ESPN NFL

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The Rams held one more offensive lineman and one fewer running back than usual on their initial reduction to the 53-man roster limit.

That's easy to see once we compare current positional roster counts to Week 1 totals for the Rams since 2003. That's what the chart accomplishes.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch pointed to tackle Eric Young, guard Roger Allen III, defensive end C.J. Ah You, receiver Nate Jones and safety David Roach as "long shots" who survived the latest wave of cuts. The term "long shots" is a relative term. The Rams are rebuilding and their roster isn't as strong as it will become if the organization maintains continuity and makes wise decisions. I think it's unlikely any of those five players would have earned initial spots with the other teams in the division. It's unclear how much longer they might last with the Rams. Expect additional moves.

St. Louis Rams Week 1 Roster Counts since 2003 QB RB WR TE OL DL LB DB ST Today 3 4 5 3 10 9 7 9 3 2008 3 5 6 3 9 8 7 9 3 2007 2 5 6 4 9 9 7 8 3 2006 3 5 5 3 9 8 7 10 3 2005 3 5 5 3 9 8 6 11 3 2004 3 6 6 2 10 9 5 10 2 2003 3 7 5 3 9 8 6 10 2 Week 1 Fewest 2 5 5 2 9 8 5 8 2 Week 1 Most 3 7 6 4 10 9 7 11 3 2003-2008 Avg. 2.8 5.5 5.5 3.0 9.2 8.3 6.3 9.7 2.7 Current Over Avg. 0.2 -1.5 -0.5 0.0 0.8 0.7 0.7 -0.7 0.3

Equivalent charts for the 49ers, Seahawks and Cardinals ran earlier.