The way I see it, the Rams have 14 job openings

[AvengerRam]

The way I see it, of the players currently on the Rams roster (including draftees) there are 39 players who (barring injury) are absolute locks to make the final 53 man roster. They are:

Marc Bulger
Gus Frerotte
Steven Jackson
Brian Leonard
Torry Holt
Isaac Bruce
Drew Bennett
Dante Hall
Randy McMichael
Joe Klopfenstein
Orlando Pace
Alex Barron
Todd Steussie
Richie Incognito
Mark Setterstrom
Brett Romberg
Dustin Fry
Leonard Little
James Hall
Victor Adeyanju
L’Roi Glover
Adam Carriker
Claude Wroten
Clifton Ryan
Will Witherspoon
Brandon Chillar
Pisa Tinoisamoa
Chris Draft
Jon Alston
Tye Hill
Fakhir Brown
Jonathan Wade
Ron Bartell
O.J. Atogwe
Corey Chavous
Todd Johnson
Jeff Wilkins
Donnie Jones
Chris Massey

I have left off Jimmy Kennedy, as I think that, if the Rams feel like they have enough DTs after seeing what guys like Ryan and Jackson do (not to mention the progress of Wroten), they could try to trade Kennedy and get some value before his contract runs out.

Here are my frontrunners for 12 of the remaining 14 spots:

Ryan Fitzpatrick (should hold on to #3 spot)
Madison Hedgecock (almost a lock)
Travis Minor (probably will be kept due to special teams prowess)
Adam Goldberg (veteran OL depth)
Aaron Walker (best blocking TE on roster)
Dane Looker (value as emegency slot receiver and holder)
Jimmy Kennedy (if not traded, he won't be cut)
Keith Jackson (if he shows any potential, he'll likely stick)
Raonall Smith (has a year's experience in system)
Mike Rumph (ability to play both CB and FS, plus size, may earn him a spot)
Lenny Walls (Rams like his height)
Jerome Carter (showed some improvement last year)

The last two will likely either go to a late round pick who surprises (though I suspect that Shackleford and Stanley will more likely start the year on the practice squad), or someone not yet signed.

I'll take a flier on this one and fill out my roster with these two names:

Isaiah Kacyzvenski (could be resigned for LB depth/special teams)
Lance Johnstone (a decent option for DE/pass rushing depth)

Biggest names I see being cut:

Andy McCollum
Claude Terrell
Dominique Byrd
Jeremetrius Butler

[mikhal5569]

There is no way that I can see Andy being cut this year. They need him for depth until fry fully develops.

[AvengerRam]

I'm not convinced that, at his age, McCollum will be able to come back from such a big injury. I also sense that Linehan really wants to build an O line of young players (he already cut Timmerman).

[itsguud]

Good list AV. I'll agree with what you've stated there.

[Rambos]

Soild stuff AV.

[laram0]

I know you're not going to believe this but I don't see Kennedy going anywhere. The guy played with a broken hand last season. Haslett will want him for at least 1 more season.

Just one mans opinion.

[timsum1283]

I see you have a lot of rookies on the list and i would have to agree with most of it. good list

[sbramfan]

As a recent article eluded, assuming he's 100%, I think Tony Fisher will find his way back on this team as a 3rd down type back.

He was playing great last year prior to his injury and, in retrospect, was a steal from the Packers.

[mde8352gorams]

AV,

Good list, although I must agree with the writer who mentioned McCollum will be kept around as a tutor for Fry, providing he's healthy. Roster spots for tutors are too costly.

I must ask you or anyone else who reads this thread, what they think or hear about Dominque Thompson from the practice squad. I saw him in last year's preseason Colts game and found him to have blazing speed. I thought when we lost Kevin Curtis, he was an inexpensive replacement. I guess he was unreliable or he would have made the team. Do you know anything about him?

Go Rams, can't wait for Sept. 9th.

[Goldenfleece]

I wouldn't call Clifton Ryan or Dustin Fry a lock just yet. Either could find themselves on the practice squad. I figure we'll carry two centers and two NTs, so it'll just come down to a training camp battle to see who is the odd man out at each of those positions.

[RamOfDenmark]

AV,
I must ask you or anyone else who reads this thread, what they think or hear about Dominque Thompson from the practice squad. I saw him in last year's preseason Colts game and found him to have blazing speed. I thought when we lost Kevin Curtis, he was an inexpensive replacement. I guess he was unreliable or he would have made the team. Do you know anything about him?

I see potential in Thompson too, of course it's just fairly hard to break out as a WR with our squad. I think he is still on the practice squad though, isn't he? Looker will likely stay ahead of Thompson for the time being since he's also a holder and he can return punts in a crunch too. That said I do hope we still have him on our practice squad and keep him around a little, looks to me like probably the most interesting prospect on the practice squad right now (assuming he hasn't been signed away by another team, which I haven't heard anything about).

[eldfan]

Very good list I don't know about Dustin Fry, Clifton Ryan
and there always seem to be one or two names that you don't expect to be cut.

[Bruce=GOAT]

Great post AV, I tend to agree with virtually all of it. I don't expect McCollum to get cut, see Hedgecock as a lock, and expect Kennedy to be around for one more year.

I would have just repped you, but I must spread it around first.

[AugustaRamFan]

I am not sold on all of the rookies making the squad quite yet. I remain hopeful that the current crop sticks, but will have to wait and see. I would add that they can keep players on the practice squad and still keep Butler and McCollum active for the early part of the season to make sure they can weather an injury or two.

That gives them what 5 more slots?

ARF