Written By Ken Hulsey
I typically don’t get the opportunity to write about Rams games on the same day they are played, so I'm taking a moment to gather my thoughts on today’s game and the Rams’ preseason as a whole. The Rams lost in the final seconds to the Cleveland Browns, with a final score of 19-17. Several players suited up for what may be their last game, as this match featured players whose fates are already sealed. Come Tuesday, some will be cut, while others might have a slim chance of making the team or landing on the practice squad.
A few notable exceptions stood out: running back Jarquez Hunter started the game, second-round tight end Terrance Ferguson was on the field for a few snaps and made a long catch, that almost resulted in a touchdown and surprisingly, linebacker Chris Paul Jr. played for most of the first half. It’s difficult to understand Paul’s participation in this game; is he on the roster bubble? A matchup like this is less about the players on the field and more about those who aren’t. As any Rams fan knows, the team rarely plays players who have any chance of making the final 53-man roster in the last preseason game.
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From this, I can conclude that quarterback Stetson Bennett has made the team. This shouldn't come as a surprise after his performances against both the Cowboys and Chargers. Bennett looked impressive, fueling debates among fans about whether he could be the next starting quarterback after Matthew Stafford retires. Some fans are heralding him as “the king,” while others believe he should be traded to a quarterback-needy team. The Browns, whom we faced today, could be a possible destination for Bennett. If you are starting 40-year-old Joe Flacco and still have four other quarterbacks on your roster after the third preseason game, you have a clear need at the position. Stetson Bennett could easily start for the Browns and several other teams.
After today’s game, fans advocating for a trade for Shedeur Sanders should reconsider. The Rams' backup defenders overwhelmed him; he appeared immature, dazed, and confused. I would prefer starting Dresser Winn in a regular-season game over Sanders. Returning to the debate about Bennett, it’s clear he made the team, but how long will he remain a third-string quarterback? Many believe he could step up as our primary backup next season, whether behind Stafford, a top draft pick, or a newly acquired veteran. Speculation about a potential Joe Burrow trade has already surfaced.
All of this makes one wonder if second-string quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has become expendable following Bennett's rise. One standout player throughout the preseason has been undrafted free agent receiver Brennon Presley. He played exceptionally well in every game and looks like a professional pass catcher, appearing larger than his 5-foot-8, 174-pound frame. Honestly, I initially thought he was about 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds when he snagged that semi-Hail Mary at the end of the Chargers game, catching it between three defenders. Despite his impressive performance and game-ending heroics, Presley is unlikely to make the team—not due to a lack of skill, but because of depth at the position.
Xavier Smith and Konata Mumfield didn’t play against the Browns, indicating that they both made the team. While Presley excelled, Smith performed like a veteran receiver and caught multiple passes. Mumfield may not have stood out during preseason but was impressive during training camp and in scrimmages against the Cowboys and Saints, which earned him the coaches’ favor. Due to Presley’s small stature, which likely influenced his draft status, he will probably clear waivers and land on the practice squad.
Another player who fell out of the draft because of his size is linebacker Shaun Dolac, who has been impressive in camp and the first two preseason games. The fact that Chris Paul Jr. took the field today while Dolac did not suggests that Dolac has also made the team. He is the type of defender who instinctively finds the ball and brings down offensive players. His tape shows exactly why he led the nation in tackles last season at the University of Buffalo.
This team is deep at almost every position, so tough decisions will need to be made by Tuesday, when NFL teams must trim their rosters down to 53 players. The unfortunate reality is that not everyone can be kept, something the Rams would undoubtedly prefer to do if possible. Rams President Kevin Demoff remarked earlier this week that this year’s team “is the most talented since the team returned to Los Angeles in 2017.”
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