Baltimore Ravens-St. Louis Rams: What To Watch For

Three games down, one to go.

With training camp far in the rearview mirror, not much time remains before the final 53 are chosen.

While most of the league feels the 4th game of the preseason is a joke, it is hardly one for guys who are trying to grind out a spot on the roster.

One game may decide their futures with the St. Louis Rams.

I've laid out a few things Rams coaches will be watching, and so should you.

1. Sam Bradford's pocket presence

This is fairly obvious right? There's a good chance that I will lead every game preview with something pertaining to 50 million dollars or people who have been paid 50 million dollars.

Every move Sam Bradford makes on the field is looked at through a microscope. Is he making the right reads? Is he willing to take a sack when the situation calls for it? Is he willing to throw the ball away when he can't find an open receiver? He showed us last week in New England that he is capable of making the right decisions.

Let's see if he can do it two weeks a row.

2. The 7th rounders

In 2008, the Rams drafted two linebackers in the 7th round. Their names? Chris Chamberlain and David Vobora.

Chamberlain has struggled at LB most of the preseason. He has one game left to show the coaches that he is more valuable than LB Bobby Carpenter because it's unlikely that both will be kept.

David Vobora will see a lot of action this week backing up James Laurinaitis in the middle, and Na'il Diggs on the strong side. It's important that he continues to show competency on the field for injury sake.

Running back Chris Ogbonnaya (OB) was drafted in the 7th round by the Rams in 2009. At the start of training camp, Rams coaches had OB penciled in as Steven Jackson's backup. Due to inconsistent play, the spot is now up for grabs. 

Kenneth Darby, Keith Toston and Ogbonnaya have one game left to separate themselves from the group.

This battle should be fun to follow throughout the game. 

3. Secondary corners

Rams cornerbacks have been fighting the injury bug since the beginning of training camp. Kevin Dockery, Justin King, Bradley Fletcher, Marquis Johnson and Jerome Murphy have all missed time due to injuries. Left CB Ron Bartell is the only one who seems to be running at full speed. Every other CB is playing hurt, which means Coach Spagnuolo will have to play the least injured guy on the right side. After the game we should have a better idea of who Mr. Right will be.

Experience is also an issue at corner for the Rams. Murphy and Johnson are both rookies who may be forced into the starting lineup come week 1. In an attempt to get them regular season ready, it's likely Coach Spags will give them quite a bit of playing time against Baltimore.

4. Danny Amendola at WR2

We learned in New England that Danny Amendola is no joke. He caught 5 balls for 50 yards and returned 5 kicks for 97 yards. Not bad for a guy who has been cut by 2 teams in 3 seasons.

With Donnie Avery lost for the season to a knee injury, Amendola moves up the depth chart behind new top dog Laurent Robinson.

Last season, Amendola caught 43 passes from the slot position. It'll be interesting to see how comfortable he looks lining up at his new position.

Amendola made a name for himself last season with strong play on special teams. He finished 6th in the NFL in punt return average and 16th in kick return average. It's unclear as of now if his promotion at receiver will affect his special teams duties. 

In 2008, the Chicago Bears decided to promote All-Pro return man Devin Hester to the top of the depth chart at receiver. The added duties at WR significantly affected his results as a returner, rendering him very ineffective. 

Look for the Rams coaching staff to preserve the legs of Amendola by giving Mardy Gilyard more time at KR/PR.

Think I missed something? Feel free to start the conversation in the comments section.