Tomlinson risks becoming real Rams cut candidate after 2nd penalized performance

Preseason games are a different type of football stage. While it's always fun to see a final score and celebrate the win or anguish over the defeat (the Rams won their second consecutive preseason game), this is about individual player performances. Fans can be thrilled at the heroics of a young undrafted defensive back named Jaylen McCollough, whose interception highlighted a fantastic preseason campaign to earn a spot on the roster.

Or fans can focus on the struggles of second-year defensive back Tre' Tomlinson, who was noted for his penalty-riddled performance in 2023, and who has stubbornly insisted upon being flagged at the worst possible times in the 2024 preseason. It's become far too frequent, far too regular. And with the strong showings of young defensive backs so far, Tomlinson risks becoming a real Rams cut candidate after his second penalized preseason performance.

I'm not happy about having Tomlinson show up so quickly on the 'won't make this team' list, but it's tough to look the other way.

Against the Dallas Cowboys, after an eight-yard run on a first-down and 10 from the Cowboys 20-yard line by RB Snoop Conner, we saw an unpleasant but not surprising penalty flag on the play. Tre Tomlinson was flagged on the play, adding 15 yards to the end of the play. Ultimately, Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey missed a 65-yard field goal attempt.

Against the Los Angeles Chargers, after an unsuccessful pass attempt on third-down and 19 yards to go at the Chargers 41-yard line, another flag appeared. This time the penalty was for illegal contract. While only a five-yard penalty, it restored a new set of downs for the Chargers offense to work with. The drive would ultimately end with a fumble by Chargers QB Easton Stick at the LA Rams one-yard line. So summing it up:

• Cowboys game: PENALTY on LA-T.Tomlinson, Unnecessary Roughness
• Chargers game: PENALTY on LA-T.Tomlinson, Illegal Contact, 5 yards

We can and have discussed how the Rams defense had rallied to overcome mental errors by QB Stetson Bennett. But Bennett was not the only Rams player whose sins were forgiven by this swarming and aggressive defense. Poorly timed infractions by Rams DB Tre Tomlinson were swept under that same rug.

Okay, he gets flagged pretty frequently. How is he doing from a football perspective beyond the penalties? The phrase not-so-hot comes to mind. In each game, he has been a non-factor. He has recorded one tackle in each preseason game. In his first preseason game, his receiver was targeted just once without a catch. I am still assembling his pass coverage data against the Chargers.

Tre'Vius Tomlinson is not a rookie. He is a veteran in his second season after appearing in 15 games for the Rams in 2023. He played 45 defensive snaps and 318 special team snaps last season. I'm afraid that he is in real danger of not seeing any action this year. He may not make it to the Rams roster in 2024.

Fans and staff expected to see marked improvement from QB Stetson Bennett in his second preseason game, and I think he showed that. The same cannot be said of DB Tre Tomlinson. Competition for a roster spot is quite fierce in the secondary, and Tomlinson is lagging far behind his peers and teammates so far.

There is one more game to go. But it's going to take an incredible performance by Tomlinson to turn around his chances of making the team.

And for goodness sakes, he must please stop getting flagged for penalties at the worst possible times.

Thanks for reading.