Pages

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

St. Louis Rams: Why Steve Smith's Starting Spot Isn't a Lock - Bleacher Report

The St. Louis Rams have position battles going on at various positions, but the battle that has drawn the most attention is at wide receiver. As of right now, Steve Smith is penciled in as the starter opposite Danny Amendola. However, he is not a lock to start there Week 1.

The Rams are loaded with options for quarterback Sam Bradford including rookies Brian Quick and Chris Givens.

As the last week and a half of the preseason unfolds, the battle for a starting spot is beginning to heat up. Steve Smith may have the spot now, but he better watch his back for Quick, Givens and Brandon Gibson. Whoever wins out may even end up splitting time in the regular season.

There are three reasons why Smith doesn't have the starter role locked up.

Too Much Competition

St. Louis receiver Brian Quick
St. Louis receiver Brian Quick
Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

Steve Smith has a lot of competition at receiver as the Rams have a variety of good players at the position.

Rookie Brian Quick out of Appalachian State has shown flashes of dominance in the preseason. He has the size and speed to be a real threat on the edge. He's currently been running with the second team, however, he has been breathing down the neck of Smith.

Brandon Gibson has been battling a hamstring injury for much of the preseason, but he played well in spurts last season and could also be in the running to take over the starter position.

Another rookie, Chris Givens, remains a wild card. He has displayed excellent speed and was, for a little white, ahead of Brian Quick on the depth chart. Both rookies are fighting to overtake Smith, and there is a chance they could do it.

Injury Concerns

Steve Smith while with the Philadelphia Eagles
Steve Smith while with the Philadelphia Eagles
Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

In his last two seasons with the Giants and Eagles, Steve Smith had trouble staying on the field. He has only played in 18 total games during that span.

Word out of Rams camp is that he appears to be healthy, but when you suffer multiple injuries to your legs it is always something to be concerned about.

Heck, the Rams just released Danario Alexander because of his continued injury problems, so nothing is guaranteed for Smith.

If he can stay healthy it may be his job to lose, but it is unknown just how healthy Steve Smith is. Quick, Givens and Gibson are all ready to pounce if Smith goes down, so he needs to stay in fantastic shape and play smart to prevent any further injuries.

The former Pro Bowler looks poised to get back on the field for a full year in 2012.

On-Field Performance

Steve Smith while playing for the Giants
Steve Smith while playing for the Giants
Bob Levey/Getty Images

Steve Smith hasn't been playing well in the preseason. In the Rams' three games thus far Smith has only caught four passes for 31 yards. Those numbers don't exactly jump off the page.

The last week of the preseason is typically the game where starters play the least, usually 1-to-3 series. Smith needs to have a little more of an impact in the last game while he is on the field to lock up the starting spot.

Brian Quick hasn't played much better either, but he figures to see a lot of playing time in the Rams' last preseason game. If he can grab four or five passes and find the end zone, then the competition could get even more fierce leading up to the Rams' season opener.

The same can be said for Givens and Gibson. Gibson only has one catch this preseason due to a hamstring injury. Givens hasn't been anything special either.

The lack of on-field performance in the preseason should be taken with a grain of salt, because it is the preseason.

Should any of Smith's competition have a monster game he could have the rug pulled out from under him and lose the starting position.

Begin Slideshow

Keep Reading
Flag

Props (0)

This article is

What is the duplicate article?

Why is this article offensive?

Where is this article plagiarized from?

Why is this article poorly edited?