Rams’ Jeff Fisher on Michael Sam cut: ‘It was going to be a tough road’
It would have been hard for any rookie defensive end to make the St. Louis Rams depth chart. The news of Michael Sam getting cut from St. Louis was not really a surprise. Head coach Jeff Fisher admitted that the odds never favored the former SEC Defensive Player of the Year.
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“When we drafted Michael we mentioned that it was going to be a tough road,” coach Jeff Fisher said, via ESPN.com. “Those four defensive ends we have on the roster are good. And they’re very productive. As well as the tackles. That’s the strength of our football team. But again, it was a football decision.”
Just because Sam can’t make the Rams doesn’t mean he won’t play in the NFL. The Rams may have one of the best defenses in the NFL this year. There are plenty of teams looking for a pass-rusher — and they can always stash him on a practice squad.
“He was very, very productive in the preseason for us and played all four spots,” Fisher said. “He’s a very, very talented young player that I think has a really good future.”
It came down to numbers.
“Nine defensive linemen on a roster is a significant number, especially when you are a four-down lineman team,” Fisher said. “Nine is a number that you look at to start the season. If you go with 10, then you are going to be short someplace else and we are just not there.”
The coach had more kind, parting words for the rookie defensive end.
“I was pulling for Mike, I really was,” Fisher said. “I don’t say that very often, but I was. Mike came in here and did everything we asked him to do.”