NFL Preseason: Rams' Backup and Former Duke QB Thad Lewis Proves Value

Thad Lewis will not supplant Sam Bradford as the eventual starting quarterback of the St. Louis Rams.

However, the brief amount of playing time he saw on Saturday night should prove he is perhaps a better option at backup quarterback than any of the other quarterbacks suiting up for the Rams.

Jay Feely, who started, and Keith Null, who came in after Bradford, were not very impressive. Granted, the offensive line is porous as Bradford found out the hard way.

Lewis completed five of six passes for 46 yards had a 98.6 quarterback rating, which was the best on the team including Bradford. Granted it came against guys who will be bagging groceries or at best be practice squad players for the Minnesota Vikings in a couple weeks.

The former Blue Devil signal caller, however, is coming from a system and a coach that have prepared some quality NFL quarterbacks. David Cutcliffe was tutor to both Peyton and Eli Manning. He runs a pro-style offense, which is a rarity these days in college with the popularity of the spread.

One of the biggest knocks on Lewis coming out of college, besides that he played for Duke, was that he was too short, at barely six feet tall.

Lewis has many intangibles, but he also has the skill set that, as Cutcliffe himself has said, would make for a good NFL quarterback. Now whether that is as a starter or a solid backup remains to be seen.

Given the Rams' options for backups, the case for Lewis is intriguing. He is used to a pro-style system, but he is also used to playing behind an offensive line that doesn't give him much time to think.

If nothing else he may have proven (against the Vikings) that he is worth another look and surely deserves more playing time. That would best be provided against better competition than just the Vikings' third and fourth stringers.

At this point Feely is supposedly the starter with Bradford as backup. That is mostly for appearances and many feel Feely will end up as backup due to his experience. But Lewis, if he continues to play well, could challenge for that spot.

If he can do what he did Saturday, if not better, against stiffer competition, then he deserves a roster spot and consideration for the backup to Bradford.