Recent Forum Topics › Forums › The Rams Huddle › Training camp … news & notes (w/ big final article)
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July 26, 2023 at 9:46 am #144646
znModeratorJuly 27, 2023 at 9:08 am #144651znModeratorStu Jackson@StuJRams
Stetson Bennett just rolled out to his right, and, off schedule, launched a deep ball Demarcus Robinson caught — using full extension of his arms — over the DB. Bennett had improvised and gestured to Robinson to go downfield.Jourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigueBen Skowronek and Joe Noteboom, who were both limited or DNP in OTAs, both out here for first day of camp. Van Jefferson and Cooper Kupp as well. TE Hunter Long (groin) and OL Warren McClendon (knee) officially placed on PUP.Q: Akers said yesterday he added weight in the offseason and wanted to keep his weight up. Do you think this is another piece (like the bigger linemen you noted) that shows where the Rams might go in the run game this year?.Jourdan Rodrigue: Hard to keep weight up during and post Achilles and I think it’s in part a strength and durability thing BUT to your point I do expect changes in the run game***from Rodrigue, https://theathletic.com/4719841/2023/07/25/rams-sean-mcvay-training-camp/?source=emp_shared_article.This team used to be constructed to specifically contend for Super Bowls; now it is built to set up a resource-rich 2024, and simply do its best in 2023 (and even the consequences for failure aren’t really that bad this year, as opposed to others … because they still have their 2024 first-round pick, for now).
Practices will look different — not just because they are scheduled for a little later in the day than in recent years. When the bulk of the Rams’ key contributing players were veterans, a side effect to having all of that experience and skill was that they couldn’t (and frankly shouldn’t) push those players to expend the same type of physical energy as they would if they were younger. While every player’s output will be managed by the athletic training staff, aside from injuries it’s likely that fewer players will be on pitch counts or taking “vet days” than we’ve seen in the past. Installation work, such as what was heavily emphasized in OTAs, can even be faster and more competitive because there is less “career” wear and tear limiting the reps of certain players. Everything has to have an edge to it, because a lot of young guys have to learn a lot, and quick.
.… the Rams considered/discussed bringing in a veteran pass rusher when assessing post-draft (read: cheaper) roster additions, McVay confirmed Tuesday. That group features mostly rookies, plus new-to-the-position Hoecht and second-year player Daniel Hardy. McVay said the staff want to see who among the young players emerges over the next couple of months (and noted the team’s financial limitations).• they added veteran cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon on what a team source said was a one-year deal. “With Ahkello, I’ve always respected his game from afar,” McVay added. “He’s got length, he’s got a lot of the traits and characteristics that you’re looking for. … I know he’s had some injury things, but when he played he did a great job in Pittsburgh. Both Raheem (Morris) and Aubrey (Pleasant) really liked what they saw on tape with him. I’m excited to be around him … he’ll add some depth, and hopefully continue to push where we find the best guys for the secondary that (will) be a younger group. He’s got some veteran experience.”
• Cobie Durant noted that in his second season, he’ll be playing more of the “star” position — the multi-faceted situational role within the defense’s coverage philosophy that can feature him in the slot, as a safety, or as an outside cornerback. Because the star is matchup-based, Durant’s film responsibilities will increase from the “match” studies the Rams already do on defense. In the best version of their system (which suffered as their offense did in 2022), they study opponents’ pass-game tendencies and route combinations, which obviously change week to week, in order to “match” them out of a zone pre-snap look. The star’s versatility intends to either create an “unavoidable” player on the field who can make plays on the ball, or to force the quarterback’s hand into a defensive mathematical advantage based on where they are aligned.
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from Rodrigue, https://theathletic.com/4725240/2023/07/27/rams-training-camp-opening-day-analysis/?source=emp_shared_article
• Veteran right tackle Rob Havenstein has stressed that along the offensive line there is competition for every spot. But two specific position battles that have already clearly heated up are at left tackle, where Joe Noteboom and Alaric Jackson will rotate to determine the starter there, and center, where Coleman Shelton and Brian Allen have rotated since the spring.
Jackson mostly took starting reps at left tackle in the spring, other than the last week of OTAs (he was excused for personal reasons), while Noteboom was a limited participant as he continued to heal from an Achilles tear suffered last season.
July 30, 2023 at 1:22 am #144663znModeratorPARAM
Bobby Brown – Not much playing time, a suspension, so he, like Bruss is sort of a forgotten man on the DL
Byron Young, Kobie Turner and Nick Hampton – DL may be better than any of us expected. Hoping 1 of them contributes this year. 2 or more would be a great gift from the football gods.
Durant, Kendricks and Hodges-Tomlinson – I think all three will be on the field for significant time. With a good pass rush, the first two may look a lot better than last year. THT just seems like a player destined to s
July 30, 2023 at 1:29 am #144664znModerator10 Observations from Rams’ first acclimation practice of 2023 training camp: Cooper Kupp in action, youthful energy on display, plus competition at left tackle and center
Stu Jackson
1) Competition at left tackle and center: The Rams consistently rotated Joe Noteboom and Alaric Jackson at left tackle, and Coleman Shelton and Brian Allen at center throughout Wednesday’s practice. “Whether or not those guys are always at those spots, that’s to be determined, but I do think that they’ll positively push each other and and get the most out of each other,” head coach Sean McVay said.
2) Cooooop: Wide receiver Cooper Kupp was on the field for the first acclimation practice. “It’s great having him out there,” quarterback Matthew Stafford said.
3) Going deep: Rookie quarterback Stetson Bennett showed his ability to make off-schedule plays when he scrambled right, directed wide receiver Demarcus Robinson to go deep, then hit Robinson for a long completion. It was likewise a nice grab by Robinson, who leaped and fully-extended his arms to make the catch over the defensive back in coverage.
4) Touchdown Tyler: Stafford connected with Tyler Higbee in the corner of the endzone for a touchdown on a perfectly-placed pass.
5) Youthful energy most noticeable on defense: There are lots of young playmakers in the Rams’ secondary, with Derion Kendrick andCobie Durant both shining and drawing praise from McVay for their performances on Wednesday. A pass breakup by rookie safety Tanner Ingle on a Stafford pass intended for Kupp during team drills drew especially boisterous reactions from Ingle’s defensive teammates.
6) Nacua picks up where he left off: Nacua stayed consistent with the way he performed in the spring, garnering praise from McVay for playing with aggressive hands, showing how he understood the nuances of the way they want their receivers to work the edges and separate, and showing where he fits in the concepts of the offense.
7) First look at Sony Michel in second stint with Rams: Signed after the Rams concluded their offseason program, Michel – wearing No. 24 – was on the field Wednesday.
8) Two feet down: Robinson also had an impressive toe-tap catch near the sideline on a pass from quarterback Brett Rypien.
9) Sideline swat: Besides Ingle’s pass breakup, another play that fired up the Rams secondary was cornerback Robert Rochell’s pass breakup on a Stafford pass intended for Kupp during team drills.
10) Closing time: Rookie safety Rashad Torrence had a perfectly-timed interception to end practice, jumping in front of Rypien’s pass over the middle during redzone work. Torrence was then followed by his defensive teammates celebrating the play as he ran down the sideline after making the play.
July 30, 2023 at 1:31 am #144665znModeratorJuly 30, 2023 at 1:46 am #144666znModeratorJuly 30, 2023 at 2:08 am #144667znModeratorStetson Bennett connects with Puka Nacua for what’s roughly a 30-yard touchdown. Ball dropped right into Puka’s hands for the over-the-shoulder catch. Great pass, great hands.
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) July 30, 2023
OK ROOKS! 👀
1️⃣3️⃣➡️1️⃣7️⃣ pic.twitter.com/qRyuibRwON
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) July 30, 2023
July 30, 2023 at 2:08 am #144668znModeratorStu Jackson@StuJRams
Cooper Kupp when asked if it felt like there was no drop-off between him and Matthew Stafford based on plays made today:“The weird but really cool thing, it’s kind of felt like that from the first time he was here in ’21. That OTAs, it just kind of clicked…
… We came out after OTAs and we were able to throw together a little bit in July, and it just felt like, first time back, timing was just right there.”
Jourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
Watching OL and striking to me are two details about Steve Avila – certainly larger iOL build than they have targeted in the past under McVay but very very quick feet.When you watch DL/OLB, important to remember that different pass rushers will do different things as McVay/Morris have noted they expect a lot of rotations into the season. Byron Young on T2 may still eventually end up T1, just in
practice it’s about working on different looks and techniques and *not* necessarily about finding every down starters.
– QB2 rotating, as I initially reported this week. Rypien knows the language while Bennett still learning. Both have been up and down, Bennett has been at his
Jourdan RodrigueJuly 30, 2023 at 1:25 pm #144672znModeratorJuly 31, 2023 at 12:44 pm #144678znModeratorThis DIME by Stetson Bennett 😳
Sean McVay (Rams HC) said that yesterday seemed like Bennett’s “sharpest” day yet at camp.
McVay also said that Bennett has had a really “steady” camp and has made his “athletic ability” obvious.
Bennett has reported turned “many” heads every… pic.twitter.com/FWiqJ7c8Vx
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) July 30, 2023
July 31, 2023 at 12:48 pm #144679znModeratorJourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
I asked Aaron Donald about how much he’s rotating (and OL rotating and sliding against him). He said that McVay warned him that this training camp, they were gonna slide protections to him constantly to simulate game situations for both himself, a v young DL and new OL.Donald chuckled a little – normally he gets to work on a few technical things in these 11-on-11s without so many slides – but clearly relishes this new challenge even this late in his career because it’s forcing him to problem solve with young guys around him and find rush space.
These details are so interesting to me – yet another adjustment in onboarding and development of SO many young players, after such a long time with so many vets at the top of the depth chart.
Practice. Big throw, big sideline catch downfield between Matthew Stafford and Van Jefferson, who is back in action following Thurs rest day. Jefferson flipped the ball to the crowd but a series of hands tipped it back to the field out of excitement.
Tutu Atwell got himself plenty of space on a mid-range concept toward sideline but couldn’t hang on to the catch. Bet they go back to him again on same concept before the day is done. Just threw a similar look to Jefferson, who caught it and again flipped ball to crowd (they hung on)
July 31, 2023 at 1:59 pm #144681znModeratorNEW episode of 11 Personnel, and I’m joined by @StuJRams to break down everything we saw and heard from our first week at Rams camp 👀👀
Competition at OL, what’s actually happening in WR3 and WR4 competition, CB rotations, predictions and more:
🟢 https://t.co/tHvfUkUjWb— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) July 31, 2023
August 1, 2023 at 1:59 pm #144689znModerator10 Observations from the Rams’ second open 2023 training camp practice: Run-game heavy day, and vet rest day for Stafford means more reps for Bennett and Rypien
Stu Jackson
IRVINE, Calif. – It was a run-heavy day for the Rams in Monday’s training camp practice, the first in pads for players. Additionally, quarterback Matthew Stafford had a scheduled rest day, which meant more reps for Stetson Bennett and Brett Rypien. Still, there were plenty of noteworthy plays throughout the practice.
Here are 10 things that stood out from the session:
1) Vet rest day for Stafford: Head coach Sean McVay said Monday was a scheduled rest day for Stafford, which in turn gave more opportunities for Bennett and Rypien to command the offense. McVay said this was also to align with the regular season cadence of Stafford throwing four times in seven days. Stafford was still as involved as he could be in that capacity, spending time coaching up the Rams’ young quarterbacks during individual drills.
2) Run-heavy emphasis: Monday’s practice — the first of this year’s training camp in pads — was a run game-heavy one by design, McVay said afterward.
3) Play of the day: Bennett connected with Kupp for a touchdown during redzone drills with the throw and catch both equally impressive.
4) Peanut Punch: Rookie defensive back Tyon Davis channeled his inner Charles Tillman, punching the ball loose from running back Zach Evans’ grasp. Outside linebacker Daniel Hardy scooped up the loose ball, sending the defensive sideline into a frenzy.
5) Turner turns it up: Rookie nose tackle Kobie Turner had a play where he pressured Bennett from the interior, flushed him out of the pocket and forced him to run out of bounds.
6) Witherspoon back: Ahkello Witherspoon was back at practice, wearing a cast on his left hand as McVay said would be the case after undergoing thumb surgery. Witherspoon had a nice pass breakup during practice, swatting down a Bennett pass intended for tight end Tyler Higbee.
7) Zach Evans as a receiver: The fumble shouldn’t overshadow that Evans had a nice moment in practice as well where he caught pass in the flat and showed speed and quickness getting past the linebacker as he ran up the sideline.
8) Hopkins goes high up: Tight end Brycen Hopkins made an impressive leaping grab over the middle on a pass from Rypien during team drills.
9) Robinson continues to shine: Wide receiver Demarcus Robinson made a tough touchdown catch in the corner of the endzone during 1-on-1s with rookie defensive back Cameron McCutcheon in coverage.
10) Welcome Royce: Newly-signed running back Royce Freeman participated in Monday’s practice.
August 3, 2023 at 3:34 pm #144708znModeratorAugust 4, 2023 at 3:47 am #144713znModeratorGet the latest news from Rams Training Camp!
Thursday, August 3rd, news and notes.
Rams Training Camp Dispatch- Aug. 3rd: Defense Edition. Defense Reins Supreme As Offense Sputters – LAFB Network https://t.co/noyylYXahb
— LA Football Network (@LAFBNetwork) August 4, 2023
August 4, 2023 at 4:07 am #144714znModeratorJourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
Individuals looking crisper/more focused on offense today. Must have had a good couple walkthroughs after some issues earlier this week.Jordan Fuller, Russ Yeast and Quentin Lake are getting into a groove with each other in the secondary. I asked DC Raheem Morris about Lake moving around a lot in camp and he confirmed he’s working on both safety spots, and dime linebacker.
TurfShowTimes@TurfShowTimes
Raheem Morris mentioned that Quentin Lake has been playing some linebacker. It is a huge position of need after all.Jourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
Not in my opinion – it’s a normal subpackage in this system but you saw a lot of injuries/guys who weren’t able to do it previously and then you also had the benefit of Ramsey at starDime LB in a subpackage in this defense is not the same position as a “base” LB, if that is helpful.
August 4, 2023 at 4:19 am #144716znModeratorWe're through five practices at Rams training camp. Here are some notes and observations https://t.co/GTjdX9s231
— Adam Grosbard (@AdamGrosbard) August 1, 2023
…
[link above]
Rams camp through 5 practices: New strategy for Aaron Donald, battle for WR3, more
Rams coach Sean McVay has sent double- and triple-teams toward Donald more than in previous summers, which is what the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year can expect from opponents
By ADAM GROSBARD
IRVINE — The Rams had their fifth day of training camp on Monday, and their first in full pads. Here’s a look at what we’ve learned through the first week of camp as the team prepares for 2023:
NEW BUT FAMILIAR LOOKS FOR DONALD
Defensive tackle Aaron Donald finally found himself with a clean look during 11-on-11s, going up one-on-one against fourth-year tackle Alaric Jackson. But before the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year could pull a move out of his bag of tricks, tight end Tyler Higbee came pulling in to reinforce Jackson on the run block.
It’s been a lot of this for Donald in training camp this year as the Rams coach Sean McVay has slid protection against the 10-year veteran and sent double- and triple-teams his way more than in previous summers.
“I was kind of mad because you want to be able to work different things. But it’s realistic so I appreciate him doing that for me, allowing me to make my job hard at practice and making me study a little longer at night,” Donald said. “So it isn’t going to do nothing but make me better.”
Donald has faced extra blockers throughout his career. But there’s reason to expect more such looks this season. As veterans such as A’Shawn Robinson, Greg Gaines and Michael Brockers have found new teams over the past few seasons, it leaves Donald as an even more glaring matchup for opposing offenses to plan for.
“It’s what we would do if we played him, too,” McVay said. “What happens is if you don’t [replicate that approach at practice], you get very unrealistic looks for some of the things that he’s able to do for his teammates and his side of the ball.”
BATTLE FOR THIRD WIDE RECEIVER
Cooper Kupp and Van Jefferson entered camp as the unquestioned top targets for quarterback Matthew Stafford, but there are several options angling to join them in the starting 11.
Fifth-round selection Puka Nacua has been a contender early in the camp. He’s gotten consistent snaps with the first team during 11-on-11s and has made some impressive plays, like a breadbasket catch in the end zone courtesy of a nicely thrown ball by Stetson Bennett IV.
But what’s impressed coaches and teammates most is Nacua’s early grasp of the playbook.
“This is my job now. It’s the best thing in the world, I get to wake up and do nothing but football,” Nacua said. “When I get the opportunity to run with the ones, to understand where Matthew wants me to be and understanding the timing of the play because it’s not like everything’s about being full speed. You gotta be at a certain spot at a certain time.”
Fourth-year receiver Tutu Atwell has also gotten some chances with the first team, including Monday as Jefferson received a rest day.
But one of the standouts of camp has been veteran free-agent signing Demarcus Robinson. Every day he’s seemed to make at least one highlight play, through contact or in the air. After one end-zone catch on Monday, he got a big high-five from McVay.
“It’s not too big for him,” McVay said. “He’s just got a good look in his eye. He’s got a good swagger. You can just see the way that he even just moves around the field, he’s got confidence. He’s one of those guys that wants the ball.”
QUICK HITS
• Bennett received the majority of the first-team work on Monday as Stafford had a scheduled day off. The fourth-round pick has had his moments in camp, particularly while on the run or throwing deep, but he has struggled with maintaining his arm strength when throwing in the pocket.
• The Rams have two ongoing position battles along the offensive line. Jackson is competing with veteran Joe Noteboom at left tackle while Brian Allen and Coleman Shelton have traded first-team reps at center.
• Rookie defensive back Tyon Davis had one of the top plays of the first day in pads, delivering a walloping hit to running back Zach Evans and forcing a fumble.
• Cornerback Derion Kendrick is day-to-day with a sore hamstring, with McVay saying he could come back this week or be held out until next.
August 4, 2023 at 2:18 pm #144719znModeratorThe Rams are moving Quentin Lake around, even plugging him in as a linebacker in dime packages. That should allow him, Jordan Fuller and Russ Yeast to play a bunch of snaps together this year https://t.co/CzG1LntkIb
— Cameron DaSilva (@camdasilva) August 4, 2023
August 4, 2023 at 7:07 pm #144723znModeratorRams Training Camp Dispatch- Aug. 3rd: Defense Edition. Defense Reins Supreme As Offense Sputters
Observations and Notes of Rams Training Camp: Defense Edition
Ryan Anderson
IRVINE, Calif. — If there were winners and losers at Rams training camp, the Los Angeles Rams defense was the winner, but that could be because the offense was just so sloppy. But the defense made good plays and prevented the offense from scoring up until the last few sessions.
Rams Training Camp Positional Breakdown
Secondary
Cobie Durant had the best day of all the cornerbacks. He swatted away a pass from Matthew Stafford intended for Austin Trammell with an athletic and heads-up play. Without his effort, it would have been the first touchdown of the day. He also deflected a pass away from Puka Nacua with a perfectly timed wave. Durant gave up a catch to Ben Skowronek, but he did everything possible to prevent it.
Tre’vius Hodges-Tomlinson continues to play a very physical brand of football. With his size, it’s needed but will pass interference penalties prevent him from getting on the field?
Tanner Ingle makes at least one impressive play every day. Today was, what would have been, an aggressive run stop on a Stetson Bennett scramble.
Quentin Lake subbed in for Jordan Fuller with the first team in the second half of the day.
Defensive Line
Other than Aaron Donald, there is plenty of rotation along the front three. The day started off with Marquise Copeland and Bobby Brown. But Earnest Brown, Larrell Murchison, and Jonah Williams all had their share of snaps. The latter, made an explosive run stop when he burst through the offensive line and blew up in the run play in the backfield. Zach VanValkenburg made a similar play later in the day on the 2nd team.
Edge Rushers
Rookie 3rd Rounder Byron Young played all the 1st team snaps opposite Michael Hoecht. Sophomore, Daniel Hardy, played on the 2nd team.
Linebackers
Ernest Jones and Christian Rozeboom have been the 1st team go-to duo at Rams training camp. Rozeboom made another athletic pass breakup by using his freakish vertical jump.
August 4, 2023 at 7:11 pm #144724znModerator10 Observations from the Rams’ fourth open 2023 training camp practice: A back-and-forth day of game-like situational work
Aug 03
Stu Jackson
* https://www.therams.com/news/10-observations-rams-fourth-2023-open-training-camp-practice-game-like
IRVINE, Calif. – Thursday’s open practice at 2023 Training Camp presented by UNIFY Financial Credit Union featured the most extensive work on game-like situations yet, with plays made in those settings by both the offense and the defense.
Here are 10 things that stood out from the session:
1) Kupp a non-participant: After leaving Tuesday’s practice with a hamstring injury, Kupp was not dressed out for Thursday’s practice. However, he was still very much involved, spending as much time as possible coaching up the group alongside wide receivers coach Eric Yarber.
2) Skowronek returns: Ben Skowronek was on the field again after missing Tuesday’s practice with back soreness.
3) Competitive 1-on-1s: This portion of practice perhaps set the back-and-forth tone for the rest of the evening. Quarterback Matthew Stafford connected with wide receiver Van Jefferson with defensive back Cobie Durant in coverage, but Durant bounced back a few plays later with a pass breakup of his own. Tutu Atwell caught a deep touchdown pass from Stafford with defensive back Robert Rochell in coverage, then a short touchdown pass from Stafford with defensive back Tre Tomlinson in coverage. Rochell bounced back not long after with a pass breakup on a Stetson Bennett pass for wide receiver Puka Nacua; Tomlinson likewise by deflecting a Stafford deep pass down the sideline intended for Jefferson.
4) Offense threatens, until defense comes up big in redzone: One of the best series during situational team drills came when Stafford rifled three-straight completions to Jefferson, Atwell and Nacua to get the offense into opponent territory, only for the drive to later end with a near-interception by linebacker Christian Rozeboom near the goal line to prevent the offense from scoring.
5) Denied by Durant: Durant also had an impressive pass breakup during 11-on-11 work, deflecting a Stafford pass intended for Nakua near the sideline. However, arguably his best one of the day was a leaping-backward pass breakup where he full extended his right arm to prevent a deep Stafford completion to wide receiver Austin Trammell.
6) Denied by Taylor: Rookie defensive back Jason Taylor II likewise came up with a timely pass breakup of his own, denying a Bennett pass intended for Demarcus Robinson in the endzone during team drills that fired up Los Angeles’ defensive backs on the sideline.
7) Going up: Tight end Tyler Higbee had one of the best catches of the day when he hauled in a jump ball on a Stafford pass during redzone work for a touchdown.
8) Good day for Hopkins: Tight end Brycen Hopkins made plays across all facets of situational work Thursday. Besides making a nice catch on an intermediate pass from Stafford during team drills, he also was on the receiving end of a Bennett pass that picked up a good chunk of yardage and helped move the ball a 2-minute drill. That same series, he hauled in a shorter pass to keep the drive moving. In redzone work, he caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Brett Rypien.
9) Akers, Williams find the endzone: Running backs Cam Akers and Kyren Williams both scored touchdowns during redzone work, Akers while bouncing to the outside and Williams while punching it in up the middle.
10) Jonah in the backfield: Defensive end Jonah Williams’ penetration to blow up a run play at one point during team drills was so good that it drew cheers from his teammates and defensive line coach/run game coordinator Eric Henderson.
August 4, 2023 at 7:20 pm #144725znModeratorJourdan Rodrigue
Jordan Fuller, Russ Yeast and Quentin Lake are getting into a groove with each other in the secondary. I asked DC Raheem Morris about Lake moving around a lot in camp and he confirmed he’s working on both safety spots, and dime linebacker.it’s a normal subpackage in this system but you saw a lot of injuries/guys who weren’t able to do it previously and then you also had the benefit of Ramsey at star
Individuals looking crisper/more focused on offense today. Must have had a good couple walkthroughs after some issues earlier this week.
Warren McClendon has been dealing with a knee injury but he’s suited up and will practice in some capacity today.
Brycen Hopkins. He’s having a really nice camp
August 4, 2023 at 9:06 pm #144729znModerator9 takeaways from Rams’ 6th practice of training camp
Cameron DaSilva
* https://theramswire.usatoday.com/lists/rams-training-camp-takeaways-notes-practice-thursday/
The Los Angeles Rams are into their second week of training camp, which means players are getting more confident and comfortable on the field – particularly the young guys who are in their first NFL camp.
After a sloppy day on Tuesday, the Rams bounced back with what seemed to be a much cleaner day, according to Raheem Morris and Mike LaFleur, who spoke after practice. There were a few standout players on both sides of the ball, including Cobie Durant, Puka Nacua and Stetson Bennett.
1
Cobie Durant stands out in coverageThe Rams are going to lean on Durant as their top cornerback this season, moving him around the formation in his “star” role. And on Thursday, he seemed to have a great day in coverage, highlighted by two pass breakups during team drills. He deflected a pass intended for Austin Trammell down the left side and then got his hand on a pass that was thrown to Puka Nacua, preventing completions on both throws.
2
Cooper Kupp considered day-to-dayOffensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said after practice that he doesn’t know all the medicals, but he doesn’t seem concerned at all about Kupp’s injury. He considers the receiver day-to-day and said “he’ll be back in the right time,” a sign that Kupp will return when the games matter.
“So he is just going through the rehab process, but he’s day-to-day. He’ll be alright,” LaFleur said.
Kupp was out there on Thursday but he wasn’t practicing. He was only a spectator without pads.
3
Stetson Bennett is sharp againBennett is still splitting time with Brett Rypien as the backup to Matthew Stafford, but he seems to be getting better with each day of training camp. According to team reporter Stu Jackson, he threw a touchdown pass to rookie Xavier Smith, a pass that had great placement.
Play-by-play analyst J.B. Long also added that the ball was in a perfect spot, mentioning that Bennett had a few nice throws in practice on Thursday.
4
Logan Bruss working at RT with the backupsBruss has been projected to play guard with the Rams but the team is moving him around and giving him look at tackle, too. According to Ryan Anderson of LAFB, Bruss got reps at right tackle with the second-team offense. He played tackle in college so it’s not an unfamiliar position for him, but it’s still noteworthy that he’s getting opportunities to line up there – a spot that’s unquestionably occupied by Rob Havenstein in the starting lineup.
5
Ben Skowronek returns to practiceSkowronek has been sidelined with a back injury but he returned to practice on Thursday. The Rams were already a bit thin at wideout with Cooper Kupp out, so it’s good for them to have Skowornek back on the field – no pun intended.
6
Puka Nacua getting reps as a returnerNacua seemed to have another solid day, once again working with the first-team offense and Matthew Stafford. He made an impressive catch along the sideline, but that wasn’t the only notable thing he did in practice.
He also got some opportunities to work as a returner, which isn’t something he did in college. He’s known for being shifty with the ball in his hands so perhaps the Rams think he can help in that phase of the game this season.
7
Brycen Hopkins has a good dayAccording to the Rams’ official site, Hopkins stood out in a positive way on Thursday. He got snaps with the first- and second-team offense, making a couple of nice plays on the receiving end of throws from Stafford, Bennett and Rypien.
Tight end Brycen Hopkins made plays across all facets of situational work Thursday. Besides making a nice catch on an intermediate pass from Stafford during team drills, he also was on the receiving end of a Bennett pass that picked up a good chunk of yardage and helped move the ball a 2-minute drill. That same series, he hauled in a shorter pass to keep the drive moving. In redzone work, he caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Brett Rypien.
8
Timarcus Davis getting first-team repsThe Rams don’t typically share video clips from practice that show who’s working with what unit, but in the brief snippets of Durant’s pass breakups, you can see a handful of players working with the starters – including undrafted rookie cornerback Timarcus Davis. That’s an unexpected development, and while it doesn’t mean he’s on track to start, it’s certainly worth noting.
Christian Rozeboom, Russ Yeast, Quentin Lake and Byron Young were also out there with the starters.
9
Interior of O-line may be taking shapeAccording to LAFB, Tremayne Anchrum Jr. and Steve Avila “seem to be locking down the guard spots.” That’s hardly surprising, given Avila’s draft pedigree and Anchrum’s strong standing with the coaching staff. Also, Brian Allen got all the first-team reps on Thursday, according to LAFB, but Coleman Shelton has also had practices where he got all the first-team reps.
August 6, 2023 at 11:42 am #144747znModerator10 Observations from Rams’ fifth open training camp practice: Kyren Williams’ playmaking as a pass-catcher, Tre Tomlinson’s opportunities stand out
Stu Jackson
IRVINE, Calif. – Saturday’s open practice at 2023 Rams Training Camp presented by UNIFY Financial Credit Union saw running back?Kyren Williams continue to show reliable hands as a target in the passing game and defensive back ?Tre Tomlinson? make the most of his increased opportunities.
Here are 10 things that stood out from the session:
1) Kupp update: Kupp was not dressed out for the second-straight training camp practice, but head coach Sean McVay said that Kupp is “day-to-day” and Kupp’s hamstring injury is not “anything to be overly concerned with.”
2) Rochell unable to finish practice: An ankle issue prevented defensive back Robert Rochell from finishing Saturday’s practice due to an ankle issue. McVay said Rams Vice President, Sports Medicine and Performance Reggie Scott communicated to him that Rochell said his ankle was bothering him.
3) Tre Day: With Rochell exiting practice and Derion Kendrick still not participating, more opportunities were afforded to rookie defensive back Tre Tomlinson. McVay after practice mentioned Tomlinson making a nice play from an off-technique on a slant route to the short field. Tomlinson also had a solid pass breakup on a Stafford pass intended for Demarcus Robinson in 1-on-1s, though Robinson later on those drills got the better of Tomlinson for a touchdown. In team drills, Tomlinson had timely coverage on a Stafford pass intended for tight end Tyler Higbee for a third-down stop.
4) Kyren the pass-catcher: Running back Kyren Williams throughout the week has shown a knack for making plays as a target in the passing game. On one particular play, he picked up a few yards as a check-down target to help quarterback Matthew Stafford escape the pressure of a collapsing pocket.
5) Tip drill: Defensive back Richard LeCounte deflected a pass by quarterback Brett Rypien that landed into the arms of defensive back Quentin Lake, who made the heads-up play for the interception. It added to a strong day for Lake, who also broke up a Rypien pass intended for Robinson for a third-down stop during team drills.
6) Let it Ryp: Rypien bounced back shortly thereafter, though, firing an intermediate touchdown pass to Robinson, who made an equally impressive catch in the endzone.
7) Bruss at right tackle: Originally drafted as a guard, second-year offensive lineman Logan Bruss continued to rep at right tackle behind Rob Havenstein. “I think that’s (right tackle) probably where he’ll stay for now,” McVay said. “He can always potentially bump inside.”
8) Snagged it: Rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua made an impressive catch during redzone work, snapping a Stafford pass out of the air for a touchdown quickly before the defensive back in coverage had the chance to deflect the ball or knock it from his grasp.
9) Stafford to Jefferson: One of the best completions of the day was Stafford finding wide receiver Van Jefferson over the middle, with Jefferson making a leaping catch on an off-schedule throw by Stafford.
10) Need for speed: Rookie outside linebacker showcased his speed on one play where he stopped a jet sweep as it was heading toward his side of the defense.
August 6, 2023 at 1:39 pm #144748znModerator7 takeaways from Rams’ 7th practice of training camp
Cameron DaSilva
It’s hard to believe but the Los Angeles Rams are already nearing the end of training camp this summer. There are just two practices left at UC Irvine before the Rams head back to Thousand Oaks to prepare for the preseason and joint practices with the Raiders and Broncos.
Saturday was the team’s seventh practice of camp, which was a good day for players such as Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, Quentin Lake and Brycen Hopkins.
1
Quentin Lake had himself a dayLake stood out in a big way on Saturday, according to those in attendance. He broke up one pass on third down and later picked off another after Richard LeCounte III deflected it, showing he could be on track to start next to Jordan Fuller at safety.
2
Demarcus Robinson shows off his strong handsRobinson’s strong camp continued on Saturday with yet another impressive play. On a throw from Brett Rypien in the red zone, Robinson showed off his strong hands by plucking the ball out of the air and getting two feet down for a touchdown, beating Vincent Gray on the in-breaking route.
3
Logan Bruss staying at RTThe Rams are moving forward with Bruss at right tackle. Though he was projected to play guard, he’s been lining up on the outside with the second-team, backing up Rob Havenstein at right tackle. That’s bad news for his chances of playing this season, considering Havenstein isn’t giving up his starting job anytime soon.
“He had played 17% of his snaps at guard at Wisconsin, but 83% of them at tackle and he looks more comfortable out there,” McVay said. “I think that’s probably where he’ll stay for now.”
4
Cornerback depth getting thinDerion Kendrick was already out with a hamstring injury and now Shaun Jolly has joined him on the sidelines. Jolly missed practice on Saturday and Robert Rochell also left early with an ankle injury. That naturally gave Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson some increased opportunities in the secondary.
5
Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson draws praise from McVaySpeaking of the rookie corner, McVay had some encouraging words about the former TCU Horned Frog. According to team reporter Stu Jackson, Hodges-Tomlinson broke up a pass from Matthew Stafford to Robinson in one-on-one drills and also made a third-down stop on Tyler Higbee during the team session.
“He’s a competitive guy. I thought he made a really nice play from an off technique on a slant route to the short field. What I like about him is he just continues to compete. He’s not afraid to come up and challenge guys. … He’s moved around a little bit. I thought you felt his presence today and he’s definitely a competitive guy that doesn’t back down from a challenge,” McVay said.
6
Earnest Brown IV standing outBrown is trying to make a name for himself along the Rams’ defensive line after spending his rookie year in 2021 on the practice squad and getting limited opportunities last season. He’s gotten first-team reps and Aaron Donald has taken notice, complimenting the job he’s done in camp.
“Yeah, it is about the reps, obviously. He’s stepped in and got some starting time last year. So for me to be out here with him and get to work with him, and the first-team reps and getting some plays with him, he’s doing good, getting better,” Donald said.
7
Brycen Hopkins getting reps with the startersRyan Anderson of LAFB noted how well Hopkins has been playing at tight end this summer, resulting in him getting some first-team reps on offense. That’s great to see because the Rams need someone to step up alongside Higbee as the No. 2 tight end.
Brycen Hopkins has had a very solid training camp. So much so that he got reps with the first-team offense.
August 6, 2023 at 1:53 pm #144749znModeratorAt @RamsNFL camp, Matthew Stafford has elevated the level of competition and player development. It’s been fun. It’s been refreshing. And it should be encouraging for a team that’s underestimated. (h/t @EricaTamposi) pic.twitter.com/GjFohbAf8c
— J.B. Long (@JB_Long) August 6, 2023
August 7, 2023 at 2:11 pm #144764znModeratorGood left tackle battle being waged in @RamsNFL camp between Noteboom and Jackson. So @DMarcoFarr1 asked what the head coach is looking for in a LT.
Was fun to hear McVay go full McVay for the first time in a while. pic.twitter.com/LsmOvct1cq
— J.B. Long (@JB_Long) August 7, 2023
August 8, 2023 at 1:10 pm #144774znModeratorRams Training Camp: Ernest Jones Emerging as Defensive Leader Alongside Reenergized Veterans
my Saturday night Rams takeaways …
Albert Breer
* https://www.si.com/nfl/2023/08/06/rams-training-camp-ernest-jones-leader
1) Maybe the most noticeable thing (or one of two most noticeable things, we’ll get to the other in a minute) out here was seeing healthy, reenergized superstars Matthew Stafford and Aaron Donald. Stafford is wearing a sleeve over his right arm, but he told me this is the best he’s felt in three years, and you can see it in the way he’s practicing. And Donald looks like, well, Aaron Donald. This is an exceedingly young team, of course, and there’ll be bumps, but it’s hard to imagine a team with those two guys firing on all cylinders wouldn’t be competitive week-to-week.
2) Third-year linebacker Ernest Jones looks like he’s taking another step from a leadership standpoint. Jones has got the green dot on his helmet, and will be controlling traffic from his inside linebacker spot. His job will be important, too, with (again) all the youth on the roster, and turnover at spots around him in the front seven.
3) Left tackle Joe Noteboom has come back strong from his Achilles injury, and that’s great news for an offensive line group that still needs some things sorted out. Noteboom still has to win the job from Alaric Jackson—left tackle is one of three spots on the team’s line, along with center and right guard, open for competition—but having two potential answers at the most important spot is a definite positive. Between that and the addition of rookie Steve Avila to the mix, new line coach Ryan Wendell has a fighting chance to turn around a unit that really struggled last year.
4) The running back room had its issues in general in 2022, but that’s another spot where there should be a turnaround. Cam Akers has had a nice start to camp, and second-year man Kyren Williams has managed to turn heads for the second straight summer—his rookie year was short-circuited by a broken foot Williams suffered just before the season began. The Rams see a lot of James White in Williams’s game, and that sort of player fits nicely as a complement to the bruising Akers.
5) O.K., now we can get back to the second noticeable thing from Saturday’s practice. At one point, Sean McVay blew the horn and brought the team together, and addressed them all at once. It looked almost as if practice was over and, timing-wise, the team was at that point of the schedule. But instead of ending it, McVay extended the practice for another half-hour or so, which to me is a sign of where the team is. It’s a young, new group, and that’s brought energy both on the roster (especially in turned-over areas like the secondary, where Derion Kendrick, Cobie Durant and Russ Yeast are playing prominent roles) and the coaching staff (with Wendell and Nick Caley bringing Patriots background under new OC Mike LaFleur). But it’s also meant there’s a lot of learning going on. And sometimes, that means staying late to do it.
August 8, 2023 at 8:56 pm #144786znModerator10 Observations from the Rams’ final 2023 training camp practice: Welcome back John Johnson III, playmaking by Quentin Lake and other defensive backs, and more
Stu Jackson
https://www.therams.com/news/10-observations-rams-final-2023-training-camp-practice-john-johnson-iii
IRVINE, Calif. – The Rams’ final 2023 training camp practice saw defensive back John Johnson III a day after signing with the team, playmaking from defensive backs like Quentin Lake and Ahkello Witherspoon, wide receivers Van Jefferson connecting with quarterback Matthew Stafford, and more.
Here are 10 things that stood out from the session:
1) Kupp a non-participant, but gets workout in: Wide receiver Cooper Kupp did not participate in the final 2023 training camp practice, though he did manage to get a workout in with the training staff during the early portion of it.
2) No Davis Allen, Kendrick or Long: Defensive back Derion Kendrick and tight ends Allen and Hunter Long did not participate in Tuesday’s practice, which meant they missed the entirety of training camp in Irvine. Allen and Kendrick are dealing with hamstring injuries, while Long is dealing with a groin injury. Rams head coach Sean McVay said after practice that those three players are considered day-to-day as they head into the preseason and also joint practices next week.
3) Brian Allen and Rob Havenstein back: Offensive lineman Brian Allen returned to practice Tuesday after having a rest day last Saturday, while offensive lineman Rob Havenstein was also back after being held out with a neck strain for precautionary reasons.
4) JJIII is back: On Monday, Johnson signed with the Rams. On Tuesday, he was a participant in practice, going through individual drills and a couple plays during 7-on-7 before watching the remainder of team drills. That was to be expected, though, considering Johnson said Tuesday that he didn’t go through spring OTAs for the first time in his career, which means he will be gradually worked in.
5) Improvising: On an off-schedule play, Stafford connected with wide receiver Van Jefferson for a deep touchdown pass that drew cheers from the crowd on hand.
6) Going deep: Quarterback Stetson Bennett threw a perfect deep pass to an in-stride running back Zach Evans for a touchdown during 7-on-7. Evans’ concentration to make the catch was arguably just as impressive as Bennett’s throw.
7) Denied: Defensive back Ahkello Witherspoon had an impressive pass breakup on a Stafford deep ball down the sideline intended for wide receiver Lance McCutcheon during 11-on-11.
8) Dart from Stafford: Rolling out to his right, Stafford launched a deep touchdown pass to wide receiver Tyler Johnson, who made a diving catch in the endzone.
9) Into the Lake: Second-year defensive back Quentin Lake corralled another interception off a tipped pass, capitalizing on defensive back Jordan Fuller batting into the air a Stafford pass intended for Johnson.
10) Jonah the run stopper: Defensive end Jonah Williams had yet another run stop in a training camp practice that drew praise from his defensive teammates and coaches.
August 9, 2023 at 1:15 pm #144793znModeratorRams training camp is somehow already in the books. Here are 10 things we learned https://t.co/wWBJp6QLoB
— Cameron DaSilva (@camdasilva) August 9, 2023
August 11, 2023 at 10:15 am #144796
canadaramParticipantApologies if there is a better location for this article.
Stetson Bennett fits into Rams’ vision for the future, and Matthew Stafford is playing his part
IRVINE, Calif. — The corner was Stetson Bennett’s fourth read.
The Los Angeles Rams quarterback knew his progressions cycled right to left on this training camp scramble-drill play. A teammate’s twitch route was the first look, another’s skinny the next. Then came a pivot route and only afterward the corner.
But when Bennett slid up and moved with the pressure, the fourth-round rookie saw wide receiver Lance McCutcheon — he of the corner route — had a step on his defender. So Bennett threw it. He found McCutcheon.
“How’d you get there?” Bennett says head coach Sean McVay asked.
“Well, it was man-to-man,” Bennett explained. “I had to slide up. I felt some space and I just saw him and threw it.”
The play illustrates why Bennett excites the Rams and where the most room for growth continues to loom.
Count Bennett’s off-schedule throws, improvisation and football instinct among the reasons the Rams spent the 128th overall draft pick on the Georgia product. Count Bennett’s success due to feel rather than progression or playbook familiarity as a reminder of where Bennett can still grow in earning coaches’ and teammates’ trust. The Rams hope they won’t need Bennett to enter in relief of 15-year pro Matthew Stafford this season. They hope, even, that Bennett’s services won’t be of much use for some time after that.
“I’m a big fan of his game and how he plays it,” Rams general manager Les Snead told Yahoo Sports. “Obviously the mobility factor that’s come into our league, he has that. Time will tell whether he has what it takes to be the heir apparent. But right now?
“If I was selfish, I would definitely try to talk [Stafford] into giving us three more seasons.”
Bennett’s job: Learn as much as he can from Stafford
Three more seasons for Stafford could benefit not only the veteran and the Rams but also his newest teammate. Bennett reminds himself that he didn’t memorize and metabolize now-Baltimore Ravens coordinator Todd Monken’s Georgia offense right away before he went on to earn offensive MVP honors in Georgia’s national championship victory earlier this year. It takes time.
And Stafford, a fellow former Bulldog whom Bennett says is “the coolest guy ever,” can help.
The 2009 No. 1 overall pick has a powerful arm that Snead says operates more like a 19-year-old’s appendage than a 35-year-old’s. Stafford has thrown for 52,082 career yards and 333 touchdowns, winning 89 regular-season games and four more playoff appearances, including Super Bowl LVI. Bennett can learn from Stafford’s skill and the vast encyclopedia of pro looks he’s faced.
“Whenever they’re talking in playbook language, I’m like, I wish y’all would dumb it down so I can have a little bit of this conversation. Otherwise, I’m just sitting here grinning,” Bennett said, describing the universal rookie experience. “But whenever I do ask [Stafford] questions, and it’s me and him talking, he’s good about filtering and knowing what I understand.
“He speaks in my tongue, which has been nice.”
The learning curve is steep, Bennett scrambling to digest new verbiage and acclimate to head set play calls rather than sideline signals, a cue he says “hits your brain [in] a completely different way.”
The caliber of play rises from what he faced in a Heisman-finalist campaign in his final year at Georgia, featuring 4,128 passing yards, 27 touchdowns and just seven interceptions in addition to 10 rushing touchdowns.
The preseason slate beginning this weekend will be a meaningful step toward that acclimation and one that Snead says will better reflect Bennett’s potential than training camp practices.
“Because when you have to tackle Stetson, like you actually gotta get him on the ground?” Snead says. “That’s where you see some of his superpowers come to fruition.”
The road ahead for Bennett
Bennett laughs when reminded to celebrate the wins amid what can feel like far more frequent waves of frustration. He’s reached a level where he knows what football should look and feel like, but he’s also climbed to a tier where it usually takes time to actualize those visions.
The same difficulties that frustrate him also comfort him because, “I crave discipline. I like to be coached. Like to be told what to do because … if I know what to do, then I do it, you know what I’m saying?
“But then also knowing when you can have that freedom just frees you up.”
He considers similarly the move from Athens, Georgia — where he was hardly low profile — to the enormity of Los Angeles an exercise in both discipline and freedom. There are rules on and off the field. But without a developed character, is there a different freedom to be himself than in his tenure at Georgia?
“I went in there as a teenager and spent six years there,” Bennett said. “You kind of find yourself there and when you find yourself in a spot like that and then you leave, you’re like, ‘Oh, man. Was that myself or is that just myself there? So there’s this learning curve that goes into it.
“There is pressure and I love pressure to play football.”
Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur sees Bennett embracing that pressure, the contrast evident between live action and meetings, where “you can see the wheels turning in a good way … because he’s so deep into thought.”
“All you had to do is pop on the tape and you just saw — the best way to say it is ‘a baller’,” LaFleur told Yahoo Sports. “He had good fundamentals and all that and a cool system. But you could just tell the game came quiet to him. It came easy to him.”
It continued to come quiet during a late OTA practice when Bennett lined up with the second-team and a play call needed adjusting. Bennett didn’t flinch, correcting the look in a two-minute drill to throw an alert on a corner route that install meetings had not yet covered. He found tight end Brycen Hopkins for a touchdown.
LaFleur thought to himself: “Man, it’s getting more comfortable.”
How soon that comfort will really settle remains to be seen, Rams coaches and front office members not looking to rush the arrival anymore than Bennett is. Bennett knows his NFL career is no guarantee. On one hand, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott rose from fourth-rounder to starter his rookie season, Prescott’s now-eighth year in the role marking the longest active tenure of any NFL quarterback with the same team. On the other: Only 46.9% of fourth-round draft picks since 2000 have ever found a starting role in the NFL. The opportunities at quarterback are fewer and far between than most positions.
Bennett knows what the macro goals are: to win a Super Bowl and to start in the NFL. But he declines to fixate on goals because “I’ve kind of always been, not scared of goals, but I like living life. I like doing the best I can every day and then seeing where it shows up.”
So he eschews specific goals for chronic commitment to improvement, keeping in mind a favorite quote from Georgia head coach Kirby Smart along the way.
“Success,” Smart told his players, “comes to those who are too busy to look for it.”
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