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For me, it was wide receiver Andrew Helmick.
Every offseason there’s just a guy that goes out there during practices, or preseason games, and shows out. You can tell they’re giving it 110% in hopes of fulfilling their dreams of making an NFL roster. Hype builds, aspirations grow, and then...it just doesn’t pan out.
It happens every year, and it happens on every team. For one reason or another - be it injury, a skid in performance, or simply just not being good enough - those dreams are dashed. Well, at least for that squad.
I took to Twitter to ask folks if they had their own Andrew Helmick. A few of the responses:
- Keenan Burton
- Nelson Spruce
- Tavon Austin (rolls eyes)
- Eric Kush
- Isaiah Battle
- Quinn Ojinnaka
- Mardy Gilyard
- Luis Perez
- Greg Reid
I suppose there are two points of this utterly meaningless exercise:
- Who was that guy you were pulling for who ultimately didn’t make it?
- Who is the long-shot player you’re pulling for in 2019?
Is there someone currently battling for a roster spot that has longer odds than, let’s say, someone who was drafted (i.e. the Mardy Gilyard-s and Tavon Austin-s)? You know, one of those 3rd, 4th, or 5th string guys. Ogbonnia Okoronkwo certainly looks like he’s headed in the wrong direction, eh?
If it helps, here’s a handy dandy link to the Rams’ depth chart to help you pick your long-shot heartthrob of 2019.