To me these guys are very good but not better than Bruce and Holt. Kupp reminds me of alittle better version of Proehl.

I thought Obo, in a limited role last year, looked like a holy terror...looking for more of the same ....hopefully

On this vacancy here in the "Move" or "Weakside" ILB'er post....... Most know from my posts I am very high on the promise of Howard & very low on Young. It's obvious that Wade preferred Howard to Young. It was Young who had all that experience over Howard who had none too. Howard stands a good opportunity to remain a Ram for the next 3 seasons. Young most likely will not & will be a UFA in 2021. I really like the massive college production that Howard turned in season after season after season!

The preseasons 2018/2019 I watched every snap that Howard had with the defense & I was pleased with what I saw. IMO he is a perfect ILB'ers for this new DC's defense where camouflage /disguise & being cloaked is what he wants. Howard can play many roles in this new defense. Not real sure if our new high priced LB'er Floyd will primarily an ER/OLB'ers or will he take up the MLB'er post or the Move ILB'er post?

We know that Kiser & Reeder are standard MLB'ers with the 5-11 Kiser having big length issues in pass coverage on tall long TE's and Reeder who is 6-3 has the speed issues. Not really sure where Johnston, Bituli & Roseboom will play, but I am sure Bituli is pure MLB'er with a big bang who might really push Kiser & Reeder. Johnston if fully healthy can play either of those ILB'er post & same goes for Roseboom. I project that the veteran Young will have his hands full fighting off both Johnston & Roseboom & Howard will end up starting in the Move ILB'er post.

Reddog99 said:

I missed this one but better late than never. The Grandparents spent the day with us so I cooked a ham and had green beans & potatoes as well as tomatoes all fresh from the garden. It was some good stuff. Watched my kiddo shoot off fireworks all day long and boy did he have a blast. Neighbor was being a dick. I had a few whiskey and cokes while grandad drank beer like usual. Then the grandparents kept giving each other shit all night which is always funny. I thought I read there was going to be a lunar eclipse tonight but so far it's not looking like it. I was going to end the night watching the eclipse while smoking a bowl but it looks like it's just going to be the latter.

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Good call...

There is still a lot to be determined about 2020... There seems to be quite a few “how is this going to work?” articles popping up.

A limited contact offseason...

Shortened preseason...

How do you evaluate rookies? I guess we should expect expanded final rosters of some type, but could players slip thru the cracks?

How do we select our kicker? Etc.

Many 2020 rookies won’t make it to training camp

The LA Rams knew it would be tough sledding this season. From the moment the NFL suspended direct contact with NFL Draft prospects, the NFL axis began to spin off-center. The NFL has created a year-round season of events intended to retain the focus of so many fans upon the sport of professional football.

Football is one of the most violent professional sports. The basic premise is 11 athletes in full pads attempt to advance an oblong-shaped football while the opposing team tries to prevent that from happening in alternating turns of possession.

Rams roster basics

Since the sport involves running, blocking, and tackling at full speed, the NFL teams are given large rosters to work with. NFL teams are capped at 90 players after the NFL Draft until a preset date after training camp. Roster cuts come in two forms. The first cut to 75 men and then the second to the season limit of 55.

Players who are not assigned to the active roster have the opportunity to be signed up to the teams “practice squad”. Rosters are further reduced to a limit of 48 players for game day, while the other seven are considered “inactive” for that contest. The roster is further defined must contain a minimum of eight players who play on the offensive line. Teams can expand their 53 man roster to 55 players by promoting a maximum of two players from the practice squad. Too much math? Okay, let’s approach this another way.

Roster reduction from the 2019 roster perspective

At the onset of 2020, the LA Rams signed nine players to future-reserve contracts. The team then added four new players via NFL Free agency, including two new kickers, drafted nine players, and added 22 undrafted rookies after the 2020 NFL Draft. That equates to 44 additional players to the roster. Doing the math, that means that the Rams entered the 2020 season with 46 players remaining on the roster. How could this be?

While the LA Rams faced 18 players leaving via the 2020 NFL Free Agency market, the Rams carried many more than 53 players into the end of the 2019 season. Whether good or bad fortune, the number of significant injuries to Rams players last season translated into many players moving to injured reserve, allowing the team to add a player from either the practice squad or signed from another team to the active roster.

Rams returning 46 is good for 2020

That illusion about the Rams 53 man roster shrinking to just 35 players contracted to return has proven to be fortunate for the team so far. After all, the Rams found that carrying 13 players from 2019 into 2020 only needed a tweak or two from the team’s active roster to be prepared for 2020. It’s that reason that gave the team confidence to draft just one offensive lineman, Tremayne Anchrum, in the 2020 NFL Draft, and added just one lineman after the draft by signing center Cohl Cabral.

Familiarity is at a premium this offseason. We are already aware that the NFL preseason schedule has been cut in half. We also know that the NFL offseason programs have been limited to remote virtual training programs. With each passing day, rookies have lost that day to make a direct connection to other players and coaches. While returning players already have those connections, rookies and new arrivals to the team have yet to enjoy an opportunity to do so.

Schedule upheaval to roster pruning

So the latest news to be reported is perhaps the most damning for all NFL rookies hoping to earn a spot on their team’s active roster. In the latest report, NFL teams will likely have smaller rosters at their 2020 NFL Training camps. Right now, the total is still in question. But it does mean that many LA Rams rookies will not even have an opportunity to practice, train, or participate in either of the team’s two preseason games. Pretty hard reality to face, particularly after signing on with the team.

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This pruning of the training camp roster is separate from previous reports that the NFL was considering expanding practice squad rosters to allow for more players to be available for teams should the active roster face quarantining multiple players due to a COVID-19 outbreak.

Rams roster complications

Even though the LA Rams had a significant number of returning players from 2019, the team was positioned for some extremely heated competition at several key positions: quarterback, linebacker, slot cornerback, offensive line, and kicker. At quarterback, returning veteran John Wolford has only a slight edge over rookies Josh Love and Bryce Perkins. At linebacker, the Rams have many talented players who could all earn playing time if they have the opportunity to do so. At slot cornerback and offensive line, the Rams have plenty of worthy veterans, but talented rookies promised to make things very interesting. And at kicker? The Rams must choose from three very talented kickers.

That will all now take place in much less time than previous seasons, with fewer preseason games, and some cuts will likely occur before coaches ever see the players on the practice field. Even though the LA Rams signing players to the practice squad is weeks away, the initial roster cuts taking place before the team even begins training camp will likely be too soon for the team to consider any of them for that roster.

We’ll analyze the Rams roster to the best of our ability given these circumstances, and try to identify players who are facing being cut prior to the team’s training camp. The first cut is the deepest is a famous song lyric originally sung by P.P. Arnold – The First Cut Is The Deepest (1967) and was written by Cat Stevens. That first cut of the LA Rams roster to ready the team for training camp is not only the deepest, it’s the hardest to justify.

Memento said:

Perkins is my choice. He's got a throwing motion that concerns me, but the dude can flat-out fly, and he has a good arm. He's got the best chance of getting a Taysom Hill-like role (playing on special teams, maybe even a wildcat role on very rare occasions), and that's why I think he wins the job.

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I’d be fine with Perkins, but the Taysom Hill role isn’t backup QB. So if Perkins is our TH, I’ll stick with Blake Bortles as the Teddy Bridgewater

A little late and almost too late but I hope eveyone had a happy and safe 4th of July!

BonifayRam said:

I am glad they are rehabbing together & I am sure they all have excellent solid relationships.

That's great, but I prefer that Whitworth- Havenstein- Blythe & Allen can manage together to produce a far better OL than #31 ranked NFL OL, like last season.

Reference all that Kromer "cross-training" praise ...................I say enough already having OL'ers playing every known position known to modern NFL. I have grown tired of so much Ol musical chair songs. There is just not much time in today's NFL anymore for the needed practices & the Ol needs more than the other units.

NFL practice times keep getting shorter as time moves on. Very good chance practice times get shorter in the future & they were short to begin with. You better use your few seconds a practice to find your best 3 OT's best 3 OG's & best 2 OC's & get your one master versatile multi OL (OC/OG/OT) as your #9 OL'er. Get that OL set ASAP & go with it.

Next plan to send your best three versatile OL'ers in the new enlarged practice squad instead! OL'ers experience so many injuries each season lets be better prepared on this OL, so we can go get that SB win this season!

Snead only has four draft picks in 2021. I do not see Snead wasting an invaluable hard to find 2020 draft selection on player {Tremayne Anchrum} who the Rams do not think can be contracted to fill a future needed role in the organization, either on the Rams' player roster or the Rams practice squad. I expect you will have a surprise coming your way this TC & preseason on the subject of Ol'er Anchrum.

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Keep on your HIGH HoRSE Bonified.Maybe a 12oz Corona is in order since finding it on Fap in Florida
doesn’t exist.

I’m not going to get to excited over the 2020’ Offensive Line ,but will enjoy watching there growth & Whitworth being a solid Mentor.

I keep hope there is a chance The Rams get to & win the SuperBowl. Really don’t think they have much of a chance,and think it would be nice if there is a 2020’NFL season.

I like The Kromers & Andy Dickerson.Believe they do a solid job in teaching.They have a good handle on things & Trust.

I was never a Austin Blythe starting at OG only as a backup.He gets over powered there. Brian Allen never understood McKromer‘s love ??

I know this absolutely has no merit what so ever...BUT....

On Madden, no matter what draft class import file i use, Hopkins is always the best. Lol that has to count for something...right?....no?....

PressureD41 said:

Thats some F-ing b.s. right their. Can't believe LA Renters have better odds

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drink 'em if you got 'em.

MOD COMMENT. Thread closed. Won’t be productive. The NFL sure makes it hard for us who just want football.

11 Rams players hurt most by shortened preseason

The NFL is shortening the preseason to only two games this year in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The first and last weeks of the preseason are being cut, leaving just Weeks 2 and 3 to be played in August.

While fans and most players seem fine with a shortened preseason, there will be plenty of guys hurt by this news. The preseason is an opportunity for lesser-known players and undrafted free agents to make a name for themselves, hoping to earn spots on the 53-man roster.

Here are 11 players who will be impacted most by the NFL trimming two exhibition games from this summer’s slate.

QBs John Wolford, Bryce Perkins and Josh Love

The Rams’ backup quarterbacks stand to lose the most with this shortened preseason. Wolford, Perkins and Love are all competing to back up Jared Goff, but with only two preseason games now, their game reps will be seriously limited.

It doesn’t bode well at all for the Rams and could lead them to sign a veteran such as Blake Bortles or Matt Moore. If not, they’ll roll into the regular season with three unproven backups behind Goff.

Kickers Austin McGinnis, Lirim Hajrullahu and Sam Sloman

It’s almost impossible to simulate the pressure of an NFL game in practice for kickers, but the Rams will need to do their best this year. With a wide-open kicking competition and only two exhibition games to work with, the Rams will have minimal opportunities to evaluate their kickers in game action.

The winner of this competition will probably be the guy who impresses most in practice, not necessarily in the preseason. As of now, no one really has an edge because none of them have been able to kick in front of coaches.

OLB Ogbonnia Okoronkwo

Okoronkwo is a player plenty of fans are excited about, but the reality is, he’s also a candidate to be cut if he doesn’t stand out in camp and the preseason. It’s not all doom and gloom, of course, because he could also be a starter opposite Leonard Floyd, but the clock is ticking on Okoronkwo.

He needs to make impact plays in the preseason with however many reps he gets. With four games, he had plenty of chances to shine, but those chances will be limited now.

ILB Travin Howard

Howard is in a wide-open competition at inside linebacker with Micha Kiser, Kenny Young and a few others. The Rams won’t have much time to evaluate this group now, which probably gives Kiser an edge after he was slated to be the starter last year before getting hurt.

Howard has to stay healthy and show he can succeed both against the run and the pass, using his athleticism and range to his advantage. If not, he could be cut before the season begins.

CB Darious Williams

David Long has the pedigree of a third-round pick, so he’s probably safe even if he doesn’t win the CB3 job. And even as high as the Rams are on Williams, he’s hardly a lock to make the roster.

A shortened preseason will give Williams even fewer chances than originally expected to prove himself to the coaching staff – including new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley.

C Brian Allen and OL Joseph Noteboom

Allen and Noteboom should be safe this year, but their spots on the roster aren’t guaranteed by any means. They’re certainly not locks to be starters again after last year’s mess, and the absence of two preseason games won’t help their case.

Both Allen and Noteboom are coming off season-ending injuries, too, so they could be kept on the sidelines initially in camp. Any missed time will greatly hurt their chances of starting.

CGI_Ram said:

Good point.

Kroenke hired Fisher...

Shaw found Kroenke to join Rams...

Kroenke’s mom, had Stan...

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Hahaha hey hold up on the chicken and the egg loop. I get your point but I'm a history nerd and I try to look at things with a little more cause and affect context, the before is just as important as the after.

In the world of sports fandom, there is an often all or nothing, love or hate attitude towards the people involved. We love you until we hate you and fence sitters be damned.

I am glad Fisher was fired.
I am also glad he was hired.
The stats and the history of his tenure tenure support both of those opinions.

Allen2McVay said:

Frank Varrichione, Joe Scibelli and Joe Carollo on the Rams O-Line at the same time. As an Italian American, that makes me proud.

And Roman Gabriel!!!
His first name was Roman.
I am counting it.

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Well, being an Italian American, it makes me proud too, but I'm not counting Roman as he was Filipino-American, but having Raymondo Giuseppi Giovanni Baptiste Malavasi as Head Coach covered all areas of the Italian Peninsula.

Cooper Kupp works out with Clippers star Paul George

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp and L.A. Clippers small forward Paul George are helping one another prepare for their respective seasons.

Kupp, of the Rams, tweeted out pictures of the two apparently working out together on Wednesday.

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Of course, Kupp and George are operating under different circumstances. Kupp’s Rams season has yet to begin, while George and the Clippers are hoping to realize their championship dream when the NBA restart commences later this month.

But while they are still be in the offseason, Kupp and the rest of his Rams peers have also been thrown for a loop because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Organized team activities were scrapped in favor of virtual offseasons, and the NFLPA has advised against player-led workouts for the Rams and everyone else. The NFL also cut the preseason in half.

Needless to say, professional athletes across all sports are working to get up to speed. The Rams are hoping Kupp can replicate the success he had in 2019. The 27-year-old had the best season of his young career, posting receptions for 1,161 yards and 10 touchdowns while playing all 16 games. Kupp is also about as sure-handed as they come, having posted consecutive seasons with a catch rate over 70 percent.

The Rams traded Brandin Cooks to the Houston Texans at the beginning of free agency, so it will need Kupp to be productive wherever he lines up, whether out wide or in the slot.

The Rams disappointed in 2019, just one year after reaching the Super Bowl. But they are hoping for a revitalized Jared Goff to lead an explosive offense.

Kupp figures to be an integral part of that offense, and he enlisted George’s help in staying ready.

Selassie I said:

He also wore more pads than anyone else in the game back then. He had pads made to protect every part of himself that nobody had ever seen before. There's nothing wrong with that and it certainly doesn't take away from his toughness at all. It was actually brilliant compared to what we see today with RBs.

Today's RBs don't even wear thigh, knee, hip, or butt pads. That's insane when you think about it. ED2105 couldn't find enough pads to protect himself. He still talks about that to this day.

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Herschel Walker used to prefer to wear the heavier lineman's pads (about 25 pounds) for better protection.

Rams 2020 breakout watchlist: CB David Long Jr.

One of the most surprising moves by the Rams this offseason was their decision to decline Nickell Robey-Coleman’s roster option for 2020. It made him a free agent and he was quickly scooped up by the Eagles for a relatively low price.

Robey-Coleman’s departure has opened the door for the Rams’ younger defensive backs, though, particularly 2019 third-round pick David Long Jr.

Long has a golden opportunity to contribute in a big way this season after playing minimal snaps as a rookie. He can play inside or outside corner, which is a plus, giving Brandon Staley options in the secondary.

He could be a second-year breakout candidate if he can capitalize on the chance that’s in front of him.

NFL career thus far

Long only has one year of NFL experience under his belt, and his time on the field as a rookie last season was limited. He played 109 defensive snaps (9.8%) in 2019, most of which came at the end of the year.

He made nine total tackles, broke up two passes and allowed nine completions on 13 targets (69.2%). One of those catches went for a touchdown, and he gave up 100 total yards in coverage.

Long came in as a third-round pick out of Michigan and one of the best coverage guys in college football. He didn’t transition as quickly as some thought he might, but clearly the Rams had a plan for him after moving on from Robey-Coleman.

Why he could break out

Long has the makings of a good NFL cornerback. He allowed the lowest completion percentage in coverage among all draft-eligible CBs in the 2019 class, shining in man coverage at Michigan. He may not have the prototypical size of someone like Jalen Ramsey, but he plays bigger than his 5-foot-11 frame indicates.

If utilized correctly and put in man coverage often, Long can stick with receivers. He showed that last season in limited action, either by breaking up passes or making tackles quickly after the catch.

Here’s an example from Week 17 when Long broke up a deep pass down the right side, running stride for stride with the receiver in man coverage. You can find him at the bottom of the screen.

He also showed good awareness in coverage. On the play below, it’s third-and-8 for the Cardinals. Long is in zone coverage at the bottom of the screen and it’s a two-route concept to his side of the field.

He drops deep enough to take away the deep corner route, forcing the underneath throw short of the sticks. He rallies to the ball and makes the stop to force fourth down.

Here’s another example of Long’s play recognition and instincts. He’s in zone coverage underneath and recognizes that Kyler Murray is going to the outside hitch route.

Long jumps it and breaks it up, nearly picking the pass off and returning it for a touchdown.

For a young corner, Long has the traits of a quality coverage guy. He just has to show that he can play consistently in the slot and also compete with bigger receivers outside.

Why he may not

Long doesn’t have elite long speed, which can hurt him in coverage on deep passes. Against the Cardinals in Week 17, he allowed two catches deep down the left side to Damiere Byrd – but one was negated by an offensive pass interference penalty, which wasn’t glaringly obvious.

On this play, which counted, he got beat deep by Byrd, who has great speed. That’s one of the concerns with Long playing outside corner against some of the faster receivers in the league.

It’s not terrible coverage on his part, but it allowed just enough separation for Byrd to make the play for 33 yards.

If Long struggles this season, it’ll likely be on passes like that one. He has to show he can hold up one-on-one outside when the Rams kick Ramsey or Troy Hill into the slot.

Another reason he may not break out is the competition he faces at corner. Rookie Terrell Burgess will also compete for the nickel corner role, as will Darious Williams – who the Rams have spoken highly about this offseason.

Long won’t be handed a starting job and will have to show in camp and the preseason that he’s the best CB3 option on the team. If he can’t do that, it’ll be another year of limited reps and putting off his contributions until 2021.

I truly hope he retires a Ram. He's a solid dude

I think they upgraded at WR and RB. Both might need a little time to settle but down the road the offense will be better for this offseason.

As to whether they'll have regrets in this offseason's decisions... The OL will decide that.

Oh and btw... IF the 2020 season gets scrubbed the Rams will emerge as one of those teams who benefit greatly from it, what with the heavy fat trimming and all.

*Reference PFF's 2019 Corbett grade 51.8.....if that grade is a real bona fide concern then what does that tell about below other expected main Ram OL'ers for this upcoming season?

RT- Havenstein 50.9 [starter]
RG/OC- Blythe 50.3 [starter]
RT- Evans 49.4 [starter]
OL- Shelton 48.2 [reserve]
LG- Noteboom 37.5 [starter]
LG- Demby 27.6 [reserve]

Two of the above 6 are expected to be starters in 2020. Three of the 6 are expected to play key roles in Kromers OL & projected as future starters. Five of them have at least one full Ram training camp/ Preseason experience under their belt going into the 2019 season, something Corbett did not. I can see where Corbett being the only projected starter that was not here for TC & preseason last year might make him a more likely candidate to be challenged too.

*Reference what occurred with the Browns & Corbett's failure to earn a starting position after two Browns TC's & preseasons..... being discussed as being a negative attached to Corbett...... Was it not the same Browns that signed GRob to $6 1/2 million a yr contract after the Rams disastrous failed experiment with expectations that he GRob was their answer to their LT problems because Corbett failed at it? Were the Browns that blind to see the 6-4 short armed Corbett just does not have the required length to play LT in the NFL? The Browns still utilized their top drafted OT Corbett as their main OT (not OG) reserve in 2018. He did see relief action & started 1 gm his rookie season @ RT for them. Browns did move Corbett in 2019 to work in @ OC & RG during the Browns TC/ preseason.

I maintain that a Kromer did have major issues figuring out early last season his starting LG post. His game plan LG strategy "in hind-sight" choices......to start Noteboom as 1st team LG & Demby 2nd team LG was .....were two back to back proven bad OL decisions.

It sure appears to me that Kromer was fully aware of his serious mistakes & was mandated by Snead/McVay to resolve it immediately. Kromers solution was the Browns young reserve OL'er..... Corbett was what he wanted as his starting LG. Thus, Snead traded for him in Corbett's 2nd season where this LG played in 11 gms started the last 7 gms for Kromer. I believe fully that left OG IS Corbett's best starting position leave him there please.

The first thing I notice when watching these old clips, and I love watching them, is that everybody wore a hat back then.

RamFan503 said:

Thinking a Rams board is not high on their watch list. Especially one that doesn't allow politics or religion.

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This isnt just a Rams board, this is a community of the greatest football fans ever assembled.

dieterbrock said:

If Malcolm Brown has a role on this team of any significance, that is a problem.

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Agreed. Brown is a nice goal line backup type but you don't want him starting imo.