tweets & other bits … 7/5 thru 7/8 … (including a good VB Q&A)

OL guru @BrandonThornNFL will be writing Offensive Line Rankings & Analysis piece for @EstablishTheRun.

Brandon is meticulous in his film study, podcasts with NFL offensive linemen, and is an exciting addition to the team.

Podcast featuring Brandon here: https://t.co/Yh9Lb9MKv5

— Evan Silva (@evansilva) July 5, 2019

A note on this. The value of VB’s comments is that he saw the Rams practice in OTAs. Yes it’s practice in pajamas, but still it’s nice to hear from someone who saw them in action, even at this early stage.

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Rams Q&A: Vinny Bonsignore
https://theathletic.com/1060038/2019/07/05/live-qa-with-rams-writer-vinny-bonsignore-on-friday-from-noon-to-1-p-m-pt-3/

I still think they’ll be primarily 11 personnel, but not as much as in the past. I think there will be some diversity and different packaging. And yes, I think there will be an earnest effort to get Henderson and Everett more involved

[Woods, Kupp, Cooks] I think if they stay healthy they all reach 1000. And absolutely when that group is intact, Jared’s stats reflect their importance. He is simpy a better QB, statistically, when that group is together

[Kupp] Everything is on target. I think he’ll be on a definite program in camp. Not necessarily because he isn’t healthy, but just as a protective measure to ward off any setbacks. They want him full go to open the season, and feel they have a plan in place that achieves that objective
He was on the field, and a partial participant even in some reduced-speed 11 on 11 periods during OTA’s, so that’s an excellent sign. And everyone I’ve talked to anticipates he’ll be ready to roll for the season opener.

really liked what I saw when the ball was in Henderson’s hands, just in terms of a burst/speed perspective. He’s a different kind of athlete, man. And it shows

[Gurley] I think the talk of him being dramatically damaged goods is exaggerated. But the Rams will absolutely slow down his workload during the course of the season to put him in a better position to be effective late in the season.
We will see. My instincts say yes, he will be healthy, but be used a bit differently in terms of load management. The goal is to make sure he’s good to go late in the season and in the playoffs. From what I hear, the combination of heavy usage and a couple of nasty hits in the Philly game led to a situation where the knee was slower to respond. They hope to minimize that risk by keeping him, and the knee, more fresh with a modified useage rate.

it sure looked to me like the Rams were operating against a lot more zone coverage looks during 11 on 11 in this years OTA’s compared to in the past, which would lead me to believe they will have a better answer for that kind of coverage when they face it.

[Ranking Goff?] Top seven with his arrow pointing up.

[who looks like they bulked up this off-season?] For me: Austin Blythe, Micah Kiser and Sebastian Joseph-Day. Gerald Everett looks in ridiculous shape, too.

Barring a surprise in camp, I believe Kiser wins the ILB spot opposite Littleton in base defense. I think he will initially be utilized in more run situations, but the Rams will be aggressive in utilizing more nickel and dime packages where he comes off the field in favor of an extra safety or cornerback. I think you’ll also see some Clay Matthews lined up at ILB

[Brockers] . Definitely worth watching. Did his play slip, or was he playing responsibility football that sometimes isn’t reflected in raw stats? Hard to say. But I will say this, based on everyone I spoke to there was zero, and I mean zero thought about him being a salary cap cut or being asked to re-do his contract. That tells me there is respect for him and his level of play from his coaches and the front office.

Michael Katz@MichaelLKatz
Harry Potter was a system wizard

Among the 43 NFL backs with at least 200 early-down rushes in the last two years, Todd Gurley ranks first in percentage of carries resulting in gains of 5+ yards (40.7%).

…

CJ Anderson ranks second on the list at 39.94%.

— Austin Gayle (@PFF_AustinGayle) July 7, 2019

John Franklin-Myers says he 'became an adult' after reaching Super Bowl https://t.co/lnhEwznfRR

— Rams Wire (@TheRamsWire) July 8, 2019

Blaine Grisak@bxgrisak_SID
Rams TE @BrookerRomello said pre-draft that the most difficult player that he faced last season was @dakota_allen40 and now they’re on the same team. Will be rooting for them both.

Cameron DaSilva@camdasilva
Some of y’all are out here acting like Todd Gurley’s leg is just going to fall off in Week 3
Arthritis is bad but he isn’t suddenly going to become a 500-yard backup RB

Mike Winchell@mrmikewinch
Hard to believe Cooks is still that young. Think of all he’s accomplished already.

Cameron DaSilva@camdasilva
He has four 1,000-yard seasons, has made two Super Bowls and played four three different teams.

And he’s only 25.

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A game for the ages.#KCvsLA x #LATogether is up for “Best Game” at the @ESPYS!

Vote now 🗳 » https://t.co/W5pxO3PA2z pic.twitter.com/TGlE58Apuv

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) July 8, 2019