Ramblin' Fan » Training Camp http://ramblinfan.com A St. Louis Rams Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more. Fri, 17 May 2013 16:30:56 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 Rams Bring 22 Undrafted Free Agents To Camp http://ramblinfan.com/2013/05/11/rams-bring-22-undrafted-free-agents-to-camp/ http://ramblinfan.com/2013/05/11/rams-bring-22-undrafted-free-agents-to-camp/#comments Sat, 11 May 2013 13:00:46 +0000 Blaine Grisak http://ramblinfan.com/?p=6462 Football season has finally started…well kind of. The Rams rookies came in for mini-camp on Friday which included the seven players the Rams drafted in April as well as 22 undrafted free agents that the team has signed since then. Undrafted players are more important than some might think. Scouts often miss on players and [...]

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]]> Football season has finally started…well kind of. The Rams rookies came in for mini-camp on Friday which included the seven players the Rams drafted in April as well as 22 undrafted free agents that the team has signed since then. Undrafted players are more important than some might think. Scouts often miss on players and players draft stocks sometimes fall.  Arian Foster and Kurt Warner are perfect examples of this. Last season six players that came in and made the team were Austin Davis, Rodney McLeod, Johnny Hekker, Matt Conrath, and Quintin Pointer. This year’s undrafted free agents include:

WR C.J. Akins, Angelo State
LB Ray Ray Armstrong, Miami
K/P Brett Baer, Louisiana-Lafayette
LB Darren Bates, Auburn
WR Emory Blake, Auburn
OL Braden Brown, BYU
RB Benjamin Cunningham, Middle Tennessee State
S Cody Davis, Texas Tech
DT Garrett Goebel, Ohio State
LS Jorgen Hus, Regina (Canada)
DT Al Lapuaho, Utah State
TE Philip Lutzenkirchen, Auburn
DE Gerald Rivers, Ole Miss
OL Kevin Saia, Louisiana Tech
S Cannon Smith, Memphis
CB Robert Steeples, Memphis
FB Eric Stevens, Cal
LB Phillip Steward, Houston
LB Jonathan Stewart, Texas A&M
CB Drew Thomas, UTEP
DE R.J. Washington, Oklahoma
CB Darren Woodard, UTEP
One name that is intriguing that could not only make the final roster, but contribute in his first year is LB Ray Armstrong out of Miami. Ray Ray Armstrong is listed as a linebacker, but played safety for the University of Miami. Armstrong will make the switch due to gained weight. This kid could definitely surprise people and contribute on special teams. He is a low risk, high reward player which is what you look for in undrafted players. Armstrong had a good sophomore season at Miami having 79 tackles which was third on the team, had 3 interceptions, and was named all-ACC second team. From that point forward it’s been kind of downhill. Armstrong didn’t have a very good junior season and was forced to sit out his senior season due to having interactions with boosters. When all is said and done Armstrong hits hard, is fast, and has talent as he was at one point one of the top recruits in the country. He could be a great gamble for the Rams.
Another name that stands out is TE Philip Lutzenkirchen out of Auburn. It will be tough for Lutzenkirchen to make the final roster as the Rams have two good tight ends, but you never know what could happen. Lutzenkirchen is an automatic red zone threat as he stands 6’3 258lbs. He also holds the touchdowns by a tight end at Auburn with 14. He is solid in pass protection, shows great athleticism, and shows ability to win one on one battles. He needs to prove his reliability as a receiver and prove that he can stay healthy as he played injured during his  junior season and missed most of his senior season. If Lutzenkirchen can stay healthy he might just be a difference maker. Lutzenkirchen is also number seven on Gil Brandt’s list of undrafted tight ends.
Finally, one guy to keep an eye on this off season is Jonathan Stewart…no not the Carolina Panthers running back. Stewart was an inside linebacker for Texas A&M and is number three on Gil Brandt’s list of undrafted linebackers. Stewart was one of the top linebacker recruits coming out of high school and actually chose A&M over Alabama and Notre Dame. In Stewarts sophomore season he was a nice backup for the Aggies as well as a good special teams players. As a junior he made the starting line up and led the team in tackles. Stewart is another player that the Rams have added that can hit hard. Stewart is good at play recognition as well as having good straight line speed. Despite his size Stewart is a hesitant tackler, allowing runners to gain three or four yards rather than meeting them at the line of scrimmage, bottom line is he fails to consistently fit, press, and disengage to make tackles. If Stewart can improve his tackling he may just make the roster. Stewart has experience on special teams and if he makes the roster, that may just be where he ends up.
Armstrong, Latzenkirchen, and Stewart are guys to keep an eye on during camp. These guys may make the roster despite the odds. And who knows, maybe none of them make the roster and a kid that I didn’t mention surprises and becomes a superstar. If it’s one thing everybody should know in the NFL, expect anything and everything, because who knows the Rams may just have a hidden gem on their roster.
]]> http://ramblinfan.com/2013/05/11/rams-bring-22-undrafted-free-agents-to-camp/feed/ 0 Final Cut Friday: Your Cheat Sheet To The Biggest Names To Get Cut http://ramblinfan.com/2012/08/31/final-cut-friday-your-cheat-sheet-to-the-biggest-names-to-get-cut/ http://ramblinfan.com/2012/08/31/final-cut-friday-your-cheat-sheet-to-the-biggest-names-to-get-cut/#comments Fri, 31 Aug 2012 23:52:39 +0000 Nathan Kearns http://ramblinfan.com/?p=4356 The day is finally here, Aug. 31 marks the the NFL deadline for the 53-man roster cuts, which means a ton of players will be finding themselves unemployed, at least temporarily. Some players have worked their way onto a roster through their play during the preseason. Other could not make the cut, but will shortly [...]

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December 12, 2010; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush (25) is tackled high by St. Louis Rams safety Oshiomogho Atogwe (21) during the second quarter at the Louisiana Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook - US PRESSWIRE

The day is finally here, Aug. 31 marks the the NFL deadline for the 53-man roster cuts, which means a ton of players will be finding themselves unemployed, at least temporarily. Some players have worked their way onto a roster through their play during the preseason. Other could not make the cut, but will shortly end up on another team in another city fighting for a spot or playing time. For others it will mean signing to a practice squad, making good money but never seeing the field on Sunday. To others, both young and old, it means the end of the road, their last moments in the NFL. Here is the most up-to-date news from the Rams and around the league.

So far, the Rams have release an addition 13 players, most of which are not surprising:

C Tim Barnes, CB Kendric Burney, QB Tom Brandstater, DE Mason Brodine, OLB Sammy Brown, DE Vernon Gholston, FB Ben Guidugli,  C Bob Hebert, WR Nick Johnson, OT Joe Long, FB Ovie Mughelli, TE DeAngelo Peterson, RB Chase Reynolds

Of the names listed, most are fringe players that saw limited time during the preseason and practice. The most notable of the names may be tight end DeAngelo Peterson, who had been impressive all camp after being brought in as an UDFA. With the healthy return of Michael Hoomanawanui, there was not simply not enough spots for Peterson on the roster. Mughelli was a big name player brought in during the offseason from waivers, but was outplayed by Brit Miller as the first team blocker for Steven Jackson. Some had hoped that Joe Long was be able to replicate the production of his brother, Pro Bowl OT Jake Long of the the Miami Dolphins. Long was another fringe man brought in as an UDFA, but with the competition at the right tackle spot, did not see a lot of reps. Reynolds and Guidugli both got some good playing time last night, with Reynolds having an impressive showing working with the twos and threes. It may also be notable the Brandstater was released, mean that Austin Davis may have played his way into the #3 spot on the depth chart behind Bradford and Clemens.

There were a number of other big names around the league that got the ax today. Included in those names was ex-Ram WR Mardy Gilyard, who was picked up in the offseason by the Philadelphia Eagles after being released by the St. Louis Rams. Sticking with the Eagles, they also cut ex-Ram S O.J. Atogwe, who was controversially released by the  Rams a season ago, leaving a gaping hole in a pitiful secondary, which would later be filled by ex-Eagle, Quintin Mikell. Other names from the around the league…

Cleveland Browns, TE Evan Moore

Cleveland Browns, QB Seneca Wallace

Washington Redskins, RB Tim Hightower

New England Patriots, WR Deion Branch

Philadelphia Eagles, TE Brett Bracket

Philadelphia Eagles, WR Marvin McMutt

New York Giants, RB Danny Ware

 

Here are a couple of responses to the cuts via Twitter,

 

 

 

]]> http://ramblinfan.com/2012/08/31/final-cut-friday-your-cheat-sheet-to-the-biggest-names-to-get-cut/feed/ 0 Injury Update: Fewer Comeback Players Than Expected http://ramblinfan.com/2012/08/24/injury-update-less-comeback-players-than-expected/ http://ramblinfan.com/2012/08/24/injury-update-less-comeback-players-than-expected/#comments Fri, 24 Aug 2012 13:30:06 +0000 Nathan Kearns http://ramblinfan.com/?p=4204 Compared to years past, the Rams have been the picture of health this preseason. Although some players have missed significant time up to this point, we have still yet to have a significant injury. Earlier in the week, numerous sources cited the expected comeback of a large group of players, including projected starter Scott Wells [...]

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Aug 18, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive back Rodney McLeod (38) recovers a fumble against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams defeated the Chiefs 3-17. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Scott Rovak-US PRESSWIRE

Compared to years past, the Rams have been the picture of health this preseason. Although some players have missed significant time up to this point, we have still yet to have a significant injury. Earlier in the week, numerous sources cited the expected comeback of a large group of players, including projected starter Scott Wells cautiously returning after a knee scope. In addition to Wells, a number of players that are battling for the starting spot were expected to return, including Darian Stewart, Bradley Fletcher, and Brandon Gibson.

With all of these returns, many expected a shake in up in the depth charts, specifically on the defensive side of the ball. There have been some changes, but not the ones they might have expected. In the absence of Bradley Fletcher, Trumaine Johnson and Josh Gordy were taking a majority of reps at the nickel corner position; that is, until the Rams unexpectedly shipped Gordy to the Colts. To fill in the slot left vacant by the trade, the Rams surprisingly picked up the 2008 sixth overall pick, Vernon Gholston to add to the defensive line rotation.

Rams beat writer Jim Thomas tweeted out late Thursday a number of updates, most of which were bad news for the so-far, relatively healthy Rams.

For those of us hoping to see more of Craig Dahl on the sideline, we got our wish. However, most expected the additional bench time to come as a result of Darian Stewart’s return, not because of additional injuries. Rams Nation will now likely watch a pair of UDFA, Daniels and McLeod, get some first team reps alongside Quintell Mikell. With Gordy gone, the Rams secondary is now extremely young, since the first team will likely be featuring rookies Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson in addition to whoever get the reps at safety.

Jim Thomas continued to tweet out a the injury list, this time featuring some previously unmentioned names,

At this point, fans are far more surprised to see DX on the field than off of it. However, the addition of the four defensive lineman is a bit worrisome,  although it may shed a little more light on the Vernon Gholston acquisition. DT Trevor Laws was brought in during the offseason with Kendall Langford, and prior to the drafting of Michael Brockers, was expected to battle for the other starting DT sport left open after the departure of Bannon and Robbins. With Brockers handling the starting role and DTs Cudjo and Conrath playing well in the preseason, Laws has somewhat faded into the background, seeing most of his reps in rotation on the second and third teams. Thomas later revealed more details about the specifics of the injuries, noting that DT Darrell Scott will likely miss the rest of preseason, but that DE Eugene Sims’ injury, which was feared to be a high ankle injury, does not appear to be too serious. The Rams defensive line rotation has been one of the most impressive units thus far in preseason, but injuries can quickly change that.

It wasn’t all bad news, with Jim Thomas confirming a couple of players that were projected to return this week,

This week, we will be get the chance to see a plethora of new talent, primarily on the defensive side of the ball. It should be interesting to see how the young secondary players handle Tony Romo, although he will be coming in without a majority of his receiving core, including TE Jason Witten. It should also be interesting to see how the defensive line performs against the shaky Dallas offensive line, especially new acquisition Vernon Gholston. All in all, the injury report is not that bad, especially in comparison to other teams. The Rams should use this week to get the young guys some additional reps and let the walking wounded heal up before Week 1 against the Detroit Lions.

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