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theramswire.usatoday.com]
By: Jeff Smith | 14 hours ago
Los Angeles Rams coach Jeff Fisher obviously saw something in one of the names you’re going to read below. Otherwise, expected starting linebacker Akeem Ayers wouldn’t be looking for a job currently. In a shocking move, the Rams chose to part ways with Ayers, terminating his contract and saving over $3 million in cap space.
Rams terminating Akeem Ayers' contract the biggest surprise on 53-man roster
While that’s all fine and dandy, what Rams fans likely care much more about at this point is who will start at linebacker next to Alec Ogletree and Mark Barron.
Unfortunately, that’s a tricky question and one that’s still a bit tough to answer.
We can speculate away (and we will) but until we hear from Fisher directly, it’ll remain an unknown as to what his plan is. Could 2016 sixth-round draft pick Josh Forrest possibly be in the mix for the job? It’s very possible. If not, it’ll be either second-year LB Bryce Hager or two 2016 undrafted free agents in Nic Grigsby or Cory Littleton.
For what it’s worth, on the team’s official depth chart currently, it’s Grigsby listed as the second-string linebacker behind Ayers.
An argument could be made for any of the four players above, but you’d have to imagine that Hager may actually have the edge, due to the fact that he’s entering his second season with the Rams. He’s also (obviously) the only player out of the group with any NFL experience.
Whatever the correct answer is, one thing that we now know for certain is that Fisher and the defensive coaching staff felt comfortable enough with each of the young names above to part ways with the veteran in Ayers.
Stay tuned, because the pregame depth chart for the Rams regular season opener against the San Francisco 49ers should be interesting.
