http://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/la-sp-rams-report-20170815-story.html

Rams receiver Josh Reynolds steals the spotlight in return from injury
Gary KleinContact Reporter
August 15, 2017 7:55 PM

He hauled in passes on deep routes, won contested end zone balls for touchdowns, and wowed defenders and coaches alike with sideline grabs and receptions over the middle.

It wasn’t new Rams receiver Sammy Watkins putting on a show Tuesday.

It was rookie Josh Reynolds.

The fourth-round pick from Texas A&M had been sidelined for nearly two weeks because of a quadriceps injury. But he put that behind and made a variety of acrobatic catches throughout a full-pads workout.

“I’m tough on myself, so all that stuff is expected,” said Reynolds, the Rams’ tallest receiver at 6 feet 3 inches. “Even the passes I did catch, there’s still stuff to work on.”

Reynolds was drafted a round after the Rams chose receiver Cooper Kupp, who is on track to start as a slot receiver.

The rangy Reynolds was regarded as a possible deep threat.

“I think I’m showing I’m much more versatile than just jump balls and being a deep-ball kind of guy,” he said. “I’m just trying to elevate my game.

“The game changes every year. There’s better guys, more athletic guys. I’m just trying to keep up with the trend and get better every day.”

Robert Woods and Tavon Austin, who remains sidelined because of a hamstring injury.

Reynolds recalled watching Woods and Watkins when they were playing in college at USC and Clemson, respectively.

“Being able to come out and play with these guys and learn what they have and what they’ve been through all these years in the league is a great opportunity for me,” Reynolds said.

After mostly watching and participating only in individual drills Monday, Watkins took part in team drills but still appeared to be acclimating to the offense.

The fourth-year pro, acquired in a trade with the Buffalo Bills on Friday, has been studying the playbook nearly around the clock when he is not on the field, Yarber said.

Neither Watkins nor Reynolds played in last week’s preseason victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

McVay said both would play Saturday against the Oakland Raiders.

“Standing on the sideline last Saturday was not a good feeling,” Reynolds said, “So I’m extremely excited.”

Picked off

A day after he had three passes intercepted, quarterback Jared Goff had two more picked off.

Safety Cody Davis got one, and rookie John Johnson, who was playing nickel cornerback, the other.

Goff also had several notable completions.

McVay said interceptions were an “occupational hazard” for quarterbacks.

“What separates the good ones from the great ones is really their ability to respond,” McVay said. “The one thing you do appreciate about him, appreciate about Jared, is that when mistakes occur you don’t sense that he’s fazed by it, he’s able to take it for what it is and then try to correct it moving forward.”

Good to see Reynolds practicing. I think he was a steal in the draft.

#RamsCamp LIVE With Sammy Watkins https://t.co/R19JlShcIz

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) August 16, 2017

I read stuff on the other boards. People don’t really understand the Cap and that it has been going up and will continue to increase into the near future. Suh’s contract is no longer an outlier.

TexasRam game report 8/14

Mcvay likes to defer to game tape before he makes sweeping judgements on how players performed. It’s amazing how much a careful play, pause, rewind, repeat reveals when you review each play until you see each players full part on each play.

I looked at our interior lineman. Our backups, since they played the bulk of the game. I came away with the following observations:

60 Eldrenkamp – played LG for a bit then bulk of the game at center until the last drive. He was very solid in both run and pass pro. Some good blocks springing runs but was beaten bad in one running play resulting in a 3 yard loss. His man cut inside and he couldn’t get there quick enough to slow the defender down. Overall he doesn’t have a lot of power but sound technique and no missed. Assignments. Was only beat once and otherwise has a very solid game!

66 Blythe played C for a bit and then the bulk of the game at RG until the last offensive possession. Real good blocks even to the 2 level springing Justin Davis on multiple occasions for big runs. Really quick and very sound in run game getting a block on the right guy then quickly getting second level blocks. A little push in run game but not a whole lot. But locks on well and uses his body text book perfect, to shield defender.

He did give up 1 big pass pressure due to picking up wrong man on stunt. Which looked like confusion in diagnosing who to pick up.

69 Wichmann. RG and then mainly LG. Lots and lots of push in run game even flattening lineman. Reminded me of Richie Incognito. Opened big holes for Justin Davis. He has a lot of work to do locking on and sustaining the block after initial engage. He had 3 pass pressures allowed. Ouch. All of which could have resulted in sacks. He has massive potential opening holes for Gurley but will be a liability in pass pro until he can figure out how to lock onto a guy to sustain a block.

Summary:
Personally I want to see Blythe at RG with the first team before preseason ends. The PFF ratings are accurate on him. They rated him as our highest rated player for the Dallas game. I think he’s our primary interior backup if he doesn’t beat out Brown. Elrenkamp also needs more look. When him and Blythe were in at C and RG the interior line was moving people and pass protecting perfectly for almost two quarters, albeit vs backup defenders.

Wichmann has huge run blocking potential but he is still too raw as a pass protector. I wonder if he can improve there.

Tweets by RamsNFL

Sammy Watkins watched practice today – McVay didn't want to overload him with all the travel, etc. and says he should be ready to play Sat.

— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) August 15, 2017

Goff to Watkins in what we are all hoping will be a dynamic duo for years to come. #RamsCamp pic.twitter.com/QCvQr2GeE1

— Downtown Rams (@DowntownRams) August 15, 2017

Mannion is showing some Chemistry with Hemingway by hitting him on two passes in a row #RamsCamp

— Downtown Rams (@DowntownRams) August 15, 2017

Jared Goff rifles a pass to Woods over the middle to pick up a first down. #RamsCamp

— Downtown Rams (@DowntownRams) August 15, 2017

Defense wins by getting pressure up the middle on Mannion. #RamsCamp https://t.co/DA6RW5DhFH

— Downtown Rams (@DowntownRams) August 15, 2017

Okay, Coach! 👀 #RamsCamp pic.twitter.com/bIm3IIIww5

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) August 15, 2017

Tru!!! pic.twitter.com/8xCozza0UI

— Joey (@LaRamsRamsRams) August 14, 2017

TE Everett just made me say, "Whoa." Reached up and snatched a fade route down in the red zone. It's practice, yes, but impressive.

— Myles Simmons (@MylesASimmons) August 14, 2017

Maybe Tavon can take over the Dunbar role in this offense. btw, I am not impressed by Dunbar. I think they struck out with him. I want more juice in the RB positon, Tavon.

I would like to see them try Donnal at RG.

LIVE Sean McVay Press Conference https://t.co/isAypp41Po

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) August 13, 2017