Rams tweets … 6/8 thru 6/11

Well next time an offensive lineman is running full speed on a treadmill in a game this will come in handy. https://t.co/ToNYlTQztK

— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) June 8, 2021

Rodrigue, from https://theathletic.com/2640254/2021/06/08/rams-minicamp-jalen-ramsey-and-cam-akers-play-numbers-game-absences-create-opportunity-at-dl-cb-te/

• Per Rams access regulations, I can’t report specifically whether players were taking first-, second- or third-team reps or what personnel/formations were being used. But a few days after he was name-dropped to media by McVay, rookie tight end Jacob Harris — especially with starter Tyler Higbee present, but not practicing — has clearly gotten thrown into things head first. Harris caught a slick pass near the sideline from quarterback John Wolford during 7-on-7s, with a safety in coverage, and was in the mix alongside quarterback Matthew Stafford upon some closer installation work. Harris also received close one-on-one instruction from tight ends coach Wes Phillips throughout the live-drilling portion of the day, with Higbee standing with Phillips during team activities. It’s a long, long way before pads and actual football … but we’re going to have to keep an eye on Harris.

• A cool moment during individual drills: Veteran outside linebacker Leonard Floyd, who just signed a four-year, $64 million deal, took extra time to work with rookie seventh-rounder Chris Garrett on his hands and swiping technique against the pass-rush dummy. The soft-spoken Floyd said in May that he was eager to take on a leadership role in the defense this year.

• Defensive coordinator Raheem Morris was described by Joseph-Day as “very intense and very intentional” and it’s clear to see what the defensive lineman meant by that when observing Morris through the second half of Tuesday’s practice. Morris rotated around the individual position drills and blended his own advice and coaching with periods of silent observation and listening to how other players were interacting with each other, such as Floyd’s guidance of Garrett (which Morris observed, before jokingly swiping his way through the pass-rush line himself). But Morris also jumped into things often, ribbing players when the opportunity came up and offering encouragement or stern correction in other places. So far, it seems that Morris has a way of approaching and interacting with players the way each of them needs it in the moment, instead of dictating and projecting his own thoughts and feelings onto them as a collective group when that could clash with their individual needs.

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DC Raheem Morris watches (left) as kind of a cool moment unfolds: Veteran OLB Leonard Floyd working directly with rookie Chris Garrett on some hand technique reps and offering tips and notes pic.twitter.com/ZKwvjWOUIA

— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) June 8, 2021

Sean McVay highlighted Cam Akers’ receiving ability, saying he can line up in the slot or outside at WR https://t.co/tHbT6TJu09

— Cameron DaSilva (@camdasilva) June 9, 2021

Rodrigue, from https://theathletic.com/2642641/2021/06/09/rams-minicamp-matthew-stafford-scouts-his-wrs-heavy-install-day-to-stress-the-mind-and-observations/?source=emp_shared_article

• Defensive coordinator Raheem Morris paid safety Taylor Rapp a compliment on his communication ability when the latter got the defense organized a few times in 11-on-11s. Rapp, by the way, says he’s completely healthy after a year spent battling injuries on multiple occasions, and looks to be moving really well through these past two days of minicamp.

• Running backs coach/assistant head coach Thomas Brown again spent some extra time with second-year running back Cam Akers before the day began. Brown coached Akers through a few technical points regarding blocking and pass-protection, demonstrating certain foot/hand placements as Akers watched. Akers is currently projecting into the Rams’ lead-back role after a string of injuries stalled some of his early momentum last season, but also knows that staying on the field for all three downs will mean getting the necessary boxes checked in pass protection.

Merlin Olsen plays his last game in L.A.#Rams pic.twitter.com/7idTVgrUzD

— Old Time Football 🏈 (@Ol_TimeFootball) June 10, 2021

from https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2021/06/11/rams-sean-mcvay-better-mood-offseason-goff-stafford/

[McVay on Stafford]

“So this guy, he’s a special guy,” McVay said. “I think one of the best ways that I can describe him, when you hear people that have been around him, there’s a known confidence where when he walks into a room, you always feel his presence. But he’s got a great humility about himself that everybody loves being around him. He’s one of those guys that I think is a true igniter. Makes everybody around him better. I feel like I’ve become a better coach in the few months that we’ve been able to spend together and we’re looking forward to doing a lot of good things together.”

…

After the Rams wrapped up practice, McVay met with members of the media for his usual press conference. And while he said he was still in a good mood, he opened the media session by saying his words were taken out of context and his comments weren’t about Goff being gone.

He clarified that he’s excited about the team as a whole, and it’s not exclusively about the quarterback change.

“I hate that I even have to say this, but I think I made a comment earlier that was definitely taken out of context. I am very excited, I have been in a good mood because of the confidence that I have in this team,” McVay added. “But by no means is that a slight to anybody like Jared, who has done a phenomenal job for the last four years here. I hated that I even have to address that, but I do think out of respect for him and all the good things he’s done. I am in a good mood, but that doesn’t mean it’s not because we’re working together, or because of just Stafford exclusively. There’s a lot of good things going on that I feel really good about and I’m confident about.”

These were back-to-back plays for the 49ers offense. Donald is living on a different planet. pic.twitter.com/YOO69JMaxp

— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) June 11, 2021