news n notes on Rams/Raiders practices

Lindsey Thiry@LindseyThiry

The Rams and Raiders held their first of two combined practices on Wednesday. The joint workout (About 90 minutes of combined work) appeared much more physical than the Rams recent combined practices against the Chargers. Among notable plays: Aqib Talib intercepted a deep pass from Derek Carr to open 7-on-7 play… In 11-on-11, Jared Goff looked sharp… Goff completed a few paces into tight windows, including one to WR Robert Woods, who had several DBs draped on him throughout the workout… Goff also completed touchdown pass to TE Gerald Everett between two defenders… WR Cooper Kupp continued to standout… On one play, Kupp found himself wide open to haul in a deep pass down the sideline from Goff… Goff took some chances down field to TE Tyler Higbee, but the connection was a few inches off, a couple passes fell incomplete off Higbee’s fingertips.

10 Observations from the Rams first joint practice with the Raiders

Myles Simmons

https://www.therams.com/news/10-observations-from-the-rams-first-joint-practice-with-the-raiders

NAPA, Calif. — In the lead up to the first preseason game of the summer, the Rams and Raiders are having a pair of joint practices. With action on two separate fields, here are 10 notes from the session, focusing specifically on the Rams’ offense.

1) After going through individual drills on separate fields, the Rams and Raiders came together for 7-on-7 work. Los Angeles’ offense mainly stuck with short to intermediate routes, with the ball barely hitting the ground from quarterback Jared Goff to the wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs.

2) The offense looked sharp throughout the day, starting with 11-on-11. After head coach Sean McVay said the Rams looked sluggish to begin Saturday’s session with the Chargers, L.A. got things going with a few completions — including an intermediate, play-action pass from Goff to wide receiver Brandin Cooks on the left side. No. 16 threw a strike to No. 12 for what would’ve been a first down on 2nd-and-short.

3) After the second-team offense got a series, the ones were back and executed a strong play. Goff faked a handoff to both a wide receiver on a jet sweep, then the running back in the backfield, had time, and fired to a wide open Cooper Kupp down the left sideline. Goff hit Kupp in stride, allowing the wide receiver to run for what likely would’ve been a long touchdown.

4) In punt return drills, wide receiver JoJo Natson found himself with good blocking for a return up the right seam. The return specialist likely would’ve gotten up the field for 15 to 20 yards given the way everything was set up well.

5) Back in 11-on-11 drills, Los Angeles’ offense set up in the red zone for some more plays. On one, the Rams ran a reverse with Goff handing off to Kupp, who then surreptitiously gave it to fellow WR Robert Woods. The USC product then went down a wide open path on the left side of the field for about a 15-yard touchdown. It was a particularly nice play for the offense.

6) In the same 11-on-11 period, Goff hit Woods in the front-right corner of the end zone with an out-cutting route for a touchdown. Goff’s ball placement was solid, leading Woods to the sideline. And the wideout dragged his feet in bounds to ensure the catch was good — capping a strong segment of practice for the first-team offense.

7) In a later period, Goff kept a play alive by keeping his feet active in the pocket, then rolled to his right and found tight end Gerald Everett in the back of the end zone for an off-schedule touchdown. The connection between Goff and Everett continues to build as the club readies for the 2019 season.

8) During another 11-on-11 segment with the offense closer to midfield, center Brian Allen pulled around to the right on a lead block for running back Todd Gurley. Allen popped Raiders safety Karl Joseph, proving Gurley the needed space to get up the field.

9) Safety Lamarcus Joyner spent his first five years in the league with the Rams, and the now-Raiders nickel corner batted down a pass to wide receiver Brandin Cooks on the right side. After, the former teammates embraced and exchanged “good stuff” pleasantries before heading back to their respective huddles.

10) Finally, on a 3rd-and-10 play, the Rams’ offensive line along with running back Todd Gurley picked up a blitz well, giving Goff time to find Woods past the sticks with an intermediate route on the left side. Head coach Sean McVay was fired up about the play, giving low fives to Gurley and members of the OL for the protection.

10 Observations from the Rams second joint practice with the Raiders

Myles Simmons

ms-second-joint-practice-with-the-raiders

NAPA, Calif. – In the lead up to the first preseason game of the summer, the Rams and Raiders are having a pair of joint practices. With action on two separate fields, here are 10 notes from the second session, focusing specifically on the Rams’ defense.

1) The Rams and Raiders had competitive one-on-one drills between the offensive and defensive lines. Rookie nose tackle Greg Gaines used a rip move to get underneath Raiders OL Jordan Devey and into the backfield. Trevon Young also had a spin move to get into the backfield around a right tackle.

2) Still on DL vs. OL drills, defensive tackle Aaron Donald and outside linebacker Dante Fowler got past Raiders’ left guard and left tackle Richie Incognito and Kolton Miller, respectively, with a combination stunt.

3) In 11-on-11 drills, Donald and Fowler kept it going defensively with a play that would have been a sack. The pair got penetration on the defense’s right, leaving quarterback Derek Carr nowhere to go.

4) The Rams’ defense was flying around throughout the day, coming up to defend short passes well. Safety John Johnson had one example in 11-on-11, coming up to stop a swing pass at about the line of scrimmage on the defense’s left.

5) Los Angeles has mainly had JoJo Natson on punt returns throughout the summer, but wide receiver Austin Proehl was deep to return a few punts on Thursday. We’ll see how much time each player receives at the spot in the first preseason game on Saturday.

6) In red zone 11-on-11 drills, outside linebacker Clay Matthews batted down a Carr pass on the defense’s right. It was the second play of the segment, and Carr got flushed out of the pocket with the Rams’ pass rush.

7) During the next segment of 11-on-11 work, defensive lineman Morgan Fox batted down a Carr pass behind the line of scrimmage as well. Carr was trying to get a pass off on the run, but Fox chased him down and got his arms up to prevent the QB from finding a throwing lane.

8) Working with the first-team defense, rookie safety Taylor Rapp broke up an intermediate pass in the middle of the field to Raiders rookie wide receiver Hunter Renfroe. Rapp had to run up and get his hand between the receiver and the ball, and did it well.

9) Cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman also had a pass breakup late in practice on the same receiver in Renfroe. Robey-Coleman’s PBU came on what looked like a slant route on the defense’s left. Carr clearly likes Rendroe a lot, as the fifth-round pick seems to be excelling from the slot.

10) Finally, Fowler had a long conversation with Oakland right tackle Trent Brown following the conclusion of practice. Brown, who signed a lucrative four-year contract with the Raiders over the offseason, is well regarded as one of the better offensive tackles in football. He won Super Bowl LIII with the Patriots back in February.