Michael Sam unlikely to make Rams roster?
Tony Dungy said he wouldn’t have taken Michael Sam. Ira Kaufman, with whom Dungy was interviewing when he made those comments, attempted to contextualize those comments. In doing so, he revealed one truth about the matter that seems to be understated. Michael Sam’s chances of making the Rams roster are getting worse.
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“… this is not Sammy Watkins. This is Michael Sam. And by that I mean, by definition, a seventh-round draft pick is marginal. The guy’s marginal. May make the roster, may not make the roster. Nobody’s gonna be surprised if any seventh-round pick doesn’t make the roster,” Kaufman said, via Pro Football Talk.
Kaufman went on to talk at greater length about the drama that will likely unfold at training camp and the extra media attention — which is definitely a factor as the Rams decided whether or not to take Michael Sam. And it’s worth noting that he is sixth in jersey sales, though a team likely won’t keep a player due to jersey sales. The most concerning thing for Sam is that he sits at the back end of a depth chart that undrafted free agents would not even sign up for. The Rams had intended to sign more defensive ends. If they do, he’ll have more obstacles ahead of him.
Via Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk:
"And that makes this situation far different from Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in baseball. Robinson’s talent was undeniable. Branch Rickey wouldn’t have stuck his neck out for a player who would have been struggling to stay on the roster. The Rams have willingly embraced a slew of potential distractions with no obvious strategic upside."