Friday, September 30, 2011

Rams more culturally relevant than I thought

I don't know why anybody would want to see this team in person after the first three weeks, but the game against Washington Sunday has qualified as a sellout and will be televised locally. KTVI at noon. Fortunately the Rams won't collide with anything the Cardinals are doing - they are on the road and playing game 2 of the NLDS against the Phillies Sunday night.

Good luck to everybody.

-$-

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Rams report, 9/29

* Free draft picks! Get your free draft picks here! At 0-3 and no better than the 30th-ranked team in the league, you would think the Rams wouldn't be in a position to just toss away players they drafted this year, but au contraire, their fifth-round pick, Jermale Hines, is now an Indianapolis Colt. The Rams were hoping Hines would clear waivers so they could move him to their practice squad, but the Colts have injuries at safety and weren't reluctant to put Hines directly on their main roster.

What to learn from this latest dunderheaded maneuver from the Rams front office?
1. Remember for future reference: draft picks don't clear waivers. There was a lot of thought before the season that the Rams would try to pass third-round pick Austin Pettis through to the practice squad. No way would he have made it.

2. The Rams now have nothing to show for trading their original fifth-round pick this year to Atlanta, which they used to take Jacquizz Rodgers. The Rams turned that pick into Hines and Jonathan Nelson, also no longer a Ram. Had the Rams simply stayed at 145, they could have taken Denarius Moore. Sure, call me a second-guesser, but RamView pushed for Moore as a late-round pick. Now, if I could just link to that...

3. Hines was a poor pick in the first place. Fifth-round was pretty high to take essentially an in-the-box safety. There was a lot of feeling draft weekend that Hines' main attraction was his special teams play. But again, why draft those guys? They are easily found "on the street". Hines may well develop into a nice player someday, but there was nothing so special in his college career or pre-draft workouts to say he should have been drafted in the fifth round. In 2010, for instance, the Rams got Darian Stewart for free.

4. The Rams have given up Thaddeus Lewis, a QB prospect with upside, and now their fifth-round pick, yet Dominique Curry, who hasn't made a play on special teams this season, has roster security rivaling Steven Jackson's. It's about time for Curry to re-prove his special teams worth.

5. Did I not say the Rams would pay for cutting Ben Guidugli?

* Injury update:
 Limited: Steven Jackson (quad), though it looks like he's going to get a full load Sunday;
Michael Ohihurtmyknee (back strain);
Darell Dorell Scott (thumb);
Cadillac Williams (hamstring).

Not participating: Danny Amendola (elbow), though he's raring to go and trying to get himself activated for Sunday.

Full participation: Sam Bradford, who says he has no idea why his toe was ever made an issue.
C.J. Ah You is now rocking the awesome club to protect his injured wrist.

* Ex-Rams update: Besides the Rams idiotically giving away draft picks, that is...
- Donnie Avery signed with Tennessee yesterday.
- Anthony Becht was released by Kansas City.
- In a surprise move, Houston signed Chris Ogbonnaya from their practice squad after cutting Steve Slaton.

Going back to last week:
- Dallas signed Laurent Robinson.
- Cincinnati signed Andrew Hawkins from their practice squad.

And earlier:
- Buffalo re-signed Ruvell Freaking Martin.
- When Seattle signed Fendi Onobun to their practice squad, they released Dominique Byrd.

* Finally, with the Cardinals' impressive charge into the MLB playoffs culminating last night, I'd like to congratulate the Rams for taking just three weeks to achieve cultural irrelevance here in River City again...

-$-

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Rams report, 9/28

* The Rams lead the NFL! In dropped passes. With 8. Further statistical autopsy after the first three weeks:

The Rams are 31st in the NFL in total defense and scoring defense. (Their next opponent, the Redskins, rank 5th/16th, even with Jim Haslett as their coordinator.)
The Rams rushing defense ranks dead last in the league. Maybe that should be dead-and-buried last. THEY'RE THIRTY-EIGHT YARDS PER GAME OUT OF 31ST PLACE!!!!! (Though it is a shocker that the #31 team is Rex Ryan's Jets.)
The Rams "defense" gives up 5.4 yards per carry, 31st in the league. Thank God for the Raiders. I don't want to hear any more crap about the Michael Vick factor, either. The Giants are 15th in the league, Atlanta is 20th, and they're both giving up 3.6 yards per carry despite playing a game against Vick.

The silver lining? The Rams rank 19th against the pass, and are tied for 11th in sacks, with 8. Chris Long's 3 sacks tie him for 7th in the league.

Things aren't much brighter on offense:
The Rams are 21st in total offense, 29th in scoring. (Redskins are 15th/14th.) And, famously, they've given up as many TDs on offense as they've scored. (3)
The rushing offense ranks a respectable 11th, but the passing offense is 23rd. Sam Bradford is 29th in the league in passer rating at 73.3. For God's sake, he's behind Tarvaris Jackson (73.7). That has to be largely because Sam's completing under 50% of his passes, while Jackson is over 60%.
Only Jackson, Jay Cutler and Matt Ryan have been sacked more times than Bradford's 11, which ties him with Chad Henne and Alex Smith.

The Rams are 21st in turnover ratio at -2.
They have committed the 5th-most penalties in the league, for the 2nd-most yardage. (Thank God for the Raiders again.)

Wow.

* Roster churn: The Rams have finally signed CB Rod Hood after at least three tryouts here over the last two years. Hood was last with Tennessee; Steve Spagnuolo coached him at Philadelphia for one season. He has 14 career INTs, 3 of them pick-sixes, in eight seasons, if you count 2010, which he missed all of due to a torn ACL.

To make room for Hood on the main roster, the Rams cut Jermale Hines. To apparently make room for Hines on the practice squad, the Rams committed the mortal sin of cutting Ben Guidugli again, for which they will pay for all damnation.

Bizarrely, a team in such bad need of CBs had to cut a healthy one yesterday. That was Dionte Dinkins, who was IRed in training camp with a designated minor injury. (Ankle, I think.) That designation meant that Dinkins by rule had to be cut once he became healthy, and the Rams by rule can't re-sign him until after this season. What kind of stupid rule is that?

A move I neglected to report last week was Josh Gordy getting the call up from the practice squad to replace Tim Atchison, who went on IR.

Here's how I have the Rams' current depth chart at corner:
1. Bradley Fletcher
2. Al Harris
3. Rod Hood
4. Josh Gordy
5. convert Quintin Mikell from safety
6. Aeneas Williams. He's a local minister, he wouldn't have a long drive.
7. convert James Butler from safety
8. Chris Chamberlain. He's pretty quick and played some safety in college.
9. Todd Lyght. He's only 42, he can probably still go.
10. convert Mike Sims-Walker from wide receiver
11. Dexter McCleon
12. perennial Pro Bowler and future Hall-of-Famer Ryan McNeil
13. Justin King


* 2011 draft watch: Yet another of this year's draft picks getting cut inspires another recap of the Rams' 2011 draft picks to date:

1. Robert Quinn - active 2 games, 2 tackles, 1 sack. Has to have some pass pressures, too; he's showing he can get after it.
2. Lance Kendricks, 4 catches, 69 yards, 1 rush, minus-8 yards. No TDs. 2 official drops, 4 by my count.
3. Austin Pettis - active 1 game. 2 catches for 8 yards.
4. Greg Salas - active 2 games. 5 catches for 48 yards. 2 official drops, at least 3 by my count. Critical muffed punt in Giants game. 2 punt returns for 49 yards.
5. Jermale Hines - cut, may be heading for practice squad. Has not been active this season.
7a. Mikail Baker - perpetually-injured college player now listed on Rams' injured reserve
7b. Jabara Williams - has not been active this season
7c. Jonathan Nelson - cut.

Wow again. But I'm not going to give the Rams crap about not drafting Torrey Smith; I didn't want him, either. It's not like Justin King made him prove he could beat a jam or run routes more refined than sprinting in a straight line. Smith showed better hands than I expected, but I still think he's Darrius Heyward-Bey Jr. He was just covered last Sunday by Taje Allen Jr.


Haven't heard anything about ticket sales for Sunday yet, but I'll be stunned if the TV blackout gets lifted. That'll shorten RamView up a bit, that's for sure.

-$-

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Rams report, 9/27

* Injury update: the good news for the Rams is that their current injury report is as benign as their offense...

Steven Jackson and Cadillac Williams got through Sunday's game in good shape. Jackson is supposed to be getting an increased workload, but I don't know if that means a full workload.

Sam Bradford sprained a toe, but the injury is not expected to be serious. One, I'm shocked that's all he hurt Sunday; two, I hope he hurt that toe breaking his foot off in the ass of one of his useless linemen.

Michael OhIhurtmyknee is day-to-day with a back strain, and you have got to be fucking kidding me. He played what, two games? The guy's making Drew Bennett look like Bruce Matthews.

Darell Dorell Scott will be sent to a specialist to have a thumb injury checked out. Darell Dorell, if you get the chance, you have to get one of those awesome clubs.

It sounds like Danny Amendola's on track to return after the bye week. Though many Rams fans may have mistaken the Baltimore game for the Rams taking a bye week, the bye actually comes after Sunday's game against the Redskins.

Bet365 has the Rams-Redskins line at even? Only thing that keeps me from jumping all over that right now is not knowing how much the Rams will be able to use Jackson. He's the only thing that makes me think the Rams have a chance against anybody anytime soon.

-$-

Monday, September 26, 2011

Stark Raven crap

Here's the link to the RamView recap for yesterday's fiasco, in which the Rams lost to Baltimore by 30 and established themselves as one of the two or three worst teams in the league this year. I've got Kansas City and Miami as their main competition for the first pick overall in the 2012 draft.

So, Andrew Luck, anyone? Should be some interesting conversations before too long with the folks who say to always draft the best player available...

Not much news on the injury front after the game. Justin King has a shoulder stinger, not that I give a damn after that putrid performance...

Friday, September 23, 2011

Rams report, 9/23

* The Rams host the Baltimore Ravens Sunday. Enough tickets have been sold to avoid a TV blackout; the game will be on KMOV at 3:00 Sunday. Note that the game's not at the usual bat-time or on the usual bat-channel.

* Injury report.
- Steven Jackson will be a game-time decision again this week. His status is considered "questionable to doubtful". He took a handful of practice reps yesterday. Not helping things, Cadillac Williams injured a hamstring in the first quarter of Monday night's game, and he has yet to practice this week. Looks like Sam Bradford's throwing a hell of a lot Sunday.
- Danny Amendola's dislocated elbow is rapidly improving, but it's likely he won't return until after the Rams' bye week, which is the week after next. C.J. Ah You, Ben Leber and Michael Hoomanawanui were all limited at practice yesterday. Greg Salas was a full participant yesterday. I'm thinking he would make a very nice healthy scratch for Sunday.

* Lies, damned lies, and statistics. Going through team stats yesterday, I was surprised to see the Rams rank ahead of the Ravens on offense (18th to 25th) AND defense (20th vs. 22nd). Of course, that's yards per game. Check the vastly more important points per game, and the Ravens lead on offense (15th vs. 28th) and on defense (5th vs. 28th). Baltimore's also got the 2nd-best turnover differential in the NFL with +5; the Rams are 20th at -1. And the Rams are EASILY the WORST rushing defense in the league. Hell, they're over 20 yards a game out of 31st place. While the Ravens have moved up to a 4-point favorite, that still seems way too small.

That's a lot of 28ths or worse for a Rams team that's supposed to be on the way up.

-$-

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

NFL response to Giants cheating: a stern memo

From ESPN.com :

NEW YORK -- The NFL sent a memo Wednesday to all 32 teams warning of fines, suspensions and loss of draft picks if the league determines players faked injuries during a game.

In the memo obtained by ESPN and The Associated Press, the NFL reminded teams of league policy that calls on coaches to discourage the practice, and that there was no specific rule on the topic.

However, two days after there was speculation the Giants' Deon Grant faked an injury against the Rams during the Monday night game, the NFL is warning of disciplinary action.

Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said Tuesday the team notified the league office that it suspected the Giants were feigning injuries in St. Louis' 28-16 loss. Rams quarterback Sam Bradford said it was obvious the Giants were just buying time with St. Louis running a no-huddle offense.

"They couldn't get subbed, they couldn't line up," Bradford said. "Someone said, 'Someone go down, someone go down,' so someone just went down and grabbed a cramp."

The memo from the league said:
"Going forward, be advised that should the league office determine that there is reasonable cause, all those suspected of being involved in faking injuries will be summoned promptly to this office ... to discuss the matter. Those found to be violators will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action for conduct detrimental to the game."

On Tuesday, Giants coach Tom Coughlin said he was not aware Grant might have faked an injury late nn the first quarter. Coughlin said he thought Grant went down with cramps.

 Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

 In related news, Tom Coughlin is fuller of shit than a herd of cows eating prunes and Metamucil.

Rams report, 9/21

Time to catch up from Monday night, where the Rams lost, of course, 28-16 to the Giants. Let's see... they're 0-2, they can't score in the red zone, they're not that competitive with (supposedly) better teams; coach Linehan better start cracking the whip out at Rams Park.

What's that? Linehan's gone? You can tell?

RamView

* Injury report: Tim Atchison, who was signed last week because of all the Rams' injuries at cornerback, is now out for next week himself due to a hamstring strain. I'll not re-earth last week's free-agent corner article here, I'll just say I'm looking for the Rams to finally sign Rod Hood after several flirtations.

Update: that must be one hell of a hamstring strain; Atchison is going to be put on injured reserve. The Rams are definitely going to have to add another corner to the roster through the week.

Steven Jackson (quad), Ben Leber (groin) and Cadillac Williams (hamstring) are all day-to-day.

Danny Amendola (elbow) and C.J. Ah You (wrist) are not likely to practice this week.

Greg Salas is experiencing a problem with his ribs, probably due to so many balls bouncing off of them. X-rays haven't turned up anything but he may have further tests.

* Worst play fake of the century: The Rams have filed a complaint with the league over the Giants defense faking injuries during Monday night's game to stop the clock. The Rams' no-huddle attack had the Giants completely off-balance. Things got very chaotic on their sideline as they kept trying to make substitutions and the Rams repeatedly caught them out of position. As long as the Rams weren't substituting players, the referees were under no obligation to hold up the game for the Giants defense.

So, with the Rams charging inside the Giants 10, defensive back Deon Grant took it upon himself to fake-swoon less convincingly than Meadowlark Lemon during a Globetrotters game and claim an injury in order to stop the game. Grant's effort wasn't even ORIGINAL; another Giant defender could be seen "swooning" at the same time and only stayed up because Grant went down. Despite melodrama thick enough to make even soccer fans laugh, Grant got his "injury" timeout, which allowed the Giants to get their goal line defense on the field. The Rams' drive stalled for a FG.

The most fake injury in NFL history cost the Rams four points Monday night, and yet Rotoworld says in an article today that the Rams' complaint won't get far because there's no way to prove Grant wasn't really injured. If they're right about that, then there's no way to ever prove anything. The moon landing was fake, the earth is flat, President Obama wasn't born in America and Jenny McCarthy causes autism.

If the league doesn't fine Grant for that stunt, then they really do hate the Rams.

* Line noise: Good news - the Ravens are only 3.5 point favorites over the Rams on Sunday. Over/under is 41.5. I say good news, because I, the World's Worst Gambler, figured Baltimore would be favored by at least a TD, and I'd be all over the Ravens with that line. If I weren't the World's Worst Gambler. Bodes well for the Rams, who I'd thought would have been good enough to cover either of their first two games, but didn't even come close.

-$-



Sunday, September 18, 2011

Rams report, 9/18

Official injury report for Monday night:
Out - C.J. Ah You.
Doubtful - Danny Amendola.
Questionable - Michael Hoomanawanui, Steven Jackson.
Probable - Sam Bradford, Bradley Fletcher, Josh Hull, Jason Smith.

Questionable is a pretty aggressive listing for Jackson, since he hasn't practiced all week. But we've all learned never to doubt Jackson's ability to play through injuries.

Osi Umenyiora, Prince Amukamara and Travis Beckum are all out for the Giants. Justin Tuck and Hakeem Nicks, possibly their key defensive and offensive players Monday night, are questionable. Beckum's injury would seem to leave the G-men without much at anything at tight end, which could allow the Rams to devote extra defensive resources to Nicks.

-$-

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Rams report, 9/17

* Injury update: Sam Bradford and Bradley Fletcher were listed as full participation on Friday's injury report, so they're definitely playing Monday night. Jason Smith and Michael Hoomanawanui were listed as limited participants but are also good to go. Josh Hull is back to full participation after being limited earlier in the week with a hamstring injury. Steven Jackson has yet to practice this week and is presumably out. Danny Amendola is out but has reportedly been lobbying to play. C.J. Ah You's wrist injury is now being described as an injury that will keep him out "a few weeks". He had to have a pin inserted in his wrist. He was also fined $15,000 for a late hit on Michael Vick in last Sunday's game. Trent Cole got the same fine for a low hit on Bradford.

Osi Umenyiora is out for the Giants, but Justin Tuck can be expected to make Jason Smith's life miserable. Another key injury involves WR Hakeem Nicks, who has a hyperextended knee and a bone bruise. Sounds like he's questionable.

* RamView corrections: couple of things I see I got wrong in last week's RamView: the Rams' last Monday Night Football appearance was in December 2006, not November; Harvey Dahl gave up the last Eagles sack, by Cullen Jenkins, not Jacob Bell. Had my guards flipped around there.

-$-

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Rams report, 9/15

Current injury report, with apologies for being unable to update yesterday. Technical issues.

Sam Bradford returned to practice yesterday, a day earlier than expected, and threw without any ill effects. Little doubt now he'll start Monday night. Classy Giants LB Mathias Kiwanuka has already pretty much indicated they'll go after Bradford's finger whenever they can.

Steven Jackson sat out practice Wednesday, and isn't expected to play Monday night, but would like to remind everyone picking up Cadillac Williams in fantasy leagues that he hasn't ruled out playing just yet. Let's call him doubtful for now, vs. out.

Danny Amendola will not be placed on injured reserve. As nasty as his elbow dislocation may have looked, surgery will not be required. Steve Spagnuolo calls his status week-to-week. Most estimates I've seen have him out for a month. Greg Salas will take over Amendola's role on offense. Good luck, rook.

C.J. Ah You had surgery on his wrist yesterday, I'd also call him doubtful for Monday. He did not practice yesterday but will get a chance to see if he can play with a brace on the wrist. What, no cool club? Also, if a hobbled Ah You is active over fresh first-round pick Robert Quinn, you'd really have to question some of the decision-making going on at Rams Park.

Jason Smith and Bradley Fletcher did not practice yesterday but are expected to before long. They're considered day-to-day. Smith had better play a hell of a lot better than he did Sunday.

Ron Bartell went on injured reserve due to fractures in his neck, but he will not require surgery and the injury is not expected to be career-threatening. He'll have to wear a brace on his neck and upper body to immobilize the neck for 2-3 months, then rehab. We'll see him again at next year's OTAs.


* Transactions:
- The Rams read this blog! They re-signed Tim Atchison to replace Bartell. I never thought Atchison should have been cut in the first place. He's in to play corner but will also get reps at safety. The Rams had also worked out Rod Hood yet one more time, along with TERRIBLE cornerbacks Fred Bennett and Nathan Jones. I'd have brought back Travis Fisher before I'd have signed either of those two stiffs.

- Drew Miller was waived from the main roster in favor of RB/return specialist Quinn Porter. The Rams snagged Porter off Cleveland's practice squad, so back atcha, Pat Shurmur. Because Porter came from another team's PS, the Rams are now obliged to keep him on their 53-man roster for three weeks. Porter's necessary because of Jackson's and Amendola's injuries, but I would have dumped Dominique Curry instead of Miller.

- On the practice squad, Chase Reynolds and 7th-round pick Jonathan Nelson were released in favor of QB Tom Brandstater and former Mizzou center Tim Barnes. After Bradford's injury made everyone in the Rams organization poop their pants last week, getting a QB back on the PS was a given. Brandstater's a former project of Josh Danielson's in Denver. Barnes would appear to be guard/center depth to replace Miller, who I don't believe had PS eligibility left. But I don't get cutting Nelson, who played well in preseason.

The Rams current practice squad, which is incorrect on the team website:
Barnes
Brandstater
CB Josh Gordy
FB/TE Ben Guidugli
DT John Henderson
T Kevin Hughes
LB Scott Lutrus
G/T Ryan McKee

While I was researching, I discovered that FENDI ONOBUN is now on the Seahawks' practice squad.


* So here's the Rams' awesome contributions from their 2011 draft so far:
1st round pick: inactive week 1
2nd round pick: one catch, two drops (three if not for a penalty)
3rd round pick: inactive week 1. Bad enough returning punts in preseason that the Rams would rather lift a guy off another team's practice squad than activate him to do it.
4th round pick: one catch, one drop
5th round pick: inactive week 1
7a pick: injury-prone player only made it through one preseason game and never made it out of training camp. The Rams show him on IR, though I thought he'd been cut.
7b pick: inactive week 1
7c pick: (Nelson) Cut.

* The Rams are 6-point underdogs to the Giants Monday night, with the over/under at 43.5. You have to take the points in this one, don't you? Then again, I would have taken the 4.5 last week. Except I know I suck at sports gambling and therefore don't.

-$-

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Rams 9/13 report: Corner search

* The Rams don't practice today. Nothing new to report on the injury front. Naturally since a QB is injured, the Rams-Giants game Monday night is off the board for pointspread purposes.

* Quick ex-Rams report:
- Atlanta re-signed Brett Romberg.
- Seattle signed Anthony Hargrove.
- The Jets waived Mardy Gilyard.

* Since the Rams currently consider Danny Amendola week-to-week, it's hard to guess how they will handle his absence. I could see trying Greg Salas in his slot receiver role. I don't know if Jerious Norwood returns punts. I know, I just mentioned Gilyard's available, but he didn't impress as a punt returner on the occasions when he did field the kick cleanly this preseason. I'd rather try Salas in the slot and have Danario Alexander active than try to plug Gilyard in.

* The more critical roster situation is at corner, where Ron Bartell will be IR'ed soon for a season-ending and possibly career-ending neck injury, and where Bradley Fletcher is going to be playing with a sprained toe. Al Harris is 36 and has knees only slightly better than Alexander's. Justin King's play is really up and down and he's been injured much of his brief career. So I've been mining the waiver wire and the rumor mill this morning for some players the Rams could look at (or have already):

- C.J. Wilson: 6'1, 195, 26-yo CB cut by Carolina, where he's primarily played special teams since 2007. Rams worked him out last week. Solid tackler with good cover skills; can also play safety. Doesn't have great speed, is most comfortable in zone. Anticipates well and is a big-play threat. Young, with the size the Rams like: I'll call Wilson the clubhouse favorite to join the team.

- Roderick Hood: 5'11, 198, 29-yo cut by Tennessee. Missed all of last year there due to torn ACL. Was here for a physical in August, and I believe also worked out here in 2010. Nickelback from Steve Spagnuolo's Philadelphia years. Sticks to receivers well, has good hands and can turn mistakes into pick-sixes. Had 3 picks in just 6 games with Titans in 2009 as midseason replacement for Nick Harper. Titans fans howled when Harper got his starting job back. Subpar tackler and jammer, will bite on fakes and give up big plays. Rams keep flirting with signing Hood, but I wonder if they trust his knees. Seems like this team has enough issues like that. But Hood's high on the list.

- Tim Atchison: 6'1, 200, 23-yo free agent cut by the Rams in the final roster cutdown. I thought he was going to make the main roster. Atchison's great in the short area of the field. In preseason, he broke up slant passes, stuffed quick screens and showed he could defend the end zone fade pass. He saved the Tennessee game at the end with great closing speed from safety. He played corner and safety this season; perhaps the Rams believe he's more of a safety and won't look to him now. He also blew several deep coverages. I still think he's a serviceable option.

- Josh Gordy: 5'11, 195, 24, currently on Rams practice squad, formerly on Packers' PS. Good quickness, footwork, anticipation, always around ball, doesn't bite on fakes, another sure-handed big-play threat. Could easily get the call. Packers know how to develop DBs.

- Jonathan Nelson: 5'11, 182, 23, Rams' third pick in the seventh round, now on practice squad. From what I saw this summer, Nelson made the most impact on special teams. Gordy seems much more likely to get the call.

- Nathan Vasher: 5'11, 185, 29. Came into Lions camp as their starting nickelback but got beat out for the job. Average-at-best nickel at this point of his career. 5 starts last year, 1 INT. Eh, the Rams could do worse.

- Jonathan Wade: 5'11, 200, 27-yo former Rams third-round pick. Cut in Detroit at the beginning of last year after being, as Rotoworld described him, "one of the most burnable cornerbacks in football." Signed with Cincinnati later in 2010 and became their starter right off the street, and held his own. It was considered a surprise that Cincinnati released him this preseason. Not a great option, and I doubt Spagnuolo would go there having cut Wade before.

- Quincy Butler: 6'1, 190, 27, has played here for a couple of tours. Shows big-play ability at times but has been inconsistent and mistake-prone, especially on special teams. Could have some value as a brain dump since he's spent a lot of time in camp with the Saints. Don't rule him out, but don't expect him, either.

(Cue Vince McMahon's entrance music)

- Will Allen: 5'10, 195, 33-yo recently worked out with the Patriots. Miami released him last week. A possibility because I'm pretty sure Spagnuolo has coached him. Has played only 6 games since 2008, though, and has been IR'ed twice due to knee injuries. The Rams already have Al Harris.

- Lito Sheppard: 5'10, 194, 30-yo just cut by the Raiders. His name has come up a lot in recent years in Rams Nation, and Spagnuolo coached him at Philadelphia. So it should be instrumental that the Rams never look to Sheppard when they have a secondary problem. Spagnuolo would rather go with Hood, even with the injuries. I doubt he's got the size Spags prefers. Sheppard's had a diva reputation, and no longer backs it up with his play. ESPN's Vikings blogger gave him a D grade for last season. He gave up 5 TDs, missed a lot of tackles and has clearly lost a step. High name recognition, but no chance he becomes a Ram.

- Terrence Wheatley: 5'9, 185, 26-yo cut by the Jagwires. The Rams will have recent tape on him from preseason, and he's a former high draft pick, but he's too small, has been inconsistent and injured a lot, and it's a bad sign that he couldn't make a team with one of the league's worst secondaries.

RamView's guess: C.J. Wilson will be on the active roster Monday night, though I expect to see him only on special teams so the Rams don't have to expose King there. King will start at corner and move to the slot in nickel situations, with Al Harris playing outside. Let's hope King makes a leap forward from last week.

-$-

Monday, September 12, 2011

Rams infirmary report, 9/12

Conditions have changed up a lot since the end of yesterday's game...

Ron Bartell is now the player whose season is most likely to be over. The prognosis now is that he has two broken bones in his neck.

Last night, all the talk was that Danny Amendola's season was over. Today, they're talking about him returning to the lineup after the bye week next month.

Sam Bradford's finger is bruised. No broken bone or nerve damage. We'll assume he's up for the Giants game Monday night.

Steven Jackson looks to be almost certainly out of the Giants game due to his strained quad, but could return the next week.

Jason Smith's ankle sprain is nowhere near as bad as originally reported. He's day-to-day and could go Monday night, and get smoked by Justin Tuck 1,000,006 times.

Bradley Fletcher sprained a toe and is day-to-day.

C.J. Ah You has an unspecified wrist injury that requires a brace. He sounds doubtful for Monday night. Heaven forbid, the coaches are going to have to put in that stinky Robert Quinn guy none of them apparently like (first-round pick was inactive yesterday. Really?)

Oh, go and put your money down on the Rams right now: Michael Hoomanawanui is returning to the lineup. Over/under for his next injury: halftime Monday night.

Prayers go out to Bartell; there's nothing fun about neck injuries.

-$-

Dream team turns Rams into nightmare team

Well, what a freaking disaster that was. Expected to at least keep the game close by most, expected to score 40 by Marshall Faulk on NFL Network, the Rams instead get completely outclassed and banged up by the Eagles, 31-13. RamView autopsy of the game: Link

Lowlights:
* Sam Bradford taken out of game in 4th quarter due to a finger injury that kept him from gripping the ball.
* Steven Jackson taken out of game after two carries. Pulled a quad muscle on his first carry, a 47-yard TD.

No immediate news on those two.

* Danny Amendola suffers gruesome elbow dislocation in 3rd quarter. Out at least 8 weeks, could be the whole season.
* Ron Bartell's play. As well, a repeat of his shoulder stinger problems from last year. Came out of game in 4th.
* Jason Smith's play. $33 million for a RT who can't block or stay healthy. Definitely out for the near term after a high-ankle sprain yesterday.
* Receivers dropped about a million passes, with Lance Kendricks turning into Rick Ankiel.
* Poor pass protection, poor receiver play, poor coaching, poor run defense, poor containment of Michael Vick.

Highlights:
* Good run blocking, and Cadillac Williams had a nice game.

Other than that, how did you enjoy the play, Mrs. Lincoln?

-$-

Friday, September 9, 2011

Rams report, 9/9

* The Rams injury report, already small, is getting even smaller. James Hall was a full participant in yesterday's practice. If he's listed on the official injury report at all, it would be as probable, I imagine. Eugene Sims (oblique) continues to be limited in practice; Michael Hoomanawanui (calf) continues to sit practice out. That calf injury wasn't originally projected to last much past this first week, btw.

* Sunday's game is officially a sellout. Thanks to everyone for making sure I'll be able to TiVo it. Noon on KTVI-2. On the subject of stuff I don't want to TiVo, the geniuses at KMOV have brilliantly chosen to show the Bills-Chiefs game Sunday. And they switched to that from the Colts-Houston game. Really? Pittsburgh at Baltimore wasn't even their second choice? Morons. Good thing Sunday Ticket is free this weekend. Eh, maybe they're just trying to make sure the Rams don't have any viable TV competition. If that was true, though, Titans-Jagwires should have been their pick.

* According to my daily footballguys e-mail, Donnie Avery worked out for the 49ers yesterday. Brain dump! No word yet if the Rams will be facing their former 2nd-round pick once or twice this season.

* Given that the Rams have to play both teams in October, was that a scary game between the Packers and Saints (Green Bay won 42-34) last night, or what? The Saints couldn't cover Jermichael Finley, couldn't handle the Packers' special teams upgrade in rookie Randall Cobb, and though they could cover the Packers WRs tightly at times, Aaron Rodgers would just hit them with perfect passes anyway!

Rodgers and Brees just get the ball out too quickly and too accurately; they look nearly indefensible. The Rams are probably going to need a nickelback on the field at all times, and Darian Stewart manning one of the LB spots, too. Then, they're still going to have to be able to fool Rodgers or Brees into throwing the pass they want him to throw. I see a lot of zone blitzing for the Rams those weeks. Honestly, though, when they go up to Green Bay, I think they might as well pray for bad weather, with lots of wind, or find ways to sneak a 12th man on the field. Or find a way to have about a 30-minute scoring drive on offense.

* Bill Simmons on ESPN.com, unintentionally, I'm sure, craps all over my Super Bowl prediction from yesterday by predicting the Ravens won't even make the playoffs, in part because of "their difficult schedule"? Really? They get Cleveland twice, Cincinnati twice, the NFC West, the AFC South.... with Peyton Manning probably out for the season, that's 12 games with an awful lot of cake. Houston, you ask? Ravens get them at home. Their other four games, they get the Steelers and Jets at home, play at Heinz Field in November, and go to San Diego, not a playoff team last year, late in the season. They're a well-coached team; if they stay healthy, they have absolutely no excuse to be any worse than 12-4, and I don't think that mark's going to miss the playoffs.

Simmons did pick the Rams in the NFC West, so of course, he's a genius for that, though.

-$-

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Rams report, 9/8

* Injuries: What I like most about the Rams' injury report is that it's very, very short. There's no official report out yet, on NFL.com, at least, but I'll call Michael Hoomanawanui (calf) doubtful for Sunday - he has yet to return to practice. James Hall (back) and Eugene Sims (oblique) I'll call questionable; both were limited in practice yesterday.

* Eight more years. Terms were not mentioned, but ESPN has now locked up rights to Monday Night Football thru 2021. That being the case - I may be alone here for all I know - I really, really need a team to hire Jon Gruden, and soon. Guy drives me nuts.

* Fearful predictions. As opposed to fearless, because I'm going to be wrong by a mile like I always am. I'm picking them to lose tonight, but I've got the Saints beating the Ravens in Super Bowl XLVI in February. Offense is loaded as always, they kept their offensive line together, and I really liked their offseason defensive moves, signing Shaun Rogers and drafting Cameron Jordan. The Ravens should feast on what looks like a very soft schedule along with a predicted Super Bowl hangover in Pittsburgh. I'm expecting breakout years for Joe Flacco and Ray Rice (so of course I was a god damned idiot and took Arian Foster in my ESPN league).

NFC division winners: Eggles, Packers, Saints, Rams. Wild cards: Bucs and Falcons.
AFC division winners: Jets, Ravens, Texans, Chargers. Wild cards: Patriots, Steelers.

There, now you know who to bet against.

* Ex-Rams updates. Quick list of recent transactions involving former Rams:
- Laurent Robinson - signed by Dallas.
- Ruvell Martin - cut by Buffalo.
- Chris Ogbonnaya - signed to Houston practice squad.
- Danny Gorrer - signed to Baltimore PS.
- Bryant Browning - cut by Carolina.
- Andrew Hawkins - signed to Cincinnati PS, and had a 30-plus-yard punt return in the final preseason game against the Colts.
- Terrail Lambert - signed to New Orleans PS. He was on the Rams' PS last year, unless I'm hallucinating.
- Roy Schuening - wasn't cut by Oakland, but was put on injured reserve.
- Jamie McCoy and Mortty Ivy are both on Pittsburgh's PS.
- David Vobora - released by Seattle.

That should cover everything since last weekend's roster cutdowns. Happy Kickoff 2011 tonight!

-$-

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Rookie free agent signings (complete list, final update)


Rams rookie free agent signings thru 9/7:

Texas Tech QB Taylor Potts (released 8/15)
Utah RB Eddie Wide (released 8/17)
Montana RB Chase Reynolds (released 9/3)
Cincinnati FB Ben Guidugli (practice squad)
Arkansas FB Van Stumon (released 9/2)
Akron WR Jalil Carter (released 8/9)
Wisconsin-Stevens Point WR Jared Jenkins (waived 8/28)
Northern Iowa TE Schuylar Oordt (waived 8/28)
Central Missouri TE Demarco Cosby (released 9/3)
Bowling Green OT Tyler Donahue (released 8/6)
Illinois OT Randall Hunt (released 9/2)
Southeastern Louisiana OT Kevin Hughes (practice squad) 
Washington OT Cody Habben (released 9/2)
Ohio State G Bryant Browning (released 8/6)
Virginia Tech C Beau Warren (released 7/31)
Lock Haven OL Karri Kuuttila (released 8/4)
Houston OL Roy Watts (left camp 8/17)
Arkansas DE Damario Ambrose (released 9/2)
Stephen F. Austin DE Kenneth Charles (released 8/28)
Arkansas Pine-Bluff DT Arthur Thomas (released 8/2) North Carolina Central DT Teryl White (released 8/6)
Southern Mississippi DT John Henderson (practice squad)
SMU LB Pete Fleps (released 9/2)
Connecticut LB Scott Lutrus (practice squad)
Illinois CB Travon Bellamy (released 8/4)
Fort Valley State CB Dionte Dinkins (released 8/30)
Northern Illinois CB Chris Smith (released 8/16)
Baylor CB Timothy Atchison (released 9/3)
Mississippi CB Jeremy McGee (released 9/2)
West Texas A&M CB Tae Evans (released 9/2)
Villanova S John Dempsey (released 8/28)
Ohio State LS Jake McQuaide

It looks like McQuaide will be the only undrafted rookie free agent on this year's Opening Day roster.

Rams 9/7 report: Revenge of Guidugli

* Transactions:

- Ben Guidugli is back at Rams Park; he has replaced Demarco Cosby on the practice squad.

- Another practice squad change: CB Josh Gordy replaces Tim Atchison. Really? I thought Atchison had a fine preseason. Gordy is 5'11", 195, played college ball at Central Michigan, came here from the Packers. Appeared in two games for the Packers last year, was originally signed by the Jagwires in 2010 as an UDFA. Spent most of last year on the Packers' PS. College major was health fitness; he was second-team all-MAC as a senior.

And, yes, Berry Gordy of Motown Records fame is a relative. A cousin.

I'll say this much, Green Bay knows how to develop and coach defensive backs. I might have kept Atchison and kicked somebody else off the PS, though.

* Sunday's game should be a sellout. There were less than 800 tickets left as of yesterday, so I would think it's a lock to avoid local TV blackout already. Ticket sales were said to be brisk, so a genuine sellout looks very possible, even though the Cardinals are also at home Sunday (another fine piece of unfriendly scheduling by the NFL). So all you St. Louis-is-just-a-baseball-town people can be quiet now.

-$-

Monday, September 5, 2011

Guidugli was screwed! (Rams 9/5 report)

Transactions: Demarco Cosby got the eighth and final spot on the Rams' practice squad.

After that, the team decided to crush the hopes of the Ben Guidugli Fan Club, cutting the undrafted rookie free agent and replacing him with the completely non-descript Steven Spach. I guess Spach is ostensibly better suited to play from the tight end position (he's strictly a blocking TE, so now the Rams have 2-3 of those), but c'mon, Rams, throw us Guiduglians a bone! You could have at least had him on the practice squad. He did far more this preseason than Cosby did. Sigh.

Injury report: The only Rams reported sitting out Monday were Michael Hoomanawanui (calf) and Eugene Sims (oblique).

Gambling line: The Eagles are 4.5-point favorites Sunday. Over/under line is 44.

-$-

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Weekend waiver wire & ex-Rams mega update

The guys at Footballguys.com were kind enough to send out a post listing all of this weekend's roster cuts, so I thought I'd mine that for some interesting nuggets. And if the team rosters on NFL.com and my own memory are accurate, consider this the mega-ex-Rams update I promised a couple of weeks ago:

Arizona Cardinals

  • Ex-Rams cut: none
  • Ex-Rams on roster: LB Paris Lenon
  • Coaching staff: quarterbacks coach Chris Miller
  • Most interesting cut: QB Brodie Croyle

Atlanta Falcons

  • Ex-Rams cut: C Brett Romberg
  • Ex-Rams on roster: none
  • Coaching staff: offensive line coach Paul Boudreau
  • Most interesting cut: DE Chauncey Davis

Baltimore Ravens

  • Ex-Rams cut: CB Danny Gorrer
  • Ex-Rams on roster: OT Mark LeVoir
  • Coaching staff: running backs coach Wilbert Montgomery
  • Most interesting cut: LB Prescott Burgess (good special teams player)

Buffalo Bills

  • Ex-Rams cut: none
  • Ex-Rams on roster: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, WR Ruvell Martin
  • Most interesting cut: C Geoff Hangartner

Carolina Panthers

  • Ex-Rams cut: none
  • Ex-Rams signed: DE George Selvie
  • Ex-Rams on roster: G Bryant Browning
  • Coaching staff: offensive line coach John Matsko, defensive backfield coach Ron Meeks, offensive consultant Rickey Proehl
  • Most interesting cut: CB Kendric Burney

Chicago Bears

  • Ex-Rams cut: none
  • Ex-Rams on roster: none
  • Coaching staff: head coach Lovie Smith, offensive coordinator Mike Martz, linebackers coach Bob Babich, defensive assistant Gill Byrd
  • Most interesting cut: RB Chester Taylor (went to Arizona)

Cincinnati Bengals

  • Ex-Rams cut: DE Victor Adeyanju, WR Andrew Hawkins, CB Jonathan Wade
  • Ex-Rams on roster: QB Bruce Gradkowski, FB Brian Leonard
  • Coaching staff: quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese
  • Most interesting cut: G Max Jean-Gilles

Cleveland Browns

  • Ex-Rams cut: OT Phil Trautwein
  • Ex-Rams on IR: P Reggie Hodges
  • Ex-Rams stolen off of waivers: QB Thaddeus Lewis
  • Coaching staff: head coach Pat Shurmur
  • Most interesting cut: WR L.J. Castile. Pat Shurmur reads my blog!

Dallas Cowboys

  • Ex-Rams cut: DE Jimmy Saddler-McQueen
  • Ex-Rams on roster: none
  • Coaching staff: defensive line coach Brian Baker
  • Most interesting cut: K Shayne Graham, K Dave Rayner. The Cowboys had FOUR placekickers on their 80-man roster! They're still keeping two.

Denver Broncos

  • Ex-Rams cut: none
  • Ex-Rams on roster: RB Lance Ball, TE Daniel Fells
  • Coaching staff: secondary coach Ron Milus
  • Most interesting cut: CB Perrish Cox

Detroit Lions

  • Ex-Rams cut: none
  • Ex-Rams on roster: LB Bobby Carpenter
  • Coaching staff: offensive coordinator Scott Linehan
  • Most interesting cut: CB Nathan Vasher

Green Bay Packers

  • Ex-Rams cut: LB Cardia Jackson
  • Ex-Rams on roster: LB K.C. Asiodu, DL Ryan Pickett
  • Coaching staff: outside linebackers coach Kevin Greene
  • Most interesting cut: QB Graham Harrell

Houston Texans

  • Ex-Rams cut: DT Damione Lewis, RB Chris Ogbonnaya
  • Ex-Rams on roster: none
  • Coaching staff: assistant head coach / defensive line coach Bill Kollar
  • Most interesting cuts: FS Shiloh Keo, WR Jeff Maehl

Indianapolis Colts

  • Ex-Rams cut: none
  • Ex-Rams on roster: none
  • Coaching staff: defensive special assistant Rod Perry
  • Most interesting cut: DT Tommie Harris

Jacksonville Jaguars

  • Ex-Rams cut: none
  • Ex-Rams on roster: DT Leger (DOOZER) Douzable, P Matt Turk
  • Most interesting cut: CB Terrence Wheatley

Kansas City Chiefs

  • Ex-Rams cut: none
  • Ex-Rams on roster: TE Anthony Becht
  • Most interesting cut: TE Cody Slate

Miami Dolphins

  • Ex-Rams cut: LB David Nixon
  • Ex-Rams on roster: C Richie Incognito
  • Most interesting cut: QB Pat Devlin

Minnesota Vikings

  • Ex-Rams cut: CB Cord Parks
  • Ex-Rams on roster: none
  • Most interesting cut: LB Ross Homan

New England Patriots

  • Ex-Rams cut: DE Eric Moore
  • Ex-Rams on roster: none
  • Most interesting cut: S Brandon Meriweather (signed with Chicago)

New Orleans Saints

  • Ex-Rams cut: CB Quincy Butler
  • Ex-Rams on IR: OG Roger Allen, OT Alex Barron
  • Ex-Rams on roster: LB Scott Shanle
  • Coaching staff: assistant head coach/linebackers coach Joe Vitt, defensive assistant Brian Young
  • Most interesting cut: LB Clint Ingram

New York Giants

  • Ex-Rams cut: none
  • Ex-Rams on roster: DT Jimmy Kennedy
  • Coaching staff: defensive coordinator Perry Fewell, cornerbacks coach Peter Giunta
  • Most interesting cut: RB Andre Brown

New York Jets

  • Ex-Rams cut: none
  • Ex-Rams signed: Mardy Gilyard
  • Coaching staff: wide receivers coach Henry Ellard
  • Most interesting cut: DT Jarron Gilbert

Oakland Raiders

  • Ex-Rams cut: G Roy Scheuning
  • Ex-Rams on roster: QB Kyle Boller, CB Chris Johnson
  • Coaching staff: offensive coordinator Al Saunders
  • Most interesting cut: CB Lito Sheppard

Philadelphia Eagles

  • Ex-Rams cut: DL Anthony Hargrove
  • Ex-Rams on roster: none
  • Coaching staff: special teams coach Bobby April
  • Most interesting cuts: CB Joselio Hanson, T Ryan Harris

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • Ex-Rams cut: LB Mortty Ivy
  • Ex-Rams on roster: none
  • Most interesting cut: DB Macho Harris

San Diego Chargers

  • Ex-Rams cut: WR Laurent Robinson, OT Eric Young
  • Ex-Rams on IR: TE Dennis Morris
  • Ex-Rams signed: Na'il Diggs
  • Ex-Rams on roster: TE Randy McMichael
  • Coaching staff: QB coach John Ramsdell; director of player personnel Jimmy Raye
  • Most interesting cut: WR Kelley Washington

San Francisco 49ers

  • Ex-Rams cut: none
  • Ex-Rams on roster: LB Larry Grant
  • Most interesting cut: WR Ronald Johnson

Seattle Seahawks

  • Ex-Rams cut: none
  • Ex-Rams on roster: TE Dominique Byrd, LB David Vobora (I have heard Vobora's been cut)
  • Most interesting cut: DT Colin Cole

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • Ex-Rams cut: none
  • Ex-Rams signed: Zach Diles
  • Coaching staff: offensive coordinator Greg Olson
  • Most interesting cut: the player Mike Mayock wouldn't shut up about all spring, S Ahmad Black

Tennessee Titans

  • Ex-Rams cut: DE Hall Davis
  • Ex-Rams IR'ed: WR Kevin Curtis
  • Ex-Rams on roster: LB Will Witherspoon
  • Coaching staff: defensive coordinator Jerry Gray, offensive line assistant Art Vandelay
  • Most interesting cuts: DE Jacob Ford, RB Stafon Johnson, S Myron Rolle
  • Make that Art Valero.

Washington Redskins

  • Ex-Rams cut: C Donovan Raiola, TE Derek Schoumann
  • Ex-Rams on roster: S Oshiomogho Atogwe, DT Adam Carriker, LB London Fletcher
  • Coaching staff: defensive coordinator Jim Haslett
  • Most interesting cut: RB Keiland Williams



More roster moves

Connecticut LB Scott Lutrus has been added to the Rams' practice squad. He was cut by Jacksonville. There's one spot left on the practice squad; the Rams are reportedly looking for another guard, meaning they're far less interested in keeping Fendi Onobun around than I'd ever have guessed. In that case, nice draft pick, fellas.

Hank Fraley has been released; his roster spot is going to Tony Wragge.

-$-

Two more practice squad additions

DT John Henderson
OL Ryan McKee

Rams roster moves

Four practice squad signings:

DB Tim Atchison
OT Kevin Hughes
RB Chase Reynolds
DB Jonathan Nelson

Also, in a curious move, the Rams have signed veteran offensive lineman Tony (Ruh-roh) Wragge, who was cut by the 49ers. They've got to cut somebody to add him, and Steve Spagnuolo's cap on o-lineman is a hard eight, and Wragge plays guard/center. Whether or not this is just an effort at a 49ers brain dump, I wonder if Drew Miller didn't just get a ticket back to the practice squad, or worse.

-$-

Rams screw up badly with Thaddeus Lewis

Thaddeus Lewis has been signed, by the Cleveland Browns. Huh, stood to reason that just maybe Pat Shurmur would be keeping an eye on him, not?

The Rams gave up a young, developing, capable QB to keep five tight ends on the roster.

Also, in the "that was quick" category:
Carolina signed George Selvie;
Tampa Bay signed Zach Diles;
the Jets signed Mardy Gilyard.

Also, screw you, Pat Shurmur. I see little reason to yank QBs off of other teams' practice squads unless you're looking for a starter.

-$-

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Last cuts?

DT John Henderson
OT Kevin Hughes
OL Ryan McKee

OK, time to start dissecting these moves.

- There is one move hanging out there right now, and I assume it's to move Mark Clayton to the PUP/inactive list.

- The Rams kept TWO FULLBACKS. But, in awesome news of awesomeness, BEN GUIDUGLI made the team. At least until the Rams start scavenging players from other teams.

- Austin Pettis wins this year's Fendi Onobun Award as the probably-useless player the Rams just didn't think would make it safely to the practice squad. And we've seen how that worked out for Fendi.

- RamView, went a highly-mediocre 20-for-27 predicting the final rounds.

I would have kept:
Avery, Onobun, Foster, Ojinnaka, Selvie, Muir and Atchison.

The Rams instead kept:
Pettis, Brit Miller, Guidugli, Drew Miller, Hank Fraley, C.J. Ah You, Darell Dorell Scott.
* Over/under for weeks Pettis is a game-day inactive: 11.
* The Rams fooled me by barely using Brit Miller in Kansas City. I thought his play merited a roster spot but they got me thinking they weren't going to keep any fullbacks.
* But instead they're keeping two. Or five tight ends, if you like. But congratulations to Ben Guidugli. Kid played his ass off. It's still a long weekend, though.
* Congrats to Drew Miller, too. I just didn't get a good enough look at this summer's backup o-line play. I did think Ojinnaka played well, but Miller's been in the system three years, as opposed to three weeks, has learned the tackle and guard positions, has stuck it out on the practice squad... he's earned it.
* Backup center is the only useful role Hank Fraley can serve, for the second straight year. I think the Rams are taking big risks with Goldberg and Miller as backup tackles when Foster showed good skill at LT off the bench last season.
* Ah You was a coin flip to me with Selvie. I emphasized run defense; the Rams probably emphasized pass rush.
* Scott played his tail off in preseason. Credit to him. I'm still slack-jawed that he stayed over Muir, who he never played ahead of. Apparently the salary cap reared its head there.

What the hell, let's go ahead and see how poorly I can guess the practice squad:
Thaddeus Lewis
Fendi Onobun
Jonathan Nelson
Tim Atchison
Chase Reynolds
Kevin Hughes
Greg Matthews
Ryan McKee

Let's hope it doesn't take too much luck for Lewis and Onobun to slip through.

-$-

Rams release Avery, Lewis

Donnie Avery and Thaddeus Lewis are the Rams' two latest cuts.

I am also cutting myself from predicting Rams roster moves any more.

Either Mark Clayton isn't going on the PUP, or Austin Pettis is going to get a roster spot over Avery, which is close to ludicrous. Tony Softli has tweeted that Danario Alexander has made the final 53.

Also, are they going to keep 10 offensive lineman? Two FULLBACKS? What the f@ck?

Four cuts to go. I think. Damned if I'm getting anything else right today.


-$-

Six cuts to go

Latest Rams cut is WR Greg Matthews.

Wow, I'm back above 70% accuracy on today's cuts! Alert the media!

-$-

Rams cut Daniel Muir

Let's face it, I don't have any god damn idea what the Rams are going to do with their roster.

Looks like they'll stick with Darell Dorell and just 9 defensive linemen.

Seven moves left, the way I'm going today, Steven Jackson and Sam Bradford are next, and they're going to keep ten wide receivers.

But, c'mon, man! I don't remember Muir ever running behind Scott on the depth chart or running lower than second string. Didn't he start a couple of games?

You'd figure among the remaining moves, we'll hear John Henderson, Ben Guidugli, two more offensive linemen, and three of the TEN remaining wideouts. Does Greg Matthews have incriminating photos of somebody?

-$-

Tim Atchison released....

RamView brutally wrong about another Rams roster decision.

I'd think Atchison has a strong chance at the practice squad, but a monkey could basically outguess me today, so there you go.

Still hanging around with eight cuts left:
Thaddeus Lewis: looks like he's ON. The Rams have passed up chances to keep an extra DL, TE, and now DB. Looks like it'll be three QBs.
Brit Miller
BEN GUIDUGLI. I'm not holding out hope, but he's hung in a long time.
Billy Bajema. Would seem quite safe right now as the third TE, of three.
Drew Miller / Ryan McKee / Kevin Hughes. Rams have only 7 o-linemen on the roster right now; one of these three is going to make it.
James Butler / Jermale Hines
Darell Dorell Scott. Scott has had some good moments this preseason. Wonder if they'll go with 5 DEs, 5 DTs, and Scott essentially got Selvie's position.
Another DT, John Henderson, has yet to be cut. Wonder what the hold-up is there.
Rams are apparently saving the WR drama for last.
Danario Alexander, Donnie Avery, Austin Pettis, Dominique Curry
Mark Clayton yet to be PUP'ed. And Greg Matthews hasn't been cut yet. What the hey?

I'll bet it's Scott as the 10th DL, a fullback getting the spot I had for 4th TE, effectively Onobun's, Thad Lewis getting the spot I had for 10th DB, and 7 WRs as I projected.

I'll say Lewis, Britt Miller, Drew Miller, Darell Dorell, Butler, Hines, Alexander, Avery, Curry are all making it now. Good luck with that, they way I'm flailing today.

-$-

Rams cut Quinn Ojinnaka

REALLY?

Did Kevin Hughes make the team? Drew Miller? Ryan McKee? One of those three is the Rams' 8th offensive lineman. They are keeping eight, right?

Remaining nine cuts are definitely going to be interesting.

RamView's batting .778 right now, I think. 14 for 18. That's not a very special performance, though, the 14 were all pretty obvious.

-$-

Rams release George Selvie

Another wrong call by your (un)trusty RamView roster guesser...

DE George Selvie has been released.

That likely makes C.J. Ah You golden, and the Rams won't go with 10 defensive linemen on the roster.

Seems very likely now they'll carry a fullback and a seventh wide receiver, since they've kept one less TE and one less DL than I was guessing.

Still 10 moves to come.

-$-

Rams cuts: Onobun, Toston, Nelson (updated)

Cuts revealed by Jim Thomas on Twitter...

TE Fendi Onobun
TE Demarco Cosby

RB Keith Toston
RB Chase Reynolds
DT Marlon Favorite
DB Jonathan Nelson

The Foster cut surprised me this morning; cutting Onobun surprises me a lot here at lunchtime. He dropped a lot of passes, though. Let's see if the Rams don't try to get him onto the practice squad. (He is eligible.)

Billy Bajema AND Britt Miller going to make the 53-man? If Bajema was in any danger, I think it just went away.

Nelson's played well this preseason and I figure he will be tabbed for the PS.


11 moves still to be made.

-$-

Rams cuts: Gilyard, Diles, Foster

Rams player cuts revealed on Twitter this morning:

WR Mardy Gilyard
OT Renardo Foster
LB Zach Diles

Gilyard's chances looked promising at the beginning of camp, but he never emerged as a significant threat on returns, and showed poor ball security in the final preseason game.

Diles looked like a very good signing at the time, but it appears he never really got the hang of the Rams' system. Looks like rookie Jabara Williams has made the main roster.

Frankly, Foster is the biggest surprise of these three. He was a pleasant surprise when pressed into action at LT last regular season. It looks like Adam Goldberg is now the left-side backup, Quinn Ojinnaka the right-side backup, and Hank Fraley the backup center. I'm pretty dubious about this setup. Ojinnaka's played well, but Goldberg cannot play LT, and tying up one roster position for backup center just seems like bad roster planning. Fraley clearly can't help at guard based on this preseason's results. I would have kept Foster over Fraley, but the Rams seem more worried about having a "quality" backup at center than they do at left tackle.

With Goldberg AND Fraley making the cut to the second string, well, the first string better stay damn healthy.

Seventeen more moves coming today.

-$-

Friday, September 2, 2011

Rams cut seven

The Rams have cut seven players today according to Mike Sando:

DE Damario Ambrose
CB Tae Evans
LB Pete Fleps
OL Cody Habben
G Randall Hunt
CB Jeremy McGee
RB Van Stumon

20 moves to go.

-$-

Rams finish perfect preseason

The Rams ended a preseason undefeated for the first time since 1979 (a Super Bowl season) with last night's 24-17 win in Jacksonville. RamView recap

Highlights: Bradford, Kendricks and play-action kill another unsuspecting defense; defense swarms Jacksonville's first offense; Thaddeus Lewis has terrific second half at QB.

Lowlights: Running game got nowhere; Mardy Gilyard's bad hands; refereeing, which looks like it's going to be awful around the league this season.

Sitting last night out: Justin Bannan (paternity leave); Mark Clayton (PUP, knee); Michael Hoomanawanui (calf); James Laurinaitis (pectoreal); Drew Miller (ankle); Fred Robbins (back). James Hall left the game early with a lower back injury but it's considered minor.

RamView's final 53

QB: Bradford, Feeley. Lewis as QB2 would not be a shock after last night. But I don't think they want to lose Bradford's mentor. Then again, the Rams technically don't have a QB coach....

RB: Jackson, Cadillac, Norwood. Honestly thought I'd see more of Britt Miller last night. We may be heading toward a fullback-free roster.

TE: Kendricks, Hoomanawanui, Onobun, Bajema. I didn't originally have Bajema in. Now I'm giving him Miller's spot.

WR: Amendola, BGibson, Sims-Walker, Salas, Avery, Alexander, Curry. DX won his job back in my eyes last night. Plus Billy Devaney's interview on TV left a strong impression they won't be afraid to try and PS Austin Pettis. Mark Clayton to the PUP.

OL: Saffold, Smith, Bell, Brown, Dahl, Goldberg, Ojinnaka, Foster. Goldberg did not play well last night, don't consider him a lock.

DL: Long, Hall, Quinn, Sims, Selvie, Robbins, Bannan, Muir, GGibson. C.J. Ah You, though, could end up replacing the 7th WR or 1oth DB.

LB: Laurinaitis, Poppinga, Leber, Chamberlain, Kehl, Hull, Jabara Williams. Williams/Zach Diles is a coin flip as far as I'm concerned.

DB: Bartell, Fletcher, Harris, King, Atchison, Mikell, Stewart, Dahl, Butler, Hines. Butler/Hines/Jonathan Nelson another coin flip. Or Ro-sham-bo.

ST: Brown, Jones, McQuaide.

Just make sure my boy Guidugli makes the practice squad and I'll be happy.

-$-