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As we inch towards the 2015 NFL season, teams will begin utilizing their training camp[s] and preseason play to select the players that will make their final roster. For some, it’s a rite of passage...the culmination of years of hard work. For others, it’s simply retaining their job by not allowing another to outperform them in the eyes of their coaches. And lastly, some receive pink slips.
There are destined to be a few "big name" NFL players turned free agents in the weeks to come. Gregg Rosenthal - over at NFL.com - highlights 15 "surprise names" that might not make it out of training camp. Should he be correct, could the Rams be interested in any?
|
Player
|
Team
|
Pos.
|
Age
|
Exp. [Yrs]
|
|
Vernon Davis
|
TE
|
31
|
9
|
|
|
Andy Levitre
|
OG
|
29
|
6
|
|
|
Matt Cassel
|
QB
|
33
|
10
|
|
|
Leon Hall
|
CB
|
30
|
8
|
|
|
Fred Jackson
|
Bills
|
RB
|
34
|
8
|
|
Phil Taylor
|
DT
|
27
|
4
|
|
|
Brandon Mebane
|
DT
|
30
|
8
|
|
|
Christine Michael
|
Seahawks
|
RB
|
24
|
2
|
|
Zane Beadles
|
OG
|
28
|
5
|
|
|
Brandon Carr
|
CB
|
29
|
7
|
|
|
Trent Richardson
|
RB
|
25
|
3
|
|
|
Domata Peko
|
Bengals
|
DT
|
30
|
9
|
|
Riley Cooper
|
WR
|
27
|
5
|
|
|
Calvin Pace
|
LB
|
34
|
12
|
|
|
Jason Babin
|
Jets
|
LB
|
35
|
11
|
Obviously there are a few positions that probably just wouldn’t appeal to the Rams. For starters the Rams used their first round pick on Todd Gurley. They’ve still got a very talented second year rusher in Tre Mason. Couple that with the fact that Trent Richardson just can’t seem to get the job done, and leaving T-Rich off the list of potential “wants" seems like a no-brainer.
With Michael Brockers, Aaron Donald, Nick Fairley, and Eugene Sims on the roster, it’s not likely the Rams would be looking to bolster their defensive tackle unit with a veteran free agent.
But there may be a few names on this list that Jeff Fisher and Co. may find intriguing. They’ve fancied keeping a veteran quarterback around over the last few seasons. Having an experienced backup QB around - like Kellen Clemens and Shaun Hill - can prove helpful when you’ve got a young, relatively inexperienced bunch at QB.
Offensive guard? The Rams probably can’t have too many of those. Could veterans like Andy Levitre or Zane Beadles add value to an offensive line that could potentially feature three players who’ve never started a game in the NFL?
What say you?