Training Camp RoundupThe front office this first off-season for the Rams ownership has been busy and it is always great to see the players running drills and finally throwing down the gauntlet playing some real football. The rookie talk coming out of the Rams camp has the fans excited.
1-24 RB Jordan Triplett (Miami FL), The one-time Hurricane is exactly what the Rams wanted, a good young back that has the desire to get better. “He will most definitely be one of the featured backs soon” said greyghost. Triplett has improved with training camp, but only time will tell where he fits in with 1,000-yard rusher Mike Richardson and newly acquired veteran David Brown. +3
1-31 RT Melvin Wisniewski, Melvin is not a household name yet, coming straight out of the military and never playing college ball made him a questionable choice. He made a huge impression at the combine and shot straight up the draft chart. He then with the leadership of veteran LT William Behrens was a dominating force in training camp. “He will be our starting RT for as long as he wants the job” said ghost. +2
2-8 LG Roscoe Bonaparte (San Jose St.), Bonaparte was slated as the starting LG going into training camp. Then 2 things happened, first Roscoe lacked the focus and desire necessary and secondly 6th round draft pick Gerald Morgan decided he wanted the job (see below). Bonaparte is still expected to be a contributor, but at this point it will be a supporting role. -7
2-24 LT Salvatore Pope (Vanderbilt), Pope will be the heir apparent to LT Williams Behrens and with his tutorship is already showing an increase in performance. “He will get some playing time this season, and with Behrens career winding down should be our starter in 1979. +2
Other training camp notables:4-23 QB Rodrick Mathews (Grambling), “sometimes you take a chance on a kid and it just doesn’t work out, we wish him luck” said ghost. On the night after the first day of training camp Mathews was arrested for disorderly conduct and assaulting a police officer. He was given his walking papers immediately. -22
6-22 LG Gerald Morgan (Maryland), “sometimes you take a chance on a kid and it does work out” said ghost. Morgan who was totally unknown coming into the draft not only made a statement in training camp but took the LG position. “He is just one of those diamonds in the rough and we are happy for him to be a part of the Rams franchise” said coach Jason Troutman. +7
7th Round TE Jake Colvin (Arizona State) and QB William Bermudez (Michigan), both have shown progress and currently sit on the bubble, but more will be evaluated in pre-season. +3 and +1