Can DE Ethan Westbrooks make the final roster?

  • To unlock all of features of Rams On Demand please take a brief moment to register. Registering is not only quick and easy, it also allows you access to additional features such as live chat, private messaging, and a host of other apps exclusive to Rams On Demand.

paceram

Pro Bowler
Joined
Jul 29, 2010
Messages
1,732
With the Rams being so deep at the DE position does Ethan Westbrooks have a realistic chance at making the Rams final roster?
 

DaveFan'51

Old-Timer
Rams On Demand Sponsor
Joined
Apr 18, 2014
Messages
18,666
Name
Dave
I hope so! I for one like him better than Sam!
 

jjab360

Legend
Joined
Jan 21, 2013
Messages
6,643
It's basically him vs Sam for that 5th DE spot. Outside chance of both of them beating Eugene Sims.
 

CGI_Ram

Hamburger Connoisseur
Moderator
Joined
Jun 28, 2010
Messages
48,131
Name
Burger man
It's early. But we heard more about Westbrooks than M Sam this OTA.
 

Dr C. Hill

Rookie
Joined
Jun 17, 2014
Messages
355
Name
Doc
I really don't think the Rams will cut Sam no matter how he does once pads go on. I know what Fisher said, but I don't buy it. There is no way they could deal with the heat they would get for making a football decision. If Westbrooks makes the team, he will likely have to beat out Sims.
 

DR RAM

Rams Lifer
Rams On Demand Sponsor
Joined
Aug 7, 2010
Messages
12,111
Name
Rambeau
With the Rams being so deep at the DE position does Ethan Westbrooks have a realistic chance at making the Rams final roster?
I think it's way too early to make roster predictions, since we haven't been in pads or anything, but I'll play anyway. No.

If they like him enough, he may make the PS, but he'd have to be a major contributor on ST's to even be considered.
 

Boffo97

Still legal in 17 states!
Joined
Feb 10, 2014
Messages
5,278
Name
Dave
I really don't think the Rams will cut Sam no matter how he does once pads go on. I know what Fisher said, but I don't buy it. There is no way they could deal with the heat they would get for making a football decision. If Westbrooks makes the team, he will likely have to beat out Sims.
If they didn't think they could cut him, then they made a horrible mistake in drafting him.

Sure, there will be some who would complain about Sam being cut even everyone else at the position was a Hall of Famer in their prime... but Rams are so stacked at DE that it'd be a very hard case to make that it must have been prejudice if they cut Sam.
 

So Ram

Legend
Camp Reporter
Joined
Jun 18, 2014
Messages
14,191
I like the fact Snead(scouts) come up with these players.The Rams have a great system of finding players late.

Sam has great technique.I love his form even if that sounds swell.
Losing G. Rivers last year was a disappointment.
When the lights come on we will see who is ready for the show.I can't say much about Westbrook except he did take most of the UDFA signing $$$$'s.
Carrikker signing means what ? He is listed as a DE on Rams roster.
 

The Rammer

ESPN Draft Guru
Joined
Sep 15, 2011
Messages
2,400
Name
Rick
No way he beats out Sam. Sam will be kept for a PR standpoint and is a quality 5th DE plus it'll win me some sportsbook money ;)
 

Thordaddy

Binding you with ancient logic
Joined
Apr 5, 2012
Messages
10,462
Name
Rich
I really don't think the Rams will cut Sam no matter how he does once pads go on. I know what Fisher said, but I don't buy it. There is no way they could deal with the heat they would get for making a football decision. If Westbrooks makes the team, he will likely have to beat out Sims.

That's somewhat how I see it , except I expect Sam if he doesn't win a spot will get PS'd ,I've always thought he'd get two training camps ,but I reject the idea Fisher would compromise the active roster for the sake PR or PC either one. He owes it to the whole squad to field the best one he can and he will
 

SierraRam

Recreational User
Joined
Mar 17, 2014
Messages
2,254
That's somewhat how I see it , except I expect Sam if he doesn't win a spot will get PS'd ,I've always thought he'd get two training camps ,but I reject the idea Fisher would compromise the active roster for the sake PR or PC either one. He owes it to the whole squad to field the best one he can and he will

Agree. When all is said and done, Fisher will keep the best of the two. Period. Both guys are trying to find a place on the deepest and most talented DL in football. I hate to lose either, but whomever doesn't make it will get snatched up the next day.

Another sign your team is on the rise: everyone's watching our cut lists.
 

TheDYVKX

#TeamMcVay
Joined
Mar 17, 2014
Messages
4,703
Name
Sean McVay
From what I can tell, it's Westbrooks vs Sam battling for that last DE spot.

Westbrooks: Freakish athleticism, explosive and disruptive, but a very hit and miss motor, gives up on plays sometimes. Much higher upside than Sam and likely can be a 3-down player eventually. Comes from a small school, has a lot to learn technique wise. Rams like him gave him huge signing bonus. Apparently character issues.

Sam: Unathletic and undersized but has good technique, very high motor, low upside and likely just a designated pass rusher. Comes from the SEC and won DPOY, so has played great competition. Extremely hard worker and high character person. Has the added benefit of positive PR and sells jerseys and tickets.

I may have missed some info, but I think this is a good gist. It's a really interesting battle.
 

jsimcox

Pro Bowler
Joined
Mar 11, 2012
Messages
1,378
Name
Jamie
Wasn't Westbrooks primarily lining up at DT for us?
I read that somewhere too.
Could end up being him vs Conrath for the last DT spot, rather than vs Sam as a DE. That is, if they choose to keep 5 DT's...

Unless they see him as a Hayes type player(DE/DT hybrid kinda guy), so many possibilities with the talent we have on the DL. If so, they might just keep the best 'X' many DL'ers, and the worst of Sam, Conrath, Westbrooks etc gets cut.
 

JackDRams

Hall of Fame
Joined
Jun 18, 2014
Messages
4,524
Name
Jack
I read that somewhere too.
Could end up being him vs Conrath for the last DT spot, rather than vs Sam as a DE. That is, if they choose to keep 5 DT's...

Unless they see him as a Hayes type player(DE/DT hybrid kinda guy), so many possibilities with the talent we have on the DL. If so, they might just keep the best 'X' many DL'ers, and the worst of Sam, Conrath, Westbrooks etc gets cut.

Agreed. I heard with Langford, Brockers, Donald, Conrath and Westbrooks that Hayes won't have to work inside anymore and he can just focus on playing DE. On the rams site it labels Carrington at DE but I think he was doing DT work too. If that's the case, Westbrooks looks like practice squad to me. He can beat out Conrath, but not both Conrath and Carrington.
 

Dodgersrf

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Mar 17, 2014
Messages
10,761
Name
Scott
I like the fact Snead(scouts) come up with these players.The Rams have a great system of finding players late.

Sam has great technique.I love his form even if that sounds swell.
Losing G. Rivers last year was a disappointment.
When the lights come on we will see who is ready for the show.I can't say much about Westbrook except he did take most of the UDFA signing $$$$'s.
Carrikker signing means what ? He is listed as a DE on Rams roster.
I thought they signed Carrington for the inside.
 

Rambition

Rookie
Joined
Jun 19, 2014
Messages
454
i don't think he has a realistic chance of making the roster. that's not to say it couldn't happen, but i think the most realistic chance for him is the practice squad.
 

Akrasian

Rams On Demand Sponsor
Rams On Demand Sponsor
Joined
Jun 18, 2014
Messages
4,923
i don't think he has a realistic chance of making the roster. that's not to say it couldn't happen, but i think the most realistic chance for him is the practice squad.

I agree. He seems talented - but he has to definitely outplay the DEs ahead of him, including Michael Sam. If in doubt, they will keep a draft pick ahead of a UDFA. Since I expect Sam to be good on special teams, that means Westbrooks has a tall hill to climb. I actually hope he looks promising but too raw to be on the 53 man during training camp, so he will make it through waivers and onto the practice squad.
 

Tron

Fights for the User
Joined
Jun 1, 2013
Messages
7,803
Name
Tron
If we can stash him in the PS i would love it. He is very raw but has skill. In a year or two if he learns and shit, he could be a stud. My only worry is another team grabbing him if we put him on the PS. He will be a great 3rd/4th DE. I rather have him than Sam. But i will say although Westbrooks has better tools, Sam is no slouch and a better technical player, though not as physically gifted.

Basically i hope one of sam or westbrooks make the team and the other is stashed on the PS. And no one steels the PS player from us, cause I can see both being good role players in the future.

If we were any other team I could see both making the roster . But seeing how we have the best front 4 and the best depth, its a battle for both.