Rams CB instantly took advantage of teammate’s sudden release for new look

The Los Angeles Rams entered the annual roster cutdown event with more talent than the team could protect and retain. The challenge was trying to keep as much vital talent as possible without letting NFL teams improve their own rosters with players who were released. At the initial impression, the team had mixed results.

It's in situations like these that fans understand the need to trust the front office and coaching staff. Even as some fan favorites were ruthlessly claimed by other teams, the team did manage to construct the optimal 53-player active roster and 16-player practice squad possible.

But unbeknownst to fans, some players took advantage of the now thinned-out roster to lay claim to a more desirable roster jersey number. Such is the case for veteran cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr., who seized the opportunity of the team's loss of CB Derion Kendrick on waivers to the Seattle Seahawks to claim his former jersey number 1. Henceforth, Forbes will be wearing jersey number 1, not his former jersey number 25.

Rams Emmanuel Forbes is now dressed for success

While this may not tip the scales as newsworthy for everyone, don't judge this story by its cover. Many elite and very competitive NFL players go to great lengths to wear their favorite numbers. Whether this is a case of superstition gone mad or simply the NFL taking the 'dress for success' mantra to new heights, who can say?

What can be said is that for the first time in his NFL career, the 24-year-old has completed both training camp and preseason in LA, and his performance in this secondary has shown remarkable progress and growth. He remains a bit on the light side, 6-foot and 180 pounds, but he has added a bit of muscle.

Better still, he showed up to camp with much more confidence and enthusiasm. That energized his performance, pitting him in competition for a starting role in this secondary. Best of all, he was one of the beneficiaries of the team's addition of veteran wide receiver Davante Adams, who mentored Forbes throughout training camp on what to prepare for and even how to develop proper countermeasures.

The third-year pro is expected to become a key contributor this season. He is also one of the primary reasons that the team did not invest heavily in the secondary in the offseason. Expecting strong competition from both Ahkello Witherspoon and Emmanuel Forbes Jr., the front office turned its attention elsewhere. From what he has shown so far, the team was right about Forbes.

As always, thanks for reading.

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