Michael Sam’s roster spot to be determined in Week 4 of the preseason
The St. Louis Rams made NFL history when they selected former Missouri defensive end and former SEC defensive player of the year Michael Sam in the seventh round of this past May’s NFL draft. With the pick, the Rams became the first team in history to draft an openly gay player in the NFL.
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After the media frenzy fades away, the only thing that matters is whether or not Sam actually makes the team when they reduce their roster to 53 men by Saturday. Sam survived the first round of roster cuts to 75 men, but there is no indication that he is guaranteed a spot on the final roster.
Earlier this week head coach Jeff Fisher stated that Sam’s roster spot will be determined based on his defensive abilities, and not based on his special teams play.
The Rams take on the Miami Dolphins tonight in a mostly inconsequential game, but considering that tonight will be the last night for evaluations before roster cuts, Sam’s roster spot will likely be determined tonight.
“He can play in the league,” one member of the Rams organization told CBS Sports, “and there’s probably a roster spot out there for him.”
While that does not sound like a resounding endorsement, there is evidently still time for Sam to make his mark and make the St. Louis Rams team. The issue for Sam is that the Rams defensive front is not only strong, but very deep, which makes pundits wary of whether or not he will make the team.
Do you think Sam will make the Rams team, or be cut and find his way onto a different squad? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.