Rams report, 8/26

* Perhaps the best news of camp so far is that OJ Atogwe is finally back on the practice field. Nick Wagoner blog He'll only get two practices in before the Chiefs game Saturday, so he's unlikely to appear there. That's OK; September 7 is the important deadline now.

More good news: Orlando Pace is practicing again.

I wouldn't expect to see Steven Jackson on the field at Kansas City. The Rams got an exemption so he doesn't count against the roster unless he plays. So to see him on Thursday, they'll have to cut someone else. (I have a great idea below).

Fakhir Brown's expected back next week. Also out: Dante Hall (ankle), Drew Bennett (useless waste of money).

And - (GULP) - Will Witherspoon (groin). When did this happen? The Rams are f*cked without Witherspoon.


* Speaking of Bennett - cut him! Howard Balzer makes the case today that the Rams should cut their losses and cut Drew Bennett, who's rivalling the Road Grader for worst free-agent pickup of the St. Louis era. I'd never thought it an option just because of the man's huge contract, but Balzer points out cutting him now would only cost an extra half-million against the cap next year.

Knowing those numbers, the Rams should consider cutting Bennett today to help them get down to 75 players. Bennett has been completely useless. He has poor hands. He won't fight for catches. He doesn't use his height to win contested passes. He doesn't stretch the field, and he has not been the red zone weapon the Rams thought they were getting when they signed him. He is CONSTANTLY injured, including right now with a groin pull suffered Saturday night. And did you notice what happened once Bennett was off the field against Baltimore? The Rams' passing offense started clicking!

If you're not looking at his salary, just judging off his demonstrated "talent", -Bennett- would be the one fighting for WR6 with Derek Stanley and the others, not Dane Looker. Looker and Dante Hall aren't tall multi-millionaires, but they're better receivers than Bennett. Rookies Keenan Burton and Donnie Avery stepped up Saturday night and gave the Ram offense a jolt Bennett has never offered. Stanley's not tall, and didn't cost a lot to sign, either. But he can at least return punts.

Cut Drew Bennett.


* LeCharles Bentley in town. The former Saints, then Browns center, who never actually got to play for Cleveland due to injuries, reportedly visited Rams Park yesterday. Jim Thomas article This is an odd-looking move by the Rams, where center hasn't looked like a need area, thanks to the preseason play of Nick Leckey and the past play of Brett Romberg, who'd be the starter if not for a broken hand. And Richie Incognito can play there in an emergency. If the Rams feel there's an immediate need to upgrade at center, how is someone who's been out injured two seasons and hasn't taken a snap in the Rams' system going to help? Bentley was one of the league's top centers before injuries hit, but it's hard to see him as a quick upgrade at center for the Rams.