools to emerge from a group that features Cody Davis and Maurice Alexander. He’ll be the starter come Week 1 in San Francisco.
Watch his career highlights below. He’s making those plays against SEC-level competition; the jump to McLeod’s old jump shouldn’t be a big one.
3. Pharoh rules the slot?
The fourth-rounder from South Carolina shows similar traits to Stedman Bailey and Danny Amendola. He’ll step right in and be Jared Goff’s slot machine from Week 1.
NFL Media’s draft guru Mike Mayock praised Cooper’s slot skill set as soon as the Rams drafted him.
The full expectation is that Cooper will be a matchup nightmare in tight spaces. With no established tight end on the team — a position that usually works routes over the middle — he could be on track for a big rookie debut.
Pharoh Cooper: If I'm on the field with Tavon Austin, it 'could be dangerous'
4. Undrafted, un-cuttable?
The Rams simply love this group of pass-catchers. They cut big checks to assemble them after the 2016 Draft — and that investment should pay off.
Former Auburn WR Duke Williams and former Colorado WR Nelson Spruce will be on the 53-man roster. Two other UDFAs could (and probably should) make the practice squad.
Fellow UDFAs Paul McRoberts and Marquez North have great size and hands, but Williams has the bigger upside, as well as a 6-foot-2, 216-pound frame.
Spruce (6-foot-1 and 206 pounds) has size as well. And he’s benefitted from some one-on-one time with Goff that’ll only help his case come camp cut-downs.
5. See you later, Mr. Mason?
The former Auburn running back had fans abuzz after Auburn’s magical season. Then, he really caught their attention after a three-touchdown afternoon vs. the Oakland Raiders in 2014.
The Rams took Todd Gurley the very next year. And Mason has done nothing since to stick behind TG3 as the team’s RB2. His recent legal troubles certainly don’t help.
He could very well the join the list of Rams runners — like Daryl Richardson, Isaiah Pead, and Zac Stacy — who were all replaced by UDFAs. Former TCU standout Aaron Green is waiting.
