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Rams eligible for practice squad Pos. Current Status Brock Berlin QB 53-man roster Chris Long DE 53-man roster John Greco OL 53-man roster Donnie Avery WR 53-man roster Roy Schuening OL 53-man roster Chris Chamberlain LB 53-man roster David Vobora LB 53-man roster Derek Stanley WR Practice Squad C.J. Ah You DL Practice Squad Russ Weil FB Practice Squad Marc Magro LB Practice Squad Lance Ball RB Practice Squad Dustin Fry OL Practice Squad Darius Vinnett CB Practice Squad Mark LeVoir OL 53-man roster (Pats) Marques Hagans WR Practice Squad (Chiefs) Julius Wilson OL Practice Squad (Bucs) Cortney Grixby DB Waived Nick Cleaver TE Waived Marcus Riley LB Waived Donovan Raiola OL Waived Henry Smith DL Waived Willie Williams DL Waived Matt Caddell WR Waived Tanard Davis DB Waived

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The Rams have filled seven of eight spots on their practice squad. Cornerback Darius Vinnett was the notable addition; he previously slipped through the cracks when I listed Rams players with practice-squad eligibility.

Derek Stanley provides needed practice depth at receiver. Injuries continue to affect that position for the Rams.

The Patriots' signing of Mark LeVoir to their active roster surprised me. The Rams lack depth on the offensive line after placing Mark Setterstrom and Brandon Gorin on injured reserve. But the Patriots' might be even more desperate for help at tackle. New England has considered everyone but Bruce Armstrong as potential stopgaps at the position this summer. We'll see how long LeVoir lasts.

Update: The Chiefs signed Marques Hagans to their practice squad. Earlier in camp, a scout for another team asked me if I thought Hagans would earn a roster spot. Hagans' potential as a return specialist had caught his attention. 

Julius Wilson obviously has some talent. He went from the Dolphins to the Rams to the Bucs' practice squad in a short time period. Scouts must see potential.

I watched Wilson struggle terribly during the Rams scrimmage.

As noted then: "Defensive end Eric Moore beat [Wilson] for what would have been a sack on Brock Berlin. [Marc] Magro tossed Wilson to the outside and surged forward for what would have been a free shot on Berlin. Shortly thereafter, running back Lance Ball was gliding along for what should have been an easy touchdown, but a linebacker slammed him to the ground in front of Wilson as Ball crossed the goal line.

Rams eligible for practice squad Pos. Probable Status Brock Berlin QB Keeper Chris Long DE Keeper John Greco OL Keeper Donnie Avery WR Keeper Roy Schuening OL Keeper Chris Chamberlain LB Keeper David Vobora LB Bubble Derek Stanley WR Bubble C.J. Ah You DL Bubble Russ Weil FB Likely cut Marc Magro LB Likely cut Cortney Grixby DB Waived Lance Ball RB Likely cut Nick Cleaver TE Waived Marcus Riley LB Waived Donovan Raiola OL Waived Dustin Fry OL Likely cut Julius Wilson OL Likely cut Henry Smith DL Waived Mark LeVoir OL Likely cut Willie Williams DL Waived Matt Caddell WR Waived Marques Hagans WR Waived

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The Rams' released 10 players in anticipation of the 53-man roster limit, which goes into effect Saturday.

I've singled out eight of them on our chart of Rams players with practice-squad eligibility. The eighth and ninth players released, veteran safety Jerome Carter, and cornerback Tanard Davis, have no such eligibility.

Expect the Rams to make their remaining cuts before the 6 p.m. ET deadline Saturday.

The Rams are carrying 66 players once they move Steven Jackson to the active roster from the exempt list.

Die-hard alert: Updated roided-out NFC West rosters here.

Earlier: The chart shows each of the Rams' players with practice-squad eligibility, according to the team.

Practice-squad rules can be confusing, and exceptions sometimes apply to relatively experienced players.

I've categorized each player based on his perceived likelihood of earning a spot on the 53-man roster. Those are rough characterizations. Teams still have not made decisions. It's conceivable that a player listed as a "keeper" could face his release.

(Read full post)

Rams eligible for practice squad Pos. Probable Status Brock Berlin QB Keeper Chris Long DE Keeper John Greco OL Keeper Donnie Avery WR Keeper Roy Schuening OL Keeper Chris Chamberlain LB Keeper David Vobora LB Bubble Derek Stanley WR Bubble C.J. Ah You DL Bubble Tanard Davis DB Likely cut Russ Weil FB Likely cut Marc Magro LB Likely cut Cortney Grixby DB Likely cut Lance Ball RB Likely cut Nick Cleaver TE Likely cut Marcus Riley LB Likely cut Donovan Raiola OL Likely cut Dustin Fry OL Likely cut Julius Wilson OL Likely cut Henry Smith DL Likely cut Mark LeVoir OL Likely cut Willie Williams DL Likely cut Matt Caddell WR Likely cut Marques Hagans WR Cut

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The chart shows each of the Rams' players with practice-squad eligibility, according to the team.

Practice-squad rules can be confusing, and exceptions sometimes apply to relatively experienced players.

I've categorized each player based on his perceived likelihood of earning a spot on the 53-man roster. Those are rough characterizations. Teams still have not made decisions. It's conceivable that a player listed as a "keeper" could face his release.

As noted: Rosters spots are serious business for NFL players lacking job security. For some, the next 30 hours or so will determine whether they'll earn $17,352.94 per week or whatever the real world pays.

The minimum NFL salary is $295,000. Players get paid in 17 installments, one for every week they spend as a paid member of the organization.

NFL teams must trim rosters from 75 players to 53 players by Saturday afternoon. Teams can establish eight-man practice squads beginning Sunday. Practice-squad players earn a minimum of $5,200 per week during the regular season and playoffs.

Once a player signs with a practice squad, he can practice with the team. He becomes eligible to play in games only if a team signs him to its 53-man roster. Practice-squad players are free to sign with any team's active roster at any time during the season.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Season-ending injuries to backup guards Mark Setterstrom (knee) and Brandon Gorin (shoulder) leave the Rams even thinner on their offensive line. The team has no immediate plans to sign a free-agent lineman or two, coach Scott Linehan told reporters Sunday.

The Rams weren't necessarily counting on Setterstrom and Gorin this season, but losing them severely impacts depth. Center Brett Romberg has a broken bone in his snapping hand. He did not play in the exhibition game Saturday night, but he could be ready for the regular season. Nick Leckey is starting in his place.

I've updated the Rams' positional glance for the line. Fifth-round rookie Roy Schuening and veteran Adam Goldberg are probably locks at this point, just given sheer numbers.

Offensive linemen (13)
Average number kept on opening-day roster since 2003: 9.2
Locks: Orlando Pace, Jacob Bell, Brett Romberg, Richie Incognito, Alex Barron, Nick Leckey, John Greco
Looking safe: Roy Schuening, Adam Goldberg
On the bubble: Donovan Raiola, Dustin Fry
Also: Julius Wilson, Mark LeVoir
Comment: The Rams started 18 line combinations last season.

Several other Rams suffered injuries. Running back Brian Leonard sprained a shoulder and might miss the next game. Linebacker David Vobora could miss the rest of the preseason with a severely sprained ankle. Quarterback Marc Bulger has a strained shoulder, but the Rams aren't concerned about it, Linehan said. Linebacker Tim McGarigle suffered a toe injury, but he should be available.

Linehan on Bulger possibly seeing doctors: "No, we are not going to. We are just going to see how he feels throwing tomorrow, if he can. It is really not serious, but it hurt enough that he would not have been able to play that next play, so we just used that situation to put Trent (Green) in and leave him in there because it was a preseason game."

The Rams might add a running back, linebacker or safety to their roster, Linehan said.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

MEQUON, Wis. -- The Rams made it through their scrimmage without serious injuries, coach Scott Linehan said, although linebacker Quinton Culberson "tweaked" an ankle. Culberson is competing with injured veteran Chris Draft to be the starting strong-side linebacker. The injury did not appear serious at all. I just saw Culberson walking without a limp near the locker room. With that, we visit the notebook:

• New kicker Josh Brown was perfect on five field-goal tries, hitting from 26, 38, 41, 48 and 53 yards. Fellow kicker Justin Medlock, who hopes to catch on elsewhere, hit from 25, 38, 41 and 53 yards. His 48-yard try bounced off the right upright and missed. Brown sent his kickoffs to the 7-yard-line and 1 yard deep in the end zone. Medlock's kickoffs went to the 8-yard-line and 1 yard deep. Brown wore an ice pack on his right hip after kicking, but said he was fine.

• Running back Brian Leonard welcomed rookie linebacker David Vobora to life on special teams, slamming him during a kick return.

• Orlando Pace appears to be in the best shape of his career from a conditioning standpoint, but he is still rounding into game form. Pace is at 320 pounds. He won most of his matchups with rookie Chris Long, but Long did beat him with an inside pass-rush move that would have resulted in a sack. Pace appeared out of sorts on the play. He might have moved early, and Long beat him with a quick first step and a dip of his outside shoulder as he ducked underneath and into the clear.

• Punter Donnie Jones had punts of 62 and 46 yards early in the session. Dante Hall muffed the 62-yarder. Safety Eric Bassey recovered.

• Linehan appeared to chastise defensive coordinator Jim Haslett for riding the officials, but Haslett said it was all in good fun. Haslett was barking at official Steve Freeman. The two have quite a history. They played together in Buffalo for a decade and remain good friends. Freeman was telling stories about Haslett to the players.

• Running back Antonio Pittman couldn't control a short pass in the right flat against pressure. The pass from Marc Bulger was moving quickly, but this was a play Bulger clearly wanted to hit. Pittman bobbled another pass, allowing Tye Hill to hit him and break it up.

• Rookie linebacker Marc Magro broke up a deep pass over the middle from Bruce Gradkowski to tight end Nick Cleaver. Magro also dominated as a pass rusher against newly signed tackle Julius Wilson, formerly of the Dolphins. Wilson struggled. Defensive end Eric Moore beat him for what would have been a sack on Brock Berlin. Magro tossed Wilson to the outside and surged forward for what would have been a free shot on Berlin. Shortly thereafter, running back Lance Ball was gliding along for what should have been an easy touchdown, but a linebacker slammed him to the ground in front of Wilson as Ball crossed the goal line.

• Defensive end C.J. Ah You beat fullback Richard Owens in pass protection. Linebacker Chris Chamberlain flattened Ball, a rookie from Maryland. Tackling was prohibited when starters were on the field, but the backups beat up on each other.

• Drew Bennett got open and made catches without much trouble. The Rams have problems at safety, particularly with O.J. Atogwe resting an injury.

• The Rams used multiple combinations on the offensive line, making it tough to distinguish between second- and third-teamers. Brett Romberg worked at center with the starters.

The Rams drew an estimated 2,000 fans to Concordia University for the scrimmage. I'll have more on the Rams as we continue to analyze rosters. Look for a "Camp Confidential" report in the coming week.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

	AP Photo/Jeff Roberson
	Marc Bulger looks to bounce back after completing just 58.5 percent of his passes in 2007, a career low.

MEQUON, Wis. -- The quarterbacks, plural, are the first thing you notice about the Rams after spending two days watching the 49ers practice.

Marc Bulger and Trent Green command the ball and the offense. Arizona and St. Louis have four quarterbacks who would likely start for San Francisco. That makes this division a little harder to figure. The 49ers appear very good on defense and special teams. They will improve offensively with Mike Martz as coordinator. But it's tough to know how much the 49ers' offensive personnel might limit them. If Martz makes that offense even average, the 49ers are competitive.

Back to the Rams. Specifically, a few thoughts after watching the morning session at Concordia University:

• Bulger is heating up. He throws darts on target in the face of the rush. Granted, he knows the defensive players aren't going to hit him in this setting. If you hit Bulger or most other quarterbacks, they aren't the same. But the dump pass he threw to Antonio Pittman against the rush was perfectly placed and delivered on time.
• Tye Hill knocked down an end-zone pass to Drew Bennett. Great play, right? Well, almost. The ball hit Hill square in the hands in the vicinity of face level. He did not come close to catching it.
• Bulger looks like a leader. Even when Brock Berlin was running the offense, Bulger stepped toward the huddle between plays to slap fives with a teammate. Not a big deal, but those are the types of things I look for at a practice. Demeanor and body language matter at quarterback.
• Receivers Matt Caddell and Marques Hagans dropped passes today. The Rams do not have a clear-cut No. 2 receiver, but they have several players who might not be bad as the fourth or fifth receiver. Derek Stanley made a couple of plays on the ball, including a diving grab.
• The usual one-on-one pass-rush drills weren't as extensive as I had hoped. Coaches were working with offensive linemen on picking up twists and the like. Rookie John Greco did stand out a bit in the one-on-one drills. He locked up Adam Carriker on consecutive pass-rush plays, holding his ground well. Greco was drafted as a tackle. He might project as a guard. Either way, the Rams think he could develop into a contributor.
• Chris Long gets in the offensive tackle's face very quickly. There was nothing cute about his rushes in the pass-rush drill this morning. He went right at tackle Julius Wilson, recently signed from the Dolphins. Coaches worked with Long on finishing plays, with an emphasis on how he uses his hips. 
• Clifton Ryan did beat Greco in a pass-rush drill. A scout familiar with the NFC West told me last night he compares Ryan to Seattle's Craig Terrill. Both are high-effort defensive tackles. The scout called them "gutty and quick" three-technique defensive tackles.
• Former San Diego, Green Bay and Indianapolis defensive end Blaise Winter looks like he could still play at age 46. Winter is working with the Rams' strength-and-conditioning staff. He also worked with some of the offensive linemen after pass-rush drills. He demonstrated techniques to re-establish proper hand placement, including a vicious move with the elbows. Players seemed to respond well to him. Winter is a motivational speaker. As his site says, "In a world where people are in need of the personal touch Blaise Winter reaches for the soul."

The Rams have another practice late this afternoon. I'm looking forward to their scrimmage Saturday.