camp report, first open practice, 6/10

Stafford to Akers pic.twitter.com/RweFVStZ1H

— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) June 11, 2021

TuTu pic.twitter.com/R4LyZsDhTD

— RAMZILLA (@elitster) June 11, 2021

from Rodrigue: https://theathletic.com/2645361/2021/06/10/rams-finally-reunite-with-fans-in-sofi-sean-mcvay-comments-on-his-new-qb-and-practice-observations/?source=emp_shared_article

Two players who made a consistent impression

Lots of players flash during these limited, lighter workouts, but two up-and-comers have specifically left a strong impression on McVay.

Third-year cornerback David Long moved with impressive speed and intentionality through drills on Thursday night, and has been getting a ton of work at first-team outside cornerback in seven-on-sevens throughout OTAs and minicamp (which I am now able to report, since McVay discussed it publicly). Part of this was due to sheer need, because largely starters Darious Williams and Jalen Ramsey had not been participating in the on-field work (Ramsey did through minicamp). But when his number was called, Long showed up — and McVay has high expectations for him this season.

“I think he’s done a great job,” said McVay. “He’s really done a nice job elevating his game at the outside location. He has been a guy who has some position flexibility inside, but I think he’s done a really nice job of growing. … You’ve seen him tangibly improve throughout the course of this offseason because the one thing that we have done full-speed is a lot of seven-on-seven.

“I’ve been really pleased with David, and he is a guy that we are going to count on — and we’re expecting him to be a big-time contributor for us.”

Long could step into fill the role held by Troy Hill in 2020. Hill, who signed with Cleveland in free agency, was able to move inside and outside as needed in order to help unlock Ramsey’s flexibility in the Star package and on the outside, depending on the matchup.

Meanwhile, tight end Jacob Harris is breathing some rare air for a rookie fourth-rounder — and it’s not just hype and circumstance, according to McVay. Harris has been taking the bulk of first-team tight end reps along with Johnny Mundt in what media is able to watch (again, now able to report this since McVay has since discussed it publicly). Part of this is due to Tyler Higbee’s absence in live team activities (Higbee is present and undergoing his own programming). But there are a few other tight ends on the roster who have more experience — whom Harris got reps over especially in the last week of work.

“I think he’s just earned it,” said McVay of Harris’ increased role over a rapid period. “Obviously Tyler is the lead dog … he’s one of the most complete tight ends in this league, and when he’s feeling good, Tyler Higbee can do it all for us. Jacob Harris is a great addition to that room.

“I think he’s a guy that has a tremendous amount of upside. (Tight ends coach) Wes Phillips has done a really nice job of getting him up to speed. His natural range, catch radius, body control for a player of his size is pretty rare. I think you guys can see — for NFL guys to stand out the way that he has done, in some of these limited settings, in shorts and in helmets, he’s definitely made a positive impression.”

Harris has worked pretty exclusively with Phillips through the spring, so that is the indicator he’ll be a “tight end” — which I’ll say with a wink, because McVay made it clear that he’s a player they can move all over the place in the passing game outside of the traditional tight end assignments.

Catch of the day

The best throw and catch of the day came in individual drills, off a tightly wound 40-yarder down the sideline from Stafford to veteran receiver DeSean Jackson — who happened to secure the catch right in front of team owner Stan Kroenke, who attended the day’s events.

Quick notes from the workout

• Receiver and second-round draft pick Tutu Atwell continued to get some work on punt return, as did Trishton Jackson, Landen Akers, J.J. Koski and running back Raymond Calais. Special-teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis worked his way throughout the drills, and his energy was palpable (and audible). Veteran punter Johnny Hekker mentioned that it’s more helpful to have a “live leg” on punt return reps, particularly with the Rams attempting to establish a full-time player in that role; Brandon Wright handled those duties and also pegged in a few kickoffs.

• Harris did drop one ball — after a catch on a quick slant and a little contact that surprised him — but it’s clear that McVay has taken a great interest in the rookie because he immediately went up to him individually and made a ball-security tucking motion with his arm, then patted Harris on the back before moving on through the drills.

• Left tackle Andrew Whitworth was present, though not practicing, so Joe Noteboom naturally took the starting left tackle snaps. Interestingly, during the quarterback/offensive line warmups, Brian Allen moved to right guard on the second team while Coleman Shelton took center snaps. Allen and Shelton are still considered by McVay to be depth at center as the Rams try out former right guard Austin Corbett at center through the summer. Whitworth did get pretty involved all the same, taking extra time to coach up young tackles Chandler Brewer and Max Pircher — the latter of whom joined the Rams via the International Pathways program from Italy.

dpjax

6/10 Rams practice report

I was at SoFi yesterday and have to say the place is amazing. Our seats were at field level and besides being really close to the action the place is just loud. When that place is full of fans it will really be something to behold. I wanted to study player #’s before I went but got too busy with work to do that so besides the obvious player’s I was going in blind as to who was who.

Two players that stood out to me, one on offense and one on defense were #22 and #87. When I got home I found out that they were David Long Jr and Jacob Harris. #22 seemed quick and was around the ball all day and had what I think was the only interception of the day in 7 on 7’s , which I believe was against Wolford. Looks like Long may be starting to Blossom, fingers crossed. #87 is a physical specimen, you couldn’t help but notice him. The thing that stood out about Harris was his ability to adjust to the ball, so natural and seemingly effortless, and catches everything that comes his way. How well he moves in relation to his size is very impressive. Others who stood out to me were DeSaun Jackson, very fluid and confident, Van Jefferson made a couple of nice catches, and I have to say Tutu Atwell impressed me. Count me as one who was less than pleased with that pick on draft day. Other than standing out for being the smallest guy on the field, he seemed to have good hands, made some tough catches in traffic, and of course speed to burn as advertised. Tutu also seemed very engaged. Of course we all know what we’ve got in Stafford. Wolford looked pretty accurate although he did have that one interception but that just seemed like a nice play by Long. The other two QBs, #16 and #19 had some nice throws but overall the way they moved just seemed frantic like things were almost moving too fast for them, especially #19. You could always tell when Stafford was dropping back because he looks so in command.

Leonard Floyd was doing alot of extra one on one work in addition to all the drills with the LBers group. Not sure if he’s working through something or just wanted to get the extra reps in. It was also nice to see him engaging with some of the fans.
The D Lineman were doing their drills right in front of us so it was a little disappointing that 99 wasn’t there, but hey. it’s AD. Who did stand out to me was #94, I know I should know who that is but now I know, it’s A’Shawn! Powerful and quick, he has really transformed his body, looking lean and mean. They were doing this one drill where they get their arm extended with their hand on another players upper chest/shoulder/throat and push them sideways, and A’Shawn consistently had the other player stumbling back where others were able to keep their balance defending against that drill.

Did I mention the stadium was loud?
Oh, and the leg room is way better than the Staple Center!

After the practice was over we went all the way to the top row in the back corner of the end zone to check out the view. Amazing! (I’ll post some pics when I get them from my friend.) The atmosphere after practice was very relaxed, no one was trying to usher us out, they just let us wonder around for an hour or so to see as much of the stadium as we wanted.

from Eric D. Williams, https://www.si.com/nfl/rams/news/la-rams-raheem-morris-brings-new-energy-to-defense

Tutu Atwell looked good getting in and out of his breaks and catching the ball, particularly on out-breaking routes along the sideline. Atwell is a natural hands catcher and showed no problems creating separation during 7-on-7 drills. Interested to see how he plays in pads during training camp.

* Second-year pro Bryce Perkins looked more accurate throwing the ball, particularly outside the numbers. Perkins threw a handful of solid completions on out routes, doing a nice job of driving the football and hitting the receivers on time.

* Safety Jake Gervase is making the transition to linebacker. With a deep, talented group at safety, Gervase has a better shot of sticking around at linebacker if he can contribute on special teams.

* Defensive lineman Michael Hoecht, Eric Banks and rookie Bobby Brown III got some work with the first group with Aaron Donald not a minicamp and Sebastian Joseph-Day watching from the sidelines. Donald is not attending camp this week due to personal reasons, and head coach Sean McVay noted he had conversations with a few players about the potential of missing this week. Cornerback Darious Williams also did not attend minicamp.

* Jalen Ramsey was at practice this week and switched from No. 5 to No. 20. Second-year pro Cam Akers had switched from No. 3 to No. 23 but was back wearing No. 23 this week. DeSean Jackson, wearing No. 1, was at camp but watched the first day. Tight end Tyler Higbee also watched from the sidelines.

* Linebacker Travin Howard had a pick six during 7-on-7 and cornerback Kareem Orr also had an nice interception. Receiver Jaremiah Haydel has flashed during 7-on-7 workouts.

Coach Sean McVay feeling super about Rams despite unanswered questions​

https://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/story/2021-06-14/sean-mcvay-super-bowl-rams

His team’s offseason program complete, Rams coach Sean McVay plans to vacation in New York, Greece and Monaco before training camp begins.

“I’ll be able to live a little, enjoy myself — and then I’ll come back stressed and ready to roll,” McVay joked.

When the Rams report to UC Irvine in late July, the pressure will be on McVay.

The Rams ended the Jared Goff era by trading the quarterback — and two first-round draft picks — to the Detroit Lions for quarterback Matthew Stafford. General manager Les Snead gave Stafford the potential deep threat the team denied Goff last season by signing veteran receiver DeSean Jackson.

Those additions, combined with players such as receivers Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp, and defensive stars Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey, could make the Rams one of the favorites to contend for a berth in Super Bowl LVI, which will be played Feb. 13, 2022 in SoFi Stadium.

McVay said he embraces expectations.

“This job is about pressure day in and day out,” he said. “I think that’s what you want. If you start avoiding pressure, if you don’t like it, this is not for you.”

The Rams have made the playoffs three times in four seasons under McVay. They lost in the NFC wild-card round in 2017, advanced to the Super Bowl in 2018, missed the postseason the next year and advanced to the divisional-round last season.

McVay and Snead are banking that Stafford, a 12-year veteran, will provide the missing piece for another Super Bowl run.

“He’s one of those guys that I think is a true igniter,” McVay said of Stafford. “He 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 do a lot of good things together.”

Throughout offseason workouts, Rams players said they were embracing high expectations.

“Last time we were picked to go to the Super Bowl, we went,” Woods said. “So, I think that’s a good thing. … We’re a loaded team. We have all the parts. We have all the pieces to get where we need to go.”

Stafford, the receiving corps and the continuing emergence of second-year running back Cam Akers are reason for optimism about the offense. But the line is in flux after the departure of coach Aaron Kromer and center Austin Blythe. Kevin Carberry replaced Kromer. Austin Corbett could move from guard to center to replace Blythe. Left tackle Andrew Whitworth will turn 40 during the season.

Donald and Ramsey anchor a defense now under the direction of coordinator Raheem Morris, who replaced Brandon Staley. Can lineman A’Shawn Robinson fill the void left the departure of Michael Brockers? Who steps up to replace the talent and leadership of safety John Johnson, now earning millions from the Cleveland Browns?

Those are just a few of the questions that might be answered during training camp when the Rams begin preparing for their Sept. 12 opener against the Chicago Bears.

McVay will continue to hold out starters from preseason games. The Rams might add depth to the roster this summer in preparation for joint practices with the Dallas Cowboys and Las Vegas Raiders, and preseason games against the Chargers, Raiders and Denver Broncos.

Whitworth, a 15-year veteran, said big expectations are “a good thing” for a team accustomed to winning. Whitworth pointed to last season’s wild-card playoff victory over the Seattle Seahawks as a “culture-type win.”

“We didn’t go into that game with any expectation other than win, and it really didn’t matter whether it was the playoffs or the next game on the schedule,” he said. “And I think that’s where you really started to see a culture and franchise that just expects to win.

“And, hopefully, we can keep that mentality and that culture strong.”