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Jalen Ramsey's next contract will keep Rams spiraling downward in NFC


Brian (Fuck)Witt
August 5, 2020, 12:55 PM


The Seattle Seahawks gave up a ton to acquire safety Jamal Adams, and they better win soon. Because before long, they'll likely find themselves in the same situation the Los Angeles Rams are in now, which is bad and about to get worse.

Like the Seahawks, the Rams sold the farm to acquire cornerback Jalen Ramsey from the Jacksonville Jaguars last season, and the full price isn't even close to being paid. Los Angeles gave up its 2020 first-round pick, 2021 first-round pick and a 2021 fourth-round pick to get him -- and the full bill is about to become due.

Ramsey -- who is entering the final year of his current contract -- wants a record-breaking extension, and after what the Rams gave up to acquire him, they're far too pot committed not to back up the Brinks trucks.

The big problem for the Rams is not paying Ramsey, though. It's what paying him will do to the rest of the roster -- on top of the assets that already have been depleted.

The Rams currently have just over $5 million in available cap space according to Over The Cap -- only the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have less. Due to poor roster planning and certain high-priced players not living up to their contracts, Los Angeles is paying Todd Gurley and Brandin Cooks a combined $33.5 million to play for other teams this coming season. Cooks comes off the books next year, but Gurley still will count for $8.4 million in dead money in 2021.

As such, the Rams don't have much wiggle room, and they'll be largely incapable of adding any significant salaries in the immediate future -- beyond Ramsey, that is. In fact, based on what NFL Network's Steve Wyche reported Tuesday, Rams general manager Les Snead knows they'll likely have to cut costs elsewhere just to pay the star cornerback.

"[Snead] said, 'Remember, we did trade two first-round picks for him,'" Wyche reported on "Inside Training Camp Live," "and he said that to 'sign players you want to keep, you may have to feel pain elsewhere.' Complicating a massive deal, which is what it would take to keep Ramsey, is the fact that the salary cap could do down next year."

While it remains to be seen how the NFL will address the inevitable loss of league revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic, teams must factor in the possibility that the salary cap will be significantly reduced. If it is, the Rams will be impacted just as much as every other team in the league, but few if any will have their hands tied like Los Angeles will.

The Rams arguably have the worst roster in the NFC West as things currently stand, and that's with Ramsey included. Once they pay him what they'll have to, however, they'll likely have to further deplete that roster, and won't be able to fill those spots with talented, cheap replacements via the top draft picks they've already traded away.

It wasn't that long ago that the Rams sat atop the NFC and fell just short of winning the Super Bowl. They've fallen off precipitously since then, and though they're headed for the bottom, they haven't hit it yet.

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Do any of you follow it anymore? I am going to get into individual sports in the future and I used to love Pro boxing in the 70's,80's, and early 90's. I watched the highlights of Tyson Fury vs Wilder for a heavyweight champ belt and it was pretty good. Tell me who are best boxers in your favorite division....

Someone here has to be a UFO conspiracist. Maybe quite a few of you. And I have my suspicions regarding who, I mean since I suspect they're crazy assholes it would just fit.

My confession is that I do believe they're out there. Watching me. And please don't tell my wife because that might make shit awkward.

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

Not huge news, but I think it's interesting, nonetheless.

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/08/04/rams-announce-scouting-apprenticeship-program/

Are the Rams playoff contenders? Five questions with Football Outsiders

Vincent Verhei, an assistant editor for Football Outsiders was gracious enough to talk to Sports Illustrated and answer specific questions about the Los Angeles Rams prospects in the upcoming season.

Football Outsiders is a stat-based web site created by Aaron Schatz dedicated to providing football-specific information on the NFL. The analytics web site just published their annual Football Almanac, which provides a wealth of detailed breakdowns like personnel trends and running success rates on each team in the league.

If you haven’t picked up one up already, it’s recommended reading in order to prepare for the upcoming season. You can find out more information on how to purchase this year’s almanac here.

Verhei wrote this year’s Rams chapter for the almanac.

The following are five questions I asked Verhei after reading over this year’s chapter:

Williams: This year’s Football Outsiders almanac has the Rams at an 8.4-win projection with a 48 percent chance of making the playoffs. This prediction seems more bullish than other analytics publications on the Rams bouncing back from last year’s slide. What’s your reasoning for L.A. being considered a potential playoff team?

Verhei: The biggest reason is that the Rams were a Super Bowl-caliber team in two of the past three years. They were second in our efficiency rankings in both 2017 and 2018 before falling to 12th last year. Our computers see a pattern like that and assume that last year was the anomaly, and they're likely to bounce back to their prior levels. That rebound ends up balancing out with the personnel losses and so the projection puts the Rams about where they were last year. Remember, they were very close to being a playoff team anyway, and probably would have won at least a wild-card berth if they played in the AFC. This year, they get a very soft schedule, getting to play the AFC East and NFC East. That should help them win a wild-card spot even if they don’t win the NFC West.

Williams: According to your report, the Rams were in base defense 34 percent of the time (No. 3 in the NFL) in 2019. And as you note, the Rams’ blitz percentage increased from 20.5 percent in 2018 to 27.7 percent in 2019. The rams were up-and-down defensively last season, which led to a parting of ways from longtime NFL defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. How do you see L.A. changing defensively with the addition of first-year defensive coordinator and Vic Fangio protégé Brandon Staley? Also, what does it mean for frontline players like Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey?

Verhei: A couple of stats about Fangio’s defenses stick out as meaningful for the Rams. One, even though he uses a base 3-4, he tends to get a lot of sacks out of his defensive ends -- Akiem Hicks in Chicago, and Shelby Harris and Derek Wolfe last year in Denver. That could be good news for Michael Brockers and Aaron Donald.

Two, he doesn’t like big blitzes -- his defenses have ranked 25th or lower in blitzes with six pass-rushers or more in each of the past three seasons. (They have been about average in frequency of five-man blitzes.) Three, he really likes nickel formations, ranking in the top ten in use of five-DB sets for three years in a row. He hasn’t used dime formations very much, but that could change in 2020 given the dire state of L.A.’s linebackers.

Williams: The Rams have run 11 personnel (1 RB, 1TE, 3 WRs) the most of any team over the last three seasons during the Sean McVay era. However, as you note, from Week 10 on the Rams more than doubled their use of 12 (1 RB, 2TEs, 2 WRs) or 13 (1 RB, 3TEs, 1WR) personnel formations to 31.6 percent of plays – up from 14.3 percent in the first eight games. With two talented tight ends in Tyler Higbee and Gerald Everett at the team’s disposal, do you see the Rams using more two-TE sets this year?

Verhei: I think McVay in his heart wants to use 11 personnel, and that’s why they drafted Van Jefferson in the second round when they had more obvious needs on the offensive line and at linebacker. That said, Higbee’s breakout gives them more flexibility than the Rams have had in the past. You might see them go three-wide all day against a defense like Seattle Seahawks that love to use base personnel, then go with two tight ends against a dime-heavy scheme like the New England Patriots.

Williams: By most QB statistics, Jared Goff regressed in 2019. But with $110 million in guaranteed money left on his deal, Goff isn’t going anywhere. Looking at stats from previous seasons, how does McVay get Goff to play like he did the first two years in his offense?

Verhei: Goff needs better protection. The Rams were 12th or better in pressure rate allowed in both 2017 and 2018, but fell to 22nd last year. That need to prevent pressure is especially true given that Goff has historically suffered a greater drop-off in performance when under pressure than most quarterbacks.

Williams: The Rams averaged 3.7 yards per carry on first down runs last year, No. 28 in the NFL last season. How can the addition of rookie Cam Akers help L.A. improve in that statistic?

Verhei: Akers has a rare combination of size and speed, running a 4.47s 40 at the combine at 212 pounds. That gave him the third-best speed score (40-yard time, adjusted for weight) of any running back at the combine, behind Jonathan Taylor and AJ Dillon. However, he didn’t get a lot of big runs at Florida State, only averaging 4.9 yards per carry; that’s a good number in the NFL, but pretty lousy in the ACC. He figures to make his biggest impact as a rookie in the passing game -- he caught 69 passes in his Seminoles career.

Countdown to Camp: Rams OC Kevin O'Connell excited to get on field with Jared Goff, young QBs

In addition to serving as Rams offensive coordinator, Kevin O'Connell will also coach the team's quarterbacks this season. Since he didn't have the chance to conduct on-field work with them in the spring, Rams Training Camp presented by UNIFY Financial Credit Union will be his first chance to do so.

Primarily driving O'Connell's excitement about his group ahead of training camp is the opportunity to build on starter Jared Goff's fourth year in the offensive system.

"I'm excited to get to start going to work every day, and having a plan for Jared to incrementally get better each and every day leading into the season," O'Connell told theRams.com in a phone interview last week. "I know he's really hungry to get to work and get going and be a big time leader for us on offense."

Last season, Goff completed 62.9 percent of his pass attempts for 4,638 yards, throwing 22 touchdowns against 16 interceptions. O'Connell has already talked about giving Goff more ownership of the offense in 2020 to help him get back to his 2017 and 2018 forms, but he was also doing his part to put Goff in the best position to succeed ahead of training camp and eventually the regular season.

"I've spent a lot of time virtually with him, spent a lot of time on phone calls and Zoom calls, talking a lot about things, sharing video and trying to make things as visual as possible," O'Connell said. "But nothing can simulate getting on grass with your guys."

The quarterback with the next-most experience behind Goff is John Wolford, who spent his first season with the club on its practice squad. Wolford performed well enough in that capacity to earn a reserve/future contract with Los Angeles in January, and that contract allowed the team to keep him on its 90-man roster ahead of the offseason program and training camp.

Based on Wolford's progression last season and getting to know him after arriving in L.A., O'Connell said Wolford is "in a great place mentally, physically."

"I'm just really excited to see, with him getting on the field, getting more repetition with the group he's going to be with, if he can bring along some of those young guys with his vast knowledge of the system," O'Connell said. "And then trying to push him from a fundamental standpoint to continue to grow as a passer and in the confines of an NFL pocket. Without some preseason games, we're really going to have do to some things to simulate some things for John in particular to get him ready speed-wise for potentially being one snap away."

The Rams also added a pair of undrafted free agents to their quarterback room this offseason in Bryce Perkins (Virginia) and Josh Love (San Jose State). Perkins was an All-ACC second-team selection last season after breaking Virginia's single-season passing record with 3,538 yards. Love, meanwhile, was the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year and a first-team all-conference selection after finishing with the third-most passing yards in a single season in San Jose State history (3,923).

"It will be great to get those guys and have them join the mix, and see if we can put together some great chemistry in the quarterback room that will only make our whole offense better," O'Connell said.

With Blake Bortles gone, one of O'Connell's primary tasks in the preseason will be vetting candidates for the backup quarterback role. That evaluation formula will include assessing how well players absorb installations in the meeting room, excel in competitive situations and learns from their mistakes. Biggest of all: Can they demonstrate that they are able to absorb information and be ready, if called upon.

"Having Jared there as a great example as our starter, of how we want a guy to operate, how we want a guy to execute our offense, really gives these other three guys a chance to observe that and try to apply the things they're not only learning from the coaching we'll be giving them, but also Jared executing at a high level as well," O'Connell said.

MASSIVE explosion in Beirut. They're saying it's a fireworks warehouse.

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There has been much speculation as to what offense will be rolled out this year with the addition of O'Connell as OC. I've always contended that the base offensive philosophy (i.e. scheme won't change). It makes no sense to change the entire offensive scheme when the breakdown last year had more to do with poor execution than the actual play design.

I think we will continue to see McVay layer his 3 WRs with his RBs and TEs as his secondary and dump off options. IMO the WRs have been upgraded with the addition of Jefferson who brings speed, outstanding route execution, and the length missing in Cooks to the position. I do think we will likely see more throws to the RBs this year. People tend to overlook how good Gurley was as a receiver. In Henderson and Akers, the Rams have two good receivers out of the backfield. I don't believe that McVay's offensive scheme was stale as some contend. What I saw was a fundamental breakdown in the offensive execution by both the o-line and the RBs in the run game and by Reynolds trying to fill in for an oft-injured Cooks.

What will change will be the reliance upon the outside zone run attack as their primary run scheme. Last year towards the end of the season it was obvious they tried to switch to more inside zone and gap blocking in their run game. The problem was it was plainly obvious by the lack of consistent execution that the scheme was not one practiced during the offseason. Both the o-line and the RBs at many times seemed confused. I think it will be addressed this year and as such both the RBs and o-line will perform better.

But that aside the base offense we saw run to perfection during the 2018 regular season will still be in place this year. Each year McVay implements "wrinkles" in that offense to keep the defense guessing. But I see them continuing to use the 11 personnel as their base offensive set. The Niners ran the old school power gap run attack last year. I see the Ram's running their version of an inside gap scheme in their attack. Instead of a lead blocker, they probably will use the 11 personnel to lighten the box by one. The Rams can still use a TE as a pulling blocker at the POA, something Hopkins did in college. In most versions of an inside run attack the center must be able to execute second level blocking which has always been one of Blythe's weaknesses. It's why picking the o-line starters especially in who plays where will be crucial to the success of the o-line.

I look at this roster and I see huge upgrades across the board over the 2018 roster, especially on the defensive side of the ball. I think Staley will be more aggressive than Wade but in all fairness, Staley has a better more versatile unit. The d-line is as good or better than the 2018 version. I think Robinson is an upgrade over Suh in terms of consistency of effort, but he's a wrecking ball inside as well. Floyd at JACK is as good of a pass rusher as Fowler with the added benefit he can occasionally drop into coverage allowing Ebukam to rush, increasing the difficulty in blocking for the o-line.

The secondary with Ramsey and Long are far better than Talib and Peters. The safeties with the addition of Rapp are much improved. Their NCB and dime situation is upgraded with Burgess and Williams. This secondary won't be limited to the predictable zone schemes employed by Wade. All the CBs can play man coverage with the exception of Hill.

This team with good coaching has no excuses as long as they stay basically healthy. The only thing that worries me are COVID 19 losses during the season. The Rams have better depth this year than in previous years but even they can only absorb just so many player losses. The biggest worry is at QB. I still say the Rams should trade for Rosen who is a perfect fit for this offense and will solve their QB depth problem for years. That aside I expect to see a team that can dominate on both sides of the ball. All it will take is consistent execution, i.e. good coaching.

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.

Signing a 1 year deal with the 49ers.

Guy has injury concerns including a history with concussions.

Him healthy with Kittle would be quite the duo.

Not a great number. There’s a few players I could have picked but decided to go with Cody Davis. The reliable back up safety from 2013-2017.
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Fun fact: Cody Davis was the last player to intercept Colin Kaepernick

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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If he does it right, he will capture many disgruntled fans....

I have always been interested in how animals respond to music. My wife and I raise small dogs, and they love when we sing to them their names. I've wondered if I was just anthropomorphizing their responses to our silly songs. They clearly enjoy it.

Consider whales and why they hang out near this boat where a lady plays the violin. It might be just curiosity, but they hang out until she stops.
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And the Beluga whale...
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How about land mammals like elephants when people play the piano? One post said:
Piano player: Would you like to hear some Beethoven?
Elephant: We're all ears...
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Leading to 2nd consecutive NFC West Title.
Published July 30, 2020

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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.”

I miss my home in San Diego (Granite Hills in the east county actually). It was on a hill with a wonderful view of the valley below. We had a beautiful redwood deck in the backyard for the view. I had it set up with a retractable shade cloth for summer days and had a really comfortable patio set on the deck and a portable fire pit. It was my son and his friends preferred spot to hang out on weekends but I enjoyed it immensely. I would spend countless hours out there with a cold beer and munchies doing whatever.

I truly miss that house. When I bought it I thought it was going to be my retirement home. I would have kept it if I could. I loved the freedom to just move around in it. It was comfortable and secure. It's where, as a single parent I raised my son and the home he has said more than once he will forever remember as his "real" home.

Having that home environment is what I really missed. Living in Mexico was fun and nice, but it was more like an extended vacation. I guess that is why I'm searching for a new home to purchase. I guess I'm trying to recapture that lifestyle. I sit on my nephew's patio and watch the coyotes, rabbits, squirrels, javelinas, owls, hawks, and assorted other wildlife. It got me to wanting my own place as it brought all those memories back.

Speaking of which my realtor is going to talk to some friends that flip houses and they are going to look for something that fits my requirements that they can buy cheap because it needs a lot of "fixing". They will remodel it and resell it to me at a prenegotiated price. For anyone thinking of buying or even selling a home, it's something you should consider. If you are buying you know exactly what you are getting with no nasty expensive repairs needed after you purchase the home. If you are selling and the house needs work why put money into it just to sell it? When you add in the cost of a realtor and the remodel you probably won't make as much profit as you think.

Cowboys To Release Kai Forbath

A veteran of six NFL teams, Kai Forbath will return to free agency. The Cowboys cut their incumbent kicker, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. This will clear a path for free agent addition Greg Zuerlein.

Given Zuerlein’s pedigree, it was not expected he would have to battle Forbath throughout training camp for the job. The Cowboys gave the longtime Rams kicker a three-year, $7.5MM deal.

Brett Maher‘s struggles prompted the Cowboys to change kickers last season. They added Forbath in December. Interestingly, they re-signed him in March but gave him a one-year contract worth the league minimum. The Cowboys will incur barely $130K in dead money by cutting the soon-to-be 33-year-old kicker.

Forbath has played for three teams — the Cowboys, Patriots and Jaguars — since the 2018 season. Forbath was one of several kickers the Pats used after Stephen Gostkowski‘s injury, though he only kicked in one game with New England. Forbath went 11-for-11 on field goals last season, including a 10-for-10 stretch with the Cowboys. Forbath, who made 15 of 15 field goals for the Vikings in 2016, should be on the radar for future kicking gigs.

Although he also kicked for the Vikings and Saints, the eight-year veteran is most known for his work in Washington. He began his career as Washington’s kicker in 2012 and held that job for nearly four seasons.

Countdown to Camp: DL coach Eric Henderson pleased with mix of veterans, upside of young players

Perhaps no group on the Rams roster is deeper or more experienced than the defensive line.

Entering Rams Training Camp presented by UNIFY Financial Credit Union, it's a mix of players that defensive line coach Eric Henderson is eager to get the chance to work with.

"I'm extremely excited about these guys as a whole," Henderson told theRams.com in a phone interview this week. "In general, I think we got a good group of veterans coming in and some young guys that are excited to take the next step in terms of being around me for a year, as well as the incoming and rookies that we got some high expectations for as well."

The defensive line will once again be led this season by Michael Brockers and Aaron Donald, who enter their ninth season and seventh season respectively with the franchise. Donald led the team with 20 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks. Brockers, who made a career-high 57 total tackles last season and added three sacks and one pass breakup, returns after re-signing with the Rams via a three-year deal.

Younger players like Sebastian Joseph-Day (third season), Morgan Fox (fourth), Greg Gaines (second) and Marquise Copeland (second) round out the returnees.

Joseph-Day turned in 37 total tackles, two sacks and one pass breakup in 16 games last season, his first seeing significant action after being inactive during his rookie 2018 season. After missing the entire 2018 season due to injury, Fox played in all 16 games in 2019 and finished one tackle shy of matching his single-season career-high. In addition to those 18 tackles, his two sacks were just shy of matching his career-best 2.5 sacks.

Meanwhile, Gaines made 13 tackles in 10 games as a rookie last fall and Copeland spent the 2019 season on the practice squad.

"Seabass, with the versatility that he has, to play all the way across the front, coming off a quote-unquote rookie year, being that it was his first time playing, you saw him take the step that you look for from a development standpoint," Henderson said. "And that excites me about him in general. Morgan Fox, not necessarily a young guy, but a guy who's played a lot of ball. And then Greg Gaines coming back, Marquise Copeland, those young guys you're looking forward to taking the next steps, seeing how another year of training camp will help them move forward to be able to compete for those backup roles and things of that nature."

In terms of new additions, the Rams brought in undrafted free agents – Michael Hoecht (Brown), Jonah Williams (Weber State), Eric Banks (Texas-San Antonio) – who will create additional competition and "give us a different look from a physical standpoint," according to Henderson.

The most significant newcomer, though, is defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson. After four seasons with the Detroit Lions, Robinson joined Los Angeles via a two-year deal and brings a motivated mindset.

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."

What pleases Henderson more than the collection of talent itself, though, is the fact that his players take ownership of "a genuine love and appreciation for one another," something he preaches regularly. They all want each other to get better – there's no agendas.

"When you've got a group like that and they really, truly care about one another, it allows for an environment where we all can get better," Henderson said. "Even myself as a coach, I learn from these guys all the time, so I'm really excited about that."

Loved this guy who often played an old codger character in movies. My sister used to call my Dad Wilford, because they resembled each other somewhat...

Behind Isaac Bruce, Steven Jackson is my favorite Ram of all time. He was the definition of a team player. He put up some great numbers while being on the worst teams of all time. 8 straight 1000 yard seasons. Man he was a beast.
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