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On the bubble: Which Rams need a good offseason to keep their job

St. Louis Rams rookie seventh-round draft pick running back Chris Ogbonnaya could force some veterans off the roster with strong camp. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

More photos » by Jeff Roberson - AP

St. Louis Rams rookie seventh-round draft pick running back Chris Ogbonnaya could force some veterans off the roster with strong camp. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

New coaches, a new front office, and a host of roster changes, including the release of two long-time franchise greats, have marked the Rams offseason of change. As hard as it is to believe, the changes aren't done yet. There are some familiar names, familiar to Rams fans anyway, fighting for roles in the months ahead.

In his chat at the Post-Dispatch website yesterday, Bill Coats singled out CB Tye Hill, which should come as no surprise. Here's what he said about the Rams first round pick from 2006:

...he didn't have a very good minicamp and still seems to be affected by his knee injury from last season...I'd go even further and say this is a make-or-break preseason for Hill. If he can't earn the starting spot at the other corner, then he doesn't have much of a future here.

Like I said, not a huge surprise. If Alex Barron plays better this year, then Tye Hill might officially become the biggest disappointment for the Rams in recent years, in my opinion. At times, Hill has shown us glimpses of the talent that made him a first round pick, but injuries and inconsistency have really derailed his career. Tye Hill isn't the only player "on the bubble" heading into camp with a job on the line. Here's a look at some of the other players. (Note: This doesn't include rookies, since they haven't really established any kind of role with the team yet, just players who have been here that have a big case to make.)

TE Joel Klopfenstein - Another "no surprise" candidate and another disappointment from the 2006 draft. The second round pick has never blocked well or done enough offensively to justify his draft status, and now he's in danger of losing his roster spot to a mid-season free agent pickup from last season, Daniel Fells.

RB/FB Brian Leonard - I think Leonard's chances of sticking on the roster are better than Klop's; however, he has to prove he has some kind of role with the team, a role he fills better than Darby, Pittman, Ogbonnaya, Gado, or another potential RB addition that the team could make before the season starts.

RB Antonio Pittman - Really, you can put just about every Rams running back not named Steven Jackson on this list, though I think Kenneth Darby has a pretty good shot to stick as a third down back/return man. Pittman had the second most carries of any Rams RB last season, 79, and averaged 3.7 yards per carry. However, for a speedy guy he never really broke off a long run for a big play. Certainly the Rams poor o-line gets some of the blame, but Pittman has to earn a roster spot this summer.

G Roy Schuening - I really thought Schuening had the chops to be a contributor last year, but he only saw action in one game. And after last season, he still had some supporters in the building who thought he could be a solid player. Now, he's got some legit competition to round out the depth roles for the interior line with rookie free agents Roger Allen III and Ray Feinga.

QB Brock Berlin - Say what you want about the wisdom of the Rams drafting QB Keith Null in the sixth round, he threw the ball well in minicamp and could be a good fit as the third QB in the Rams new West Coast offense. That would make Berlin expendable.

LB Quentin Culberson - There's a log jam of young potential depth guys at LB, but Culberson stands out because he was the guy the Rams liked well enough to justify letting Brandon Chillar walk. If he can step it up in camp and through the season, he could be in line for a job as a starting strong-side linebacker, putting Tinoisamoa's name on this list for next season.

LBs David Vorbora & Chris Chamberlain - Both seventh round picks from last year's draft saw action last season on special teams and with the defense. Vobora even started a game...and he was Mr. Irrelevant you know. Despite their interesting stories from last season, their jobs are far from secure as some of the undrafted rookies and others, like free agent acquisition from last year Larry Grant, could push them for roles on special teams and in the LB rotation.

Obviously, there are other players who'll find themselves in a make or break campaign. These guys just stand out the most. Who else might be in danger of losing a job, or at least a prominent role with the team? Expect this list to evolve once camp starts in July and the season gets closer.

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Out of all these guys, I'm rooting for Hill

He’s shown he has talent. I think last year he suffered a crisis of confidence before his injury — either that or he was playing hurt all season long. He was basically guessing out there, getting turned around on simple moves and playing catchup all the time. And that could either be compensation for an injury, or just something fundamentally wrong with his understanding of the scheme.

"Attaway to stomp 'em. Stomp the piss out of 'em. Stomp 'em when they're down. Kick 'em and stomp 'em. Attaway to go boys. Pound that old Budweiser into you and go get them tomorrow." -- Joe Schultz

by taiko on May 6, 2009 10:01 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

i'm with you

that ’06 draft will be a real bust if Hill flops. we need good CBs!

by VanRam on May 6, 2009 12:00 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Confusion over recent WR addition.

I’m not sure how or what Tim Carter brings to the table that Donnie Avery, Laurent Robinson, and Keenan Burton don’t already bring. I’d just prefer re-signing Dane Looker.

Did I ever tell you about the time Brasky and I went horseback riding, but there weren't any horses around? Anyway, Brasky throws a saddle on my back and rides me around Wyoming for three days. Well, wouldn't ya know it, my stamina increased with each day, and I develop tremendous leg muscles. So anyway, Brasky decides to enter me into the Breeders Cup under the name Turkish Delight. And Im running in second place, and I'm running, and I break my ankle. So anyway, they're about to shoot me. Then someone from the crowd yells out, God bless him, Dont shoot him, he's a human.

by Tackle Box on May 6, 2009 11:22 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I think it's just depth

for camp. a guy that will get a shot to make an impression and make the roster, no guaranteed spot.

by VanRam on May 6, 2009 11:59 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yes! Keep Dane Looker!

I’ve always thought Dane Looker did a fine job replacing Ricky Proehl and once Ricky was gone to me he was almost like a Ricky Proehl clone.

He just seems like a solid clutch receiver when you need that 1st down conversion. Not to mention being a great holder for Jeff Wilkins all those years.

Go Rams!

by Nbr1RamFan on May 6, 2009 1:10 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

How far we've gone

It seems as if just yesterday the Rams had the best young fullback in the NFL.

Brian sure has been a disappointment

by Option27 on May 6, 2009 3:08 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Leonard was never a fullback.

They might have tried to call him that from time to time, but he was never a fullback.

Did I ever tell you about the time Brasky and I went horseback riding, but there weren't any horses around? Anyway, Brasky throws a saddle on my back and rides me around Wyoming for three days. Well, wouldn't ya know it, my stamina increased with each day, and I develop tremendous leg muscles. So anyway, Brasky decides to enter me into the Breeders Cup under the name Turkish Delight. And Im running in second place, and I'm running, and I break my ankle. So anyway, they're about to shoot me. Then someone from the crowd yells out, God bless him, Dont shoot him, he's a human.

by Tackle Box on May 6, 2009 6:45 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Tye Hill

Tye Hill was a beast in college, I can’t believe how bad he has struggled throughout his career as a ram. But football is a coaching sport and it takes the right play calls and so forth to put these guys in position to make big plays in big games; I believe we have the better coaching and better players now. Witherspoon, Pisa, and Laurnitias (personal fav) provide a presence in the center of the field. With good coaching and good leadership from laurnitias we won’t have to put what seems like the whole team in the box to stop a simple run. So lets see these guys work and do the job we know they can do…

by sj39 on May 6, 2009 5:47 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Clemson

Tye Hill is a SC man just like me and he was a stud at Clemson,but I have never seen him make a play in a game,no interceptions no special teams it has got to be the system,and that has changed so he should show that he is a good CB but he is in trouble it is show and prove time,but cut Leonard and Klopfenstein man I have never seen anything out of these two clowns.

by 39jackson on May 6, 2009 6:23 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

special teams

Somebody give me some info on D. Hall is he still our guy on special teams or do we start to see Justin King?thanks.

by 39jackson on May 6, 2009 6:25 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Hall is not on the roster

and I don’t expect him to ever be again.

As far as who is the return man this year? Your guess is a good as mine. It just won’t be Hall.

Did I ever tell you about the time Brasky and I went horseback riding, but there weren't any horses around? Anyway, Brasky throws a saddle on my back and rides me around Wyoming for three days. Well, wouldn't ya know it, my stamina increased with each day, and I develop tremendous leg muscles. So anyway, Brasky decides to enter me into the Breeders Cup under the name Turkish Delight. And Im running in second place, and I'm running, and I break my ankle. So anyway, they're about to shoot me. Then someone from the crowd yells out, God bless him, Dont shoot him, he's a human.

by Tackle Box on May 6, 2009 6:47 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Anything but Derek Stanley

It would be an easy way for Spags & Co. to signal their departure from the previous staff by coming out and naming a new return man. Avery maybe?

Jay Zygmunt, now that you have fired yourself, please have yourself hired by Seattle. Thanks.

by 3k on May 6, 2009 8:06 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

No Way

Avery, believe it or not, is too valuable as a WR to risk injury on special teams. I’d look for Foster or another young addition to step in as a return man.

by Oski Bear on May 6, 2009 9:20 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

stanley was the talk up

I don’t even know if he is still with us but stanley was supposed to contribute to special teams, although In the world of madden its a sad day to see dante hall go. Ogbannaya will be a great second string back (my opinion a great sleeper) so leonard will be gone if that pans out. Plus Karney took his spot at full back. Plz keep vobora, this kid has alot of character and will learn alot on the bench and may crack a starter if heaven forbid laurnitias gets hurt in a year or two.

by sj39 on May 6, 2009 7:02 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

In the last few games

he played, you could just see the other teams picking on Hill. They knew they could count on getting at least a first down every time they threw his way. He just looked totally clueless out there. It was more than coaching – he just looked like he had never played corner before. I sure hope he gets it together this year.

by andyrose on May 6, 2009 11:07 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Leonard

Leo is a Bengal now

by GermanRam on May 7, 2009 1:04 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

One down

from your list and seven to go. I wonder how many of them will stick with the Rams. Surely not more than four or five of them.

by andyrose on May 7, 2009 10:52 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

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