In case you missed it, the Rams lost a blowout to the Colts on Sunday 42-6. The fourth quarter represented the first time the team quit on coach Steve Spagnuolo this season. Disappointing it was, but it’s about all you expect from an 0-6 (now 0-7) team playing down by 4 TDs in the fourth quarter. The Rams were in it early in the second half, having the ball only down 15, and Bulger threw a pick-six that took the air out of the them and the stadium. The rest was just uninspired, poor football.

I’m not going to lie to you, this team is not fun to write about right now. They’re 0-7, have been basically blown out of 6 of those 7 games, and are the most talent devoid team I may have even seen. On top of that, some of penalties the team takes are infuriating and self-destructive. The offense can’t  to convert on third and the defense likewise can’t seem to get off the field on third down. The wide receiver situation is abysmal. The injury situation is unfortunate and the team just can’t seem to catch a break with officiating, bounces, or anything really. I guess that just happens when you’re flat out a bad team.

With that being said, Rams’ fans have to remember to keep the patience. Coach Spags was hired to oversee a rebuilding process. The team was undone by years of poor drafting and player development thanks to Mike Martz, Jay Zygmunt, and John Shaw among others, who chose to run a team based in St. Louis out of Los Angeles in a business type fashion, instead of letting the football people make the football decisions. Billy Devaney was hired a couple years ago to take over drafting and player development, and his draft the past couple of years has shown that he can produce NFL-ready players from the draft. Spagnuolo et al can’t do this overnight, nor should we expect them to.

So instead of writing about the team’s current performance today, I though I’d take a look at the current roster and where they belong (or if they don’t) on future rosters and then identify key needs for the near future. I’m going to run through all 53 players on the current roster as well as the 7 on the current injured reserve, making 60 players in total. The age is in parentheses.

Victor Adeyanju, DE (26): Hasn’t gotten into many games this season. Could be a part of the roster next year, but could very well get cut this offseason.

C.J. Ah You, DE (27): Probably the 52nd or 53rd man on the roster. Has made some quality plays this year, but I can’t see him being a part of the Rams’ future unless he really shows a lot the rest of the year.

Roger Allen III G (23): Also one of the last on the roster. Because of his youth, may last awhile as a backup lineman on the team.

Danny Amendola WR/KR (23): Has been decent in both kick returns and receiving for the Rams this year all things considered. I’m not sure he has a future with the team as a wide receiver, but he could be kept on the team for his returning ability.

K.C. Asiodu, LB (22): Haven’t heard his name called all year. Because of his youth, could become a decent backup linebacker.

O.J. Atogwe, FS (28): One of the Rams’ best draft picks the past 10 years. Turnover machine and should be a productive player on the squad another 3-4 years before declining.

Donnie Avery, WR (25): The default #1 receiver on the team, and may be for several more years to come before settling in the slot after the Rams can develop some good go-to receivers.

Billy Bajema, TE (turns 27 on Saturday): Not sure of his future on the team. Good special teams player.

Alex Barron, LT/RT (27): The Rams first round pick in 2005 just hasn’t settled into the left tackle position. Hopefully Jason Smith can fill the need at left tackle and Barron can be a solid right tackle for 6-7 years.

Ron Bartell, CB (27): Has been so-so this year at covering receivers. I can see him being a decent #2 type in the future, but the Rams really need to address this need in upcoming drafts.

Jacob Bell, G (28): Part of the Rams’ offseason offensive line spending spree, he just hasn’t performed. Could be cut in the offseason depending on the cap situation.

Kyle Boller, QB (28): Has performed decently as the backup for Bulger this year. However, if the Rams draft a QB as expected, he could be the odd man out.

Jason Brown, C (26): Also part of the O-line spending spree, has performed decently this year and should be on the team for the foreseeable future.

Josh Brown, K (30): The Rams should have him as long as they want him.

Marc Bulger, QB (32): The most controversial contract and player on the team, I firmly believe he will be on the team next year and then probably be shown the door.

Keenan Burton, WR (turns 25 tomorrow): This third round pick has played okay this year, and I can see him being a decent option as #4/5 receiver in the coming years.

James Butler, SS (27): Has played well in limited action this year. Not sure about his contract situation, but he should be in the Rams future plans.

Quincy Butler, CB (27): Should be cut in the offseason.

Tim Carter, WR (30): May not even make it to the end of the season before being cut.

Chris Chamberlain, LB (24): We’ll see what the Rams wish to do with him. Haven’t heard his name all year.

Craig Dahl, S (24): Has played very well at times filling in for James Butler and in certain packages. Definitely one the Rams want to keep for the near future.

Kenneth Darby, RB (26): Not in the long term plan, but could stick around for a few years to give Jackson a blow.

Leger Douzable, DT (23): Hasn’t played much this year, I would assume the coaching staff is getting a good look at him and will decide what to do in the offseason.

Daniel Fells, TE (26): Has been a decent red zone presence this season. Has good hands and actual blocking ability. I would make the argument he should start next year.

Samkon Gado, RB (26): Like Darby, he’s not in the overall plan but could stick around a few years to give Jackson a blow.

Brandon Gibson, WR (22): Considering what we gave up for him and his age, I would sure hope he can be a presence at wide receiver for years to come for the Rams.

Adam Goldberg, RT (29): Has been a good fill-in for several years for the Rams. He should be a backup starting next year for a good 5-6 years before retiring.

Larry Grant, LB (24): Has played well in limited action this season. Should be kept around next year to see if he’s relevant in this league.

John Greco, G (24): Hasn’t played much this year, even with the injuries to the O-line. Possible backup on the team next year before being cut.

James Hall, DE (32): His career is winding down. He could very well retire or be cut this offseason.

Richie Incogntio, G (26): Has been a good blocker when keeping his head on straight. As long as his temper is in check, he could be a key part of the Rams offensive line for 10 more years.

Steven Jackson, RB (26): Is there much more to say? After this year, he was three more seasons before he turns 30. The Rams could very well trade him this offseason, but man is the guy a horse right now.

Donnie Jones, P (29): Probably the best punter in the league. The Rams would be smart to keep him around a long time.

Mike Karney, FB (28): Has performed so-so this year. Good blocker but can’t catch a pass to save his life. Not sure about his contract situation but he should be around a few more years.

Justin King, CB (22): Draft pick from this past draft, has played decently in limited action this season. The Rams should keep him around another year to see what he’s got.

James Laurinaitis, MLB (22): An absolute stud in the middle. He should be the anchor for the Rams D for years to come.

Paris Lenon, OLB (31): Has been a good special teams player and fill-in for the suspended David Vobora. Probably not in the team’s plans moving forward.

Leonard Little, DE (35): The last remaining member of the 1999 Super Bowl team. I expect him to retire at the end of the year.

Chris Long, DE (24): Second pick overall hasn’t quite met expectations in his first two year. Rams’ fans can only hope he comes around to be a perennial DE in the league the next couple of years.

Ruvell Martin, WR (27): Haven’t seen much of him since the Rams pick him up. Haven’t seen enough to judge his future, but probably isn’t in the plans for next year.

Randy McMichael, TE (30): A good tight end in Miami before signing, just hasn’t panned out for the Rams. Probably in his last year on the team.

Ryan Neill, LS (26): Just signed yesterday to replace Chris Massey for the year. Will be cut.

Keith Null, QB (24): Just picked this year, I would personally like to see him in game action during one of these blow outs this year. Could be the backup next season.

LaJuan Ramsey, DT (25): Special teams player. May or may not be on the team next year.

David Roach, S (24): The last player to make the team should be cut in the offseason.

Clifton Ryan, DT (25): Has shown spurts of talent. Rams should keep him around on the roster for certain formations or as a backup.

Darell Scott, DT (23): Plays mainly on special teams, may or may not be back.

Mark Setterstrom, C (25): Haven’t seen him in action this year, but should be back on the team for backup duty next season.

Anthony Smith, S (25): Mainly a special teams player, may or may not be on the team next year.

Jason Smith, T (23): Second overall draft pick this year is in the Rams’ plans to be the left tackle for years to come. Hopefully he can do what Alex Barron couldn’t.

Phil Trautwein, RT (23): Should be cut in the offseason.

David Vobora, OLB (23): 2008’s Mr. Irrelevant played very well earlier in the season before being suspended. Should be on the team for several years as a backup or more.

Johnathan Wade, CB (25): Has been mistreated a bit this year playing #2 corner. I still believe he could be an asset to this team in 7 DB type plays.

Now for the hobbled:

Eric Bassey, S (26): Probably will be let go this offseason.

Adam Carriker, DT (25): 2007’s first round pick hasn’t impressed in his two healthy years. Could very well be on his way out this offseason.

Bradley Fletcher, CB (23): Was playing very, very well in the games before he got injured. His knee is all sorts of torn up and he may miss the beginning of next year as well as the rest of this year. Not sure what the Rams’ plans will be with him.

Brooks Foster, WR (23): I’m very interested to see what this kid has got in the tank for next year.

Gary Gibson, DT (27): Played very well as a run-stuffing tackle before getting injured. I expect him to be on the team next year.

Chris Massey, LS (30): Long-snapper should be good to go after this year for years to come.

Laurent Robinson, WR (24): Could be a vital part of Rams teams for years to come. Good trade by the Rams and an unfortunate end to his first season.

Looking at the roster, it’s obviously very young. Many of these players have talent, and simply will need to develop to make an important contribution in future years. Still, the Rams lack talent and depth at most position. On the top of the list is a QB, a #1 corner, a #1 wide receiver, and premier defensive end. The Rams need to address these needs at the next draft. If the first draft taught you anything, Devaney and Spagnuolo will find the right guys for the system they want to run.

The Rams will be back under the current regime, it’s just a matter of time.