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July 20, 2017 at 12:14 am #71091
znModeratorKupp, Webster Listed Among Rams Projected Starters
Myles Simmons
Rams 2017 training camp presented by AT&T is right around the corner, beginning with a 3 p.m. practice at U.C. Irvine next Saturday, July 29. And while there’s still a lot of time before the regular-season opener against the Colts on September 10, it’s not too early to begin discussing the club’s potential starting roles.
The team provided an unofficial list of projected preseason starters in its media release on Wednesday. While there weren’t many surprises, two players who may qualify for that label are wide receiver Cooper Kupp and cornerback Kayvon Webster.
After setting a bevy of records at Eastern Washington, Kupp emerged as a reliable target once arriving for Los Angeles’ offseason program as a third-round pick. Head coach Sean McVay noted Kupp’s day-to-day consistency multiple times during OTAs and minicmap. But even on a first impression at rookie minicamp, offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur had plenty of praise for the first-year wideout.
“I think the first thing you know about Cooper is he’s a pro and you can see that,” LaFleur said back in May. “He came in here not like most rookies do. He’s an extremely polished route runner [who’s] got great hands, is a precise route-runner. You can tell he works at his craft each and every day.”
Kupp likely made the list of starters because the list is based on a three wide receiver set. He would be alongside Tavon Austin and Robert Woods, according to the projection.
Webster was mainly a special teams contributor in his first four seasons with the Broncos, and signed with the Rams because of the opportunity to earn a starting role. It doesn’t hurt that the cornerback played under defensive coordinator Wade Phillips for the last two years in Denver, giving Webster plenty of familiarity with Los Angeles’ new scheme. During the offseason program, cornerback Trumaine Johnson said he felt like he was developing a solid partnership with Webster on the opposite side of the field.
“I love him, man. He’s a competitor — a real-deal competitor,” Johnson said. “Businessman — he takes care of himself on and off the field. Me and him have been working out off the field for the last two months. So I love him, and just trying to build chemistry with him.”
Keeping in mind this is an unofficial list that’s subject to plenty of change prior to the regular season, here are the Rams 22 projected preseason starters.
OFFENSE
QB — Jared Goff
RB — Todd Gurley II
WR — Tavon Austin
WR — Robert Woods
WR — Cooper Kupp
TE — Tyler Higbee
LT — Andrew Whitworth
LG — Rodger Saffold
C — John Sullivan
RG — Rob Havenstein
RT — Jamon BrownDEFENSE
DE — Aaron Donald
NT — Michael Brockers
DE — Dominique Easley
OLB — Robert Quinn
OLB — Connor Barwin
LB — Alec Ogletree
LB — Mark Barron
LCB — Trumaine Johnson
RCB — Kayvon Webster
FS — Lamarcus Joyner
SS — Maurice AlexanderJuly 20, 2017 at 12:23 am #71093
HerzogParticipantThat ain’t a bad look’n roster
July 20, 2017 at 2:28 pm #71101
snowmanParticipantHigbee is in some legal trouble over a felony assault. I believe the league could suspend him, but for now, I guess he is the projected starter.
July 21, 2017 at 10:27 pm #71138znModeratorRams’ 53-man roster projection altered by suspensions
The Los Angeles Rams open training camp July 29 on the campus of UC Irvine in Southern California. Here’s a 53-man roster projection.Alden Gonzalez
http://www.espn.com/blog/los-angeles-rams/post/_/id/34219/rams-53-man-roster-changed-by-suspensions
QUARTERBACKS (2): Jared Goff, Sean Mannion
The Rams opted all along to stay young at quarterback because they need to see what they have in Goff, the No. 1 overall pick in 2016, and Mannion, a third-round pick in 2015. Goff will enter as the starter, and Mannion will serve as his backup. New head coach Sean McVay appeared to crack the door open for competition during the offseason program, saying, “We’re trying to win football games, and whoever we feel like gives us the best chance is who’s going to play behind center.” But nothing has changed. Goff is the starter.
RUNNING BACKS (3): Malcolm Brown, Lance Dunbar, Todd Gurley
The Rams signed Dunbar during the offseason, and he might end up taking some targets away from Gurley. Dunbar could serve in a role similar to Chris Thompson, who specialized in catching passes out of the backfield for McVay’s offense in Washington. On the ground, though, it’ll be all Gurley all the time. Depth-wise, Aaron Green was a tough cut at this position.
FULLBACKS (2): Cory Harkey, Sam Rogers
Yes, McVay does see a role for fullbacks in his offense. He used a sixth-round pick on Rogers — a solid blocker who also produced as a runner and a receiver for Virginia Tech — because he finds his skill set appealing. Harkey has by far the most experience, but is he versatile enough to lock down a role under the new coach? Zach Laskey is another option.
WIDE RECEIVERS (7): Tavon Austin, Pharoh Cooper, Cooper Kupp, Bradley Marquez, Josh Reynolds, Nelson Spruce, Robert Woods
I had Mike Thomas in here initially, but then he was handed a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. Austin and Woods are the two main receivers. Beyond that, there are a lot of different ways McVay can go, which is just the way he likes it.
TIGHT ENDS (3): Gerald Everett, Tyler Higbee, Temarrick Hemingway
The Rams are very young at tight end, with all three of these guys coming in the past two drafts. They’re all big, athletic players who can be factors in the passing game, and it will come down to either Everett or Higbee as to who will be the primary target at this position. It could be both.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Austin Blythe, Jamon Brown, Andrew Donnal, Rob Havenstein, Pace Murphy, Rodger Saffold, John Sullivan, Cody Wichmann, Andrew Whitworth
Right tackle is still somewhat open, but Brown is the favorite to lock down the starting spot. Blythe, claimed off waivers in May, seems on track to be the backup center, with Donnal and Wichmann looking like primary backups at tackle and guard, respectively. With the last spot, I chose Murphy over Darrell Williams.
DEFENSIVE LINE (7): Michael Brockers, Aaron Donald, Dominique Easley, Matt Longacre, Mike Purcell, Tanzel Smart, Ethan Westbrooks
The Rams have carried no fewer than eight defensive linemen on their initial 53-man roster the past three years, but the switch to a 3-4 look requires fewer of them. I have Westbrooks, Purcell, Longacre and Smart, a sixth-round pick this year, as the backups to Donald, Brockers and Easley. Morgan Fox is also vying for a spot, among others.
LINEBACKERS (7): Mark Barron, Connor Barwin, Samson Ebukam, Josh Forrest, Bryce Hager, Alec Ogletree, Robert Quinn
The Rams didn’t have much need for linebackers under former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who deployed only two of them most of the time. But Wade Phillips requires more depth. Beyond Barron, Barwin, Ogletree and Quinn, it’s pretty wide open. Nicholas Grigsby, Carlos Thompson, Ejuan Price and Cory Littleton are also in play, but I went elsewhere. Keep your eyes on Forrest, who saw his rookie season cut short because of a torn ACL, and Ebukam, an under-the-radar fourth-round pick.
CORNERBACKS (5): E.J. Gaines, Trumaine Johnson, Mike Jordan, Nickell Robey-Coleman, Kayvon Webster
Phillips said during the offseason program that the secondary is “stronger than what people think.” We’ll see. Gaines and Webster are vying for a starting spot at cornerback opposite Johnson. Robey-Coleman can be a major weapon in the slot. Troy Hill could’ve competed for a backup spot but is suspended for the first two games for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy.
SAFETIES (5): Maurice Alexander, Blake Countess, Cody Davis, John Johnson, Lamarcus Joyner
It’ll be Alexander and Joyner as starters, but Joyner could resume his role as a slot corner in substitution packages. That would open it up for Davis or Johnson, a third-round pick this year, to receive snaps at free safety. I had Countess beating the likes of Isaiah Johnson and Marqui Christian, but it might be a toss-up.
SPECIALISTS (3): Johnny Hekker, Jake McQuaide, Greg Zuerlein
July 21, 2017 at 10:37 pm #71139znModeratorGo here to read what is described in the pic: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DFISiU4XkAAfRYC?format=jpg&name=large
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All pics have to end with png, jpg, or gif. That indicates to
the browserthis board to handle the file as a graphic.July 22, 2017 at 1:47 am #71146
Eternal RamnationParticipantThat D roster is looking pretty ferocious Donald ,Brockers and Easley with Quinn and Barwin outside. I can see that as problem for lots of OLs.
July 22, 2017 at 10:27 am #71151znModeratorRams’ lineup filled with newcomers, position changes
Alden Gonzalez
The Los Angeles Rams could have as many as 10 new starters when the NFL season opens. Here’s a starting-lineup projection.
Offense
Quarterback (Jared Goff): Goff was in an awkward spot at this time last year, coming off being drafted first overall but unsure if he would be given a chance to begin the season as the starting quarterback. Now, there isn’t much doubt. We’ll see how much it helps.
Running back (Todd Gurley): This is one of the most fascinating storylines of 2017. Gurley was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2015, then he had one of the worst seasons statistically for a running back in 2016, his 885 rushing yards the fewest ever for a player with at least 275 carries. Now what?
Wide receiver (Tavon Austin): Austin signed a four-year, $42 million extension weeks before the start of the 2016 season, but he still has a lot to prove. The Rams have picked up a combination of seven wideouts and tight ends during the past two NFL drafts, and another receiver was obtained on a long-term deal through free agency. They hope Austin can establish himself as more of a deep threat.
Wide receiver (Robert Woods): First-year head coach Sean McVay quickly identified Woods as a perfect fit for his system, so the Rams signed him to a five-year, $34 million contract on the first day of free agency. Woods is a sure-handed, precise route runner. He didn’t haul in more than 65 catches in any of his four seasons at Buffalo, but he seems destined to top that in L.A.
Wide receiver (Cooper Kupp): The Rams picked Kupp up in the third round, and he already seems primed to begin the season as their go-to slot receiver. Kupp has excellent hands and excellent field awareness. He was the FCS Offensive Player of the Year during his last two seasons at Eastern Washington, where he amassed 6,464 receiving yards during his career. The guy can put up numbers.
Tight end (Tyler Higbee): Higbee, listed at 6-foot-6 and 257 pounds, didn’t factor much into the passing game last season. But veteran Lance Kendricks departed via free agency, and now Higbee will compete with Gerald Everett, the 44th overall pick. Higbee still seems like the early favorite to start at this position. His strength and athleticism are major weapons.
Left tackle (Andrew Whitworth): The Rams’ biggest splurge was on left tackle, where they allocated $15 million in guaranteed dollars for Whitworth to replace failed No. 2 overall pick Greg Robinson. Whitworth is 35, but he still is considered one of the NFL’s best pass-blockers. He should be a major upgrade.
Left guard (Rodger Saffold): Saffold is the longest-tenured Rams player, and after playing several different positions last season, he seems solidified as the starting left guard.
Center (John Sullivan): Sullivan was considered one of the game’s better centers while with the Minnesota Vikings, starting 93 of 96 games from 2009-14. But he spent the 2015 season recovering from back issues, then he was a backup on McVay’s Washington Redskins in 2016. He now replaces Tim Barnes.
Right guard (Rob Havenstein): A second-round pick in 2015, Havenstein had a solid rookie season but struggled while playing through injuries in 2016. Now he is moving from right tackle to right guard. He’s big for the position, at 6-foot-8 and 328 pounds, but the Rams think he has the smarts to make the transition.
Right tackle (Jamon Brown): Brown was used mostly as a guard in his first two seasons in the NFL. But he was a tackle at Louisville and was getting all the first-team reps at right tackle during the Ram’ offseason program. He enters training camp as the starter.
Defense
Defensive end (Aaron Donald): Donald is the game’s best interior pass-rusher, a three-time Pro Bowler who was first-team All-Pro during each of the past two seasons. Now the Rams are hoping to sign him to an extension, two years before he is scheduled to hit the free-agent market. Don’t worry about the designation. The Rams are moving from a 4-3 to a 3-4, but Donald still will operate as a 3-technique.
Defensive end (Dominique Easley): Did Bill Belichick and the mighty Patriots actually make — a mistake? Easley is proving that to be the case. He was New England’s 29th overall pick in 2014 but was let go after two seasons, cast aside due to reported character issues. Easley was very good as a backup for the Rams in 2016, and now, with William Hayes gone, he’s in line to start.
Nose tackle (Michael Brockers): Brockers, the 14th overall pick in 2012, didn’t record any sacks last season. But he still ranked 26th among 126 qualified interior linemen by Pro Football Focus. He gets overshadowed because of Donald, but Brockers is a menace, as well.
Outside linebacker (Robert Quinn): Quinn racked up 40 sacks and made the Pro Bowl twice from 2012 to 2014. But he has been limited to just 15 starts during the past two seasons, and now he is changing positions, going from a defensive end in a 4-3 scheme to an outside linebacker in a 3-4. Still, Quinn will spend most of his time rushing the quarterback.
Outside linebacker (Connor Barwin): The Rams are hoping a reunion leads to a rejuvenation here. Barwin, 30, broke out under longtime defensive coordinator Wade Phillips while with the Houston Texans in 2011, the start of a five-year run in which he started all 80 games and registered 41 sacks. Barwin struggled while in a 4-3 scheme with the Eagles last season, but he’s in a system — and with a coordinator — that suits him well.
Inside linebacker (Alec Ogletree): Ogletree registered a career-high 98 solo tackles while playing in all 16 games in his first season as a middle linebacker and captain in 2016. He will be a free agent at the end of this season, but the Rams are hoping to sign him to an extension.
Inside linebacker (Mark Barron): Barron thrived under former Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who used him as a hybrid safety and linebacker. Barron will serve strictly as an inside linebacker for Phillips, who has a reputation for getting very creative with that position.
Cornerback (Trumaine Johnson): For the second straight year, Johnson will be the Rams’ primary cornerback and will play under the franchise tag. Johnson had 13 interceptions from 2013 to 2015 but only one in 2016. He’s still looking to prove he can be an elite corner.
Cornerback (Kayvon Webster): Webster was buried on a star-studded depth chart in Denver that included Chris Harris and Aqib Talib. He was restricted to special teams. But now he has a chance to start for the Rams, under a coordinator, Phillips, with whom he has a history. Webster will have to beat out E.J. Gaines.
Strong safety (Maurice Alexander): Alexander served as the starting free safety last season, but he is moving to strong safety, a spot the Rams believe he is better suited for, after the departure of T.J. McDonald. Alexander had two interceptions and 50 tackles in 14 games in 2016.
Free safety (Lamarcus Joyner): Joyner shined as a slot corner over the past two seasons, but he will move to free safety, a position he handled well for Florida State. Joyner still might serve as a slot corner in substitution packages. The Rams simply want him on the field all the time. He is 5-foot-8 but as tough as they come.
Special teams
Kicker (Greg Zuerlein): Zuerlein improved his field goal percentage from 66.7 to 86.4 in 2016, then he earned a three-year extension. The 29-year-old has one of the NFL’s strongest legs.
Punter (Johnny Hekker): Hekker is to punters as Donald is to interior linemen: the best, hands down. Hekker has been first-team All-Pro three times, including each of the past two seasons. And he can occasionally beat teams with his arm, as well.
Long-snapper (Jake McQuaide): McQuaide is entering his seventh season with the Rams and coming off his first Pro Bowl. He will be a free agent at season’s end.
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