Rams tweets … 8/12 thru 8/20

LMU93

IMO they are finding the most effective duo at the C and RG spots. Is Allen/Corbett better than Corbett/Evans? That’s the question.

I have to disagree with the take some have that this is some error in judgement the Rams have made about Corbett’s ability to play center. They are simply reacting to what their eyes are showing them right now which is that Allen is solidly asserting himself. Obviously Corbett is a more natural and better guard than center. And if Allen is proving capable then that’s the duo that makes the most sense.

This isn’t over yet. It’s August 12th. I would say this is not set in stone until around the 25th-26th. Allen’s main issue in 2019 was lack of size and strength. He’s seemingly addressed that the past 18+ months and if he can hold up in the middle then great. And then ultimately they’d be returning 4 of 5 starters in the exact same spots as 2020.

PFF LA Rams@PFF_Rams
Highest Graded #Rams from yesterday’s preseason matchup:

Offense – RG Jordan Meredith (78.5)
Defense – FS JR Reed (90.3)

𝕋𝕠𝕞 – 𝕃𝔸 ℝ𝕒𝕞𝕤@TL_LARams
JR Reed and Juju Hughes both had 80+ grades for the Rams. They sit behind Jordan Fuller, Taylor Rapp, Terrell Burgess and Nick Scott at the S position. Whoever is running the safety scouting department for the Rams needs a raise.

Cameron DaSilva@camdasilva
The Rams have to trim their roster down to 85 tomorrow by 4 pm ET. Who will be the first five cuts?

Jourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
Pretty interesting tidbit: Raheem Morris said he had the wrong button pressed on the headset for Ernest Jones’ helmet mic the entire first drive vs LAC, so Ernest was basically calling the defensive plays solo. Morris said the rookie ILB showed a ton of poise in that situation

Morris gave credit to LAC for that long drive but added with a laugh, “we also created some of our own adversity on that one.”

Stu Jackson@StuJRams
Sean McVay said OLB Leonard Floyd did not finish Monday’s practice because of an ankle injury, but McVay didn’t sound concerned about it.

Morris on the decision to give Jones the green dot Saturday: “We have a bunch of guys that can go out there and absolutely run the show, and he was one of them.”

Jones also was identified by the Rams’ scouting staff as a future green dot candidate during eval proces

“We checked him out. It seems like it’s good, but we just want to get a little bit further evaluation on it.”

Jourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
Sean McVay says they are looking at Leonard Floyd’s ankle right now but he indicated he is not overly worried about it.

Steve Rebeiro@steverebeiro
Andy Reid is playing Patrick Mahomes in preseason and Sean McVay is holding out John Wolford. I’m not saying either is right or wrong, but just hilarious to me how drastically different teams treat the preseason

Cornell@gqscholar
I understand both approaches. Despite Mcvay resting starters and key backups throughout his coaching career. In opening games the rams are 4-0 (avg 32.25 points scored and 16.5 points allowed) Not much incentive for Mcvay to change.

Vincent Bonsignore@VinnyBonsignore
I was covering the @Rams in 2019 when they went up to Napa to practice against the @Raiders. It wasn’t a fair fight.

Talking to Rams people today, the difference in that ’19 Raiders roster and now was apparent. As one person told me about the defense: “They play like they believe. They play with confidence. That’s half the battle.”

Also, overall: “They’ve taken on the image of their coach”

Hekker might actually be in a competition right now pic.twitter.com/m2407BAbga

— HoldenCantor (@HoldenCantor) August 19, 2021

Derek Carr says Aaron Donald is “probably best three-technique to ever play this game.” https://t.co/QNvbkWuwXO

— Rams Wire (@TheRamsWire) August 20, 2021

merlin

Last season passing game explosives were hard to come by vs this defense. This year, at least so far in scrimmages and camp, they’ve been beaten deep quite a bit.

If that extends into the season our defense will suffer a big fall in the rankings. Passing game leads to points surrendered.

As to why this defense is different, the loss of Johnson is one big piece. Cover 4 and 6 require great comms but also safeties who have a good feel for playing the middle. But another piece is the new DC. Morris keeps getting talked up about how much he knows but I have not seen it in his previous stops so I remain skeptical.

The good thing here is that we have a lot of really good players. So it’s not like the defense will crash and burn. They’re just not gonna be a top unit IMO. Also I expect they’ll start slow and get better as the season progresses, as can happen with a new DC as he figures players out and they figure him out.