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

(2) - Can Rams offensive linemen be more than a 1-hit wonder?

Even as the LA Rams are trying to find the right mix-and-match configuration for their five-man offensive line, the team has to be quite pleased with the performance of their offensive line in Game 1 against the Dallas Cowboys. As a reminder, here are the names and positions of players who competed in the preseason opener, along with the number of offensive snaps, and their Pro Football Focus assigned grade for the game.

• LT AJ Arcuri - 71 snaps, 66.2 overall grade (PFF)
• LG Zach Thomas - 46 snaps, 84.1 overall grade (PFF)
• LG Justin Dedich - 25 snaps, 73.0 overall grade (PFF)
• C Beaux Limmer - 44 snaps, 82.5 passing grade (PFF)
• C Mike McCalister - 27 snaps, 49.3 overall grade (PFF) | 3 penalties
• RG Logan Bruss - 71 snaps, 81.5 overall grade (PFF)
• RT Warren McClendon - 46 snaps, 68.8 overall grade (PFF)
• RT Blake Larson - 10 snaps, 63.5 overall grade (PFF)
• RT Conor McDermott - 15 snaps, 61.5 overall grade (PFF)

If you take note of the players named, you will note that IOL Grant Miller, OL Alec Lindstrom (recently signed FA), and OL Matt Kaskey (recently signed FA) did not see action in the preseason opener. And then there is the aftermath of an undisclosed injury that removed center Beaux Limmer from action, sending Mike McCalister into the game.

Whill the Rams give some snapps to Miller, Lindstrom, and/or Kaskey this week? After dominating performances, will the team want to see more from Zach Thomas, Beaux Limmer, or Logan Bruss? And with reports surfacing that Warren McClendon performing very well at left tackle, while Joe Noteboom is impressing at right tackle, do they sit out this game?

There is a lot to keep close track of in this one. Do the Rams have enough depth to pull McClendon, Limmer, Bruss and Thomas from action in this game? If so, do they go with:

• LT AJ Arcuri
• LT Matt Kaskey
• LG Justin Dedich
• C Mike McAllister
• C Alec Lindstrom
• RG Grant Miller
• RT Blake Larson
• RT Conor McDermott

Sometimes it is not how the game of chess is won that is the most exciting. Sometimes the greatest thrills and thought-provoking actions are how the team sets up the chessboard.