It's hard to say what exactly the Rams had in the now released undrafted rookie LB Vince Hall. We do know, however, that the Rams entered the season with depth questions at the LB position, thanks mostly to the team's decision to let Brandon Chillar pursue free agency. (The Rams did offer him a one year, $1 million contract.) Hall, who had been turning some heads in the early goings of training camp, and while it was training camp, I would have liked to seen what he would have done with serious playing time during the preseason games. But alas, his hammy prevented that.
It still looks like the Rams may have been on to something though when they let Chillar walk with the idea of turning to Quinton Culberson, an undrafted rookie from Miss State acquired last may and the only undrafted rookie to make the team last season. Culberson, as of today, gets the edge for the starting role at strongside LB over Chris Draft, building upon his 14 tackle performance against Arizona in week 17 last season while Draft has dealt with injuries during camp this summer. Since Draft can play all three LB spots, he profiles better as a swing man this season.
So the Rams starting three LBs will be Witherspoon, Tinoisamoa and Culberson, with Draft getting plenty of action at all three spots. The Rams need a healthy season from Tinoisamoa, who hasn't played a full 16 games since 2005, to help keep the middle of the field protected.
A handful of undrafted rookies and recent late round draft picks round out the depth chart after the top four.And they're all, so far, having a good camp.
Chris Chamberlain and David Vobora, both 7th round pick from this season, got tickets for special teams play the moment they were drafted. Chamberlain has looked good in coverage through the early part of camp, even snagging a head-turning INT, not surprising given that many felt he could easily play safety as well as LB. Vobora might be the most talked about "Mr. Irrelevant" in the history of the NFL draft. Like Chamberlain, he's shown excellent football instincts in camp and looks good against the run (check out this pic of him bringing down Russ Weil in this weekend's scrimmage).
Undrafted rookie Mark Magro had a good day Saturday, breaking up a pass play and getting a "sack" lining up at DE. Magro and recent addition Marcus Riley both have some "hybrid" ability, working at DE in their college careers.
With the preseason's heaviest action still to come, I suspect we'll be hearing a great deal more about these young LBs since there are essentially four guys showing lots of promise competing for three roster spots. I promised a look at the undrafted rookies, which is still coming first thing in the a.m., but right now the most heralded names among the undrafted rookies are the guys mentioned right here, the linebackers.