reporters on Rams as they conclude camp…Bonsignore & others

Early observations of the Rams as they conclude camp in Orange County

Vincent Bonsignore

https://theathletic.com/476575/2018/08/16/early-observations-of-the-rams-as-they-conclude-camp-in-orange-county/

IRVINE, Calif. — A pair of moving trucks were parked adjacent to the Rams’ weight room and locker room on Thursday morning here on the campus of UC Irvine. It was the surest sign that the conclusion of their Orange County-based training camp was imminent.

The Rams ended camp with a mid-morning workout before hopping on the 405 Freeway to make the 82-mile trek back to homebase in Thousand Oaks. The quicker they could shower and climb into their cars, the better. When it comes to Southern California traffic, every second counts.

Over the last month, the Rams laid down 15 practices, two of which unfolded in the grueling humidity of Owings Mills, Md., while working alongside the Baltimore Ravens. As they continue to lay the foundation for what they hope is a Super Bowl contending season, the Rams have utilized the first month productively.

The first four weeks have helped reaffirm original thoughts and shed light on some pressing questions. Other issues remain inconclusive. Here are some observations.

Jared Goff appears poised for another big season

It’s hard to believe that this time last year so many people were worried the top pick in the 2016 draft might be a bust. The concern was based off Goff’s rookie-year struggles, but 12 months later it’s fair to say he has shut down all that talk after producing a Pro Bowl season in 2017 in which he threw for 3,804 yards and 24 touchdowns. The rebound campaign was equal parts Goff, the impact of first-year head coach Sean McVay and a much better supporting cast.

Still, it’s fair to wonder if Goff will build on last year’s success, stand pat or even take a step back. Such is the life of a high-profile NFL quarterback, especially someone who struggled as much as Goff did as a rookie. The power to completely eliminate that narrative rests solely in the former Cal star’s hands, and that means stacking together a string of productive seasons.

Aside from a rough day on Tuesday, Goff looked spectacular in training camp while displaying total command of the offense, vision, a deft touch delivering balls in tight windows and growing confidence on long balls. And there is an obvious chemistry with holdover wide receivers Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp and newcomer Brandin Cooks.

By all accounts, Goff looks very much poised to take his game to another level.

“I think as time goes on, you just continue to get more comfortable,” Goff said. ‘We’re starting to rep the same plays over and over again, and our good plays over and over again — starting to figure out what we like, what we’re good at.

“When that happens, I think you become more comfortable with it, and stuff starts to roll a little bit better.”

Competition at inside linebacker is heating up

To make room for Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters as cornerback upgrades, the Rams had to part ways with veteran inside linebacker Alec Ogletree. He wasn’t the best fit inside Wade Phillips’ 3-4 scheme, but he represented productivity and a level of dependability.

For now, third-year Washington product Cory Littleton is the replacement for Ogletree alongside fellow starter Mark Barron. But Barron’s on-going health issues — he hasn’t practiced yet in camp and rarely practices during the regular season — and Littleton’s inexperience could create instability as Phillips goes about building his depth chart.

Ramik Wilson has looked solid filling in for Barron in practice and could easily slide over to replace Littleton if he struggles. Bryce Hager has yet to crack the rotation four years into his career, and with rookies Micah Kisar and Tegray Scales collecting significant reps in practice, they could challenge him for a roster spot and playing time.

Littleton has looked comfortable in camp both as the defensive play caller and run stuffer. If he carries that into the season, the Rams should be fine inside.

The need to see more from the tight ends

Gerald Everett’s shoulder injury severely set back the tight end assessment. The second-year South Alabama product represents the Rams’ best hope for a dynamic playmaker at a position Sean McVay used heavily in Washington.

McVay’s plans to elevate Everett into a more prominent role are on hold. Also, Tyler Higbee and Temarrick Hemingway have not stood out in camp, as both have struggled making themselves available targets for Goff. Hemingway also has had trouble consistently holding onto the ball.

The Rams’ offensive success is not predicated on big-time production from their tight ends. But in the ever-challenging world of staying one step ahead of the NFL, they could certainly benefit from diversifying themselves by adding a consistent playmaker there. The injury to Everett slowed that process, and Higbee and Hemingway not stepping up seems to have grinded it to a halt.

Samson Ebukam, the outside linebackers and pass rush off the edge

Finances and scheme fit drove the Rams to revamp their starting outside linebacker unit, and while there is confidence that Ebukam, a second-year player from Eastern Washington, can fill one of those spots, he’s only occasionally stood out in camp. That could be more the product of modern-day NFL practice habits and the no-touch rule on quarterbacks.

However, Ebukam represents the Rams’ primary heat generator off the edge and he hasn’t consistently brought the pressure. He will eliminate any concern if he’s creating havoc once the games count, and he certainly has the size, speed and athletic ability to do just that.

More problematic is the uncertainty opposite Ebukam. A season-ending knee injury to Morgan Fox, the nagging back and leg injuries of Matt Longacre and a broken foot suffered by rookie Ogbonnia Okoronkwo has created concern off the other edge. For now, time is the Rams’ best ally in sorting it all out. But at some point, Ebukam and his fellow starter have to prove they can produce at an acceptable level.

Good luck throwing against this secondary

Peters and Talib have been as good as advertised as a dynamic pair of shutdown corners. And while Goff will benefit from working against them every day in practice, you get the feeling opposing quarterbacks aren’t going to value the experience quite the same way.

That goes for the rest of the Rams’ secondary, too. Starting safeties Lamarcus Joyner and John Johnson III are rising players in run support and pass coverage, and backups Nickell Robey-Coleman, Sam Shields, Troy Hill and Marqui Christian offer tremendous depth. The entire group has been flying around the field at camp.

If and when Aaron Donald gets back and lines up opposite Ndamukong Suh and Michael Brockers, the Rams’ front and back lines will be a devastating tandem to work against. That will help mitigate any inexperience issues at OLB and ILB. And if those two spots are adequately addressed, the Rams’ defense has a chance to be spectacular.