Many people have been critical of the money the Rams are spending upon Goff. Many people point to that and the contracts to Gurley and Cook as evidence of mismanagement by the FO. I take another view. Both Gurley's and Cook's release were necessitated by injury, something not foreseeable. But looking at Goff 's contract you see why I think this FO is doing a great job in bringing in top talent and staying competitive while they do. They wisely front-loaded Goff's deal with a built-in restructure. Next year will be the hump year and even then when you compare it to the other top contracts it's not out of line. What is really important to note is after 2022 Goff's contract decreases every year making his value even greater. It also, allows the team to re-sign all that top talent they have. That is why I have said re-signing guys like Kupp, Floyd, Robinson, and Ramsey is a matter of kicking the can down the road one year.

I believe that by 2022 this COVID-19 issue will be behind us. A vaccine will likely be available probably before next season. Sellouts will be the rule not the exception in 2022 as the country normalizes. The cap will rise in 2023, and the Rams will be in great shape to afford those contracts. When you look at Goff's contract and the escalation of QB contracts in general you can see how by good structuring the Rams have made themselves into a franchise that will be a contender for a long time. All the doom and gloom prognosticators have never really looked at both the roster and the cap to see the reality of what Snead's plan is. He is building a dynasty here in LA. It is being built for today and the long term both. Outstanding work for an elite GM.

As the cost of starting QBs rises the Rams will have their cost declining! How is that a bad thing?

Today is a special day for me. Isaac Bruce is my all time favorite Ram and to me always represented what it meant to be a Ram. But...there’s another legend that held the number 80 first. And I just didn’t feel right excluding him. So day 80 is the first duo highlight reel of this countdown. Henry Ellard and Isaac Bruce.
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If the season actually starts, what would happen if and when a player whose been sharing a locker room with the whole team comes down with this Covid crud. Would the whole team need to be quarantined for 14 days? Would any other team want to play against that team? Just trying to think this through a little.

Candid Sean McVay talks X's and O's, football philosophies with HS coaches

Like all coaches, Sean McVay is somewhat guarded in interviews so as not to tip his hand and give away pertinent information. Whether it’s keeping details about the Rams’ scheme to himself or not divulging too much about Todd Gurley’s knee the last couple of years, McVay is proficient in coach speak.

But there have also been plenty of candid moments with the coach during his time with the Rams. This week, McVay hosted a conference call with more than 200 high school coaches in Southern California, talking to them about X’s and O’s, as well as coaching philosophies and how he worked during the coronavirus pandemic.

It was an enlightening hour of conversation between McVay, Rams announcer J.B. Long and the high school coaches. McVay answered questions about blocking schemes, the best drills for quarterbacks and linemen, and what running plays are best to use against an even front (4-3).

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It’s worth listening to the entire conference call because it gives you an idea of how McVay thinks as a coach, and some of his strategies when it comes to game planning against a defense. This question about quarterbacks’ reads on the field and going through progressions was especially good, which elicited a great response from McVay.

“What we try to do is try to have, for the most part, most of our reads entail the pure progression where I’m starting here and I’m sweeping across the board. And I think that enables Jared (Goff) and our quarterback to play through the down quickly. But you’ve got to have a starting point.

“You definitely have some plays where you’re saying it’s a Cover 2 defense, so I’m going to work the two-man combination on my right, and I’ll work the two-man combination on my left if it’s a single-high structure. We do have some coverage reads, but for the most part, we try to establish these all-purpose, pure progression plays and then the quarterbacks are then taught to exhaust their progressions or get off one faster based on wherever that area is that we’re trying to get to. … I think that’s the easiest way.”

Hearing McVay talk about strategy and game planning in an extensive interview is a treat, which is why the hour-long call above is worth checking out.

2010s Los Angeles Rams All-Decade Team: Offense

As we head into the 2020 season, the past decade brought plenty of change to the Los Angeles Rams. You might call it a tale of two cities as the Rams were a dismal 36-59-1 in St. Louis for their first six seasons of the 2010s. Then the franchise embarked in a triumphant return to Los Angeles by going 37-27 in their march back to prominence. The Rams homecoming was highlighted by a Super Bowl appearance and a roster filled with stars, who could contend for an NFC West division title well into the next decade. Some of the names on the Rams All-Decade Team have brought great joy and disappointment to their fan base, but no one can deny the lasting memories they provided all.

Quarterback: Jared Goff (2016-19)

You may get an argument from die-hard Rams fans who want to nominate Sam Bradford, but the franchise’s quarterback of the decade is Jared Goff. Sure, everyone had concerns about Goff following his disappointing rookie season. But the next three years have been quite productive and firmly established his place on the Rams All-Decade Team, and in Rams history in general.

Goff’s passing numbers for the 2010s were 14,219 yards, 87 touchdowns, 42 interceptions with a 62.4 pass completion percentage in 54 games played. The biggest contribution Goff has brought to the Rams is his poise in the pocket that allows him to make plays with a small chance of turning the ball over. Career-wise, he is 33-21 as a starting quarterback, but you have to take into account that Goff was winless in seven starts during his rookie season. Thus after a rocky start, Goff has led the Rams to three consecutive winning seasons including four playoff games and one Super Bowl appearance.

The bottom line, Goff’s career with the Rams has been quietly very successful with a few bumps along the road. And he has the rare opportunity to be a player who could make consecutive appearances on a team’s All-Decade Team. That’s quite an achievement.

Running Back: Todd Gurley (2015-19)

The phrase that might best describe Todd Gurley’s career with the Rams is “short but sweet.” Gurley is an underrated all-around running back who rushed for 5,404 yards and scored 58 touchdowns in 74 games played with the franchise. Plus, he caught 218 passes for 2,090 yards with 12 touchdown receptions. This earned him three Pro Bowl appearances and two All-Pro team selections during his time with the Rams. No question, Gurley’s 2017 season cemented his place in Rams lore and on the Rams All-Decade Team as he gained just under 2,100 yards from scrimmage and scored 19 touchdowns.

The amount of productivity achieved is quite astonishing considering the severity of Gurley’s ACL injury in his junior season at Georgia. But the wear-and-tear of being an NFL running back has begun to take a toll on his body. Last season, Gurley’s production slowed down as he became more of a situational option in the offense. Nevertheless, Gurley has earned his place among the Rams all-time great (Marshall Faulk, Eric Dickerson and Steven Jackson) running backs.

Wide Receivers: Robert Woods (2017-19), Cooper Kupp (2017-19), Danny Amendola (2010-12)

One of the franchise’s major shortcomings in the 2010s was the lack of quality receivers on the roster. Too many quick-fix candidates came with high expectations, but little production on the football field. But that all change after the free agent signing of Robert Woods from the Buffalo Bills.

Woods is a terrific route runner who can stretch the defense for the occasional deep throw, but his toughness going across the middle for a reception is Woods’ forte. Plus, he’s a terrific downfield blocker that often extended running plays into the end zone.

Woods’ production with the Rams has been nothing short of spectacular as he has caught 232 passes for 3,134 receiving yards with 13 touchdowns. In fact, he became the franchise’s first wideout to record consecutive (2018-19) 1,000 receiving yard seasons since Torry Holt accomplished this feat in 2006-07.

Cooper Kupp is a remarkable story as he worked his way through the ranks of the Rams receiving corp. At first, Kupp was used strictly as a slot receiver on third-down passing situations. More playing time came his way after developing an immediate connection with Goff. However, a devastating knee injury prematurely ended Kupp’s 2018 campaign, which ended with the Rams playing in the Super Bowl. Some fans suggest Goff lost his effectiveness as a passer with Kupp out of the lineup.

For his career, Kupp’s production has been outstanding. He’s caught 196 passes for 2,596 receiving yards and 21 touchdown receptions in three seasons with the Rams. No question, Kupp is on a path to become one of the most decorative receivers in Rams team history. But that is all provided he can stay healthy and remain productive heading into the next decade.

Finally, Danny Amendola was the best wide receiver for the Rams during their final seasons in St. Louis. He was an ideal third-down receiver as Amendola made the majority of his catches (153 for 1,400 yards) across the middle or in red zone. Quickly, he became Bradford’s top target as the young quarterback looked for Amendola to bail out the offense on key passing downs. It was his destiny to leave the franchise. Amendola became Tom Brady’s top slot receiver option in the New England Patriots passing game.

Tight End: Jared Cook (2013-15)

By far, Jared Cook was the most productive tight end for the Rams in the 2010s. He caught 142 passes for 1,786 yards and eight touchdowns in three seasons with the franchise. At first, Cook struggled to gain notice from the coaching staff, but their opinion of him quickly changed. Soon, the Rams coaches began to incorporate him into a struggling passing game. It didn’t take too long before Cook became a top target downfield. After his departure, the Rams haven’t found a suitable replacement for him as prospective candidates cannot match Cook’s production on the field.

Offensive Tackles: Andrew Whitworth (2017-19), Rob Havenstein (2015-19)

Few NFL players have ever lived up to their big money free agent contract deals, but Andrew Whitworth has been a diamond in the rough. The Rams thought they were getting a stop-gap option at the left tackle position with the signing of Whitworth. But, he became much more than that as it didn’t take long before Whitworth became the leader of the offensive line. In his first season with the Rams, he earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors with his outstanding play. It doesn’t seem like his dominating style is tailing off any time soon.

Rob Havenstein isn’t a perfect offensive tackle, but he’s very effective at his job. Havenstein brings stability to the unit. He rarely misses games due to injury. Havenstein came to the Rams with high expectations as a second-round draft pick, he’s done a nice job of becoming a perennial starter for the second half of the decade.

Offensive Guards: Rodger Saffold (2010-18), Jamon Brown (2015-18)

Rodger Saffold deserves his spot on the Rams All-Decade Team as he’s played both the tackle and guard positions for the franchise. It wasn’t an easy tenure as Saffold battled through a number of injuries to remain in the lineup. Once he recovered, Saffold became a valuable member of the Rams offensive line until his departure after the 2018 season.

Jamon Brown was a serviceable starting offensive guard for the Rams, but the front office was continuously looking for his replacement each off-season. Brown’s block technique wasn’t textbook in nature. Yet, it opened holes and allowed Gurley to shine brightest as an elite NFL running back.

Center: John Sullivan (2017-18)

John Sullivan didn’t have a lengthy stay (two seasons) with the Rams, but his presence was immediately felt inside the locker room. Sullivan brought stability and leadership to a unit that seemed lost on the field. His calming influence converted five individuals into one cohesive group that allowed Goff to gain the confidence needed to become a promising young starting quarterback.


2010s Los Angeles Rams All-Decade Team: Defense & Special Teams

As we head into the 2020 season, the past decade brought plenty of change to the Los Angeles Rams. You might call it a tale of two cities as the Rams were a dismal 36-59-1 in St. Louis for their first six seasons of the 2010s. Then the franchise embarked in a triumphant return to Los Angeles by going 37-27 in their march back to prominence. The Rams homecoming was highlighted by a Super Bowl appearance and a roster filled with stars, who could contend for an NFC West division title well into the next decade. Some of the names on the Rams All-Decade Team have brought great joy and disappointment to their fan base, but no one can deny the lasting memories they provided all.

Defensive Ends: Robert Quinn (2011-17), Chris Long (2010-15)

The front seven of the Rams defense has been the heart-and-soul of the franchise for the last decade. The defensive line provided a fierce pass rush while the linebackers were rock-solid against the run. Robert Quinn and Chris Long were the perfect bookend duo at the defensive end position for the team, easily landing them on the Rams All-Decade Team.

Quinn was a terrific pass-rusher as he recorded double-digit sacks (2012-14) for three consecutive seasons. Arguably, his 2013 season should go down as one of the most dominant by a pass-rusher in NFL history. He recorded 19 sacks, 34 quarterback hits, tackled a ball-carrier 23 times behind the line of scrimmage and forced seven fumbles on the season. Often a stat sheet of this nature is filled by two or three players, not one defender. For his effort, Quinn was named to both the All-Pro and Pro Bowl team that season. The lone negative with Quinn during his time with the Rams was the amount of nagging injuries that kept him out of the lineup.

Two words come to mind when Long’s name is mentioned: reliable and productive. He was a three-down defensive end as he could rush (45.5 sacks) the quarterback and play the run (56 tackle for losses) just as effectively. Plus, Long was a vocal team leader for the Rams as his voice was heard on the field and in the locker room. Had Long had the opportunity to play in a major media market like Los Angeles, his impact on the league could have been significant. He is a quality person on-and-off the field.

Defensive Tackles: Aaron Donald (2014-19), Michael Brockers (2012-19)

It’s hard to imagine a better defender that played in the 2010s than Aaron Donald. In his six seasons with the Rams, Donald has won some hardware for his outstanding play: a five-time All-Pro selectee, six-time Pro Bowl honoree and a two-time winner of the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award. If you’re not catching on, Donald is a special football player. Often, he creates havoc in an opponent’s backfield. Donald has recorded double-digit sacks in four seasons and before it’s all over, he could be considered “the best-ever” to play at the defensive tackle position.

Michael Brockers is your classic “stay-at-home” interior defensive lineman. His ability to take on multiple blockers has allowed Donald to roam freely and make plays on opposing ballcarriers. Brockers production has been solid all throughout the decade. In eight seasons with the Rams, he has recorded 23 sacks, 52 quarterback hits and 43 tackles for loss. Brockers’ importance to the defense should never be overlooked.

Linebackers: Alec Ogletree (2013-17), James Laurinaitis (2010-15), Mark Barron (2014-18)

In today’s NFL, you need athletic linebackers who are versatile enough to play both the inside and outside positions depending on the scheme run by the coaching staff. Alec Ogletree falls under this category as he began his Rams career at the outside linebacker position before moving to the inside. Now, Ogletree never seemed comfortable on the edge as he appeared to be lost on pass coverage. However as an inside linebacker, Ogletree became the Rams leading tackler (2013-14) in two consecutive seasons. And over time, Ogletree supplanted James Laurinaitis as the unit’s leader.

If you’re looking for that one individual who brought change on the football field for the Rams, then look no further than Laurinaitis. In his six seasons with the franchise, Laurinaitis quickly became the leading voice inside the locker room and his play set the tone each week in games. He made 112 consecutive starts during his time with the Rams. Often, Laurinaitis led the team in tackles (655 for his career) before a man named Ogletree came on-board. One might feel his time with the Rams was way too short.

Mark Barron’s career with the Rams was quite unique as he came to the franchise as a safety and left as an outside linebacker. Injuries forced Barron to switch positions as he gained immediate success lining up on the edge. Barron was solid tackler and very reliable in pass coverage schemes. The lone complaint about him was his inconsistency in getting to the quarterback.

Cornerbacks: Trumaine Johnson (2012-17), Janoris Jenkins (2012-15)

For most of the decade, the Rams secondary has been one of the best units in the NFL. The partnership of Trumaine Johnson and Janoris Jenkins rose immediately to elite status for most of the 2010s. Both players were part of the Rams 2012 draft class.

Johnson was more of a physical defender who punished opponents off the line of scrimmage. Jenkins developed into an excellent showdown corner who used his quickness to stifle top receivers in one-on-one coverage. In fact, he tied an NFL record of returning three interceptions for touchdowns in his rookie season. Johnson had 18 interceptions in his six seasons with the Rams. Jenkins recorded 10 interceptions in his four seasons with the franchise.

It was unfortunate that neither player could remain with the Rams longer as each moved on via free agency.

Safeties: TJ McDonald (2013-16), LaMarcus Joyner (2014-18)

Many Rams fans thought TJ McDonald would become the centerpiece of the defense for many years to come. McDonald was a vastly underrated safety as he could knock an opposing receiver off-stride with a vicious hit. Plus, his pass coverage technique was textbook perfect. This helped McDonald in picking off a pass or two during his career with the Rams.

LaMarcus Joyner is another versatile pass defender who could play all four secondary positions. Joyner bounced between cornerback, slotback and safety before the Rams coaching staff moved him permanently to the safety position prior to the 2017 season. Despite having outstanding pass coverage skills, many opposing coaches rave more about Joyner’s ability to defend the run.

Kicker: Greg Zuerlein (2012-19)

It’s hard to find an NFL kicker with a stronger leg than Greg Zuerlein. He has successfully converted 82 percent of his career field goal attempts. Plus, Zuerlein has made 33 field goals that were over 50 yards in length and is one of three kickers (Brett Maher and Sebastian Janikowski) to have two or more field goals over 60 yards. Simply put, Zuerlein is one of the best kickers to ever play in the NFL.

Punter: Johnny Hekker (2012-19)

Rams fans should never take for granted how great a punter is Johnny Hekker. In fact, the partnership of Hekker and Zuerlein has made the Rams kicking combo one of the best in the 2010s. Hekker has been a four-time All-Pro selection and he was named to four Pro Bowls as well. He’s averaged 47.0 yards-per-kick for a career and no one will forget his 65-yard punt against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII. Plus, Hekker is a terrific executor of the fake punt for the Rams.

Word on the street is that the New Orleans aints have been calling the Rams all day to wish them a happy father's day.

#whosyodaddy

I think we all know who this was going to be. Torry “Big game” Holt represents day 81. No explanation needed.
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Yeah... I'm posting this here in the Rams talk forum. Shoot me.

Happy Father's Day to all you dad's.

Rams OL Jamil Demby’s battle for playing time
Bret Stuter

The LA Rams 2019 experiences with the offensive line have lowered the expectations for 2020. Through all the conversations, both then and now, offensive lineman Jamil Demby awaits his turn at NFL stardom. After all, he was one of three offensive linemen drafted in the 2018 NFL Draft. The other two were offensive tackle Joseph Noteboom and center Brian Allen.

Demby was selected as the 192nd player from that draft. He hails from the University of Maine, and his 6-foot-5 325-pound frame is certainly right in line with that of a typical NFL offensive lineman. And while he arrived from the offensive tackle spot, offensive line coach Aaron Kromer had a strong endorsement of Demby in 2019. All the while, Demby became that “jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none” offensive lineman for the Rams.

Jamil of all trades

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So as the floor dropped out for the Rams on the offensive line, Demby was called into some spot action. He played in six games in 2019 and started one game. That one start happened in the September 23, 2019 contest against the Cleveland Browns. The Rams won that game 20-13. It was the first and only start for Demby, as the Rams promoted rookie David Edwards to take over at right guard the following week.

From start to finish, in one game?

Jamil Demby’s versatility made him the first player off the bench whenever a teammate fell to injury. And multiple injuries occurred in 2019. That certainly complicated his role, and his performance, throughout the season.

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Demby emergency OL service very busy in 2019

Demby also stepped in for Joseph Noteboom at left guard against the San Francisco 49ers. But the following week, he was back to the bench as the Rams tapped David Edwards to start at left guard. The reason he saw only flashes of playing time? He did not play well enough with his opportunities. While he remains on the Rams roster, for now, this is clearly where his NFL career forks.

The Rams gave Jamil Demby enough exposure to each of five offensive line positions to create a player capable of suiting up and entering the game at any position. Not to start at any role, but simply to shore up the offensive line until a player could be prepared to take over in the following week. So it’s really not fair to hold the bar so high for the young man who was never designed to fill a starting role for the team.

All hope is not lost

Circumstances for 2019 were not exactly ideal for the Rams for any offensive lineman, and most certainly not for a generalist offensive lineman like Demby. He saw action at both left and right guard over the span of just several weeks. That’s a whirlwind of assignments, and it was made no easier from the no-warning advance warning that he would be entering the game.

In short, he was the donut for the Rams offensive line. A temporary player for all five positions, but not intended to be in any one role for any length of time. In the Rams design, he did everything that was asked of him. He gave the Rams exactly what they asked of him. He was their emergency patch kit for the offensive line, no matter where an injury occurred. It should not be his responsibility that the Rams injuries ran at almost every position on the offensive line.

Make a wish, birthday boy!

Today is Jamil Demby’s birthday, and he turns the ripe old age of 24. As the Rams try to retain order and progress in a season gone mad, Demby’s experience and training at all five NFL positions have never been more valuable or needed.

At age 24, his NFL career remains in his windshield, most of it lies in front of him. That future will not always be trying to maintain a starting proficiency for five different offensive line positions.

Flashes of brilliance coming more frequently

Like most of the LA Rams offensive linemen, the starting experience earned at great cost in 2019 now holds even greater value in 2020. Demby saw his first actual NFL action in 2019, one start and playing time in six games. That serves as the basis for workouts, virtual training, and working towards improving this season. Learning requires failing at something. It’s only through adversity, getting something wrong, that we eventually learn to get it right.

Aaron Kromer is a prestigious offensive line coach in the NFL, and his endorsement for Jamil Demby is still valid. The Rams cannot fault the kid with his finger in the dike when there are too many holes to plug. In short, the Rams packed lunch but had to stretch it to cover a week’s worth of meals. Demby was simply stretched in far too many directions to be effective last year.

What a difference a season makes

While other NFL teams are trying to explain to rookie offensive linemen just what the NFL football experience is all about, the LA Rams have 13 of 15 offensive linemen who know first hand. And while 31 other teams are trying to create virtual scenarios to feature, highlight, and train, the LA Rams offensive linemen are working with last year’s footage, last year’s misfortunes, and this year’s training of how to improve.

There are no guarantees for the LA Rams nor for Jamil Demby. Demby cannot reserve a roster spot or playing time for the season. Nor can the Rams charge Demby for a no-show if he doesn’t deliver well enough to earn a roster spot in 2020. But I cannot end this article without admitting to cheering a little more loudly for blue-collar roll-up-the-sleeves players. Jamil Demby is all about putting in the effort, no matter what is asked of him. Hopefully, it all pays off in 2020.

Darrell Henderson poised to make big leap in Year 2?

With Todd Gurley handling the lion's share of the carries and Malcolm Brown as his primary backup, Darrell Henderson played just 8.4 percent of the team's offensive snaps (95 out of 1,130) as a rookie in 2019 according to Football Outsiders.

However, what NFL.com columnist Michael Silver saw across those limited opportunities was enough for him to pick Henderson as his second-year player poised to take the biggest leap in 2020.

"Now Gurley is gone, and (Rams head coach Sean) McVay is counting on Henderson to be a productive and prolific runner," Silver wrote as part of his analysis. "He won't shoulder the burden alone, but he's going to get a chance to show what he's got. I expect him to seize the opportunity."

In an injury-shortened season – he sustained an ankle injury in late December that required surgery – Henderson rushed 39 times for 147 yards in 13 games, good for 3.8 yards per carry. He also posted four catches for 37 yards in the passing game.

"With Darrell, he was a guy that when you do a lot of work on him coming out of Memphis, you love everything about his game," McVay said on a June 11 video conference. "Complete player, a home run hitter, but you saw on some of the runs that he got last year where he's a finisher, too. I mean, he's an elusive back, but he's got some power and he's got some thickness that can allow him to really have some great contact balance and finish."

A closer look at some of his top performances – ones in which he was afforded ample opportunities – further reinforce Silver's claim and McVay's praise.

In Week 6 against the 49ers, he averaged 6.5 yards per carry, including ripping off a 22-yard run. His role had been elevated with Gurley out due to a thigh contusion and Brown taking over as the starter for that contest.

Two weeks later against the Bengals in London, Henderson had 11 carries for 49 yards plus two catches for 20 yards. The carries matched his season-high from the week before, and that work in the passing game was highlighted by a 14-yard reception.

"I think Darrell is a special talent," Rams quarterback Jared Goff said earlier this spring. "Special player, special talent and he can be dangerous. He's fast, he's athletic, he can catch extremely well."

Click here for the rest of Silver's analysis, as well as the second-year players selected by his Press Coverage colleagues Judy Battista, Jeffri Chadiha and Jim Trotter.

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Day 82 goes to our all pro kick returner, Tony Horne. He was a huge factor in our Super Bowl run in 1999.
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The Conversation Thread




Continuing the casual offseason vibe... The Conversation Thread.

Think a thread, that goes like a “Chat Room”.

Tell us what you are up to. Anything cool or interesting going on? Cooking anything special? Ask a question. Comment. Chat.

EASY

Randomness encouraged.

Pics. Gifs. Music. Make us laugh. Whatever hits you.

BYOB.



Tomorrow we’ll move this thread to off topic. But for now... It’s Saturday Night!



What are you up to?

How Van Jefferson passed the first test for the Rams

When the Rams traded Brandin Cooks to Houston in early-April, they weren't necessarily seeking his replacement through the 2020 NFL Draft. They did, however, see a striking resemblance to two other targets in head coach Sean McVay's 11-personnel package.

"As you consider Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp, and if they were standing side-by-side, and they were looking into a mirror," explained James Gladstone, the Rams director of scouting strategy. "Their reflection would be that of Van Jefferson."

Among the commonalities was vicious route running that could leave even the best defensive backs "grasping for cloth."

"Though Van Jefferson was not the first wide receiver that we discussed for this group of draft prospects, it quickly became apparent that he would be the first wide receiver that we would consider drafting," Gladstone said.

From one of the most heralded pass-catching classes in NFL Draft history, it was a bold move to select one who didn't run a 40-yard dash at 57th overall.

And the Rams may not have, without the Cooper Kupp Test.

"Kupp didn't run an admirable 40-yard dash," said general manager Les Snead of the 4.62 on display in Indianapolis.

"2017, (Kupp) stacked as the fastest max speed at the Senior Bowl regardless of position," Snead continued, referencing the Zebra Technologies available at the influential pre-Draft event. "Van Jefferson went ahead and did the exact same thing. So that was something that was a great tell for us."

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The executive director of the Senior Bowl, Jim Nagy, compared Jefferson to another undervalued receiver from the 2019 class, Terry McLaurin. The former Ohio State Buckeye went to Washington at 76th overall and proceeded to earn All-Rookie honors with 58 receptions, 919 receiving yards and seven touchdowns despite inconsistent quarterback play.

It's worth noting that while Jefferson passed the Cooper Kupp Test by way of top-end speed, there's no comparison between the SEC product and the FCS receiving king.

However, in 2016 at Ole Miss, before he transferred to Florida, Jefferson was in a skill group with a staggering number of professional prospects. Among them were his freshmen classmates A.J. Brown and D.K. Metcalf. Each hauled in at least 900 yards and seven touchdowns as NFL rookies with the Titans and Seahawks, respectively.


"Van Jefferson out-produced both of those players while serving on the same roster in 2016 at Ole Miss," notes Gladstone.

As for the foot injury that prevented Jefferson from participating at the Underwear Olympics (as Snead often refers to the Combine)? The 12th receiver taken in this year's Draft said then he was already well on the road to recovery from surgery. Sean McVay recently wrapped up the virtual off-season expecting every member of the roster to be available for training camp.

5 Rams who could be surprise starters in 2020
Bret Stuter

The LA Rams do not have a friendly track record when it comes to rookies. Of course, the team has an excellent reputation for giving roster chances to any player on the roster who earns it, but when it comes to actually getting onto the field of play? The Rams prefer rookies to watch and learn. But 2020 is certainly unique, and meeting the needs of the team in this environment could take on a life of its own.

The LA Rams have three new decision-makers among the team’s coaching staff. While each as a new slant of what the team needs, they all report to the same head coach. And that will also serve to synchronize all aspects of the team. But this is a new dawning, a new chapter. The LA Rams have taken it up a notch, and that means a clean slate.

Help Wanted – Apply within

The Rams are coming off a 9-7 season. Typically, that means a team has a full starting cast assembled and spent the offseason spicing up the roster with niche players and rookies to develop for future roles. But this Rams team is not typical. In fact, for a 9-7 team that just missed the NFL playoffs, the Rams have made a few changes that truly opens the door for some new blood.

Where the Rams were strong in 2019, they remain very strong. The Rams continue to boast All-Pro Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey on defense, and 1000 yard receivers Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp on offense. But the Rams had some weaknesses in the roster in 2019 as well. And then the offseason happened, and some more weaknesses developed as well. So those become opportunities for new players to emerge in 2020. Who might those players be?

Center

The LA Rams entered the off-season knowing that they needed help for the center position. The experiment of starting Brian Allen as the center did not go according to play in 2019. And from there, the Rams continued to struggle right up the middle of the offense. Even after veteran, Austin Blythe stepped up to play as the center, defenses continued to feast on the Rams by sending pressure through the A-gaps.

The only way to fix that in 2020 is to either place a competent and knowledgeable center at the position or to coach up existing players into better tactics to prevent success with A-gap blitzes. While the first response would seem to be “coach ’em up”, I believe that the Rams are ripe for a changing the starter.

Cabral to the Rams was no accident

The LA Rams drafted just one offensive lineman, Tremayne Anchrum, a versatile offensive lineman who can play virtually all five offensive line positions. And then, the Rams signed up a center after the draft, Arizona State’s Cohl Cabral. Cabral is a 6-foot-5 300-pound offensive lineman who has a history at playing the blind side left offensive tackle as well as the center position for the Sun Devils.

While his draft profile describes a smart player who is not a track star, the LA Rams need a smart center. Draft profiles aim at the here and now and do not do justice to the upside of a player after NFL caliber coaching, strength conditioning, and experience. Of course, if Cabral’s training camp is literally picking him up off his ass after every play, he’s not going to compete for a starting role. But I suspect that he has plenty of size and strength to compete. He may not win a Pro-Bowl berth as a rookie, but simply sealing up the A-Gaps would be a great place to start.

Running back

In every season, a player emerges in training camp far better than anyone expected or even imagined. Despite the draft profiles and analysis that convinced everyone that the ceiling for a particular player is too low to truly make an NFL player. And yet, that challenge seems to motivate the player to break through that ceiling pretty quickly. Running back Xavier Jones seems to fit that sort of player.

The ultimate goal of a running back is to run the ball into the end zone. And for 2019, Xavier Jones was absolutely the most successful running back in all of college football at that goal. He has decent enough size for the running back position, standing 5-foot-11 and weighing 208 pounds. He can put up the yards too, averaging 5.2 yards-per-carry (YPC) on his way to a massive 3,434 yards over his college career. But where he shines is his scoring production. 48 touchdowns over 50 games, and 25 touchdowns in his final 13 college games

All he does is score touchdowns

Sometimes we make things too complex. If Jones ran 20 yards to daylight for a touchdown, he would only be awarded 20 yards on that play. If he ran one yard for a score, the same thing would occur, and he would find one yard added to his season total. Running or catching a pass for a touchdown is the best a player can do on an offensive play. So when a player racks up 25 touchdowns and holds the NCAA scoring title for a single season at 11.9 points per game, that should carry a lot of weight.

Jones was not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, despite his stellar 2019 performance. And despite a rock-solid career at Southern Methodist University, he did not attract much NFL attention either. But he did catch the attention of the LA Rams, who signed him up. But does he have a chance for touches with the LA Rams running back depth chart? Yes. The Rams veteran running back only had 108 carries for the entire season in 2019. And while they chose running back Cam Akers with their first available draft pick, he is just a rookie as well. In the end, running backs score. And Xavier Jones scored more touchdowns in 2019 than the rest of the LA Rams running backs combined.

Wide Receiver (3)

While Van Jefferson was a mildly surprising selection for the LA Rams, the evidence of his potential rising grows with each additional bit of information. Everyone I read discussed the likelihood for some solid players falling in the NFL Draft due to the unorthodox process, the inability to clear medical flags, and the lack of good analysis readily available. The more I research the LA Rams selection of Van Jefferson, the more convinced I am that he was a player who would have flirted with a first-round grade in a normal year.

Raw talent is a dime a dozen out of college as a receiver. Run fast, catch the ball is pretty easy for 21-year-olds who had four years of collegiate coaching and strength training, versus some of the collegiate freshmen who are truly on the other side of physically maturing. While Van Jefferson’s 6-foot-1 200-pound is no skyscraper, particularly in NFL terms, he’s the type of receiver who makes defensive backs look foolish. You see, he runs crisp solid pass routes,

Deceptively fast, undeniably good

Jefferson was a wide receiver coming off an injury while the NFL Draft salivated over one of the best wide receiver classes in modern times. With so many receivers to cover, to headline, it’s no wonder that Jefferson was pushed to the back pages. Readers lose interest with stories that discuss rookie prospects loaded with “might” or “could” in the narrative. Fans want to be told just how great a rookie will play for their team. So how good can Van Jefferson be?

He’s so good that CBS SPORTS posted a YOUTUBE highlight reel of the player when the Rams selected him at 57. Everyone who had a voice in draft coverage loved the fit of Jefferson with the Rams. Now, I’ll go one step forward. I believe that Van Jefferson has a chance to earn the WR3 role for the Rams this year. He was compared numerous times to Washington’s rookie wide receiver Terry McLaurin. McLaurin went on to torch the NFL with over 900 yards and seven touchdowns from the combing passing of QBs Case Keenum and rookie Dwayne Haskins. Even buried on the Rams depth chart, Jefferson can replicate that performance if he gets playing time. He’s too good to be on the bench folks.

Inside linebacker

All things equal talent-wise for the LA Rams at the linebacker position, the nod should go to the player that can diagnose the offense and call out the proper defensive adjustments best. And the more that rule sticks in my mind, the more I believe that inside linebacker Clay Johnston has a real shot to earn a starting role on this Rams defense.

Just as the Rams need at center hinges upon a player who has good football intelligence who can grow stronger and more agile over the course of the season, so too do the Rams need a linebacker who can act as the air traffic controller and command center for Brandon Staley’s deceptively effective defensive schemes. That player could very likely be Johnston, for several reasons.

Defensive difference-maker

However, you or I may see the player best suited for the role, the characteristics for the role will remain the same. The LA Rams starting inside linebacker must possess noticeably high football intelligence, must be able to defend the run very well, and must be able to drop back into pass coverage. But perhaps the most important element of all? He must add energy to the defense.

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And there you have it. The intangible energy factor. That infectious emotion that stokes the entire team with a smoldering rage to make the next play appear on a highlight film. So why ignore the value of an on-field motivator to intensify the play of so many talented players? It’s a nudge that could eventually land Johnston the starting job.

Kick returner

Have I saved the best for last? Time will tell. But if my suspicions are correct, new special team coordinator John Bonamego lobbied long and hard for the LA Rams to sign Brandon Polk. We know already that the Rams were in regular conversations with the young man up to and after the 2020 NFL Draft. And we also already know that the Rams had already discussed both a punt returner and kick returner roles.

Lobbying that hard for a player who ultimately fell out of the 2020 NFL Draft can tell a lot about the Rams plans for their return game. Either the Rams coaching staff and personnel department are completely off-base, or they know something that the rest of the NFL missed. Let’s presume that with the Rams track record of finding hidden gems in the past, that it’s the Rams who are truly the sharp ones here.

Eat my dust, Brandin Cooks

The LA Rams had to part ways with speedster veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks this offseason. While the Rams landed a 2020 second-round pick for Cooks and a 2022 fifth-round pick in the exchange, did anyone truly believe that the Rams would find a faster player? Well surprise, they did exactly that. His 4.28-second 40-yard dash time is better than the 4.33-second time held by Cooks. But speed alone is not enough. Polk discovered that during his time at Penn State University, where he languished with light usage and few opportunities. It was not until he transferred to James Madison University that he was truly unlocked as a dangerous offensive weapon.

Once he set up shop at JMU, he put up 1,179 yards and 11 touchdowns. So talent is not enough, it also takes the right scheme, coaching staff, teammates, and mindset to succeed at the game of football. Those pieces are already in place with the LA Rams. The Rams have plenty of experience and respect for a receiver who can pop the lid off the back of the defense, and Polk will no doubt get his chances to show his stuff for the Rams offense. With any luck, QB Jared Goff can get the ball to him in stride. But Polk’s immediate contribution is that return game that truly needs help. The Rams lobbied to sign him for months prior to the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Ram season IMO turned basically on 2 missed FGs. If not for those, no one would be asking "what happened to the Rams?" Well, the Rams will have a new kicker this year. I think it will be Lirim Hajrullahu.

Lirim has a better leg than Greg ever had. He's been far and away more consistent than Greg ever was. He's been a professional for years, kicking FGs outside in the Canadian winters. He's proven himself under professional pressure. He would have to get sick or injured not to be the Ram's PK this year. I think they will try to sneak Sloman onto the PS but I don't think he will get there too many teams need a kicker like the Giants. So that probably puts MacGinnis on the PS.

Lirim could be the last piece of the puzzle. His range and accuracy could be the deciding factor in crucial games in the same way Greg was in the NFC Championship game in 2018. The only downside is his age at 30. But being a PK minimizes that issue. Talk about under the radar weapons I think Lirim could very well be exactly that. I watched some of his Canadian kicks and I'm shocked he has lasted that long in the CFL without being signed in the NFL.

But the reason I think he's a lock to make the team is that he can punt. He's not a great punter but he's not bad either (44-45 yd aver last year) in the same way Hekker isn't a great PK but he's serviceable. Having both kickers being able to fill in for each other is a huge roster advantage especially this year. If Hekker shows up with a slight temp he won't be allowed to play so having someone who can be a gameday replacement would be huge.

Last year during the season in different games Lirim made a 62 yd FG and a 70 yd FG with the last one being in heavy November air. Imagine needing a game-winning FG in January in Chicago, Greenbay, or Philly and I think you get the value of having proven weather and pressure-proof pk.

Yeah, he's my pick for under the radar impact signing.

Day 83 features Willie “Flipper” Anderson. The speedy receiver with the NFL record of 336 yards in one game.
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This LA Rams rookie wide receiver is anything but Polky

Out of necessity, the LA Rams traded away a very fast but expensive wide receiver when they struck up a deal with the Houston Texans to send WR Brandin Cooks and a 2022 fifth-round pick to the Texans in exchange for the Texans 2020 second-round pick. That allowed the LA Rams to pick up the deceptively productive wide receiver Van Jefferson with the 57th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. In the process, the Rams shed a financial nightmare of a player contract in the nick-of-time to ignite some hope of retaining a few of the team’s projected 2021 free agents. Take a hit in 2020 to save some funds for 2021.

Still, it was a bittersweet victory for the Rams. Cooks was a very productive wide receiver who was blessed with so much speed that he literally ran away from defenders. And the thrill of plays where quarterback Jared Goff would heave the football for all its worth, watching that arc so high, only to come down into the fast-moving arms of Cooks was a true sight to behold. Oh, if only the Rams fans could enjoy that thrill once more, that would really be something.

A stroke of lightning and good luck

Fortunately, the Rams were neither caught by surprise nor unprepared. They had been grooming relations with a 5-foot-9 180-pound speedster by the name of Brandon Polk. Polk was a Penn State student who transferred to James Madison University. The reason for the transfer was quite apparent as his numbers from four seasons at Penn State were a mere fraction of his production at JMU. At JMU in one season, he caught 79 passes for 1,179 yards and 11 touchdowns. That’s impressive.

But he also found his niche in the kick return game, where he returned 14 kicks for 360 yards, good for an average of 25.7 yards per return. He was able to do so well because he clocked a 4.28-second 40-yard dash time. To place that into perspective, that is 0.05-seconds faster than Brandin Cooks.

The Rams are the perfect team to make use of all of Brandon Polk’s many talents. While he fell through the cracks of the 2020 NFL Draft, don’t use that standard as a reason to discount this young man’s potential. He is an ideal candidate to win the Rams role as both a punt and kick returner. And while he ravages opposing teams in the return game, he will be meticulously groomed to take on a larger role for the team in pass routes.

Anyone listening to the Smackoff today?

Not the best year, but some funny call ins.

5 ways the Rams play better than expected in 2020
Bret Stuter

The LA Rams struggled in 2019 due to extreme circumstances. While the team was busy trading away both starting cornerbacks, and promoting a rookie safety to a starting role due to a season-ending injury, the team continued to play football. While the team was busy shuffling offensive linemen into starting roles and adding new faces to duct tape holes in their starting line in mid-season, the team continued to play football.

The trio of LA Rams running backs were all injured in 2019, derailing the plans to transfer some rushes from Todd Gurley to his teammates Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown. Instead, the team found itself passing more than originally planned. Somehow, all of those over-the-top tragedies have been baked by the unfamiliar prognosticators into the Rams DNA now. In short, the Rams are the NFL version of a one-hit-wonder.

Simple slump or future?

The 2018 13-3 team fell to 9-7 in 2019. Period. End of story. Per anyone and everyone now looking at the NFL from the national perspective, the Rams DNA is now branded “just over .500 on a good season”. Despite all the roster-breaking injuries, despite all the mid-season trades and roster adjustments, the LA Rams are now capped by the national media at 9-7. That’s a pretty pessimistic viewpoint even from a subjectively biased anti-Rams viewpoint, let alone a fair and objective viewpoint.

And that is where the record begins before accounting for the 2020 offseason. In this offseason, the impression is that the Rams parted ways with Cory Littleton, Clay Matthews, Dante Fowler Jr., Todd Gurley, and Brandin Cooks without a Plan B in place. So the 9-7 Rams of 2019 have further eroded away to the anonymity of a team already playing for “next season” before this season is even underway. Each team has its share of skeptics. But the Rams have more than a fair share this season.

LA Rams improvement plan

While we covered the LA Rams, we have had our share of questions about the offseason moves made so far. But amidst all the activity, two things remain unscathed. The LA Rams still possess a pair of 2019 1000 yard receivers in Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods on offense. Only the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Chargers, And the Rams still boast the most destructive force on the defense in the modern NFL in DL Aaron Donald.

So let’s assume that the base assumption of these LA Rams is correct. Take everything that the Rams were in 2019, and pull out the production of Todd Gurley, Brandin Cooks, Cory Littleton, Clay Matthews, and Dante Fowler Jr. off the stats sheet.

Player attrition

While we’re at it, let’s remove the kicking of long-time kicker Greg Zuerlein. Let’s pull out the solid defensive play of Nickell Robey-Coleman. And of course, the Rams no longer have the play of veteran safety Eric Weddle to count on either. Do all those things, and yes, you likely have a 6-10 or 7-9 team.

Can the LA Rams improve? Well, the Rams head coach Sean McVay is working tirelessly day and night to return the team back to the NFL Playoffs. Not only that, but he’s saddled up two young passionate, and like-minded coordinators in OC Kevin O’Connell and DC Brandon Staley.

One of the first opportunities for improvement is the play of the tight ends.

Reason 5 – Rams tight end play

The LA Rams made a discovery about tight ends Tyler Higbee and Gerald Everett in 2019. They are better in tandem than playing separately. In 2020, you should look for more pairing of the two tight-ends in the LA Rams offense. That means even more challenges for defenses when facing the Rams offense.

If the Rams lean heavily into two-tight end sets, their offense presents a very balanced look to defenses. With a seven-man offensive line, the Rams will be limited to just two wide receivers and one running back. Alternately, the Rams could empty the backfield and send three-wide receivers and two tight ends into passing routes. How will this help the Rams offense?

Expect the unexpected

In the throes of desperation, a very young head coach Sean McVay learned just how powerful surprise can become on his side. So powerful, in fact, that tight end Tyler Higbee, who had only modest production in the NFL, suddenly became the hottest tight end for December 2019. Not just on the LA Rams roster, but in the entire NFL. And the opposition? Not bad teams, but rather NFC West opponents, two of whom were on their way to the NFL playoffs. Teams that were quite familiar with the Rams suddenly were shredded by Higbee. What gives?

McVay leaned to reinvent himself and the Rams’ offensive tendencies. Defenses had found the right range to successfully defend McVay’s wide-open passing attack. So he changed things up. Suddenly the Rams ran two-tight end sets. The team lined up with tight end Johnny Mundt in the backfield. That all worked to restore some proficiency to the Rams running game, shore up the blocking, and help QB Jared Goff in the passing game.

Reason 4 – Rams defensive back play improves in 2020

The LA Rams pass defense improves simply by bringing back cornerback Jalen Ramsey for an entire season. Nobody needs a history lesson of the way the Rams two starting cornerbacks began the 2019 season with huge fanfare, only to be shredded by then Tampa Bay Buccaneers starting quarterback Jameis Winston by allowing 385 yards and four touchdowns.

And then things got worse. Cornerback Aqib Talib suffered a season-ending injury. And the other starter, Marcus Peters, was simply not a fit for the Rams style of defense. In a shocking move that almost nobody is talking about, the LA Rams refurbished the defensive backfield in mid-season. Gone was safety John Johnson (injury), CB Talib (injury then traded), and CB Peters (traded). In fact, the only starter to play all season was now-retired Eric Weddle. He won’t be back in 2020.

Darkest before the dawn

So how can the defensive backfield be improving? Well, it already began in 2019, and the trend should accelerate in 2020. Through 2019’s challenges, the Rams discovered that rookie safety Taylor Rapp, and cornerbacks Troy Long and Darious Williams are all very very good. Adding to that mix is a healthy John Johnson and a full season from All-Pro defensive back Jalen Ramsey, and you’re looking at one of the best defensive backfields of the NFL this season. But the Rams did not stop there.

The team added safety Jordan Fuller and versatile defensive back Terrell Burgess to an already immensely talented backfield. And the team is bringing back David Long Jr., Adonis Alexander, Donte Deayon, and a host of other players, many of whom would be competing for starting roles on other teams. And to top it all off newly arrived defensive coordinator Brandon Staley will be disguising all those coverages. That will give opposing quarterbacks reason to pause.

Reason 3 – Rams offensive rookies Akers and Jefferson play major roles on offense

Much of the pessimism for the Rams in 2020 is the loss of RB Todd Gurley and WR Brandin Cooks as significant and productive players within head coach Sean McVay’s offense. While rookie additions of running back Cam Akers and wide receiver Van Jefferson will never replace them, they will have plenty of production in 2020. Let’s check out some of the reasons why.

The LA Rams running attack in 2019 was an abysmal 26th-ranked in the NFL in 2019. That’s not going to cut it. And while a majority of rushing yards were thanks to Gurley, so too were 60 percent of the rushes. The Rams offense eroded because the team simply did not have a reliable set of legs to count on in 2019. So the team grabbed RB Cam Akers out of the 2020 NFL Draft off the top-shelf, and the team will make great use of his many talents.

Trying to defend the Rams rookies

The LA Rams have not had a first-round pick in the NFL Draft for some time. But that has not prevented the team from finding some first-round talent in the draft. While many teams go for raw talent, the LA Rams seem to discern players to draft based on how that player fits with what the Rams plan to do with the role. Along those lines, the Rams grabbed Akers due to his uncanny ability to get the most out of his blockers on his way to putting up huge yardage in the ground game.

So too, that explains the interest of the Rams in WR Van Jefferson, one of the best route-runners in the 2020 NFL Draft who possesses deceptive speed. He was often compared to the Rams own Cooper Kupp, a player whose contract runs out at the end of 2020. But 2020 will have the Rams flooding the field with weapons that defenses have struggled to stop in the past. And just to make things more entertaining, the Rams added two more rookies to the mix whose play-style will be just as difficult to stop.

Reason 2 – Offensive line plays far better than expected

Much has been said about the poor performance of the LA Rams in 2019. But the disconnect so far has been the Rams backing of offensive line coach Aaron Kromer. Kromer believes in his players. And why shouldn’t he? The LA Rams are bringing back 13 players from the 2019 offensive line. Wait.. .what? You read that right. On a roster that typically carries eight, the Rams are returning 13 players. While not all were with the team at the start of 2019, they all had a part to play during the season.

Kromer virtually handpicked the LA Rams offensive linemen over the past 24 months. It’s a strong statement that a coach of his esteemed reputation is speaking up for his guys.

Unquestionable continuity

Don’t fall into the “they just suck” troll-like analysis of what went wrong with the LA Rams offensive line in 2019. The facts support a basic cause and effect scenario which snowballed. The team started newcomers Joseph Noteboom at the left guard and Brian Allen at the center. While the pair struggled early, other linemen attempted to compensate. But then injuries began, and no continuity ever formed among the players. That put pressure upon the entire offense. As the team began to plug holes due to injuries, the team had to bring in players from other rosters. At that point, continuity for 2019 was lost, and the OL was in survival mode.

Eventually, the Rams offensive line improved as the same five guys began to play in successive weeks. Continuity was finally established, and the team found a running game was possible once more. Now that the team is entering 2020, that continuity is robust. The Rams returned 13 players, only adding one more lineman in the draft and one after the draft. That gives this LA Rams offensive line an incredible advantage over 2019.

Reason 1 – Rams defensive front seven full of surprises in 2019.

Much of the lowered expectations in 2020 hinge on the exit of some key LA Rams players on defense. In fact, the Rams lost five of eleven starters from 2019 this offseason. To fill the vacancies, the team added two free agents and drafted two others, and ultimately added a number of talented players as undrafted free agents. And from those who are only casually aware of the team, that certainly seems like a huge fail in the context of retooling the team for a new season.

But intimacy with the team, the details, and the dominating potential of this defense tells a completely different story. For starters, the addition of strongman A’Shawn Robinson to the nose tackle and the return of Michael Brockers to defensive end restores this defensive front to 2018 formidability. During that year, the Rams relied upon the power of Ndamukong Suh to clog up the middle so Brockers and All-Pro Aaron Donald could seek out and destroy. In that year, Donald sacked the quarterback an amazing 20.5 times. Now with Robinson clogging up the middle, look for Donald to dominate once more.

LInebackers moving forward in 2020

The Rams linebacking corps will be a complete rework for 2020. While that sounds concerning, the team was in a bit of a scramble in 2019 as the team endured multiple injuries at the position as well. Of course, look for the team to be led by newly signed outside linebacker Leonard Floyd. He is skilled and is a younger version of outgoing veteran Clay Matthews. He will be partnered with Samson Ebukam, a young player who is surprisingly effective but well-kept secret. The interior will be the center of fierce competition, but I expect Micah Kiser and Kenny Young to emerge as starters.

But the greatest aspect of the Rams front seven is the benefit of playing alongside All-Pro Aaron Donald. While Cory Littleton and Dante Fowler Jr. set up shop elsewhere, they will no longer have the benefit of Aaron Donald’s double and triple-teaming. But the new Rams players who must step up this year most certainly will benefit. And that is before defensive coordinator Brandon Staley works his magic. The Rams defensive front seven will be just fine in 2020.

Rams rookie LB Clay Johnston hunting for starting role
Bret Stuter

It’s safe to say that the LA Rams are only guessing when it comes to the depth chart at the inside linebacker role. After all, the current projections for the players to start the season at the inside linebacker position are based on the intent to start one player a year ago before an injury derailed his opportunity and a player who saw some spot starter duty on another NFL team. Beyond those two, the Rams have players who saw some action in 2019, and others who remained on the bench awaiting the chance to hear their number called.

But no clear-cut favorite.

That’s all just fine for rookie linebacker Clay Johnston. After all, the 6-foot-1 227-pound linebacker out of Baylor University is always ready for good competition. Right now, the Rams are full of competition, and all aimed at finding the players who can fill the team’s needs at the interior linebacking role. While Johnston is new to the NFL, he’s an old-hand at the linebacker position.

Winning takes work

Johnston is more than another linebacker who is looking for work on the roster. He is one of the key reasons why the Baylor Bears had so much success in recent years. He played 35 games in four seasons and had 237 tackles, 26.5 tackles for losses, 4.5 sacks, and two interceptions. If he had a history of remaining healthy, he would have likely been a second or third-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft. He had solid production against great competition. He is a true field general on defense.

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Clay Johnston simply needed an opportunity to play, while the LA Rams simply needed a player with a high ceiling to fill the need.

Fate played a hand

But he has suffered two knee injuries, and that was enough to flag his draft profile with medical concerns in a season where medical concerns were impossible to clear up. Was that a bad thing or a good thing? Only time will tell. What we do know is that everything that happened resulted in a player with a great understanding of the position and a high ceiling has ended up playing for a coach who has developed some outstanding linebackers with similar characteristics.

While the fastest track to earning a roster spot is excelling on special teams, it’s not the sole route. Keep in mind that Clay Johnston’s father is an NFL strength and conditioning coach. That’s vital information in light of the work Johnston has done to restore himself to game-playing shape after two knee injuries. In many ways, the NFL comes at you fast, particularly as an NFL rookie. But Clay Johnston is quite familiar with life in the NFL and will arrive as wide-eyed as many rookie teammates. He’ll need to show up and play hard. But he is already doing that.

Day 84 goes to possibly the biggest potential the Rams have ever had. Danario Alexander. I swore up and down this dude would be the next Randy Moss but his knees said otherwise.
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Please tell me the rumors I am hearing today that the upcoming NFL Season is in danger of being delayed or shortened or possibly even CANCELLED due to COVID-19 is just that (A VISCOUS RUMOR!!!)!!!