Kayvon Webster…updated, 3/22

Looks like CB Kayvon Webster is going to wind up with the #Rams

DC Wade Phillips very familiar with his talent.

— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) March 13, 2017

Adam Schefter‏ @AdamSchefter

Former Broncos CB Kayvon Webster is signing with LA Rams, per source.
11:02 PM · Mar 13, 2017

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kwebb‏ @kayvonwebster

Official a Ram ! Los Angeles what’s good time to show up and show out ! Grind hard stay focused thankful
11:05 PM · Mar 13, 2017

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Alden Gonzalez‏ @Alden_Gonzalez

.@AdamSchefter says Kayvon Webster’s deal with the Rams is for two years.
11:06 PM · Mar 13, 2017

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LA Rams Sign DB Kayvon Webster

The Rams have added a new member to their secondary.

Joe McAtee

http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2017/3/13/14911022/la-rams-sign-kayvon-webster-schefter-2017-nfl-free-agency

The Los Angeles Rams have signed DB Kayvon Webster to a contract details here.

Webster spent four years with the Denver Broncos after being drafted in the 3rd round (90th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft out of South Florida. The last of those two years, Webster was a reserve for former Broncos and new Rams Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips. Webster’s experience under Phillips should serve him well in the Rams’ secondary rotation.

There is a bit of question as to where Webster will play. He played safety in high school and then moved up to cornerback at USF before staying there with the Broncos. He did offer safety backup skills and was reported to take over for Rahim Moore when he left, but the Broncos ultimately signed former Rams S Darian Stewart to fill the role.

So while he has cornerback experience under Phillips, he also offers stop-gap safety skills. Having lost S Rodney McLeod to free agency last season and looking at S T.J. McDonald likely heading out, there’s room at safety on the roster. At cornerback, the Rams lost CB Janoris Jenkins to the market a year ago, and CB Trumaine Johnson might be traded away as he sits on his second consecutive franchise tag.

With the 2017 NFL Draft in front of us and the full free agent window still open, we may have to see where Webster gets slotted in during OTAs.

For now, there’s a new Ram in the secondary.

InvaderRam wrote:

it doesn’t matter cuz it looks like the cardinals are gonna sign him.

And…they did. Just signed with Arz.

alyoshamucci wrote:

I covered him in college…He’s an angry physical dude. If he’s worked on his craft behind those great CBs, he could have real upside.

As far as questions about why he didn’t beat Roby out at nickel… Roby is agile and has quicker feet. That’s Webster’s biggest limitation. He’s not a nickel.

Super Bowl experience a ringing endorsement for new Rams cornerback Kayvon Webster

By RICH HAMMOND

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/webster-747130-rams-cornerback.html

Kayvon Webster is a potential starter at cornerback and a special-teams contributor for the Rams, but when Webster signed with the team this month, he also brought something important.

A Super Bowl ring.

A Rams team that hasn’t made the playoffs in more than a decade, and finished 4-12 last season, needs an infusion of winning attitude, and Webster should bring it. Webster, who signed a two-year contract, spent the previous four seasons with Denver and won Super Bowl 50 as a part-time player.

Webster also has deep familiarity with new Rams defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, who filled the same role in Denver for part of Webster’s stay.

“When I was on the Broncos, I had the chance to be around a bunch of great guys,” Webster said Tuesday on a conference call with local reporters. “It’s not going to be hard to transition to somewhere like the Rams, because of the professionalism that was on the Broncos. It kind of rubbed off on me.”

The Rams expect Webster, who played in two Super Bowls with the Broncos, to bring leadership and experience. The question is whether he’s ready to become a full-time starter at cornerback.

Webster, 26 and listed at 5-foot-11, 198 pounds, primarily was a special-teams player during his four seasons with the Broncos. He appeared in 54 of a possible 64 games but started only two on defense, both in his rookie season, which also is when he recorded his only NFL interception.

That doesn’t mean Webster isn’t ready for more. The Broncos had, during that time, an impressive group of cornerbacks that included, at different times, Aqib Talib, Chris Harris, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Champ Bailey.

Webster played when and where he could, which also helped him develop as a cornerback who could cover receivers on the outside and also play in the slot.

“I just had to kind of take a back seat and learn,” Webster said, “and just kind of take my opportunity as it came, whether it was on special teams or whatever. I had to make sure I was on top of my game. It’s kind of hard when you’re in that role, because you’ve got to know all these spots, and you’ve got to be ready if somebody goes down. So I think I’m ready for that role and I’m just ready to play football.”

It’s clear the Rams, and new Coach Sean McVay, wouldn’t have signed Webster without Phillips’ approval, so the defensive coordinator must believe Webster can contribute immediately.

Phillips’ aggressive 3-4 defensive system puts an emphasis on solid play from the secondary, and while Webster said he is open to continuing to play on special teams for the Rams, he wants to be a starter at cornerback.

That’s possible. The Rams have a clear No. 1 cornerback in Trumaine Johnson, but then the position opens up. E.J. Gaines is talented but prone to injuries. Lamarcus Joyner is effective, must mostly as a nickelback. Troy Hill and Mike Jordan had good moments in 2016 but largely are unproven.

So, Webster has a chance. He has experience, familiarity with Phillips’ system and, perhaps most importantly, a background of winning.

“I bring leadership and hard-working ability,” Webster said. “In order for us to win, we’ve all got to be a family. Put away the selfishness and put the team goals first, before the personal goals, because once you put the team goals first, you will reach all your personal goals.”