Los Angeles Rams: Not playing starters could come back to bite

The Los Angeles Rams have a winning 2-1 record in three preseason games thus far without the help of some key starters.

The Los Angeles Rams added to an already very talented roster in the offseason and now enter the 2018-2019 NFL season as one of the most promising teams in the entire league.

With the quarterback whisperer, head coach Sean McVay, calling the shots and a defensive wizard in Wade Phillips running the defense, the Rams are as well coached as the team is talented on the field itself.

Not only is the starting unit talented but the Rams have done a great job at developing a deep roster that has seen preseason success. While the preseason does not ultimately matter when it comes to season success, the Rams are 2-1 in three preseason games and have some bright spots.

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Running back John Kelly has emerged as the true winner of the preseason and may develop into one of the best backup running backs in the league. Sam Shields proved he could still produce with his first interception since 2015. If healthy, Shields could be a huge addition to the secondary in nickel and dime formations.

While all of these standouts are promising and should leave the front office satisfied, the fans have not seen any high-profile starters take any action in any of the preseason games.

The week 3 contest showcased the most starters as new defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh got some action. However, it was still missing the likes of Jared Goff, Todd Gurley, Brandin Cooks and the rest of the offensive starters.

Aaron Donald obviously has not played as he is holding out due to contract negotiations and neither has new cornerbacks Aqib Talib or Marcus Peters.

We totally get why teams opt to rest the starters in the preseason, that is why at most the starters typically play a quarter; maybe a half if the team is still trying to figure out its personnel.

But resting the starters for the entire preseason is an interesting decision. I understand the risk of injury involved and the worst thing that could happen to the Los Angeles Rams would be Goff or Gurley being injured in a game that does not count.

However, there is a bit of rust involved in not playing your starters in at least somewhat meaningful snaps. While the offensive unit is still practicing together, it is important to get looks against actual NFL defenses to see how other teams are going to attempt to solve the Rams.

We witnessed this last season. McVay opted to rest the starters in week 17 and the team looked like a dud against the Atlanta Falcons; a team the Rams easily could have beaten. It was not a typical loss, it was a loss in which the Rams looked nothing like they did all season.

The Rams don’t have the easiest start of the season. If the team was hosting the Cardinals and playing the Bills the first two weeks that is one thing.

That is not the case. The Rams open the season against the Oakland Raiders, who will be hungry on Monday Night Football under new head coach Jon Gruden. Los Angeles is definitely more talented but could be blindsided by the Raiders.

The next week the Rams host the Chargers, a team with a scary pass-rush that could disrupt a young player like Goff with a secondary that should neutralize the passing game. Sure, Gurley will likely have a big day but the Chargers also have multiple ways to beat the Rams offensively. That game could be a coin flip.

In week 3, which will likely be when the starting unit is at full strength and they finally have their footing, the team hosts the Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota has a ferocious defense and an improvement at quarterback in Kirk Cousins.

In a blink of an eye, the Los Angeles Rams could be 0-3.

And while the chances of that are admittedly pretty slim, those chances go up as the Los Angeles Rams opt to rest the starters in the preseason.