Quick Update: The roster exemption for running back Steven Jackson expires at 3 p.m. tomorrow (Friday), so the Rams have to make at least one reduction by then.

However, with 23 players set to be lopped from the roster, insideSTL.com has learned that the team plans to make about half its cuts Friday. The deadline to be at 53 players is 3 p.m. Central time Saturday.

OK, so St. Louis isn't buzzing with anticipation for the Governor's Cup tussle with Kansas City tonight. But almost two dozen players boarded the plane today wondering if they will have a job Tuesday.


Caution rookies: Even if you don't get the bad news Saturday, don't get too excited. Rosters are always changing, and it's possible the Rams could add players Sunday from the massive cut list from around the league.


Still, there could be jobs won or lost against the Chiefs. Certainly, coaches have a solid idea who will make the roster. But when it's close between players, this last game could make the difference.


Here then, is a look at who to watch tonight, with an eye toward the cutdown to 53 players on Saturday and those that could have practice-squad jobs:


QUARTERBACK: Brock Berlin probably has a slight edge over Bruce Gradkowski for the No. 3 job, so Gradkowski needs to do something special tonight to win the job, unless Berlin plays poorly. The Rams like them both, and they probably wish rosters were larger so they could keep both. Berlin is eligible for the practice squad, but teams don't normally have a fourth quarterback there because the squad is needed for guys that will practice during the week.


RUNNING BACK/FULLBACK: Lance Ball has shown some promise, but it's nearly impossible for him to be on the roster. Write him down for the practice squad, along with fullback Russ Weil. Dan Kreider has come back strong from a knee injury he suffered in Pittsburgh last season.


WIDE RECEIVER: There will be tough cuts here, made more difficult because of the injury status of Drew Bennett and Dante Hall. Teams usually keep six receivers, but will the Rams be forced to keep seven while they wait and see how Bennett and Hall respond next week? If they keep six, and Bennett and Hall can't play in the opener, that will leave just four receivers active. Competing for final spots are Derek Stanley, Brandon Williams, Reche Caldwell and Marques Hagans. Stanley is practice-squad eligible. Rookie Matt Caddell could also land on the practice squad.


TIGHT END: Nick Cleaver has shown some potential, and has a chance at the practice squad. It's difficult to make a case for coach favorite Richard Owens.


OFFENSIVE LINE: Rookie Roy Schuening will likely get the ninth and final spot, with Dustin Fry heading to the practice squad.


DEFENSIVE LINE: If the Rams keep eight linemen, Eric Moore will make the team. There isn't much mystery in this group.


LINEBACKERS: Tim McGarigle, David Vobora and Marc Magro are competing for one spot if six linebackers make the team. The losers will likely be on the practice squad, although McGarigle is not eligible.


DEFENSIVE BACKS: Cornerbacks David Macklin and Darius Vinnett, as well as safety Jerome Carter, are vying for the ninth spot in the secondary. Vinnett likely won't play tonight because of a knee injury. Don't count out Tanard Davis. He will probably be on the practice squad.


General totals for positions are: Quarterbacks (3), running backs (5), tight ends (3), offensive linemen (9), wide receivers (6), defensive linemen (7), linebackers (6), defensive backs (9), specialists (3). That totals 51, which leaves room for two players somewhere. Any time one position is "heavy," it affects another position.


The practice squad is comprised of eight players, and they all have to clear waivers before being signed. It's not unusual for the Rams to sign players for the practice squad released by other teams.


If all eight are from the Rams' current roster, the practice squad will come from a group of players that includes Ball, Weil, Stanley, Caddell, Cleaver, Fry, C Donovan Raiola, DE C.J. Ah You, DT Willie Williams, Vobora, Magro, Davis and Vinnett.

Making Clear The Bennett Cap Hit

There has been some minor confusion regarding the salary-cap ramifications that were written about Rams wide receiver Drew Bennett here the other day. 


This is what I wrote: Bennett is scheduled to be paid $2.5 million this year, $500,000 of which is guaranteed. He counts $3.75 million against the salary cap. While receiving $10 million guaranteed in the six-year, $30 million contract he signed last year, the signing bonus was $7.5 million. That is prorated at $1.25 million a year. 


If the Rams were to simply release him, they would save the $2 million non-guaranteed salary, and he would count $5 million against the cap in 2009 (four years of acceleration from the signing bonus). However, his cap charge on the roster next year is $4.55 million, including a $3.3 million salary, none of which is guaranteed. The extra $450,000 cap hit is certainly manageable, considering the cap will be in the $123 million range in '09. 


Some people wondered if there would be no cap hit this year because of the way it was worded when I said the Rams "would save the $2 million non-guaranteed salary, and he would count $5 million against the cap in 2009." 


It would have been more clear if I had said the Rams save the $2 million guaranteed salary making his cap hit this year $1.75 million (the $500,000 guarantee and the $1.,25 million prorated bonus). 


Having cleared that up, I did neglect to account for a $1 million roster bonus that Bennett received in the offseason. Thus, his current cap hit for this year is $4.75 million, not $3.75 million. If he were to be released, the charge against the cap would be $2.75 million this year. None of that affects the 2009 cap if he were to be released. 


However, it's not as if the Rams need the cap room this year. They are currently around $8 million under the cap, with the top 51 players counting. That's how many players count against the cap throughout the offseason. After the cutdown to 53 players, all those players count, including those on injured reserve, plus the practice squad. Those players make $4,700 a week, or $79,900 if they are on the practice squad for the entire season. 


If a team uses all its practice squad availability for the entire season, that accounts for $639,200 in cap space. After the cutdown, the Rams will likely still have at least $4 million in cap space. 


SIMPLY NOTING 

The Rams made no roster moves today, although there is talk of interest in cornerback Ricky Manning, who was released by the Bears on Tuesday. Around the league, there was only one player claimed on waivers today: Baltimore was assigned quarterback Casey Bramlet from San Diego. Ravens quarterback Kyle Boller might be out for the entire season because of a shoulder injury. 


The Seahawks placed rookie long snapper Tyler Schmitt on injured reserve Tuesday, and today signed former Rams long snapper Jeff Robinson. … Oakland cut quarterback Jeff Otis, the son of former Big Red fullback Jim Otis.