Legatron4 said:

With very limited options I decided to go with kind of a fun one. Sam Shields. He was only here one season but any time I can watch 2018 highlights I’m all for it. He was a high end back up CB that helped us get to the super bowl.
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@Allen2McVay also here’s your boy
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Thank you. I had that card.

Young Ram said:

Umm ok? Cool story bro.

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Umm keep touting your expertise

Another fun fact; he’s still playing!

When I leave the house I often play Mozart on the Sound bar and Alexa while for the dogs.

bomebadeeda said:

I like Lewis on down the road, but him starting out on the quarantine list and the reduction of preseason won't help him initially. But as the season progresses, we'll see a better representation from him.

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Even with limited reps, he can still contribute on 3rd down rush packages. Dont know why everyone is so quick to write him off because of covid, and I agree as the season goes on his impact should grow. Dont need to practice that much to get after the QB like he's been doing his whole life. He wasn't going to be a starter anyways.

Countdown to Camp: CBs coach Aubrey Pleasant enters camp with "best corner in the game," quality starters and young players with high potential

Similar to Rams defensive line coach Eric Henderson, cornerbacks coach Aubrey Pleasant enters Rams Training Camp presented by UNIFY Financial Credit Union pleased with the combination of returning talent as well as the developmental trajectory of younger players within his group.

"I'm very excited," Pleasant told theRams.com in a phone interview last week. "I think have the best corner in the game. I also think that I have some other players that have solidified themselves as starters in the NFL that want to take their game to the next level. And then I have some younger guys that are ready to show the world their potential."

By "best corner in the game," Pleasant means Jalen Ramsey, whom the Rams acquired in a trade with the Jaguars last October. For the three-time Pro Bowl selection, the 2020 season will be his first full one as a Ram after playing nine games for Los Angeles last year.

Opposite Ramsey, Troy Hill was the biggest example of a player that emerged as a starter last season. Hill set new career-highs in tackles (38) and pass breakups (8), matched his career-best for interceptions in a season (2) and was named one of Pro Football Focus' Top 25 cornerbacks by the end of the regular season.

What pleased Pleasant most about Hill's development was how he consistently continued to make plays after earning a starting role.

"I'm proud of Troy," Pleasant said. "Troy has been here for all three years, and what we've asked him to do at each year has changed. No matter what we asked him to do, he always accepted that challenge. When he got a chance to move into the starting role after Aqib Talib's injury, again, he did everything that was asked and went out and made plays."

Among the younger returning players, injuries afforded both Darious Williams and David Long playing time late last season that aided their growth. Donte' Deayon, who spent the first nine games on the practice squad, eventually saw snaps against the Bears and in both Cardinals games.

"Both are two totally different situations as far as what they bring to the table, but they're both young guys that have been able to progress," Pleasant said of Williams and Long. "Darious Williams, the way he played those last four weeks, was of starting caliber in the NFL. Not only was he able to make plays, but he was able to get his hands on the ball. And when you can create turnovers in the National Football League, that's something that separates you from the others."

As for Long, Pleasant tasked him with playing an "inside-out" role as a rookie last year because of his versatility.

"You saw as the weeks progressed later on in the season versus Chicago, later on in the season two times versus Arizona, we asked that young man to come and play in several different roles, but just kind of shows you his skill set is so unique, he can do anything that's asked," Pleasant said. "And then the final game of the season, he had to play at corner and he stood up and made some plays."

One of Pleasant's biggest tasks during training camp will be finding the replacement for nickel cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman, who was released in March and later signed a one-year deal with the Eagles.

What allowed Robey-Coleman to play at a high-level during his time in Los Angeles, according to Pleasant, was his consistency: He only missed one regular season game in three years, so he was reliable and dependable from a physical and mental standpoint. Those are just a couple of the traits Pleasant will be using to assess candidates for Robey-Coleman's old role.

"The other thing that Nickell did really well was he could cover – he could make some plays in the pass game, and he was also dependable in the run game when needed," Pleasant said. "Those are some of the intangibles that I look for in the future when looking at that nickel spot to know what it needs to be successful."

20 for 2020: Twenty questions to ponder heading into Rams Training Camp

If you're tired of reading more questions than answers when it comes to the 2020 NFL season… then you've clicked on the wrong link. I'm very sorry.

Nonetheless, we're glad you're here and cannot wait to unearth some clarity.

1. Will the Rams keep three QBs?

This is not typically the structure for Sean McVay's Rams, or many other NFL teams. However, this season is accompanied by an increased risk of starter Jared Goff missing a game due to the pandemic. And behind him, the Rams do not have another option who's dressed for an NFL game. It stands to reason they'll keep three; every team must; and likely a fourth on the practice squad.

2. Is the No. 3 QB in camp?

This is the more difficult question to answer, for the already stated lack of experience. None of the three options behind Goff were even drafted. And only John Wolford has even worked with McVay in person. In a normal year, you might be watching the waiver wire closely at the end of the preseason. But what team is going to be cutting a viable option at quarterback at this point, and would the Rams have the dollars and cents to make it work?

3. Can Rob Havenstein hold off Bobby Evans at right tackle?

Early indications from McVay were that Havenstein would get first right of refusal, hinting that Evans would be in the mix at guard. Coming off a down year, the Rams are banking on Big Rob returning to Pro Bowl-worthy form.

4. Who starts at the guard positions?

With Austin Blythe signed to be the starting center, that leaves both guard positions to be decided from a deep and intriguing group of candidates, most of whom saw their first meaningful NFL action last season: Evans, Austin Corbett, David Edwards, Joe Noteboom, Chandler Brewer. Add in rookie seventh round selection Tremayne Anchrum, and this is a good year to be throwing numbers at an offensive line problem – not only does the new CBA call for expanded rosters, but there's bound to be even more flexibility in 2020 to combat COVID-19.

5. Will Van Jefferson beat out Josh Reynolds for WR3?

In 2017, Cooper Kupp was drafted 69th overall and made an immediate impact as the Rams' third receiver next to Sammy Watkins and Robert Woods. Might the 57th selection in April's Draft do the same? If so, Jefferson will have to outperform Reynolds in a short window of time and unprecedented circumstances. But he has the pedigree, and like Kupp, turned 24-years old before his first Rams Camp.

6. Is four a crowd in the tight end room?

So much has been made of McVay's 11-personnel that a podcast has been named in its honor. But after Tyler Higbee morphed into Tony Gonzalez in December, and Johnny Mundt earned his keep in the running game, L.A. chose Purdue tight end Brycen Hopkins in the fourth round. Where does that leave Gerald Everett, the first selection of the McVay Era, entering a contract year? And how multiple does the Rams offense intend to be when you weigh those weapons against the aforementioned receivers?

7. Who earns the opening drive versus the Cowboys at running back?

Though the Rams used three Top 100 picks to select Darrell Henderson and Cam Akers in the last two drafts, my guess is veteran Malcolm Brown will have the honor in the opener. Young runners have had an extremely difficult time finding the field in three seasons under McVay, with the caveat that they've played behind a three-down back in Todd Gurley. John Kelly and Darrell Henderson combined for 96 snaps last season; Kelly and Justin Davis saw a total of 55 in 2018, before it became apparent that C.J. Anderson's services were required.

I believe rookie Cam Akers will lead the team in carries this season. Perhaps not in Week One, however.

8. Who wins the kicking competition?

New special teams coach. Three candidates. No preseason games.

9. Will the Rams go for it more on fourth down?

Yes. Even if Greg Zuerlein were still in Horns, the answer to this question would be affirmative. Only the Steelers converted fewer fourth downs than the Rams in 2019.

10. How will Sean McVay vet Brandon Staley in training camp?

In a word: thoroughly. Watching McVay and Wade Phillips battle in Irvine the past three summers was one of the highlights of training camp. Now a first-time NFL defensive coordinator takes the play sheet and headset. Without preseason games or joint practices to draw upon, McVay will have to test Staley's processes himself in Thousand Oaks. Who better?

11. How many outside linebackers will make the roster?

Here's another area where the Rams are using depth to address an area of concern, and this position group is where Staley earned his stripes. There are good options and diverse skill, with at least seven names I'd like to see in uniform this season. Who are the best complements to Leonard Floyd and Terrell Lewis, both in terms of performing on the edge and contributing on special teams?

12. Who are the starting off-ball linebackers?

Pro Football Focus recently ranked the Rams… dead last in the NFL in this category. Don't be surprised; this is hardly unprecedented.

13. Who wears the green dot on defense?

What is concerning is that someone is going to have to call the defense – a new defense – without the benefit of an in-person offseason program. That's a tall order. Good thing Micah Kiser won the Academic Heisman.

14. With a bevy of options, how will the Rams configure their defensive sub-packages and alignments?

Rookie draft pick Terrell Burgess can play just about anywhere. There have been indications Jalen Ramsey may do more than merely lockdown a side of the field. Troy Hill and Darious Williams both have ample game film to validate the team's belief in their future. If McVay wanted even more matchup potential from his defense, he's got it in spades.

15. How deep is the defensive line rotation?

In what could be the team's strongest position group, the Rams have the talent and depth that might be required to weather the 2020 storm. When healthy and available, how many are in the rotation? Aaron Donald, Michael Brockers, A'Shawn Robinson, and Sebastian Joseph-Day, to be certain. Is there a role for Greg Gaines? There seems to be one for Morgan Fox, after he was re-signed in the spring.

16. Which sophomore will step up?

The rookie class of 2019 was layered into a Rams roster coming off a Super Bowl – one that eventually added Clay Matthews, Eric Weddle, and Ramsey. There's more opportunity to be found in this season's structure, and several intriguing prospects now have a (tumultuous) year of professional experience from which to draw. Who might be this fall's John Johnson or Joseph-Day, for instance?

Here's a list of candidates: John Wolford, Jachai Polite, David Edwards, Bobby Evans, Greg Gaines, Darrell Henderson, David Long, Natrez Patrick, Taylor Rapp, Troy Reeder. It's hard to envision the Rams achieving their goals without several of these NFL sophomores rising to the occasion.

17. Can a college free agent make the team in this environment?

Barring a trade or signing, Bryce Perkins or Josh Love would be in line to make the team as a third quarterback. Beyond that, it's hard to see a path to a roster spot for an undrafted rookie at this stage – and one would hope that there are no injuries or health complications during training camp that would necessitate a college free agent assuming a role on the initial 53-man team (Note: You may have heard about expanded practice squad rosters which give the perception of 55-man rosters under the new CBA. From the lens of training camp and the purposes of this conversation, however, making the initial 53 is still the absolute priority for players).

18. Will Jalen Ramsey – or any others – be extended before the season kicks off?

This is typically the window where the Rams and their key contributors come to terms on contracts. Goff's was announced just before the 2019 season; Higbee's shortly thereafter. In 2018, Brandin Cooks inked a new deal in mid-July; Gurley and Donald followed later that summer.

This offseason, Ramsey has voiced his confidence in the process. So has McVay. Other notable candidates entering a contract year include Cooper Kupp and John Johnson.

19. How have rehabs gone for those who suffered season-ending injuries in 2019?

One of the many unfortunate biproducts of the virtual program this spring was the inability to see rehabilitating players on the grass. Johnson, Kiser, Noteboom, and Brian Allen all had their 2019 season cut short by surgeries. The latter three are in competitions for starting roles or roster spots. The "good news" is that they didn't lose any ground during the virtual program, because no one was getting in-person reps. Hopefully, there is no "bad news."

20. Will Rams find a way to practice inside SoFi before Week One vs Dallas?

Lastly, a logistical hurdle. The Rams have yet to experience a dry run at SoFi Stadium. For there to be any perception of home field advantage – limited though it may be without fans in attendance – wouldn't you expect at least one practice to occur in Inglewood? A chance for Akers to test the turf on a cut; for Woods to look over his shoulder and bring in a Goff spiral; for Nsimba Webster to track a punt up against the canopy and video board; for whoever wins the kicking competition to experience what the airflow at each end of the structure might be like on a Sunday Night as the sun sets?

Public health priorities being what they are, this simply may not be possible. But I would expect the organization to do everything in its power to ensure that the active roster knows what it's like to step off the bus, into the spectacular new locker rooms, and perform inside SoFi Stadium at least once before the Cowboys do the same.

Welp, the league gets another lease on life courtesy of The Rock.


MOD EDIT: Topic in discussion here;

We also have reports from McVay that no Rams will start camp on the pup list. That means Johnson, Havenstein, Noteboom and Allen are all good to go, no tweet on this it was part of an article from The Athleti.

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Yes. Su was a big reason AD almost had the sack record. And no one to replace Su is a big reason AD had a drop off in sacks last year. Look for a significant increase in AD's sack numbers with Robinson next to him.

tomas said:

People forget Austin Blythe played through a nagging ankle and shoulder injuries and was never the same.

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And yet he still solidified the center position injured.

Plus he's going to get starter snaps in Camp and practice rather than on the job training.

Plus the two guards next to him are going to be much more experienced.

Plus he would have to have Goff's seal of approval.

The more I think about it and the more I listen to Blythe and So Ram, the more I'm thinking All Pro.

But I would accept above-average.

I've watched this a few times and I remember back then being 8 years of age and was shocked that John Hadl was traded, but Hadl had not been good since like after the 10th game of 73 and was 7-23 in the playoffs against Dallas and it carried over into 1974.

Hadl tells the story that owner Carroll Rosenbloom was at a practice and Hadl's ball was fluttering and Rosenbloom asked him what was wrong with his arm and Hadl told him, it was not his arm, it was his back and two weeks later he was traded to Green Bay.

Rams received quite a hall for Hadl five draft choices from the Packers and they rebuilt their older offensive line with some of those picks drafting LT Doug France & RG Dennis "Hercules" Harrah. I liked James Harris and thought he could take the Rams to a Super Bowl, but it never happened....Bittersweet memories all those years under Chuck Knox as the Rams always seemed a QB away.

Ram65 said:

Good move by Henderson to ask him to lose weight. The Big A has a good chance to get back to playing often and very well as he did in 2018. Looks like he will be in great shape to start camp.

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Yeah... good to point that one out. Sounds ready to go to work;

“Once the 6-foot-4 Robinson signed with the Rams, Henderson said he had a conversation with him about his playing weight – listed on his NFL.com profile as 330 pounds – and challenged him to show up to camp at 315 pounds. Robinson did one better, reporting at 314 this past Tuesday.

"So, to me, that first impression is something that I was proud of from him, because it shows he's serious about his craft, coming into a new situation where he's got to compete for a role here," Henderson said. "That role is going to be where he can help us tremendously in the run game as well as being able to rush the passer, because he has some athleticism about him."

Rams’ Sean McVay takes on changes in team and training camp

Sometime Monday in Thousand Oaks, in a newly erected tent roomy enough to allow social distancing by 100 football players and coaches, Sean McVay will meet his 2020 Rams face to face for the first time.

After a different kind of offseason in which Zoom meetings replaced in-person strategy sessions and workouts, the Rams will open a different kind of training camp.

McVay can’t come right out and say it’s going to his most challenging camp as a head coach, and maybe it’s not. It wasn’t easy in 2017, when McVay was a 31-year-old rookie coach. That worked out all right.

“I know our players and coaches are really champing at the bit to even get in here, where we can meet with the players in person,” McVay said in a video chat with reporters Sunday from the Rams’ facility at California Lutheran University. “It’ll be newer challenges, things we’ve never navigated before.”

None of the 32 NFL coaches has ever faced a training camp as hard as this, with practice sessions limited, preseason games and inter-team scrimmages eliminated, and daily coronavirus tests reminding everybody why.

It might be harder for McVay. Nobody will have to work around those restrictions to incorporate more changes in the roster and staff than he must carry out after a 9-7, non-playoff season followed by a rough offseason.

The departed names are familiar, among them running back Todd Gurley; wide receiver Brandin Cooks; linebackers Cory Littleton, Dante Fowler and Clay Matthews; safety Eric Weddle, and kicker Greg Zuerlein.

Their potential replacements are unproven, including Darrell Henderson and top Rams draft pick Cam Akers at running back, Josh Reynolds and rookie Van Jefferson at receiver, Samson Ebukam, and free-agent signing Leonard Floyd and rookie Terrell Lewis at linebacker.

All told, the team will have at least six different starters from the 22 on the depth chart for the Rams’ last game of 2019, and at least nine changes from the 22 who began last season.

The assistant coaches helping McVay choose the starters for the Sept. 13 season opener against the Dallas Cowboys at SoFi Stadium are new, too: coordinators Kevin O’Connell on offense, Brandon Staley on defense and John Bonamego on special teams, and running backs coach Thomas Brown.

To evaluate players in game conditions without the usual four exhibitions and joint practices with other teams, McVay said Sunday he plans to hold intrasquad scrimmages at SoFi, the new Rams and Chargers home in Inglewood.

He hopes that while the lack of audition time might hinder rookies, an increase in “above the neck” coaching early in the pandemic-style training camp will help them.

“If we do it the right way,” McVay said, “it’ll give rookies actually a better opportunity to not be as stressed and overwhelmed mentally when the full-speed reps start.”

Camp will begin with a nine-day “acclimation period” of weight and on-field conditioning work, followed by a five-day “ramp-up” period of practices. Not until Aug. 18 will a 20-day period of full-contact practice begin on two fields in Thousand Oaks. (Fans won’t be allowed at training camp this year, and reporters won’t be allowed in until Aug. 18.)

The Rams begin camp with the 2020 limit of 80 players (10 fewer than usual) on the roster after undrafted rookie defensive tackle Michael Hoecht was activated Sunday from the “Reserve/COVID-19” list for players who tested positive for the coronavirus or have been quarantined because they were in contact with an infected person. The active roster must be trimmed by Sept. 5 to 53, plus a practice squad of 16 (six more than usual).

Hoecht and Lewis were put on the Reserve/COVID-19 list Friday, the same day that offensive lineman Chandler Brewer declared he was opting out of playing this season because his 2018 battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma leaves him at risk to the virus. McVay said he didn’t expect any other players to opt out or go on the physically unable to perform list.

Once openly skeptical about holding training camps, McVay said he feels “a lot better” now because of the NFL’s agreement with the NFL Players Association to hold daily virus testing for the first two weeks.

McVay preached “responsibility” by players and other personnel, who will commute to camp from their homes, to keep the virus from entering the training-camp “ecosystem.”

“It’s not just about what you’re doing here (in camp). It’s about understanding how important the ramifications can be if you make bad decisions outside of here with who you’re exposed to,” the coach said.

But he said he won’t impose rules for players’ off-duty behavior or special treatment for indispensable players such as quarterback Jared Goff.

“What I’m still working through is that fine line of acknowledging how serious this … but also allowing(ing) us to go play football.”

The Rams have Goff for at least another 5 years. He is the very good QB we have been looking for since Kurt Warner. At times he had been great but he is not and may never be elite. With that said McVay will continue to build around his strengths and the Rams look to be solid with Goff at QB. McVay and Goff need to continue their evolution and both have a chance and an opportunity to become elite together. Again great time to be a Rams fan.

Allen2McVay said:

Never turned out. Cappelletti replaced Bertlesen; then Bryant replaced Cappelletti.

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Yeah Cullen Bryant was the man, loved they way he ran.

When my girlfriend and I go out the age difference between us coupled with the fact she looks about 10 yrs younger than she is causes a lot of stares and whispering. I just give them the old man stare that says "eat your hearts out Aholes" and laugh. She just rolls her eyes and shakes her head. More than once she comments that it must be an "old guy thing". I usually retort "they think you are a prostitute or gold digger". That's when she punches me in my arm. She wishes I had gold. LOL

I think my mind and personality stopped aging at 40. My friends and especially my family all think that. But in fact, I do see the world that way. I tell my son "don't get old". He asks me how to do that. I tell him I'm talking about in his head and personality. He laughs and says that's why all his friends like me and think he has the "coolest" dad. That is something I'm actually proud of.

People get judgemental when as they age. Keep your mind open to new ideas. Keep enjoying life instead of waiting to die. Like I tell my son and girlfriend, my body ages but I try to keep my mind young because it's the only aspect of aging that I can control other than keeping fit.

Who wouldnt have wanted to play for Pop Fisher??
Pop: You know, my mama said I should have been a farmer.
Roy Hobbs: My father wanted me to be a baseball player
Pop: Well you're the best player I ever had, and the best god damn hitter I ever saw,
Suit up!

RIP Wilford

Reality is board members are coming up with truly valid options to a situation the NFL appears ill prepared to handle. I fear the season will go down the tubes unless there is truly alternative options not being discussed with the fans and media.

Ramlock said:

Pretty much anything my Dad said.

Earned his spending money in college roping calves and riding bulls.

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...and milking steers. ~ Ramlock

Forgot yesterday, sorry. A Rams legend who put up absurd numbers in 1951 by averaging 124 ypg with 17 TDs in only 12 games. Elroy ‘Crazy Legs’ Hirsch is considered one of the best receivers of all time.
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Elmgrovegnome said:

I'll have to watch it later, but I can honestly say that I'd keep Nate and ditch the other three for some new out outlooks on things. Kyle, Kay, and Pete are terrible. Its only my bored curiosity that will make me watch it.

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I like the whole team honestly.

Faceplant said:

Kay is a Chicago Bears slut, she just fawns on the aints for fun.

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Funny she had on Broncos gear the other day. Plus she went to Mizzou so there's some KC in her somewhere. So I don't know what she is.

Florida_Ram said:

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I love our QB. Can't fucking wait for football.