St. Louis Rams Closing Evaluations: What Grades Do the Linebackers Receive?

Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports

Will Herring: After the Rams had to cut linebacker and special teams ace Ray Ray Armstrong in Week 5 following an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that was too costly to ignore, they needed a veteran presence to stabilize their special teams units and provide depth at linebacker, where Daren Bates was the only remaining backup. 31-year-old Will Herring, who hadn’t been with a team since January of 2014, answered the call and ended up doing a great job of providing a lift at a position where the Rams were in desperate need.

Over 12 games, Herring had seven special teams tackles. Though he never played from scrimmage, his status as a tested former starter for the New Orleans Saints made him a reliable backup at linebacker.

Seeing as Herring didn’t go to training camp in 2014, it’s difficult to see him going as a 32-year-old for the Rams next season. The Rams are prepared to replace him with younger players like Daren Bates, Korey Toomer, and Marshall McFadden on the offseason roster, but they’ll be eternally grateful for him providing such a huge boost under strenuous circumstances this season.

GRADE: A

Next: Korey Toomer