Rams sweep away Cardinals, secure first winning mark since 2003

Alden Gonzalez

http://www.espn.com/blog/los-angeles-rams/post/_/id/36694/rams-roll-past-cardinals-sweep-bitter-division-rivals

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Sammy Watkins called it “a blessing.” Michael Brockers described it as “a numbing feeling.” Johnny Hekker said it was “really satisfying.” Even Sean McVay — the first-year head coach who continually preaches the importance of a one-game-at-a-time mentality — acknowledged what it must mean to his seasoned Los Angeles Rams players, who helped lock up the franchise’s first winning season in 14 years with Sunday’s 32-16 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

Rodger Saffold, in his eighth year as a Rams offensive lineman, was asked how different this season feels.

“As different as it possibly can,” he said. “It’s night and day around here, obviously. It just makes you want to compete and continue to win.”

The Rams weren’t necessarily great from University of Phoenix Stadium on Sunday, but their defense tightened up in the second half, their passing game stayed efficient and their special-teams unit made a major impact against their injury-riddled division rivals. They’re 9-3 now, off to their best start since 2003. But their goals are so much bigger.

“Very cool,” Rams quarterback Jared Goff said of clinching a winning record. “But by no means are we finished.”

What it means: That the Rams have been taking care of business, not messing around against the teams that they should beat. They have blown out the Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants and Houston Texans, and they have outscored the Cardinals by a combined 49 points in two meetings this season. The win allowed the Rams to stay one game behind the Minnesota Vikings, who beat them two weeks earlier, for second place in the NFC and that all-important first-round bye.

Veteran left tackle Andrew Whitworth worried that this could serve as a proverbial trap game, given that the first-place Philadelphia Eagles are next, but he “didn’t hear a soul talk about the Eagles or really worry about the Eagles or think about the Eagles” in the week leading up to the Rams’ Week 13 game. “To be honest, until this game was over, it was the first time anybody did bring up that game.”

What I liked: The Rams’ special-teams unit is one of the best in the NFL, and it showed Sunday. Tyrunn Walker blocked an extra-point attempt and Brockers blocked a 45-yard field-goal attempt. At one point, Hekker punted out of his own end zone and pinned the Cardinals to their own 21-yard line. After the L.A. defense forced a three-and-out, Pharoh Cooper returned a punt 30 yards, helping to set up the Rams’ third touchdown. The Rams’ opening drive ended in a 56-yard field goal from Greg Zuerlein, who is 6-for-7 on 50-plus-yard field goals this season.

Hekker was asked if he believes the Rams have the best special teams unit in the NFL and said, “I know without a [doubt] we’re the best coached,” a nod to special teams coordinator John Fassel. “Coach Fassel is a guy that has amazing attention to detail and focus on what he’s teaching us throughout the week,” Hekker said. “The proof’s in the pudding.”

What I didn’t like: It is difficult to answer this without feeling a little petty. The Rams jumped out to a 16-0 lead and let the Cardinals back in it with back-to-back touchdown drives — one a methodical type that absorbed more than six minutes, the other taking up less than 2 1/2 minutes and resulting in a wide-open Larry Fitzgerald. But the defense picked up six sacks — two of them by Aaron Donald, who has seven over his last seven games — and held the Cardinals to 149 scrimmage yards in the second half, with only 18 of them coming on the ground.

“It’s always going to be about keeping our gap integrity,” McVay said. “We do a lot of things with our run game, as far as how we want to defend it, especially against a team like that, where there are a lot of the downhill, tough, power, no-pull schemes. They did a good job creating some movement. I think we were able to settle in, slow down some of that early-down efficiency, and then get yourself into those manageable second and third downs from a defensive perspective.”

Fantasy fallout: Todd Gurley didn’t get a whole lot of carries early, but he wound up carrying the load for the offense again. Gurley rushed for 74 yards on 19 carries and picked up another 84 yards on six catches, with the screen game working wonders for him once again. Gurley entered the game ranked second in the NFL in scrimmage yards, and he now has a career-high 1,502 on the year. Watkins had only three catches on four targets for 38 yards, but he scored a touchdown. Cooper Kupp had five catches for 68 yards. And Goff (21-of-31, 220 yards, two touchdowns, one interception) became the first Rams quarterback to top 3,000 yards since Sam Bradford in 2012.

“Did I?” Goff asked. “That’s awesome. I think it’s a credit to everything we do and everything our receivers have done and our O-line. I’m just trying to fill in, do my best.”

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Injury report: Alec Ogletree hyperextended his left elbow while making a tackle on a short pass across the middle at the two-minute mark of the first quarter and was forced to exit shortly thereafter, after being in noticeable pain while the Cardinals marched up the field for a touchdown. Ogletree, the Rams’ leader in defensive snaps heading into the game, intercepted a pass and returned it 41 yards for a touchdown to give the Rams an early 16-0 lead. Bryce Hager took his place as inside linebacker and signal-caller for the rest of the defense.

“Right now, it’s looking up to be ready for next week,” Ogletree said after the game, with ice wrapped around his injured elbow. “We’ll see what they say tomorrow. I’ll find out tomorrow, for sure, what it’s going to be. But right now, it’s just going to take a lot of treatment.”

What’s next: The Rams will play their biggest game of the year, at home against a first-place Eagles team that was 10-1 heading into a Sunday night matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. It’ll be Goff, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft, against Carson Wentz, who went second. It’ll be McVay against the Eagles’ Doug Pederson, two favorites for NFL Coach of the Year honors. And it’ll be two stout defenses matching up. The Rams will be tested like they haven’t been this season.

Said Gurley: “You play for games like this.”

Rams hope Saints’ backs won’t have them on the run

RICH HAMMOND

link: http://www.ocregister.com/2017/11/23/rams-hope-saints-backs-wont-have-them-on-the-run/

THOUSAND OAKS – The Rams had the drill down perfect for nine games. Come in for halftime, hydrate and figure out how to shut down the opponent’s run game. Then came last week, and Minnesota.

Typically excellent against the run in the second half, the Rams turned porous last week against the Vikings, a big reason Minnesota pulled away for a 24-7 victory. Was it a blip or a cause for concern? The answer should be evident Sunday, when New Orleans and its stellar running game visits the Coliseum.

The Saints feature Mark Ingram (806 yards, eight touchdowns) and Alvin Kamara (459 yards, four touchdowns), who combined have rushed for 4.8 yards per carry, tied for the NFL’s best average.

“We can play good run defense and I think we will,” defensive coordinator Wade Phillips said Thursday. “It’s a work in progress. Points are the key thing. I think we get overzealous on how many yards (opponents) made or didn’t make, or what they made rushing or passing. You’ve got to keep them out of the end zone, you’ve got to keep them from scoring.

“We had a game that was 7-7 last week going into the fourth quarter against a pretty good team on the road. Now, we’re playing at home against a really good offensive team, too, so that’s going to be challenge. But it’s week-to-week on trying to improve.”

The Rams’ run defense has been somewhat maligned this season, because it allows an average of 4.5 yards per carry, tied for the sixth-worst in the NFL. That’s not great, but it ignores something that had been a trend, at least until last week: the Rams figure out things at halftime.

Before the Minnesota game, the Rams had allowed a total of 733 rushing yards in the first half, compared to 339 in the second half. They’d shut down backs such as Leonard Fournette and Ezekiel Elliott.

Then, last Sunday, the Vikings had only 72 rushing yards at halftime of a game that was tied 7-7. In the second half, the Vikings rushed for 99 yards, the most given up by the Rams in a second half this season, and they pulled away in the fourth quarter against a Rams defense that looked increasingly gassed.

“One game doesn’t dictate and determine what we feel like we are,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. “To say you’re concerned, I think there’s just always a level of urgency, knowing you’re going against a very good rushing team this week. We’ve got to make sure we’re on the screws with our preparation and our approach, and the players have to be aware of it.”

Sunday marked the first time since the season opener – a blowout of Indianapolis in which the Rams went to backups early – in which the Rams allowed more rushing yards in the second half than in the first.

Some of the yardage disparity could be explained by the score. The Rams started the season with a 7-2 record, so naturally they were ahead for much of those games, and in the second halves, opponents focused more on throwing the ball and attempting to catch up. That doesn’t always explain it, though.

Against Dallas on Oct. 1, the Rams trailed 24-16 and the Cowboys had 133 rushing yards at halftime. The Rams stormed back to win 35-30 and the Cowboys had only 66 second-half rushing yards.

Washington led the Rams 20-10 at halftime on Sept. 17, with 167 rushing yards, and held on to win but rushed for only 62 second-half yards. Two weeks ago, Houston trailed only 9-7 at halftime, with 78 rushing yards, but totaled only 11 in the second half and got blown out.

So clearly it’s not all dictated by game score. In fact, it could be argued that the Rams’ problem on run defense last week was more about their weakness on pass defense.

The Vikings struggled to run the ball in the first half, but after the Rams lost cornerbacks Kayvon Webster and Nickell Robey-Coleman to injuries, the Vikings started to pass on the Rams with success. That seemed to open up things for the Vikings’ run game, particularly Latavius Murray.

New Orleans arguably has the most-balanced offense the Rams have faced this season, as it includes future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees. Ingram has rushed for 100 yards in four of his last six games — and topped 130 yards in his last two games – and Kamara averages 6.4 yards per rush.

The good news for the Rams is that even though their run defense has been porous at times, they’ve allowed only one opposing back to reach 100 yards. Jacksonville’s Fournette gained 130, but that included a 75-yard touchdown on the game’s first offensive play. After that, Fournette gained only 55 yards on 20 carries.

INJURY REPORT

The Rams got mixed news on the health of their cornerbacks during Thursday’s practice at Cal Lutheran. Webster (concussion) returned in a limited role but Robey-Coleman (thigh) remains out.

Robey-Coleman’s status for Sunday appears to be in doubt, and he would be replaced, as the Rams’ nickel back, by safety Lamarcus Joyner or cornerback Blake Countess.

Mark Barron (hand) and Lance Dunbar (knee) remained out, and Aaron Donald missed practice with an illness.

Rams feeling the impact of of good decisions and good fortune

VINCENT BONSIGNORE

link: http://www.ocregister.com/2017/11/04/bonsignore-rams-feeling-the-impact-of-of-good-decisions-and-good-fortune/

EAST RUTHERFORD NJ — Assuming the weather experts got it right, a steady and comfortable 63-degree, partly cloudy afternoon will be the conditions welcoming the Rams when they play the Giants at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.

In other words, pretty darn near perfect given the location, time of year, and the far worse possibilities that could have confronted them.

It’s not a big thing in the whole scheme of things. The Rams with the sixth-best rushing attack, seventh-best run defense and sound special teams are built to succeed in all weather conditions.

But it is further proof of the charmed life they’ve inexplicably enjoyed over the last 10 months, the one that’s turned all their coaching and personnel decisions into towering home runs or screaming doubles off the wall and wrapped a protective shield around them to ward off major injuries.
Call it lady luck or good fortune of the Football Gods looking over them, but the Rams under new coach Sean McVay have suddenly transformed themselves into an efficient outfit for which sound personnel decisions, insightful coaching and effective execution is accompanied by a particularly fortuitous sort of karma.

And in the process, reached 5-2 for the first time since 2003 and, the way things are lining up, appear a good bet to soar to 7-2 before entering a teethy part of the schedule that includes showdowns against division leaders in the Vikings, Eagles, Saints and Seahawks.

“I think there’s a lot of good stuff going on right now and that’s what it is,” McVay said. “I think we want to try to keep that momentum going and how you do that is you take things one day at a time, one game at a time.”

Maybe it’s just because it’s been so long since the Rams have fielded a winning team we forget how the good ones are built to outwork, outwit or outmaneuver misfortune. If not spit in the eye of it when confronted.

But in a season in which McVay has emerged as a home run hire, Jared Goff is on track to being a franchise quarterback, Todd Gurley is securely positioned as an MVP candidate and every new addition from Andrew Whitworth to Cooper Kupp has been a worthwhile and timely asset, it’s hard not to dismiss the various other positive forces working on the Rams behalf.

Like the nearly clean bill of health they’ve enjoyed all season.

Aside from starting safety Cody Davis, who landed on the injured reserve list Friday, the Rams have sidestepped major injuries. And when they have taken the field at less than full strength — safety Lamarcus Joyner and cornerback Kayvon Webster both missed multiple games — capable replacements like Nickell Robey-Coleman and John Johnson provided the necessary relief.

Their injury report for Sunday is as pristine as its been all year. In fact, the biggest issue is finding a spot for running back Lance Dunbar, who returned to practice this week after spending all year on the Physically Unable to Perform list dealing with a knee injury. The Rams will decide over the next two weeks whether to add him to the active roster or put him on season-ending injured reserve.

Talk about new world problems. The Rams are in such good health, they’ll have to juggle just to make room for another weapon.

“Knock on wood, but usually you’re having to deal with some injuries, especially at the running back spot,” McVay said. “Where now it provides a great opportunity for Lance to come in, kind of serve as the role we envision in the first place. We’ve got a lot of playmakers who have stayed healthy and are available, so it’s a positive problem.”

In contrast the Giants have been decimated by injuries this year — wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr., Dwayne Harris, and Brandon Marshall are out for the season — and will be without six other key players on Sunday.

Including five starters.

Linebackers B.J. Goodson (ankle) and Jonathan Casillas (neck), right tackle Justin Pugh (back), center Weston Richburg (concussion) and defensive ends Olivier Vernon (ankle) and Kerry Wynn (knee) were all ruled out for Sunday’s game.

As a result, a game that leaned organically the Rams’ way to start the week is now decisively tilted in their direction. Provided they avoid any costly mistakes, it would be considered a massive disappointment if they leave New Jersey anything worse than 6-2 Sunday night.

“I think one thing we look at is, what’s our record when we won the turnover margin? And it’s 5-0,” Goff pointed out. “The two games we’ve lost, we’ve lost turnovers. I think if we continue to take care of the ball and the defense keeps playing the way that they are, we’ll be happy with what we’re doing.”

It’s why McVay preached a focused, careful approach this week. The Giants might be wounded, but if the Rams don’t come correct it won’t matter.

“I think what you talk about is that one of the things you realize about this league is that it’s one day at a time, one game at a time and if you don’t take that mindset and mentality, you get humbled very quickly,” McVay said. “It’s so competitive, there’s so many good players and coaches all around that anything – you hear the term, ‘Any given Sunday.’

“But, it’s true because regardless of the records, it’s why you see different outcomes occur every single week because there is such a competitive balance in this league with great players, great coaching and especially with going on the road, playing in a tough atmosphere at MetLife Stadium and then especially just with the previous experience that I have going against this team, they’ll be ready to go and we need to be ready as well if we’re going to come away with a win.”

The Rams have done everything right over the last 10 months. Either as a result of (or perhaps as a reward for) the Football Gods looking down kindly on them.

Rams show how much their defense has improved in shutting down Arizona Cardinals

Rich Hammond

link: http://www.ocregister.com/2017/10/22/rams-show-how-much-their-defense-has-improved-in-shutting-down-arizona-cardinals/amp/

LONDON — Wade Phillips shrugged a couple weeks ago. He seemed almost bored by the questions, even as everybody who followed the Rams wondered what in the world was wrong with their defense.

Apparently it wasn’t anything Phillips, with his 40 years of NFL coaching, couldn’t fix.

The magic happened at halftime three weeks ago at Dallas. Since then, the Rams have allowed only 39 points in 14 quarters. The high point came Sunday, when the Rams’ defense shut out Arizona, 33-0, knocked quarterback Carson Palmer out of the game and shut down running back Adrian Peterson.

The Rams forced two more turnovers Sunday and held the Cardinals to 193 yards and 10 first downs.

“It’s just us coming into our own,” linebacker and team captain Alec Ogletree said. “We didn’t start how we wanted to start. We knew we had the players and the ability to do a lot of stuff, but you just have to keep chugging along, keep plugging at it until you get it right. We still have some things to work on and get better at. We definitely haven’t peaked yet, for sure. There’s definitely a lot more to come.”

The transition to Phillips’ 3-4 scheme was clunky, and it probably didn’t help that star lineman Aaron Donald missed all of training camp and the season opener because of a contract holdout.

The Rams allowed 99 points in their first 14 quarters, and they couldn’t stop Dallas in the first half of that game. Then everything turned, dramatically and quickly, and the Rams have been thriving in areas where they struggled early in the season.

Run defense is foremost. Arizona’s Adrian Peterson rushed for 134 yards against Tampa Bay a week earlier, but the Rams held Peterson to 21 yards on 11 carries. Peterson’s longest run was for 6 yards.

“That’s how you do it,” Rams lineman Michael Brockers said. “If you get 11 hats to the ball and stop him before he gets started, man, he turns into a normal human being (instead of) the Hall of Famer he truly is. I think that’s what we did today and we did a good job at it.”

The Rams stuffed Peterson early, then played increasingly good pass defense and started to get to Palmer in the second quarter. The big play came with under six minutes left in the second quarter, when Ogletree smashed Palmer on a sack and broke Palmer’s arm. The injury is expected to require surgery, and Palmer could miss the rest of the season.

Arizona crossed midfield only once after Drew Stanton took over for Palmer.

“It’s unfortunate,” Brockers said. “You don’t want to hurt anybody, but when you get out there and you get that quarterback out, it messes up the rhythm of their game and I think we just took advantage of it.”

ANOTHER HUNDRED

Todd Gurley, who never rushed for more than 85 yards in a game last season, topped the century mark for the fourth time in his past five games, as he gained 106 yards on 22 carries. Gurley scored on an 18-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and also caught four passes for 48 yards.

“Whenever he’s getting going, it obviously helps our whole offense,” quarterback Jared Goff said. “I love handing off the ball and letting him run. There’s nothing better than that, letting him go. Then obviously it opens the pass game a lot more, so any time we can get him going, we want to.

“I think it’s a testament to the guys up front. I think (Gurley) would say the same thing. It’s nice having the holes he’s having now, and him doing the rest.”

Gurley did agree with Goff, and deflected praise, but he’s clearly running with more confidence than in 2016. The Cardinals hadn’t allowed an opposing running back to rush for 100 yards this season.

“It felt good,” Gurley said. “Coach did a great job with the play-calling and the line was doing a great job of creating holes, and me and Malcolm (Brown) were able to have a couple big runs.

FEELING FRESH

The Rams had high praise for the way Coach Sean McVay handled their week.

Last year, when the Rams lost to the New York Giants, they spent almost a full week in London, with the hope that it would acclimate them to the time change. It didn’t work, as the Rams looked flat. This time, the Rams spent four extra days in Jacksonville and didn’t arrive in London until Friday morning.

“The way we did it this time was way better. Way better, I think,” Goff said. “We felt good. I think you can ask anybody. We felt really, really good (Saturday) and the day before and all the way throughout the week in Jacksonville.”

McVay pushed the credit for the sharp play back onto his players.

“I think it’s them,” McVay said. “We’ve got mature players. We’ve got high-character players in that room, and they knew we were coming on a business trip. They did a great job of just taking it one day at a time. That’s a credit to our players.”

INJURY REPORT

Rams center John Sullivan left the game in the third quarter with a left knee injury and limped to the locker room.

“I think John is going to be OK,” McVay said. “The early results on him were positive.”

The only other apparent injury for the Rams was to rookie receiver Josh Reynolds, who suffered a concussion on the opening kickoff.

Rams safety Cody Davis missed the game with an injury, but safety Lamarcus Joyner returned to the lineup.

==

link: http://www.ocregister.com/2017/10/22/rams-dominant-in-london-victory-over-cardinals/

LONDON — It’s OK to say it with a straight face. Unlike a year ago, nobody is going to point and laugh.

The Rams are playoff contenders.

A lock for the playoffs? No, certainly not. The season hasn’t even reached its midpoint, and any number of things could knock the Rams off track. If the Rams’ masterful 33-0 victory over Arizona on Sunday at Twickenham Stadium proved anything, though, it’s that their success cannot be considered a fluke.

The Rams have a 5-2 record for the first time since 2003. Their defense, an eyebrow-raising weakness early in the season, seems to be improving by the week and recorded its first shutout in three years. Todd Gurley gained 100 yards again. Jared Goff made one mistake but otherwise guided with a calm hand.

Not long ago, the question was, what would be considered success in Coach Sean McVay’s first season? Well, here’s one answer: The Rams already have won more games than they did in 2016, when they went 4-12.
“So happy. So excited,” guard Rodger Saffold said. “This is the first time I’ve felt success for a long time. So now it’s, how you can handle this success and go week after week, putting your best foot forward?”

The mere mention of the word “playoffs” made some players visibly uncomfortable after Sunday’s game.

In some ways, it must seem crazy to a player such as Saffold, who has been with the Rams since 2010. At that point, the Rams were only six years removed from their last playoff appearance. Saffold has spent most of his adult life in the NFL and never has ended a season with more than seven victories.

So perhaps this just feels a little surreal to the Rams. Perhaps they don’t want to jinx it, but it seems clear that they’ve sent a message that the postseason, and perhaps a division title, are not out of reach.

“Call it whatever you want, man. We’re just trying to win games every week,” Goff said. “I don’t think we’re ever content with where we’re at. (Being) 5-2 feels good, but offensively especially, we have got a lot of things to improve. I was talking to the guys after the game and I was like, ‘How do you think we played?’ ‘Oh, we played OK.’

That’s not false modesty by Goff, which might be the most encouraging thing about these Rams. They’re not playing over their heads. This doesn’t feel “magical.” It seems like a good team finding ways to win, but it also seems that the Rams still could improve if small things get cleaned up.

To be clear, the Cardinals were awful. They arrived in London a couple days before the Rams and should have been better adjusted, but they looked flat from the game’s start. It certainly didn’t help that quarterback Carson Palmer broke his arm in the second quarter after an Alec Ogletree hit.

That sent the Rams on their way. Palmer’s pass fluttered after that hit, and Lamarcus Joyner intercepted it. Gurley scored on the next play, on an 18-yard touchdown run, to give the Rams a 13-0 lead, and the Rams added 10 points in the final two minutes of the second quarter, without a timeout.

The Rams dominated, statistically. They held the ball for 39 minutes, which included a 10-minute drive in the fourth quarter, and outgained Arizona 425-193. The Rams converted 13 of 19 third-down attempts.

Gurley gained 106 yards on 22 carries against a Cardinals defense that had been strong against the run. Gurley now has four 100-yard games this season. Goff threw for 235 yards and was nearly flawless, other than a fourth-quarter interception on a play that appeared to include (uncalled) pass interference.

At the end, the Rams basically shrugged and did their best to deflect praise.

“We’ve experienced a lot of things in these seven games, but by no means have we arrived,” McVay said. “There’s improvement that we can continue to focus on, both as coaches and as players. We’re going to enjoy the bye week and get healthy and get rested.”

The Rams don’t play again until Nov. 5, with a road game against the New York Giants. After Sunday’s game, a team executive joked that he wished the Rams could just keep playing.

McVay, whose January hiring was met with some skepticism, seems to be succeeding everywhere his predecessor failed. The Rams have scored 212 points in seven games. They scored 224 points in 16 games last season, and now they have a quickly improving defense to provide extra support.

“It feels good,” defensive lineman Michael Brockers said. “I think today we sent a message to our division, and we’re not going to be sneaking up on anybody. We’re expecting everybody’s A-plus game and we’re up for the challenge.

“I’m not making any predictions or anything. This is a good team. That’s all I want to let you know. This is a good team. We’re here to play.”

Rams are far from home in London, but they’re delighting some loyal fans

RICH HAMMOND

link: http://www.ocregister.com/2017/10/20/rams-are-far-from-home-in-london-but-theyre-delighting-some-loyal-fans/

LONDON — One bought a hat at Disney World, another at a department store. A couple of them randomly started playing as the Rams on a video game. Another liked their helmet on a wall chart.

Fandom often is related to geography, but for those who grew up thousands of miles away in Europe, the path to choosing and following the Rams is fascinating and, at times, frustrating.

“I’m a big Man United fan,” said Louis Patterson, a 23-year-old London resident, “and had always slightly looked down on foreign fans. But having followed an American sports team from abroad, I see how much time and effort it must take for them to follow their team, and my respect has grown hugely.”

The Rams arrived in London on Friday after their extended stay in Jacksonville, and given that most of the players made the overseas trip a year ago, this is nothing special, a three-day business trip. It might even be an annoyance for players.

For some fans, though, it’s everything. If last year’s game is an accurate model, Sunday’s game against Arizona at Twickenham stadium will be filled with fans wearing jerseys of almost every NFL team. American transplants and tourists will be in attendance, but it’s more meaningful for the overseas fans.

“I know they don’t like giving up a home game,” Drew Mikhael, a Northern Ireland native, said, “but I hope U.S.-based fans can appreciate that they are making me happy, because the opportunities to watch your team are rare indeed.”

So rare, in fact, that Mikhael, 34, who now splits his time between Belfast and Beirut, said he intends to fly in from Amman, Jordan, on Sunday morning, to catch the Rams for a third time in London.

Mikhael said he chose his allegiance at age 8, near the end of the Rams’ first stint in Los Angeles. Mikhael said he visited Southern California once as a child, but that’s not why he became a Rams fan.

“My brother had a wall chart with all the NFL teams’ football helmets on it,” Mikhael said. “He had a team, and it was my time to choose. The Rams’ helmet was an easy choice. It stood out from the crowd. The colors and the horns. It was the only team I could pick. I was hooked from the start.”

Among the Rams’ overseas fans who responded to a social-media request to share their stories, Mikhael is a bit unique. He fits the age demographic (under 40), but most of his fellow fans started following the Rams within the past two decades, when television and online advances made it far easier.

Tom Langford, 31, is a lifelong resident of Essex, England, approximately 30 miles from London. Langford said when he first started to follow the Rams, in 2001, he had to track games on the text-based play by play on NFL.com, and had to pay a customs fee to acquire a personalized jersey from the United States.

So taken was Langford by the sport as a teenager that he acquired a football, “so we could play pick-up games on the school field,” and he later joined an amateur team.

Now, the NFL Europe online store still isn’t perfect, Langford said, but at least he can purchase the “Game Pass” package and watch the Rams live. That doesn’t mean it’s easy. Langford said when the Rams played a Thursday-night game at San Francisco, he stayed awake for the 1:25 a.m. kickoff, watched the entire game, then went to work at 6:30 a.m.

“I’m so obsessed with Rams football though,” said Langford, who will attend Sunday’s game, “that I even stayed up to watch preseason games when they were on late.”

The Rams’ surprising 4-2 start to this season has kept their overseas fans awake and enthusiastic, and the team will hold an event Saturday at a London pub with Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson.

For some fans, it’s a rare opportunity to connect with people who their passion for football.

“We weren’t born into an American football culture where family and friends watch games routinely,” Paul Clarke, an Oxford resident, said. “Neither was the sport covered in newspapers or mainstream TV channels. I had to seek out games and other fans. I had to teach myself the positions and the rules. I had no one to ask what a ‘West Coast offense’ was when I heard an announcer use it on TV.”

Paul Clarke, seen with former Rams running back Marshall Faulk, said he had to become a student of American football to gain more appreciation for it. “I had to teach myself the positions and the rules,” the Oxford, England resident said. (Photo courtesy of Paul Clarke)
The game has grown tremendously in England, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see an expansion team, or a relocated team, land in London within the next decade.

It seems that most overseas Rams fans, including 24-year-old Jordan Gallacher, from a small town outside Glasgow, Scotland, have never been to a Rams game in the United States, but cherish the opportunity to attend the Twickenham game for a second consecutive year.

“Just because I live 5,000 miles away from L.A.,” Gallacher said, “doesn’t mean that I don’t feel the same excitement or nervousness during a game, or happy or down after a win or loss — as those fans that are at the game. Our emotional investment in this team is really strong and it will only grow.”

Because they are playing in a temporary facility until their new Inglewood stadium opens in 2020, the Rams are required by the NFL to play one game overseas each season.

The Rams’ 2018 destination has yet to be announced. China was rumored, and Mexico City might be the choice, rather than a third consecutive trip to London. That would please another area of fans, but would sadden the hardcore European supporters.

“I really appreciate any time I get the chance to experience a bit of the (NFL) culture I missed out on growing up over here, which I love,” London resident Jeff Burgin said. “We will do our very best to make Twickenham feel no different to the Coliseum.”

Rams quarterback Jared Goff joked after Friday’s practice that the British fans mostly cheer for the kickers and punters, but said he enjoys the experience.

Running back Todd Gurley isn’t as enthusiastic. He pointed out the strangeness of the Rams and Cardinals, NFC West rivals from neighboring states, playing in London rather than having a short road trip.

“Whatever floats their boat,” Gurley said of the NFL. “But it’s cool. I appreciate you [British reporters] all coming out here. The fans are good. I guess it’s to make the game global.”

INJURY REPORT

Starting safety Cody Davis’ status for Sunday is listed as doubtful because of a thigh injury. Davis did not practice this week, and if he can’t play, the Rams likely would use Lamarcus Joyner (who is returning from a hamstring injury) and rookie John Johnson at safety.

Inside linebacker Mark Barron is listed as questionable, the same as last week, when Barron played a full complement of snaps. No other Rams were on the final injury report.

Practice Report: Joyner Returns to Practice, Ogletree Talks Jaguars Run Game

Kristen Lago

http://www.therams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Practice-Report-Joyner-Returns-to-Practice-Ogletree-Talks-Jaguars-Run-Game/2f88a9d1-1698-452a-97f7-2bd3c6955645

The Rams began their preparation week for the Jaguars on Wednesday afternoon at Cal Lutheran. Los Angeles will travel to Jacksonville in Week 6, before heading to London to face the Cardinals.

INJURY REPORT

The Rams released their official injury report after Wednesday’s practice. Six players were listed on the release, including left tackle Andrew Whitworth, center John Sullivan and outside linebacker Connor Barwin. All three were held out of Wednesday’s session for rest, as part of the team’s “maintenance program” meant to keep many of the veteran players healthy for game action.

Linebacker Mark Barron and cornerback Troy Hill did not participate in the afternoon session with a knee and shoulder injury, respectively. But head coach Sean McVay said Barron “should be good to go” for Sunday’s matchup against the Jaguars.

JOYNER RETURNS TO PRACTICE

Safety Lamarcus Joyner returned to practice on Wednesday as a limited participant. Joyner suffered a hamstring injury two weeks ago and has been held out of practice ever since. The four-year pro said he “felt okay,” during the session, but was admittedly “a little rusty.”

“I have to get back into the groove, but it was okay for the most part,” he said. “I’m going through the process, I’m progressing, getting better, and that’s all that matters at this point right now.”

Joyner said sitting out of two games has been extremely difficult for him, especially as someone who “loves the game,” and wants to be out on field “to help his teammates win.”

However, in sitting on the sidelines, the former Florida State standout did get a chance to watch and evaluate rookie John Johnson III, who stepped in as a starter in Week 5 in place of Maurice Alexander.

“He played really well,” Joyner said. “[It was] definitely a good game to show how good of a football player you can be and I think he handled the situation well.”

And though Joyner says his status for Week 6 is “still up in the air,” he and McVay are optimistic about his progress.

“Tomorrow will really offer a great feel for us in terms of we’ll ramp up the tempo a little bit, we’ll put the pads on,” McVay said. “So, that will give us a better indicator of where Lamarcus is at and how his hamstring handles a little bit heavier workload and then I think that will give us an idea if he’ll be ready to go against Jacksonville or not.”

Rams look to ‘show off’ in McVay’s debut

Joe Curley

http://www.vcstar.com/story/sports/nfl/rams/2017/09/09/rams-look-show-off-mcvays-debut/650064001/

The curtain comes up on the Sean McVay era Sunday afternoon at the Coliseum.

And the only guarantee is, from the coaching staff to the roster, from the systems to the white horns on the helmet, things will look a lot different than the Los Angeles Rams team that returned from St. Louis a year ago.

The Rams can’t wait to finally “show off” what they’ve been working on “the last six to nine months,” quarterback Jared Goff said.

Nearly nine months since Jeff Fisher was fired with three games remaining in the 2016 season, the Rams will take the field against Indianapolis a very different team.

More than a third of the roster has turned over. The defense has a new system under a legendary defensive coordinator.

The change is especially significant on offense, which will have at least six new starters from last year’s opener in San Francisco.

“I’m very, very excited,” running back Todd Gurley said. “I’m pretty sure everybody’s anxious to see how we’re going to do just like we are. So, we just can’t wait to play Sunday.”

Gurley, who famously labeled last year’s attack “a middle school offense,” is just one of several starters who have expressed confidence in McVay’s new system this month.

“It felt like things have been clicking,” Gurley said. “We’ve just got that confidence about us. … We feel a lot more comfortable with the offensive schemes that we’ve been running the last four, five months. We just can’t wait to get out there.”

The addition of potential game-breaking receiver Sammy Watkins will also help the team fix what has been the NFL’s worst offense in recent seasons. If McVay can get the former Buffalo wideout up to speed.

Receiver Robert Woods, who spent last season in Buffalo with Watkins, said last month that he had hardly seen his former teammate since the trade because he was spending all his time learning the offense with the coaching staff.

“He’s extremely intelligent,” said McVay, who added his terminology is similar to former Buffalo offensive coordinator Rick Dennison’s system. “So it’s been a pretty seamless transition.”

Since Watkins only caught two passes for 8 yards in the preseason, you’d have to take his word for it until Sunday.

Considering how closely to the vest McVay has played the preseason, there aren’t many people who really know what the Rams are going to look like against Indianapolis.

Least of all Colts head coach Chuck Pagano, who described the “challenges” associated with game planning for a season opener against an entirely new coaching staff.

“You go back and you do your homework and you track guys and see where they’ve been and see who they’ve been with,” Pagano said. “So we’ve tried to do our due diligence.”

That could include scouting Washington and Atlanta, where McVay and offensive coordinator Matt Lafleur previously schemed offenses; Buffalo, where offensive line coach Aaron Kromer worked the last two seasons; the Rams, who have retained special teams coordinator John Fassell; and Denver, where defensive coordinator Wade Phillips last designed a defense.

“We understand and we’ve seen his system and his scheme,” Pagano said of Phillips. “What we don’t know is how he’s going to use some of those pieces.”

The Rams didn’t do the Colts many favors in the preseason, eschewing the typical “dress rehearsal” third game in late August for rest. As a result, the starting defense will open the regular season without having taken the field as a unit.

“We’ve got to kind of anticipate how they’re going to use some of those pieces in that system,” Pagano said. “We kind of have an idea, but there will obviously be some game time adjustments that we’re going to have to be really good as a coaching staff to identify how they’re going to attack us in all three phases.”

McVay was asked if that means the Rams will have an advantage entering Sunday.

“There will be some things that we did in the preseason that you’ll probably see on Sunday,” McVay said. “But you always want to be careful of showing too much, but at the same time you want to put a premium on going out and executing.”

Stars Connor Barwin, Michael Brockers, Alec Ogletree and Trumaine Johnson all played less than 25 snaps.

As a result, the Rams have a rare clean injury report entering Sunday and the opposition is playing guessing games. While the Colts will be without star quarterback Andrew Luck.

“I think the ultimate goal in mind was being able to have guys ready to go for September 10 and that’s where we’re at right now,” McVay said.

Rams will have multi-threat Tavon Austin at their disposal against the Colts

Gary Klein

http://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/la-sp-rams-report-20170908-story.html

Some optimism was well-founded, some apparently not.

For more than a month, Rams coach Sean McVay had expressed confidence that receiver Tavon Austin and defensive lineman Aaron Donald would be available to play in Sunday’s opener against the Indianapolis Colts at the Coliseum.

Austin recovered from a hamstring injury and will play, McVay said Friday.

Donald, however, remains absent because of a contract dispute.

Throughout the week, McVay declined to rule out the three-time Pro Bowl player for the opener. He finally ended the gamesmanship on Friday.

“We’re still trying to find a way to come to a solution,” McVay said, “but it’s safe to say that he won’t be a part of this game.”

Austin could play several roles for a team that conducted an offseason overhaul of the receiving corps.

It began during free agency with the departures of Kenny Britt and Brian Quick, and the signing of Robert Woods. It continued through the draft with the selection of Cooper Kupp and Josh Reynolds. A training camp trade for deep threat Sammy Watkins provided an exclamation point.

Austin, who signed a four-year, $42-million extension before the 2016 season, was sidelined throughout offseason workouts while recovering from wrist surgery. He sat out nearly all of training camp because of a hamstring injury.

Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson didn’t get a long-term contract, but he’s a team captain
He returned to practice in a limited role before the final preseason game at Green Bay, and then participated in a full-speed pregame workout with other skill-position players at Lambeau Field.

He was a full participant in practice this week.

“We’re excited to have him back,” McVay said.

McVay would not specify how the 5-foot-8, 179-pound Austin will be deployed, but he could line up wide or in the slot as a receiver, or in the backfield as a running back or receiver. He also is expected to return punts.

“When the coaches call my number, I’ll just be ready,” said Austin, who has scored 12 touchdowns on passes, eight on runs and three on punt returns.

When McVay and his new staff arrived in January, the receiver group was “a little bit of a question mark,” offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur said.

But that group is now regarded as multidimensional, and Austin’s return adds to the mix.

“When you get the guy that, again, is explosive as Tavon, that has that home-run capability, it definitely gives you a lot of just some favorable matchups out there,” LaFleur said.

Now it gets real

Seven of the eight players the Rams selected in this year’s draft could play against the Colts.

Kupp, tight end Gerald Everett and defensive lineman Tanzel Smart are expected to either start or play a significant number of snaps.

Reynolds, safety John Johnson and linebackers Samson Ebukam and Ejuan Price also might contribute on offense, defense or special teams.

Fullback Sam Rogers is on the practice squad and will not play.

Everett, a second-round pick, is looking forward to his first regular-season NFL game.

“First and foremost, just playing on Sunday — I’m pretty sure it’s going to be pretty surreal,” he said.

Johnson, a fourth-round draft pick, will play on special teams. He said he would be prepared for more if his name or number is called.

“I’m right next to the coach — I’m in his pocket like, ‘Whenever you need me, I’m ready,’ ” Johnson said, laughing. “He’ll probably speak like just the first letter and I’m already running out there.

“So I’m ready.”

Etc.

The Rams listed no players on the injury report. McVay credited the athletic training staff, the strength and conditioning staff and players for managing injuries in the run-up to the opener. “The ultimate goal in mind was being able to have guys ready to go for Sept. 10, and that’s where we’re at right now,” McVay said. … Sunday’s game at the Coliseum follows the USC-Stanford game on Saturday. This will be one of three times the Rams play the day after a Trojans home game.

Rams remain without Aaron Donald and will have other defensive starters on ‘pitch count’ against Colts

By RICH HAMMOND

link: http://www.dailynews.com/2017/09/07/rams-remain-without-aaron-donald-and-will-have-other-defensive-starters-on-pitch-count-against-colts/

THOUSAND OAKS — Wade Phillips joined the NFL in 1976, so it’s tough to put something new past the Rams’ defensive coordinator, but this year’s season opener even seems to have Phillips scratching his head a bit.

“I don’t know about concerned,” Phillips said after Thursday’s practice at Cal Lutheran. “You’re just waiting to see how we do. I think there’s going to be good things. We’ve been practicing really well this week.”

Phillips can’t be certain, though. His best player, Aaron Donald, remains in a contract holdout, and while the Rams haven’t officially ruled out Donald for Sunday’s game against Indianapolis, the idea that Donald could play Sunday, even if he reported to team headquarters Friday, seems improbable.

At least the Rams can plan for that absence. Phillips indicated that he isn’t certain how much the Rams will get out of linebackers Robert Quinn and Mark Barron, both of whom (along with starting cornerback Kayvon Webster) missed the four-game preseason schedule because of injury concerns.

The Rams don’t have any players listed on their injury report, a fact Coach Sean McVay happily reiterated for a second consecutive day, but Phillips indicated that Quinn and Barron might be limited against the Colts. That could mean more work for players such as Matt Longacre and Cory Littleton.

“We’ll have to be aware, and monitor how many snaps they have,” Phillips said of Quinn and Barron. “They’ll be on a snap count or pitch count or whatever.”

Phillips also said the Rams wouldn’t change their defensive game plan depending on Donald’s availability, but said he might ask different things from a player with a different body type or skill set.

Perhaps it’s no coincidence, then, that the player primarily expected to fill Donald’s spot, rookie Tanzel Smart, has similarities. Donald is listed at 6-foot-1, 280 pounds, compared to Smart’s 6-1, 290 pounds. Phillips didn’t seem riled about the prospect of coaching a game without his star player.

“We know what the situation is and I know what the situation is,” Phillips said. “It’s disappointing that he’s not here, for whatever the reasons are, but I’ve been through it before. You have to play with the guys you have. We believe we can play well, and that’s what we’re going to try to do.”

Rams’ first-team offense shines in comeback win over Raiders

By Alden Gonzalez

http://www.espn.com/blog/los-angeles-rams/post/_/id/34891/rams-first-team-offense-shines-in-comeback-win-over-raiders

Trailing by 4 points with a little more than six minutes left in the game, backup quarterback Sean Mannion methodically marched the Los Angeles Rams up the field and connected with rookie Josh Reynolds for the decisive touchdown in a 24-21 preseason win on the road over the Oakland Raiders on Saturday night.

Mannion connected with Mike Thomas on a quick slant to keep the drive alive while facing fourth and 9 from the Raiders’ 37-yard line. On the next play, he sailed a 20-yard pass up the sideline to Reynolds, the long, athletic fourth-round pick, who beat out fellow rookie Chris Humes for the football with just over a minute remaining. The Rams’ offense looked good late, but was even more impressive early on.

Here are some notes on what stood out.

QB depth chart: Jared Goff put together what was quite possibly the most encouraging performance of his short NFL career. He finished 16-of-20 for 160 yards and a touchdown, with several impressive throws throughout the night. Goff led the Rams to two touchdowns and a field goal before exiting. His only real mistake was waiting too long to deliver a deep ball to an open Robert Woods, instead absorbing a sack from Khalil Mack. Besides that, Goff was exceedingly accurate and decisive. Mannion had another good day in relief of Goff, going 15-of-22 for 132 yards and a touchdown. That follows last week’s strong performance against the Cowboys, when Mannion was 18-of-25 for 144 yards.

When it was starters vs. starters, the Rams looked …: Like a well-oiled machine on offense. When’s the last time you read that? They went 6-for-8 on third down, picked up 12 first downs and consistently marched the ball up the field. Cooper Kupp made six catches (on seven targets) for 70 yards and a touchdown, and was wide open for a 23-yard catch on play-action to start the game. Todd Gurley, meanwhile, ran violently, with eight carries for 38 yards and a touchdown, on a 2-yard run up the middle. The Rams’ defense — which was without key players like Robert Quinn, Mark Barron, Kayvon Webster and Nickell Robey-Coleman — was shaky, allowing a couple of touchdowns to Oakland’s Derek Carr-led offense.

One reason to be concerned: Splitting hairs here. The Rams’ secondary got off to a rough start, though Webster, Robey-Coleman and Mike Jordan were all held out. On the Raiders’ first touchdown drive, Lamarcus Joyner committed two personal fouls in a span of four plays. On the Raiders’ second touchdown drive, Amari Cooper made a leaping catch despite triple coverage, and Michael Crabtree juked Troy Hill for a touchdown. The Rams did, however, get an interception from their primary corner, Trumaine Johnson, who had only one interception in 14 regular-season games last year.

That guy could start: Justin Davis won’t unseat Gurley as the featured running back, but the undrafted rookie is making a legitimate case to crack the roster, which is impressive in itself. Davis fumbled twice in the preseason opener, but he also gained 70 yards on nine carries. Davis picked up only 8 yards on five carries against the Raiders, but he gained another 20 on three catches and once again looked shifty with the ball in his hands. A knee injury has kept Lance Dunbar from practicing. And though Malcolm Brown has been used as Gurley’s backup, Davis may be forcing his way into the conversation.

Rookie watch: Kupp had another great showing. His best catch came on a quick slant, on which he was well-covered for a throw that sailed low and away. It was his third third-down reception, perhaps a sign of things to come. Tight end Gerald Everett made four catches for 30 yards, with one of those resulting in a 24-yard gain thanks to a nice cutback in space. Defensive lineman Tanzel Smart, who has impressed this summer, did a nice job of bringing down E.J. Manuel after he tried to escape the pocket. And Casey Sayles clinched the win with a sack.

Watkins watch: New receiver Sammy Watkins made his Rams debut, wearing No. 2, his number from Clemson, which he will have to change for the regular season. Watkins caught a 5-yard pass to convert on third down and also gained 3 yards on a screen. Watkins then ran a fly route in hopes of connecting with Goff downfield, but a well-placed throw near the end zone was broken up.

Injury report: Thomas absorbed a helmet-to-helmet hit by Anthony Cioffi while hauling in Mannion’s fourth-down throw near the middle of the field with about two minutes remaining. Thomas was checked on by Rams trainers and walked off on his own power. Backup outside linebacker Carlos Thompson had to be carted off the field after sustaining what appeared to be a significant injury to the lower part of his left leg. Raiders rookie offensive lineman Kareem Are launched himself toward the pile near the midway point of the fourth quarter, but instead caught Thompson’s knee.

Highlights From Thursday’s Rams Practice

Rich Hammond

link: http://www.ocregister.com/2017/08/17/highlights-from-thursdays-rams-practice-2-2/

A brief look at the Rams’ training-camp practice on Thursday:

BIG MOMENT

It’s been a nice week for the Rams’ receivers. First, Sammy Watkins showed up and made some nice catches, and rookie Josh Reynolds flashed some moves. On the last official day of training camp, one of the veterans stood out, as Robert Woods made a couple nice catches in traffic, including one long ball for a touchdown.

INJURY REPORT

Coach Sean McVay didn’t offer an official list in advance of Saturday’s preseason game at Oakland, but it seems likely that the players who were held out for most of practice this week won’t play.

That would include cornerbacks Kayvon Webster, Nickell Robey-Coleman and Mike Jordan, which would leave the Rams rather shorthanded beyond starter Trumaine Johnson.

Receiver Tavon Austin, running back Lance Dunbar, offensive lineman Andrew Donnal and linebackers Samson Ebukam and Nic Grigsby also remain out.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“We’ve gotten a lot of things accomplished. We’re not where we want to be, but we’re going in the right direction. That’s what you feel good about.”

— McVay, on reaching the end of training camp.

DEPTH CHART

The arrival of Watkins, and good practice efforts from Reynolds, clearly have turned up the heat on receivers such as Nelson Spruce and Paul McRoberts, who presumably were on the 53-man roster bubble even before Watkins’ arrival in a trade last week.

Spruce made the roster out of training camp last year but missed the season with injuries, while McRoberts spent most of 2016 on the Rams’ practice squad.

“With the uncertainty and the unpredictability with the injuries and different things that can occur,” McVay said, “I think you get yourself caught up in worrying about things that you can’t control and that’s when it affects your ability to be your best. Those guys aren’t players that do that and I think that’s why you appreciate what they bring to this team right now.”

HEADING NORTH

The Rams are done at UC Irvine. They will have a walk-through practice Friday at Cal Lutheran in Thousand Oaks, then resume practice there Tuesday, after Saturday’s preseason game at Oakland.

“I couldn’t be more pleased with the way the guys competed, went about the meetings, and when we practiced every single day,” McVay said. “It’s been a great group to be around, both coaches and our players.”

Highlights from Wednesday’s Rams practice

By RICH HAMMOND

link: http://www.ocregister.com/2017/08/16/highlights-from-wednesdays-rams-practice-3-2/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

A brief look at the Rams’ training-camp practice on Wednesday:

BIG MOMENT

The most entertaining aspect of training-camp practice has been a red-zone drill in which receivers and cornerbacks go one on one. On Wednesday, rookie receiver Cooper Kupp pulled a double move on Trumaine Johnson and caught a touchdown pass from Jared Goff. The move was so nice that Johnson slapped hands with Kupp afterward.

INJURY REPORT

The Rams got even thinner at cornerback, as Mike Jordan joined Kayvon Webster and Nickell Robey-Coleman on the sideline. Coach Sean McVay indicated that none of the injuries was particularly serious and that Webster, for one, would be able to play a game if necessary.

Still, the Rams plan to bring in veteran free-agent cornerback Leodis McKelvin for a tryout Thursday.

Receiver Tavon Austin, running back Lance Dunbar, offensive lineman Andrew Donnal and linebackers Samson Ebukam and Nic Grigsby also remain out.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“It will be nice. It will be my first time back there since college, playing at least. I’ve got some family and friends coming, and it will be good.”

— Goff, a Northern California native, on playing for Saturday’s preseason game in Oakland.

DEPTH CHART

As regularly happens in camp, a few veterans took a non-injury rest day, including offensive linemen Andrew Whitworth, Rodger Saffold and John Sullivan.

That gave the second-team linemen, who have sometimes struggled in camp, a chance to get higher-profile reps. Darrell Williams, a former undrafted free agent who spent most of last season on injured reserve, saw more time at left tackle.

DON’T DROP IT

The Rams did ball-protection drills for a third consecutive day in practice, after their running backs and receivers fumbled six times Saturday against Dallas. Rams defenders also aggressively attempted to strip the ball during drills that otherwise were non-contact.

“It starts with me,” McVay said. “We’ve got to do a better job of emphasizing it. You try to mimic and emulate those game-like situations as much as possible in practice, but the Cowboys, to their credit, they do a great job of emphasizing taking the ball away. We’ve got to be mindful of protecting it, especially in those congested areas. I’m looking forward to seeing how we improve on Saturday.”

Highlights from Tuesday’s Rams practice

By RICH HAMMOND

link: http://www.ocregister.com/2017/08/15/highlights-from-tuesdays-rams-practice-2-2/

PUBLISHED: August 15, 2017 at 7:12 pm | UPDATED: August 15, 2017 at 7:40 pm
A brief look at the Rams’ training-camp practice on Tuesday:

BIG MOMENT

The Rams’ quarterbacks had another tough day, as Jared Goff and Sean Mannion each threw two interceptions, but Goff bounced back from one of his with a gorgeous 40-yard touchdown pass to rookie receiver Josh Reynolds during a 7-on-7 drill. Goff dropped the ball perfectly over Reynolds shoulder as he crossed the goal line.

INJURY REPORT

Receiver Nelson Spruce, who presumably is competing for one of the final roster spots at his position, did not practice Tuesday for unknown reasons. Cornerbacks Kayvon Webster and Nickell Robey-Coleman also did not practice for a second consecutive day.

Linebacker Robert Quinn participated in some special-teams drills but not in full-team defensive drills.

Receiver Tavon Austin, running back Lance Dunbar, offensive lineman Andrew Donnal and linebacker Samson Ebukam also remain out.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“That’s one of the things we’ve been really pleased about. Our leaders have set the standard, in terms of being accountable.” – Coach Sean McVay, on a lack of team discipline issues during training camp.

DEPTH CHART

The Rams continue to show their depth at defensive back. The cornerbacks put in some good work during Monday’s practice, and on Tuesday it was the safeties’ turn.

Cody Davis, the Rams’ primary backup to Lamarcus Joyner at free safety, intercepted Goff, as did John Johnson, drafted by the Rams in the third round in April.

WATKINS UPDATE

Receiver Sammy Watkins, acquired in a trade with Buffalo last Friday, jumped into full-team drills for the first time Tuesday and was targeted on a couple pass plays.

McVay said the plan is for Watkins to increase his participation in practice throughout this week and perhaps get a “handful” of plays in Saturday’s preseason game at Oakland.