Rating the Rams' Depth

[AvengerRam]

I'll give each category a rating of Solid (can absorb injuries; dropoff not excessive), Suspect (depth has potential, but is unproven), or Thin (starters better stay healthy).

QB - SOLID
There would be clear dropoff from Bulger to Green, but it would not be excessive (provided Green himself could then stay healthy).

RB - THIN
Can't afford to lose Jackson. Pittman and Leonard wouldn't scare anyone.

WR - SUSPECT
We don't know what we have in Avery and Burton. My hope is that they are future starters, but I don't want to get ahead of myself.

TE - SOLID
If there's one thing Linehan knows how to do, its collect TEs.

OT - SUSPECT
It all depends on how ready Greco is to play.

C/OG - SOLID
The Rams have accumulated decent depth in the interior line, particularly compared to last year.

DE - THIN
Little and Long need to stay healthy to keep the pass rush going.

DT - SUSPECT
With Wroten gone, its currently a three-player rotation of Glover, Ryan and Carriker. Carriker's flexibility is a great value, but who will be behind these three?

LB - THIN
The Rams are four deep at LB at this point. That's a bit scary.

CB - SOLID
Brown, Hill, Bartell, Wade, Macklin, King - not a huge difference from top to bottom.

S - THIN
Can't afford to lose Chavous or Atogwe, particularly Atogwe.

[Fortuninerhater]

Originally Posted by AvengerRam

I'll give each category a rating of Solid (can absorb injuries; dropoff not excessive), Suspect (depth has potential, but is unproven), or Thin (starters better stay healthy).

QB - SOLID
There would be clear dropoff from Bulger to Green, but it would not be excessive (provided Green himself could then stay healthy).

RB - THIN
Can't afford to lose Jackson. Pittman and Leonard wouldn't scare anyone.

WR - SUSPECT
We don't know what we have in Avery and Burton. My hope is that they are future starters, but I don't want to get ahead of myself.

TE - SOLID
If there's one thing Linehan knows how to do, its collect TEs.

OT - SUSPECT
It all depends on how ready Greco is to play.

C/OG - SOLID
The Rams have accumulated decent depth in the interior line, particularly compared to last year.

DE - THIN
Little and Long need to stay healthy to keep the pass rush going.

DT - SUSPECT
With Wroten gone, its currently a three-player rotation of Glover, Ryan and Carriker. Carriker's flexibility is a great value, but who will be behind these three?

LB - THIN
The Rams are four deep at LB at this point. That's a bit scary.

CB - SOLID
Brown, Hill, Bartell, Wade, Macklin, King - not a huge difference from top to bottom.

S - THIN
Can't afford to lose Chavous or Atogwe, particularly Atogwe.

Agree with most of your assessment. One thing though, at Safety, I don't believe we'd miss Chavous much no matter who steps into his spot. In fact, they may even prove to be an upgrade.

And at RB, you'd think we'd be solid there having spent a 2nd round pick on Leonard just last year. What a waste that pick still is.

[chipperjones]

Originally Posted by AvengerRam

I'll give each category a rating of Solid (can absorb injuries; dropoff not excessive), Suspect (depth has potential, but is unproven), or Thin (starters better stay healthy).

QB - SOLID
There would be clear dropoff from Bulger to Green, but it would not be excessive (provided Green himself could then stay healthy).

RB - THIN
Can't afford to lose Jackson. Pittman and Leonard wouldn't scare anyone.

WR - SUSPECT
We don't know what we have in Avery and Burton. My hope is that they are future starters, but I don't want to get ahead of myself.

TE - SOLID
If there's one thing Linehan knows how to do, its collect TEs.

OT - SUSPECT
It all depends on how ready Greco is to play.

C/OG - SOLID
The Rams have accumulated decent depth in the interior line, particularly compared to last year.

DE - THIN
Little and Long need to stay healthy to keep the pass rush going.

DT - SUSPECT
With Wroten gone, its currently a three-player rotation of Glover, Ryan and Carriker. Carriker's flexibility is a great value, but who will be behind these three?

LB - THIN
The Rams are four deep at LB at this point. That's a bit scary.

CB - SOLID
Brown, Hill, Bartell, Wade, Macklin, King - not a huge difference from top to bottom.

S - THIN
Can't afford to lose Chavous or Atogwe, particularly Atogwe.

Pretty good, but IMO DE is solid in depth. James Hall and Victor Adeyanju are very good backups.

[Wolf]

yeah, our pass rush isn't that bad. Hall is aging, but the fact he'll be fresh in a rotation on the end spot from time to time could help us.

[RealRam]

Originally Posted by Chipperjones

Pretty good, but IMO DE is solid in depth. James Hall and Victor Adeyanju are very good backups.

'Probably right, CJ. With AVs category ratings, we should be at least 'Suspect' for DE. I agree in that Hall is a good backup; hopefully Adeyanju grows into the position this year.

[moloch41]

I disagree with CB- I'd say thin. If we lose Brown to another suspension (which will be a year like fatboy Wroten), we are in trouble. Hill is still trying to prove that he was worth a #1, Wade looked awful at points last year, King has never played a down and was a project pick at best, Macklin has been an average player throughout his career, and Ron Bartell has only shown flashes.

[Josh]

with the addition of Kreider as the Led Full Back.. I might consider Our depth at runningback to be Solid.. sure dan Is a fullback, But He could help on goalline Situations, Because you all know the trouble we seem to have punching it in even with S-JAX inside the 5

[laram0]

Originally Posted by Josh

with the addition of Kreider as the Led Full Back.. I might consider Our depth at runningback to be Solid.. sure dan Is a fullback, But He could help on goalline Situations, Because you all know the trouble we seem to have punching it in even with S-JAX inside the 5

I'm not ready to give up on Brian Leonard yet. He's no Steven Jackson but I think he's going to turn into a different type of weapon that will be solid.

[VegasRam]

Might be wishful thinking, but between McGarigle, Vobra, Magro and Chamberlain, I think we'll end up better than 4 deep at LB.

I also think it's kind of funny how Chillar's all of a sudden a superstar now that he's gone. Dude was OK at best, and basically just adequate.

I also think between Bartell, Johnson and even Bassey, we're not all that thin at Safety

[39thebeast]

I would say DE and S are more suspect than thin. Tod Johnson is an ok back up at SS and Jerome isn't too bad. Bartell and Bassey also can provide something at FS. Vic is a good run stopper and he if he could rush the passer a little he'd be better. A healthy Hall not taking alot of snaps also isn't half bad

[RamsInfiniti]

Originally Posted by AvengerRam

I'll give each category a rating of Solid (can absorb injuries; dropoff not excessive), Suspect (depth has potential, but is unproven), or Thin (starters better stay healthy).

QB - SOLID
There would be clear dropoff from Bulger to Green, but it would not be excessive (provided Green himself could then stay healthy).

RB - THIN
Can't afford to lose Jackson. Pittman and Leonard wouldn't scare anyone.

WR - SUSPECT
We don't know what we have in Avery and Burton. My hope is that they are future starters, but I don't want to get ahead of myself.

TE - SOLID
If there's one thing Linehan knows how to do, its collect TEs.

OT - SUSPECT
It all depends on how ready Greco is to play.

C/OG - SOLID
The Rams have accumulated decent depth in the interior line, particularly compared to last year.

DE - THIN
Little and Long need to stay healthy to keep the pass rush going.

DT - SUSPECT
With Wroten gone, its currently a three-player rotation of Glover, Ryan and Carriker. Carriker's flexibility is a great value, but who will be behind these three?

LB - THIN
The Rams are four deep at LB at this point. That's a bit scary.

CB - SOLID
Brown, Hill, Bartell, Wade, Macklin, King - not a huge difference from top to bottom.

S - THIN
Can't afford to lose Chavous or Atogwe, particularly Atogwe.

I like the analysis, but I'll add my opinion, for those who care and those who dont:

I don't think we are as thin at running back as one might think. Yea, you are right: Leonard and Pittman are not world beaters. However, they are likely improved over last season and Leonard did get a 100 yard game under his belt last year. These guys could likely hold their own for a few games if Jackson went down. Especially with the structure of this offense, I think Al could go to a very effective short passing game if it were required ...

DE is thin by no means, suspect at worst, especially if Little is healthy, Hall is a very capable backup who led this team in QB pressures and hits last year, while playing very effective against the run. Adeyanju is a proven run stopped in limited action and apparently is most improved out of the whole bunch....

We are also not that thin at LB. How many teams in this league have six capable linebackers? I doubt you'd find many. McGarigle looked very solid in the preseason last year. If him and Culberson develop, this is a very solid group, if Pisa can stay healthy. If we are basing this on Pisa's tendencies to get hurt, it may be a little suspect. The sad thing about Pisa is, he looked very solid when he was on the field last year ...

Safety is a dangerous spot. If one guy goes down, we could be in a world of hurt. Despite this, Johnson is a capable player: he was a full time started his rookie year and talking to Bear's fans, he was excellent against the run. Time will tell if our juggernaut of energy Eric Bassey can be productive here. Wonder was Carter can do?

[Bar-bq]

I agree with Av's assessment of the D-Line. Little and Long pose to be the primary pass-rush threats along the line. If one of them goes down, what do we do? Adeyanju excels against the run, as does Hall- but who rushes the passer? Do we move Spoon to DE again? Can it work now teams have seen it?

Sounds rather thin to me.