GAME DAY Preseason Week 3 - Rams at Bengals

[rdlkgliders]

I don't know that they keep 4 RBs on the 53, unless they love Funk's ST's contributions.

If Akers, Henderson and Kyren Williams are healthy, that's enough. Now, that's a gigantic IF but I just think RB-talent comparable to Funk and Ragas is available among other teams practice squads and free agents.

Agreed, I think that 4th RB spot is really a Special Teams spot at least until injuries change things. I see them rolling with Akers, Hendo, KW & Funk. The only way I see them moving Funk to P.S is if there has been some development on ST where someone has impressed enough to make Funk expendable

 

[BonifayRam]

For one more year Rams get to keep him on the practice squad as he's an extra. Not sure they have to waive him, as that is part of the agreement.

That is the info that I found too.

If this remains true then the Ram Organization has another young OT Max Pircher waiting in the wings touched & influenced by magical future HOF all-pro Andrew Whitworth.

Rookie AJ Arcuri also produced another mistake-free preseason game with good results playing LT. This team is well stocked & prepped at OT's for the future.

Seriously guys & gals this IS a very good situation here in the exterior of this OL! Well played by Snead & company.

 

[OldSchool]

That is the info that I found too.

If this remains true then the Ram Organization has another young OT Max Pircher waiting in the wings touched & influenced by magical future HOF all-pro Andrew Whitworth.

Rookie AJ Arcuri also produced another mistake-free preseason game with good results playing LT. This team is well stocked & prepped at OT's for the future.

Seriously guys & gals this IS a very good situation here in the exterior of this OL! Well played by Snead & company.

@den-the-coach From NFL Operations.

International Players’ Road to the NFL | NFL Football Operations

operations.nfl.com

At the end of training camp, IPP players can either be signed to their assigned club’s 53-man roster or waived. Players who clear waivers may be signed to their assigned team’s practice squad using an IPP exemption that allows for an extra practice squad spot. IPP players signed to a practice squad using the exemption may not be signed to any team’s active roster that season; however, players signed to a practice squad without the exemption are treated in the same way as other practice squad players for roster purposes.

 

[oldnotdead]

Rookie AJ Arcuri also produced another mistake-free preseason game with good results playing LT.

I thought Arcuri gave up a sack. He's been moved around a lot and IMO he's raw and PS material. I thought Pircher looked better. As an international player, he doesn't count against the PS count and I believe he can't be poached. This gives them a protected player for the OL on the PS (he could be the 9th OL without taking a spot on the 53. This monster is a real road grader, the kind of player you need at RT. That said he needs to work on his pass protection.

I think Evans doesn't make the cut. I'm more sure that Jackson is being looked at as the swing OT this season and the starting RT next year. When Bruss returns next year the Rams look to be good at OG with Bruss and Snyder contending for RG with Shelton moved to LG after Edwards leaves next year. Shelton played LG and C at UW.

I think Roger Carter makes the cut as a blocking TE/H-Back.

I think Snyder takes the #8 OL spot. This kid has legit potential. It wouldn't surprise me if he is moved to center as a backup behind Allen. When I said after the UDFA were signed not to sleep on Snyder I meant it. IMO he is two years removed from being a pretty good OG. I think this year Shelton will be the long term backup at center, but they need a short term option besides Kolone.

 

[AZRams]

I realize it's the pre-season but WTF was that final possession...didn't even pretend to try to think about wanting to maybe score points.

 

[majrleaged]

I realize it's the pre-season but WTF was that final possession...didn't even pretend to try to think about wanting to maybe score points.

He did that last year too. just get the preseason over I already know who I want on the team.

 

[den-the-coach]

I realize it's the pre-season but WTF was that final possession...didn't even pretend to try to think about wanting to maybe score points.

Didn’t want to get anyone injured on either side. There was no need to press the envelope I agreed with what McVay did.

 

[BonifayRam]

PFF grades & notes from Rams’ preseason finale

Lance McCutcheon put his finishing touches on a strong preseason

www.turfshowtimes.com

Top 5 offensive grades:​

1 - Austin Trammell, WR: 83.6​

Trammell actually graded out higher than preseason star McCutcheon; however, he was only on the field for two snaps. During his limited playing time he grabbed a 10-yard pass from Bryce Perkins.

It’s not clear why Trammell was only on the field for a short time, but he’s played well enough this season to be on some team’s practice squad - whether he stays with the Rams remains to be seen.

2 - Lance McCutcheon, WR: 76.1​

McCutcheon recorded at least 75 receiving yards in all three exhibition games. He seems to have safely landed on the initial 53-man roster - perhaps it’s more relevant at this point to wonder when we will see him play in games that actually count.

3 - AJ Arcuri, OT: 72.7​

4 - Max Pircher, OT: 70.2​

The reserve offensive line struggled mightily throughout the preseason, but it’s encouraging to see Arcuri and Pircher standout. Arcuri, after a strong outing against the Bengals, is in a good position to make the regular season roster - especially after the season-ending injury to fellow-rookie Logan Bruss.

The equation is a bit more complicated for Pircher, who made his NFL debut and played eight snaps. As a participant in the NFL International Player Pathway program, the Rams would receiver a practice squad exemption for Pircher, but he must first clear waivers with out getting claimed by another team.

Top 5 defensive grades:​

1 - Keir Thomas, EDGE: 76.6​

While most of the attention was on seventh-round draft selection Daniel hardy heading into the preseason, Keir Thomas has hands down been the team’s best edge defender. It’ll be tough for him to make it through the numbers crunch at OLB, but he’s certainly a prime practice squad candidate.

2 - Michael Hoecht, IDL: 74.9​

Hoecht has consistently been a top performer on the defensive side of the ball during the three exhibition games. He’ll also be an important special teams contributors once the regular season starts.

3 - Duron Lowe, CB: 72.1​

4 - Chris Garrett, EDGE: 70.1​

Garrett dominated the preseason as a rookie a year ago, but an injury kept him from participating this season until the final game. He flashed at times both rushing the passer and in the run game, though he seemed a bit out of place at times when he was asked to drop into coverage. This might just be the team testing his limits - and if he plays during the regular season he will be utilized as a pass rush specialist.

 

[dang]

I agree here it's not even close, but I would look to add another off the waiver wire. I've taken hits posting my doubts about Funk, but he doesn't look natural as a RB, he's too stiff and has straight line speed, but he's not elusive. Time to move on IMHO.

Miami has Edmunds, Mostert, Michel, Gaskin and Ahmed and probably will cut or trade one.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Maybe.

 

[oldnotdead]

International players don't count against the PS numbers. But if signed to the active roster they do count as one of the 53. I think teams should be able to dress all 53 players each game. I think it's a stupid archaic rule that maybe was used to create an illusion of parity back in the day, but is stupid in today's NFL.

 

[sloramfan]

if i'm max pircher, i'm pitching a tent in AW's backyard and working out with whitt all offseason....

he's a physical anomaly... probably needs to work on pass pro...

i've been rooting for him ever since i heard about him...

go rams

slo

 

[Allen2McVay]

I don't know that they keep 4 RBs on the 53, unless they love Funk's ST's contributions.

If Akers, Henderson and Kyren Williams are healthy, that's enough. Now, that's a gigantic IF but I just think RB-talent comparable to Funk and Ragas is available among other teams practice squads and free agents.

In the past 24 hours, Sony Michel, Duke Johnson, Kenyan Drake, Phillip Lindsey, Tevin Coleman, Caleb Huntley and Ryquel Arnstead have been among the Running Backs waived, with many cuts coming today

Just illustrates the point I was trying to make above.

Also re-affirms the thought ... 'Mommas, don't let your babies grow-up to be running backs'

 

[OldSchool]

In the past 24 hours, Sony Michel, Duke Johnson, Kenyan Drake, Phillip Lindsey, Tevin Coleman, Caleb Huntley and Ryquel Arnstead have been among the Running Backs waived, with many cuts coming today

Just illustrates the point I was trying to make above.

Also re-affirms the thought ... 'Mommas, don't let your babies grow-up to be running backs'

Who of our top 4 or 5 are you letting go for any of those has beens? Keep in mind our depth RB's have to be ST contributors for McVay.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Who of our top 4 or 5 are you letting go for any of those has beens? Keep in mind our depth RB's have to be ST contributors for McVay.

None!

That's my point from the prior post. Did you read it?

I posted (above) that the Rams might carry just 3 RBs on the 53 unless the really like Funk on STs.

Furthermore, if there were injuries to the top-3 RBs (Akers, Henderson and Williams), there would be ...
"RB-talent comparable to Funk and Ragas available among other teams practice squads and free agents."

 

[F. Mulder]

None!

That's my point from the prior post. Did you read it?

I posted (above) that the Rams might carry just 3 RBs on the 53 unless the really like Funk on STs.

Furthermore, if there were injuries to the top-3 RBs (Akers, Henderson and Williams), there would be ...
"RB-talent comparable to Funk and Ragas available among other teams practice squads and free agents."

You do not keep Funk for RB, since there are tons available who are better than him. Plus, he is no ST ace in my book. Don’t get the Funk love from some of you. Always root for try hard, limited ability guys, but he is not that guy

 

[Allen2McVay]

You do not keep Funk for RB, since there are tons available who are better than him. Plus, he is no ST ace in my book. Don’t get the Funk love from some of you. Always root for try hard, limited ability guys, but he is not that guy

That's exactly the point I was making ... except, the Rams' coaches may value Funk on Special Teams.

 

[OldSchool]

None!

That's my point from the prior post. Did you read it?

I posted (above) that the Rams might carry just 3 RBs on the 53 unless the really like Funk on STs.

Furthermore, if there were injuries to the top-3 RBs (Akers, Henderson and Williams), there would be ...
"RB-talent comparable to Funk and Ragas available among other teams practice squads and free agents."

That was more of a general question to all because there are a lot of people who want us to sign a RB sorry I phrased that badly.

 

[OldSchool]

That's exactly the point I was making ... except, the Rams' coaches may value Funk on Special Teams.

They absolutely do value him there we've heard that countless times from them. The question becomes is somebody as good at another position that would allow them to not keep funk as a RB. Going to lots of interesting stuff here today.

 

[F. Mulder]

That's exactly the point I was making ... except, the Rams' coaches may value Funk on Special Teams.

I have not seen one thing that makes him any kind of a ST ace. Cory Littleton made the team and continued to contribute as a ST AND rotational player. JF is neither of those IMO. Get someone who is at least adequate at ST with a higher upside as a player overall. Don’t diminish or reduce yourself to someone like him.

 

[Allen2McVay]

I have not seen one thing that makes him any kind of a ST ace. Cory Littleton made the team and continued to contribute as a ST AND rotational player. JF is neither of those IMO. Get someone who is at least adequate at ST with a higher upside as a player overall. Don’t diminish or reduce yourself to someone like him.

Yeah, I don't have an opinion on Funk as a special teams' player.

It's what the Rams' coaches think that matter. McVay has stated that he leans a lot on the ST-coaches (DeCamillis and Springer) for the final roster spots and game-day active-players.

I don't believe ST-skills can be measured simply by who makes the tackle, as some players have specific responsibilities on Teams that may set-up other players to actually make-the-play. It's not 'go-down-the-field and get-the-guy with the ball.'