Rams Vs. Packers, preseason 2014: Winners and losers in Week 2

The St. Louis Rams fell to the Green Bay Packers 21-7, but this is the preseason so the score doesn't matter at the end of the day. What does matter is how the players played. Although the Rams lost the game, a lot of players looked good against the Packers, but some players didn't fare that well. Let's take a quick look at them.

Which players impressed?

Sam Bradford

Bradford's first drive didn't go as planned, but in his second drive he showed up and drove the offense down the field for a touchdown. Bradford looked poised, sharp, and used his mobility better than expected. He did overthrow receiver Kenny Britt on what would have been a big play, but he's rusty. Bradford would finish his second drive with an 11-yard touchdown to tight end Lance Kendricks.

Brian Quick

This is Quick's third season which is usually when receivers start taking their play up a notch. Although the jury is still out on Quick, he did impress with a nice catch for 41 yards. On that play he ran a nice route, caught the ball at it's highest point, and continued to gain yards after the catch.

Ethan Westbrooks

Westbrooks was a regular in the backfield against the Packers terrorizing the quarterbacks and showing up everywhere on the field. Westbrooks also ended the game with a sack.

Greg Robinson

Robinson was the biggest surprise to me this week.  This was his first chance to start left tackle and he played better than I expected. He looked like he could play left tackle, there were some questionable moments --  I think he allowed a sack and a pressure -- but he played well overall.

Which players didn't impress?

Tre Mason

The Rams offensive line couldn't get a push to help spring the running backs and yards didn't come easy for Mason, as he rumbled for 30 yards on 11 attempts. That's not the reason why he's stock is down, it's down because of his pass blocking, he allowed a sack (maybe two of them, depending how you want to credit it). His lack of blocking ability is the reason why he's the third running back on the depth chart.

Isaiah Pead

Isaiah Pead was in the doghouse last season, but it appeared as though the third-year backup was going to make the team. He missed the game against the Saints last week. He was on his way to making a play on kick off return, then he got injured, tearing his ACL. His season is likely over, and his time with the Rams may be through as well.

Aaron Donald

Donald was in the backfield a few times against the Saints last week, but this week he was neutralized. He finished the game with one tackle and while that's okay, it's hard not to expect more out of the first-round defensive tackle. His biggest asset is his pass rush ability and it was largely held in check.

The starting defense

Yes, the Rams were playing against arguably the best quarterback in the league, Aaron Rodgers, but they played pretty poorly overall, even for a preseason game. There was no pass rush and the secondary couldn't stop Rodgers, who finished the game with only two incompletions and a touchdown.

The Rams rushing offense

It's hard to blame the running backs, because the offensive line couldn't push anyone. The easy explanation why is because rookie Greg Robinson played left tackle this week instead of guard. Then there's the fact that Rodger Saffold didn't suit up this week. If the Rams can keep Saffold and Robinson at guard the whole season, the run blocking should be better.