The Rams didn’t add Michael Sam to their 53 man roster or their 10 man practice squad this past weekend. In leaving the Missouri C0-Defensive Player of the SEC Conference off the practice squad, the team was giving the young man a chance to find work elsewhere in the NFL for the 2014 season. If they had kept him on the practice squad, Sam’s options would have been strangled and he wouldn’t have a real chance to contribute in this league while the iron is hot.
Throughout the media circus that was launched to cause distractions during training camp, one thing became apparent in Rams Park. Michael Sam can play and deserves to be added to someone’s 53 man roster. He had 11 tackles and 3 sacks in the preseason. If the Rams didn’t have a stream of fine talent at the defensive end position, Sam would have made this roster. Jeff Fisher and Les Snead made this a football decision. People who claim the franchise didn’t want the bubble of Sam’s spotlight on their team during the season forget they were the ones who granted Sam an audition in the first place.
It’s fairly simple. If the Rams don’t select Sam with that late pick towards the very end of the NFL Draft, no other team would have. The reasons are painful yet true. It had NOTHING to do with Sam’s football ability. Strap the owners to a lie detector test if you have to. There were players taken before Sam who didn’t have his ability or desire. He deserved to go higher than the last round. Playing in one of the toughest college football conferences and gaining a share of the Top Defensive Player honors means you can play with the NFL crew. Every scout and executive knew that. Did they have the guts to go after Sam was another story. Did the locker room approve? Did the city and entire coaching staff and front office approve? These are the painful restrictions sports still have with the sexual orientation of football players. It still plays a part. That is why Sam’s journey is such a big deal. One day at a time, he is trying to break down that barrier set up around the world of sports. He is trying to change things. He can also play football pretty well.
What now? I think Michael Sam deserves a shot. A season to prove what he can do. The San Francisco 49ers lost Aldon Smith this past week for 9 games. Smith is a game changing player. Sam isn’t at Smith’s level but the 49ers could give the MU product a shot. Playing time, exposure and above else, an opportunity to get into a real game and do something great.
The Michael Sam story wouldn’t have as much steam if the kid couldn’t play. It would have died quickly if he got into a preseason game, missed a tackle and flunked the test. Pundits would have written him off and the media would have walked away. However, the story gets interesting because Sam made the most of his time with the Rams. It may have come against other team’s second and third team offenses, but when he gets put into play is out of Sam’s control. All he can do is bear down and tackle. He did that.
The Rams probably knew when they selected Michael Sam that there was only a slim chance of him making the final roster. That didn’t stop them from doing their city, team and Sam a favor by drafting him and giving him the four games to show the league something. Sam isn’t a St. Louis Ram but the team and this kid will always have that rebellious connection. A connection that may pave the way for other young men and women to come out of their self imposed shell in the future.
Forgive me if I choose to not be cynical about this story. People complain about the overload of Sam news and I will respond with this. Is it as bad as Johnny Manziel’s latest exploits? Is it as bad as what Lebron James did last night? Come on. Michael Sam grew a pair of brass balls in coming out before the draft. He could have waited. He probably would have been drafted higher. Sam didn’t wait and he made that declaration to give teams a chance to look in the mirror. Hopefully the teams hand him the opportunity back. So forgive me if I decide to be a little less cynical about the Michael Sam story.
When no other team cared to find out, the Rams took a chance on Sam and it may pay off for the young man. It may also not pay off but the game tape is there now for Sam to build a future with. He proved to himself he has what it takes to be an NFL player.
The question now is…which NFL team will give him a shot to play in a regular season game? They all passed on him this spring. How about now, gents?
UPDATE(4pm central time)-Michael Sam, pending a physical, will sign with the Dallas Cowboys to join their practice squad. The Cowboys are plagued on the defensive line, so Sam will find a spot. It is also close to Sam’s hometown in Texas. This is great news for the kid.
Thanks for reading,
DLB
