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Vinnie Iyer
http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/sto...son-roster-cut-release-cowboys-vikings-giants
Michael Sam just made his NFL preseason debut with the St. Louis Rams. There's still a good chance he won't play in a regular-season game for them.
After the rookie seventh-rounder's first live action against the Saints on Friday night, in which he recorded one tackle and one quarterback hurry from defensive end, he exuded great confidence.
“I can play in this league,” Sam told reporters. "That’s the most important. I was kind of nervous. I got some nerves out today. It was a very good learning experience, and I can play in this league.”
Maybe he could — but it's becoming more obvious it won't be for this team.
The numbers game in St. Louis haven't been in Sam's favor since he got the draft call in May.
Robert Quinn and Chris Long are the elite starters at defensive end. Veterans William Hayes and Eugene Sims are the projected backups. Sam's chief competition, undrafted fellow rookie Ethan Westbrooks, has been better than Sam in camp. Westbrooks backed that up by being Pro Football Focus' highest-graded defensive end in the enitre league from Week 1 of the preseason. Sam was tied for a not bad 50th, a few notches behind Long.
But Sam needs to be a lot better, on both defense and special teams, to avoid being among the Rams' final camp cuts. The problem is, even though he's been in better shape and shown his nonstop motor off the edge, he's limited to being a 4-3 end.
Before the draft, teams such as the Packers, Jets, Ravens and Steelers were all mentioned as good landing spots for Sam. Those, however, are all base 3-4 teams, and Sam's second chance wouldn't come just because of some relentlessness and quickness. His pass rush and pursuit are positives, but considering even explosive No. 1 pick Jadeveon Clowney is having some early coverage troubles, Sam is just not athletic enough to drop back as an outside linebacker.
Michael Sam (AP Photo)
It would take a desperate 4-3 team to add Sam late. Half of the teams in the NFL run that as a base.
Like the Rams, the Bills, Panthers, Bears, Bengals, Broncos, Raiders, Lions and Seahawks all look too deep and strong at his position. The Patriots had been mentioned as pre-draft consideration, but it's hard to see Bill Belichick taking a flyer on a non-versatile end for his hybrid defense.
That leaves six possible teams. The Dolphins went into camp with a shaky backup situation behind Cameron Wake, Olivier Vernon and second-year first-rounder Dion Jordan. Unfortunately for Sam, they have also been helped by the league's most impressive rookie seventh-round end: Terrence Fede. Sam's chances elsewhere in Florida with either the Buccaneers or Jaguars aren't much better.
Vikings owner Zygi Wilf was one of Sam's strongest supporters when the latter came out publicly as gay. Defensive-minded coach Mike Zimmer likes having a deep quiver of attack players. However, behind starters Everson Griffen and Brian Robison, Corey Wootton and rookie third-round pick Scott Crichton—both much more versatile than Sam — are locks. Even though the preseason play has yet to show it, the Vikings are in great shape overall on their defensive line.
It would be down, then, to two teams in the NFC East if the Rams aren't Sam's team.
The Giants are known in their best seasons for their solid defensive end depth. They aren't quite the same at the position going into 2014, leaving the door only slightly ajar for a player such as Sam. They've got Jason Pierre-Paul, Mathias Kiwanuka, Damontre Moore and Robert Ayers as the top four; the first question is if they would want to carry five ends instead of five tackles. That's unlikely because starting tackle Mike Patterson is battling a bad shoulder.
The Cowboys have so many front four questions, they may carry double-digit linemen on their final 53-man roster. Their most promising rookie, DeMarcus Lawrence, is out through at least all of September with a broken foot. Their pass rush remains awful enough to consider giving Sam a second chance if they're not happy with all they have now post-DeMarcus Ware.
All in all, Sam has his best NFL shot in the next few weeks with the Rams. If he's not in the league come Week 1, it just would be all harsh football business, nothing personal.
http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/sto...son-roster-cut-release-cowboys-vikings-giants
Michael Sam just made his NFL preseason debut with the St. Louis Rams. There's still a good chance he won't play in a regular-season game for them.
After the rookie seventh-rounder's first live action against the Saints on Friday night, in which he recorded one tackle and one quarterback hurry from defensive end, he exuded great confidence.
“I can play in this league,” Sam told reporters. "That’s the most important. I was kind of nervous. I got some nerves out today. It was a very good learning experience, and I can play in this league.”
Maybe he could — but it's becoming more obvious it won't be for this team.
The numbers game in St. Louis haven't been in Sam's favor since he got the draft call in May.
Robert Quinn and Chris Long are the elite starters at defensive end. Veterans William Hayes and Eugene Sims are the projected backups. Sam's chief competition, undrafted fellow rookie Ethan Westbrooks, has been better than Sam in camp. Westbrooks backed that up by being Pro Football Focus' highest-graded defensive end in the enitre league from Week 1 of the preseason. Sam was tied for a not bad 50th, a few notches behind Long.
But Sam needs to be a lot better, on both defense and special teams, to avoid being among the Rams' final camp cuts. The problem is, even though he's been in better shape and shown his nonstop motor off the edge, he's limited to being a 4-3 end.
Before the draft, teams such as the Packers, Jets, Ravens and Steelers were all mentioned as good landing spots for Sam. Those, however, are all base 3-4 teams, and Sam's second chance wouldn't come just because of some relentlessness and quickness. His pass rush and pursuit are positives, but considering even explosive No. 1 pick Jadeveon Clowney is having some early coverage troubles, Sam is just not athletic enough to drop back as an outside linebacker.
Michael Sam (AP Photo)
It would take a desperate 4-3 team to add Sam late. Half of the teams in the NFL run that as a base.
Like the Rams, the Bills, Panthers, Bears, Bengals, Broncos, Raiders, Lions and Seahawks all look too deep and strong at his position. The Patriots had been mentioned as pre-draft consideration, but it's hard to see Bill Belichick taking a flyer on a non-versatile end for his hybrid defense.
That leaves six possible teams. The Dolphins went into camp with a shaky backup situation behind Cameron Wake, Olivier Vernon and second-year first-rounder Dion Jordan. Unfortunately for Sam, they have also been helped by the league's most impressive rookie seventh-round end: Terrence Fede. Sam's chances elsewhere in Florida with either the Buccaneers or Jaguars aren't much better.
Vikings owner Zygi Wilf was one of Sam's strongest supporters when the latter came out publicly as gay. Defensive-minded coach Mike Zimmer likes having a deep quiver of attack players. However, behind starters Everson Griffen and Brian Robison, Corey Wootton and rookie third-round pick Scott Crichton—both much more versatile than Sam — are locks. Even though the preseason play has yet to show it, the Vikings are in great shape overall on their defensive line.
It would be down, then, to two teams in the NFC East if the Rams aren't Sam's team.
The Giants are known in their best seasons for their solid defensive end depth. They aren't quite the same at the position going into 2014, leaving the door only slightly ajar for a player such as Sam. They've got Jason Pierre-Paul, Mathias Kiwanuka, Damontre Moore and Robert Ayers as the top four; the first question is if they would want to carry five ends instead of five tackles. That's unlikely because starting tackle Mike Patterson is battling a bad shoulder.
The Cowboys have so many front four questions, they may carry double-digit linemen on their final 53-man roster. Their most promising rookie, DeMarcus Lawrence, is out through at least all of September with a broken foot. Their pass rush remains awful enough to consider giving Sam a second chance if they're not happy with all they have now post-DeMarcus Ware.
All in all, Sam has his best NFL shot in the next few weeks with the Rams. If he's not in the league come Week 1, it just would be all harsh football business, nothing personal.
