Job security can be difficult to explain sometimes

In this faltering U.S. economy, where the job market has been tough for several years, it’s got to be great to be Stephen Spach.


Who’s Stephen Spach? He’s a St. Louis Ram, didn’t you know? While the Rams have thrown away half this season’s draft picks, Spach, in the vital role of fourth tight end, clings to a spot on the Rams’ roster as tenaciously as a sea barnacle to an old boat.

Stephen Spach has been on the Rams’ roster all season, but hasn’t been active since the first week. Why are the Rams cutting draft picks and continuing to suffer through thin roster depth at corner and d-tackle to keep a fourth tight end who’s been active once in six games? Is Stephen Spach this hidden awesome talent at a vital position who’s going to open up the Ram offense as soon as they get him ready, who the Rams will lose instantly to another team if they release him because of his vast untapped potential?

Live long and prosper, Spach, but I don’t think so.

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Like Spach, Dominique Curry has job security on the Rams’ roster to rival Steven Jackson’s. And unlike Spach, Curry is at least an active member of the team, as a special teams player. One thing to note, though, is that Curry does nothing else, though I guess he’s technically the team’s seventh wide receiver. So, for that amount of specialization, what are the Rams getting out of Curry’s roster spot?

Week 1 – committed holding penalty on kickoff that started the Rams possession at their own 14. The drive ended with Josh Brown missing a 47-yard FG. Brown would be a lot more reliable from 37, no? No tackles.

Week 2 – made one tackle, stopping Devin Thomas at the 24 on one kickoff. Average play.

Week 3 – made one tackle, after Lardarius Webb muffed a punt. No gain. Good play.

Week 4 – Curry’s best game of the season. Tackled Brandon Banks after he muffed a punt return. 2-yard gain. Recovered one of Austin Pettis’ muffed punts. Crucial play. Tackled Banks for a 5-yard loss on another punt return. Excellent play. Downed a punt at the 2. Awesome. Also had a false start, but this is the kind of game you’re happy to get out of a specialist. Where’s this been all season?

Week 5 – the dreaded “active but no statistics” game. Hey, at least Spach had an excuse!

Week 6 – a second straight DABNS

So again, the Rams are cutting drafted players, shorting themselves at positions where they barely have any depth, all to keep a “specialist” who’s given them one good game, two ok games and arguably three bad games. Hasn't made a play in two weeks. Jabara Williams couldn’t do that (while also theoretically developing as a LB prospect)? Jonathan Nelson couldn’t do that? Hell, wasn’t Jermale Hines drafted to do that?

The Rams have had copious injuries and that no doubt has interfered with their roster plans. Still, I ask, is this good roster management?

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