For all of the things that go into adjusting to life in the NFL for a rookie - comprehension of a massive playbook, getting used to the increased speed of the game and finding a way to fit into a new locker room – there’s one unmistakable difference between the league and every other level of football.
“It’s a business,” Rams rookie running back 
For the better part of the past five months, the Rams’ crop of rookies and unproven young veterans have been giving their all every day and working as hard as possible so as to see their NFL dreams come to fruition.
When the Rams take on the Ravens in Thursday night’s preseason finale, it will mean the end of the line for 22 guys who have poured their blood, sweat and tears into trying to make those dreams come true.
It’s little wonder that after spending all of that time getting to know these players that coach Steve Spagnuolo calls that final round of cuts the most difficult part of his job.
“It’s not the funnest thing,” Spagnuolo said. “It’s probably the thing I like the least, because this business I still think is about relationships. You’re with these guys all the time. When I say all the time, 24/7. Eating, meeting with them, practicing with them, ups and downs. Then when you have to tell somebody that you don’t have a spot for them, it’s tough.”
For those that don’t want to have that conversation with Spagnuolo when the Rams make their final cuts, the game against Baltimore at the Edward Jones Dome will provide one final opportunity to make a strong closing argument.
Spagnuolo acknowledged Tuesday that there are still jobs to be won. With a young team with plenty of inexperience, that means that every snap matters not only in practice but even more so when the lights come on.
Almost across the board at nearly every position, it would seem there is at least one or two roster spots on the depth chart to grab hold of. While it appears the starting group is pretty much set, the bottom third of the roster has some intense battles.
Spagnuolo has a very specific idea of what he’s looking for in players to fill those spots.
“We have talked in these terms right from the beginning, that guys are evaluated on their productivity, their character, their ability to learn, and their durability,” Spagnuolo said. “So, you’ve got to be a durable guy, you’ve got to produce out on the field, you’ve got to be a character guy, and you’ve got to learn the system. At this point, we cut the volume down in the games, so when you go out there you’re hoping the mistakes are going to be limited. When you have a guy making the same mistakes over and over, that tells you something, so that hurts them a little bit. (We’re) looking for those four things.”
Were the Rams in a different situation, perhaps the roster would be a little more clear cut at this point but there are a couple of factors that go into shaping a roster.
First of all, the relative youth at many of the positions has made it difficult to nail down who is for real because youth often can translate to inconsistency.
“Where we are in the development with our team, you probably anticipate that,” Spagnuolo said. “Someday, I guess you want to get to the point where it’s a slam dunk with the 53 you’ve got, as long as you can feel really good about them. I think that’s a good thing. I think every team’s different.”
The other element to take into account is the fact that it’s hard to make a roster in a vacuum. In addition to the coaches having their choices, the personnel department also has input.
And nobody wants to pigeonhole specific positions with a set number so that you have to keep six wide receivers or you have to have seven linebackers. In allowing yourself that wiggle room, you can build a better, deeper roster of guys who are simply enough just good at football.
“Yeah, I would say that,” Spagnuolo said. “I tell you what, I worry about…every time I sit down and do that, we have an injury and it throws everything out of wack so I’m very careful when I do it, but I would say that’s true. I think any team probably…no I shouldn’t say that. Some teams probably know their 53, but we’re certainly in that mode.”
In addition to nailing down who is going to be on the roster, there is still some jockeying for starting positions. Tight end and wide receiver have been intense competitions during the preseason and could get some clarity Thursday night.
And then of course, there’s quarterback where the Rams will get another look at rookie quarterback
Bradford will look to duplicate his performance from last week against New England when he went 15-of-22 for 189 yards and two touchdowns for a rating of 125.
“Any time you step on the field, you want to play well, you want to help your team win,” Bradford said. “I felt like I did that last week. Going into this game, it’s no different. I want to do the same thing. When I’m out there with this offense, I want to do everything I can to get the ball in the end zone and help this team win.”
Spagnuolo has made it a point not to tip his hand on which way he’s leaning in the quarterback battle but he also has made it clear that seeing some consistency from Bradford could help in the decision.
“Put back-to-back good games together,” Spagnuolo said. “I think we all agree he had a pretty good game last week, but in the NFL you’ve got to do it week in, week out so we’ll be looking for him to pick right up where he left off last Thursday.”
For each of the 75 remaining Rams, the final preseason contest means something different. But in the harsh reality of the NFL where 864 hopefuls will be cut by Saturday, there’s only one thing left to do.
“It’s a little scary but I can’t worry about it,” Toston said. “When I have the opportunity to step on the field I have to just give it my all.”
