tweets & things … 9/2 thru 9/4

from PFF Rankings: All 32 NFL offensive line rankings after the 2019 NFL preseason: https://www.pff.com/news/pro-pff-rankings-all-32-offensive-lines-after-the-2019-nfl-preseason

13. LOS ANGELES RAMS
The once-elite line from last year now features a couple of new faces at left guard and center. It’s difficult to know what to expect though, as neither played a single snap this preseason.

Vincent Bonsignore@VinnyBonsignore
the #Rams really like their depth at [ILB]. Keep an eye on Travin Howard. The coaching staff is really fired up about his future and potential.

Lindsey Thiry@LindseyThiry
Sean McVay says the Rams are healthy going into Week 1. Aqib Talib was slowed in the second half of camp because of his hamstring, but says he’s feeling good now and has been participating in practices.

Some Rams players would have liked to play a few downs in the preseason. But most were just fine standing on the sideline watching — or hanging on the beach in L.A., when the team went to Hawaii.

With the addition of Coleman Shelton, the Rams currently have five Washington Huskies on their roster:
DT Greg Gaines
LB Cory Littleton
CB Marcus Peters
S Taylor Rapp
C Coleman Shelton

Stu Jackson@StuJRams
#LARams HC Sean McVay on signing C Coleman Shelton to the 53-man roster today:

“He was a guy that we had targeted, that once he hit waivers, was somebody we were interested in.”

from Rams Q&A: Vinny Bonsignore https://theathletic.com/1177751/2019/09/03/live-qa-with-rams-writer-vinny-bonsignore-on-tuesday-from-1-to-2-p-m-pt/

Who are the players to look out for this season?

I think John Johnson just continues to get better. I’m really curious about the impact Clay Matthews and Eric Weddle will make. I really like Taylor Rapp. Obviously Cooper Kupp returning is huge. Interested in the young offensive linemen – Joe Noteboom and Brian Allen. And for sure Darrell Henderson

Any chance we will see many 4 WR sets this season?

Yes, I do. I also think you’ll see Henderson and Gurley lined up at WR in empty 4-WR sets

After seeing Allen and Noteboom all last year and this summer, what do you think their chances of success are?

I think they’ll be fine, I really do. And I think Allen has a chance to be a physical upgrade. And that’s taking nothing away from Sullivan, I just think John was showing some physical slowing down. Allen is a wide, physical, strong center. I think he has a chance to be solid. And I’ve been impressed with Noteboom going all the way back to last year

There is zero hesitation from anyone with the Rams – and that includes some veteran offensive linemen – about the young offensive linemen, including the two new starters. The Rams have been preparing for this transition for more than a year. They really seem confident they are right where they need to be. As Rob Havenstein told me when I asked him: “Trust the process”

How do you think the Rams are going to attack the 6-1-4 defensive formations that stymied their outside zone running game?

They worked a lot during training camp on throwing against those types of zone looks, and I think being successful with the pass will benefit the run. But, also, I just think being a more physical, violent offensive line against those looks will go a long way. You can talk about whatever front you want, but the biggest issue for the Rams was getting beat up front, losing too many one-on-one battles. Fix that, and I think you fix the problem

Any depth concerns at ILB and do you anticipate moves to add there?

THey like the depth with Howard/Reeder and Allen waiting in the wings. I think they are going to give that group a fair chance to lock that position down. The coaches are super high on Howard

I see teams locking up Soon to be free agents. Any word on anybody the rams are considering?

Goff. Littleton. Blythe. Higbee. Possibly Peters

@RGabriel4HOF to ❄️ #Rams#DeepThrowThread pic.twitter.com/MRq4It5NwG

— Old Time Football 🏈 (@Ol_TimeFootball) September 4, 2019

Kevin Seifert@SeifertESPN
Always amazed how many people take the side of billionaires over millionaires in sports contract debates.

Andrew Brandt@AndrewBrandt
Have seen it my whole career as agent, team exec, analyst.

D’Marco Farr@DMarcoFarr1
Goff’s extension says a few things IMO. Haters should let go of 2016. Snead & McVay are very very good together. Front office has learned a ton since taking over. Long term NFL economics say that it just became senior year for guys hoping to get new deals or extensions in the Future.

Ed Werder@WerderEdESPN
Now that Ezekiel Elliott has validated Todd Gurley’s contract, the future beneficiaries will be Christian McCaffrey, Alvin Kamara and Saquon Barkley.

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First thing that came to mind with this morning's news. In my recollection, one of the most consequential tackles of the #LARams 2018 season. pic.twitter.com/jPQ3wraR1W

— J.B. Long (@JB_Long) September 4, 2019

Vincent Bonsignore@VinnyBonsignore
“It’s trusting the process. But it’s also the way we practice. It’s the way we’ve meshed. It’s the way we’ve lifted and the way we’ve pushed each other.” #Rams OT Rob Havenstein on his confidence in a revamped O-line
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Sam Monson@PFF_Sam
My favorite ever draft quote was about Alex Barron:

“He’ll play in the NFL for 10 years…but you’ll be mad at him every day of those 10 years”.

Think he was one year shy of 100% nailing it

“You’re just happy when you see a guy who does it the right way on and off the football field.” – Andrew Whitworth

Big Whit shares his excitement for Goff + talks week one prep! pic.twitter.com/lnNdU7FcBK

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) September 5, 2019