Who needs to step up tonight?

I'm thinking that tonight's game could decide alot as far as roster spots and starting jobs.

Ramsey: He really needs to have a sharp game if he wants to be seriously considered for the starting QB job. Even if he is impressive tonight it might be a case of too little too late.

Betts: Enough with the injuries, he needs to show something tonight. Just stepping on the field would be a step in the right direction.

Cartwright: The backup RB battle is far from over, Rock must make the most of every touch he gets tonight.

Who are you guys going to be watching tonight?

I'll be watching mainly Betts. If he comes and has a strong outing, then the backup job is his. I agree that Rock needs to take advantage of however many touches he gets. If Simon or Mccullough play well, Rock maybe the odd man out.

As far as Ramsey goes.....he should be fine. Mark my words, this will be Ramsey's best game this preseason. I'll also keep my eyes on the backup WR's. Especially Gari Scott, Jafar Williams, and Scott Cloman. I think Jacobs will get some looks too.

This is a great test for our D. We should be able to get some pressure on Bulger and that WEAK offensive line they have. Our secondary will be busy too. This is a good test for Taylor also......let's see how fast he really is.

I agree, I also would like to see more receptions from our WR's tonight.

I'd like to see something early from Sultan. He has a lot of yards, but they are coming in the 4th quarter. I'd like to see him against people who will have jobs in two weeks.

The players I'll be watching are:

1. Ramsey.. He needs to look like he knows what's going on out there. The past couple of games he's looked lost and tentative. He needs to just play, if he does that I think he'll be fine, but I think he's scared of making mistakes. He also needs to get rid of the ball faster.

2. Betts.. Let's see something from him, he's been hurt for 2 years. It would be nice if he can win the backup RB job since we invested a high draft pick on him. I think he has the most realistic potential out of all of the RB on the roster outside of Portis. Let's be honest, there is a reason that McCollugh was an undrafted FA, Rock was a 7th round pick and Morton is a 3rd down back/KR. We need a legitimate backup to CP.

3. WR.. Can McCants steal Gardner's job at the #2 WR? Gardner has dropped a bunch of passes this preseason, again continuing his 50-50 pattern. I want to see Jacobs targeted 5-7 times, he was a high draft pick, show me something. I like Gari Scott, I'd like to see a little more of him too.

4. DB.. I just like watching Sean Taylor wreck shop like the beast he is! :rofl:

Players that gave to play well:
Matt Bowen- Damn hes sucked in the preseason.
Betts- Just show them what you can do, you are the best backup on the team here
Jacobs- Most potential of our WR's, but hes gotta get out and play

Kevin Mitchell and Antonio Pierce see a lot of action tonight. I'm interested to see how Pierce has matured. Was his outing against the Dolphins just a mirage? Is Pierce a legitimate backup middle linebacker? Does Mitchell have anything left? Faulk and the Rams' receivers will pose a great test for them.

You guys know how I feel about exposing Coles in a meaningless game, especially with how he's a bit banged up. There's no better reason to sit him tonight, and let Taylor Jacobs, Cliff Russell, and Darnerian McCants see some extensive action against the starters. Will we see the QBs and WRs get on the same page and get some completions downfield? Will Rod Gardner step up and get involved this time? One catch for 8 yards this preseason !? Come on, Rod! Show us something!

I'm also wondering if our defensive line will generate the same pressure that a much weaker Kansas City defense was able to get on Marc Bulger. After that performance, the Ram offensive line will be hungry, and eager to atone for that embarrassment last week.

Betts needs to step up, step on the field, or step out. Potential isn't worth shit, quite frankly, nor have I ever been that impressed with him the last two years. Let's face it... every time the Skins have suited up to play the last two years, Betts has averaged 4.4 carries for 17.6 yards. Per game. That's not exactly tearing it up. Since he has missed almost 40% of the games since he's been here, those low numbers aren't surprising. The games he actually played in, he has averaged 7.1 carries for 28.1 yards. Per game. Again, that's not exactly tearing it up.

He should lose his spot to someone who will actually practice and play in games. If we can use him for trade bait, then by all means send him on down the road.

Jacobs is much the same, but it's only been one year of not playing instead of two. He's gotta show something or be gone.

Beemnseven... I disagree with you about the KC defense. They upgraded the most important position this off season with one of the best in the business - Gunther Cunningham is back as D Coordinator. They'll be back to their mid-late 90's bad assed selves in no time. Also, the Rams O-line sucks right now.. they have had several injuries to starters (their starting center, Turley's on IR) as well as the annual Poston/Orlando Pace holdout to deal with. This is not the same line they've had.

There are a couple of guys I'll be watching.

First off I'll just list the entire defensive line as one guy. I'm still curious as to who will start come Sept. 12

Up until a couple of weeks ago I honestly dismissed Andre Lott as just another guy. But thanks to some Warpathers here I'm realizing that maybe I should give him a closer look

And of course I want to see how Ramsey, Jacobs and Rock/Betts/Simon Sultan do.

Matt Bowen - he hits so well, it just seems he's lost and doesn't know what play is being called. I need to see him focus and be in the right place to make a play rather than make a stop after he's missed his assignment.

Taylor Jacobs - He has too much potential to be burried at 5th in the depth chart. Get the fire going and make some plays!

Sean Taylor - Don't shoot me just yet... He's played well, and I was a doubter at first (I wanted to trade down to get help on the defensive line) but he's proven me wrong so far. Only thing is he's done well once on 3rd team, once on 2nd team and once on 1st team. Do something tonight, even just play well and not make any huge mistakes against Marshall Faulk and the Rams WRs to make me a solid believer.

Joe Salave'a - He's looked good so far and I hope to see more solid play out of him. I think we have the potential to have a decent, servicable defensive line rotation with him, Ron Warner and Renaldo Wynn all able to work in and out of a game.