Good morning, Ram fans! I hope everybody had a wonderful weekend despite what was arguably the most disappointing game of the year to date. I also hope that our student readers are prepared for a great, but long semester. Let's take it one day at a time. Just try hard, be passionate about the future and be the absolute best that you can. Seriously, Rams, let's go!
Cowboys shred Rams - Were it not for a better second half with help from the backups, the Dallas Cowboys' first-team offense and defense would have made this game a blowout. Tony Romo moved the ball at will without any of his main targets (Jason Witten, Miles Austin and Dez Bryant), while Sam Bradford was battered and helpless without any aid from his own. If this is how the Rams fair against a Dallas front-7, then San Francisco is in for a couple of treats. Not a starter on offense impressed in this game. (Note: Steven Jackson did not touch the ball.)
To reiterate again, there is no reason to fret over a preseason contest, but this one began eerily similar to the pounding in Indianapolis. The offensive has flashed its potential frequently; however, inconsistency continues to be more prevalent. As for the defense, take the last sentence and double it. When going for the tackle, don't look away and assume the play is made. This team continues to make SportsCenter for all of the wrong reasons. As Ramsfan873 said, "Torry Smith all over again."
Speaking of Smith, the Rams have what can be either a great opportunity or a terrible circumstance looming less than a week away. In their preseason finale, St. Louis will be hosting the Baltimore Ravens, who left the Edward Jones Dome last year with an effortless 37-7 victory. A strong performance - especially for the first-team offense - would go a long way.
Let's move on...
Difficult decisions await as cuts begin - Some coaches may brush through the roster cutting process without batting an eye, but Jeff Fisher takes it personally. While Fisher was never cut from any team - at any level - going into his 17th season as a head coach, he understands the disappointment that follows not making a squad. He makes it a point to meet and talk with each dropped player. When it comes to a team and roster that is in a situation such as the Rams, being cut could be seen as the end of the line; however, that is not always the case. Harvey Dahl, an undrafted rookie in 2005, bounced around as a free agent for years before hitting stride in Atlanta, subsequently earning a lucrative contract with St. Louis last offseason.
Offensive line still not intact - The Rams have yet to play a game with a fully-assembled starting offensive line. Center Scott Wells made his debut with the team in Dallas, but right guard Harvey Dahl did not play. The cohesiveness of this unit - along with Sam Bradford's wellbeing - hinges on the availability of all five big guys on the line. Barry Richardson appears to have edged out Jason Smith on the right outside. That may appease some fans, but not a whole lot. Safety Darian Stewart continues to recover from injury, and linebacker Rocky McIntosh made his first start.
Mike Sando's three things revisited - In this weekend's keys to watch, Sando looks at Scott Wells, the offensive rookies and progression of roster battles. Wells went largely unnoticed in Saturday's contest, which is usually a good thing for offensive linemen. Brian Quick and Daryl Richardson flashed their abilities, while Isaiah Pead continues to struggle. Through three games, Pead has an average of 1.875 yards (60 total) on 32 touches. Undrafted rookie safety Rodney McLeod has all but locked up a roster spot.
Seahawks drop Alex Barron - Terrell Owens hasn't been the only notable players to find himself on the chopping block in Seattle. Alex Barron, the Rams first-round pick in 2005, was slated as the team's third right tackle, and had almost no chance to make squad. His playing days may now be over. Deuce Lutui, a second-round pick for the Cardinals in 2006, and a former Pete Carroll apprentice from USC, was also cut. The Buffalo Bills have released former Ram Fendi Onobun.
Madden 2013 player ratings - If you are anything like me, then you love the Madden videogames, and absolutely hate to see the Rams player ratings. The latter is solely due to what appears to be EA Sport's pure hatred of the franchise. Nonetheless, this is included because the game is to be released at midnight, and it's fun to know just how poorly others view your favorite team. Four players - Steven Jackson, Cortland Finnegan, Chris Long and Harvey Dahl - have a rating above ninety. Sam Bradford has fallen to 80, and no receiver on the team comes close to that score. Greg "The Leg" Zuerlein brings up the rear of the roster with a 58 rating. Something must be done about this. For an Excel file look at every player, click here.