5 winners, 4 losers in Rams victory over Cowboys in preseason opener

(2) - Winner: RB Boston Scott

Even as the team needed to find depth at the running back position, veteran running back Boston Scott showed up in a big way. In the post-game box score, he was credited with 15 rushes for 68 yards, catching three of three passes thrown his way for 10 yards, and a kickoff return for 23 yards. That is quite an outing for a veteran.

But there was far more to his presence on the football field than what he gained in yardage. Throughout the game, when he touched the football, there was a sense that something good was going to happen. And it often did. While he is fighting an uphill battle to make the roster, he has that calming and confident personna that just feels like a great fit on this roster. And his versatility is outstanding.

I really was not certain how Boston Scott would appear in this Rams offense, but I know now. He is a solid fit. And that means a great deal.

(2) - Loser: TE Nicola Kalinic

Much like IOL Mike McAlister, tight end Nicola Kalinic only seemed to show up in the Rams' first preseason game in a negative light. He was penalized twice, both at key points in the football game, and neutralized positive plays. Kalinic is fighting for a roster spot that may not exist, if for simply the numbers game of too many players vying for too few slots. But wherever Kalinic stood in terms of the depth chart before this preseason game, he is losing ground.

Perhaps he is a blocking tight end only, and the thrill of the first preseason game was such that it was hard to track his ability to make and hold blocks on a one-pass broadcast of the game. Because it was preseason, the monitor was frequently filled with interviews of Coach McVay on the sidelines as action was taking place on the football field. But the box score showed not receptions or runs from Nicola Kalinic. But he had two penalties that wiped out positive plays.

Tsk tsk.