The Professor’s preview Recapping the PreseasonThe only con

Los Angeles Rams at New Orleans Saints: cern Los Angeles Rams fans should have regarding the preseason is how the starters on offense Bobby Evans Jersey nfl draft , who haven’t played a down (and aren’t going to play in this game against the New Orleans Saints) perform when the regular season starts.In today’s environment, protecting key players from injury during the preseason leads to success in the regular season. The Rams are leaders of this theory and have chosen not to play their offensive stars for a single down in preseason.Should Ram fans be concerned?The answer will have to wait until the 2018 Rams debut against the Oakland Raiders on Monday Night Football in Week 1.So this game winds up being the last chance the coaches have to evaluate players on the bubble for the 53-man roster. These players are apt to see extended playing time in a meaningless game and given one last long look.Thus far, from what we’ve seen the Rams have a solid roster. The more they played their rookie offensive lineman, edge rushers, linebackers, wide receivers and cornerbacks the better they got. It’s going to be tough on some of the non-starters to fulfill their dream of becoming a NFL player with the Rams roster having only so few spots to fill.Still the biggest concern coming out of the preseason is DL Aaron Donald not being signed at this point.That and figuring out things at backup QB.QB Sean Mannion has been better since his game against the Baltimore Ravens in week one of the preseason, but still leaves a lot to be desired. QB3 Brandon Allen has also shown improvement, but he’s not that much better Mannion—just more mobile.Hopefully, the Rams won’t have to worry about losing QB Jared Goff for any extended period of time during the regular season. This could be the Rams year, but they have to prove it. “Preseason doesn’t count, but it does matter.” If the Rams come out smoking on MNF, fans can safely say that “preseason is not about winning.” If they stumble out the of the gate, fans will be shaking their head, “Why didn’t the offensive starters get at least a series or two in the preseason?”Until then, we’ve got to close the preseason out.What to look forOne should just enjoy this game for what it is—the last preseason game.Since the Rams and Saints will play in the Superdome later this year in the regular season, both Sean McVay and Sean Payton will be handing out the Vanilla ice cream to the fans, like it or not.Observations on the 53-man rosterFrom what Rams fans have observed thus far Bobby Evans black jersey , RB John Kelly was a sleeper draft pick—he makes the squad and could see considerable playing time in the Rams offense during the regular season.WR KhaDarel Hodge should make the squad—he’s caught every pass thrown to him and ranks as the biggest surprise of the preseason.Depending on how many wide receivers the Rams go with, WR Fred Brown and WR JoJo Natson could make the squad and match them with Pharoh Cooper as back-ups.Natson also return punts and kicks, so he becomes a double threat as the backup to Cooper.The Rams’ edge rushers are fast, but their tackling at times leave a lot to be desired, but that will come with more playing time. One should expect ILB Micah Kiser to make the squad to back up ILB Ramik Wilson (a perfect first name for a Ram player) who has been impressive when he was out there. If the Rams decide to keep Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, he’ll start on the PUP list and therefore won’t be able to see action until Week 7.The Rams are loaded at cornerback. CB Sam Shields has been on fire throughout training camp and the preseason. Rams fans should feel good about having him and CB Nickell Robey-Coleman as our nickel guys. We should just leave it up to Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips to choose his back-up corners but acknowledge that guys who can play in man coverage are coveted over zone players since the 3-4 requires a lot man-to-man coverage.How to watch the gameUnless something dramatic happens like an unbelievable performance by a bubble player, the coaches have a pretty good idea on who they want on the 53-man roster even though they won’t say it publicly. So get your pencil and paper ready to see if you guessed right. Ram fans know who 22 of the players are going to be. Add P Johnny Hekker and PK Greg Zuerlein, QB Sean Mannion and Brandon Allen (one of whom will be on practice squad) and your down to around 28 to 27 spots to fill out.Even if you get a few wrong, one of your picks might still be picked up by another team, as the Rams appear to have a loaded roster this year which will keep your dream of being a NFL scout, General Manager of Head Coach alive for another season.Then get ready for a season, the likes of which Los Angeles Rams haven’t seen since 1951. ATLANTA (AP) — Neither the New England Patriots nor the Los Angeles Rams broke a sweat Saturday in what was their final “practice” for the Super Bowl.More than 800 friends and family joined Patriots players, coaches, and front office staff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday morning. After finishing a week of work at Georgia Tech, the Patriots did not hold a walkthrough, but came to the site of the game for team photos and a gathering with their guests. This is the same routine they have followed for previous Super Bowls.“This breaks up the day and lets them participate in it with their families,” said coach Bill Belichick Bobby Evans Jersey Mens , who is working his record ninth Super Bowl as a head coach. “This is a dream for every player to play in this game, so to be able to share it with loved ones and family is special. We have tried to embrace it.”All members of the 53-man active roster and 10-man practice squad were present, along with players on injured reserve, including running back Jeremy Hill and defensive back Eric Rowe. The Patriots have no players with an injury designation for the final game of the season.Quarterback Tom Brady, also in his ninth Super Bowl, walked in the stadium holding the hand of his 6-year-old daughter, Vivian, with his wife and two sons walking close by. Brady spotted former teammate and Hall of Fame nominee Richard Seymour, who rode in with the team, and wrapped him in a warm embrace.Later on, Brady met up with his parents and sisters, while Vivian did cartwheels nearby. The traveling party of Devin and Jason McCourty, the first twins to play together in the Super Bowl, sported shirts that read, “All we do is twin,” with “win” printed in contrasting red letters.The Patriots have not played in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.The Rams also had family time following meetings and a walkthrough, but at their hotel in Buckhead Greg Gaines Los Angeles Rams Jerseys , then took team photos inside the stadium.Offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth chased his four children around the field, running back C.J. Anderson’s mom chatted up coach Sean McVay, and cornerback Aqib Talib introduced defensive coordinator Wade Phillips to his youngest son.“It’s great,” McVay said. “This is something I’ve never really been a part of. It’s really special. We’ve got a few players and coaches that have been a part of Super Bowls in previous years, but for a lot of guys it’s their first time, and I think it’s definitely something you want to cherish.”McVay said his team enters the game healthy; both safety Blake Countess and kicker Greg Zuerlein, who were previously on the injury report with foot injuries, are good to go. Both practiced in full Friday.“I feel really good,” McVay said. “I think they understand the time where they can enjoy themselves right now, but when we’re doing football-related things, locking into the game plan, they’ve done a great job. And I think that’s kind of been this team’s personality really this whole season. It’s a good balance; they enjoy themselves, but not at the expense of allowing it to affect our focus and concentration.”