My first hack at the 2022 Los Angeles Rams 53 man roster; from LA Rams Up

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I'm your host Mark Let's get to it. 

Welcome back Ram fans, this is episode 23 of season 2 and this is our 100th episode hard to believe. 

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I am taking my run my first run at the Rams 53 Man roster, trying to take a calculated approach to building that I also have at the end here. 

A little pet peeve having to do with writers, NFL writers arguing that the Rams are in dire need. 

Of an edge. 

Crusher, get tired of hearing that. 

Get through some RAM news here first, ramps are actually pretty banged up, and it's really due to all these injuries that they had at the end of last year. 

And players trying to get healthy. 

Jalen Ramsey had surgery. 

We did not know that was coming his shoulder I guess was pretty banged up the Rams announcing as if they need it too, that Andrew Whitworth. 

Might be coming back or at least he would be welcomed back. 

If you decide it too, I think that could possibly happen. 

If the Rams have offensive line issues, injury or otherwise late in the season, then if all has announced the Rams training camp will begin in Irvine on July 23rd. 

And I saw an interesting stat, Todd Gurley still has the second most TD's since 2017. That's pretty incredible considering he didn't play it down last year. 

Just a reminder of how dominating Curly was wanted to touch on basketball more quickly, whereas winning the championship and then the NBA draft followed quickly. After that, the Lakers draft pick 35th pick overall. 

Max Christie out of Michigan State played one year there. 

My read on him is that he's going to be a little bit of a project with a big upside. 

Apparently he has picture perfect mechanics as far as his shot, but he did struggle in his freshman year at Michigan State. 

But also a very good defender, big wingspan. 

And so hopefully he works out for the Lakers. 

They need all the help they can get. 

The Cavaliers took Isaiah Mobley out of USC with the 49th pick. Johnny Juzang the great player out of UCLA was not drafted. He was signed by Utah though. 

And I don't know if you've noticed but it. 

Seems to be. 

Hot topic people picking their NBA 5. 

They're starting five all time five out of the NBA. 

Who do you have? 

Well, I'll tell you who our special assistant has. 

He's going with LeBron, Michael Jordan, Steph Curry. 

KD and Giannis did Greek freak. 

That's a starting five recency bias. 

Yeah, maybe, but I kind of liked that 5. 

And did you see the ESPN documentary on the Red Wings and Avalanche? 

I couldn't wait for it. 

Tell you a little bit of a back story. 

My son was playing roller hockey around that time as a youth. 

That we love. 

With the Russian 5 and the Detroit Red Wings, Sergei Federov, especially my son, wore his number #91. 

And man, that rivalry with something else. 

It was incredible. 

I'm not even sure the documentary did it justice. 

Although I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

If you're not a. 

Hockey fan and you don't know anything about this rivalry. 

I think you'll still enjoy it. 

Good stuff, good job by ESPN, so we'll be back in a minute with my stab. 

At the Rams 53 Man roster, I know way too early but it's gonna be fun. 

Hockey fans the pursuit of the Stanley Cup is on. 

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Second, as I mentioned at the top of this episode, I'm going to make my first run at the Rams 53 Man roster for 2022. Tom Courts was on a few weeks ago and he took a shot at it. I think he did a pretty good job. 

I did not go back and look at his results. 

Didn't want that to flavor mine at all. 

This is a fresh look at it from my perspective. 

Obviously way too early to be doing this, but it's always fun to give it a try. 

First of all I want to bring down some key players that are gone that that are not going to be on this list obviously, but kind of gives you some insight into who needs to be replaced. 

Gone are cornerbacks Darius Williams and Dante Dion, as well as safety Eric Weddle, who came on to replace Jordan Fuller for the most part, Taylor Rapp was banged up as well. 

Sebastian Joseph Day that defensive lineman and Troy Reeder, the inside linebacker, both moved on to the Chargers, crosstown. 

Von Miller and Ogbonnia okoronkwo. 

Both significant contributors off the edge. 

They are gone, as are Austin Corbett and Andrew Whitworth. 

Although we've heard rumblings at Whitworth could return and I kind of thought that might be the case if something negative happens along that offensive line, especially late in the year during a playoff run. 

Would not be surprised to see Andrew Whitworth come back. 

I mean he's going to be hanging around. 

That offensive line group anyways? 

And I suspect you'll stay in shape. 

Running back Sony Michel is gone, as is punter Johnny Hekker and a slew of other guys. 

Those are the main ones though. 

So let's get started on this roster. 

I'm going to start with the guys that I feel. 

Like our sure. 

Things more or less. 

There's really very few true sure things but but at this point I think this is a good way to start. 

The guys that I think I know all likelihood are going to be on this roster. 

Some of them are certainties and others maybe not so much, but I'm checking them off. 

As sure things. 

Let's start off with quarterbacks IC four guys I'm penciling in Asher things David Long, Jalen Ramsey, Troy Hill, the free agent coming back to Los Angeles and the rookie to Kobe Durant. 

Two guys, we'll talk about a little bit later. 

Derion Kendrick and Robert Rochelle. 

Not penciling them in quite yet though. 

4 safeties to Rob Burgess, Taylor Rapp, Nick Scott, and Jordan Fuller. 

I would not be surprised if there is a trade involving one of these guys and you can probably guess who. 

One guy I'm counting out of this group is Blake Countess 2 guys. 

We'll talk about a little bit later. 

Russ East the rookie and Jake Gervase who just keeps hanging around last guy to consider for this group and we'll make that decision in a couple minutes here. 

Does Quentin Link make this roster? 

He probably does, but let's wait on that for a minute. 

And get through some other roster decisions. Defensive line. I see all six guys from last year entrenched in this 53 man roster. 

Aaron Donald, Greg Gaines at a Shawn Robinson. 

The starters backed up by Bobby Brown, the third Marquis Copeland and Mike. 

So white, two guys that I think will be left outside looking in the undrafted rookie Elijah Garcia and 2nd year player Ernest Brown. 

Inside linebacker, I'm going to list three guys here for sure. 

Trevin Howard, Ernest Jones and Bobby Wagner. 

Bobby Wagner. 

The free agent. 

We'll talk about another two guys in a minute. 

Christian Rozeboom and Jake Hull. 

On the edge outside linebacker, calling what you will. 

Justin Hollins, Leonard Floyd, Chris Garrett and Trellis. 

I'm penciling them in. 

We'll talk about Daniel Hardy in a moment and offensive line. I've got six guys I'm penciling in as part of this 53 man roster. 

Feel pretty strong about this and most of you will agree Brian Allen, David Edwards, Rob Havenstein, the rookie, Logan Brass. 

Joseph Noteboom our new starting left tackle I assume and Coleman Shelton. 

Rams are going to have some decisions to make after that though, to get to 9 offensive lineman. 

That's what I want to roll with. 

So you got Chandler, Brewer, AJ, Jackson, AJ, or Curry. 

Tremaine Ankrum and Bobby Evans, among others, to choose from. 

We'll deal with that a little bit later. 

I'm going to have to find three guys. 

I'm going to have to narrow this down to three guys out of that group. 

And Matthew Stafford, the quarterback. 

We'll talk about the 2nd and or third quarterbacks later on, and three running backs. 

Cam Akers, Darrell Henderson and Kyren Williams. 

That leaves Jake. 

Funk outside looking in, at least for now, we'll get back to him in a second. 

Titans, I think Bryson Hopkins and Tyler Higbee will be on this roster for sure. 

Wide receiver is pretty clear. 

Cooper Kupp, van Jefferson Allen Robinson will be on this roster. 

Robinson, the key free agent acquisition and. 

We'll write in Ben Skowronek couple more guys we'll talk about later two Atwell and Brandon Powell. 

Powell, also a punt returner and at will, obviously has that skill set to. 

And then three special teamers. 

The long snapper met Orzech the kicker Matt Gay and the punter. 

You know I'm just going to hand this job to Cameron Dicker right now. 

Over Riley Dixon I'm going to spend a lot of time. 

On this it'll. 

Be a camp battle between those two and why am I picking dicker? 

I think the advantage Dicker has. 

Is that as a punter? 

He can also kick. 

And I see the Rams using him for kickoffs and potentially long field goals that versatility earns him the job over Riley Dixon. 

So that puts us at 40 players. 

Let's go down. 

The remaining guys that I've mentioned already guys at around the bubble. 

I need 13 more players, 13 slots to fill. 

Let's look at Daniel Hardy. 

Does he make the team and 

I think he does. 

The reason I think he does is Terrell Lewis has a history of injuries. 

Justin Hollins does to Chris Garrett somewhat unproven, so they bring Daniel Hardy on. 

They keep him as the 5th edge outside linebacker Guy. 

I'm going to have five quarterbacks on this team and the modern NFL. 

You need 5 cornerbacks. 

I really believe. 

That the Rams are going to need 5 cornerbacks and it's going to be a battle. 

It's going to be a battle between Derion Kendrick and Robert Rochelle. 

I'm predicting Robert Rochelle to win and become the Rams. 

5th cornerback. 

I also think the Rams are. 

Going to keep. 

5 safeties yes. 

5 safeties 10 DBS. 

Altogether, I'd already mentioned Blake Countess and Jake Gervase. 

I think they're. 

Both on the outs. 

I think the Rams keep quitting like though I'm handing that job to Quinton Lake. 

And that takes care of our secondary. 

I couldn't dodge the question about the three quarterbacks. 

The second and third quarterback. 

Who would they be? 

I think they keep Bryce Perkins and John Wolford. 

If it were up to me, I would keep only one, but the Rams proved me wrong last year, so I'm going to roll with three quarterbacks. 

Both of them make the team. 

And offensive line. 

What we do with these guys or some good players here, Chandler, Brewer, Tremaine Ankrom. 

Those are the two that I think do not make this roster. 

I think they keep AJ, Jackson, AJ or Curry and Bobby Evans. 

And remember, Bobby Evans was looking like he's going to be the starting guard. 

One of the starting guards. 

Last year and then Brian Allen showed up and they bumped Corbett to the right side. 

Cost Bobby Evans a starting job. 

So I think to bring Bobby Evans back into two AJ. 

Wide receiver to two at well, Brandon Powell. 

Two guys that can return punts, the difference being Powell has actually done it quite successfully at well. 

Could not stay healthy. I think they both end up on this roster though they're not going to give up on 2/2 out well and they need power in the return game so both of them come back. 

Jacob Harris I 

His versatility earns him a roster spot over Kendall Blanton. 

Harris can play outside more as Sean McVay alluded. 

He could also be that third tight end, so his versatility earns him a roster spot. 

I got two spots left and I'll tell you who's going to get him. 

We're going to have a fourth running back by the name of Jake Funk. 

Very good on special teams. 

The last spot up between Christian Rozeboom and Jake Harmal. 

Roseboom was pretty good on special teams. 

But I'm taking Jake Hummel again. Why no particular reason? How could we know? But I'm flipping a coin and saying Jake Hummel earns that 53rd spot. 

So there you have it and who are the notable names that did not make my 53 man roster, Chandler Brewer, Christian Roseman. 

We just mentioned him the rookie derion Kendrick. 

Unless he can beat out Robert Roschelle or someone else. 

Don't think he makes it. 

Two safeties, Jake, Gervase and rookie Rusty E 7th round draft pick East is out. 

Again, Rams could trade one of those safeties and now open a spot for Russ. 

I also have grant Haley out Kendall Blanton, the tight end. 

Trevor Ankrum Ernest Brown, second year guy. 

I don't see him making this roster. 

The two wide receivers JJ Koski and Landen Akers. 

No to them and buddy how I wish we had seen more of him. 

Big powerful back. 

I earned a Super Bowl ring. 

Got on the field for special teams. 

So good for him, but that may have been the peak of his career. 

I just wish we had seen a little bit more of him. 

I don't think it's going to happen next year either, so there you have it. My 53 man roster. I'll revisit this again. 

In a month or so, perhaps give it another run if you have a 53 man roster, hey, send it to me. 

I'll share it and throw darts at mine all you want. We'll talk about it next episode. If I hear from any of you there, you have it. That's my 53 man roster and that's a wrap. 

OK, I have a little pet. 

Theme for you this week I'm actually revisiting something I've ranted about a little bit and it's this. 

It's this idea that the Rams have a desperate need on the edge. 

The guys currently on the roster are not going to be able to get it done. 

And the reason I'm bringing this back up? 

I saw an article on NFL Common NFL website. 

A writer there listed the top 10 roster needs across the league which rosters were in desperate need and at what position? 

Counted down 12:50 and guess who was number one? 

The biggest need across the league. 32 teams, 32 rosters. Was the Rams and. 

The guys they have on the edge. 

This right are arguing that of all the position groups across the league. 

The most dire need was the Rams and their edge players. 

And he argued that the Rams were probably going to make a trade and add a guy before the trading deadline, which is entirely possible. 

And I could see where someone could say that Rams have some concerns. 

Might have some concerns about depth and maybe production. 

Opposite a Leonard Floyd. 

But let's rewind to the beginning of 2021. Twelve Louis was getting it done pretty darn good. He was showing some signs of being a serious contributor, a regular contributor off the Edge, and Justin Hollins, he got banged up so. 

When he wasn't there, he played well and dinoco, who have since left good depth guy reliable. 

And then along comes Von Miller. 

Interel Lewis you go look at the snap counts in the production. 

To Wellness 

Loses virtually all of snap counts. 

They're scooped up by Von Miller and Von Miller goes on to have a terrific season. 

But Trilussa season up to then three sacks was not all that bad. 

And this writer pointed out that nobody on the Rams roster outside of Leonard Floyd hit the five sack Mark. 

Well, that was because of the presence of Von Miller. 

So I really have an issue with that. 

I kind of look at it this way. 

I was trying to think of an analogy. 

You know, these folks arguing that the Rams are in desperate need of an edge rusher. 

You know, let's say that you're living in Southern California summer hits. You get the husband, a wife, a couple kids driving age, who in the parking lot in your driveway, in the front yard you have a Subaru, a Volvo in an F-150 truck. 

You're pretty well set there, right? 

You know, maybe you could use another car, but you're all right now there is the old Ford Taurus parked on the side, but not sure if that's reliable at this point a lot of miles on it. 

Along comes cousin Tony, cousin Tony is going to drop in and he's like hey can I stay here for the summer and. 

He's driving a Porsche. 

Suddenly the family is taking the Porsche to the beach while at least two of them. 

Taking it out for dinner. 

Teenage son even gets to give it a turn around the block a few times and they're loving this Porsche, right? 

And the summer comes in 20s. 

I hate going back to Vegas, it's been fun. 

And everybody sitting around the dinner table. 

So what are we? 

Going to do now. 

We just got the simple with the Volvo and F-150. What are we going to do? Oh cousin Randy, he took the Taurus to Texas. 

Not sure what the heck he was thinking, but. 

We just got these three cars. We're back to these three cars, the Subaru, the Volvo, and the F-150, and suddenly realize you know what? 

We were fine before Tony came on board for the summer, and I think we're going to be fine now. 

So a lot of people that making this argument that the Rams are in desperate need at the edge position are forgetting that they were one of the better defensive lines. 

One of the better at getting to the quarterback before Von Miller showed up. 

Are the Rams going to add an edge rusher? 

Rams going to trade for someone? 

Well, that remains to be seen very possible. 

I mean, I'd like to see them and add a guy. 

Add another guy that could come off the edge and get to the quarterback. 

But the number one need. 

Of any position group in the entire NFL, the Rams with Leonard Floyd, Tyrell Lewis, and Justin Hollins. 

Along with Daniel Hardy and Chris Garrett. 

That position group is in more dire need than any other position group in the league. 

Not buying it. 

And that's all I'm going to say about. 

That probably bring it up again in a. 

Few weeks though. 

When another rider goes off on the Rams and their edge Russians. 

That's going to do it for this episode. Remember you can reach us at Rams up podcast@gmail.com. 

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