Turf Show Times - 2016 Los Angeles Rams: The 53-Man Rosterhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51333/tst-fav.png2016-12-20T13:18:32-06:00http://www.turfshowtimes.com/rss/stream/104979572016-12-20T13:18:32-06:002016-12-20T13:18:32-06:00It’s Time For The Rams To Bench Jared Goff
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<img alt="NFL: Atlanta Falcons at Los Angeles Rams" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/49eC-l8m4T-ASku7xgjt1xjPV54=/72x0:4764x3128/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52384673/usa_today_9750698.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>There’s nothing the Rams can accomplish with Goff playing, so It’s time to do the responsible thing and sit him.</p> <p id="8ouYSQ">The biggest surprise this season has been the ineffectiveness of <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/4/30/11545258/2016-nfl-draft-results-los-angeles-rams-draft-class">the Los Angeles Rams’ 2016 NFL Draft class</a> headlined by QB Jared Goff.</p>
<p id="RNXi3x">Currently, the Rams’ franchise quarterback is <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/12/20/14023646/los-angeles-rams-jared-goff-concussion-sean-mannion-starting-qb">in the concussion protocol</a> after being trucked by Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman. So because of the concussion and the Rams’ abysmal 4-10 record, let’s not dance around it.</p>
<p id="Ckm0d5"><em><strong>It’s time to shut Jared Goff down for 2016.</strong></em></p>
<p id="kAlpkg">In five games, Goff has shown flashes of the ability that made him <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/4/28/11533098/2016-nfl-draft-results-los-angeles-rams-cal-qb-jared-goff">the #1 overall pick of the 2016 NFL Draft</a>. Besides those limited flashes, he has looked pretty damn bad. Of course there are many factors as to why Goff has played horrible, the offense around him is pretty horrific, but he has looked lost at times as well.</p>
<p id="c50RvU">Take this throw for example. Goff has a clean pocket and maneuvers well, then he throws the pass to no one:</p>
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<p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/jUBrHbvFXk">pic.twitter.com/jUBrHbvFXk</a></p>— Derrik Klassen (@QBKlass) <a href="https://twitter.com/QBKlass/status/810389874608062464">December 18, 2016</a>
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<p id="5WCEX4">The Rams’ offense is the worst in the league by far. There will be a new head coach for the team in 2017. And did I mention that the Rams had the 32nd-ranked offense in the league? With only two games remaining on the year, it makes no sense to play Goff. There is nothing that can be learned by or for him playing the last two games of the season.</p>
<p id="aqMRoP">Besides, the Rams could play second-year QB Sean Mannion who has played in just one regular season game in his career. The team needs to decide if he can be an NFL backup QB, so what better time than the present? Also Goff gets a chance to heal up and work on his issues early as we head into the offseason.</p>
<p id="32uN6Y">The time is now. Let Jared Goff watch the Rams’ final two games from the safety of the sideline.</p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/12/20/14022322/la-rams-jared-goff-benched-sean-mannionTevin Broner2016-12-19T08:46:35-06:002016-12-19T08:46:35-06:00Tavon Austin: “It’s Very Tough Here."
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<img alt="Los Angeles Rams WR Tavon Austin and Former Head Coach Jeff Fisher" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cA9qIpw9ZBq_0_qZYQCArbrnf0s=/0x0:3570x2380/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52355917/usa_today_9742525.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Los Angeles Rams WR Tavon Austin and Former Head Coach Jeff Fisher | Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The NFL is supposed to be tough.</p> <p id="xphaqQ">ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez had a brief piece heading into the weekend that dovetailed nicely with <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/12/18/14003006/former-la-rams-head-coach-jeff-fisher-interview-fox">FOX’s interview with former Los Angeles Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher</a>. The piece touches on the pressure being put on the team in the last three games post-<a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/12/12/13934164/la-rams-fire-jeff-fisher">Fisher’s firing</a> but also spins off the pressure being put on the team in LA.</p>
<p id="XiBFIF">Rams WR Tavon Austin had this to say:</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="fAEWF2">It’s very tough here. Your rope is very short. I can say that. Your rope is very short. But that’s how I like it, though. L.A. needs to be winners. And that’s where it starts. Us knowing the pressure is on, we have to pick up our stuff.</p>
<p id="zej4j7">...</p>
<p id="Df7tTw">If something don’t happen right, we all will be out of here. That’s the truth about it. That’s what I’ve learned about L.A.</p>
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<p id="fGGUAE">On one hand, his comments feed the growing perception that LA doesn’t tolerate mediocrity, a perception fed into by the Rams immediate failure in 2016 and the subsequent firing of Fisher.</p>
<p id="pPBt94">On the other hand, you have to wonder what kind of culture tolerated things “not happening right.”</p>
<p id="Rn4Gry">Where in the NFL shouldn’t it be tough? Where shouldn’t the rope be short? What’s most disconcerting isn’t necessarily the idea that LA has some different set of standards than any other sports market. What’s most disconcerting is the idea that the Rams didn’t feel those kinds of standards applied to them regardless of where they called home. Only 17 players on the Rams have played for another head coach besides Jeff Fisher (and now Interim Head Coach John Fassel). I think it’s fair to worry that his tolerance for mediocre results has seeped throughout the roster to a degree.</p>
<p id="5ecAgF">If nothing else, Austin’s comments suggest that perhaps players are waking up to the idea that not everyone is going to land <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/8/27/12676432/los-angeles-">a huge contract extension</a> on the back of a couple of 400-yard receiving seasons and that that’s “tough.”</p>
<p id="jL5qMr">The bigger problem is that it has taken this long.</p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/12/19/14005478/los-angeles-rams-tavon-austin-la-jeff-fisher-tough3k2016-12-15T15:05:53-06:002016-12-15T15:05:53-06:00Rams Put Quinn, Cunningham On IR; Promote Arkin, Fox
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<img alt="Los Angeles Rams DE Robert Quinn" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/23--MzVpjs50NQ4Wsa69Xjx3p8s=/4x0:3000x1997/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52313695/612053116.1481835952.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Los Angeles Rams DE Robert Quinn | Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Rams are shutting down their top defensive end and backup running back for 2016.</p> <p id="CSZADG">The Los Angeles Rams just released a statement confirming that DE Robert Quinn and RB Benny Cunningham have been placed on injured reserve and that DL Morgan Fox and OL David Arkin have been promoted from the practice squad to fill their spots.</p>
<h3 id="0frw3Q">DE Robert Quinn to IR</h3>
<p id="C10JZp">This one’s tough to deal with. Quinn’s headed to IR for the second season in a row after <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2015/12/17/10450168/st-louis-rams-robert-quinn-ir-injured-reserve-surgery">being shut down for back surgery nearly a year ago today</a>. He’s been inactive the last two weeks after being listed with a concussion on the injury report.</p>
<p id="yAxE83">It’s certainly been a worrisome season for Quinn. Various injuries and <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/11/15/13641988/la-rams-de-robert-quinn-released-from-hospital-seizures">a scary medical issue a month ago</a> have led him to just eight starts this season putting together just four sacks, the lowest season total of his career. The Rams <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2014/9/13/6145211/robert-quinn-contract-extension-rams">signed him to a four-year extension in 2014</a> keeping him a Ram through the 2019 season.</p>
<h3 id="UThd52">RB Benny Cunningham to IR</h3>
<p id="VNSAjs"><a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/12/7/13879168/la-rams-atlanta-falcons-initial-injury-report-preview">Cunningham first was listed on the initial injury report ahead of Week 14’s game with the Atlanta Falcons with a neck injury</a>. The Rams never went into great detail with the injury, though Interim Head Coach John Fassel <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/12/13/13945836/transcript-la-rams-interim-hc-john-fassel-rb-todd-gurley">did say yesterday he “had a little neck...muscle thing.”</a> Given the unimportance of these last three games for the Rams and the susceptibility of neck injuries (much like Quinn and a concussion), you could understand why the Rams would shut Benny down out of an abundance of caution.</p>
<p id="3MPSmV"><a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/4/7/11390532/los-angeles-rams-benny-cunningham-contract">The Rams re-signed Cunningham to a one-year deal</a> after some flirtation in free agency.</p>
<h3 id="GiY6sb">OL David Arkin</h3>
<p id="BuUl7n">Arkin comes up from the practice squad after <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2015/11/17/9751826/st-louis-rams-roster-moves-sign-offensive-line-help-kush-folkerts">joining the Rams last year</a>. He has yet to take a regular season snap with the team since being signed.</p>
<h3 id="89HJeZ">DL Morgan Fox</h3>
<p id="u18Juf">Fox is <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/5/1/11547548/2016-los-angeles-rams-undrafted-free-agent-roster">a rookie UDFA out of Colorado State-Pueblo who joined the Rams</a> following <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016-nfl-draft?_ga=1.115427662.938679183.1416575248">the 2016 NFL Draft</a>. Fox played all 12 of his snaps in <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/10/5/13182568/2016-los-angeles-rams-buffalo-bills-preview-week-5">the Rams’ Week 5 home loss to the Buffalo Bills</a>. </p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/12/15/13974402/la-rams-robert-quinn-benny-cunningham-injured-reserve-david-arkin-morgan-fox3k2016-12-13T22:33:55-06:002016-12-13T22:33:55-06:00Rams Place TE Harkey On IR, Promote CB Hill
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<img alt="Los Angeles Rams TE/FB Corey Harkey" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/I7cZg0uH3VgvovCUZR0_kHFtU-Y=/0x0:4185x2790/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52278843/usa_today_9594281.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Los Angeles Rams TE/FB Corey Harkey | Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Rams’ human wrecking ball is done for 2016, raising questions for his future with the team.</p> <p id="6Ojmi2">The Los Angeles Rams put TE/FB Cory Harkey on injured reserve today and promoted CB Troy Hill from the practice squad.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="h4uIel">
<h3 id="SVDwv3">TE/FB Cory Harkey</h3>
<p id="OwXWig">Harkey wasn’t listed on <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/12/9/13905092/la-rams-atlanta-falcons-preview-final-injury-report">the final game injury practice report</a> for the Rams’ Week 14 game against the Atlanta Falcons, but did land <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/12/11/13914080/week-14-rams-falcons-inactives">as an inactive heading into the game</a>. Word is that he injured his arm working out on Friday.</p>
<p id="dKezhR">Harkey <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/3/15/11241476/2016-nfl-free-agency-los-angeles-rams-cory-harkey">re-signed on a three-year deal in March</a>, after four years of building his NFL career having come out of UCLA as an undrafted free agent through the 2012 NFL Draft. His value in Jeff Fisher’s ground-based, plodding offense was unquestioned. <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/12/12/13924964/los-angeles-la-rams-fire-head-coach-jeff-fisher">With Fisher now having been fired on Monday</a>, Harkey’s role is up in the air. There might be no offensive component with more riding on the Rams’ coaching decision than Harkey.</p>
<h3 id="F32E88">CB Troy Hill</h3>
<p id="z44z5I">Filling the roster spot vacated by Harkey is CB Troy Hill who has featured throughout the season, first notably in the failurewake of free agent signing CB Coty Sensabaugh. Hill fared well enough given his tier on the depth chart, but <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/11/19/13688254/los-angeles-rams-cb-troy-hill-arrested-dui">a DUI nearly a month ago to the day</a> was met with warranted disdain. <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/11/22/13718904/la-rams-troy-hill-dwayne-gratz-nic-grigsby">Hill was waived soon after</a> before being added back to the practice squad.</p>
<p id="S7Ixa6">I’d say it’s fair to assume that his re-inclusion is largely linked to the three-game audition period the Rams are facing, both for players who could well be auditioning for the 2017 Rams but also for those who will head elsewhere throughout the NFL using the tape from these three games as resume fodder.</p>
<p id="8s7DBK"></p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/12/13/13946272/la-rams-transactions-cory-harkey-injured-reserve-ir-troy-hill-practice-squad3k2016-12-13T15:44:01-06:002016-12-13T15:44:01-06:00Former Rams CB Gratz Signs With Eagles
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<img alt="Former Los Angeles Rams CB Dwayne Gratz" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/wiViH7XIO5YBWVk0eKpFAFSmgCg=/0x0:6961x4641/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52271541/usa_today_9611962.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Former Los Angeles Rams CB Dwayne Gratz | Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>After a short spell with the Rams, the former third-round pick will lean on a two-year deal with Philadelphia.</p> <p id="Ky1Tfg">Former Los Angeles Rams CB Dwayne Gratz has <a href="http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2016/12/12/13928482/reports-eagles-expected-to-sign-cb-dwayne-gratz">signed a two-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles</a>.</p>
<p id="BxS6x5">Gratz came aboard the Rams’ roster in the wake of the Coty Sensabaugh>Troy Hill turnover. <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/10/8/13212922/report-los-angeles-rams-cut-cb-coty-sensabaugh">Sensabaugh’s release</a> left open space for a cornerback, and the Rams grabbed Gratz off of waivers as a former third-round pick for the Jacksonville Jaguars in <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2013-nfl-draft?_ga=1.6949242.938679183.1416575248">the 2013 NFL Draft</a> coming out of Connecticut. He lasted about a month with the Rams before <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/11/22/13718904/la-rams-troy-hill-dwayne-gratz-nic-grigsby">a wave of transactions that saw Gratz and Hill out as Mike Jordan came in</a>.</p>
<p id="Fh56ok">Gratz played just two defensive snaps to go with 22 special teams plays.</p>
<p id="hbc8Gh">He now joins an Eagles secondary backstopped by former Ram FS Rodney McLeod who joined Philly in the <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016-nfl-free-agency?_ga=1.116000078.938679183.1416575248">2016 Free Agency</a> period <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/3/9/11186552/report-rams-s-rodney-mcleod-signs-with-eagles-on-five-year-37m-deal">on a massive five-year, $37m deal</a>.</p>
<p id="csrWPp">After a strong 3-0 early start behind rookie QB Carson Wentz, the Eagles are now 5-8 and out of the NFC playoff picture.</p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/12/13/13941574/former-la-rams-cb-dwayne-gratz-signs-philadelphia-eagles3k2016-11-22T16:01:55-06:002016-11-22T16:01:55-06:00Rams Make Roster Moves, Waive CB Troy HIll
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<img alt="Los Angeles Rams CB Troy Hill" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/NOHn3Nsc11NN4HjMQjlgMwHrQ9U=/1x0:4042x2694/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51963757/612055390.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Los Angeles Rams CB Troy Hill | Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Rams have made a half dozen roster moves heading toward Week 12.</p> <p id="J06tSs">The Los Angeles Rams have made six roster moves heading into Week 12:</p>
<ul>
<li id="dvT0GL">LB Nic Grigsby promoted from practice squad</li>
<li id="mBnuzj">CB Michael Jordan promoted from practice squad</li>
<li id="XdLzNq">CB Troy Hill waived</li>
<li id="d3eBD9">CB Dwayne Gratz waived</li>
<li id="ufikAd">LB Josh Forrest to IR</li>
<li id="V9dK0J">LB Randell Johnson signed to practice squad</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="5NowGx">LB Nic Grigsby</h3>
<p id="vxuxdy">Grigsby was <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/5/1/11547548/2016-los-angeles-rams-undrafted-free-agent-roster">a UDFA from the 2016 NFL Draft class</a> out of Pitt. I had him in the mix in <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/8/15/12485756/2016-los-angeles-rams-53-man-roster-projection-training-camp-week-3">some of my 53-man roster projections</a> throughout the preseason based on his athleticism offering some special teams assistance. While he made <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/9/3/12787150/2016-los-angeles-rams-official-53-man-roster-week-1-released">the initial 53-man</a>, <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/9/8/12849828/la-rams-sign-steve-williams-san-diego-chargers">he was cut and then put on the practice squad</a> to make way for CB Steve Williams as the Rams tinkered with their final CB slots between Coty Sensabaugh, Hill and Gratz.</p>
<p id="fjCL7C">Since Forrest had been getting some defensive work, it’s possible that Grigsby gets his snaps. The Rams’ official team depth chart only lists one linebacker position. While Bryce Hager precedes Grigsby on the 53-man, his skill set is more applicable as a run support ILB. Cory Littleton also has been on the roster, though he’s the backup for Mark Barron in the Rams’ hybrid role.</p>
<h3 id="dWGcam">CB Michael Jordan</h3>
<p id="1YmMkr">Jordan was also a 2016 UDFA coming out of Missouri Western. Here’s an official team photo:</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/bHP32yziBB7NnJ5SUVEjvge9Bag=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7520097/Crying_Jordan.jpg">
<figcaption>Rams CB Michael Jordan</figcaption>
</figure>
<h3 id="Vhp0sZ">CB Troy Hill</h3>
<p id="ngy3zt">Welp.</p>
<p id="wGlvog">Hill bounced around as a 2015 UDFA before landing with the Rams at the very end of the season. <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/9/3/12787150/2016-los-angeles-rams-official-53-man-roster-week-1-released">He was a bit of a surprise on the 53-man</a>, but Coty Sensabaugh’s struggled gave Hill an opportunity that he seized on while the Rams dealt with early season injuries to E.J. Gaines and Trumaine Johnson.</p>
<p id="oYMHBP"><a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/11/19/13688254/los-angeles-rams-cb-troy-hill-arrested-dui">Hill was arrested on Saturday on Suspicion of DUI</a>, and I’d guess that and him being waived are quite directly linked.</p>
<h3 id="308RO8">CB Dwayne Gratz</h3>
<p id="36WmQq"><a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/10/11/13248284/la-rams-sign-former-jacksonville-jaguars-cb-dwayne-gratz-waivers">The Rams added Gratz to the roster on October 11</a> to fill the wake left by Steve Williams who himself was a temporary option.</p>
<h3 id="NStaPK">LB Josh Forrest</h3>
<p id="Jqoe9Q"><a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/11/21/13710652/la-rams-head-coach-jeff-fisher-jared-goff-debut-miami-dolphins-recap">Fisher suggested yesterday that Forrest might head to IR</a>. He’s the seventh player that has been put on the list, though none (save for WR Nelson Spruce for the dreamers among us) were likely going to contribute more than Forrest.</p>
<p id="cAE7of">Forrest was the Rams’ lone defensive draft pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/4/30/11545212/2016-nfl-draft-los-angeles-rams-josh-forrest">A sixth-round pick out of Kentucky</a>, Forrest got a decent amount of defensive work this year logging 90 snaps to this point.</p>
<h3 id="HE5iUT">LB Randell Johnson</h3>
<p id="kgOtWs">Johnson is a former 2014 NFL Draft seventh-round pick for the Buffalo Bills who didn’t make their 53-man for Week 1.</p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/11/22/13718904/la-rams-troy-hill-dwayne-gratz-nic-grigsby3k2016-11-22T14:31:00-06:002016-11-22T14:31:00-06:00Is Greg Robinson Going To Get Benched?
<figure>
<img alt="Los Angeles Rams OT Greg Robinson" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/BTu4VzxXybOG-aHRbnhEA9KHszk=/0x93:1859x1332/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51961001/624058506.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Los Angeles Rams OT Greg Robinson | Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Who is being considered for offensive line changes? Three scenarios of what might be different in Week 12.</p> <p id="X3qA0W">In his Monday press conference, Los Angeles Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/11/21/13710652/la-rams-head-coach-jeff-fisher-jared-goff-debut-miami-dolphins-recap">alluded to some potential changes on the offensive line</a> following <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/11/15/13642410/2016-los-angeles-rams-miami-dolphins-preview-week-11">Week 11’s dispiriting home loss to the Miami Dolphins</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="2EVrdu">We have to overcome the individual mistakes – you can’t jump offsides on the first play of the game, you can’t have a false start when you have second-and-five and you have got good field position. It’s those things that are hurting us and those guys have to understand. There potentially may be some different guys playing this week.</p>
<p id="i8uQbz">...</p>
<p id="oeRzk8">We’re looking at everything right now. We need production, we need to minimize mistakes, we’ve got some repeat mistake-makers. That’s still under discussion.</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="rTJyaX">Fisher is, in a not-so-subtle way, nodding at starting left tackle and <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2014-nfl-draft?_ga=1.237514758.703416534.1476993799">2014 NFL Draft</a> <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2014/5/8/5693614/2014-nfl-draft-results-st-louis-rams-greg-robinson">#2 overall pick</a> Greg Robinson there.</p>
<p id="BExqez">Before we think of some potential movement among the line personnel, let’s look at the starting five:</p>
<h3 id="KEyDGQ">LT Greg Robinson</h3>
<p id="Dj4ASZ">Robinson has disappointed since his lofty draft status in 2014. It’s worth reminding that the Rams initially plugged him in at guard. He played on the inside in his rookie season from rookie minicamp through training camp and the preseason and even into his early NFL action. It wasn’t until Jake Long tore his ACL in Week 8 that Robinson moved over to the left tackle spot.</p>
<p id="7uF27z">Now in Year 3, Robinson has yet to blossom into a reliable tackle in either the run or pass game. Given that <a href="https://twitter.com/Alden_Gonzalez/status/800784206272102400">he is the most penalized player in the entire NFL since Week 1 of 2015</a>, it’s fair to question if we’ve passed the point of which Robinson should be the unquestioned starter at protecting the blind side of the Rams’ QB (whomever that has been or will be).</p>
<p id="7XYQO8"><strong>Contract situation</strong>: Robinson is still on his four-year rookie deal through next season.</p>
<h3 id="G2mlXw">LG Rodger Saffold</h3>
<p id="Pebpr8">Saffold is the longest-serving Ram on the entire roster, a second-round pick from the 2010 NFL Draft.</p>
<p id="jkFwxE">Initially, Saffold served as the starting left tackle to allow Jason Smith, another #2 overall tackle he from the 2009 NFL Draft, to play on the right side. In 2013, with the addition of Long, Saffold moved over to the right tackle spot before kicking inside a year later bouncing between left and right guard. Heading toward 2015, Saffold was inside at left guard with rookies OT Rob Havenstein and G Jamon Brown taking the right side of the line. After all of the 2015 tune-up, Brown and Saffold flipped; Saffold remained at right guard. This season, he returned to the left side.</p>
<p id="8lSXqc">Any discussion of Saffold’s career has to acknowledge his lengthy injury history. It is...lengthy.</p>
<p id="vaarjr"><strong>Contract situation</strong>: <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2014/3/12/5503052/nfl-free-agency-rodger-saffold-st-louis-rams-oakland-raiders-failed-physical">Saffold re-signed in 2014 through the 2018 season on a five-year deal</a> after initially exiting via free agency to Oakland. Their medical check on his shoulder revealed less than satisfactory results nullifying the deal and the Rams brought him back in house.</p>
<h3 id="kI9Az1">C Tim Barnes</h3>
<p id="8fl13Z">Barnes was an undrafted free agent who passed through <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2011-draft?_ga=1.85451217.938679183.1416575248">the 2011 NFL Draft</a> before signing with the Baltimore Ravens. He didn’t make their initial 53-man, so the Rams scooped him on their practice squad. <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2015/9/8/9279001/tim-barnes-is-the-st-louis-rams-starting-center-maybe">His ascension to the starting five</a> after a three-way battle in the 2015 preseason is the kind of story that drives practice squad members.</p>
<p id="WtuS5g"><strong>Contract situation</strong>: <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/3/9/11188860/2016-nfl-free-agency-los-angeles-rams-tim-barnes-re-sign-contract">The Rams locked Barnes on a two-year deal earlier this spring</a>.</p>
<h3 id="QLRqp0">RG Cody Wichmann (& Jamon Brown?)</h3>
<p id="ScpDhz">This one’s kind of strange.</p>
<p id="ljc9JU">The Rams <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2015/5/1/8533515/2015-nfl-draft-results-st-louis-rams-jamon-brown">drafted Jamon Brown in the third round</a> of <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2015-nfl-draft">the 2015 NFL Draft</a> as part of the Great Offensive Line Remaking of 2015 and helped him glide into a starting role in Week 1, albeit on the left side after grooming him at right guard. <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2015/11/15/9740070/st-louis-rams-jamon-brown-injury">Brown was injured in Week 10 last season</a>.</p>
<p id="IvSOrI">Wichmann, for his part, was injured early in the 2015 offseason and <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2015/7/28/9059041/2015-st-louis-rams-training-camp-og-cody-wichmann-placed-on-pup">placed on the PUP</a>. Injuries throughout the season opened the way for him to pick up playing time.</p>
<p id="QRaXKX">This season, though, it was a bit surprising to see Wichmann quietly take the starting gig away from Brown. </p>
<p id="AXPbLY">Brown was listed on the injury report in Weeks 7 and 9 (Week 8 was the bye) after <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/10/21/13360162/la-rams-ny-giants-preview-final-injury-report-trumaine-johnson-michael-brockers">injuring his hand in the lead up to the game in London against the Giants</a>.</p>
<p id="CMiCmx"><strong>Contract situation</strong>: Wichmann and Brown are both on their rookie deals through the 2018 season.</p>
<h3 id="w7LwXV">RT Rob Havenstein</h3>
<p id="mZputI">A second-year second-rounder who was <a href="https://twitter.com/PFF/status/697417757772640256">the only offensive tackle in the NFL to start 12 or more games in 2015 without giving up a sack</a>.</p>
<p id="uFxJF2">I think the question is either (a) if he’s versatile enough to play another position or (b) if you’d even risk the chance of losing his play quality with a position switch.</p>
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<p id="syvWSE">That being the current lineup (with the Wichmann/Brown issue unsettled), here’s the three likeliest changes on the O-line for Sunday.</p>
<h3 id="fWlHXO">1.) Promote Andrew Donnal to starting LT over Robinson</h3>
<p id="vJq1F5">Donnal, the Rams’ fourth-round selection in last year’s offensive line overhaul, started twice last year before suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 11 in Baltimore. He’s seen rare playtime in 2016, but this would allow for a direct substitution without disturbing the rest of the starting unit.</p>
<h3 id="XJoCAR">2.) Move Rodger Saffold to starting LT over Robinson; promote Brown to starting LG</h3>
<p id="E93Iqc">Brown hasn’t been on the injury report <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/11/4/13527852/la-rams-carolina-panthers-preview-final-injury-report">since the Carolina game in Week 9</a>. His history at guard plus Saffold’s make this a fair move to endorse as well. I just wonder if Wichmann has supplanted Brown at RG if there’s something in Brown’s game that the staff is seeing that they’re hesitant to play him with.</p>
<h3 id="Tf4OrK">3.) Chaos</h3>
<p id="5lj5ps">Anything else doesn’t make any hot damn sense, though to be fair that can be said about quite a bit of the Rams’ personnel approach the last two seasons.</p>
<p id="RSiZuv">The only two names I haven’t mentioned are rookie UDFA OT Pace Murphy and second-year backup C Demetrius Rhaney. Neither has played an offensive snap this season.</p>
<p id="YUFXoq">Benching anyone before Greg Robinson? Yeah, that’d be nuts.</p>
<p id="7v58CE">Moving GRob inside? Not sure why he’d be better than who we have now or how that disruption would lead to improved chemistry.</p>
<p id="OKe7Jf">Moving Rob Havenstein from right tackle to left? You’d be taking arguably the best component of the line and tinkering with it. If it ain’t broke...</p>
<p id="m6Cqfb">So yeah. Maybe this doesn’t make any sense and maybe I just talked myself into it therefore becoming the most likely option.</p>
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<p id="yGiyqs">In any case, stay tuned. The Rams get their first practice in today, so we may get the personnel switch (if indeed there is one) reported later today.</p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/11/22/13711046/la-rams-hc-jeff-fisher-o-line-greg-robinson3k2016-11-21T10:25:35-06:002016-11-21T10:25:35-06:00LA Rams LB Forrest Feared To Have Torn ACL
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<img alt="Los Angeles Rams LB Josh Forrest" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jtOchZ3atQZcHSLZZwdPUtJAPzo=/0x0:3929x2619/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51935377/610461230.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Los Angeles Rams LB Josh Forrest | Photo by Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Rams’ sole defensive pick from the 2016 NFL Draft could be done for the year.</p> <p id="9cM6Ha">NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting the Los Angeles Rams will have a MRI on LB Josh Forrest to confirm fears that the rookie tore his ACL in <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/11/15/13642410/2016-los-angeles-rams-miami-dolphins-preview-week-11">yesterday’s 10-14 loss to the Miami Dolphins</a>:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rams?src=hash">#Rams</a> promising rookie LB Josh Forrest, a 2016 6th rounder, is feared to have torn his ACL, source said. MRI today.</p>— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/800727448128200704">November 21, 2016</a>
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<p id="aHS4g8">Forrest was the Rams’ only pick on the defensive side of the ball in <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/4/30/11545258/2016-nfl-draft-results-los-angeles-rams-draft-class">their 2016 NFL Draft class</a>.</p>
<p id="Q2FhzU">He’s been limited in game time <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/11/14/13626868/la-rams---new-york-jets-playing-time-breakdown">playing just less than 15% of the defensive snaps this year</a> but has seen spot duty as an alternate from the Rams’ nickel package. Forrest logged two tackles on Sunday bringing his season total to nine.</p>
<p id="nW3ZMr">If he did indeed tear his ACL and gets placed on the Injured Reserve list to open up his roster slot, he would be just the seventh Ram to be placed on IR none of whom were part of the starting lineup leaving the Rams as <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/11/8/13563426/2016-la-rams-injuries-transactions-injured-reserve-pup">one of the healthiest teams in the entire NFL</a>.</p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/11/21/13699816/report-la-rams-josh-forrest-injury-acl3k