It's one day before Independence Day as I sit here looking out at the lake it has A Hound of Baskerville look to it with all the rain, but I am enjoying my fine Columbian Beverage (Starbucks French Roast) and feel it's time to pontificate putting together my final 53, opening myself up for fun & games fired up after watching the video that
@Florida_Ram shared with us, so in the words of Jackie Gleason....Away we go.
QB (2)
Matthew Stafford....He's ours for better or worse and hopefully he's much better, catapulting the Los Angeles Rams into the Kurt Warner stratosphere.
John Wolford....Everything you want in a backup, feisty, cerebral and the ability to take off and run, hopefully, he works on protecting himself better.
RB(4)
Cam Akers...Number One and will be on the field more, just needs to work on staying healthy in order to be the bell cow.
Darrell Henderson...Needs to stay healthy, if he can, IMO, he can lesson the load on Akers and give the Rams that jolt with his speed combined with his ability to catch the football.
Xavier Jones...Bigger back, that could be counted on for some of the tough yards, also I believe will be good in pass protection and I'm anxious to see him in preseason.
Jake Funk...The Maryland flash, that should be an asset on special teams too, plus being the kick returner adding some sizzle to the backfield.
WR(6)
Robert Woods....The consummate professional that was almost traded, but is worth the price because he does it all including blocking.
Cooper Kupp....Everybody's wonder boy, let's keep him healthy so Kupp can be as good in post season as he is during the regular season.
DeSean Jackson....Glad he's a Ram, he's fast and IMO, has one more great year left in him.
Van Jefferson....Time to pick it up on gameday, he can be special and this could be the year Jefferson breaks through.
Tutu Atwell....I believe will be the punt returner too, plus gives the Rams the added speed to ensure they don't suffer from vertical congestion.
Ben Skowronek....Big Ben, Parliament gives the Rams a big target in the Red Zone plus offers new special team coach Joe DeCamillis a stalwart on special teams, which propels him over Trishton Jackson.
TE(4)
Tyler Higbee....Number one in the clubhouse, has improved each year and with Stafford could be his best year yet.
Johnny Mundt....Blocks well, plays well on special teams and has provided some quality minutes.
Brycen Hopkins.....Has not shown much, but it only takes one big play in preseason to turn heads.
Jacob Harris....He's been a darling, let's see what he has when the bullets start flying, however, special teams could be where we see him most.
OL (9)
Andrew Whitworth....Like a Fine Wine, only getting better with age.
David Edwards....Better in pass pro, then run blocking, however, he should be ready to put it all together.
Austin Corbett....Moves to center, giving the Rams more size and hopefully stability at the point of attack.
Bobby Evans....Proved he can run block, improving in pass protection is a must, but together with Havenstein, running right will be a staple.
Rob Havenstein....He's the first one off of everybody's list, but when healthy is able to hold up in pass protection,, plus a total asset in the run game.
Chandler Brewer....Swing tackle & guard, Rams glad to have him back.
Joseph Noteboom....Joe just needs to stay healthy and be ready at a moments notice.
Tremayne Anchrum....Another that can play multiple positions.
Coleman Shelton....Bigger and more versatile then Brian Allen, but will have to prove he can play Center in preseason to beat out the former Spartan.
25 (Offense)
DL(7)
Aaron Donald....He's simply the very best.
Sebastian Joseph-Day....He gets better & better every year.
A'Shawn Robinson....As we all sing in unison, Here's to you Mrs. Robinson.
Bobby Brown....Love everything about Big, Bad, Bobby Brown, he will be better being coached up by DL Coach Eric Henderson.
Ernest Brown,...The other Brown, but be ready to love this kid because they do it right at Northwestern.
Greg Gaines....Started coming on last year and I expect even better in 2021.
Eric Banks....Coached by Henderson in college, made the squad last year, this year, he stays on the whole year.
LB (8)
Leonard Floyd....A great year in 2020, looking forward to him being the leader of this group.
Travin Howard....The time is now, former Safety, like Littleton, needs to stay healthy and prove his worth.
Ernest Jones....Rookie breaks through as a starter because all he does is make tackles.
Justin Hollins...Better outside then inside and Rams are fortunate Broncos cut him loose.
Troy Reeder....Has improved each year and very good on special teams.
Obo Okoronkwo....Should be a good rotation with Hollins.
Micah Kiser....Had some moments last year, now still makes the squad, but Jones starts over the former Cavalier.
Justin Lawler....My surprise as Terrell Lewis begins the season on the PUP list & Chris Garrett needs one year on the practice squad.
CB (5)
Jalen Ramsey....Can't spell Ramsey, without Rams.
Darious Williams....Might be the best pure cover corner on the roster.
David Long....Some good news about him in OTA's, need the former Wolverine to make an impact in 2021.
Robert Rochell....He was steal and should improve week over week.
Brian Poole....I'm predicting with the release of Hekker the Rams add the former Falcon/Jet at CB.
Safety(5)
Jordan Fuller...Academic All American will call the signals on Defense
Terrell Burgess....Free Safety good in coverage.
Taylor Rapp....Will come in on 3rd downs, playing the linebacker role, plus blitzing quite often.
Nick Scott....Great on special teams and has shown growth at the position.
Juju Hughes...Hughes can cover, the others can't.
Defense (25)
Special Teams(3)
Matt Gay....Glad he was available, gives the Rams a young kicker with a big leg on FG's & Kickoffs.
Corey Bojorquez....Maybe, maybe not, but he's younger with a big leg & saves money, which enables the Rams to add Poole.
Steve Wirtel...They added Matt Orzech, who did snap for DeCamillis in Jacksonville, but DeCamillis did cut him. IMO, reading up on Wirtel, he's too good at his craft and I believe will follow in the footsteps of the likes of Chris Massey & Jake McQuaide.
As to Punt Returner, they go with Atwell, with Funk as a backup plan with Jake handling the KR duties too, plus either Wolford or Bojorquez will take over as the holder.
