zn wrote:

Agamemnon wrote:

It is in everyone’s interest to get a contract done.

Reading around the net, it appears that some are seeing this as a Donald hold-out. From what the reporters are saying, it sounds more like it’s a case of the contract being close and Donald, with the complete understanding of the front office, not wanting to risk injury by practicing. I really think that’s all this is. Any controversy around it I see as just being a foggy drizzle in Barbie doll teacup.

.

I agree.

link: http://www.ocregister.com/2017/05/22/start-of-rams-ota-practices-gives-jared-goff-a-chance-to-work-with-new-targets/

Start of Rams’ OTA practices gives Jared Goff a chance to work with new targets

Rams quarterback Jared Goff has several new targets to get familiar with in practices leading up to the start of training camp.
By Rich Hammond | rhammond@scng.com | Orange County Register
May 22, 2017 at 4:47 pm

THOUSAND OAKS – A few things old, a few things new, nothing borrowed and a lot of blue. The Rams opened the final stage of their summer workouts Monday amid a bevy of changes.

For the first time, Coach Sean McVay was able to put the Rams’ veterans and rookies through a full-team, no-pads, no-tackling practice, the first of 10 such sessions the team will hold between now and mid-June. Not a lot can be be gleaned from the practices, but they’re important.

For instance, there’s no wasted time for quarterback Jared Goff, as he enters his second NFL season with a new coaching staff and some new targets at receiver and tight end.

Goff, on Monday at Cal Lutheran, threw passes to receiver Robert Woods, who signed with the Rams in March, and tight end Gerald Everett, the Rams’ second-round draft pick last month. Everett lined up with the Rams’ first-team offense for some drills Monday.

Most of the OTA drills are position-based, but there are 11-on-11 periods, chances for Goff to work with his new targets in non-pads, game-simulation situations.

“We’re just trying to get the timing down,” Woods said. “We’re connecting. The biggest thing is, we’re talking in meetings and then we’re coming out on the field and executing what we’ve been talking about.”

Woods signed a five-year, $34 million contract with the Rams in March, after four seasons with the Buffalo Bills in which he never exceeded 699 yards or five touchdowns.

More will be asked of Woods now. He is expected to be a good-hands, every-down receiver and the team’s best run-blocker. Woods and Goff already have worked together during throwing sessions in Westlake Village, and Goff said he is impressed with his new teammate.

“He’s been great, more than I could’ve expected,” Goff said. “His work ethic, you can tell how much it means to him and how bad he wants it. H’es just a competitor. He’s smart. He’s fast, and he’s strong. He wants to be the best he can be every day, and you can tell that.”

DEADLINE DAY

Aaron Donald’s absence isn’t the Rams’ only contract-related subplot of OTA practices. Their top cornerback, Trumaine Johnson, is is an even more immediate situation.

In March, the Rams applied their one-year franchise tag to Johnson, which kept him under contract for 2017. Johnson can still sign a new, long-term contract, one that would overside the franchise-tag contract, but the deadline for that new deal is in July.

“The 15th,” Johnson offered without being prompted.

So, clearly Johnson is keeping track, even though he said Monday that he is letting his agent handle the details, and that a possible new contract isn’t a distraction from offseason work.

Johnson, a Modesto native, said he would like to sign a long-term deal with the Rams, but either way, he won’t be hurting. The franchise-tag contract would pay Johnson $16.7 million in 2017, and he would command big money as one of the top free-agent cornerbacks next March.

“This is my sixth year in the league,” Johnson said, “so I understand that it’s a business at the end of the day. You’ve got to learn to separate the personal side from the business side, and control what you can control. At the end of the day, it’s football.”

General Manager Les Snead repeated earlier comments, that the Rams would wait until mid-June, after OTA practices, to resume talks about a possible extension.

“We will not take a summer vacation,” Snead said, “and then see if we can figure something out there.”

STILL OUT

The most notable absence from practice, other than Donald, was starting safety Maurice Alexander, who also did not participate in a veteran mini-camp last month. McVay said then that Alexander was dealing with an injury issue, but McVay did not give an update on Alexander’s status Monday.

John Johnson, a third-round draft pick last month, did not participate for unknown reasons. As expected, Austin did not practice. Austin underwent wrist surgery this month and did some running on the field during practice with his left wrist protected.

MINOR MOVES

The Rams signed two defensive linemen, Omarius Bryant and A.J. Jefferson. In corresponding roster moves, they waived offensive lineman Kwayde Miller, and defensive back Dravious Wright left the team for unknown reasons. The Rams have 89 players on their roster, one fewer than the allowable maximum.

It is in everyone’s interest to get a contract done. The Rams have Donald for at least 3 more years, this year, the option year, and a franchise year. Donald would like to make more for the next 2 years. Those years are locked in now. Most likely the core point will be guaranteed money over the first few years of the contract. I would expect that to be ~40 million for the first 3 years.

zn wrote:

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Just a couple of additions tossed into the discussion. FWIW. This is awkward cause while yes I agree with them, I am posting them because they are out there…it’s not a warboard style “this expert is on my side so I is right” thing. If there’s an article that says different I will post that too.

That is a good thing. I post stuff I like, stuff that fills in the gaps, stuff that might be interesting. That includes stuff that I might not agree with.

zn wrote:

Maybe. But I believe them when they say that if Goff struggles (for a stretch) they will replace him.

It’s nice to have 2 qbs.

I guess we would have to define struggle. btw, here is an article about this exact subject.

Don't expect Sean Mannion to start for Rams unless Jared Goff is hurt

While a widely shared report released yesterday explained the Los Angeles Rams could start quarterback Sean Mannion, don’t believe it.

The post acknowledged people within the organization are impressed with the progress the recent No. 1 overall pick has made this offseason. But even though it also mentions backup quarterback Sean Mannion made strides, take it with a grain of salt.

Even if Mannion has improved his footwork, the anonymous source does not convince that struggles from Goff will lead to Mannion becoming a starter in 2017.

Former NFL quarterback Sage Rosenfels recently spoke to Rams head coach Sean McVay about the development of Goff (via The Score):

According to McVay, Goff has a lot of the same characteristics as Cousins and Ryan. He can make the same throws, shows the level of toughness required, absorbs and translates information easily, and has a yearning to be coached. This has me looking forward to Goff’s second season. Coaching and offensive style have a huge influence on a quarterback’s ability to succeed. Based off Goff’s physical and mental talents, Rams fans should be excited for the future of their team.

Rams general manager Les Snead has also given high praise about Goff, adding he has exceeded expectations. New quarterback coach Matt LaFleur was also quoted complimenting the young gunslinger.

The same sentiment has not been shared publicly about Mannion. Last year, Mannion came in to replace an injured Goff and did not impress whatsoever. It feels unlikely the Rams would change quarterbacks midseason two years in a row.

If the Rams decide to bench their former No. 1 overall pick, it would be an incredible blow to his confidence. In fact, it could be bad enough that it may not make sense to bring him back again — even if Mannion struggled worse.

Next season, despite any reports you’ve read, only expect Mannion to play if Goff is injured. If the organization deems Goff a failure then the solution would be through the draft, not a backup.

This subject is too complex to accurately project from a keyboard and it involves a lot of subjective opinions. So, I went with the simple stuff.

Poor, poor San Diego. They have no home.

zn wrote:

Rams hope rookies can help quarterback Jared Goff elevate his game

Gary Klein

http://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/la-sp-rams-rookie-camp-analysis-20170514-story.html%5B

…

NOTE: this isn’t the complete article, because my access to the Times ran out this month already.

Analysis Rams hope rookies can help quarterback Jared Goff elevate his game
Gary KleinGary KleinContact Reporter

The new players spied him watching from outside the weight room.

The offensive coordinator saw him there too.

Rams quarterback Jared Goff went through rookie indoctrination last year, after the Rams selected him No. 1 in the draft, so he could only observe the action on the practice fields during last weekend’s minicamp for this year’s draftees and free agents.

The two-day camp, conducted under the watchful eye of new coach Sean McVay and his staff, enabled the newcomers to get comfortable and demonstrate their talent.

But like just about everything surrounding the Rams, the subtext was all about Goff — and developing weapons that might help him live up to his billing as a franchise quarterback.

That’s why general manager Les Snead carried out McVay’s request to identify and draft specific players for his pass-oriented offense.

After about 50 players completed the final workout Saturday, McVay praised tight end Gerald Everett, receivers Cooper Kupp and Josh Reynolds, and fullback Sam Rogers.

While explaining how the rookies might fit, he did not mention Goff by name. But one comment spoke volumes.

“I think we want to be an offense that you give the quarterback answers,” McVay said.

Right now, of course, there are only questions.

The most pressing: Can this staff elevate Goff’s performance?

It’s too soon to know whether the latest draftees can adequately fill roles that will enable Goff to develop into an efficient passer and perhaps help the Rams end a 13-year playoff drought.

They showed positive signs during the minicamp.

Kupp, in particular, stood out.
Pitt pass rusher sees himself as perfect fit for Rams defense

The all-time leading receiver in the NCAA’s Football Championship Subdivision had arrived with a reputation for exacting preparation. And it seemed to pay off.

“He’s still being Coop,” said linebacker Samson Ebukam, Kupp’s teammate at Eastern Washington. “He’s still catching balls and making people look silly.”

The 6-foot-3 Reynolds also impressed, separating from defensive backs on long routes. He gave McVay and offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur reason for optimism.

Consider: Rams receiver Tavon Austin is listed at 5-8, Robert Woods is an even 6-0 and Pharoh Cooper 5-11.

Height is not a prerequisite for NFL receiver stardom. Or production. But if Reynolds can provide a rangier target, that gives LaFleur, play-caller McVay and, most important, Goff more options.

Everett caught passes fairly consistently and ran well, prerequisites for a role in McVay’s tight end-heavy scheme. Rogers showed sure hands on routes out of the backfield.

During the last few seasons, the Rams have seen a few first-year players immediately excel. Running back Todd Gurley and defensive tackle Aaron Donald were NFL rookies of the year. But others such as tight end Tyler Higbee got limited opportunities after standing out during training camp.

“We’re expecting some of these guys to contribute,” McVay said of offensive players in this year’s draft class. “They certainly have to earn it.”

McVay said he was “encouraged” by the performances of Everett, Kupp and Reynolds.

“You hope that it’ll project when we get out here with all the veterans and things are ramped up a bit,” he said.

But it all comes back to Goff.

LaFleur said the second-year pro was a “sponge,” that he was picking up the new offense. As a passer, Goff is “a little more accurate than I anticipated,” LaFleur said.

“I know he’s excited about some of the pieces we’ve added,” he said.

When organized team activities begin May 23, the new offensive players will practice with Goff in a full-squad setting. Rookie defensive players — safety John Johnson, Ebukam and fellow linebacker Ejuan Price and defensive tackle Tanzel Smart — will try to make their mark too.

Kupp worked out with Goff before the draft. He spoke of Goff’s tenacity and desire to win.

He will spend the next few days making sure he knows the offense.

“So when the quarterback steps out on the field, I’ve got things dialed and ready to go,” Kupp said, “because I know he’s going to be ready to roll.”

My access ran out too. But I was able to trick it. The Russian hackers, you know. 😉

Almost every offensive linemen they added can play center.
All the playmakers can catch the ball.
Players in the front 7 can all pass rush.
DBs ?? not sure if I can see a common defining characteristic.

http://www.blocku.com/2017/3/1/14786296/travis-wilson-joins-la-rams-as-tight-end
Travis Wilson joins LA Rams as Tight End
39 comments
by Shane.Roberts Mar 1, 2017, 8:19pm MST

The Bulldog is back! Former Utah quarterback, Travis Wilson is going to get his shot in the NFL, but at tight end, and not QB. Wilson signed with the LA Rams yesterday, and will have an opportunity to live out his dreams. Wilson was slated to go to Australia to play in a new football league there, but the league postponed their start until 2017 due to some stadium and visa issues.

This is a great move by Travis, as QB was never in his future at the next level, but with his size and athleticism, he may be able to make a career at tight end. I’m not sure how he is at running routes or catching the ball, but his size is definitely a major bonus. Travis showed a ton of athleticism during his career at the U, and people may forget that he was a big time volleyball player in high school in SoCal.

Here’s what Utah football coach Kyle Whittingham said about Wilson (via ESPN):

Rams surprisingly signed former Pac-12 quarterback to play tight end

“Obviously we only had experience with him as a quarterback and that’s all he ever played for us. He won a lot of games for us. But that’s a good question, where he fits in at the next level? There are probably a couple of places that would be possibilities outside of quarterback. He’s got the big frame. He’s got great hands. He can catch very well. That’s interesting if someone can put 10-20 pounds on his frame and make him a tight end.”

The same report explains that he also played wide receiver and linebacker early in high school.