training camp preview, starting w/ "4 questions facing Rams ahead of camp"

5 Rams players with the most to prove in training camp https://t.co/W4rxtZAsSN via @theramswire

— RamsNewsNow (@RamsNewsNow) July 18, 2019

from NFC West training camp preview

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001035563/article/nfc-west-training-camp-preview-newlook-cardinals-captivate

…

Los Angeles Rams
Training camp report dates: rookies (July 24) and veterans (July 26).

Location: University of California-Irvine in Irvine, California.

Most important position battle: safety. In the aftermath of their Super Bowl run, the Rams still boast one of the deepest and most complete rosters in the league. While there’s probably a job or two still up for grabs on the offensive line, the more compelling competition is at free safety alongside John Johnson. Los Angeles brought in sage veteran Eric Weddle to replace Lamarcus Joyner. It also spent a second-round pick on Taylor Rapp, who is said to have carried a first-round grade from the organization. Weddle and Rapp are different athletes yet have comparable player profiles in that they’re instinctive, they take good angles and cover a lot of ground. They can also play either safety position. Weddle will almost certainly be the Day 1 starter, but Rapp could cut into the former All-Pro’s workload depending on how well he picks up Wade Phillips’ scheme.

Newcomer/player returning from injury to watch: Clay Matthews, linebacker. The former Packers star and USC alumnus returns home after 10 seasons in Green Bay. He’ll be eager to prove there’s something left in the tank after registering a career-low 3.5 sacks in 2018. This marriage could be the right time, right place for both parties. The Rams are desperate to develop pass rushing outside of Aaron Donald — departed DT Ndamukong Suh’s 4.5 sacks last year were second on the team. Matthews’ experience playing on and off the ball should allow Phillips to slide him wherever he sees fit. The veteran LB has been relatively healthy the past two years and perhaps just needs a change of scenery.

Looming camp question: How big of a load can Todd Gurley carry? The fifth-year back is coming off the two best seasons of his career. It’s his play in the latter half of last season, particularly in the postseason, that has many wondering what role he’ll assume moving forward. Gurley collected just 45 rushing yards and 2 receiving yards between the NFC title game and Super Bowl. The plan is to stop making him a bell-cow back in hopes that he’ll be more effective with a lesser load amid concerns about his left knee. Gurley has been invaluable to the Rams’ offense under Sean McVay, even leading the team in receptions in 2017. Los Angeles prepared for reducing Gurley’s role by drafting Darrell Henderson in the third round. The rookie looks to be a perfect scheme fit after posting prolific numbers at Memphis while running outside zone.

Florida_Ram

The off-seasons most “hyped” up LA Rams players

We all know every NFL team has a handful of players that get more off-season media coverage or “hype” prior to the beginning of training camp and the new season.

The hype can be negative or positive depending on star power, injury history or simply stepping in some big shoes for the departed players’ that they’re replacing.

Some of the more talked about players are young second and third year veterans hoping to breakout and make a name for themselves. Others are veteran free agents added to improve rosters and possibly help change a teams culture.

Below in no particular order, I compiled a list of Rams players that received some off-season hype for various and obvious reasons.

Most “Hyped” players on the Los Angeles Rams heading into the 2019 NFL Training Camp.

ILB #59 Micah KISER “man in the middle”

He’s penciled in as Mark Barron’s replacement at inside linebacker, starting next to Cory Littleton.

Kiser has been taking first-team reps on defense, which is a good sign for his chances of being a key player in 2019.

“One of the things that you loved about him was the instincts, the awareness, the ability to anticipate – especially when so much of defense is reactionary based on some of things you can gather before the snap and then once that thing happens post-snap, it’s how quickly can I adapt and adjust based on whatever that call is defensively and what the offensive set, whether running it or throwing it dictates,” McVay said.

“When he played in the preseason games last year, he was active. He’s one of those guys, you hear us talk about it all the time, you feel players on defense. He arrives, he’s violent, he gets guys down in a hurry,” McVay said.

“I think Joe Barry does a great job getting all these inside linebackers up to speed and really having an ownership of the system and Micah’s definitely showing why he’s a pro and he’s gotten a lot better in Year 2 and we’re looking forward to seeing it translate when we actually play real football
Sean McVay breaks down what makes Micah Kiser a good linebacker

“I think for where he is in his career and where we need him, it’ll be in those first and second-down plays for sure,” Phillips said of Kiser’s role during the offseason program.

“Cory is such a good coverage guy and then we’ve got a lot of safeties that can come in and help us on third downs, so I think his main role certainly right now will be first and second down as a base defensive player.”

And part of the reason why Phillips feels Kiser can be successful in that role is how he excelled on special teams — much like Littleton did for his first two years before transitioning to a full-time linebacker.

“Micah showed a lot of things last year, he came in, you always have high hopes I think, and he basically only got to play special teams. He was one of our best special teamers — you know Cory Littleton also went that path too, and turned out to be really good backer, and I think Micah is going in the same direction,” Phillips said.

“When they show things, they show the ability to get to the football on special teams and they carry it over to defense and he moves well, he’s a smart player, and he’s had a really good spring. He’s fit in really well.”
https://www.therams.com/news/phillips-expects-micah-kiser-to-step-into-larger-defensive-role

“I think for where he is in his career and where we need him, it’ll be in those first and second-down plays for sure,” Phillips said of Kiser’s role during the offseason program.

“Cory is such a good coverage guy and then we’ve got a lot of safeties that can come in and help us on third downs, so I think his main role certainly right now will be first and second down as a base defensive player.”

And part of the reason why Phillips feels Kiser can be successful in that role is how he excelled on special teams — much like Littleton did for his first two years before transitioning to a full-time linebacker.

“Micah showed a lot of things last year, he came in, you always have high hopes I think, and he basically only got to play special teams. He was one of our best special teamers — you know Cory Littleton also went that path too, and turned out to be really good backer, and I think Micah is going in the same direction,” Phillips said.

“When they show things, they show the ability to get to the football on special teams and they carry it over to defense and he moves well, he’s a smart player, and he’s had a really good spring. He’s fit in really well.”

Micah Kiser, now in his second year after spending most of his rookie year on special teams, got a bunch of snaps with the first-team defense during OTAs. And while he looks bigger and stronger from this time a year ago – he more than looked the starter’s part during practice.

The depth behind Littleton and Kiser is mostly thin, save for Bryce Hager, a veteran backup who can provide capable work in short stints. It opens the door for youngsters such as Travin Howard, in whom the Rams invested a year of development last season, and rookie Dakota Allen, who they drafted in the seventh round this year out of Texas Tech.

The Rams were noticeably quiet on the ILB front during the offseason, which leads you to believe they’re comfortable that a combination of Kiser and others will adequately man the position.

Keep in mind, also, the amount of time they spend in their base defense is not extensive. Whatever learning curve Kiser might experience in pass coverage can be mitigated by sub-package looks, in which he yields his spot to a defensive back. https://theathletic.com/1018707/2019/06/

TE #81 Gerald EVERETT “turning heads”

Everett made a strong impression throughout the offseason program, including an emphasis on improving as a blocker, Clarence Dennis of the Rams’ official website reports.

“I think the game’s slowing down for Everett,” coach Sean McVay said. “He’s playing with some patience, he’s got great aggressive hands where he can step to the football.

I think you’re just seeing a guy gain confidence, gain experience.”Tight end Gerald Everett seemed to make an impact play every day during OTAs and plenty of people noticed.

And now ESPN’s Lindsey Thiry has named Everett the surprise standout of the spring. From Thiry:

A second-round pick in 2017, Everett has had a few standout moments in his young career, including a 39-yard catch in the NFC Championship Game, but he has not been consistently called upon in coach Sean McVay’s offense.

Through the offseason program, Everett was a clear standout as a target for quarterback Jared Goff. “He’s just continuing to progress and take steps.” McVay said.

There was a lot of hype surrounding Gerald Everett when the Los Angeles Rams selected him in the second round of the 2017 draft. He was their first selection of the draft and with Sean McVay coming aboard as a former tight ends coach, many thought he’d have a big rookie season.

He didn’t, and you could argue that he has yet to break out after two seasons. Surely, Year 3 will bring Everett’s best season yet, right? That’s the hope, and based on his comments, he’s becoming a more complete tight end in the Rams offense.

“I feel like a better version of myself in reference to last year,” Everett said, via the Rams’ official site. “Just older, a little bit wiser on the field, just more of a complete pro.

And I feel like I’m a way better blocker than I was last year, so just feeling like an actual tight end now more so than just a receiving tight end.”
https://www.therams.com/news/daily-dose-rams-surprise-offseason-standout

Gerald Everett played almost half the snaps that teammate Tyler Higbee did, but he outperformed him over the course of the season. Everett had the edge as a receiver in both yardage totals and grades, but it’s his improvement as a blocker that could elevate Everett’s playing time next season.

After mustering 54.7 run-blocking grade in his rookie year, Everett ended the 2018 campaign with a run-blocking grade of 76.3 which far outpaced Higbee – who is typically considered the team’s blocking specialist.

When he was targeted in 2018, Everett was fine, generating a 99.3 passer rating when targeted and going for a first down on more than half of his receptions (17 of 33).

That said, he wasn’t targeted much, with only 3.0 target per game in a Rams offense that focused more on its receivers than it did on its tight ends.

And there’s every reason to expect that to continue in 2019, with few changes in personnel on the Los Angeles offense, which is why Everett’s fantasy stock is essentially nonexistent.

2017 Overall Grade: 53.1,
2018 Overall Grade: 82.5.

Everett finished the 2018 season as our fourth-highest graded tight end, exactly one season after he ranked 50th out of 51 qualified tight ends as a struggling rookie.

The Rams’ 2017 second-round pick caught 97.4% of the catchable passes thrown his way as an NFL sophomore after he hauled in just 70.8% of catchable passes as a rookie, and he showed tremendous improvement as a run blocker, as he ranked fourth in the league last season with a 76.3 run-blocking grade, a grade that was over 20.0 points higher than the 54.6 run-blocking grade he earned as a rookie.
https://www.pff.com/news/pro-sophomore-standouts-from-the-2018-nfl-season

RB #30 Todd GURLEY “arthritic knee”

Arthritis might mean bone-on-bone action, or at least a lack/deterioration of cartilage in and around the knee.

Short term it is obviously creating some problems, and long term it could be a major issue for Gurley.

Such an injury would be scary for the Rams because Gurley recently signed a hefty, $60 million extension. That contract is fresh enough and legit enough that the Rams don’t have a realistic out until 2022.

Gurley will be locked into a total of $34.5 million guaranteed in money by the third day of the league year (by virtue of a $5 million base salary for 2019 that becomes fully guaranteed) plus another $9.5 million guaranteed for injury. That’s a lot of cheese.
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/todd-gurley-knee-injury-might-involve-arthritis-creating-long-term-concern-for-rbs-status/

Speculation over Todd Gurley’s left knee injury, which hampered him down the stretch of the 2018 season, does not trouble the running back. As Gurley told reporters Tuesday, he’s dealt with much worse before.

“I had bigger problems to worry about coming out of college,” Gurley said Tuesday at the start of Rams mandatory minicamp.

“This is small.” The Rams running back is referencing his injuries while at the University of Georgia from 2012 through 2014.

Gurley missed three games in 2013 with a high ankle sprain and most notably suffered a torn ACL in his left knee, the same one that was bothering him last season, in November 2014

Given all that, dealing with an reportedly arthritic knee — or more accurately, reports of an arthritic knee don’t bother Gurley none.

“I’ve be hearing stuff all my life. Just whatever growing up. Hearing comments or whatever that is. All of the stuff don’t really get to me,” Gurley said. “I feel like I do a great job, got a great supporting cast.

It’s football. It’s the game I’ve been playing my whole life, so it’s nothing new to me. I know what I’m capable of. I know what type of person I am. No big deal to me.”
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001033447/article/todd-gurley-concern-over-knee-is-small-problem

Safety #32 Eric WEDDLE

Now in his 13th season, Weddle showed very little signs of decline last year with the Ravens while being an impact player both in the pass and run games.

According to Pro Football Focus, Weddle surrendered just 111 yards in pass coverage and was particularly effective when lined up against wide receivers, allowing just a 57.0 passer rating in those matchups.

Of his 68 total tackles, 54 were solo, and according to PFF, he missed on only five of 78 tackle attempts.

Weddle’s intellect fits perfectly on a Rams defense loaded with savvy defenders, and his communication at the back end of the defense will benefit the entire unit and guard against breakdowns.

His ability to line up as a potential pass rusher, only to drop back in pass coverage while waving teammates into position, creates nightmare situations for quarterbacks trying to read potential holes in pass coverage.

Weddle’s presence will also allow Phillips the confidence and freedom to use Johnson in even more ways than he did last season.

Weddle is also durable, having played all 16 regular-season games in nine of his 12 years and never playing less than 13 in any of them.

His 1078 defensive snaps in 2018 were the 14th-most at the position, while his 3193 snaps over the past three years are the seventh-most among safeties in that span.

As if that wasn’t impressive enough, his overall career grade of 94.7 ranks first among 253 safeties with at least 1000 snaps in the PFF era, while his run-defense grade of 95.1 and his coverage grade of 94.1 rank second and third, respectively.
https://www.pff.com/nfl/players/eric-weddle/3653

“He’s just an all-around player, he can do it all,” Johnson said when the team introduced Weddle as a Los Angeles Ram in mid-March.

“He blitzes, he can cover, he can play the middle post so he can do it all.

Phillips praised Weddle for the safety’s high-level knowledge of what L.A. wants to get done defensively when it comes to concepts, citing one instance in particular.

Phillips said during Los Angeles’ minicamp. “Weddle especially, I think in the secondary gives you a lot of things that you can do as far as changes and working against our offense, which gives you a lot of problems.”

The 71-year-old defensive coordinator pointed out a play where the offense sent a receiver in motion.

In Los Angeles’ scheme, the cornerback should’ve followed across the formation — but this time, it didn’t happen. “So Weddle went over and took his place and then hollered at him to go and take his place,” Phillips said.

“It’s those kinds of things that you don’t normally see, most players they just play their position, but he understood the concept and said, ‘Hey, he didn’t have to go, so I’ll go, but he needs to go back where I was.’ That’s what he adds, certainly.”

That’s the kind of veteran experience that can make a difference for key on-field situations.

In a recent interview, Everett was asked about facing Weddle in practice and how much it helps him develop into a better player. He was quick to offer praise for the veteran safety, marveling at his football intelligence and agreeing with Marcus Peters that Weddle is a “genius.”

“He is. He’s almost like having a McVay on defense,” Everett said. “He’s giving me some of the best looks I’ve ever seen. To see him out here and compete, I can’t say enough. I’m happy.

“I know for sure I won’t see guys like that on most game days, at least. He’s switching up his looks and giving me the best look I could possibly see and just letting me work around it.”
https://www.therams.com/news/phillips-sees-benefits-of-having-veterans-weddle-matthews

RB #27 Darrell HENDERSON “rookie”

“Darrell Henderson is an awesome fit with the Rams,” Chris Trapasso said on Wednesday’s Pick Six Podcast, as he joined host Will Brinson to break down the NFL’s best and worst rookie fits.

He’s not someone who’s super shifty, not gonna make five guys miss, but in Sean McVay’s zone-blocking scheme, he’ll make a cut and go.

“Henderson racked up 3,545 yards rushing at the University of Memphis. He averaged 8.9 yards per carry in each of the past two seasons.

“Henderson can be that 11 carries for 90 yards and a TD guy, a home run hitter, low volume but high efficiency.”
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/why-darrell-hendersons-the-perfect-rb-to-back-up-todd-gurley-and-more-of-the-best-and-worst-rookie-fits/

Yards per carry is an imperfect metric that fails to divorce offensive line play from running back play. Yards after contact per attempt, however, adds more context and gives a more accurate representation of a runner’s ability with the ball in his hands, independent of the blocking in front of him.

Since we began tracking college players in 2014, there have been 1,332 instances of a running back totaling at least 65 carries in a single season.

Of those 1,332 seasons, Henderson’s 2018 season (on 214 attempts) ranks best in yards after contact per attempt (6.16). His 2017 season (on 128 attempts) ranks second-best (5.60).

Among all running back seasons with at least 200 carries, Henderson’s 2018 season is 21.8% better than the next-best season on record.

15.2% of Henderson’s career carries gained 15 or more yards (tied for first in this class) and 62.9% of his career rushing yardage has come on carries of 15 or more yards (first in this class).

Henderson never reached 25 receptions in a single season in college, but I’m optimistic regarding his long-term receiving potential.

Among all 67 qualifying Division I running backs with over 75 career targets since 2014, Henderson ranks seventh-best (and best in the class) in career depth-adjusted yards per target (2.71). Henderson wasn’t just catching dumpoffs out of the backfield either – last season he ran 22 routes lined up in the slot as a receiver.
https://www.pff.com/news/fantasy-football-darrell-henderson-long-term-fantasy-stock-is-sky-high-with-the-rams

“Well, I played Pee Wee ball and little league, and broke records in little league,” Henderson said in an interview with the Rams this week.

“Then I got to high school — I broke records in high school. Then I went to Memphis and I got records there. And it’s just been a humbling experience, and it just goes to show that hard work pays off.”

“I mean, it’s good. It’s a special opportunity, and it’s a great opportunity,” Henderson said. “But at the end of the day, I’ve flushed everything and try to stay focused because it’s easy to get big-headed and start messing up, and lose all the opportunities that you could have.”

Henderson has appreciated the way the coaches and veteran players have embraced him to aid in that process — particularly fellow running back Todd Gurley.

“It was a pretty good moment. He just told me to be ready to work,” Henderson said of the draft-night message. “And I talked to him yesterday, he was like, ‘Don’t be afraid to mess up, because the more you mess up, the more you learn from it.’

“It shows you that this organization takes pride in team bonding. And for him to do that — something that he didn’t have to do — was a great opportunity for me.”

So as the offseason program continues, Henderson is looking to keep his head down and prove he’s one of the players who can make an impact at the NFL level.

“I bring hard work,” Henderson said, “I’m a humble person, and I think I just fit in with this organization because I fit what they do.”
https://www.therams.com/news/darrell-henderson-rookie-profile

LB #52 Clay MATTHEWS “rejuvenated”
https://cdn.chatsports.com/cache/7a/48/7a48445614f3052a950db09580a3ea7f-original.jpg%5B/img%5D
Matthews signed a two-year, $9.2 million contract with the Rams in March to end an illustrious decade-long run with the Packers that included six Pro Bowls, a franchise-record 83.5 sacks, and a Super Bowl win.

But, after posting a career-low 3.5 sacks in 16 games last season, the 33-year-old pass rusher is showing signs of age and heads into what could be a pivotal season for his career:

Matthews’s contract contains $5.5 million in guarantees, but another underwhelming performance could precipitate a short stay with the Rams. If released after this year, Matthews would cost the team just $2 million in dead cap in 2020 while saving the team $3.75 million.

It’s not hard to see the former Packer rebounding in L.A. this year, though. His sack numbers dipped last year, but he notched a 26 percent pass-rush win rate, which was 27th among 91 qualifying pass rushers, per ESPN.

Playing in a rotation with Dante Fowler and Samson Ebukam should keep Matthews fresh throughout the year, and it never hurts to line up next to all-world interior defender Aaron Donald, who should garner the lion’s share of the attention from opposing offensive lines.

Plus, Matthews—who played in an off-ball linebacker role for the Packers in both 2014 and 2015—brings versatility to Wade Phillips’s hybrid scheme.

Matthews expects to play at outside linebacker on base defense looks (first and second down) while moving all around the team’s defensive front on third-down situations.

If Phillips can scheme up creative ways to free up Matthews on blitzes and stunts, his sack numbers will climb in 2019.
https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2019/6/5/18653368/nfl-veterans-bounce-back-2019

Wade Phillips has been impressed by Matthews thus far and doesn’t seem to think he’s lost a step at all. “Clay Matthews has looked really good.

His athletic skills are superb and he moves so well. And I told him he’s really only halfway through his career — his dad played 19 years, so he’s got nine more left,” Phillips said, via the team’s official site. “But he’s looked really good, too.”

Matthews played both outside and inside linebacker with the Packers, and he is expected to contribute at both spots in defensive coordinator Wade Phillips’ scheme.

In the base defense, he will line up on the outside, and on third down, or any pass-rush situation, he said he would be flexible.

He also has welcomed a role as a veteran leader among an otherwise young, and somewhat inexperienced, group that includes third-year pro Samson Ebukam and fifth-year pro Dante Fowler Jr.

“Anytime we watch any game with him on the field, I’m looking at him,” Fowler said. “If we do any drills, I’m looking at him. I love how he rushes.

It was really cool just to see a guy get sacks on TV and stuff and all that, but when you’re really watching a person’s craft and see why he’s that good, it’s amazing.”
https://www.espn.com/blog/los-angeles-rams/post/_/id/40271/clay-matthews-navigates-fresh-start-with-rams-sans-tan

“Our systems are always adapted to our players’ strengths and when you have a player that has that versatile skill set, you can utilize him in a variety of ways,” McVay said of Matthews.

“I think obviously what he does at an extremely level is when he’s trying to go forward and affect and influence the quarterback, setting the edge in the run game, so I think you’ll see a lot of that.

When you get into some of those known passing situations, you can get creative with where you move him around.”

It remains to be seen how much of a factor Matthews will play in Wade Phillips’ defense. The LB is joining a corps currently populated by starters Cory Littleton and Samson Ebukam. Matthews was on the field for 71 percent of Green Bay’s defensive snaps in 2018.

Regardless of how much playing time he gets or what role he plays, Matthews promised to bring the same energy and play that propelled Green Bay to eight consecutive postseason appearances and a Super Bowl title in his time there.

“I look forward to showing to everybody here, you guys, the fans,” Matthews concluded, “that what you saw these past 10 years is what you’ll get these next two.”
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001023832/article/clay-matthews-return-to-los-angeles-a-perfect-fit

OL #70 Joseph NOTEBOOM “big shoes to fill”

With Rob Havenstein and Whitworth entrenched at the two tackles positions, there wasn’t much of a need for Noteboom to play last year.

But he shined during the preseason, allowing zero pressures through his first 71 pass blocking snaps. Noteboom also played in relief of Whitworth in a couple of blowouts, and he held his own in Week 17 against the 49ers when he played 64 percent of the offensive snaps.

When Los Angeles selected offensive lineman Joseph Noteboom at No. 89 in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, the thought was that eventually Noteboom would take over at left tackle.

At this point, that’s still likely to be the case. Noteboom is penciled in to ascend into a first-team role — at left guard.

“Noteboom played left tackle at TCU, was drafted as a tackle prospect, but what we prefer to do in our offense at this organization is move our offensive linemen around if they’re not a starter because you dress seven guys on gameday.

So you need somebody who can backup both tackles,” Kromer said. “We felt last year, the best situation was no matter what position other than center, if we needed him, would be Joe.

And so Joe got the opportunity to practice at four different spots the entire year. So he was ready to play left tackle, right tackle, right guard, left guard.”

Noteboom told therams.com that he saw only advantages to sitting behind high-level veterans like Whitworth and left guard Rodger Saffold in his rookie season because he was able to learn so much.

“That’s been one of the best things about being here so far, is just kind of having those veterans to just guide me along the way, having the redshirt year to watch those guys and see how they do things on and off the field,” Noteboom said.

“Getting to sit behind those guys, getting to watch for an extra year, letting me sit back and kind of observe how they do things, I kind of modeled my game after that and got a bunch of practice reps for Whitworth and Saffold.”

So as the Rams get ready to begin their offseason program, Kromer feels Noteboom is prepared to take the next step to become a starter on Los Angeles’ offensive line — largely because of the experience the young OL gained in 2018 to be prepared to play anywhere.

“That’s what these guys want coming out of college — just put me on the field. I don’t care what position, I’ll go play,” Kromer said. “And Joe showed that ability that we feel like he can go in at left guard and hold his own.”
https://www.therams.com/news/kromer-on-joseph-noteboom

OLB #56 Dante FOWLER Jr. “Signed 1 year contract”

Adding an extra weapon on the edge, Dante Fowler became a valuable contributor for the L.A. Rams during their run to the Super Bowl last season.

Acquired via trade from the Jacksonville Jaguars, Fowler will stay a little longer in L.A. as the team announced Sunday night that he has re-signed with the team. Fowler signed a one-year deal worth $14 million, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports that $12 million is fully guaranteed, with another $2 million available in incentives.

Upon a path to the Super Bowl, the Rams traded for Fowler in October, sending a 2019 third-round pick and a 2020 fifth-round selection to the Jaguars, who used the 2015 third-overall pick on the pass rusher.

Fowler earned six starts in eight games with the Rams in the regular season, contributing a pair of sacks and 21 tackles. In the playoffs, though, Fowler’s play improved with 12 tackles, four for a loss and 1.5 sacks in three games.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001021843/article/dante-fowler-heading-back-to-la-resigns-with-rams

Wade Phillips quickly made him a full-time player as there was just one game where he played fewer than 44 defensive snaps. Dante Fowler Jr.’s 2018 season was a rollercoaster, of sorts.

After putting together his best year yet in 2017, the Jaguars were putting him on the field for less than 40 percent of their defensive snaps. He was merely a part-time player despite showing flashes of being a good pass rusher one year prior.

Fowler had his highs and lows in 11 games with the Rams, including the postseason, recording 3.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss and eight quarterback hits. He finally began to look like the players Jacksonville drafted him to be in 2015.

This upcoming season is Fowler’s biggest to date after signing a one-year deal with the Rams. Sure, it’s worth up to $14 million, which is a large chunk of money. But if he wants to stay in L.A. as badly as he says he does, it’ll take an even better season than the one he put together in 2018.

Having a full offseason of work with the Rams will absolutely help and could make all the difference for Fowler.

“I wasn’t really feeling myself until I got here. I really started feeling myself, the coaches put me in a very great position, just letting me be me and letting me be the Dante Fowler that basically got me here,” he said.

“This is a full year that I’m going to be able to start and just go out there and know the playbook and [be] in really good shape and go out there and just be the Dante that I know I am. I’m very excited for that this year.”

He’s in attendance for OTAs and feeling good heading into his fourth full season in the NFL, excluding his lost rookie year due to a torn ACL. With all this extra time to learn the Rams’ playbook, get comfortable at outside linebacker and get acclimated to his teammates, Fowler should take a big step forward in 2019.
Dante Fowler's 1st offseason with Rams should make huge difference

WR #18 Cooper KUPP’s “ACL rehab”

Rams WR Cooper Kupp, on track to play in Week 1 in return from injury, says “I feel good about where I’m at.”

According to Vincent Bonsignore of The Athletic, he feels he is on track to make a return by the time the season opener rolls around:

By all accounts, Kupp is on target to return for the Rams’ Sept. 8 regular-season opener against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte.

While he didn’t get the green light to completely let loose during organized team activities, Kupp was available for some on-field work and even participated in 11-on-11 drills.

Not at full speed, mind you, but enough to show he appears on track to be ready by Week 1.

“I’m taking it day-by-day,” Kupp said. “It’s just about attacking this week, attacking the day as best as I possibly can.

And I feel good about where I’m at.” Kupp suffered a knee injury early in the year and was able to make his return before tearing his ACL.

He still finished the 2018 campaign with 40 receptions for 566 yards and six touchdowns through eight games.

His absence was heavily felt during the team’s abysmal loss in Super Bowl LIII.

Rams WR Cooper Kupp, on track to play in Week 1 in return from injury, says “I feel good about where I’m at”

DT #69 Sebastian JOSEPH-DAY

“I’m getting better in every facet of the game: footwork, hand placement, deciphering blocks, everything,” he said.

“Even though I don’t play, I still go against one of the best offensive lines in the NFL every day. I know when my opportunity comes, I’m going to run with it.”

I think a lot of our second-year players have really stepped up too,” Phillips said Tuesday.

“They’ve been through it for a year and I think especially Sebastian Joseph-Day has really stepped up.

We thought he had potential last year, he kept working at it through the year.

He’s a real strong, powerful guy inside, so he’s stepped in there and looked good this spring, so we’re looking forward to him coming through the second year, too.”

Last year’s 195th overall pick, Sebastian Joseph-Day, grew and improved throughout his first campaign and now has a chance to claim the starting job. “I’d watch AD, and I’d watch Suh, and I’d watch others and I’d write down moves,” Joseph-Day said.

“Because even though everybody thinks it’s so physical, honestly playing D-line is a lot mental, too. Seeing the moves, seeing things that people do — that’s how you learn, that’s how you pick up things.”
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2841374-every-nfl-teams-most-intriguing-project-player-heading-into-the-2019-season#slide18

C #55 Brian ALLEN “center of attention”

“Mel Kiper wasn’t talking about me when it came to draft time,” Allen joked in a recent interview with therams.com for Season 2 of Behind the Grind. “And I wasn’t some huge talent who ran fast or jumped high.”

Instead, Allen says, he was “just a football player.” Allen, of course, didn’t play much during last year’s run to Super Bowl LIII. As a rookie, he saw mainly mop-up duty for a few games — both victories over Arizona and the Week 17 win over San Francisco.

Kromer noticed the kind of detail Allen put into his study last year — despite the fact that he wasn’t playing. And that’s part of the reason why Kromer and the team are confident in Allen’s ability to become a starter.

“Brian Allen really paid attention and was working closely with John Sullivan, who — what a great vet,” Kromer told therams.com. “But Brian shows that he has that innate intelligence and that vision that he can see the defense.

But his number one overall trait is going to be his physical nature. He’s a powerful, quick offensive lineman who has the vision to see the defense. So we’re looking forward to him.”

“I mean, the season’s a long way away. I don’t want to say that it’s mine by any means. There’s the draft coming up, free agency is still going on,” Allen said. “But at the same point, I’m not here to be a backup.

That’s obviously the goal. I didn’t want to just get here and be on the team. I want to play, and I want to play at a high level.”

“So I’m excited for the opportunity that’s in front of me and I’m really just excited to be able to show what I learned this whole last year. I didn’t play a lot as you guys know, but I got a whole lot better from the last preseason game to the end of the year.

So a lot of time, a lot of knowledge that I’ve learned a lot of everything. And back to our O-line room, I wouldn’t be here without them. And I’m kind of mind-blown myself at the steps and progressions I’ve made, just understanding football, being in that room every day with those guys.”

“With a year under my belt with some really good teammates to go against and to have a couple of experiences in the game, I know what’s coming now,” Allen told media members after going against a defense for the first time this offseason.

Allen saw action in his first professional season mostly in practice, taking weekday reps with quarterback Jared Goff, while the seasoned veteran, former Rams center John Sullivan, took the reins on Sundays.

“Yeah, that was the same thing that I did in college, running a pro-style offense, and I had pretty good grip of the scheme and stuff,” Allen said, in review of year one. “Just having an opportunity here is the same thing.

It just forced you to know it better and know what everybody is doing and as the center that’s kind of your job.”

“Obviously Brian is being naturally thrusted into a role where you have to communicate and I think he’s done a really good job,” head coach Sean McVay said on Monday.

“Because there’s so much that goes on specific to the cadence up front, he and Jared’s rapport, and I think they are taking good steps one day at a time.”

“Just telling me about the situation and to get ready, get excited to keep working together,” Allen said, recalling his phone conversation with Goff — who was asked about the transition from taking snaps from a veteran to first-time starter after Day 1 of OTAs.

“Basically I could just lean on John so heavily and expect Brian to get there, but it’s just his first full year of actually playing,” Goff said. “It’s been good, it’s been helpful to my development. It’s been good.”

“I’m excited for the opportunity,” Allen added before heading into the locker room. “And this is what I’ve been working for my whole life — it’s here.”
https://www.therams.com/news/as-brian-allen-readies-to-take-over-at-center-goff-and-mcvay-talk-transition

DL #94 John Franklin-Myers “gaining momentum”

“I like him because he’s 6-foot-4, 283 pounds and runs a 4.7 first,” Phillips said with a laugh.

“But he’s a development guy, a develop-quickly guy it looked like to me.”

Phillips and the Rams staff got an up-close look at Franklin-Myers through the NFL Combine, where his overall performance and skill set impressed many.

And with that in mind, Phillips was confident that the small school product would progress consistently throughout his first year in Los Angeles.

“We studied him a lot and he’s talented,” Phillips said.

Defensive end John Franklin-Myers received the Carroll Rosenbloom Memorial Award, given to the team’s rookie of the year.
https://www.therams.com/news/donald-voted-team-mvp-whitworth-franklin-myers-shields-receive-team-honors

Franklin-Myers wasn’t a huge contributor during the season. He only played 29.8 percent of the defensive snaps, had just 10 tackles and recorded two sacks. As a fourth-round pick on a team loaded with talent in the front seven, Franklin-Myers was never expected to have a massive impact as a rookie.

In the Super Bowl, though, he recorded a strip-sack on Tom Brady, which could’ve been a key play in the game had the Rams recovered the fumble. The moment wasn’t too big for Franklin-Myers, which was great to see.

Playing so deep into the season – especially coming from the college ranks where the season ends much sooner – made the Super Bowl more difficult for Franklin-Myers, too.

“That and being a rookie and having some type of role. I played on our dime package and a little bit on our base and just having that role in those game,” he said.

“The pace picks up so much more. Our coach told us all the time, ‘You think this is fast, just wait for the playoffs’. Well, we get to the playoffs and it’s nothing you can prepare for.

Experience is the best teacher. (At the Super Bowl) I don’t think we were outplayed, but sometimes it’s hard to beat experience.” Now with a year of experience and a Super Bowl experience on his resume, Franklin-Myers should be poised for an improved season in 2019.
John Franklin-Myers says he 'became an adult' after reaching Super Bowl

Kid is a player. I expect big things.

28 pressures in 242 pass rushes. 11.57% pressure rate. That is excellent.

For comparison:

Khalil Mack 73 in 505 = 14.45%
Von Miller 64 in 506 = 12.65%
Calais Campbell 53 in 502 = 10.56%
By_cool_hand_luke

QB #16 Jared GOFF “contract talks?”

Nobody on the offensive side of Los Angeles is immune to criticism after a 13-3 loss to the Patriots before 70,081 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium that saw Tom Brady create more New England history and Goff overmatched in his maiden appearance of a season’s final game.

“It sucked that it went that way,” Goff said. “I’ll use it as a learning experience.” He has a few semesters worth of homework coming. It was the lowest combined points in Super Bowl history, and a big part of that was Goff being confused, a masterful defensive game plan by the Patriots and coach Bill Belichik that swallowed the opposing quarterback whole.

Goff completed 19 of 38 passes for 229 yards, and his one interception was an awful underthrow when trying to rally the Rams from seven down with 4:17 remaining, picked by cornerback Stephon Gilmore at the Patriots’ 4-yard line. Belichick sent a safety blitz, and Goff lofted the pass skyward. Goff: “That’s all on me. I have to be better.”

Rams QB Jared Goff a flop in Super Bowl LIII

Sean McVay is sick of hearing it suggested that he is a magician who can succeed with any quarterback, therefore the Los Angeles Rams don’t need to pay Jared Goff a Carson Wentz-type of deal.

The coach told NFL Network’s Michael Silver on Thursday he’s fed up with the suggestion that the Rams aren’t committed to Goff long-term.

“Whether it ends up happening this year or next year, there is a zero percent chance this guy’s not gonna get an extension he’s worthy of,” McVay said. “All the narratives out there are wrong. Jared and I couldn’t be more connected, and I couldn’t be more appreciative of him as our leader.

He is so vital and important to us and our success. That extension will get done. It’s a matter of when, not if.”

The lecture follows speculation that the Rams might be hesitant to lock down Goff because McVay is the puppet-master who is the sole reason for the quarterback’s success, and therefore L.A. might balk at paying him $30-plus-million per season on a new deal, especially after his struggles in the Super Bowl.

After Carson Wentz inked his massive $128 million contract extension, eyes turned westward, to Los Angeles, where Jared Goff sits as one of the next young quarterbacks waiting for his payday.

The signal-caller insists he’s not concerned about his next contract, which could reach another stratosphere.

“It’s not for me to worry about,” Goff said Tuesday, via the Associated Press. “It’s for the team and my agent to work on, and keep doing what I’ve been doing on the field, and hopefully it will take care of itself.”
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001033501/article/rams-qb-jared-goff-not-concerned-with-contract-status

Safety #24 Taylor RAPP “rookie”

Rapp projects out as a sub package box safety, & a reliable member of the special teams unit.

He was compared by some to his new teammate Eric Weddle during some pre/post-draft analysis, and by others to Harrison Smith. His statistics from a detailed perspective shows his versatility as well as impact.

In 2018 he was first in tackling efficiency via Pro Football Focus, missing 1 in every 55 tackles this previous season. That’s a promising DB when facing the likes of Alvin Kamara, Saquon Barkley, Zach Ertz, and Russell Wilson.

Rapp doesn’t solely boast the ability to make tackles, he also brings the ability to be productive in coverage.

His impact in the passing game was big. This past season Taylor Rapp forced incompletions on 27.8 % of targets (highest in PAC12 for safeties) while allowing only 2.9 yds per target in coverage in 2018(2nd among FBS safeties).

Don’t expect Rapp to struggle much when he is on the field, as he’s played quality minutes against a variety of high potency offenses in the PAC-12. Realistic expectations for Rapp should be 15-25 tackles as a sub-defender (he had 59 as a starter at Washington in 2018).

Stealing Versatility In The NFL Draft: Taylor Rapp

Bucky Brooks of NFL.com sees the match between the Rams and Rapp as one of the best to come out of the 2019 draft. He ranked it the fourth-best fit of any team-player match in the draft.

Drafted 61st overall (Round 2) out of Washington. So Rapp isn’t a workout warrior. It is still undeniable that he is one of the best football players in the 2019 NFL Draft, based on his performance and production between the lines.

As a versatile defender with outstanding instincts, awareness and ball skills, Rapp is an impact player with the capacity to create turnovers between the hashes or near the line of scrimmage as a box-area defender with explosive blitzing skills.

If he can pick up a few tips from new Rams teammate (and two-time All-Pro safety) Eric Weddle, he could quickly become an all-star performer.

Rapp has exactly what the Rams need. He’s great near the line of scrimmage and has the size to cover tight ends, yet he’s also very capable in coverage with a passer rating of only 12.0 allowed last season.

The Rams’ third and fourth safeties played more than 40 percent of the team’s snaps combined last season, so if Rapp replaces Marqui Christian and Blake Countess in that regard, he’ll definitely be on the field plenty next season.
Rams, Taylor Rapp named one of the best fits from 2019 draft

“I think I’m very versatile, the most versatile safety in this draft,” Rapp said in a February interview with Pro Football Focus. “I think I can do it all. I think I can play in the deep third. I can run the alley.

I can tackle. I have a high football IQ. I can rush the passer. I can blitz. I can cover. I think I’m the full package. I can do everything.”

Rapp doesn’t just talk the talk, either.

The three-year Washington product played 79 defensive snaps at the line of scrimmage, 364 in the box, 528 at slot cornerback and 1,271 at free safety in his collegiate career.

His combined grade over the past two seasons (2017-18) is 91.9, ranking tied for third in the FBS, and he earned the fourth-highest overall grade (90.1) among safeties in just his banner year in 2018.

Diving deeper into just his play at slot corner, Rapp led all primary safeties with at least 200 slot cornerback snaps over the last three years in passer rating allowed (41.5) and yards allowed per coverage snap (0.57).

Rushing the passer, Rapp recorded 15 total pressures across 72 pass-rush snaps in his career, all leading to a top-10 pass-rush grade (69.2) among qualifying FBS safeties. He also ranked sixth on the list in pass-rush win percentage (15.3%).

Rapp’s three-year run-defense grade (90.7) ranks tied for fourth among FBS safeties with 500-plus run-defense snaps in the last three years.

Slot coverage, pass-rush, run defense, Rapp’s ranging skillset mirrors that of James and Adams at the next level, but while he does see the duo as role models, he pulls bits and pieces from the games of many safeties to refine his craft.

“[James and Adams are] big role models, but I don’t model my game after one specific player,” Rapp said. “I try to take a little tad bit from all the players I look up to… I think I take a little bit from everyone, for sure.”

Rapp also credits his Dawgs for a lot of his successes, as he spoke highly of former Washington superstars Budda Baker, Kevin King, Sidney Jones, and Byron Murphy.

“They taught me how to prepare like a pro and how to practice like a pro,” Rapp said. “They pretty much taught me everything in terms of preparation before a season, preparation before an opponent every week, just stuff like that. Their influence on me was tremendous.”

Rapp missed just 12 tackles while recorded 164 combined tackles in his three-year career with UW, giving him the seventh-best tackling efficiency (14.7) among all qualifying safeties since 2016. He’s learned to secure tackles without losing power, as well.

He plays the game with a mean streak and takes pride in that. “Football is meant to be played violently,” Rapp said. “When you tackle someone, I always take pride in how you take that ball carrier down.
https://www.pff.com/news/draft-former-uw-standout-taylor-rapp-says-hes-the-most-versatile-safety-in-this-draft

OL #64 Jamil DEMBY “proving himself”

The Rams drafted offensive lineman Bobby Evans and David Edwards this year, and toward the end of last season, they poached Jamil Demby off the Lions’ practice squad.

Demby was originally drafted by the Rams in Round 6 last year, but he was shockingly waived.

Some regret must’ve set in because Los Angeles felt the need to get him back.

Now he’s become the Rams’ most versatile offensive lineman. On Tuesday, offensive line coach Aaron Kromer said Demby is working out at every spot up front – even center.

“He had the opportunity last year to go away and come back and we both appreciate each other more from that separation and coming back and that has allowed us to grow at a faster rate,” Kromer said.

“Jamil has played four or five spots, actually – he’s getting reps at all five at this point – so we feel strongly about what he’s done in this offseason. Obviously games are more important these practices in no pads, but we feel really good about him.”

Ideally, Demby can be a Swiss army knife, of sorts, and be backup at whichever position the Rams need him at.

He took first-team reps at left tackle when Andrew Whitworth was taking days off in OTAs, so the coaches are clearly confident in him.

Regardless of where he winds up, that versatility will be extremely valuable this season.
Jamil Demby showing exceptional versatility, playing every O-line spot

DL #97 Morgan FOX “healthy again”

May 29, 2018 Morgan Fox Out for Season with Knee Injury: The 23-year-old out of Colorado State-Pueblo was poised to take a significant step forward to play a key role on Los Angeles’ defense in 2018.

McVay had previously said Fox could be in the mix at outside linebacker based on his positional flexibility. Fox had been working with the club’s first-team defense during OTAs.

“Certainly, that’s a big loss for us based on some of the projections that we had and plans in mind,” McVay said. Fox was a part of the defensive rotation for Los Angeles in 2017, recording 2.5 sacks while playing primarily as a 3-4 defensive end.

He also tallied two tackles for loss, three QB hits, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
https://www.therams.com/news/morgan-fox-out-for-season-with-knee-injury-20692080

Defensive lineman Morgan Fox was on pace to play a significant role in Los Angeles’ defense last year, taking reps at outside linebacker during the offseason program. But then he tore his ACL in OTAs and missed the entire 2018 season.

Now a full year removed from the injury and a rigorous rehab process, Fox said in an interview with therams.com on Wednesday that he’s feeling like himself again, and ready to compete for a significant role in the defensive line rotation.

“It feels great,” Fox said of practicing during OTAs. “It’s hard to describe. You know, you don’t get to do anything and then you are back to moving around and getting after it.”

Now, Fox is back on the defensive line and once again appears to have a chance to play a lot of snaps in the rotation.

Back in 2017, Fox played just over 30 percent of snaps, making 2.5 sacks.

And even as he’s getting those critical 11-on-11 snaps, he’s spent time after practice every day getting in some extra reps with the sled or a tackling dummy.

Fox stood out during OTAs with his speed and athletic ability, which served to remind everyone why the Rams were so high on him before the injury.
https://www.therams.com/news/five-takeaways-from-the-third-week-of-otas

DT #91 Greg GAINES “rookie”

“I think Gaines obviously works hard at what he does, I think he’s a grinder, we said that, and I think he’ll be stronger in pads, where you can see his power and stuff,” Phillips said.

“He’s done a good job so far,” Phillips continued. “He’s a smart player and we always say smart players get better. So he’s one of those guys.”
https://www.therams.com/news/he-s-a-smart-player-and-we-always-say-smart-players-get-better-phillips-gives-in

Greg Gaines’ senior year was something to behold not because he put up ridiculous pass rush numbers or made any kind of special jump from his junior year, but because the man simply showed up for work everyday with his hard hat and lunch pail and went to work, even without Vita Vea covering his backside.

Husky fans have a nickname for Gaines: GFG … as in Greg “effing” Gaines. When you see how this man gears up for every snap, engages in hand to hand combat on every play and lifts the defensive line on his shoulders, you’ll soon be calling him the same thing.

Most UW fans will tell you that Gaines was the most consistent if not the MVP of UW’s dominating 2018 defense. I would be one of those. Gaines is a classic motor player with a low center of gravity and ridiculous strength. As such, he can move pretty seamlessly from one-gap to two-gap responsibilities with ease.

I like him as a two gap player taking on multiple blockers because he can create so much opportunity for his linebackers to make plays in the running game.

UW’s MIKE, Ben Burr-Kirven (now with the Seattle Seahawks) led the FBS in tackles this year on the back of Greg Gaines playing just this role. He is a blocker eating machine who has mastery of the fundamentals to make the tackle when it comes his way.
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2019/5/30/18645278/2019-nfl-draft-washington-huskies-greg-gaines-scouting-report-uw-dawg-pound-la-rams-rookie-roster

Gaines (6-1, 312) played in a school record 54 games over four seasons, tallying 148 tackles, 20.5 tackles for losses, 9.5 sacks, four pass breakups, an interception and a fumble recovery.

As a senior, Gaines produced 55 tackles, 6.5 tackles for losses and 3.5 sacks and won the Morris Trophy, which is awarded to the Pac-12’s top defensive lineman based on votes from opposing players.

Gaines is considered a tough and active nose tackle who is tough to move at the point of attack, disruptive against the run and surprisingly good as a pocket collapser.

In fact, Pro Football Focus gave Gaines one of the top overall run defense grades among draft-eligible defensive linemen.

According to PFF’s draft guide, Gaines produced 36 total run stops (tackles constituting a situational defeat for the offense) and was surprisingly disruptive as a rusher, creating 45 total pressures, including nine quarterback hits and 33 hurries.
Packers bring in Washington DL Greg Gaines on pre-draft visit

Head coach Sean McVAY “humbled by SB loss”

Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay said he had been “out-coached” by New England Patriots counterpart Bill Belichick after his team’s Super Bowl defeat on Sunday.

A downcast McVay — who could have become the youngest coach in history to win a Super Bowl — entered the game as the hottest coaching property in the NFL after transforming the Rams into title contenders in two seasons.

“Coach Belichick did an outstanding job,” McVay said. “There is really no other way to put it. I’m pretty numb right now, but definitely, I got out-coached.”

McVay was left to reflect on what might have been had the Rams taken their chances. Twice receiver Brandin Cooks came within a whisker of scoring touchdowns only to be denied by the New England defense.

“I didn’t do nearly good enough for our football team,” a downbeat McVay said. “The thing that is so tough about all of this is the finality to it. This one is going to stick with you and it just stings in your gut.

“I love these players. And that is where it eats at you because you didn’t feel like you did your part to help them achieve success.”
https://sports.yahoo.com/rams-coach-mcvay-says-blame-loss-051154803–nfl.html

McVay shared a story of a fan coming up to him in Vegas about the money the Rams cost him, and it wasn’t exactly pennies. It was a large chunk of change.

“When I went to Vegas a couple weeks after the Super Bowl just to have some fun, first guy I run into says, ‘Hey man, you lost me half a million on the over.’ I said, ‘Oh man, I’m sorry.’ I’m probably a wanted man. But you just gotta move on,” McVay said.

The Rams coach got more serious when discussing the fact that he may have done too much studying of the Patriots’ film leading up to the Super Bowl. This is something he admitted recently, saying he may have gone overboard in that department.

If he could do it all over again, he may have done it differently and worked smarter, not harder.

“When you look at those couple weeks, there’s an element of when you work, you want to work hard. But you also want to work smart and you can have so many different things and not be mindful of the progression of the season.

There’s usually about a 4-6-game span that you’re usually operating on while still being mindful of situations. And then you’ve got two weeks and you don’t want to short yourself.

“I’d be lying if I said that if things go a little off-track, you probably have too many thoughts in your head, and you would have a different rhythm. I don’t necessarily know if you’re working any less hard for the preparation, but you know, Coach Belichick and the Patriots are the standard right now.”
Sean McVay did 'a lot of drinking' after Super Bowl loss to Patriots

Player “Summaries & Questions”

LB M.Kiser- Polished enough to be a starting caliber 2 down ILB?
TE G.Everett- Ready for the next level or more of the same in 2019?
RB T.Gurley- Remain healthy & explosive in the final month of season?
FS E.Weddle- Enough gas in the tank to notch another pro-bowl?
RB D.Henderson- Will the home run hitters 8.2 career avg translate to NFL?
LB C.Matthews- A new team & familiar scheme. Can he turn back the clock?

OL J.Noteboom- Slotted to start at LG but will Saffold be sorely missed?
LB D.Fowler- Does a full off-season equate to double digit sacks?
WR C.Kupp- Enough time healing to regain 2018 form early in the season?
DT S.Joseph-Day- Did he steal some of Greg Gaines thunder in OTA’s?
OC B.Allen- Smart blue collar former wrestler. Ready to be center of attention?
DL J.Franklin-Myers- Flashed in 2018. Talented or a career rotational player?

QB J.Goff- Stepped up his game every year. Does he continue the current pattern?
SS T.Rapp- Gifted tackler with natural instincts. Will he be as good as advertised?
OL J.Demby- Lots of ink about his versatility. 6th best OL on the depth chart or 9th?
DL M.Fox- Poised to break through in 2018 before injury. Is he talented enough?
DT G.Gaines- Considered a draft steal by many. Are high expectations a fantasy?
HC S.McVay- Can he prepare & convince this years team the SB hangover is a myth?

Rams’ 3 biggest weaknesses heading into training camp

I would say question marks, not weaknesses. We don’t know yet what some of the weaknesses are or how many. We do know what the question marks are.

And given that I would not list run defense and CB, as this writer does.

Run D is a question mark, but not a heavy one. Last year the superbowl was between 2 teams which were ranked 30th and 32nd in terms of yards per carry allowed.

I would put as the other 2 major question marks:

* edge rush

* improvement in qb/passing game consistency

A position-by-position look at the Rams’ roster heading into training camp

Vincent Bonsignore

https://theathletic.com/1076457/2019/07/23/a-position-by-position-look-at-the-rams-roster-heading-into-training-camp/

Coming off a 13-win season and an appearance in Super Bowl LIII, the Rams were much more focused on maintaining their roster than changing it in the offseason. But the unforgiving reality of the NFL’s hard salary cap means having to make difficult personnel decisions every year, even for Super Bowl contenders. And that sometimes means having to reluctantly say goodbye to productive players to better fit a 53-man puzzle under the salary cap.

Hence, the Rams had to bid farewell to veterans like left guard Rodger Saffold, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, safety Lamarcus Joyner and inside linebacker Mark Barron with the hope that younger, more affordable players — or moderately priced free agents — can adequately replace them.

While a talented Rams roster returns mostly intact from last season, the manner in which the subtle changes they made play out on the field will go a long way toward determining whether they make a return run to the Super Bowl.

The offensive line, in particular, is worth keeping an eye on. Second-year linemen Joe Noteboom and Brian Allen will replace Saffold and veteran John Sullivan at left guard and center, respectively. The Rams have high hopes for both, but they remain major question marks until they prove worthy.

The same is true at nose tackle, where either rookie Greg Gaines or second-year DT Sebastian Joseph-Day will replace Suh, and at inside linebacker, where Micah Kiser, a second-year player from Virginia, has the inside track to take over for Barron.

Those positions aside, the Rams return a powerful team on both sides of the ball, and by getting third-year receiver Cooper Kupp back from the season-ending knee injury he suffered November, their wildly productive three-headed receiver group of Kupp, Robert Woods and Brandin Cooks returns. The trio was on pace to eclipse more than 1,000 yards receiving — each — before Kupp went down with the injury. Both Cooks and Woods went on to surpass the 1,000-yard mark, and if they all stay healthy in 2019 there is a good chance all three will be on pace to close the deal.

Yes, there are two first-year starters on the offensive line, but the tackle tandem of Andrew Whitworth and Rob Havenstein is among the best in the NFL and Austin Blythe has settled in as one of the league’s up-and-coming players at right guard.

Their challenge is to protect fourth-year QB Jared Goff, who is one of the best in the NFL when operating in a clean pocket, and open holes for Todd Gurley, who faded down the stretch last year after injuring his knee in early December. There is still great uncertainty about Gurley’s left knee, and we won’t know more until the regular season begins unfolding. As insurance, the Rams drafted Memphis running back Darrell Henderson, and there is an expectation he will figure prominently in the mix as the Rams roll out their plan to manage Gurley’s workload.

Two-time defending NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald anchors the Rams’ defense, although third-year safety John Johnson and emerging inside linebacker Cory Littleton appear to be standouts on the rise. A year of transition should benefit cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib, and OLBs Dante Fowler and Samson Ebukam.

The Rams reeled in veteran safety Eric Weddle and OLB Clay Matthews, and if each player has something left in the tank, they will be welcome additions in defensive coordinator Wade Phillips’ attacking 3-4 scheme.

The Rams have veteran depth at cornerback, defensive line and wide receiver, but will rely on mostly young players as backups at safety, offensive line and inside linebacker. Their ability to be up to the challenge when called upon will be a key to the Rams’ season. Here’s a position-by-position look at how things stand going into camp.

Quarterbacks
Jared Goff: Coming off back-to-back division titles and a Super Bowl appearance last season, Goff has solidified himself as a top-seven NFL quarterback. But there is still room to grow as he sets his sights on elevating himself into the top five and even the top three.

Blake Bortles: The former Jacksonville Jaguars starter and third overall pick in the 2014 draft singled out the Rams and head coach Sean McVay as the preferred culture to try and get his quarterbacking career back on track. While submerging himself in McVay’s offensive lab, he’ll provide some much-needed experience behind Goff.

Brandon Allen: Allen, who was drafted by the Jaguars in the sixth round of the 2016 draft, has been in the Rams organization for two years and spent the majority of last season on the practice squad. The Rams like his moxie and familiarity with the system, but his spot in Los Angeles depends on how many quarterbacks the Rams decide to keep on the roster.

John Wolford: The former Wake Forest standout played well enough in the short life of the Alliance of American Football league last spring to earn an opportunity with the Rams. He’s got a live arm and a natural feel for the position. He’ll come to camp to compete with Brandon Allen either as the third quarterback or for a spot on the practice squad.

Who makes the cut: Goff, Bortles

Running backs
Todd Gurley: Gurley is one of the most fascinating stories of the 2019 season as he enters the fifth year of an already illustrious career. Has he put the mysterious knee injury he suffered late last season behind him, or have we seen the last of the best of one of the NFL’s most explosive weapons?

Malcolm Brown: Brown has operated mostly in the shadows, playing behind one of the best — and most utilized — running backs in the league in Gurley. But with the Rams intent on managing Gurley’s workload better, Brown could see some real carries. He’s got a lot to offer, and we might finally see his skill set on display.

Darrell Henderson: The Rams traded up in the third round to draft the former Memphis star, and depending on the status of Gurley’s left knee, he could emerge as one of the biggest impact rookies in the NFL. The best-case scenario for the Rams is that he is an explosive complement to Gurley as a weapon out of the backfield and lines up as a receiver.

Justin Davis: The former USC standout hasn’t gotten much of a chance his first two years to put his explosive skills on display, and the addition of Henderson could put his roster spot in jeopardy. That said, whether it’s with the Rams or somewhere else, Davis has an NFL skill set. He just needs an opportunity to show it.

John Kelly: The former Tennessee standout secured a roster spot last year as a rookie but appeared in only four games. The presence of Henderson creates a big fight for Kelly to retain his place on the roster.

Matthew Colburn: An undrafted rookie from Wake Forest, Colburn joins a crowded running backs room and has a ton of talent in front of him. His best chance to make the team is by shining on special teams.

Who makes the cut?: Gurley, Brown, Henderson, Davis

Receivers
Brandin Cooks: Cooks was everything the Rams could have imagined and more after they traded for him last offseason, finishing with 80 catches for 1,204 yards and five touchdowns. The crazy thing is that he believes a year in the Rams’ system and a season under the belt with Goff could set up even better things in 2019. And he could be right.

Robert Woods: Remember when everyone thought the Rams overpaid for a possession receiver two years ago? Yeah, Woods has completely kicked that narrative to the curb by emerging as one of the most trusted receivers in the game. And probably one of the most underpaid.

Cooper Kupp: The Rams sorely missed their young receiver after he went down with a season-ending knee injury in early November, and in particular, Goff’s play suffered. By all indications, Kupp is on target to be full-go by the season opener against the Carolina Panthers.

Josh Reynolds: Reynolds filled in admirably when Kupp was lost for the season with a knee injury in November, and on any other team he’d be pushing for a starting job. As the Rams’ fourth receiver, he provides tremendous value.

KhaDarel Hodge: Hodge played in 14 games last year after earning a roster spot as an undrafted free agent, playing mostly on special teams. He’ll battle Mike Thomas, who missed last year with a leg injury, for a job on the 53-man roster.

Mike Thomas: Thomas missed all but the season opener last year with a groin injury and hasn’t made his mark yet in three years with the Rams. Still, he offers size, speed and a potential deep threat. He’s running out of time in Los Angeles, but he’ll be given every opportunity to win a spot.

JoJo Natson: He doesn’t offer much in the passing game, but the work he does as a punt returner more than justifies his job on the 53-man roster. He averaged 10.8 yards per punt return last year, seventh in the NFL.

Austin Proehl: The former seventh-round pick of the Buffalo Bills last year, Proehl was signed to the Rams’ practice roster in late October and spent the remainder of the year in the organization. He still has time — and a skill set — to develop into an NFL-caliber slot receiver but he faces an uphill climb in a talented Rams receiver room.

Alex Bachman: A local kid who grew up minutes from the Rams’ practice facility in Thousand Oaks, the undrafted 23-year-old rookie free agent brings speed and crisp route running into his fight to win a roster spot. His time might not be now, but he’s a strong candidate to earn a practice squad spot.

Nsimba Webster: Webster was a standout at Eastern Washington and the Rams happily scooped him up as an undrafted free agent. The 84 catches for 1,379 yards and 11 touchdowns he had last year as a senior are certainly attention-grabbing. Don’t be surprised if he pushes Hodge and Thomas for a roster spot.

Johnathan Lloyd: The Rams signed the former Duke star as an undrafted free agent. He caught 53 passes for 608 yards last year as a senior but faces a stiff challenge winning a job on such a loaded roster.

Jalen Greene: A highly regarded high school quarterback at Southern California powerhouse Junipero Serra High, Greene made the transition to wide receiver in his second year in the USC program in 2015 and has steadily been learning his craft ever since. He played his senior year as a graduate transfer at Utah State, where he caught 44 passes for 689 yards and six touchdowns to help catch the eyes of the NFL. The Rams reeled him in as an undrafted free agent and given his size (6-foot-2, 205 pounds) and athletic ability, he’s worth keeping an eye on as a young player still developing as a wideout.

Who makes the cut: X receiver: Cooks, Thomas; Z receiver: Woods, Reynolds; Slot receiver: Kupp, Natson

Tight ends
Tyler Higbee: Higbee has developed into a valuable two-way tight end as a tenacious run blocker and a dependable pass-catcher. He doesn’t get a ton of looks in the passing game, but the Rams feel comfortable he can handle himself well if they involve him more as a receiver.

Gerald Everett: There were times last year when Everett looked ready to burst out as a powerful weapon, but partly due to how the Rams use him, he hasn’t been able to put together a long, consistent stretch of play that puts his size, speed, athletic ability and sure hands on better display. Now in his third year, the buzz is that could change as the Rams seem intent on getting him more involved. If so, expect him to greatly improve on his 33 catches, 320 yards and three touchdowns.

Johnny Mundt: He only played 40 snaps on offense, mostly as a blocker, and 127 snaps on special teams. The Rams really like his blocking and special teams play, and he needs to continue proving that value to hold on to his roster spot.

Romello Brooker: He emerged in his senior year at Houston as an NFL prospect by catching 33 passes for 409 yards and seven touchdowns. He’ll get a chance to push for the third tight end job.

Keenan Brown: Brown spent four mostly under-the-radar years at Oklahoma State before moving to Texas State last year as a graduate transfer. The former wide receiver blossomed in San Marcos by catching 51 passes for 577 yards and five touchdowns to firmly land on NFL radars. If last year proved he turned the corner, there is a lot to like about Brown and he’ll clearly get a long look in camp.

Kendall Blanton: At 6-foot-6 Blanton clearly looks the part of an NFL tight end prospect, but he never quite put it together during his four years at Missouri and he faces an uphill battle to catch the necessary eyes to stick with the Rams as an undrafted rookie.

Who makes the cut: Higbee, Everett, Mundt

Offensive linemen
Andrew Whitworth: After making the Rams sweat a little bit while deciding if he wanted to come back for one more year, the highly valued veteran left tackle made their day by announcing he’d return. His loss would have been a devastating blow. His return gives the Rams one of the best quarterback protectors in all of football.

Rob Havenstein: He’s low-key emerging as one of the best right tackles in the NFL, and coupled with Whitworth on the left side, the Rams have one of the best tackle tandems in the league.

Joe Noteboom: The pressure is on the second-year lineman from TCU to replace valued veteran left guard Rodger Saffold, who left for Tennessee as a free agent. Noteboom spent last year developing behind the scenes, mostly, but he’s a big, powerful, smart player who the Rams believe has a bright future. That future, though, has to start right now.

Brian Allen: The Rams drafted Allen last year with the idea of him developing for one season and then taking over for John Sullivan in 2019. That plan is unfolding according to the script. It’s on Allen to now execute it.

Austin Blythe: He seized the opportunity when Jamon Brown was suspended the first two games of last year and never looked back, taking hold of the right guard position. The Rams believe they have a long-range keeper in the former Iowa standout, and there is certainly room to grow as he enters his second year as the starter.

Bobby Evans: The Rams have big hopes for the rookie tackle from Oklahoma, but barring injuries, expect him to spend his rookie season developing behind the scenes. And don’t be surprised if he gets work at both tackle and guard.

Jamil Demby: A numbers game cost Demby a spot on the Rams’ roster last year out of training camp, and after cutting him (with the hope of immediately bringing him back on the practice squad) the Rams spent most of 2018 trying to get him back from the Detroit Lions, who scooped him up off waivers. Demby finally returned to the fold in mid-December and is on target to earn a job as a backup at both tackle and guard.

Aaron Neary: Neary spent last year on the Rams’ practice squad, but his opportunity to win a full-time job was dealt a big blow when he was suspended for the first four games of 2019 for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. He’ll have a full training camp to earn a chance to stick around after the suspension is lifted, but he’ll lose valuable time not being able to play or practice beyond that for the first four weeks of the season. Still, he can play both center and guard and that’s a valuable asset.

Jeremiah Kolone: He’s back with the team after being released from the practice squad in mid-September and then playing with San Diego in the AAF last spring. He is a candidate to stick with the practice squad.

Brandon Hitner: An undrafted free agent from Villanova, there is a lot to like about Hitner’s measurables, and working under the tutelage of Rams offensive line coach Aaron Kromer, he’ll get a chance to develop during training camp and the preseason. He’s a long-shot to make the 53-man roster, but keep an eye on him as an “upside developmental project” in the Rams’ system as a rookie.

Vitas Hrynkiewicz: Given the suspension status of Neary, who is the only experienced backup center on the roster, Hrynkiewicz has a chance to open eyes as a center prospect during camp.

Chandler Brewer: Another big-bodied undrafted free agent pickup, Brewer will compete for a spot on the Rams’ practice squad.

David Edwards: The Rams’ fifth-round draft pick out of Wisconsin, Edwards is a big, physical, athletic lineman who fell in the draft due to a shoulder injury his senior year. He’ll spend his rookie season learning behind fellow Badger standout Rob Havenstein, but the future is bright for a lineman who has the potential to be a future starter.

Matt Kaskey: An undrafted free agent from Dartmouth, Kaskey projects as a left tackle in the NFL but will need time to get acclimated and developed. The Rams drafted two tackles in 2019, so making the 53-man roster on such a talented team could be a challenge. But he’s absolutely a practice squad candidate with a ton of upside.

Who makes the cut: Tackles: Whitworth, Havenstein, Edwards, Evans; Guards: Noteboom, Blythe, Demby; Center: Allen

Defensive linemen
Aaron Donald: What else needs to be said? He’s arguably the best player in the NFL.

Sebastian Joseph-Day: Joseph-Day put in a great offseason after developing behind the scenes as a rookie and appears poised to challenge for a starting job at nose tackle.

Marquise Copeland: An undrafted free agent out of Cincinnati, Copeland joins a crowded — albeit young — defensive line room. The numbers, youth and potential of the DL group should result in a fierce battle to earn a roster spot or practice squad consideration and Copeland is very much in the thick of that battle.

Greg Gaines: The Rams drafted the former Washington star in the fourth round, and fully expect him to compete for a starting role as their base defense nose tackle. He’s a tenacious, gap-plugging wide body who knows how to play the position.

Tanzel Smart: After a solid rookie year in 2017, Smart didn’t take much of a step forward in 2018 and will have a fight on his hands to remain with the team as an interior lineman.

Michael Brockers: A valued, respected veteran who plays his role unselfishly, Brockers enjoyed lining up at defensive end last year and should be even more settled out wide in his second year at that position.

John Franklin-Myers: Franklin-Myers played 301 defensive snaps last year as a rookie after earning a role as a situational pass rusher. He’s got a natural feel in the pass rush and an uncanny ability to get pressure on a quarterback. The Rams are hoping for even bigger things in his second year.

Morgan Fox: Fox missed all of last year after suffering a knee injury during OTAs, but he’s healthy and back at his more natural defensive end. On a loaded defensive line, he’ll add fresh legs and heat off the edge as a rotational pass rusher.

Bryant Jones: In a realistic world, the undrafted free agent from Mississippi Valley State shows enough in camp to warrant practice squad potential.

Boogie Roberts: A bit undersized at 6-foot-2, 285 pounds, the undrafted free agent from San Jose State makes up for it with quickness and explosiveness. But he’ll have to put all of that out there in a big way to earn a spot on the 53-man roster or practice squad.

Who makes the cut: Defensive tackle: Donald, Gaines, Joseph-Day; Defensive end: Brockers, Franklin-Myers, Fox

Outside linebackers
Dante Fowler Jr.: The Rams dealt for Fowler Jr. at the trade deadline last November and he provided enough heat off the edge to earn a one-year contract and another chance to solidify himself as part of the Rams’ long-range plans. He has a golden opportunity, but it’s on him to seize it.

Samson Ebukam: The Rams were happy with the progress Ebukam made last year as a first-time starter, but expect improvements across the board as he begins to put his game together in a big way. They need more from him in the run game and creating heat off the edge.

Clay Matthews III: The Rams are counting on the former Packers All-Pro to be a valuable chess piece that defensive coordinator Wade Phillips can deploy all over the field trying to get pressure on the quarterback. If Matthews has gas left in the tank, his addition will pay dividends.

Ogbonnia Okoronkwo: His rookie season was pretty much wiped out by a broken foot he suffered during OTAs in 2018, and he’ll need to show he can translate his athletic ability into pass rush off the edge. The opportunity is there to earn a job as a rotational pass rusher. Now completely healthy, it’ll be interesting to see if he makes the most of his chance.

Justin Lawler: He played mostly a special teams role, although he did get on the field for 33 plays defensively as a rookie. He has his work cut out for him to keep his roster spot, but his ability to play upright out of stance will help his cause.

Trevon Young: He split time as a rookie on the active roster and practice squad, but will get a chance to earn a bigger role as a second-year player.

Landis Durham: He racked up 21.5 sacks the last two years at Texas A&M, so the ability to get pressure on the quarterback is there for the undrafted free agent.

Who makes the cut: Fowler, Ebukam, Matthews, Okoronkwo, Lawler

Inside linebackers
Cory Littleton: He gave the Rams everything they could have hoped for and more as a first-year starter last season while finishing with 125 tackles, four sacks and three interceptions. The needle is pointing up for this fourth-year player.

Micah Kiser: A rugged, run-stopping inside linebacker, the second-year backer from Virginia is in line to replace Mark Barron in the starting lineup. The Rams will help his learning curve by playing him mostly on road downs initially.

Bryce Hager: One of the Rams’ most valuable special teams players, Hager can also provide quality coverage at both inside linebacker spots in injury situations.

Josh Carraway: A former seventh-round draft choice by the Tennessee Titans in 2017, Carraway has spent the last two years on the practice squads of Tennessee and Washington. He’s a terrific athlete, and on a team with limited experience at ILB, he’s got a great opportunity to earn a spot.

Dakota Allen: A seventh-round pick out of Texas Tech, Allen has a chance to open eyes as a special teams player and versatile backup. He’s a good candidate for the practice squad regardless.

Natrez Patrick: An undrafted free agent from Georgia, Patrick will be in the thick of the ILB battle. With so much uncertainty, he has as good a chance as anyone to open eyes.

Travin Howard: An ankle injury set the seventh-round pick out of TCU back last year in training camp, and he was subsequently cut at the end of camp before being added to the practice squad in October. The Rams remain high on the big, physical backer heading into his second year. But he needs to step it up in training camp.

Troy Reeder: Reeder started his college career at Penn State before transferring to Delaware, where he became a two-time captain and NFL prospect. He’s got a nose for the ball, he’s bright, and he projects as a willing special teams ace. There is a lot to like here, so don’t sleep on his chances to make the team.

Ketner Kupp: The brother of Cooper Kupp, Ketner has a chance to catch the Rams’ attention, but the most likely bet is as a practice squad player.

Who makes the cut: Littleton, Kiser, Howard, Carraway, Hager

Cornerbacks
Marcus Peters: As he heads into the final year of his rookie contract, Peters could play his way into the Rams’ long-range future. His first year in Los Angeles was an up-and-down affair, but he won the respect of his team by playing through a serious leg injury, never making excuses during some early-season struggles and then rebounded as a dependable cover man over the second half of the season.

Troy Hill: A valuable reserve who can start and play in reserve, Hill has quietly become an important part of the Rams’ secondary.

Darious Williams: Williams will likely find a home on an NFL roster, but a loaded DB room in Los Angeles stacks the deck on his chances to remain with the Rams.

Aqib Talib: The longtime veteran shows no signs of slowing down, and proved to be a valuable member of the Rams’ secondary not just with his play, but his leadership.

David Long: The Rams believe they landed a future starter with their third-round pick out of Michigan, and he’s got a chance to crack the secondary rotation right off the bat.

Nickell Robey-Coleman: A valuable slot cornerback, Robey-Coleman has emerged as part of the Rams’ defensive secondary fabric.

Kevin Peterson: A torn ACL cost Peterson all of last year. His needle was pointing up at the time of the injury, and he returns to an even more crowded cornerback room.

Donte Deayon: A late addition to the Rams’ practice squad last December, Deayon faces an uphill battle making the 53-man roster.

Dominique Hatfield: Hatfield split time between the Rams’ practice squad and active roster last year before going down with a season-ending ankle injury in mid-December. He has talent, and familiarity, but a tough climb ahead of him to make the team.

Who makes the cut: Peters, Talib, Robey-Coleman, Hill, Long, Peterson

Safeties
Eric Weddle: The veteran free safety was signed as a free agent in the offseason, and will provide an upgrade alongside emerging star John Johnson.

John Johnson: A second-year standout from Boston College, Johnson has emerged as one of the best safeties in the NFL and appears poised for a huge year in 2019.

Taylor Rapp: A tough, smart, versatile safety, the rookie out of Washington fits perfectly in a secondary high on smarts, flexibility and toughness.

Marqui Christian: A valuable reserve and special teams ace, it will be interesting to see how much the presence of Rapp cuts into his playing time.

Nick Scott: The Rams identified the Penn State prospect as a future NFL special teams star, then invested a seventh-round pick in making sure they secured him into their fold.

Steven Parker: Parker played well enough during training camp last year to earn a spot on the practice squad. He’s got an NFL future somewhere, but given how crowded the Rams’ safety room is, it might not be in L.A.

Ramon Richards: Like Parker, the 2018 undrafted free agent spent last year on the practice squad. He needs a big-time performance in camp to stick around in 2019.

Jake Gervase: The undrafted rookie out of Iowa brings a lot to the table, although the most available road to a roster spot or practice squad consideration is on special teams.

Who makes the cut: Weddle, Johnson, Rapp, Christian, Scott

Special teams
P Johnny Hekker: One of the best in the business, and a huge asset.

K Greg Zuerlein: Kicked the Rams into the Super Bowl and remains one of the best kickers in the NFL.

LS Jake McQuaide: Part of the Rams’ special teams trifecta.

Who makes the cut: Hekker, Zuerlein, McQuaide

Rams to work though Super Bowl pain at training camp

Joe Curley

https://www.vcstar.com/get-access/?return=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vcstar.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fnfl%2Frams%2F2019%2F07%2F26%2Frams-work-though-super-bowl-pain-training-camp%2F1842479001%2F

THOUSAND OAKS — The confetti fell. The Los Angeles Rams left Atlanta without the Lombardi Trophy. And the NFL has continued to churn throughout the last six months.

The mysterious state of the star running back’s knee. The young quarterback’s potential nine-figure contract extension. Fresh faces on the offensive line and down the middle of the defense.

Sean McVay hope to shake off last year’s disappointing finish in the Super Bowl and maintain the Rams’ quick ascension to one of the NFL’s premier teams. (Photo: The Associated Press)

Those will be the primary topics as the Rams opened training camp this weekend at UC Irvine, even if the disappointment of Super Bowl LIII lingers in the back of the team’s mind.

“I know it still hurts to talk about it,” cornerback Marcus Peters said, “but we’re talking about this year now.”

Sean McVay joked on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” in July that the head coach still thinks about the 13-3 loss to New England in Super Bowl LIII “every minute.”

Although, McVay told Kimmel, “You can’t allow it to hijack your ability to move forward.”

“It’s the best season that I’ve ever been a part of,” McVay said about last year’s 13-3 campaign, which included the franchise’s first NFC title in 17 years and allowed Los Angeles to experience its first Super Bowl since 1984.

“It certainly does give you a motivation and a drive to do better, if you do get that opportunity again.”

Rectifying the missed opportunity in February will be the biggest test for McVay in his stellar young career.

Although he has the advantage of an up-close view of the blueprint. By beating the Rams, New England became the first team to win the Super Bowl after losing it the previous season since the 1972 Miami Dolphins.

But even getting back is a rarity. New England was the first Super Bowl loser to return to the big game in 24 years.

Since Buffalo reached four straight Super Bowls from 1991 to 1994, only three teams that have lost the Super Bowl have returned to the conference championship game. Historically, only 37 percent of teams who have lost a Super Bowl have responded by winning a single playoff game.

So for many reasons, the 2019 season will be the stiffest test of the winning culture the Rams have built over the past two seasons.

Physically, the returning players bore a bigger burden than 31 of 32 other teams in 2018.

“There’s massive different load that’s put on your body playing that much more football,” said veteran offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth, who will return for his 14th NFL season. “So there’s definitely a toll it takes on you.”

Strategically, McVay admitted in April that the extended season forced the team to adjust how it prepared for the draft.

“When we got to the combine,” McVay said, “it seemed like it was pretty quick, where we were a little bit behind where we typically are.”

And emotionally, the players and coaches will have to return to square one and, once again, begin pushing the rock back up the tallest of hills.

“If you’re worried about proving that you’re going to win one, that’s a foolish thing to say,” Whitworth said. “I think it’s more about, ‘You know what, we’re ready to take the challenge on of trying to get back there.’ ”

Quarterback Jared Goff said the Rams will attempt to approach every day “like we would have had we won that game.”

“Our process isn’t going to change based on one game,” Goff said.

Although the game plan might. Despite averaging more than 30 points per game under McVay, finishing first and second in the league in scoring the past two seasons, the Rams were held without a touchdown by Chicago and New England late in the season.

Does that suggest the Rams just missed injured receiver Cooper Kupp? Or do they need to evolve beyond their reliance on 11 personnel? Under McVay, they have been on the forefront of the league trend to use one running back, one tight end and three receivers.

While the league used the personnel grouping on about two thirds of offensive snaps, the Rams were still an outlier, using it a league-high 90% of snaps, according to Sharp Football.

They’ve used five offensive groupings in two seasons under McVay, while Chicago, New Orleans and Baltimore have used more than 30, according to Next Gen Stats.

“It’s a balance,” said McVay. “You’ve got to have an identity and you want to figure out what’s the best way to get your best players on the field, but then also, what are the best ways that you can try to create conflict for the defense?”

The Rams were on pace to become the first team in a decade to have three receivers with 1,000-yard seasons when Kupp suffered a knee injury in Week 10. Robert Woods and Brandin Cooks both went to catch at least 80 passes for 1,200 yards and five touchdowns.

“It’s about the players,” McVay said. “We feel like we got a lot of production. But you also want to make sure that you’re versatile enough not to be predictable and get stagnant.”

Kupp took part in non-contact drills during offseason workouts and was cleared to join the team at the beginning of training camp.

Todd Gurley’s knee might pose a longer-term issue. The running back led the NFL in touchdowns the last two seasons, despite missing the last two games of the regular season with a knee injury.

Gurley, who became the highest-paid running back in NFL history last summer, had averaged 23 touches per game under McVay. After returning to the lineup in January, his workload was halved to 11 touches per game in the three playoff games.

Gurley was not on the field with the team during offseason workouts, opting instead for his own training plan.

“Our goal is to get him ready to go for camp,” McVay said.

Gurley’s trainer, Travelle Gaines, told CBS Sports’ Dave Richard in June that the running back is managing an “arthritic component to his knee,” stemming from the injury that ended his Georgia career.

Gurley, who is not expected to take the field in the preseason, has downplayed the injury.

“I had bigger problems to worry about coming out of college,” Gurley said. “This is small.”

But the Rams made sure to build depth at the running back position in the offseason. They matched a restricted free-agent offer from Detroit for Gurley’s backup, Malcolm Brown, and drafted the explosive Darrell Henderson from Memphis in the third round.

“His explosiveness, his hands, his smoothness, his quickness are all really good,” Goff said of Henderson. “You can see why we liked him.”

One year after giving Gurley a $60 million contract extension, the Rams are on the cusp of giving Goff an extension that would make him one of the highest paid players in the NFL. The deal is expected to surpass the four-year, $128 million extension Philadelphia gave to quarterback Carson Wentz in June.

McVay, the quarterback guru who has yet to draft a player at the position, said the Rams intend Goff to be their quarterback “for a long time.”

“With what Jared’s done over the last couple years, you can’t argue with the production and how good we feel about him being our quarterback,” McVay said.

After two offseasons muddied by contract negotiations, the Rams have been boosted in the offseason by the sight of two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald.

“To have Aaron here really helps,” defensive coordinator Wade Phillip said. “He’s such a hard worker and a great example, great players influence other players.”

Together the Rams will attempt to “wipe the slate clean,” McVay said, and continue to build on their recent winning culture.

“I think you want to learn from the past, you want to be able to take some of the things that we learned that help us sustain a certain level of success,” McVay said. “Not lose sight of those things, but understand that you have to earn it every single day.

“I think our players will take that approach. We’ve got to produce right now. That’s the biggest thing.”