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09/05/2009
The lights at Rams Park were on late Friday night as the Rams' coaches, scouts and other personnel staffers labored to come up with a 53-man roster. They have until 3 p.m. today (St. Louis time) to complete the job.
Several NFL teams announced at least some of their final cuts Friday, but coach Steve Spagnuolo said he didn't expect the Rams to be finished until about noon today. "And don't hold me to that," he cautioned reporters.
The roster stood at 74 after Thursday night's 17-9 Governor's Cup win over Kansas City. The first-teamers were in for just two series, both on offense and defense, so Spagnuolo and Co. got a lengthy look at those players on the bubble.
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Some 21 of them must go. "We could use two more preseason games to get it all figured out," Spagnuolo quipped, before adding: "We have what we have, and we have to evaluate based on that."
GADO'S STATUS UNCLEAR
Muddying the picture for the Rams' talent judges is the rib injury suffered by Samkon Gado late in the first quarter vs. the Chiefs. X-rays showed no fracture, but Gado has cartilage damage, which can be a significant problem for a running back.
Spagnuolo said Gado was day-to-day for now, but acknowledged that "we're not really a hundred percent sure where Sam is. You'd probably have to list him as questionable right now for the game (at Seattle on Sept. 13) until we get to (the practices) Monday and Wednesday and find out exactly where he is."
In the preseason, Gado clearly has outperformed Kenneth Darby and Antonio Pittman, the other primary contenders for the backup job behind Steven Jackson. Gado averaged 5.1 yards on 29 carries in the four games.
If it looks as if Gado will be sidelined for a substantial period, the Rams almost surely will be scrutinizing the waiver wire for another ballcarrier.
"You've got to have more than one back," Spagnuolo said. "Steven's a big guy and does a lot for us, but we're going to need to plug guys in there."
INJURY UPDATE
The injury to Gado and defensive tackle Adam Carriker, who according to league sources will undergo shoulder surgery, were the most serious Thursday. It was feared that defensive end Eric Moore broke his wrist, but X-rays were negative and it has been diagnosed as a sprain.
Also, safety Craig Dahl aggravated the hamstring that kept him out earlier, safety David Roach sustained heel and shoulder injuries, and cornerback Justin King had a mild knee sprain.
BREAK TIME
Beginning Friday, the players had three consecutive days off, their first such break since training camp began in late July. Practice resumes Monday.
Spagnuolo said that for the first week of the regular season, he plans to restrict the media to the first 30 minutes of practice, the minimum required under NFL rules.
"It's not like we have any big secrets or special things going on," he said. "But I think in the first game with a fresh staff ... I'd like to not take any chances. It'll just be this particular week."
SMITH MOVING UP?
Although he didn't show his hand, Spagnuolo hinted that rookie Jason Smith, the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, had earned a first-team job at right tackle.
"Between Sunday and Monday, we'll have that wrapped up," Spagnuolo said. "Sometimes you just get thrown into the fire before you're actually ready."
RAM-BLINGS
The Rams were plus 9 in turnovers in the preseason. Their 12 takeaways led to 47 of their 74 points. ... A total of 18 receivers caught at least one pass in the four games. ... The Rams averaged 3.7 yards per rushing attempt, compared with their opponents' 5.1
The lights at Rams Park were on late Friday night as the Rams' coaches, scouts and other personnel staffers labored to come up with a 53-man roster. They have until 3 p.m. today (St. Louis time) to complete the job.
Several NFL teams announced at least some of their final cuts Friday, but coach Steve Spagnuolo said he didn't expect the Rams to be finished until about noon today. "And don't hold me to that," he cautioned reporters.
The roster stood at 74 after Thursday night's 17-9 Governor's Cup win over Kansas City. The first-teamers were in for just two series, both on offense and defense, so Spagnuolo and Co. got a lengthy look at those players on the bubble.
MORE RAMS
SOUND OFF: Rams Talk forum
2009 SCHEDULE: Team by team
BLOG: Around The Horns
CHATS: Jim Thomas Live
P-D PHOTOS: Rams galleries
P-D STORIES: Last 14 days of Rams coverage
Some 21 of them must go. "We could use two more preseason games to get it all figured out," Spagnuolo quipped, before adding: "We have what we have, and we have to evaluate based on that."
GADO'S STATUS UNCLEAR
Muddying the picture for the Rams' talent judges is the rib injury suffered by Samkon Gado late in the first quarter vs. the Chiefs. X-rays showed no fracture, but Gado has cartilage damage, which can be a significant problem for a running back.
Spagnuolo said Gado was day-to-day for now, but acknowledged that "we're not really a hundred percent sure where Sam is. You'd probably have to list him as questionable right now for the game (at Seattle on Sept. 13) until we get to (the practices) Monday and Wednesday and find out exactly where he is."
In the preseason, Gado clearly has outperformed Kenneth Darby and Antonio Pittman, the other primary contenders for the backup job behind Steven Jackson. Gado averaged 5.1 yards on 29 carries in the four games.
If it looks as if Gado will be sidelined for a substantial period, the Rams almost surely will be scrutinizing the waiver wire for another ballcarrier.
"You've got to have more than one back," Spagnuolo said. "Steven's a big guy and does a lot for us, but we're going to need to plug guys in there."
INJURY UPDATE
The injury to Gado and defensive tackle Adam Carriker, who according to league sources will undergo shoulder surgery, were the most serious Thursday. It was feared that defensive end Eric Moore broke his wrist, but X-rays were negative and it has been diagnosed as a sprain.
Also, safety Craig Dahl aggravated the hamstring that kept him out earlier, safety David Roach sustained heel and shoulder injuries, and cornerback Justin King had a mild knee sprain.
BREAK TIME
Beginning Friday, the players had three consecutive days off, their first such break since training camp began in late July. Practice resumes Monday.
Spagnuolo said that for the first week of the regular season, he plans to restrict the media to the first 30 minutes of practice, the minimum required under NFL rules.
"It's not like we have any big secrets or special things going on," he said. "But I think in the first game with a fresh staff ... I'd like to not take any chances. It'll just be this particular week."
SMITH MOVING UP?
Although he didn't show his hand, Spagnuolo hinted that rookie Jason Smith, the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, had earned a first-team job at right tackle.
"Between Sunday and Monday, we'll have that wrapped up," Spagnuolo said. "Sometimes you just get thrown into the fire before you're actually ready."
RAM-BLINGS
The Rams were plus 9 in turnovers in the preseason. Their 12 takeaways led to 47 of their 74 points. ... A total of 18 receivers caught at least one pass in the four games. ... The Rams averaged 3.7 yards per rushing attempt, compared with their opponents' 5.1
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