tweets & other bits … 4/27

hammer

No Knuckleheads ! In fact most of the players drafted are described to have good football instincts, vision and/or high football IQs. Although they traded back a lot, they didn’t make any any outrageous reaches, just productive solid players. I’m impressed with the group!

Myles Simmons@MylesASimmons
Les Snead on S Taylor Rapp: “He’s been one of our favorite football players in this draft.”

OK, few things from the #LARams presser with GM Les Snead and HC Sean McVay upcoming… First thing I thought was pretty interesting is how McVay talked about the versatility that Rapp brings at S. Said Rapp can likely get on the field in certain packages with Weddle/Johnson.

Obviously, #LARams drafted a RB tonight. But McVay/Snead said that has more to do with Henderson’s specific skillset as something they wanted to add to the O than anything to do with Gurley/his knee. Likened it to how LA signed Lance Dunbar back in 17, but that didn’t work out

With Henderson — who averaged *8.9 yards per carry* (!) in his last two seasons — McVay said LA can probably use some more personnel groupings on O. Henderson has the ability to split out wide, and McVay touted the ability he has with his hands to catch.

On OL Bobby Evans, he likely comes in as Noteboom did last year — with the chance to back up each of #LARams non-center OL positions. He played LT last year, but played RT before. Rams like his versatility and his ability to get up to the second level on his blocks.

SeattleRams@seattlerams_nfl
You all know how I feel about my favorite Ram, @CooperKupp well Taylor Rapp is going to be the next jersey I buy… That’s how much I loved watching him here at the UW!!

Ryan Kartje@Ryan_Kartje
Rams GM Les Snead said they didn’t think Taylor Rapp would last as long as he did. Sounds like they thought of him as a 1st-round prospect.

Vincent Bonsignore@VinnyBonsignore
As an #NFL G.M. told me last night, the deep defensive line pass rush group pushed some really good cornerbacks into day two of the draft. There’s some excellent value picks out there for teams to take advantage of today.

Lindsey Thiry@LindseyThiry
The Rams and Patriots clearly bonded at the Super Bowl. The two organizations have engaged in three draft day trades.

Myles Simmons@MylesASimmons
Just chatted with #LARams DL coach Eric Henderson about new DT Greg Gaines — described him as a “grinder,” someone who’s going to come in and be a stout interior presence on the DL. Video should be posted shortly.

Ryan Kartje@Ryan_Kartje
Greg Gaines has had a big month. His wife just had a baby. He was just drafted. And he gets to move home to L.A.

Vincent Bonsignore@VinnyBonsignore
If the opinion of your peers matters, new #Rams DT Greg Gaines was voted by Pac-12 opposing players as the top defensive lineman in the conference last season.

Joe Curley@vcsjoecurley
As an LA native, Gaines has never been to an NFL game. Says he hopes to be playing in his first. “I grew up in LA and there were no teams anywhere nearby.”

Sosa K@QBsMVP
I’m telling you, Rapp’s the kind of player that any fan can/will love. You don’t need to know a damn single thing about football to know/see/hear his impact.

Rich Hammond@Rich_Hammond
The approaches of Rams GM Les Snead and Chargers GM Tom Telesco are fascinating. Telesco has made a total of three draft-weekend trades in seven years. That’s like an hour’s worth of trades for Les. Both work.

Vincent Bonsignore@VinnyBonsignore
The #Rams envision a healthy Todd Gurley for 2019 and beyond. But by trading up to draft dynamic Memphis running back Darrell Henderson, they are preparing for all possibilities

J.B. Long@JB_Long
Prior to Todd Gurley’s injury vs PHI in Wk15, these were the raw snap counts for #LARams RBs in 2018:

Gurley 825
Malcolm Brown 123
Justin Davis 1

Retaining Brown’s services was crucial. Adding Darrell Henderson makes total sense. Relative to most NFL RB rooms, position of need.

Ryan Kartje@Ryan_Kartje
Sean McVay said UW NT Greg Gaines will get a chance to compete at starting nose tackle from Day 1.

Les Snead said that Washington nose tackle Greg Gaines was their main target today, hence why they moved up.

J.B. Long@JB_Long
Will certainly have to be earned over the summer, but as far as Draft-day projections go, sure sounds like Greg Gaines walks into the #LARams facility as the starting Nose. Not a bad get for 134 overall.

#LARams might very well have managed to land their top S, a player worthy of No. 31, and in the meantime added three picks.

Ryan Kartje@Ryan_Kartje
As someone who has watched a lot of David Long, I think the Rams are going to be pleased with David Long.