Rams: 3 biggest training camp battles to watch ahead of 2023 NFL season​

Los Angeles Rams training camp officially opened at the University of California, Irvine in Irvine, California, on July 25. That is when head coach Sean McVay and his coaching staff will have to try and put together the best 53-man roster possible and the best starting 11 players on both sides of the ball after that for the 2023 NFL season. That means players at multiple positions will be competing for spots on the Rams roster. With that in mind, here are the three biggest Rams training camp battles to watch ahead of the 2023 NFL season

Left tackle: Joseph Noteboom vs. Alaric Jackson

For Sean McVay, Matthew Stafford, and the Rams to have success in the 2023 NFL season, it starts with the offensive line. If the offensive line can’t protect its 35-year-old quarterback, the season will go downhill quickly, and — worst-case scenario — Stafford could suffer another injury.

And as all football fans know, success on the offensive line starts with the left tackle, which is why the battle between Joseph Noteboom and Alaric Jackson for the starting spot on the Rams roster is so crucial.

Noteboom is a known commodity. He is an OK tackle who can hold his own against NFL rushers in most situations. He’s also coming off a season-ending Achilles tendon injury last season, and he’s missed 29 games in the last four seasons. So, even if Noteboom wins the job, there’s a good chance he doesn’t finish the campaign there.

Jackson, on the other hand, is a relatively young and unknown quantity. He’s played 12 games in two seasons, starting six last season. And when the 2021 undrafted tackle out of Iowa did play, he played well.

In the end, Jackson should win this battle, it this is what the battle is. However, there is a chance that the best Rams offensive line actually includes Jackson at guard and Noteboom at left tackle if Noteboom there is a better option than Coleman Shelton or Logan Bruss at guard.

Wide receiver: Ben Skowronek vs. Tutu Atwell

If the Rams can ultimately protect Matthew Stafford, then the next question will be, who is he throwing to? We know Cooper Kupp is the Nos. 1, 2, and 3 option, and Van Jefferson likely comes in behind that. But who is the team’s official WR3?

That battle should come down to veterans Ben Skowronek and Tutu Atwell.

Skowronek and Atwell couldn’t be more different. At 6-foot-3, 224 pounds, Skowrnek is somewhere between a tight end and a receiver. Last season, he was solid, although not spectacular, catching 39 balls for 376 yards.

Atwell is the polar opposite. At 5-foot-9 and 165 pounds with electrifying speed, Atwell is a prototypical speedy slot receiver. Last season, he caught 18 balls for 298 yards and a touchdown.

Of course, there is room for both of these players on the Rams roster and in the week-to-week game plan. But only one will step up and win the job as WR3 alongside Kupp and Jefferson to start the season. Reports out of Rams training camp and offseason workouts are that Stafford and Atwell — a 2020 second-round pick — have developed a nice chemistry.

That said, a big, reliable target like Skowronek seems to fit better with the type of QB Stafford actually is late in his career.

Backup quarterback: Stetson Bennett vs. Brett Rypien vs. Dresser Winn

So, there is a chance that Joseph Noteboom and Alaric Jackson keep Matthew Stafford upright and healthy in the 2023 NFL season, and he throws for 4,000 yards to Ben Skowronek, Tutu Atwell, and the rest of his WRs.

However, there is another scenario that could play out where Stafford doesn’t make it through the entire season. He is 35, has a ton of wear and tear on his body after 191 starts in 14 NFL seasons, and he did have a scary concussion and spinal cord contusion that knocked him out last season.

That’s why the Rams’ NFL training camp battle for the team’s backup quarterback spot is so crucial. Despite the importance to the upcoming season, the players competing for the QB2 role aren’t exactly confidence-inspiring.

Of the combatants — Stetson Bennett, Brett Rypien, and Dresser Winn — only Rypien, the nephew of Super Bowl-winning QB Mark Rypien, has thrown an NFL pass. The undrafted free agent out of Boise State played three seasons with the Denver Broncos. He played in eight games, started three (with a 2-1 record), and is 80-of-130 for 778 yards with four touchdowns and eight interceptions in his career.

While that makes Rypien the most experienced QB, he’s probably not the favorite to win this Rams training camp competition. That honor goes to back-to-back national champion QB Stetson Bennett. The Rams drafted the scrawny Georgia signal-caller in the fourth round, signaling they think he has at least high-end backup potential.

Dresser Winn is the underdog here. The former University of Tennessee-Martin QB has an excellent arm but is incredibly raw. Even so, you never know what Sean McVay’s magic can do for a QB.

IMO that will be a very significant year. It will be the first year of their new team going forward. Stafford, AD and Kupp will probably all retire after 2024. I honestly feel that this year and 2024 will be the last year these three have a shot at a second ring.

I think they will draft a QB in the first round, trading up to get him. Give him a red shirt year behind Stafford. Van Jefferson may or may not be a Ram. He's in a contract year so it remains to be seen if he is extended. I think they should because he won't command a big contract and he's a good X WR. I look for them to draft a tall fast WR next year to give him a year to groom as Kupp's successor. Until then they might extend Jefferson giving them Jefferson at X, Atwell at Y and Nacua at Z. McClendon has reportedly looked good so he might be WR4.

Turner will be expected to start at 3T once AD retires. The Rams have their edges going into the future.

They have the makings of a very good OL. I think in 2024 McAllister might be the starting center and they have Maginn to backup at OG and Center both. Avila is likely to stay at one of the OG positions and I think they hope McClendon can make the transition to OG and be the starter there. If Noteboom gets hurt again, I think its obvious that Jackson will step in and probably becomes the starter moving forward. With McClendon and Avila playing at OG that would move Bruss to RT. Bruss was outstanding in college as an OT and IMO would be an upgrade at the position. Regardless I think the OL will be a top 10 unit going into 2025.

I think Sony is a placeholder this year at RB. I don't see Akers being extended after 2024 so Evans, Williams and a rookie RB will be in the backfield with the Rams second year QB who will be in his first year as the starter.

With luck, Raheem will be elsewhere and Pleasant or Lake will be the new DC. I have no problem if they play the secondary in zone as long as it's played aggressively. More than that I want the Rams to return to a one gap 3-4 style of front. I think both Brown and Murchison can play a 1T. I think Turner will be fine at 3T. Personally, I think the Ram edges might be Young and Hampton in 2025. I think Hoecht remains on the roster but he could play both as a rotational 3T behind Turner or 5T behind Hampton.

If Witherspoon can stay healthy I see him and Durant outside and Tomlinson at SCB. If Witherspoon isn't on the team then they can play Tomlinson outside as that is where he played in college. He could be another Jason Verrett type outside CB. But I think they would draft another CB or sign a young vet.

The OL will give the new QB time to throw and the RBs holes to run through. Evans is a very underrated RB IMO. With Long and Allen at TE I don't see a problem there. This offense is built for the long term with the improved OL. The defense has the talent to be a top ten unit if Morris is no longer the DC playing his uber soft style.

People aren't talking about it but IMO the Rams are set at P and PK for years to come. They have two really good rookies this year. Their P looks to become a legit weapon. A true field changer. These two guys can win some games.

I see 2025 as the start of the new Rams team, with top 10 talent on both sides of the ball. If both the offense and defense play to their potential this is another Super Bowl contending team.

We Rams fans have seen a lot. From championships, to Hall of Fame careers, to achievements that have stood the test of time in the record books...

But there are still things we have not seen. Here are some I'd like to see:

1. A Blowout Super Bowl Win
Don't get me wrong... I cherish our two, down to the wire Super Bowl wins. They were exciting and extremely gratifying. But, the next time the Rams make it, I wouldn't mind at all seeing our team build a big lead and coast to the finish line. A drawn out stress-free celebration would be just fine by me!

2. A Thanksgiving Game
Historians... have the Rams EVER been scheduled for Turkey Day and, if so, how long has it been? I can't recall it ever happening. I'd enjoy seeing our team getting a Thursday win and celebrating with turkey legs on the sidelines.

3. A Really Great TE
Its crazy to think that Tyler Higbee is the all-time yards leader among Rams TEs. I'd love to see us with a 1,000 yard+ beast, setting a new standard for the position and shattering Higbee's record.

4. A Win in Miami
I've seen the Rams win in Tampa and Jacksonville, but they've lost every time I've seen them in SoFla. I'll have to wait... they don't play down there through 2027.

5. SoFi
Have not been yet. Would love to go. Someday.

Akers is looking quite stocky in this pic. He says he intentionally focused on gaining weight. When asked about how much he said "Way, way up". So is this a good thing? Will he be less prone to injury? Will he be able to gain the tough yards this year? Or does the extra weight slow him down?

I haven't seen what he looks like aside from this picture. But someone on youtube said he looked "ripped" during OTA's. I have to think if the weight gain was something he intentionally focused on then he probably did it the right way. We'll see how he looks when they strap on the pads.

Okay... let's talk CBs.

Based upon last year's 53 man roster at the end of preseason, the Rams are likely to keep 6 guys. Here's how I break down the candidates:

Written in Stone: Cobie Durant
After a strong finish to his rookie season, Durant has emerged as the top CB on the team. Ready or not, he's the guy who will try to make us forget Jalen Ramsey.

Written in Ink: Derion Kendrick, Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson
One could quibble between the stone vs. ink distinction here but, either way, these two are near locks, as I see it. Kendrick had some ups and downs as a rookie, but I think the Rams like his toughness and ball skills. THT (that's a lot easier than typing his name!) seems ideal for the primary slot position.

Written in Pencil: Ahkello Witherspoon, Robert Rochell
If Witherspoon is, and remains, healthy (he's had trouble in the past in this regard), he's probably an "ink" guy. Rochell, on the other hand, is probably in "last chance" territory. I wouldn't be shocked if he's a late preseason cut.

The Longshots: Shaun Jolly, Vincent Gray, Cameron McCutcheon, Richard LeCounte, Jordan Jones, Tyon Davis, Timarcus Davis
Apart from Jolly, these are guys that most have probably never heard of. Barring a veteran acquisition, though, one or two of them could be on the 53 man roster. Is there a diamond in the rough in this group?

Source: Michigan's Jim Harbaugh facing 4-game suspension​

What impact could a 4-game Jim Harbaugh suspension have on Michigan? (1:10)

Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh and the NCAA are in discussions about a so-called negotiated resolution for a four-game suspension in the 2023 season, sources confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday.



The looming suspension is tied to an NCAA recruiting investigation into Michigan in which Harbaugh faces a Level I violation, the most serious kind in the NCAA's purview, for not cooperating with NCAA enforcement.
While the suspension and negotiations with the NCAA have not been finalized, the expectation is that Harbaugh would miss the first four games of Michigan's season. That includes four home contests in which Michigan is the prohibitive favorite -- East Carolina, UNLV, Bowling Green and Rutgers.

​

Harbaugh's attorney, Thomas Mars, said in a statement: "We are continuing to work cooperatively with the NCAA staff on an enforcement matter. At this time, we are not allowed to comment on possible penalties or other aspects of the matter."​

"We are continuing to work cooperatively with the NCAA staff on an enforcement matter," Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel added in a statement Tuesday. "At this time, we cannot comment further on any aspect of the matter."

The alleged recruiting improprieties are tied to alleged violations that took place during the COVID-19 recruiting dead period. The initial investigation into Michigan included just four Level II violations, which are less significant in scope. But the failure to cooperate emerged during the investigation, and in January, there were multiple meetings between Harbaugh and the NCAA in which he refused to admit he lied during the investigation.
According to a source, Harbaugh still has not acknowledged specifically that he misled or lied to NCAA staff investigating the matter. But the negotiated resolution reflects that he did accept responsibility for recruiting violations in the case.

Yahoo Sports first reported Harbaugh's likely suspension Tuesday and noted it could take up to a few weeks for the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions to finalize the penalty.
The way NCAA rules are currently written, a four-game suspension for a head coach would mean that the coach could not be present "in the facility where the contests are played and have no contact or communication with football coaching staff members or student-athletes during the suspension period." Per the NCAA's recent Tennessee ruling, that includes "all coaching activities for the period of time that begins at 12:01 a.m. on the day of each contest and ends at 11:59 p.m. on those days."

According to the NCAA -- which gave a general interpretation of the rules as it cannot comment specifically on Harbaugh or any ongoing investigation -- this means that a suspended coach such as Harbaugh would be able to coach practice during the week during the four-game suspension but would not be allowed in the stadium or to have any contact on game days.

The potential severity of the suspension makes it clear that Harbaugh's actions during the investigation significantly increased the severity of the potential penalty from the initial investigation. And the advanced negotiated resolution discussions are a sign Harbaugh is looking to put the mess behind him while being expected to admit some level of culpability in the matter.

The scope of the investigation and penalties isn't limited to Harbaugh within the Michigan program. Sources confirmed that two current Michigan assistant coaches, offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore and tight ends coach Grant Newsome, are both expected to be sanctioned in the investigation. Sources indicated to ESPN that those will be significantly lesser in scope than Harbaugh's expected four-game penalty.

Yahoo also reported that former Michigan defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, now with the Baltimore Ravens, is expected to receive a one-year show-cause penalty. Macdonald's status as a current NFL coach makes the punishment essentially irrelevant.
The news comes amid a boom time for Michigan football, as it reached the College Football Playoff in consecutive seasons. Michigan entered Big Ten media days this week with the expectation that it'll have its best roster out of the past three seasons, as it returns star quarterback J.J. McCarthy, tailback Blake Corumand a defense that's considered among the elite in the country.

The past two seasons have been a collegiate renaissance for Harbaugh, who brought the program back from a 2-4 record during the COVID-19-shortened season in 2020 and in 2021 snapped an eight-game losing streak to archrival Ohio State. Michigan has lost to Georgia and TCU in the semifinals of the past two College Football Playoffs.
Harbaugh has flirted strongly with NFL jobs the past two seasons, having significant discussions with both the Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings over that time.

Harbaugh is 74-25 during his tenure at Michigan, including going 25-3 overall and 17-1 in Big Ten play over the past two years. Harbaugh went 44-19 as coach of the San Francisco 49ers from 2011 to 2014, which included a Super Bowl appearance and three NFC title game appearances.

Having an amazing trip this year. Hiking, fishing, boat rides and friends. If you haven’t gone, I highly recommend it.

NFL training camp 2023: Three questions each NFC West team must answer before start of new season​

Love looking through old Rams pictures. Post your favorites here. I'll start!

I’m watching the Giant-Viking playoff game from last season and the Giants deferred to start the game. If I remember correctly this trend was started by McVay when he got the Rams job. My whole football watching life teams wanted to start the game with the ball before McVay. Am I mis-remembering? Do you think this has anything to do McVay’s record with going into the half with the lead? I do.

Edited my title and post: Some things she said got changed up and made into clickbait apparently. Here is message form her...



Man I hope not and not for football reasons.

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Matthew Stafford's Wife Kelly Thinks She Might Have Cancer

Kelly Stafford, the wife of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, revealed that she thinks she has cancer. Having previously undergone brain

brobible.com

Kelly Stafford, the wife of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, revealed that she thinks she has cancer.


Having previously undergone brain tumor removal, she has now faces new health concerns that have left her worried.

In a candid statement on her podcast, Kelly revealed that her doctors raised the possibility of her needing a hysterectomy after she noticed persistent issues with her birth control. Kelly said: “I feel like my stomach’s not great.”


“In the back of my mind, I’m thinking I have cancer,” she expressed her fears.


Last week, her health took a turn for the worse, leading to a hospital visit due to intense pain in her stomach and back. However, the initial diagnosis provided little insight as doctors attributed her discomfort to a stomach bug.

Despite this, Kelly Stafford continued to experience pain and alarming physical changes. “Thursday night, I looked down at my stomach and it looked like I was eight months pregnant,” she said, reflecting on the distressing situation.

In response to her worsening condition, Matt Stafford, her husband, promptly sought the assistance of the Rams’ team doctor, who advised Kelly to come in for numerous tests.


As the tests continue, Kelly remains in a state of uncertainty, saying, “It’s so frustrating because we don’t know what’s going on.”

The family is waiting for the test results to learn more about her situation.

There are several positions with intriguing depth charts and, among them, wide receiver may be the most interesting. I presume that the team will carry 6 players on the roster, so there will definitely be some odd men out. Here's a breakdown of the candidates:

Written in Stone: Cooper Kupp
No comment necessary here for the 2021 NFL Offensive Player of the Year.

Written in Ink: Van Jefferson, Ben Skowronek
The team is definitely looking to Jefferson to emerge as the second option, and Skowronek is a safety blanket for McVay. I'd be surprised if either of them is not on the opening day roster.

Written in Pencil: Tutu Atwell, Tyler Johnson, Puka Nacua, Demarcus Robinson
These guys have the inside track, but, as the pencil metaphor implies, at least one of these names will likely be erased. Who will it be?

The Longshots: Lance McCutchen, Austin Trammell, Xavier Smith, Tyler Hudson, Braxton Burmeister
Absent severe erosion by injury or the carving out of a special teams niche, these are guys who are most likely fighting for Practice Squad spots.

So... who do you see emerging?

I hated to see Nick Scott go. He did a terrific job in the playoff games leading up to the Super Bowl. You don’t see his kind of hitting very often. Will forever be grateful for his hit on Deebo. Seemed like he could have been a good pillar in the defensive back end. Oh well…still trusting.

Avila seems very likely, and that's about it on offense

On defense though....the secondary, EDGE and DL are wide open. Who do you think starts or plays 50%+ percent of the snaps?

I think it'll be Young and Turner, with Tomlinson coming in slightly under 50

Crazy. It looked like The Hulk threw that car into those houses.

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And the ‘newness’ is most welcome.

Some of the evidence in no particular order:

Higher energy, not just with Sean but with players and asst coaches.

Hiring of some pretty impressive assistant coaches, 11 newbies, I think. That’s a sea change.

Finally truly addressed roster holes this offseason in significant ways. Holes that existed in past seasons but were seemingly ignored.

Backup QB
OL (2 good draft picks there alone)
RB
WR (Nacua looking like a gem)
TE (added 2 new TE’s, formerly one of my biggest wants)
Edge (quality players added for a change)
CB (a variety of new players added to bolster Secondary)
P
PK

Then there’s all those apparent philosophical changes leaning toward physicality. That’s a very welcome trend.

I know that this is gonna be a very young roster, believe me, but I foresee emerging talent, energy, and downright feistiness all very well coached.

Two things I’m sure of.

1. Rams are gonna surprise some other teams and virtually all of the pundits.

2. Rams will be fun to watch in 2023 as these youngsters develop.

I believe Sean McVay is ‘back’, so Buckle up, y’all.

All the division buzz is about the 49’ers.

All the division mockery is about the Cardinals.

What about the Seahawks? They are kinda riding under the radar. What do you expect from them?

I just said goodbye to my brother. Agent Orange finally got him. A veteran of the 5th Mechanized Infantry Regiment, 25th Division. Awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his actions in Operation Junction City.

He suffered from PTSD and after-effects of Agent Orange exposure. Diabetes, hypothyroidism, and ischemic heart disease (cause of death) all caused by Agent Orange exposure.

We had a long talk (several hours) right after he was admitted about a month ago. We both agreed that we never wanted to live as an invalid and in his case to be a burden to his kids and grandkids. At least I had a chance to say goodbye to him. Too many times we are unable to have that type of closure.

He smiled at me tonight and wrote on his whiteboard. "Go Rams" He was never a big NFL fan, he was a hardcore Dodger fan. He used to coach high school and little league baseball for years. But he would talk football with me and he was very knowledgeable as his son played high school football as a DB.

If I'm not on the board much for a while you guys know why.

Bored here on a Friday night haha, so just curious when everyone's first time seeing the Rams in person was? Of course could be in LA or St. Louis.

For me it was back in 2013 when the Rams came to Charlotte to play the Panthers. I had been going through some stuff in my personal life and to be completely honest, was not in a good place mentally. My girlfriend at the time was worried about me and did her best try to lift my spirits a bit; well she woke me up the morning of the game and told me to go into the living room and wait for her, she had a surprise for me and then went into the bathroom. Being a man, I thought it was something sex related of course haha. Anyway, she came out to the living room a few minutes later wearing a Rams t shirt I had gotten her and a Rams visor on also and said, 'Why are you just sitting there looking lost'? Go put on your Rams gear, tailgating starts soon.' Took me a minute for it to click, and when I did I jumped up, yelled in excitement, and gave her a huge kiss on the lips and a hug haha.

Tailgating was cool, even drinking piss water like Bud, and then went into the game. More Rams fans there than I thought their might be, and we were all upset after losing. But even with the L, a great day for me and lifted my spirits tremendously. As I said, she is an ex girlfriend now, but will always have a special place in my heart haha.

This offseason, the Rams parted ways with their three best defenders not named Aaron Donald: Jalen Ramsey, Bobby Wagner and Leonard Floyd. Ramsey was traded for Hunter Long and a draft pick that yielded the promising Byron Young, but Wagner was released and Floyd simply not re-signed.

The primary motivator behind these moves, of course, was money. The Rams needed to trim the payroll, and only three highly-paid vets (Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp and Donald) were deemed untouchable.

I think, though, that there might be a secondary reason in addition to the cap relief (immediate and long-term) realized by these moves.

The Rams are clearly starting something of a youth movement, particularly on defense. I submit that the three departed would not have fit well in that plan.

Ramsey, for all his elite skills, was not an elite teammate or leader. Sorry, he just wasn't. From his penchant for unnecessary commentary, to his publicly chastising teammates, to his occasional freelancing/lapses in coverage, he's not exactly a role model. Without him, others will have to step up and play as a unit, rather than as the back-up singers to a clear headliner.

Wagner is a great leader, but I wonder if the Rams felt that his presence was holding Ernest Jones and others back to some degree. It was great that Jones could learn from a future HOFer, but not its time for him to take the reigns.

Floyd was a good player for us. Good. Not great. Now, we'll be giving his reps to young players (including Young, Hoecht and Hampton) in the hope of finding someone great (or, at least, as good with a much lower price tag).

So, out with the old, and in with the new... except for Uncle Aaron, who will make them all better!

RIP

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Although it's not strictly a "Rams pod".. the play callers is fun and, I think, gives us some real insight into what the Rams will be doing next year, if you pay attention.
We know the Rams personnel on the Oline is beefier.. that's not an accident. Running the ball is back en vogue as the way to attack the current wave of defenses with lighter boxes and lighter linebackers.
Demoff was asked about what the Rams would be doing, point blank, on "The 11" podcast.. and, of course, didn't answer. But Whitworth, on the Playcallers, talked about what needed to be done in the near future on offense for all teams. He's as wired into the Rams as anyone.. and he talked about running the ball.

I just don't think it could be more clear... we're going to see a more varied run game.. more of it.. and more ability to run power than in recent years.
I do wonder what we end up seeing as the most used personnel grouping... namely.. who are the WRs getting most snaps besides Kupp?

Also.. one HUGE thing I think is illustrated...

McVay's not going anywhere for a while. I think he's figured out quite a few things about himself and his life.. and knows that he loves being a coach in the NFL. Managing how he approaches it and finding a better balance is the key.. but when I hear him talk, it's a guy with a different sense of himself.

As always, we'll see.

Asolutely love the all-yellow unis.
Would like to see these at least once a year.
What about y'all?

I saw this question posed on twitter. For me, it's Burrows without a shadow of doubt. I think Herbert has not shown much in the way coming up big in the big games. If Burrows had a better Oline in Super Bowl 56, the result might have been different.

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