Rams Report: Gilyard Goes, Diles Caught in Middle of Tweet War & Lewis vs. Feeley Debacle

Here's a look at some of the more notable releases:

—Running back Keith Toston was let go in what I see as a semi-surprising move. Toston got off to a hot start in the preseason by rushing for 64 yards on 11 carries in the team's first game. As the games went on and defenses got stronger, Toston struggled to move the ball when it was in his hands. However, I was impressed with his blocking ability, especially because he's in a new offensive scheme.

Given time, Toston could have hovered as the third/fourth back in the system. It wasn't like Jerious Norwood was that impressive during the preseason; the only thing about Norwood is that he offers the offense possibilities no one else can. Toston probably deserved more time, and keeping him around a while longer would have served as injury insurance and time for other teams to fill their rosters—making it more likely that he could re-sign to the practice squad.

—After missing all of last season with an ACL tear, wide receiver Donnie Avery was given his walking papers. Avery can offer a lot to an NFL team; the problem is the Rams already have a lot of what he offers. Plus, rookies Greg Salas and Austin Pettis appeared to have a good grasp of things during the preseason, which probably had something to do with it, too.

—One release that had fans and bloggers up and arms with was wideout Mardy Gilyard (pictured right). Sure, Gilyard has a lot of talent, but it's raw talent. Unfortunately he hasn't shown the ability to take those talents to the next level since being drafted in 2010.

At times during the preseason, he looked totally unsure of himself—especially when back returning punts. Not only did he not know whether to catch and run with the punt, fair-catch it or or let go entirely, he struggled to hold onto the ball once it got to his hands.

Aside from showing some serious talent as a gunner on special teams, there were too many glaring negatives from the kid. He wasn't unemployed for long though, as the New York Jets claimed him off waivers.

—Swing guard/tackle Quinn Qjinnaka was surprising to see let go. His ability to play multiple roles on the line is not something there is a whole lot of in the NFL. Keeping Qjinnaka would have allowed them to keep two reserve lineman instead of three if they had wanted to.

While Drew Miller earned his spot as a backup with solid preseason play, as did Adam Goldberg, Hank Fraley did not. Fraley was very disappointing in the action he saw. He really struggled to hold his blocks; he appeared slower than in past years, and most of his action was against second and third string defensive players.

**Update: Shortly after publishing, Fraley was released to make room for guard Tony Wragge, who the team signed Sunday.

—Seeing linebacker Zac Diles (pictured below) go wasn't all that surprising. But what was surprising was a tweet sent by his agent, Brian Ayrault shortly after Diles was released.

The tweet read, "Zac Diles has been released by the Rams after never being given a full and fair opportunity to compete. Zac will find work quickly."

Ayrault then went and got himself into a minor Twitter fight with 101ESPN.com's Howard Balzer, after Balzer questioned how Diles wasn't given a fair chance. I will spare you the nonsense of it all; so here is the most interesting tweet Ayrault sent.

StLouisRams.com

"@HBalzer721 He was promised an opportunity to compete for a starting job before signing. Then he got scout team reps for the entire camp."

Diles signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday morning. This time however, I think it's safe to say that Diles wasn't given the same promise Ayrault claims the Rams made him.

—Perhaps the biggest surprise to see cut was quarterback Thad Lewis. Instead of keeping the upstart Lewis, the team decided A.J. Feeley was best suited to be Sam Bradford's backup. While Feely has experience Lewis doesn't have, he doesn't have near the same amount of upside.

Nobody really knows what the future holds for Lewis. During the preseason, he played fantastically. He completed 22-of-32 passes for 266 yards and had a quarterback rating of 96.6. Also worth noting was his fourth quarterback comeback drive in Week 2 against the Tennessee Titans.

Here's what I don't understand. If Bradford goes down, the team probably goes down with him. Why throw Feeley and his "dink and dunk" style of play into offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels fast, wide-open scheme? Every team in the league knows exactly what Feeley can and cannot do at this stage of his career. There is zero element of surprise with Feeley. The only chance the Rams have to win without Bradford is to keep teams on their heels, not by slowing things down with an older, less talented quarterback.

A familiar face was quick to pounce on Lewis, as new head coach Pat Shurmur and the Cleveland Browns made a move Sunday morning.

—Here's a look at the rest of the cuts:

DB Jonathan Nelson, DB Tae Evans, DB Tim Atchison

However, Atchison, Henderson, Hughes, McKee, Nelson and Reynolds were added to the practice squad.

—Wide receiver Mark Clayton was added to the PUP list prior to Saturday's deadline, making him ineligible to play or practice until after Week 6.


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More stories featuring the St. Louis Rams:

St. Louis Rams 2011 Season Preview: As Sam Bradford Goes, So Go the Rams

Rams Report: Stuck in Roster Spot Battle, Danario Alexander Chooses To Play Through Pain

Rams Report: Mark Clayton's Arrival Certainly Shakes Things Up

Posted at 6:15 PM. Labeled under Bear Heiser, NFC West, NFL, St. Louis Rams .