2025 camp, thread 1: general news

So Rams training camp opens with former Raiders QB Jimmy Garoppolo throwing to former Raiders WR Davante Adams.

Hoo boy. https://t.co/7j5g57KZil

— Ramblin' Fan (@RamblinFan) July 22, 2025

Zooey wrote:

There’s a haircut. Who is that?

canadaram wrote:

Pretty sure it’s Kevin Dotson.

Canadaram nails it.

Kevin Dotson 😂😂😂😂. GREAT hair my man ..🏈🍻 pic.twitter.com/Zmu9tTnr7z

— The Burgh Cave (@BurghCave) July 23, 2025

Coach Sean McVay says the Rams have a "modified approach" this season when it comes to 17 year NFL veteran, Matthew Stafford. 👀 @RamsNFL @UpAndAdamsShow pic.twitter.com/T8XcNkP7iM

— Kay Adams (@heykayadams) July 24, 2025

Wyatt Miller@wymill07
Asked Jared Verse yesterday about impressions of new OTs David Quessenberry and D.J. Humphries after going against them in practice the last two days. He had a very complimentary response:

Rams’ Chris Shula is Finding His Rhythm
The Los Angeles Rams’ defensive coordinator is building the NFL’s next premier defense

Brock Vierra

https://www.si.com/nfl/rams/los-angeles-chris-shula-nate-landman-jared-verse-quentin-lake-training-camp

In the race for the Super Bowl, one thing is guaranteed. While the event is to be held in San Francisco, to win the Lombardi, the Rams must be able to win across the Mississippi.

Unless the Rams do something they’ve never done under Sean McVay, which is to clinch the number one seed in the NFC, they will likely have to win on the road come playoff time. Last season, Detroit, Philadelphia, and Tampa Bay held home playoff games.

All three teams possess stout offensive lines, complex passing attacks, and power on the ground.

If the Rams are to hold their hill, are to protect their endzone, their defenders must play in unison, operate as one to suppress the relentless, versatile attacks of the East.

The Rams gave defensive coordinator Chris Shula an arsenal of weapons and he has put them to good use.

On the defensive line, the boys in the trenches remain young and relentless. Jared Verse has been the vocal leader up front, a modern John Randle. However, it’s been Kobie Turner who has been the most impressive. He has dictated his will on the interior with the linebackers supporting, providing coverage of the gaps with communication across the line.

It’s clear that Omar Speights and Nate Landman are the two best off-ball linebackers on the team, with the level of communication between them and with Quentin Lake being crucial to their success.

They’re the field commanders. Lake is relaying messages to the secondary while Speights has taken on more of a see-ball, get-ball role, refined with strong play in coverage. Landman has the green dot and has shown he’s able to make the calls and then make the plays.

However, the most impressive unit so far has been the secondary. The Rams have been criticized for their lack of addressing the room, but now that we’re at camp, it’s clear they’re taking back aerial superiority from the offense with hard-hitting, selfless performances.

Emmanuel Forbes is starting the play like a first-rounder again, going toe to toe with Davante Adams. Forbes did get burned on one play on Saturday, but shook it off to make several nice plays following, including a pass breakup on Adams.

Lake has been Shula’s versatile piece, while Derion Kendrick has impressed on the outside.

The safeities have played within the defensive structure, providing a dome that is hard to throw over.

But the most important part is that when the team takes the field, his defense is playing lights out in the red zone. Once the field shrinks, they put up an impermeable wall.

Shula controls the air, he’s built his defense to stop the run, and he’s able to scheme up pressure on the board while having the confidence to let his front four hunt.

Jared Verse stated the secondary has been playing so well, he’s now able to use his entire tool belt of pass rush moves because he knows he has the time to get home.

If the Rams wish to return the Lombardi to the West, their defense must continue to hold firm when they travel east.

5 Bold Observations From Rams Training Camp
The Los Angeles Rams have had some shocking performances through training camp

Brock Vierra

https://www.si.com/nfl/rams/los-angeles-davante-adams-konata-mumpfield-nate-landman-sean-mcvay-training-camp

LOS ANGELES, CA. The Los Angeles Rams have completed seven training camp practices, and after being on site at Loyola Marymount University to witness all of them, there are five undisputable facts regarding the team. Here are five observations of the team, based on those facts.

1. Davante Adams is the clear WR1 and it’s not even close

It’s not close. Adams has been the most targeted pass catcher by far compared to his counterparts, and on those opportunities, he’s hauled in the ball more times than not. Adams, barring injury, will be a 1,000-yard receiver once again this season, and if he continues to play in the way he currently is, he’s on track for a career season.

2. Konata Mumpfield will establish himself as a top receiver in the NFL by the time his rookie deal expires

Mumpfield or at this point, Davante Adams Jr has been the Rams’ third-best pass catcher in camp, only trailing Adams and Puka Nacua. Mumpfield is on pace to follow in Adams’ lofty footsteps with excellent play, silky smooth feet, tremendous balance, and elite hands.

“It’s not as much of they’re going to open their mouth and say something I haven’t heard but different techniques,” stated Davante Adams. “The wheel’s always being reinvented and you can only do so much with certain routes, but I’ve seen stuff from even [Wide Receiver] Konata [Mumpfield] since he’s been out here and that’s opened my eyes, not necessarily like, ‘Oh my God, I’ve never seen that’, but its him changing up his pace and working through some things, seeing some of the errors and the trial and error I guess I could say.’

“Even over the course of three practice days, how he can transform and go and kill some of our better corners on some amazing routes. It’s fun for me just watching the growth of him, talking through it, seeing somebody fail, doing something a certain way and then going out there and knocking it out of the park. I feel like a proud dad watching him out there.”

That proud dad thing. He’s not lying. Adams, on his off day, is on the sidelines watching Mumpfield work, paying close attention to everything he does. Yeah, Konata Mumpfield is legit.

3. Quentin Lake will get whatever money he wants this offseason

Playmaker, fundamentally sound, leader, captain, intelligent, adaptive, selfless, the terms to describe Lake are endless. Considering he’s a captain, former signal caller, and a straight-up monster on defense, one would think the Rams would have paid him and since they haven’t, Lake would be well within his rights to hold out, so why hasn’t he made a peep?

Because he knows he will get paid top dollar next season. Why? Because the Rams want to keep him, and 31 other teams need a player like him.

4. Nate Landman is the best free agent signing for the Rams

Even more than Adams, Landman has fixed the issues within the linebacker room overnight. He’s the current defensive signal caller, he has great instincts, plays the run like a champ, and is brilliant in coverage. He is everything the Rams needed last season, and his ability to command has allowed Omar Speights to go and hunt.

5. The Rams have three head coaching-caliber coaches on Sean McVay’s staff, if not more

Mike LaFleur, Chris Shula, and Aubrey Pleasant. When you talk about leaders, leaders who are also teachers, all three men fit the mold. They have inspired their players, they speak with such reverence and grace towards the game, but in the critical moments, when players look like they’re about to regress, fall off, not come through, those three men have helped sustain a culture within the Rams that has persevered in the post-Super Bowl LVI era.