Who's in and who's out at WR for Rams?

BY ROGER HENSLEY STLtoday.com | Posted: Thursday, May 5, 2011 11:57 am


Laurent Robinson
(Chris Lee | clee@post-dispatch.com)
With the Rams drafting two WRs last week, our panel believes Laurent Robinson may lead the list of the team's veteran receivers who could be on their way out.

QUESTION: Given that the Rams drafted two rookie wide receivers who are virtual locks to make the roster, which veteran Rams receivers are must vulnerable to getting cut and which veteran WR is most secure?

BERNIE MIKLASZ

The list begins with Laurent Robinson. He's injury prone, unproductive and a likely free agent. Bad combo, there.

Mardy Gilyard is in trouble. He struggled to learn last year's offense and wasn't exactly a stickler for details when he did play. New offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is installing a new and more complex offense and because of the NFL lockout Gilyard will have little time to absorb it all. This will be a big problem for him.

Brandon Gibson also figures to be on shaky turf. The rookies, Austin Pettis and Greg Salas, have the same basic profile as Gibson - taller, more physical receivers. But both figure to be more productive than Gibson. They will run better routes and have more reliable hands. Gibson dropped eight passes last season.

Danny Amendola seemingly is in good shape. McDaniels values the slot receiver and Amendola looks like a fit for the McD offense. He's also proven that he can be productive and dependable in the NFL. And tough.

JIM THOMAS

Mardy Gilyard needs to have the camp of his life. Danario Alexander needs to keep his left knee healthy. Donnie Avery needs to stay on the field. And Laurent Robinson needs to make a statement.

JEFF GORDON

Based on last year's performance, Danny Amendola seems mostly likely to stick. Mark Clayton, if healthy, seems in good shape too, since Steve Spagnuolo has fond memories of his playmaking. I'd give Donnie Avery a chance because he can run, if healthy. A healthy Danario Alexander would no doubt show well, too. I assume Laurent Robinson has already been written off. That leaves the inconsistent Brandon Gibson and the unfortunate Mardy Gilyard in an uphill battle to make the team.

KEVIN WHEELER (Host of "Sports Open Line" on KMOX)

A lot of it depends on whether the team is planning on bringing back Mark Clayton. If not, one more receiver would be "safe." Danny Amendola and Danario Alexander would seem to be solid given their low salary and unique skill sets. Amendola is your most reliable guy and is a factor on special teams. Alexander is the only "big play" receiver on the roster. Of the two I'd say Amendola is safer just because he's been healthier and his role is more defined.

Mardy Gilyard would seem to be in danger. He never caught on last year and for a guy who was drafted where he was that seemed a bit odd. Brandon Gibson, given his up and down performances, would also seem to be in danger. Gilyard has some big play ability so that might save him, depending on Clayton's status and Donnie Avery's health, but Gibson is mostly a possession guy and that's what Austin Pettis and Greg Salas are. He's probably the most vulnerable.

BILL COATS

The veterans who probably will have a tough time sticking are Laurent Robinson, Brandon Gibson, Dominique Curry, Brandon McRae and perhaps Mardy Gilyard. I'd say the most secure veteran is Danny Amendola, followed closely by Danario Alexander, Donnie Avery and Mark Clayton, if he proves to be healthy.

I hope they do cut him. We'll take him!

I hope Pike gets cut too. C'mon home, boys.

I don't see where they are any better than what the Bengals already have.

Gilyard was a good college WR that is not fit for the NFL.
Pike is too fragile.

I liked both in college.

I could see Mike Brown picking them up if they were cut. But I don't see either making it.

WR - Simpson, Caldwell, Shipley, AJ Green, and Ryan Whalen (Stanford)
QB - Dalton, J Palmer, Lefevour

If Gruden had anything to do with picking Whalen, then Whalen fits his system.
Dalton is supposed to be the future. I think Lefevour is more athletic than Pike.

Gilyard would be better off in St Louis than here. They're desperate for WRs. Pike looks to be a third string, possible back-up type, but with Dalton and the certain addition of an experienced QB (Carson or someone else), there's no place for either of them here.

I wouldn't wish either of them to be cut (an NFL job is an NFL job), and certainly not with the intention of hoping the Bengals pick them up (which seems unlikely in both cases).

(05-07-2011 08:03 AM)beck Wrote:  I hope Pike gets cut too. C'mon home, boys.

I agree. I think Pike has more potential than Palmer did. He is quicker and has a decent arm. Good height also. I would love Gilyard ending up in cincy too if the rams screw up and cut him.

(05-08-2011 07:46 PM)bearcat54 Wrote:  

(05-07-2011 08:03 AM)beck Wrote:  I hope Pike gets cut too. C'mon home, boys.

I agree. I think Pike has more potential than Palmer did. He is quicker and has a decent arm. Good height also. I would love Gilyard ending up in cincy too if the rams screw up and cut him.

Which Palmer are you referring to? Because that's a complete bias and homer statement if you are referring to Carson. I would agree if you are referring to Jordan though.

The thing which worked against Mardy last year was his wrist injury and missing important OTA time because UC is on a quarter system rather than semester.