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Some around here thought John Greco was more than ready to assume a starting role on the St. Louis Rams' offensive line.

"John Greco is much better than anyone realizes and will be a starting-caliber guard if they give him a chance," Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. said during a May discussion. "They should be excited about him. He doesn't have a discernible trait where he is a real masher or a wonderful technician or a great athlete, but he is good at all of the above and he really has a nasty streak to him. He is somebody to keep an eye on."

I don't think the Rams saw that nasty streak.

After landing Harvey Dahl in free agency and finding a way to keep Jacob Bell amid salary concerns, the team traded Greco to the Cleveland Browns. Adam Goldberg, the starting right guard in 2010, could still return in a backup role. But with Dahl in and Greco out, the line has undergone a massive overhaul since Steve Spagnuolo's arrival as head coach for the 2009 season.

Orlando Pace, Goldberg, Brett Romberg, Greco and Alex Barron were the starters in the final game before Spagnuolo's hiring. Cory Withrow and Roy Schuening were backups in that game. Bell, Richie Incognito and Anthony Davis were listed among inactive players. Bell is the only one of those 10 players still with the team.

The projected starting five this season -- Rodger Saffold, Bell, Jason Brown, Dahl and Jason Smith -- each started all 16 regular-season games last season (Dahl was with Atlanta).

The San Francisco 49ers have gone for quality over quantity in trying to build a big, powerful offensive line.

The team has drafted seven offensive linemen since 2005, one below the NFL average. But the 49ers selected a league-high three of the seven in the first round and a league-high five of them in the first two rounds.

That jumped out right away when sizing up NFC West offensive linemen from the 2005-2010 draft classes for the latest "adventures in drafting" installment.

The Arizona Cardinals have taken a different approach, using a division-low one first-round selection for the offensive line since 2005. Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Oakland, San Diego, Tennessee, Dallas, Minnesota and the New York Giants have selected no first-round offensive linemen during that span.

The charts break out NFC West selections by general draft position, with a column showing how many starts each has made for his original team. I am using the term "not active" loosely to describe players who haven't been on rosters during the regular season recently.

Italics reveal what teams might have been thinking as they entered various stages of the draft.

We should find 10-year starters with Pro Bowl potential, most often at tackle ...

Every offensive lineman selected among the top 50 or so choices should contribute and hopefully start ...

The most athletic prospects are gone by now, but tough guys still have value ...

These guys have question marks, obvious limitations or both, but we'll still get some starts from them ...

Anyone seen the Seahawks or 49ers lately?

What are our numbers on the line again? Let's get another one here.

The Arizona Cardinals began the Ken Whisenhunt era by drafting an offensive tackle, Levi Brown, fifth overall in 2007.

No NFL team has allocated less draft capital for offensive linemen than Arizona in the subsequent three years, however. Whisenhunt has defended the line's play, particularly in relation to the team's struggles last season. But with all three interior starters unsigned for 2011, this could be the year for Arizona to restock through the draft.

By my calculations, the Cardinals had the oldest offensive linemen in the NFL last season, largely because they tended to have veteran backups.

The chart shows how much draft capital teams have allocated for their offensive lines since 2008. By draft capital, I'm talking about the cumulative draft-chart value for the draft choices used on the position.

For example, the St. Louis Rams used the 33rd overall choice of the 2010 draft for left tackle Rodger Saffold. The trade chart values that pick at 580 points. In 2009, the Rams used the second overall choice, valued at 2,600 points, for tackle Jason Smith. In 2008, the Rams used the 65th overall choice (265 points) for John Greco and the 157th overall choice (29.6 points) for Roy Schuening.

Add up those totals and the Rams have allocated a league-high 3,475 draft points for the offensive line over the last three drafts. The San Francisco 49ers, the only team to use more than two first-rounders on the position since 2007, rank third. The Seattle Seahawks are fourth after using the sixth overall choice for Russell Okung last year and a 2009 second-rounder for center Max Unger.

The trade-value chart isn't perfect. It might become more outdated depending on a how a proposed rookie wage scale affects how teams value early choices. At best, though, the values can provide a guide. And in this case, the guide says the Cardinals could stand to draft a lineman.

The market for Oshiomogho Atogwe appears undefined roughly 12 hours into the former Rams safety's life as a free agent.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said his team isn't interested. Rumblings from Miami and San Francisco suggest those teams aren't suitors. The Redskins do not sound particularly interested.

Of course, Miami wasn't considered the most likely destination for receiver Brandon Marshall before the Dolphins acquired him, as one acquaintance noted. Stuff could be swirling beneath the surface in the absence of visible evidence.

ESPN.com's John Clayton pointed to the Detroit Lions as a potential suitor last week. The Lions seem to love collecting former NFC West players. How many do they currently employ? Thanks for asking.

Maurice Morris, Nate Burleson, Rob Sims, Julian Peterson, Bryant Johnson, Shaun Hill, Kyle Vanden Bosch, Jonathan Wade, Marquand Manuel, Will Heller, Roy Schuening, Jahi Word-Daniels and Trevor Canfield come to mind.

The Lions have also collected former NFC West head coaches, from Steve Mariucci to Scott Linehan to Mike Martz.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Rams Player Released on Cutdown Pos. Current Team Capacity Phil Trautwein OL Browns Active Roster Brock Berlin QB Lions Practice Squad Roy Schuening OL Raiders Practice Squad K.C. Asiodu LB Rams Practice Squad Eric Butler TE Rams Practice Squad Dominic Douglas LB Rams Practice Squad Chris Ogbonnaya RB Rams Practice Squad Sean Walker WR Rams Practice Squad Antwon Burton DL -- -- Ian Campbell DL -- -- Renardo Foster OL -- -- Jerome Johnson RB -- -- Tim Mattran OL -- -- Cord Parks DB -- -- Antonio Pittman RB -- -- Mark Rubin DB -- -- Tim Carter WR -- -- Ronald Curry WR -- -- Todd Johnson DB -- --

The Rams' depth on the offensive line might be better than anticipated for a team with a 5-27 record over the past two seasons.

The team is carrying 10 offensive linemen, one more than typical, while John Greco recovers from wrist surgery.

An 11th, Phil Trautwein, landed on the Browns' active roster when Cleveland claimed him off waivers. A 12th, Roy Schuening, signed with the Raiders' practice squad. Another, tackle Renardo Foster, would seem to be a candidate for catching on somewhere eventually.

I've gone through the initial NFC West cut lists -- those players released at the 53-man deadline -- to see which ones have returned to their teams or caught on elsewhere.

The chart shows results for St. Louis.

Quarterback Brock Berlin signed to the Lions' practice squad after the Rams released him. Defensive lineman Ian Campbell briefly spent time on the Rams' practice squad before the team released him.

A few veterans -- running back Antonio Pittman, receiver Tim Carter, receiver Ronald Curry and special-teamer Todd Johnson -- remain available.

Ex-Rams eligible for practice squad Pos. K.C. Asiodu LB Brock Berlin QB Eric Butler TE Ian Campbell DL Dominic Douglas LB Renardo Foster OL Jerome Johnson FB Tim Mattran OL Chris Ogbonnaya RB Cordelius Parks DB Mark Rubin DB Roy Schuening OL Phil Trautwein OL Sean Walker WR

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

NFL teams can begin forming eight-man practice squads once released players clear waivers this afternoon.

I've put together a list of recently released Rams players with eligibility for the practice squad. Each was released on the reduction to 53 players.

The decision to keep rookie quarterback Keith Null on the 53-man roster meant releasing Brock Berlin. Does that mean Berlin is finished with the Rams? It could, but the quarterback does remain eligible for the practice squad.

Running back Chris Ogbonnaya seems like a natural candidate. With a new coaching staff and relatively new front office, the Rams could be more likely to consider players from other rosters. Coach Steve Spagnuolo was with the Giants last season. Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur was with the Eagles. Defensive coordinator Ken Flajole was with the Panthers. Those ties could influence the Rams' thinking.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Biggest surprise: The Rams cut former special-teams captain Todd Johnson, a safety, and they also flushed out two veteran receivers they hoped would contribute, Ronald Curry and Tim Carter. Keeping rookie quarterback Keith Null over the more experienced Brock Berlin made sense because the Rams' top two quarterbacks, Marc Bulger and Kyle Boller, have lots of seasoning. The biggest roster surprise came when the team traded 2006 first-round cornerback Tye Hill to the Falcons. Free-agent addition Quincy Butler stuck on the 53-man roster after a strong training camp and preseason. He looked better than Hill, frankly, and the Rams' new leadership wasn't afraid to part with symbols of past failures. Placing defensive tackle Adam Carriker on injured reserve cleared another spot.

No-brainers: The Rams also released linebacker K.C. Asiodu, defensive tackle Antwon Burton, tight end Eric Butler, defensive end Ian Campbell, linebacker Dominic Douglas, tackle Renardo Foster, fullback Jerome Johnson, center Tim Mattran, running back Chris Ogbonnaya, cornerback Cord Parks, running back Antonio Pittman, safety Mark Rubin, guard Roy Schuening, tackle Phil Trautwein and receiver Sean Walker.

What's next: The Rams still need to make one move by the 6 p.m. ET deadline for complying with the 53-man limit. With only four running backs on the roster, counting fullback Mike Karney, the team probably needs to seek help at the position. Backup Samkon Gado suffered injured ribs in the final exhibition game. The Rams lack quality depth and they are starting over. As a result, the team could pursue players released from other teams.

Update: The Rams placed defensive lineman Eric Moore on injured reserve to comply with the 53-man limit.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

While receiver Ronald Curry's brief run with the Rams could be in jeopardy, the Seahawks plan to keep their entire 2009 draft class and veteran receiver Deion Branch, whose status was not in serious jeopardy.

A few of the Rams' cuts are also trickling out. Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch provides this list: quarterback Brock Berlin, guard Roy Schuening, center Tim Mattran, offensive tackle Renardo Foster and fullback Jerome Johnson.

No surprises there. Keeping Berlin on the 53-man roster and signing Keith Null to the practice squad could have made sense, but with two experienced quarterbacks already on the roster, Null can become the developmental No. 3 passer without the team exposing him to waivers.

Rams eligible for practice squad Pos. Perceived Status Marcus Brown DB Likely cut Bradley Fletcher DB Keeper Justin King DB Keeper Cord Parks DB Likely cut David Roach DB Likely cut Mark Rubin DB Likely cut C.J. Ah You DL Bubble Ian Campbell DL Likely cut Eric Moore DL Likely cut Darell Scott DL Keeper K.C. Asiodu LB Likely cut Dominic Douglas LB Likely cut Larry Grant LB Keeper Jerome Johnson LB Likely cut James Laurinaitis LB Keeper Davd Vobora LB Keeper Tim Mattran OL Likely cut Daniel Sanders OL Likely cut Roger Allen OL Bubble Roy Schuening OL Keeper Mark Setterstrom OL Keeper Renardo Foster OL Bubble Jason Smith OL Keeper Phil Trautwein OL Likely cut Eric Young OL Likely cut Brock Berlin QB Bubble Keith Null QB Bubble Chris Ogbonnaya RB Bubble Eric Butler TE Likely cut Jarrett Byers WR Likely cut Brooks Foster WR Bubble Nate Jones WR Bubble Sean Walker WR Bubble

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

More Rams players are eligible for the practice squad this summer after the team parted with a long list of aging veterans this offseason.

The chart shows all 33 current Rams players with eligibility, arranged by position. The team had 24 players eligible when I produced a similar list nearly one year ago.

The lists come in handy when analyzing battles for the final few roster spots. I've added loose status descriptions for eligible players based on my general expectations.

To review: NFL teams must reduce rosters from 80 to 75 players Sept. 1. They must reduce to 53 players Sept. 5. They can begin forming eight-man practice squads Sept. 6 at noon ET.

The league explains the process this way:

"After 12 noon, New York time, clubs may establish a practice squad of eight players by signing free agents who do not have an accrued season of free-agency credit or who were on the 45-player active list for less than nine regular-season games during their only accrued season(s). A player cannot participate on the practice squad for more than three seasons."

The Rams have only one running back, seventh-round choice Chris Ogbonnaya, with practice-squad eligibility. Eight other NFC West running backs have eligibility.

I'll break out corresponding lists for the rest of the division, answering a frequently posed question that follows a familiar format: "Is so-and-so eligible for the practice squad?"

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The Rams' roster requires additional study after a thorough house-cleaning this offseason. With so many new faces, I feel less familiar with the Rams than with the other teams in the division. This initial look at the roster will hopefully help bring some focus.

Donnie Avery's injury and overall health concerns at receiver could influence how many players the Rams carry into the season at the position.

Marc Bulger's broken pinky shouldn't affect the roster as long as he recovers on schedule. Teams must reduce to 75 players by Sept. 1 and 53 players by Sept. 5. Those initial 53-man rosters sometimes change by Week 1 kickoffs. For that reason, I've been focusing on Week 1 rosters when setting baseline expectations for each position.

St. Louis Rams Week 1 Roster Counts since 2003 QB RB WR TE OL DL LB DB ST Fewest 2 5 5 2 9 8 5 8 2 Most 3 7 6 4 10 9 7 11 3 Average 2.8 5.5 5.5 3.0 9.2 8.3 6.3 9.7 2.7 Currently on roster 4 7 10 5 15 13 9 14 3

T
he chart provides a framework for how many players the Rams might keep at each position heading into the regular-season opener against the Seahawks.

Here's a quick look at which Rams players I might keep on the cutdown to 53 players:

(Read full post)

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

NFL rookies rarely change the course of a season for their new teams.

The Dolphins' Jake Long and the Titans' Chris Johnson were the only 2008 draft choices named to the Pro Bowl last season.

With teams scrambling to sign their 2009 selections, I'll revisit the NFC West's 2008 class heading into its second season.

Rodgers-Cromartie

Best choice

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Cardinals. Arizona found an impact player at a premium position. Rodgers-Cromartie, chosen 16th overall, started 11 games in the regular season and four more in the playoffs. Picked off six passes during a nine-game stretch beginning in Week 16.

Best immediate contributor

John Carlson, TE, Seahawks. Carlson was the Seahawks' top tight end from the beginning, setting a franchise record for receptions by a tight end (55). The position he plays isn't a premium one, explaining why Rodgers-Cromartie emerged as the best selection, albeit narrowly. Carlson also has star potential.

Morgan

Best value

Josh Morgan, WR, 49ers. Cardinals fifth-rounder Tim Hightower had better production as a rookie, scoring 10 touchdowns, but Morgan's career might be on a higher trajectory after Arizona benched Hightower and used a 2009 first-round choice on running back Beanie Wells. Morgan looks like a potential long-term starter for the 49ers. On that basis, I'll tentatively give him the edge over Hightower. The Cardinals and 49ers both hope to better establish their ground games. That could ultimately favor Hightower, although it's tough to envision him starting for long with Wells on the roster.

Most to prove

Kentwan Balmer, DE, 49ers. Using a first-round choice on a 3-4 defensive end was hardly a flashy move. The position doesn't lend itself to obvious production. Balmer didn't seriously threaten for a starting job as a rookie. He has expressed determination to make the jump this season. The Seahawks' Lawrence Jackson was the other top candidate for this designation. While Jackson also has much to prove, he did start 14 games as a rookie.

(Read full post)

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Jeff McLane's story on philly.com suggests the Cardinals sought first-, third- and fifth-round choices from Philadelphia for receiver Anquan Boldin, according to Eagles coach Andy Reid.

"That's a lot of picks, No. 1," Reid said in McLane's story. "And then you're going to pay the guy $10 million. So you get hit on both sides of it."

Such a price would seem prohibitive, but what if we knew which players those first-, third- and fifth-round choices would become? We cannot know this in advance, but we do know which picks the Eagles held in those rounds. I singled out the 21st, 85th and 157th choices for the sake of this exercise. I then looked at which players those picks returned in past drafts to see if a team might rather have those picks or Boldin.

Sometimes the picks hold more promise before teams make forgettable selections with them. I think the Eagles would rather have Boldin than the players those picks returned in 2005.

2009

21st pick: Alex Mack, C, California (Browns, with pick from Eagles)

85th pick: Ramses Barden, WR, Cal Poly-SLO (Giants, with pick from Eagles)

157th pick: Victor Harris, CB, Virginia Tech (Eagles)

2008

21st pick: Sam Baker, T, USC (Falcons)

85th pick: Craig Stevens, TE, California (Titans)

157th pick: Roy Schuening, G, Oregon State (Rams)

2007

21st pick: Reggie Nelson, S, Florida (Jaguars)

85th pick: Brandon Mebane, DT, California (Seahawks)

157th pick: David Clowney, WR, Virginia Tech (Packers)

2006

21st pick: Laurence Maroney, RB, Minnesota (Patriots)

85th pick: Brodie Croyle, QB, Alabama (Chiefs)

157th pick: A.J. Nicholson, LB, Florida State (Bengals)

(Read full post)

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

While considering the prospects for 2009 draft choices in the NFC West, I took a quick look back at the 2008 class. Most fell into neatly defined categories.

Immediate starters with obvious Pro Bowl potential

• Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Cardinals
• John Carlson, TE, Seahawks

Immediate starters expected to remain in lineup for years to come

• Chris Long, DE, Rams
• Donnie Avery, WR, Rams

Likely starters with much to prove

• Chilo Rachal, G, 49ers
• Calais Campbell, DE, Cardinals

Players who flashed potential as rookies, but whose roles are evolving

• Tim Hightower, RB, Cardinals
• Josh Morgan, WR, 49ers

Potential starters who haven't shown much yet

• Lawrence Jackson, DE, Seahawks
• Kentwan Balmer, DE, 49ers
• John Greco, OL, Rams
• Owen Schmitt, FB, Seahawks

Backups with potential

• Reggie Smith, CB, 49ers
• Early Doucet, WR, Cardinals
• Justin King, CB, Rams
• Brandon Keith, T, Cardinals
• Cody Wallace, OL, 49ers
• Kenny Iwebema, DE, Cardinals
• Red Bryant, DT, Seahawks
• Keenan Burton, WR, Rams
• Brandon Coutu, K, Seahawks

Backups facing uphill fights

• Roy Schuening, G, Rams
• Justin Forsett, RB, Seahawks
• David Vobora, LB, Rams
• Chris Chamberlain, LB, Rams
• Tyler Schmitt, LS, Seahawks

Playing elsewhere

• Chris Harrington, LB, Cardinals (now with Bengals)
• Larry Grant, LB, 49ers (now with Rams)

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Greg from Redondo Beach writes: Mike, What I'd really like to read is an updated list of draft grades for the rookies this season in the NFC West. I'd like to know how my Seahawks fared against other teams in their division.

Mike Sando: Fair enough. I assigned an impact grade of high, medium or low for every player NFC West teams chose in the 2008 draft.

The Cardinals have two rookie draft choices starting on a division-winning team, with a third rookie draft choice, Calais Campbell, contributing regularly as part of a rotation. We can debate whether some of these choices should be high-impact or medium-impact players, but I think Arizona claims the title given that these rookies are contributing to victories.

I identified five high-impact rookies. Two are playing for the Cardinals (Tim Hightower and Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie). Two are playing for the Rams (Chris Long and Donnie Avery). One is playing for the Seahawks (John Carlson). Zero are playing for the 49ers, thanks in part to the groin injury Josh Morgan suffered.

I identified five medium-impact rookies. Two play for the 49ers (Morgan and the newly starting Chilo Rachal). One plays for the Cardinals (Campbell). One plays for the Rams (Keenan Burton, who is arguably a low-impact rookie). One plays for Seattle (Lawrence Jackson).

I identified 18 low-impact rookies. Five play for the Seahawks (Red Bryant, Owen Schmitt, Tyler Schmitt, Justin Forsett and Braydon Coutu). Five play for the Rams (John Greco, Justin King, Roy Schuening, Chris Chamberlain and David Vobora). Four were 49ers choices (Kentwan Balmer, Reggie Smith, Cody Wallace and Larry Grant, who is now with the Rams). Four were Cardinals choices (Early Doucet, Kenny Iwebema, Chris Harrington and Brandon Keith).

This is a conversation I'd like to continue. I'm sure some would differ with a few of my characterizations, but probably en route to the same overall conclusion.

(Read full post)

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The premise: 'Tis the season when disappointed NFL fans call for their teams to take a longer look at young talent on the roster.

The reality: Teams generally do not have a long list of promising players sitting on their benches.

The Rams: We take a quick look at the 20 youngest players on the Rams' roster. Nine started in Week 13.

1. David Vobora, LB, 22: Made his first NFL start in Week 13 and fared better than expected.
2. Antonio Pittman, RB, 22: Injuries forced him into the lineup, but Pittman was effective only sporadically.
3. Quinton Culberson, LB, 23: Opened the season as the starter, lost his job and then got it back through injury.
4. Chris Chamberlain, LB, 23: Contributing on special teams.
5. Derek Stanley, WR, 23: The Rams are playing him in the return game. Stanley had an 80-yard touchdown grab against the Cardinals, one of five receptions this season.
6. Chris Long, DE, 23: Starting and making strides as the season progresses. Already a quality player.
   
7. John Greco, OL, 23: Played extensively at right guard in Week 13 and held up better in pass protection than run blocking.
   
8. Larry Grant, LB, 23: Signed from the 49ers' practice squad as insurance.
9. Keenan Burton, WR, 24: Has nine receptions for 124 yards and projects as a potential starter in 2009.
10. Donnie Avery, WR, 24: Has 35 catches for 499 yards and projects as a likely starter for 2009 and beyond.
    
11. Adam Carriker, DT, 24: Starting and could use another big body next to him on the interior defensive line.
    
12. Jonathan Wade, CB, 24: The Rams are still waiting for him to develop.
13. Roy Schuening, G, 24: The rookie is strictly a backup at this point.
14. Clifton Ryan, DT, 24: High-effort tackle has started nine games but might be better as part of a rotation.
    
15. Joe Klopfenstein, TE, 25: Underachieving tight end hasn't justified draft status.
    
16. Daniel Fells, TE, 25: Signed on an emergency basis after the Rams lost Randy McMichael to a season-ending injury.
17. Steven Jackson, RB, 25: Productive when he plays, the franchise running back has had trouble staying healthy.
    
18. Richie Incognito, OL, 25: Hot-headed starter has incurred the wrath of referees and fans, but Incognito remains a starter.
19. Eric Bassey, DB, 25: Projects as a special-teams player.
20. Victor Adeyanju, DL, 25: The Rams like what he brings to the defense, particularly against the run.

Fourteen of the Rams' youngest 28 players are starting. If you're looking for the Rams to play more of the young guys, you're essentially talking about Greco, Bassey, Grant, Chamberlain and Schuening from the above list. The others are playing, for better or worse.

Previously: 49ers, Seahawks.