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The biggest mistake a player can make in the NFL (or anywhere else) is to assume he is indispensable. Regardless of the position, there can be a replacement, and the Los Angeles Rams definitely have few players and personnel on the hot seat. Here is a look at players in danger of losing their place with the Rams in 2016:
Rodger Saffold, OG
It seems odd to place the Rams’ most seasoned offensive lineman on this list, but Saffold can be more of a liability than an asset. The issue is Saffold has proven to be injury-prone, and the Rams need him on the field. He signed a 5-year, $31.3 million contract back in 2014, and he certainly deserves it when he’s actually suited up. However, it’s difficult to justify his contract when he only plays in five games like last season.
The real problem for Saffold is that the Rams drafted some studs in the later rounds in last year’s draft. Head coach Jeff Fisher seems high on backup OG/OT Andrew Donnal, and OG Cody Wichmann demonstrated that he is a capable starter in the NFL too. In essence, if Saffold cannot stay healthy or perform up to expectations, it’s safe to say that he will be cut, and the valuable cap space will be used for upcoming free agents.
Greg Robinson, OT
Greg Robinson hasn’t lived up to his draft status. There are times where it appears Robinson is making a breakthrough, and then he falls back to old habits. This year is a make or break year for him, because the Rams need to protect their investment in quarterback Jared Goff. I personally believe Robinson is more suited to being a guard, but I’d still go with Saffold and Jamon Brown as the starters. If he continues to struggle going into his third year, I can see the Rams looking for better options next offseason. The Rams may not cut him, but his starting role may be lost.
Akeem Ayers, LB
Ayers is a solid player. He does his job, but he doesn’t excel at any particular category other than his athleticism. Ideally, Ayers is the perfect backup, and he is filler until the Rams are able to sign or draft a better player next year. In a perfect world, I’d like the Rams to re-sign him to a reserved role. Ayers will likely pursue another team willing to pay him for a starting role, unless he really enjoys life back in Los Angeles since he is a UCLA alum. Either way, we can expect Ayers’s starting role to be on the hot seat this year.
Greg Zuerlein, K
One thing that’s undeniable is that “Greg the Leg” can make long distance field goals, which is quite valuable for a team that struggles to punch the ball in the end zone. Oddly enough, for a kicker that can be accurate from long distances, he has become inconsistent while in closer range. He only made 66.7 percent of his field goal attempts last season, and that’s unacceptable in the NFL. Any missed opportunities can lose games and it has in the past for the Rams. Expect the Rams look for another kicker next offseason if Zuerlein remains inconsistent.
Jeff Fisher, HC
Everyone was waiting for Fisher’s name to come up on this list, feel free to put away your pitchforks and torches. Undoubtedly Fisher’s “hot seat” is more like a burning sauna, in a volcano, while on the sun. Fisher’s coaching has been so disappointing that his 27-36 mark in four seasons with the team had fans calling for his firing before the team left St. Louis. The Rams may be far from a perfect team, but that won’t stop fans from calling for his head if Fisher fails to lead the Rams to the playoffs. Failure to abandon the sinking ship that is Fisher’s coaching career will also likely call for general manager Les Snead’s job as well. Yes, that makes him an honorable mention. Good luck Fisher, you’re going to need it.
Source: Pro-football-reference.com, Spotrac.com
You can follow Johnny Gomez on Twitter @Johnny5not6. Be sure to follow Rams Talk on Twitter @TalkRams.
2016, Akeem Ayers, Andrew Donnal Cody Wichmann, featured, Greg Robinson, Greg Zuerlein, Jamon Brown, Jeff Fisher, Les Snead, Los Angeles Rams, NFL, Rodger Saffold
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The biggest mistake a player can make in the NFL (or anywhere else) is to assume he is indispensable. Regardless of the position, there can be a replacement, and the Los Angeles Rams definitely have few players and personnel on the hot seat. Here is a look at players in danger of losing their place with the Rams in 2016:
Rodger Saffold, OG
It seems odd to place the Rams’ most seasoned offensive lineman on this list, but Saffold can be more of a liability than an asset. The issue is Saffold has proven to be injury-prone, and the Rams need him on the field. He signed a 5-year, $31.3 million contract back in 2014, and he certainly deserves it when he’s actually suited up. However, it’s difficult to justify his contract when he only plays in five games like last season.
The real problem for Saffold is that the Rams drafted some studs in the later rounds in last year’s draft. Head coach Jeff Fisher seems high on backup OG/OT Andrew Donnal, and OG Cody Wichmann demonstrated that he is a capable starter in the NFL too. In essence, if Saffold cannot stay healthy or perform up to expectations, it’s safe to say that he will be cut, and the valuable cap space will be used for upcoming free agents.
Greg Robinson, OT
Greg Robinson hasn’t lived up to his draft status. There are times where it appears Robinson is making a breakthrough, and then he falls back to old habits. This year is a make or break year for him, because the Rams need to protect their investment in quarterback Jared Goff. I personally believe Robinson is more suited to being a guard, but I’d still go with Saffold and Jamon Brown as the starters. If he continues to struggle going into his third year, I can see the Rams looking for better options next offseason. The Rams may not cut him, but his starting role may be lost.
Akeem Ayers, LB
Ayers is a solid player. He does his job, but he doesn’t excel at any particular category other than his athleticism. Ideally, Ayers is the perfect backup, and he is filler until the Rams are able to sign or draft a better player next year. In a perfect world, I’d like the Rams to re-sign him to a reserved role. Ayers will likely pursue another team willing to pay him for a starting role, unless he really enjoys life back in Los Angeles since he is a UCLA alum. Either way, we can expect Ayers’s starting role to be on the hot seat this year.
Greg Zuerlein, K
One thing that’s undeniable is that “Greg the Leg” can make long distance field goals, which is quite valuable for a team that struggles to punch the ball in the end zone. Oddly enough, for a kicker that can be accurate from long distances, he has become inconsistent while in closer range. He only made 66.7 percent of his field goal attempts last season, and that’s unacceptable in the NFL. Any missed opportunities can lose games and it has in the past for the Rams. Expect the Rams look for another kicker next offseason if Zuerlein remains inconsistent.
Jeff Fisher, HC
Everyone was waiting for Fisher’s name to come up on this list, feel free to put away your pitchforks and torches. Undoubtedly Fisher’s “hot seat” is more like a burning sauna, in a volcano, while on the sun. Fisher’s coaching has been so disappointing that his 27-36 mark in four seasons with the team had fans calling for his firing before the team left St. Louis. The Rams may be far from a perfect team, but that won’t stop fans from calling for his head if Fisher fails to lead the Rams to the playoffs. Failure to abandon the sinking ship that is Fisher’s coaching career will also likely call for general manager Les Snead’s job as well. Yes, that makes him an honorable mention. Good luck Fisher, you’re going to need it.
Source: Pro-football-reference.com, Spotrac.com
You can follow Johnny Gomez on Twitter @Johnny5not6. Be sure to follow Rams Talk on Twitter @TalkRams.
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