When a new head coach takes over a football team, it is expected that they will make changes. From coaching staff to roster, changes are going to happen. With new Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay, that has already been the case with the coaching staff. However, with cuts coming in a little over a month and a half, that will also be the case when it comes to the roster.
You could make the argument that has been the case already with cuts to Marquez North and Brian Randolph as well as the trade of Greg Robinson. They won’t be the last.
Below is the 2011 final roster before Jeff Fisher took over and the 2012 final roster after he took over. Notice the change. Also of note, the players listed were the players who were on the final roster and does not include players on IR. However, I will note those players in each position.
Quarterbacks
2011
Sam Bradford
Tom Brandstater
Kellen Clemens
AJ Feeley
2012
Sam Bradford
Kellen Clemens
Austin Davis
Not a lot of change here, but with Bradford in place, Fisher already had his quarterback he was going to build his team around. They then had a veteran guy in Kellen Clemens and a developmental player in Austin Davis.
Running Backs
2011
Steven Jackson
Jerious Norwood
Quinn Porter
Cadillac Williams
2012
Terrance Ganaway
Steven Jackson
Isaiah Pead
Daryl Richardson
A lot of changeover at running back. The Rams drafted Pead and Richardson. The hope was for Pead to take over as the guy after Jackson left. Clearly that never happened. However that’s 3/4 new players at one position.
Wide Receivers
2011
Danario Alexander
Dominique Curry
Brandon Gibson
Brandon Lloyd
Nick Miller
2012
16 Danny Amendola
11 Brandon Gibson
13 Chris Givens
18 Austin Pettis
83 Brian Quick
12 Steve Smith
It should be noted that Amendola was on the 2011 roster, but on the IR. The same can be said about Pettis. However, Quick and Givens were two rookies that the Rams drafted in hopes to give Bradford weapons and Steve Smith hoped to be that veteran guy. That’s three new receivers which is nearly 50% changeover.
Tight Ends
2011
Billy Bajema
Benjamin Guidugli
Lance Kendricks
Mike McNeill
Stephen Spach
2012
Cory Harkey
Lance Kendricks
Mike McNeill
Matthew Mulligan
The Rams let go of Michael Hoomanawanui who built a rapport with Bradford and rolled with Kendricks and Harkey as their top tight ends.
Offensive Lineman
2011
Jason Brown C/G
Harvey Dahl G
Adam Goldberg T/G
Kevin Hughes G
Mark LeVoir T
Bryan Mattison G/C
Thomas Welch T
Tony Wragge G/C
2012
Joe Barksdale T
Tim Barnes C
Wayne Hunter T
Barry Richardson T
Rodger Saffold T
Shelley Smith G
Robert Turner C/G
Scott Wells C
Chris Williams G/T
It should be noted that Saffold was on IR in 2011 and Jason Smith was as well but was traded in early 2012 before being traded to the Jets for Wayne Hunter. Harvey Dahl was also put on IR but was on the 2012 roster. However, Barnes, Barksdale, Smith, and Wells were all key additions to rebuild what was a very bad Rams offensive line. The final eight offensive lineman on the active 2011 roster did not make the active 2012 roster.
Defensive Lineman
2011
C. J. Ah You DE
Justin Bannan DT
Gary Gibson DT
James Hall DE
Chris Long DE
Robert Quinn DE
Fred Robbins DT
Darell Scott DT
Eugene Sims DE
2012
Michael Brockers DT
Matthew Conrath DT
Jermelle Cudjo DT
William Hayes DE
Kendall Langford DT
Chris Long DE
Robert Quinn DE
Eugene Sims DE
The corps of the Rams’ defensive line was basically in place, however, Fisher in year one took what Spags had built and brought it to the next level. By drafting Brockers and bringing in Hayes and Lanford, the Rams had the makings of a ferocious unit. Seeing guys like James Hall go was disappointing, but Fisher put his mark on his team right here on the defense in the trenches.
Linebackers
2011
Chris Chamberlain OLB
Justin Cole ILB
Bryan Kehl OLB
James Laurinaitis MLB
David Nixon OLB
Brady Poppinga OLB
2012
Sammy Brown OLB
Justin Cole MLB
Jo-Lonn Dunbar OLB
Mario Haggan OLB
Josh Hull MLB
James Laurinaitis MLB
Rocky McIntosh OLB
The Rams linebacker situation wasn’t ever ideal. However, Jo-Lonn Dunbar gave the Rams a stop gap and was a steal in free agency.
Defensive Backs
2011
James Butler SS/FS
Craig Dahl SS/FS
Josh Gordy CB
Rod Hood CB
Justin King CB
Quintin Mikell FS
Nate Ness CB
Chris Smith CB
Darian Stewart SS
2012
Craig Dahl SS/FS
Cortland Finnegan CB
Bradley Fletcher CB
Janoris Jenkins CB
Trumaine Johnson CB
Rodney McLeod FS
Quintin Mikell FS
Quinton Pointer CB
Darian Stewart SS
Overall, there was a lot of changeover in the secondary, and for good reason, the Rams’ secondary wasn’t good in 2011. It should be noted that Fletcher was on IR in what was a very injury plagued 2011. In 2012 Fisher brough in Finnegan from Tennessee as well as drafted guys like Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson who were going to be the future at the position. Rodney McLeod also turned into a pretty good safety for going undrafted. On the 2012 roster, six of the nine defensive backs were new.
Special Teams
2011
Josh Brown K
Donnie Jones P
Jacob McQuaide LS
2012
Johnny Hekker
Greg Zuerlein
Jacob McQuaide
The Rams made significant turnover on special teams as they drafted Zuerlein and signed Hekker. McQuaid surprisingly is still on the roster.
Practice Squad
It should be noted that in 2011, both Tim Barnes and Chase Reynolds were on the practice squad. Both guys played significant roles on the Fisher teams.
Players on 2012 roster that were also on 2011 roster (includes IR and Practice Squad)
-QB Sam Bradford
-QB Kellen Clemens
-RB Chase Reynolds
-RB Steven Jackson
-WR Danny Amendola
-WR Brandon Gibson
-WR Austin Pettis
-TE Lance Kendricks
-TE Mike McNeil
-OL Roger Saffold
-OL Harvey Dahl
-OL Tim Barnes
-DL Jermelle Cudjo
-DL Chris Long
-DL Robert Quinn
-LB James Laurinaitis
-LB Josh Hull
-LB Justin Cole
-DB Craig Dahl
-DB Bradley Fletcher
-DB Quinton Mikell
-LS Jacob McQuaide
When all was said and done, of the entire 78 man roster, only 22 made the roster in 2012, which would make just 28%.
Final Thoughts
While this may have been a little on the extreme, the point is, with a new coach, there is going to be turnover. Sean McVay is going to want to bring in his own guys. We’ve already seen it. The Rams didn’t re-sign Kenny Britt or Brian Quick, the team’s top two receivers last season as well as trading Greg Robinson. This is only the beginning.
Sean McVay is going to put his image on the Rams, and by implementing the “We Not Me” mindset, he’s already done that. Anybody that doesn’t fit that culture, will be gone.
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