I'll be excited to see damn near anyone on the edge not named Floyd. Hard to recall any fly off the edge sacks as most of his came when cleaning up after Donald and company forced QBs out of the pocket. Couldn't diagnose an RPO to save his ass and only the folks here think he was decent against the run (he's still unemployed so what does that tell you). Definitely looking forward to see what Hampton and Young bring to the pass rush. Getting more optimistic by the day.

Rob Havenstein: 'We're building foundations here in a good spot'​

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Some days, it does seem like it was just yesterday that offensive tackle Rob Havenstein was chosen in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Rams.

Other days, when talking to another veteran teammate, it dawns on him how quickly time has passed.

"I'll be talking with (tight end Tyler) Higbee or somebody who's kind of been around for awhile, and we start talking about some time and tell our stories, and then come back and be like, 'man, that was seven years ago!' Havenstein said with a smile and a laugh last week. "It's like, man. So it did go fast in that regard."

A lot has changed during that time, and if he needed another reminder, he got one this offseason between Los Angeles' offseason departures and the 40-man rookie class it pulled together over the last five days.

However, going into his ninth season, he said that no two teams are the same, whether a roster loses one guy or 40. And he feels good about the direction things are headed.

"You can't compare two teams to one another," Havenstein said. "Obviously we had a big departure of people, we have limited people in the building right now, we'll have a bunch of new faces here in a couple of weeks. But the faces we have seen now, it's good to be back. There's something about this place that's special. The renewed energy that we have in this place of having fun again, getting after it, competing, rolling the dice and seeing what happens, and I think I think that's been shown the first couple of weeks of workouts and just as this first week of field work. Guys are locked in, ready to go while still having fun doing it. So we're building foundations here in a good spot."

That's especially felt within his own position group this spring after a fall and winter of attrition due to injury, with players like Coleman Shelton, Logan Bruss and Alaric Jackson all back around. The Rams started 13 different offensive line combinations in 17 games last year, with 14 different players starting at least one game.

Havenstein said he likes everyone in the room, so it's good to see them around. Collectively, they enjoy each other's company and have a special camaraderie – players are still helping each other out even amongst the competition, Havenstein said, which he added has been good to see.

"I think everyone came back ready to work, ready to go after it," Havenstein said. "They've been putting in work. Guys that were here rehabbing, it's been showing; guys who went home, it's been shown too. So I'm very pleased with where everyone is now. Now we just got to look forward to building some building some rapport with everyone, because like every NFL year, there's no slated starters anywhere – besides maybe a couple people. I don't think anyone's taking (defensive lineman) Aaron (Donald)'s spot."

Soon, that room will have new faces. Of those 40 rookies, five are offensive linemen, including second-round pick Steve Avila, fifth-round pick Warren McClendon Jr., and undrafted free agent signees Sean Maginn, Mike McAllister and Grant Miller.

Havenstein and his nine years of experience know how special it is to have the chance to be on an NFL roster, whether drafted or undrafted.

"It's something I hope the guys that come in here really don't take that for granted, because it is hard," Havenstein said.

Looking at Nacua's skillset, I see a Y receiver that can provide the offense with the type of WR the Rams were looking for in Allen Robinson. Van looks to start at XWR, Nacua at Y, and Kupp at Z. They will have size, speed, and hands across the board. Both Atwell and Skowronek provide depth and change of pace. I think this OL has the potential to be pretty good. This should provide Stafford with run game support and time to make his throws.

I'm looking for big years from all three, Jefferson, Kupp, and Nacua. This offense can return to the dominating force we saw in 2018. The offense is intact and has simply improved with the addition of Avila, McClendon, and the return to health of Bruss, Allen, Noteboom and Jackson and RB Evans.

The caveat is that Stafford is indeed returning to form. What IMO is concerning is that his arm issue was even showing up back in the Super Bowl. Many of his deep throws were simply off-target, either underthrown or overthrown. It continued into last year. I think it's chronic tendonitis and I'm concerned about his ability to be the elite QB the Rams need. That is why Stetson is so important this year. I can see him being inserted to finish games that are out of reach, and to simply conserve Stafford's arm. If it flares up again this year, you have to know his last year will be 2024. Let us hope that Stafford can give the Rams at least two more years because I think 2024 was looked upon as his last year when he signed the extension.

The reason I bring up Stafford in this thread is that his arm health will affect the year that the WRs will have. They could lean on their run game in much the same way they did with Gurley. With 3 good RBs they can potentially get that level of production impact.

Giles said:

Flacco also put his team on his back and had a better post season run than Stafford...did that stop ppl from thinking he wasn't just a average qb? Of course it didn't.
Injuries can be a direct cause to a player being a shell of what they were (Gurley) and i highly doubt he's still 100% healthy. I doubt he ever will be again.
Stafford was horrible last year he turned the ball over a ton, didn't score, and the offense was worse than the fisher era offenses even with him on the field. We could all make excuses as to why a player played good or bad but this is a what have you done for me lately league and lately Stafford isn't it.

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Apples to Oranges imo.

Flacco was never a great QB. He wasn’t even a top ten pick and he had his drawbacks. Stafford was a number one pick. The Ravens weren’t even sure they’d sign Flacco to a second contract. His Super Bowl performance was impressive with three first half TD. But I always viewed his game similarly to Nick Foles. Everything fell into place perfectly, plus Joe didn’t do it with just one receiver.

I still say that he deserves another season before fans put Stafford out to pasture. He had legitimate reasons for his bad year.

WestCoastRam said:

Think McVay and Stafford deserve some criticism together. McVay has been slow to evolve his run game to do other things besides outside zone (he does some for sure, but not a ton) and Stafford prefers shotgun passing and not turning his back to the D. Stafford is a bit of a round peg in a square hole there as McVay's bread and butter is drop back play-action off outside zone running.

So do you do more running from shotgun? Sure but it's not as easy to run outside zone from it not does play-action quite look like it does from a drop back or do you tell Stafford he needs to become more comfortable running the dropback game where everything looks like outside zone whether running or PA?

Trying to mash the two up has been an issue. Not the greatest issue this offense has had to deal with but a significant one.

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All good points.

TheTackle said:

Si provide a pretty comprehensive report on him and had him ranked as a 5th round prospect

He’s a good pick and we will have to see whether he has already been working on his technique during the offseason. That’s the knock. Otherwise we may need to remain patient

https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/news/ochaunmathis

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Honestly didn’t have him rated. Mathis always had the physical traits, always had vines for arms, but other than his sophomore TCU year, he hasn’t been nearly as effective. McSnead must believe that his sophomore year wasn’t a fluke; I personally do not, but I’m hoping I’m wrong.

Londoner said:

I don’t know; looking at it makes me want a sandwich. That’s never a bad thing.

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hmmm, now that you mention it....

Cool statue. Though he pretty much always has his opposite hand up.

Gratz coach!!

CGI_Ram said:

I think the leg strength edge goes to Brown, but it’s probably not huge.

I like that Brown was perfect in his career at PAT’s, which seems to demonstrate a consistent golf swing.

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Extra Points not a big thing in college as they are not from long distance, they are the way it used to be in the NFL so I don't know why they keep communicating that because my feeling you should not be missing from 12 yards.

PhillyRam said:

Ron Jaworski went to Youngstown State...so definitely not Ivy League.

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Wow, shots fired on the Polish Rifle.

Improving the offense came down to primarily improving the OL. Avila and McClendon will provide them with at least one immediate starter in Avila and probably depth at OT/OG in McClendon. Improved OL will keep Stafford upright and time to make his passes, and it should open up the run attack as well.

Defensively, the emphasis was on the front 7, providing them with defensive scheme options within that front 7. Young is clearly the replacement for Floyd, and I really think Hampton gives them an option to play with a SAM which they haven't had since Ebukam left. Mathis gives them an early down rotational DE or to play as a WIL behind Hoecht. I think it will be a little of both. Mathis looks to be an upgrade to K. Thomas at that DE rotational position.

If Morris wants to play a base nickel as drafting Hodges-Tomlinson would suggest then he has about as good of a SCB as he could get. S Jason Taylor might be looked at as a replacement for Fuller. They signed a couple of UDFA that look to be a better fit for a zone scheme secondary than Kendrick with one being CB Cameron McCutcheon.

I think we will see the offense morph back to being more like 2018, in which a strong run game set up the passing. Zach Evans could be looked at an option next year to extending Akers. But this year he makes the Ram RB room very strong along with Akers and Williams. Nacua could be the long-term solution for a Y WR starter and a receiver that will fill the role that they hoped Allen Robinson would fill. It wouldn't surprise me if their starting WRs are X WR Jefferson, Y WR Nacua and Z WR Kupp. Atwell and Skowronek make them 5 deep at WR. That's why I think the offense will look reminiscent of 2018 not 2022.

IMO the only way the Rams could mess it up on defense would be for Morris to insist upon playing his friends not necessarily who is best, i.e. Kendrick over Rochell or someone like McCutcheon. If Pleasant plays the best guys and plays them aggressively the secondary will be fine. The problem with last year was Morris' passive style, i.e. lining up his CBs 10-15 yds off the LOS and standing there reading instead of anticipating. Changing how Morris' scheme is played is more important than the scheme itself.

Seems they drafted two 3 technique guys in hopes that one or both can help in the herculean task of replacing Donald if he decides to retire after this season.

So they seem to be preparing for that possibility and of course even if he steps away after 24'. So those picks made a lot of sense.

8to12 said:

The Safety room is full! I can't remember the Rams having this many Safeties going into Training Camp having a high percentage chance to make the team then UDFA's in the recent past. And, this is considering the existing players already under contract. Quindell Johnson and Tanner Ingle will give Jason Taylor, Russ Yeast, Richard LaCounte and Quinten Lake much competition. I think if Ingle, from NC State, had Jason Taylor's measurables, he would have been a 5th or 6th round selection. He may be the most dynamic player between Taylor, Johnson and himself. The only one who I think is a August roster cut is Collin Duncan. He just doesn't seem to have enough foot speed to keep up.

The only player I have questions about is Jason Taylor. I was surprised when the Rams drafted him. I didn't see what value he brings as a Safety considering his play style. He can cover receivers but is not good at playing the ball, when he plays in Zone, he plays too far off and is not instinctive, so shall we say a bit passive with receivers in front of him. And last, is poor at tackling in space. However, he is good at playing downhill getting to the LOS on running plays and covering receivers off the LOS. So, it makes me think if they have a specific role in mind for him outside of the standard 2 Safety Scheme.

As far as the overall Secondary goes, I sure hope they can find another CB or two with decent size between now and training camp to fortify that room like they have done with the Safeties. I like Timarcus Davis (AZ St), and Tyon Davis (Tulsa), but would like to see someone from a bigger conference and/or a late Roster cut from another team before Training camp. I am surprised there weren't more UDFA's interested in Signing with the Rams considering the amount of open competition available.... guys like, Mekhi Garner, Keidron Smith, Myles Brooks, and Rejzon Wright.

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Or they drafted him for special teams.

FaulkSF said:

Disappointed brother. Both were fine cities. I don't mean to speak poorly about Seattle, but I've had great times there. Now it's unsafe to take the rail and walk around town after sunset. I imagine it's the same in Portland with the Max.

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They definitely WERE.

jap said:

Tom Brady is no GOAT!

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Brady is the CHOAT

I like Rams said:

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuck

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Well, it was also Joe Scibelli's number; and he was an excellent Rams' OL for 15 years.

The orginal offer was IMO better for Jackson. 4 years fully guaranteed. So he makes another $6M guaranteed but the team can cut him after 2024 and as a post June 1 release the Ravens would get $21M back on their cap. All he did was guarantee the Ravens would draft a new QB next year and if the guy works out they can cut Lamar after the 2024 season. OOPS way to go Lamar. This is what happens when you are just fucking greedy and not thinking long term as your own agent. All he did was give the Ravens all the reason they need to replace him after 2024. They could simply trade him as well and save all but $4.5M.

I'd be surprised if they didn't shop him next year.

Okay. They're good at times. A'Shawn was good in 2021. And that was the only season he stayed healthy for us. Gaines flashed a lot. But were they asking the Rams for more than their value? We may never know.

I remember CCs exact comment on A'Shawn. "I'll tell you what. I'd look to see if A'Shawn Robinson is on the field and if he is, I wouldn't run"

But that was 2021. We'll see if we're gonna miss those guys.....A'Shawn, Gaines, Rapp, Scott, Hill, Long, Floyd, Wagner and Ramsey. That's a lot of guys.

@RamBall Thank you sir, looking forward to it!

bubbaramfan said:

Current Rams roster==Expansion team

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The Rams have a lot of very interesting UDFA this year. I'd be surprised if a number of them didn't make the team or at least the PS.

OL looks like for the first time in years to have some decent depth. Avila changed the entire outlook for the OL. Add in Bruss, Maginn and McAlister, along with Thomas and they look totally different this year. Even Toner has been re-signed I believe and he's shown himself to be a decent veteran IOL player. Actual centers and OGs instead of converted positional players.

The OL upgrade means a better run game and better protection for Stafford. They look like they have real depth players among the UDFA group. I think this roster is going to be much better than most realize.

majrleaged said:

I just can't believe McVay ever thought he was a number 2 QB in the NFL. So many others out there that were better. And then Perkins? I never saw anything in any game, regular or preseason, that even gave me a little hope for success with them in the line up. I just don't know what they saw in those 2 guys. It sure blew up in their faces. Quite frankly, it makes me very cautious regarding any QB they chose to be back up at this point. I am hopeful though. I find it hard to believe we could have taken a step back.

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Thankfully there's no cap on spending so the Rams can just go out and pay for any ol backup QB they want. Stoopid McVay.