Rams release Michael Sam

Batman · Sep 1, 2014

JimmyHoward33 said:

Maybe Vince McMahon pays better than practice squad money.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24691118/wwe-invites-michael-sam-to-appear-on-sept-8-monday-night-raw
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Vince will probably have him form a tag team with Darren Young called the Tight Ends.

qtlaw · Sep 2, 2014

Here's the reality that history has taught us;

when Sam wasn't drafted until the 7th round and then clears waivers, the naysayers want to point to the merits and say he was treated no different than any other draftee and beat their chest and say "I told you so, what's the big deal?"

Well, when there were zero black QBs in the NFL for what the first 50-60 years of the league; when there were zero black players in the NFL; was that because they could not play? Was it entirely on the merits?

If you don't think that Mr. Sam's sexuality had nothing to do with where he was drafted and how he was treated; go right ahead and keep telling yourself that.

It was a huge deal; likely not for the small-minded, who want to continue to pretend that gays get equal treatment in every facet of life; but for those who know and empathize with their plight? It was huge and I applaud Mr. Sam for having the guts to come out and withstand the scrutiny. It will make it easier for those who follow.

DanOregon · Sep 2, 2014

FWIW - Only nine teams signed DEs to their practice squads. The Bills signed two.

The Big Ragu · Sep 2, 2014

qtlaw said:

Here's the reality that history has taught us;

when Sam wasn't drafted until the 7th round and then clears waivers, the naysayers want to point to the merits and say he was treated no different than any other draftee and beat their chest and say "I told you so, what's the big deal?"

Well, when there were zero black QBs in the NFL for what the first 50-60 years of the league; when there were zero black players in the NFL; was that because they could not play? Was it entirely on the merits?

If you don't think that Mr. Sam's sexuality had nothing to do with where he was drafted and how he was treated; go right ahead and keep telling yourself that.

It was a huge deal; likely not for the small-minded, who want to continue to pretend that gays get equal treatment in every facet of life; but for those who know and empathize with their plight? It was huge and I applaud Mr. Sam for having the guts to come out and withstand the scrutiny. It will make it easier for those who follow.
Click to expand...

Small correction, first. There were black QBs in the first 50 or 60 years of the NFL -- a limited number, but there were a few. That said, there was institutional racism that steered blacks away from playing QB in the first place, and from getting a chance in the pros, if they did.

As for Sam, comparing his situation to the racism that established a "blacks can't play QB" bias in the NFL is unfair because even though that bias existed, it doesn't mean every black QB that got passed over was GOOD ENOUGH to play in the NFL. In the case of Sam, it is clear he was marginal at best and a long shot. Maybe there is a bias against him because he is gay, but with or without that bias, a player with his profile is exactly where you should expect right now.

He wasn't drafted until that late, because the scouting report was that he was a hard worker but not fast enough and probably not a good enough to hold an NFL roster spot. When the Rams got him into camp, they realized the scouting report had pretty much been correct. He is a one-dimensional pass rusher. Good first step, a worker, but not particularly quick, not an elite pass rusher and undersized to play defensive end. His only chance of playing in the NFL was that one 4-3 team, if it existed, that was short a designated pass rusher, and aside from the fact that every line up is set already, there is nothing so essential about him as that pass rusher that makes him better than lots of other guys who have that skill. The fact that he made it as far as he did, with what he has, is a testament to him being a worker. Unfortunately for him, he brings a limited skill to the table, and he doesn't run that well. He couldn't hold a spot by becoming a special teams beast, which is how marginal players stick. I wouldn't sign him to my practice squad and it has nothing to do with his sexuality. You put together a practice squad with an eye toward having a player locked up who you may have to bring to your active roster. If you have Sam taking up that spot, you don't get a special teams fill in, and you have a defensive end who is a liability if you have to play him every down. There are lots of cut players who bring skills equally, or more, vital to a team.

outofplace · Sep 2, 2014

The Big Ragu said:

qtlaw said:

Here's the reality that history has taught us;

when Sam wasn't drafted until the 7th round and then clears waivers, the naysayers want to point to the merits and say he was treated no different than any other draftee and beat their chest and say "I told you so, what's the big deal?"

Well, when there were zero black QBs in the NFL for what the first 50-60 years of the league; when there were zero black players in the NFL; was that because they could not play? Was it entirely on the merits?

If you don't think that Mr. Sam's sexuality had nothing to do with where he was drafted and how he was treated; go right ahead and keep telling yourself that.

It was a huge deal; likely not for the small-minded, who want to continue to pretend that gays get equal treatment in every facet of life; but for those who know and empathize with their plight? It was huge and I applaud Mr. Sam for having the guts to come out and withstand the scrutiny. It will make it easier for those who follow.
Click to expand...

Small correction, first. There were black QBs in the first 50 or 60 years of the NFL -- a limited number, but there were a few. That said, there was institutional racism that steered blacks away from playing QB in the first place, and from getting a chance in the pros, if they did.

As for Sam, comparing his situation to the racism that established a "blacks can't play QB" bias in the NFL is unfair because even though that bias existed, it doesn't mean every black QB that got passed over was GOOD ENOUGH to play in the NFL. In the case of Sam, it is clear he was marginal at best and a long shot. Maybe there is a bias against him because he is gay, but with or without that bias, a player with his profile is exactly where you should expect right now.

He wasn't drafted until that late, because the scouting report was that he was a hard worker but not fast enough and probably not a good enough to hold an NFL roster spot. When the Rams got him into camp, they realized the scouting report had pretty much been correct. He is a one-dimensional pass rusher. Good first step, a worker, but not particularly quick, not an elite pass rusher and undersized to play defensive end. His only chance of playing in the NFL was that one 4-3 team, if it existed, that was short a designated pass rusher, and aside from the fact that every line up is set already, there is nothing so essential about him as that pass rusher that makes him better than lots of other guys who have that skill. The fact that he made it as far as he did, with what he has, is a testament to him being a worker. Unfortunately for him, he brings a limited skill to the table, and he doesn't run that well. He couldn't hold a spot by becoming a special teams beast, which is how marginal players stick. I wouldn't sign him to my practice squad and it has nothing to do with his sexuality. You put together a practice squad with an eye toward having a player locked up who you may have to bring to your active roster. If you have Sam taking up that spot, you don't get a special teams fill in, and you have a defensive end who is a liability if you have to play him every down. There are lots of cut players who bring skills equally, or more, vital to a team.
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Well put. Also, it is not fair to compare one player failing to land on a roster to decades of institutional racism. Insisting that Sam is not on an NFL roster right now due to his sexuality is where the real small-mindedness comes in. Those expressing that view are basing it on their own biases, not any real facts.

Jake_Taylor · Sep 2, 2014

John Clayton summed it up pretty well, I thought. Sam can't play in a 3-4, which eliminates about the half teams in the league as possibilities for him. For the rest, if they are going to keep a defensive player who will play limited snaps, he better contribute on special teams, which Sam won't.

Boom_70 · Sep 2, 2014

Not mentioned much but another factor against Sam was his
age. He is 24 soon to be 25. There guys on NFL rosters
who've already been in the league for 3 years and and are just approaching
24. Teams realize that Sam has maxed out with little room to grow.

For taxi squad teams would much rather take a chance on a 21 year old with room
to grow.

Songbird · Sep 2, 2014

Something still seems amiss about this.

Dick Whitman · Sep 2, 2014

I have to work now and will try to finish this later, but here is a start on last year's 7th rounders:

2013 NFL Draft, Round 7

207: Mike Catapano, DE, Kansas City
Made Chiefs roster

208: Jeremy Harris, CB, Jacksonville
Placed on IR before season

209: Brice Butler, WR, Oakland
Played in 10 games and had nine catches for 107 yards

210: Demetrius McCray, CB, Jacksonville
Had 12 tackles in the 2013 season

211: Michael Williams, TE, Detroit
Injured and did not play

212: Joe Kruger, DE, Philadelphia
Injured reserve, missed entire season. Recently released by both Eagles and Chargers.

213: Michael Mauti, LB, Minnesota
11 tackles for 2013 Vikings

214: Travis Bond, G, Minnesota
Released by Vikings and signed to practice squd the next day. Played in two games for Carolina and recently cut by Rams.

215: Tommy Bohanon, FB, Jets
17 carries for 62 yards and 11 receptions for 69 yards.

216: Charles Johnson, WR, Packers
Released, signed to practice squad, signed by Browns. Did not play in 2013.

217: Armonty Bryant, DE, Cleveland
Made 12 tackles.

218: Jordan Poyer, CB, Philadelphia
Played in 12 games with Philadelphia and Cleveland, made 20 tackles.

219: D.C. Jefferson, TE, Arizona
Played in four games and then released after getting a DUI. Signed by Carolina.

220: Ryan Seymour, G, Seattle
Released and signed to practice squad. Signed by 49ers. Signed by Browns. No NFL appearances.

221: Brad Sorensen, QB, San Diego
Does not appear to have made Chargers roster. Possible taxi squad. Released by San Diego this fall and signed by Chiefs and made 53-man roster.

222: Chris Gragg, TE, Buffalo
Caught five passes for 55 yards.

Steak Snabler · Sep 2, 2014

Williams was moved to offensive tackle and is now on the Lions' practice squad.

MisterCreosote · Sep 2, 2014

The Falcons released seventh-round draft pick and former All-ACC linebacker Yawin Smallwood last week.

Discuss.

Boom_70 · Sep 2, 2014

Seems wrong that The Rams are taking a bit of hit here when
they went above and beyond any other team.

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Rams release Michael Sam

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