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Rams first projected pre-season depth chart reveals some surprises
http://theramswire.usatoday.com/201...re-season-depth-chart-reveals-some-surprises/
By: Jake Ellenbogen | 13 hours ago
The Los Angeles Rams are set to start training camp July 30 and soon thereafter start playing preseason exhibition games. The team released the starters for the opening of training camp.
Joe Curley of the Ventura County Star tweeted out the media guide that showed the Rams projected depth chart and key contributors.
The obvious
There aren’t many surprises. As you would expect, the defensive line is completely untouched. Running back Todd Gurley and wide receivers Tavon Austin and Kenny Britt come back as the starters. Jared Goff is listed as a backup or key contributor at QB behind Case Keenum, but that shouldn’t be a shock. Goff will have to win that battle in preseason.
The surprises
One thing that stands out immediately on this is that presumed starter strong safety T.J. McDonald is not listed as the starter. Maurice Alexander, the third-year pro, claims that spot. Another one that certainly sticks out is Jamon Brown. Garrett Reynolds has had some quality play and Brown has had some struggles. Brown is listed as a starting guard along with Rodger Saffold.
Takeaways
Don’t throw a fit seeing that T.J. McDonald is not a starter. The Rams are in a bind due to his pending legal status. They can’t really move forward with McDonald until his legal matters are resolved.
Related:
Report: T.J. McDonald arrested for DUI Tuesday morning
Again, Goff will not be the starting QB at the beginning of training camp, but that shouldn’t be a surprise. Goff will have to earn that position. They learned their lesson last year with Nick Foles and found out what happens when you give a quarterback the starting job without a competition.
Related:
Nick Foles accepted lower salary from Rams to be released
E.J. Gaines is named a starter at cornerback, but if you are a fan of Coty Sensabaugh, LaMarcus Joyner or (like me) are a fan of Marcus Roberson, you have nothing to worry about. Gaines has the starting job right now but that is meaningless. He is coming back from a Lisfranc foot injury and if he is outplayed by the other corners you better believe he won’t be starting come week one.
Lastly, no rookies are listed as starters. That should tell you coach Jeff Fisher won’t throw a rookie in the big boy role until he proves himself. Cory Harkey is even in there as the second tight end over rookie Tyler Higbee.
While this preseason depth chart is nice to look at, it will be a whole new ball game July 30 when training camp starts. Anything can happen and there is magic in the air at UC Irvine.
Related:
UC Irvine is home to Rams training camp for the next three years
http://theramswire.usatoday.com/201...re-season-depth-chart-reveals-some-surprises/
By: Jake Ellenbogen | 13 hours ago
The Los Angeles Rams are set to start training camp July 30 and soon thereafter start playing preseason exhibition games. The team released the starters for the opening of training camp.
Joe Curley of the Ventura County Star tweeted out the media guide that showed the Rams projected depth chart and key contributors.
The obvious
There aren’t many surprises. As you would expect, the defensive line is completely untouched. Running back Todd Gurley and wide receivers Tavon Austin and Kenny Britt come back as the starters. Jared Goff is listed as a backup or key contributor at QB behind Case Keenum, but that shouldn’t be a shock. Goff will have to win that battle in preseason.
The surprises
One thing that stands out immediately on this is that presumed starter strong safety T.J. McDonald is not listed as the starter. Maurice Alexander, the third-year pro, claims that spot. Another one that certainly sticks out is Jamon Brown. Garrett Reynolds has had some quality play and Brown has had some struggles. Brown is listed as a starting guard along with Rodger Saffold.
Takeaways
Don’t throw a fit seeing that T.J. McDonald is not a starter. The Rams are in a bind due to his pending legal status. They can’t really move forward with McDonald until his legal matters are resolved.
Related:
Report: T.J. McDonald arrested for DUI Tuesday morning
Again, Goff will not be the starting QB at the beginning of training camp, but that shouldn’t be a surprise. Goff will have to earn that position. They learned their lesson last year with Nick Foles and found out what happens when you give a quarterback the starting job without a competition.
Related:
Nick Foles accepted lower salary from Rams to be released
E.J. Gaines is named a starter at cornerback, but if you are a fan of Coty Sensabaugh, LaMarcus Joyner or (like me) are a fan of Marcus Roberson, you have nothing to worry about. Gaines has the starting job right now but that is meaningless. He is coming back from a Lisfranc foot injury and if he is outplayed by the other corners you better believe he won’t be starting come week one.
Lastly, no rookies are listed as starters. That should tell you coach Jeff Fisher won’t throw a rookie in the big boy role until he proves himself. Cory Harkey is even in there as the second tight end over rookie Tyler Higbee.
While this preseason depth chart is nice to look at, it will be a whole new ball game July 30 when training camp starts. Anything can happen and there is magic in the air at UC Irvine.
Related:
UC Irvine is home to Rams training camp for the next three years
