Training Camp Report: Everything You Need to Know From Day 3
Kristen Lago
http://www.therams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Training-Camp-Report-Everything-You-Need-to-Know-From-Day-3/83204d26-3d40-4090-b651-be56326569a7
Missed Day 3 of Rams training camp? We’ve got you covered. Check out today’s top takeaways from the field.
On Monday afternoon, the players took the field once again for their third practice. The Rams worked without pads again and kept practice light, ending about fifteen minutes early. The first practice in full pads will be tomorrow afternoon.
Though it was a work day for many fans, the players did not let it bring them down, having fun and looking energetic throughout the practice. Here’s a look at Day 3 of Rams Camp:
TOP TAKEAWAYS
1. Vets day off
In preparation for the Rams first day in full pads tomorrow, a number of players received a veterans day off from practice. Offensive linemen Andrew Whitworth and Roger Saffold, as well as linebacker Connor Barwin were among those players.
But it wasn’t completely a day off for these guys. Whitworth, Saffold, and Barwin could be seen on the sidelines coaching up many of the Rams’ younger players throughout the individual, 7-on-7, and 11-on-11 portions of the day.
The entire team took the time to focus on technique and fundamentals at today’s practice, a pointed effort by head coach Sean McVay in anticipation for tomorrow’s full pads.
“Going into training camp, Reggie Scott and Ted Rath — our strength and conditioning coach and then [Scott], obviously, our head athletic trainer — they did a great job setting up the plan where, we had targeted some guys just being mindful of their workload,” McVay said. “Especially with going into pads tomorrow, I wanted to be smart. We’re kind of in the three-day progression, so this was really our third day and then the fourth day, we’ll ramp it back up getting into the pads for the first time.”
2. Now it’s real football
Though there won’t be any live periods in tomorrow’s practice where players are tackling to the ground, McVay says the pads will give a better indication as to how the team is progressing overall.
“I think a lot of the things that occur especially at the line of scrimmage are definitely different based on just being able to get your hands inside and some of the fits and things that occur,” he said on the addition of full pads. “That’s how we play the game and that’s where really us as coaches get the best evaluation for what type of players that we do have and there’s a little bit more physicality, while also being smart protecting each other.”
This will be McVay’s first time seeing the team in full pads, as the players cannot practice with them in the offseason program. It will give many players on the roster the chance to fully compete in front of their new head coach and will be a necessary step in preparing them for preseason games coming up in August.
3. Goff looking better everyday:
Quarterback Jared Goff has continued to improve after three days of training camp. Though he described his first day of camp as “up and down,” Goff’s progression has been steady over the last two days. During Monday’s practice the quarterback looked sharp, connecting with a variety of receivers and appearing assertive as a leader.
In particular, Goff showcased his budding chemistry with wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods. During the 7-on-7 portion, Goff connected with Kupp on a perfect pass up the middle hitting his receiver right in the numbers. Later in the day, Goff held his own in the pocket, connecting with Woods on a drive downfield.
In yesterday’s #RamsCamp Live, Goff described his growing confidence on field and his budding chemistry with the new receiving core.
“I felt good,” he said. “There’s some things you want back and there’s some things you feel good about, [and] I think always you’re trying to get better. Practice is the time to make some mistakes sometimes, but yeah I’m more comfortable with the setting. I have been here before and I understand my way around here.”
“It’s been a lot of fun. I think guys like Robert and guys like Cooper who are new, getting as much work as I can with them in the offseason has been huge,” he continued. “Where we are now is a really good spot.”
FIELD-LEVEL OBSERVATIONS
– Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips was absent from the practice field dealing with a personal matter at home, according to McVay. He will return to camp tonight.
– Fans got the first glimpse at John Fassel’s special team’s unit with Johnny Hekkerworking on punts, Greg Zuerlein taking point-after kicks, and wide receiver Tavon Austin featured as the primary returner.
– Tight end Tyler Higbee also saw a lot of action today. Goff connected with Higbee multiple times during the 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 portions of practice. He should play a primary role in the offense throughout the upcoming season.
– Veteran linebacker Robert Quinn took the time to break it down on the field, with a few dance moves alongside defensive end Dominique Easley.
– In what is becoming a familiar trend, fullback Sam Rogers was the first player out on the field. His hard work before and after practice has paid off so far as he has impressed many with several juke moves in the last two days.
– Cornerback Dominique Hatfield had a productive practice, at one point recording a clean deflection off of a deep pass to Brandon Shippen.
PLAY OF THE DAY
The big play of the day came from cornerback E.J. Gaines who caught an interception from a ball that went off the hands of wiedeout Pharoh Cooper. Gaines in for a would-be pick six, exciting the crowd and eliciting a few chants from the defensive players on the sidelines.
After missing the entire 2015 season due to injury and being plagued by various lower body injuries last year, the cornerback is looking to stage a comeback this season. He will be competing for a starting role with newcomer Kayvon Webster.
PRESS POINTS
After practice coach McVay took the time to address the media and poked fun at his ability to protect in the pass rush. Catch up on his most interesting point after Day 3:
SEAN McVAY:
On how he would rate his performance covering receivers thus far: “Well, smart exit angles. That is about it. If I know the route beforehand I can run to the spot, so it’s very clear why I am a coach. It is just fun to move around out here with the guys and kind of be interactive and try to give them a look to where you are just trying to match and have somebody just running with you, but the guys have fun with it.”
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Agamemnon
