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Kyren Williams Walter Payton Nominee


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Rams News | Los Angeles Rams - therams.com​

Kyren Williams named Rams' nominee for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide​

Dec 05, 2024 at 07:00 AM
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TheRams.com

Los Angeles, CA – The Los Angeles Rams announced that running back Kyren Williams has been selected as the team's nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award Presented by Nationwide. The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award is the league's most prestigious honor, recognizing players who excel on-the-field and demonstrate a steadfast commitment to creating a positive impact beyond the game.
The Rams all-time leading rusher and former Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Nominee, Steven Jackson, surprised Williams with the nomination at the team's practice facility. As a St. Louis, MO native, Williams grew up a Rams fan and had the chance to meet one of his idols, Jackson, at a Rams charity event at a young age. Williams looked up to Jackson as the Rams lead running back but has also been inspired by his commitment off-the-field giving back to community during his time in the NFL and in retirement.










Kyren Williams is the Rams' 2024 Walter Payton Man of the Year Nominee




Earlier this year, Williams served as the captain for United Way of Greater Los Angeles' WalkUnitedLA, where he helped to rally 7,500 Angelenos in raising over $1 million to power the fight to break cycles of poverty and build communities of prosperity in Los Angeles. Williams also joined Rams partner, PacSun, local nonprofit, ThinkWatts Foundation, and the Los Angeles Unified School District to combat chronic absenteeism by kicking off the gifting of washer and dryer machines to 20 schools to ensure every child has clean clothes to wear to school.
At the team's 2024 Training Camp, Williams met with members of the LA Rams Wheelchair Football Team to announce the gifting of custom wheelchairs, helmets, and jerseys for the team's upcoming seasons. Also at Training Camp, Williams joined members of Arsenal FC and led youth through a "Football Meets Football" soccer and football clinic. Leading into the Rams' season opener, Williams visited Nickerson Gardens, the largest housing development west of the Mississippi, and helped to unveil a new Rams-branded turf football field for the community of Watts. As part of the celebration, Williams participated in a youth football clinic and pick-up games with the kids.
In addition, this season, Williams served as an event captain for "LA Rams Night for Wishes." With Williams' help, the event raised more than $750,000 to grant the wishes of local children battling life-threatening medical conditions. Williams also led the team's annual sustainability recycling combine where he worked alongside Rams and Ball Corporation staff to educate the next generation on the benefits of recycling. Williams also visited the Covenant House, a nonprofit committed to opening doors to young people experiencing homelessness and survivors of human trafficking, for their Thanksgiving meal. Since being drafted by the Rams in 2022, Williams has immersed himself in the community of Los Angeles. He has participated in the Los Angeles Rams' campaigns around Salute to Service and their annual 'Season of Giving' efforts that help to address food insecurity, provide gifts to those in need and uplift the Los Angeles community during the holiday season.
Also dating back to 2022, Williams has supported local school district initiatives at Los Angeles Unified School District, Inglewood Unified School District and Conejo Valley Unified School District and visited youth correctional facilities to help inspire young people through character chats and a flag football game.

"It's an honor to be nominated for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award alongside the many players around the league who are doing meaningful work in their communities," said Williams. "My community work is never about receiving recognition but about paying forward the support and inspiration that others have given me throughout my life. I cherish the opportunities to put a smile on people's faces and help families in need. The game of football has provided me with a platform to give back and I believe it's important to leverage it in ways that serve others."
"Kyren has shown Rams fans and the larger Southern California community he's someone they can count on with his dynamic play on the field to his charitable impact off the field. Learning about his nomination for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award was important for me," said Jackson. Being able to surprise him with the announcement was an honor because what he is doing is motivational. Far too many times those who gave their time hardly receive their proverbial flowers in the moment."
"Since being drafted, Kyren has continuously stepped up to assist with our off-the-field community efforts," said Rams Executive Vice President of Community Impact and Engagement, Molly Higgins. "The enthusiasm and passion that Kyren brings to community service is very similar to what fans see through his play on the field. And while he continues to ascend on the field, we look forward to helping him continue to make a meaningful impact and inspire change through his work with non-profits and schools." Each nominee will receive up to $55,000 and the award winner will receive up to a $265,000 donation to their charity of choice. All donations are made possible by the NFL Foundation and Nationwide Foundation.
All 32 nominees will be recognized for their achievements during the week leading up to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. The winner of the 2024 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award will be announced during NFL Honors, a primetime awards special to air nationally on FOX and the NFL Network on Thursday, Feb. 6.
Fans are once again encouraged to participate in Nationwide's annual Charity Challenge, a social media and online contest that allows fans to show support for their favorite Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee. Fans can vote on X/Twitter by posting #WPMOYChallenge along with the last name/X handle of their chosen nominee or by voting directly on NFL.com/ManOfTheYear. The nominee who receives the most collective hashtag mentions and online votes will win an additional $35,000 donation from Nationwide to the charity of their choice, with the runner-up receiving $10,000 and the third-place winner receiving $5,000. Charity Challenge voting takes place from Thursday, Dec. 5 to Sunday, Jan. 6
Beginning Week 14 and continuing through the end of the season, each of this year's nominees, including Williams, will wear a special Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year helmet decal in recognition of their accomplishments on and off the field.
For more information about the award, please visit NFL.com/ManOfTheYear.

4th and 20 as an alternative to an onside


As a Rams fan, I have a hard time with this. 4th and 20 seems a bit too easy to me. Still, the onside kick is broken.

The Evolution of Sean McVay’s Offense: From Wide Zone to Gap and Duo

Sean McVay’s offense has always been a model of innovation and adaptability. Initially centered around the wide zone running scheme and a potent play-action game, McVay has continuously evolved to incorporate gap and duo concepts, ensuring the Rams stay competitive against modern defensive schemes. In the 2024 season, this evolution has been highlighted by the emergence of Puka Nacua as a complete receiver, Kyren Williams leading a more balanced rushing attack, and the continued development of key players like Steve Avila and Kevin Dotson, alongside the steady presence of veterans like Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp.

While the Rams’ offense was once defined by the wide zone, which stretches defenses horizontally to create cutback lanes and opens play-action opportunities, the rise of tighter defensive fronts, such as the 6-1 alignment, has necessitated a shift. McVay has adapted by incorporating gap runs, which rely on pulling linemen like Dotson and Avila to create clear running lanes, and duo concepts, which emphasize double-teams at the line of scrimmage to attack defenses vertically. Duo runs are particularly effective because they provide running backs like Kyren Williams with decisive reads. Williams’ ability to cut quickly and exploit narrow lanes has made him a natural fit for this style, adding consistency to the Rams’ rushing attack.

The offensive line has been a critical factor in this success. Steve Avila, now in his second year, has shown tremendous growth, becoming a cornerstone of the line with his strength, athleticism, and versatility. Paired with the reliable Kevin Dotson, they create a powerful interior that excels in both gap and duo concepts, allowing the Rams to run with physicality and control the tempo.

In the passing game, Puka Nacua has emerged not only as the Rams’ breakout star but also as a complete receiver who excels in every phase of the game. Far from being just a downfield threat, Nacua mirrors much of Cooper Kupp’s versatility. He is a reliable chain-mover, capable of finding soft spots in zones, running crisp routes, and securing tough catches in traffic. His physicality and football IQ make him a nightmare for defenders, whether he’s working underneath or making contested catches deep.

Kupp, meanwhile, remains an integral part of the offense. While age and injuries have reduced some of his explosiveness, his elite route-running, intelligence, and reliable hands still make him a critical possession receiver and a key target on third downs. Together, Nacua and Kupp form one of the most dynamic and balanced receiving duos in the league. Both are adept at moving the chains, creating separation in tight spaces, and making clutch catches, which forces defenses to pick their poison.

Matthew Stafford benefits greatly from this balance. The evolution of the Rams’ run game with gap and duo concepts has opened up new layers of play-action, allowing Stafford to attack defenses with a mix of bootleg rollouts and traditional pocket play-action. Stafford’s ability to process quickly and deliver accurate throws to both Nacua and Kupp has been a cornerstone of the team’s success in 2024. With Nacua’s ability to dominate at every level of the field and Kupp’s consistency as a possession receiver, Stafford has all the tools needed to keep defenses guessing.

This offensive balance has made the Rams more unpredictable and dangerous. The mix of wide zone, gap, and duo runs keeps the ground game fresh, while the complementary skill sets of Nacua and Kupp ensure the passing game remains dynamic. Pre-snap motion and condensed formations remain staples of McVay’s system, adding deception and creating mismatches across the field.

Sean McVay’s ability to adapt his system while maximizing the talents of players like Nacua, Williams, Avila, and Dotson has kept the Rams competitive in 2024. With Nacua proving to be not just a downfield weapon but also a reliable chain-mover, Kupp continuing to deliver as a possession receiver, and Stafford anchoring the offense, the Rams are well-positioned to succeed against any defense.

Coachspeak: Around the league

The headlines on ESPN:

Reid has full confidence in Wentz if Mahomes can't go!
JJones: Trading Parsons has never been uttered (okay that's ownerspeak but...)
Campbell: That loss is just what we needed.

Yesterday had a couple too
MacDonald said, "optimistic Geno can play Sunday. Obviously, he was injured enough to not come back in but initial evaluations show there's no structural damage. Everything is there. He's a tough guy."

We all know Wentz is a step down from Mahomes.
Campbell could be correct about the loss but they certainly didn't need Montgomery and McNeill done for the season.
MacDonald has to be optimistic. Seattle can't afford to lose any games and Sam Howell looked like Thurston Howell vs Green Bay.

Jerry Jones? LMFAO. If you didn't let Dak walk, you certainly better not trade Parsons.

The best Rams team ever

What year would you guys say the best Ram team ever was? I remember the 2003 team with Bulger at QB and I really thought that team could have had a championship. The same with us that year. Had we not choked on a 4th and 26 against Philly I truly believe we would have beaten Carolina in the NFC Championship Game. I believe you guys lost to Carolina the day before we lost to Philly. I believe you guys were much better than that Carolina team as well.

Sean McVay - Coach of the Year?

McVay has coached his ass off the last 2 years, but will the NFL recognize it? Both years he and his coaching staff have developed rookies and 2nd year players into good/ great players.
*Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske and Jared Verse have replaced AD, which I never thought possible in Preseason.
* The secondary got shredded by the Bills, but what team's secondary holds up against Josh Allen? But mostly they have improved
*Puka Nacua, 'nuff said.
* 7-2 after a 1-4 start, with wins against playoff bound teams

***Sean McVay COY.

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