Rams vs Chargers preseason Week 2: 7 storylines fans must monitor

(6) - How will Karty perform after winning the kicking job?

The LA Rams have seen enough from rookie kicker Joshua Karty to release his competition, former Rams kicker Tanner Brown. Karty was as good as humanly possible in his first and only preseason game. He kicked two of two field goals (28 and 39 yards) and a clutch extra point as time ran out to win the game over the Dallas Cowboys by a score of 13-12. After those heroics, the Rams felt that the competition was over, and released Brown.

And they were correct to do so.

The question now is: What will Joshu Karty do for an encore?

This can go one of two ways. If he is who he has been described as and seems to be, he will remain a highly motivated and highly competitive kicker. From the vantage of the fans, nothing changes. But if he is somehow less motivated without active competition, he could have an 'off' week in Game 2. That is something that everyone will be eager to determine.

It will all be up to Joshua Karty.

(5) - Can an undrafted rookie ILB pry a roster spot loose?

If you are one of the many fans who want to see the team pair up starting ILB Ernest Jones IV with a player of similar caliber, then the first-game of the preseason was quite promising. The Rams invested a few defensive snaps into both undrafted rookies at the inside linebacker position. Both ILB Omar Speights and Elias Neal paid off with huge returns on that investment.

The thing is, veterans Christian Rozeboom and Troy Reeded did not even suit up for the game, suggesting that both have already made the 53-man roster. If that stands, the initial 53-man roster may not even have a open slot for a fourth ILB.

But where there is a will, there is a way.

It may take a superhuman effort to manifest a course change at this point. Still, Omar Speights flashed the type of performance in one preseason game to give hope that he has that level of performance in him. If he can string along a second incredible performance this week, he has the makings of a strong argument to force the coaching staff to reverse any decisions that they may have made.

Elias Neal is not far behind.

Fans know what the team has in Christian Rozeboom, Troy Reeder, and Jake Hummel. But we have yet to see where rookies Omar Speights and Elias Neal raise their game. Will they simply be another 'meh' linebacker? Or do they have the stuff to turn the momentum of the game back the other way with one huge play?

I think its more of the latter.