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znModeratorznModeratorJourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
Sean McVay said post-practice Rams have “way higher standards” than some of the things he saw on offense in a practice ft. a lot of tipped and batted passes. Brought up turnover-plenty Raiders joint practice in ‘21 and said he expects team to similarly respond the right way.Rams having some ball security issues in this team period (1s and 2s going against Chargers defense)
Much cleaner play this period from the Rams first team offense and a lot of concept diversity and skill player rotations
Both 1s sides (Rams O Chargers D) getting good work in
znModerator10 Observations from Rams’ first 2024 joint practice: Plenty of learning opportunities for offense vs. Chargers defense
Stu Jackson
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – The Rams conducted their first joint practice of the 2024 preseason on Sunday, hosted by the Chargers at their facility. Overall, the day was characterized by a Rams offensive performance that head coach Sean McVay indicated wasn’t up to that unit’s standards, plus extensive work on the new kickoff format.
Before diving into those items, some important context:
For this first joint practice, I spent the majority of the time watching the Rams offense. Given the health situation with the Rams’ offensive line – starters Alaric Jackson (ankle), Jonah Jackson (shoulder) and Rob Havenstein (ankle) are all currently week-to-week – I was primarily interested in seeing how that unit would perform against a Chargers pass rush led by edges Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack.
The Chargers this past Thursday (Aug. 1) announced quarterback Justin Herbert was “diagnosed with an injury to the plantar fascia in his right foot”; thus, he did not participate in Sunday’s joint practice. Backup Easton Stick instead led the Chargers’ first-team offense against the Rams’ first-team defense.
With that in mind, here are 10 things that stood out from the session:
1) Puka Nacua exits practice early with unspecified injury: McVay post-practice said he’s “not sure” what happened to the second-year wide receiver and didn’t have an update.
2) Braden Fiske also exits practice early and doesn’t return, but only for precautionary reasons: According to McVay, this was because the team wanted to play it safe with the rookie defensive tackle after Fiske got “a blister the size of his foot.”
3) Deflections and bat-downs: Both Rams quarterbacks passes that were deflected and batted down; Matthew Stafford had two interceptions that were caused by passes deflected by one Chargers defensive back and corralled by another.
On another play, Stafford completed a short pass to rookie running back Blake Corum, who fumbled the ball after making a move upfield and having the ball knocked loose by a Chargers defender.
“Our job is to be able to get this roster ready to go, and we’re going to continue to focus on that,” McVay said post-practice. “But make no mistake about it, some of the things I saw, particularly offensively, got way higher standards, all right, than what we looked like today, consistently down in and down out.”
4) Good test for McClendon: Warren McClendon Jr. has been filling in for Havenstein at right tackle, and he faced a stable of venerable pass-rushers between Bosa, Mack, Bud Dupree and Tuli Tuipulotu.
Given he’s watching all 22 players and usually focused on what the defense is doing, he said he’d be able to better evaluate McClendon after getting the chance to watch film. At first glance, though, McVay thought McClendon “did some good things when he was at the point of attack.”
“But anytime you go against premier players like that, and then bud Dupree and Tuli are also rotating on their edges, they got four guys that are legit players,” McVay said. “So I think that’s excellent. You know, I think Warren is continuing to mature, but I’ll go back and look at it. But there were some good things, and then there’ll be some things that when I’m just isolating on him, when you have a chance to slow it down – my eyes are sometimes in some different place.”
5) Extended look at the new kickoff format: A good chunk of time was understandably spent on the new hybrid kickoff format. The Rams kicked first in the first period of that work, then returned kicks in the second period of it. The Rams experimented with lots of different tandems at returner – up to two are allowed inside the 20.
McVay said post-practice that the preseason will not give teams an indication of what this kickoff looks like, given teams that may have some creative schematic things planned likely won’t show it.
6) One hand: While the offense had its challenges, there were still some good moments. Tight end Colby Parkinson and wide receiver Demarcus Robinson each made an impressive one-handed catch near the sideline during team drills.
7) Stafford to Nacua and Allen: One play that drew some “ooohhs” from the crowd was a laser Stafford fired over the middle to Nacua, who quickly snared the ball out of the air to make the catch during team drills.
Stafford also had an impressive completion to tight end Davis Allen in redzone work, fitting the ball through a tight window to get it to him. Allen got crunched by Chargers defenders but still held on.
8) Kinchens continues to string strong practices together: Rookie defensive back Kam Kinchens had a takeaway in each of the Rams’ final two training camp practices; on Sunday, he was in coverage denying a Stick deep ball down the sideline.
9) Intercepted by Curl: Defensive back Kamren Curl came up with an interception on a separate deep pass by Stick during team drills.
10) Redirecting: Corum did have a nice run during team drills where he initially went right, then cut back left for a big gain.
Stafford said overall he felt like the Rams’ running backs did a great job of finding creases when they got their opportunities on Sunday.
znModeratorJourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigueRob Havenstein has an ankle injury per Sean McVay and is week to week; he says it is not season-ending..McVay also downgraded Alaric Jackson (ankle) from “day to day” to “week to week” Rams starting LT, LG and RT all “week to week” right now.znModeratorJourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigueThe Rams are “five or six” days behind on their Woodland Hills facility, per COO Kevin Demoff so they will be back at CLU through the end of the preseason. They also have four upcoming joint practices at the other teams’ location..This had more to do with receiving certain permits than it did with field readiness, he added. Rams will be in Houston 4 days and that is when support staff can essentially pick up org and move it down to the valley. And for those wondering – McVay will have two windows.znModerator10 Observations from Rams’ August 3 training camp practice: Final day sees defense create three takeaways, but offense still has its moments too
Stu Jackson
LOS ANGELES – The eighth and final open practice of 2024 Rams Training Camp presented by UNIFY Financial Credit Union took place Saturday, featuring a trio of turnovers caused by the defense.
Here are 10 things that stood out from the session:
1) Still no Alaric Jackson or Rob Havenstein: Head coach Sean McVay said after practice that the offensive linemen are both “week-to-week”; for Jackson, this was a downgrade from day-to-day. McVay also clarified that Havenstein has an ankle injury, but the injury is not season-ending.
Offensive lineman Jonah Jackson (shoulder) remained sidelined; McVay this week said Jackson is week-to-week.
2) First takeaway: The first of three turnovers caused by the defense came courtesy of defensive end Desjuan Johnson, who intercepted a Jimmy Garoppolo screen pass intended for running back Boston Scott, momentarily juggling the ball before gathering it and returning the pick for a touchdown.
3) Second takeaway: The second of three turnovers was caused by defensive back Quentin Lake, who punched the ball loose from wide receiver Cooper Kupp’s grasp after Kupp caught a pass from Matthew Stafford.
4) Third takeaway: The third of three turnovers was created by defensive back Kam Kinchens, who intercepted a Stafford pass that went a little too high above wide receiver Puka Nacua.
5) Stafford and Cooper Kupp in sync in team drills: Aside from the interception, Stafford had a strong connection and was in rhythm with Kupp throughout move the ball work in team drills.
6) Calm under pressure: At one point, Stafford fired a pass over the middle to Kupp while standing tall in the face of a six-man rush created by a blitz the Rams defense called. Kupp’s catch was equally impressive.
7) Another good day from Demarcus Robinson: The wide receiver was sharp early in practice, connecting on his first three targets of 11-on-11 action. One of Robinson’s best grabs came later in team drills, when he snagged the ball out of the air and held on tight to it to prevent the tightly-covering defensive back from knocking it loose.
8) Denied by the landshark: Defensive back Cobie Durant had a strong pass breakup on a Stafford pass intended for Kupp early in team drills.
9) Hochuli’s crew returns: NFL referee Shawn Hochuli and his officiating crew were once again on hand to officiate practice.
10) From LMU back to CLU: McVay post-practice said the Rams will return to their facility on the campus of California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks next week and are now targeting moving into their Woodland Hills site after their preseason finale against the Texans in Houston.
Team president Kevin Demoff told reporters the Rams are “five or six days” behind schedule on the Woodland Hills facility, but he attributed the delay more to receiving certain permits than field readiness.
znModeratorznModeratorcolby parkinson is another signing who may be flying under the radar. he’s already graded as an above average blocker. but now’s the time to show his chops as a receiver. also only 25 years old. barely older than verse or fiske.
The take on Parkinson was that he never did much in the passing game in Seattle. Just guess-ulating, but, it seems to me that Seattle has long had very dire OL issues, so when he was even on the field, they would need a TE to be a 6th lineman who doesn’t go out as a receiver but instead stays in as a blocker. If any of that is remotely right, then, he arrives in LA full of untapped potential.
August 3, 2024 at 5:10 am in reply to: Stafford. You know, that Mark Stafford guy, the quarterback #151590znModeratorroberto clemente@rclemente2121
stafford – 2023 week 12-1614 tds, 1 int, 67% completion rate, 114.2 qb rtg
led rams to an avg of 32 offensive pts per game
5 consecutive 100+ qb rtg games
extrapolated over a 17 game season?
48 tds, 3 int, 4,719 yardsznModerator10 Observations from Rams’ August 1 Training Camp Practice: Interceptions by Kamren Kinchens and Charles Woods, touchdown catch by Cooper Kupp among standout plays
Stu Jackson
LOS ANGELES – The seventh open practice of 2024 Rams Training Camp presented by UNIFY Financial Credit Union took place Thursday, headlined by defensive backs Kamren Kinchens and Charles Woods’ interceptions.
Here are 10 things that stood out from the session:
1) Rob Havenstein leaves practice with foot injury: The veteran offensive lineman walked gingerly off the field and did not return. Head coach Sean McVay didn’t have an immediate information on Havenstein’s status, other than saying Havenstein said he got stepped on.
2) Jonah Jackson and Alaric Jackson don’t participate: Jonah is week-to-week with a shoulder injury, per McVay, while Alaric is expected to be back “sooner than later” from an ankle injury sustained earlier this week. McVay also said they are hopeful Alaric can go for Sunday’s joint practice with the Chargers, though they won’t rush Alaric back.
3) Play of the day, Part I: One of the top plays of practice was Kinchens’ interception; the rookie defensive back got a under a Matthew Stafford pass that deflected off of tight end Colby Parkinson’s hands for the timely pick during team drills.
4) Play of the day, Part II: In the previous segment, Woods’ interception in the corner of the endzone ended the second team offense’s series against the second team offense led by Jimmy Garoppolo. It was emblematic of a strong practice overall for Woods.
5) Coop in the corner: Offensively, one of Stafford’s best passes was a touchdown to wide receiver Cooper Kupp in the corner of the endzone to cap off the first team offense’s mamba period series against the first team defense. To be fair to the defense, it subsequently denied the ensuing 2-point attempt, with Stafford’s pass intended for wide receiver Demarcus Robinson incomplete. Stafford was sharp overall though during the series in getting the offense in position to score.
6) Kobie Turner back in action: The second-year nose tackle participated in team drills Thursday, marking his first time doing so this training camp. He had been dealing with a groin injury sustained prior to camp.
7) Another pick: Defensive back Jaylen McCollough also came up with an interception on a Garoppolo deep ball in early 11-on-11 work.
8) Kevin Dotson remains difficult to get past: The offensive lineman once again performed very well in 1-on-1 drills.
9) Noteboom ready for spin move: Rookie outside linebacker Jared Verse had an impressive spin move in 1-on-1s against offensive lineman Joe Noteboom in Tuesday’s practice (embedded below), but learned Thursday how quickly pro offensive lineman learn to counter those moves. Noteboom was ready and held his own against it on Thursday.
10) NFL officiating crew on hand: The 9-man officiating crew led by referee Shawn Hochuli was on site to officiate Thursday’s practice.
znModeratorRams Fans United@RamsFansUnitedLMU more controlled, definitely closer in the bleachers, that’s the only viewing option. Irvine you could walk around, see pretty much anything and everything, stand at the fence watch Morris working out Jalen, etc. Irvine more controlled, you sit in bleachers and see what you see…znModeratorRams try not to panic as third starting offensive lineman is injured at camp
By Gary Klein
https://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/story/2024-08-01/rams-three-offensive-lineman-hurt-training-camp
Sean McVay is going to have to wait awhile.
The offensive line that cost the Rams tens of millions of dollars to reconfigure is mired in injuries as McVay prepares his team for Sunday’s joint practice with the Chargers.
On Thursday, McVay said left guard Jonah Jackson would be “week to week” after suffering a shoulder injury Tuesday. Left tackle Alaric Jackson remained sidelined because of an ankle injury, and Thursday right tackle Rob Havenstein left practice because of an unspecified foot injury.
The Rams do not play their opener until Sept. 8 at Detroit, so the linemen have plenty of time to recover.
McVay, however, does not play starters in preseason games, making joint practices with other teams the best opportunity to measure the progress of the offense, defense and special teams.
When the Rams and quarterback Matthew Stafford visit El Segundo to practice with the Chargers — who feature pass rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack — they possibly could be without the three injured starting linemen.
Joe Noteboom has been playing left tackle, Zach Thomas left guard.
“We’ll be better when those guys are back, whenever that timetable is,” McVay said of the starters, “but in the meantime we owe it to ourselves and the other guys to be able to pour into them.”
After making the playoffs last season, the Rams poured millions into re-signing right guard Kevin Dotson (three years, $32 million guaranteed per Overthecap.com), and then signed free-agent left guard Jonah Jackson (three years, $34 million guaranteed), which enabled them to move second-year pro Steve Avila from left guard to center.
Alaric Jackson, a restricted free-agent, received a second-round tender that cost the Rams $4.9 million.
Jonah Jackson’s injury appears to be the most serious.
Last season with the Detroit Lions, Jackson was sidelined for four games because of wrist and ankle injuries. He did not play in the NFC championship game because of a knee injury suffered in the divisional round.
During offseason workouts, Jonah Jackson did not participate in most on-field drills while working back from knee surgery.
McVay said Jonah Jackson had his “best practice” before he suffered the shoulder injury.
“I know he wants to be out here more than anybody, and he played great the other day,” McVay said. “He’s got a body of work — there’s a reason why we felt so strongly about being able to add him here, and this is another little temporary setback.”
Etc.
Defensive tackle Kobie Turner, who has been limited since the start of training camp because of a groin issue, participated in team drills. “You felt his presence, his communication, his ability to disrupt,” McVay said. … The Rams are off Friday. They will practice Saturday and then practice with the Chargers on Sunday in El Segundo.August 2, 2024 at 9:34 am in reply to: Stafford. You know, that Mark Stafford guy, the quarterback #151584znModeratorFrom https://www.lafbnetwork.com/matthew-stafford-1st-ballot-hall-of-famer/
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is among the most hotly debated players at his position. This summer’s litany of rankings put him as high as 3rd and as low as the mid-teens. While the conversation about his Hall of Fame status is premature, as the top criteria for getting into Canton is to first be retired. But Bill Barnwell of ESPN didn’t let that stop him from speculating Stafford’s future in a gold jacket.
Barnwell makes several bold predictions to lift Stafford from the mired position he currently resides. He predicts the Rams will make a second Super Bowl in 2025 on the back of Stafford’s best throwing season since 2021.
“As it stands, even with his Super Bowl win, I’m not sure Matthew Stafford has quite enough on his résumé to ensure a trip to Canton.” Barnwell writes, “Three final years with the Rams would help his case. In my simulations for this piece, I have the Rams coming up a game short of the postseason in 2024, but a retooled Rams team then makes a surprising trip to the Super Bowl in 2025, with Stafford throwing for 4,600 yards and garnering the first serious MVP consideration of his career. Even with the Rams falling short of the Chargers in Santa Clara, Stafford will have done enough to get on the right side of history.
Perhaps he struggles through an injury-hit final 2026 season and retires, but without any other quarterbacks in line as serious challengers, Stafford would walk in as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.”
znModeratorCharles Woods had an awesome day. Climbed his way up the snap rotation during practice
from UDFA thread, here: https://theramshuddle.com/topic/2024-udfas/
HEIGHT…5′ 11″WEIGHT…191SPEED—COLLEGE …SMU MustangsTEAM…Los Angeles Rams…ME: Woods transferred to SMU from WVA. He had a great season in 2021 in his first year at WVA. More on that here:According to Pro Football Focus College, Woods allowed the lowest passer rating while in coverage among any Big 12 corner last season. Not only that, but Woods set the Big 12 record for the lowest passer rating allowed in coverage by any corner in the conference’s history. His 22.1 passer rating allowed was significantly better than the previous record, which was held by former Baylor corner Xavien Howard.Woods excels in coverage. He hauled in an attention-grabbing interception on the first day of spring practice in March. PFF College also gave the WVU corner the highest grade (90.3) of any player in the country in his position last year.
more on Woods:
from https://www.nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/Charles-Woods-CB-WestVirginia
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Exceptionally quick, with the feet and fluidity to mirror underneath, including in the slot against the two-way go. Woods stays low in his backpedal and explodes toward the ball, with an outstanding closing burst.
- Extremely aggressive to come up and put his body in traffic to make tackles.
- Has good foot quickness and short-area burst to work well in tight areas.
- He’ll line up in press at times, where Woods has a quick and powerful punch. His ball skills are good, and he plays with an extremely confident and competitive demeanor.
- A coordinated athlete with good footwork and balance. A heady cover player with above-average · feel and anticipation in space.
- Has at least adequate straight-line speed and good balance, fluidity to change direction.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
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Better in press coverage than in off coverage, when Woods can look shaky and unsure when transitioning out of his backpedal. He’ll give up throws underneath.
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Has poor recognition skills when facing the action in zone coverage.
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Has a high backpedal and loses a step in transition. Plays with adequate speed but there are concerns about his ability to handle the truly explosive speedsters of the NFL.
znModeratorJourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
1. We don’t have real timelines yet but the Rams are currently missing 3 starters on OL after Havenstein (foot) left practice today. McVay thinks he heard him say he got stepped on. Warren McClendon, Joe Noteboom and Zach Thomas have seemed to be the go-to backups for missing RTLT and LG. It’s clear the Rams will NOT move Steve Avila from C unless there’s an emergency. That’s a good thing, IMO.
2. Jerry Jacobs has good ball skills. Gets his hands where they need to be. Still onboarding into defense.
3. Watched 1v1 indies…Davis Allen had a good rep where he had to strong-hand a bouncy catch because JJ3 was all over it. One of those where both sides do a great job. Tre White is sticky. Demarcus Robinson caught a TD ball from Stafford that the QB basically put in a thimble. It was great coverage. Asst. HC Aubrey Pleasant
had to shake Robinson’s hand after that, nothing White could do. Cooper Kupp and Quentin Lake are making each other better. Lake has drawn the Kupp straw a lot because Lake has a lot of jobs. One over the shoulder catch in 1v1s was ruled out of bounds (only one foot in).
4. Kupp’s details are illuminating to watch. One time in a split he moved like, an inch closer to Robinson pre-snap before re-setting. Even that inch moved the DB. Then Kupp sprang Robinson loose for a catch because of the way their routes ended up stacking over each other.
And Kupp’s hamstring is feeling good, seems like, because he did like a Euro-step against his defender at the start of a route in RZ two-minute, then chopped his feet, then broadened back out. Hammies and glutes!
5. Kobie Turner got in the backfield on a run stop in his first
day back in 11-on-11s. He and Braden Fiske talk a lot between snaps.
6. The offense felt a bit flat earlier this week, but when Matthew Stafford starts to play “F-you” ball you can actually see the shift on the field. He hit Kupp in a teeny tiny window between White and Russ
Yeast in 11s and, well, it was on.
7. Two-minute: Rams always practice situationals, such as playing from behind where a TD and two-point would tie. Noticed Stretch (who will help with rules and game management) talking constantly to the sideline official during this period.
8. Kam Curl. Wow. Credential rules prohibit me telling you the situation but points were unable to be had.
9. Byron Young was super active today – as a rusher, against the run and even in the flat where he stoned a checkdown (then apologized profusely to the RB).
10. UDFA DB
Charles Woods had an awesome day. Climbed his way up the snap rotation during practice. Hands on the ball, good spatial understanding, plays fast. Today – and we’ll see about the rest of August – he made the most of his opps with White on a pitch count, Williams, TT, DK out.
….
znModeratorJ.B. Long@JB_LongMatthew Stafford says this group of @RamsNFL tight ends has the potential to be as talented and deep as any he’s worked with in 16 seasons.nd deep as any he’s worked with in 16 seasons.znModeratorWith the recent return of NFL Network’s Good Morning Football to the air, series regular Peter Schrager visited Rams training camp on Tuesday and gave a pretty glowing review of what he saw.
“Stafford looks incredible, and Kupp and Nacua are dialed in,” Schrager said. “Cooper Kupp, coming off a little bit of an injury, wasn’t himself last year maybe, looks amazing. He is in the best shape he’s been in in years. And then Nacua, we’re talking about a guy who had a record-breaking rookie year. He was unbelievable at practice yesterday.”
The Rams may have also found some additional help in sixth round selection Jordan Whittington out of Texas. The rookie WR has been making people take notice at practice, and could be another late round success at the position, much like Nacua last season. Whittington is expected to play a big role in the kick return game and was seen polishing his craft after practice by Schrager.
>“After practice, everyone’s gone, there’s a JUGS machine out there,” Schrager said. “I’ve never seen this drill. Whittington is lying down on his back, the JUGS machine is behind him, and he’s catching balls like this while lying down on his back. I was like, ‘Is that for show?’ I was talking to a coach. And he’s like, ‘This guy does his own thing and he’s been awesome all practice.’”
On the defensive side of the ball, there were many questions as to how LA would respond to the retirement of Aaron Donald but after watching the team, Schrager again seemed very confident in the players available, and brought in, to help fill the void left by #99.
“Aaron Donald’s gone,” Schrager said. “You didn’t notice it yesterday. Chris Shula, he’s now the new defensive coordinator as Raheem Morris goes to Atlanta, this D looked good and Jared Verse is a rookie, going to be wearing No. 8, he was everywhere, flying all over the field. He was their first pick at 19 overall. He is the dude to watch and Braden Fiske, the other one, they were college teammates at Florida State, they’re both going to play a big role.”
There’s some major hype building around the Los Angeles Rams this coming season
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znModeratorThese guys discuss the Rams at 1:03:02 in.
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znModeratorearly returns on fiske seem to be really really positive. from multiple sources. and it seems like everyone makes a point to mention him. players. journalists. fans. i’m excited.
Yeah so far the buzz on Fiske is good.
But I was wondering how they will line up the base 3/4.
It kind of seems like Turner and Fiske are the same guy. Both 3-techs. Will they have a tradition 5-tech like they did with Donald? Wouldn’t Turner and Fiske be on the field at the same time only in passing down packages?
So will it be * Turner/Fiske * Brown * [someone at DE ie. a 5-tech…but who] *
Or is the base 3/4 DL going to be 2 3-techs + a nose? so * Fiske * Brown * Turner * ?
znModeratorznModeratorMike Garafolo@MikeGarafolo#Rams OL Jonah Jackson suffered a bruised scapula, source says. Expected to miss around six weeks. In all, not bad news for the big free-agent pickup.…
Rams’ resource-heavy OL under pressure with Jonah Jackson, Alaric Jackson injuries
Jourdan Rodrigue
LOS ANGELES — The position investment that the Los Angeles Rams were proudest of this offseason is already under pressure.
They are currently minus two starters on their offensive line: Left guard Jonah Jackson has a shoulder injury, a team source said, and will miss some time although there is optimism that recovery won’t stretch significantly into the regular season. Left tackle Alaric Jackson has an ankle injury and is day-to-day, head coach Sean McVay said Tuesday (McVay was not scheduled to address reporters Wednesday, so couldn’t speak further to the severity of Jonah Jackson’s situation).
Jonah Jackson signed a three-year, $51 million deal with the Rams this spring and the team subsequently moved previous starter Steve Avila to center. The $17 million per year average is currently tied for seventh-highest among interior linemen. While Avila could slide back over in a pinch, he has spent the entire spring and summer developing rapport at center with veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford — and it could be unwise to shift him again, especially without a viable backup center on the roster as rookie Beaux Limmer continues his development.
Alaric Jackson is on a one-year tender worth $4.8 million — the Rams could keep their rising star left tackle on a cheaper deal because they originally signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2021. Jackson took over the position full-time in 2023 from Joe Noteboom, who is now the backup at multiple positions (including left guard).
Noteboom could continue to fill in for Jackson at left tackle, as McVay at least sounded slightly optimistic about his injury. When Jackson returns, Noteboom can slide one spot over to left guard as Jonah Jackson recovers. Players who have also repped in the left guard and left tackle spots in camp include A.J. Arcuri and Zach Thomas.
The Rams ran the ball more productively than they had in years in 2023, behind a beefed-up interior offensive line that included then-rookie Avila and trade-acquisition Kevin Dotson at right guard (he signed a three-year, $48 million contract extension this spring, right before Jonah Jackson).
They also would like to keep Stafford (who just agreed to an adjusted contract) upright and healthy to replicate the league-leading production he buoyed a young roster with last season.
“Next man up, right? That’s what this game is,” said offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, who deferred to McVay on more specificities about both injuries when speaking to reporters Wednesday. “There is gonna be guys going down for sometimes a day, sometimes an extended period of time. So I think the guys that stepped in (on Tuesday) got better as the practice went on, as we got to that second day and (they got) used to the speed of going against the No. 1s.”
July 31, 2024 at 11:52 pm in reply to: Stafford. You know, that Mark Stafford guy, the quarterback #151567znModeratorObserving Rams QB Matthew Stafford through an entire practice — his first in pads of 2024
Jourdan Rodrigue
LOS ANGELES — Look, I know nobody asked for this.
Yet I always wonder: Do people outside of the football ecosystem know what an NFL quarterback actually does throughout practice? Do they care?
I guess we’ll find out, as I set out to accomplish both the detailed (and deranged). I lurked around the sidelines throughout Tuesday’s padded practice to focus specifically on Matthew Stafford during his first practice in pads of the 2024 season. The Los Angeles Rams’ star quarterback is entering his 16th year in the league, and recently agreed to an adjusted contract that slightly bumps his pay and guaranteed money over the next calendar year. He’s also coming off perhaps his best season, after lifting a very young roster to 10 wins and a playoff berth in 2023.
It was a second run-heavy day after a less-than-impressive (and Stafford-less) session from the offense on Monday. But there was still plenty to see:
Rams observations: QB Matthew Stafford is ‘good,’ held out of first padded practice
• Stafford walked out to the main practice field about 30 minutes before the 4:40 start time, carrying his own pads, but made a quick stop at the Sirius XM broadcasting table before heading to the far side of the area to get some pre-practice warmups in (I followed around the perimeter and tried to not look like a creep). Some of this involved moving hip-twists and throwing small weighted balls against the side of the weight room. These exercises were popularized for rotational athletes by biomechanics and throwing specialist Tom House, who has worked with Stafford as well as with his offseason private coaches.
• At 4:31, Stafford walked toward the bleacher side of the field with his pads and red non-contact jersey on (obviously the quarterbacks can’t get hit in practice). The other three — backups Jimmy Garoppolo (the former 49er who seems to take scattered heckling by the Rams fans in the crowd in stride), Stetson Bennett and Dresser Winn — had started warming up with each other. As Stafford began throwing to Garoppolo and veteran running back Boston Scott, a young boy in the bleachers wearing a Cooper Kupp jersey stood up and shouted his name. Stafford waved, and the boy was so overwhelmed he promptly sat back down.
• After stretching lines, much of the opening third of practice is devoted to individual position drills around the perimeter of the field, and some special teams work in the middle. The quarterbacks, led off by Stafford, began with snap-to-handoff reps with their respective center. Stafford is partnered with second-year player Steve Avila, who is in his first year at center as a pro. Avila and Stafford talked constantly between snaps. Avila is also a left-handed center (Stafford’s second lefty in as many years), which means the ball rotates in the opposite direction on the snap as a right-handed center’s would. Avila’s snap has a little slant to it from his left hand up into Stafford’s right hand.
• Quarterbacks coach Dave Ragone led the group through rollout drills next, which is exactly what it sounds like as the quarterback collects the snap and rolls to his left or right. With skill players running drills for their respective positions elsewhere, these snaps and throws came from and went to a team of rotating equipment managers — and the crowd let them hear it if they dropped a pass.
• Footwork drills over step pads were next, on the bleachers sideline. Ragone arranged low, rectangular pads in a ladder formation for the quarterbacks to run through facing the field, then throw on the move. At various points, he pivoted one of the pads to simulate a pocket movement he wanted the quarterback to work around. As they did, Ragone either pointed left or right and they had to flush that way and throw on the move.
• Next, you guessed it, more drills: In the Rams’ offense, every change in their cadence and count, every step in their drop and how long they hold the ball are paired with different route combinations. So … this was what they practiced. If I told you any more, I would get a dart to the neck by some shadowy figure in a royal blue T-shirt while shopping at the local Vons.
• Would you believe more drills came next? Ragone simulated pressure against the quarterbacks as Stafford and the rest of the group had to hop-throw over his outstretched arm.
• Almost there … a drill that involved weaving through a line of hit dummies came next, and again throwing while on the move.
• Finally, the receivers arrived! Stafford always begins throw-and-catch reps (“individual” drills or “individuals”) with veteran receiver Cooper Kupp. The order the receivers line up matters, because generally in training camp two quarterbacks throw at once (the starter and the backup, then the No. 3 and No. 4). Observers can get a genuine feel for the first- and second-team players (and who might be cracking into a higher level) by watching these. Stafford threw to Kupp, Puka Nacua and Demarcus Robinson in sequence. All players go through a series of short, mid-range and longer routes through this period.
• The offense next broke into “11-on-0” formation with a full field, with the defense finishing up individuals on the converted softball field the Rams are using as a secondary space. I checked my watch and it was 5:10 p.m., and I thought, do you mean to tell me that all of those drills only took 30 minutes? I questioned my life choices. The 11-on-0 period basically works like an elevated walk-through or installation session before the defense jogged out to the field for 11-on-11 (“team”) drills. The fun part of this (besides the fact that everything about football is fun) was watching head coach Sean McVay and assistants Mike LaFleur, Ryan Wendell, Zak Kromer and Nick Caley act as defensive players during the reps.
• Guess what? More drills. This time, Stafford led the quarterbacks and running backs through the same “hop throw” sequence as earlier in the day, but dumped the ball off to the running backs instead of the equipment managers. These plays simulate checkdowns or outlet balls under pressure or if the quarterback baits a blitzing defender.
• You definitely need to know this point as hyped-up clips of camp circulate on social media: The Rams organize team drills so that the first-team offense goes against the second-team defense, and vice versa through a large part of the practice. There are key ultra-competitive periods where first-team goes against first-team, that are designed to often include down-and-distance parameters or are in the red zone. Tuesday, the Rams opened with “2s” (offense) against “1s” (defense). Some of the idea behind this is to get starters and depth competitive reps while simultaneously getting the “1s” better looks to run/install certain concepts.
• When Stafford took the field against the 2s defense, he handed off to lead rusher Kyren Williams on an outside run, then hit Robinson on an out-breaking route to the right side, then Kupp in the middle of the field off a motion play.
• When Garoppolo and the 2s offense retook the field, Stafford went to the side and immediately began talking to assistant coaches (McVay called plays for Garoppolo) and teammates and looked at the play card and the giant video boards replaying the downs on the side of the field.
• Stafford’s next sequence (against the 2s): Another run play, a dump-off ball to tight end Colby Parkinson on a dead play and then another handoff. Again, Tuesday was a pretty run-heavy day as McVay seemed to want to troubleshoot some of what didn’t quite click Monday.
• During the first 1s vs. 1s period, Stafford wanted Nacua on a throw but he was nearly intercepted by safety Quentin Lake. He handed off to Williams again, and hit Robinson on a short catch-and-run.
• After two handoffs on the next 1s vs. 1s series, Stafford threw downfield to Kupp but veteran cornerback Tre’Davious White stretched out to disrupt the pass. Stafford and Nacua connected on a mid-range ball just in time, because rookie defensive tackle Braden Fiske was bearing down on, and into, the pocket.
• One of Stafford’s starting offensive linemen, left guard Jonah Jackson, left practice with an athletic trainer and did not return. McVay said after practice he “did not know” what had happened; on Monday starting left tackle Alaric Jackson tweaked his ankle and did not practice Tuesday. The Rams spent the offseason bulking up and investing into Stafford’s offensive line. While it’s still the early days of training camp, it’s less than ideal to be without two starters.
• An exclamation point for Tuesday (besides several run plays on, again, a run-heavy day) came at the end of practice in red zone drills — just not for Stafford and the first-team offense. Lake broke up a would-be touchdown pass Stafford intended for Kupp. The starters and some second-team players were pulled with several minutes left in practice because McVay wanted to get the players who will actually be participating in preseason games some practice reps where they otherwise do not get any work in team periods (including Bennett).
As the final buzzers sounded for the day, I completely mentally lost the plot and headed to the lectern to ask McVay about injuries — not toward wherever Stafford went next.
Much like the Rams’ offense in these first couple days of padded practices, you win some and you lose some
znModeratorfrom Albert Breer: https://www.si.com/nfl/kyler-murray-cardinals-lockstep-under-jonathan-gannon-takeaways
I’d expect the Los Angeles Rams to lean even more into the physical edge they forged as a younger team in 2023. Sean McVay brought New England Patriots alums Nick Caley and Ryan Wendell on to his staff a year ago with the intention of diversifying his offense and his outlook. What he got was more hat-on-hat gap runs, and a tougher team. And that success led the Rams to double down on the approach in acquiring road-grading guards Kevin Dotson and Jonah Jackson, and drafting Michigan workhorse Blake Corum.
Even without pads on last week, you could see and feel that sort of energy with the team.
I’d be surprised, as the pads go on this week, if it’s not reflected in the way the team practices moving forward—and I do think, and this is my thought alone, that it’s becoming about who the Rams are up against, as well as what they want to be.
Kyle Shanahan’s San Francisco 49ers, when they’ve been able to beat the Rams, have done it by playing that brand of football. San Francisco practices in that sort of old-school way. Shanahan’s invested in it by building more old-school run schemes into an offense that long relied so heavily on wide-zone runs. And by doing some of these things, McVay’s not just readying his offense for those wars, but also the defense, and the overall team for them.
znModeratorfrom Albert Breer: https://www.si.com/nfl/kyler-murray-cardinals-lockstep-under-jonathan-gannon-takeaways
Players have gotten bolder in asking for mid-contract raises. Matthew Stafford just got one in Los Angeles. Christian McCaffery got one in San Francisco, which sure might’ve pushed Trent Williams to hold on and look for one of his own. Alvin Kamara got one in New Orleans, too. Maxx Crosby accomplished the same in Las Vegas. And all of these guys did it with multiple years left on their deals.
So what gives?I think it’s players being more cognizant of a few things. First, their own football mortality, and the reality that when it becomes real, teams are rarely sympathetic in honoring the nonguaranteed years on the back end of contracts—which means if you can get money moved up, you should. Second, they have leverage in having some financial security, which lends the freedom to incur fines, and make their teams feel their absences, and what those can do to a team’s morale. And, third, that they’re helping their teammates more than hurting them by drawing a hard line, creating a precedent for guys to be paid their worth.
It worked for Stafford, who had the precedent the Rams set in paying Aaron Donald with three years left on his deal. Ditto for McCaffrey, whose success may have nudged Williams to try and get his. Same with Crosby, who got a promise from the team when things were chaotic, and held the team to that promise.
znModeratorBrett Kollmann is a respected analyst with over 400,000 subscribers on his own YouTube channel, not to mention another 60,000 for his Bootleg Football podcast, and he named his five most underrated defensive players in the game today. At number four, Ernest Jones made the list as the only true linebacker in the top-5.
“Ernest Jones has quietly emerged as one of the better young defenders on one of the better young defenses in the league. AD’s retirement is going to massively affect the Rams pass rush, but Jones even as an inside linebacker, is good enough to pick up some of the slack. He’s one of the better pass rushing inside linebackers in the NFL and somebody who can affect protections by making offensive coordinators, QBs, and centers really hesitant to match up running backs against him.”
Kollmann notes how teams often use “23 Jet” to set their pass protections, using a running back to block a linebacker, and that Jones is simply not someone that offenses can do that against without expecting to lose. He adds that Jones led all inside linebackers in pressures last year with 32 of them and had a 19% pass rush win rate.
Also, Kollmann thinks Jones is a capable coverage linebacker but needs to convert more pass breakups into interceptions, and is “more than solid” against the run.
znModerator10 Observations from Rams’ July 29 training camp practice: First day in pads, Braden Fiske’s attention-getting performance, run-heavy day and more
Stu Jackson
LOS ANGELES – The fourth open practice at Rams Training Camp presented by UNIFY Financial Credit Union took place Monday, marking the first such practice in pads for players. Defensive lineman Braden Fiske had a strong day, one which was run-heavy for the offense and included a planned rest day for quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Here are 10 things that stood out from the session:
1) Stafford rests: QB1 did not participate in Monday’s practice, but head coach Sean McVay said it was a planned rest day that also worked out well given the run-heavy day planned for the offense.
2) Jackson tweaks ankle early in practice, but should be “fine”: Offensive lineman Alaric Jackson exited practice early with an ankle injury, but McVay said he thinks Jackson “is going to be fine.”
3) Fiske shows out: The second-round pick found himself in the backfield often, his motor and footwork on full display.
4) Jimmy G runs the offense: With Stafford resting, backup Jimmy Garoppolo helmed the first-team offense in Monday’s practice. While it was a run-heavy day, he still had some impressive completions, including one near the sideline to wide receiver Cooper Kupp.
5) Toe-tap TD: One of Garoppolo’s best passes of the day came in redzone drills, firing a touchdown pass to tight end Hunter Long. Long’s catch in the back of the endzone was equally impressive, tapping both feet down for the score.
6) Hoecht’s here: Outside linebacker Michael Hoecht’s presence could also be felt with his playmaking throughout the session.
7) No getting past Dotson: Offensive lineman Kevin Dotson had perhaps the best performance of anyone in his position group during Monday’s 1-on-1s, anchoring well and not letting his defender past him.
8) Backshoulder: Stetson Bennett also had a nice touchdown pass during redzone work, his going to wide receiver Tyler Johnson on a perfect backshoulder throw.
9) Picked by Curl: Defensive back Kamren Curl came up with an interception during 1-on-1 drills between the wide receivers and defensive backs.
10) Xavier Smith shines: The wide receiver made the most of his targets for the second-consecutive practice, connecting with Bennett multiple times during team drills.
znModeratorRams observations: QB Matthew Stafford is ‘good,’ held out of first padded practice
Jul 29, 2024
By Jourdan Rodrigue
LOS ANGELES — Move along, nothing to see here.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford was held out of Monday’s first padded practice for what head coach Sean McVay said was a veteran rest day.
“This was part of the plan all along, to give Matthew the day off,” said McVay, “there’s nothing wrong with him. He’s good. This will be the only day that we will approach it like that.”
Stafford’s bemused grin while watching reporters snap photos of him and type social media posts into their phones while the rest of the quarterbacks went through individual drills undercut any potential seriousness in the situation well before McVay spoke.
The last few years — most of them good — with the 36-year-old quarterback have given reason for reporters to pry, though. Stafford has battled various injuries in each of his three seasons with the Rams, though in 2021 he didn’t miss any time and in 2023 he only missed one game with a sprained UCL in his right thumb. In 2022, he missed eight games with a concussion, then a spinal cord contusion. Stafford also recently agreed to an adjusted contract that will pay him an additional $9 million in guarantees over the next two seasons, a league source confirmed, and while the Rams feared he might hold out of at least part of training camp he never had to do so.
McVay said Stafford will fully practice from Tuesday onward.
“In pads, fully,” he said, smirking, “this isn’t a ‘hold-in’ if that’s what you’re insinuating. … No this was part of the plan all along.”
Monday’s practice was a run-heavy day, but the Rams’ defense palpably brought more energy than the other side. McVay admitted this was the case, and called for more from his offense.
“I think, like anything else, if you’re a good team there is some back and forth,” said McVay, choosing his words carefully. “We had challenged the defense to really come out the way that they did, and I was glad that they answered the bell. On the flip side, as a head coach there’s gonna be stuff — you can’t ever really be happy.
“As long as it’s good, clean football and there are competitive downs; now, if we’re making egregious errors. … But hey, this is a physical game. These guys are the best in the world at what they do. … I definitely felt like, overall, you felt the defensive energy. There are some times that it was matched, but I think overall the standard that our guys have for themselves on offense is (that) it’s not good enough. That’s part of what is great about camp. Tomorrow is a new day, let’s reset and try to do the right thing and let’s see if defense can keep that same energy.”
McVay seemed eager to get Stafford back into the mix. While backup Jimmy Garoppolo executes the overall plan well and his work on the second team allows the Rams to run much more efficient practices, the offense is simply different — with a certain tangible edge — with Stafford behind the center.
Here are more notes, observations and takeaways from Monday’s practice — please remember that credentialed media are not allowed to report schemes, snap allocation or anything that reveals a competitive advantage in the Rams’ definition:
• On the injury front, left tackle Alaric Jackson “tweaked” his ankle in the first half of practice, according to McVay, and did not return. Joe Noteboom filled in for Jackson but McVay said he believes Jackson will be OK. Defensive tackle Kobie Turner (groin strain) participated in individual drills with pads on but changed back to his base layer and stayed on the sideline for team drills and one-on-one pass-rush drills.
• The Rams ran a drill at about the halfway point of the day that allowed defensive linemen and outside linebackers to pass rush at different players along the offensive line. Please keep in mind that one-on-one drills like this are generally set up to favor the defensive player (linemen often have help, etc.) but it was still illustrative of some impressive reps:
Rookie defensive lineman Braden Fiske rushed well against Jonah Jackson in his first rep, and got some push. Center Steve Avila stood up against him on a later attempt. Fiske was pretty unblockable through team drills later in practice, blowing up a run play and getting deep into the backfield on one snap, and completely bowling over a backup right guard on another. There is a lot of camp left, but Fiske doesn’t look like a rookie second-round draft pick.
Rob Havenstein managed outside linebacker Byron Young well on their first matchup, but Young pulled out a new dip-under move combined with a speed rush on the second and got by.
Nobody … nobody … moved right guard Kevin Dotson.
Rookie first-round pick Jared Verse threw a nice spin move against Noteboom but Noteboom generally held his own in the drills.
Also, Verse and Young at one point were at opposite ends in a team period that featured the first-team defense against the second-team offense. The two outside linebackers got around their edges so fast, quarterback Stetson Bennett had not even completed his drop.
Rookie outside linebacker Brennan Jackson’s speed-to-power combination was on full display, in rushing against fellow rookies K.T. Leveston and Blake Larson. Larson stayed late to get some coaching tips from Havenstein.
• Veteran outside linebacker Michael Hoecht will not give up his snaps easily despite an infusion of youth and talent at his position. Hoecht has set a vocal and physical tone along the defensive line in practices so far this camp, and Monday had perhaps the best day of any player. He stopped a run early in 11-on-11s (the “team” period) that got the defense chattering, recorded multiple sacks and generally played with his hair on fire.
• Bennett’s practice was mixed, as to be expected after missing all of last season while on the non-football/illness list. He nearly threw an interception to a high-flying Russ Yeast midway through team drills. But his best play of the day came under pressure, when he stepped up in the pocket and then went on the move, side-arming a throw to receiver Xavier Smith down the right sideline.
• Among the receivers on the second team, Tyler Johnson is a backup quarterback’s best friend. Johnson secured multiple catches, including a red zone touchdown and a deep shot from Bennett that got great protection from Leveston on the left side.
• Tight end Davis Allen continued his red zone highlight reel with a contested touchdown near the end of practice.
• Puka Nacua’s top highlight came out of a broken play — the Rams’ defensive line got pressure on Garoppolo and he slung a high pass to the right sideline. Nacua went airborne and caught the ball with one hand, with his wrist and that hand flipped around backwards.
• Former Rams players (and Super Bowl champions) Andrew Whitworth and Eric Weddle were in attendance; Weddle even grabbed a play card and went to help out the defensive line coaches.
znModeratorznModeratorHoldenCantor@HoldenCantor“Probably the hardest back we faced this year, honestly.” -Patrick Queen, Ravens LB, on Kyren WilliamsznModeratorJourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
Today is the first day of pads for the Rams; noticeable that QB Matthew Stafford is so far not dressed for any on-field work and instead has opened the day with a set of sprints on the sideline. He does not have on the red non-contact jersey QBs wear for any on-field work.Jimmy G working with starting C Steve Avila as practice begins
Sean McVay says Matthew Stafford “is fine” and this was a planned rest day and run heavy day. He will fully practice tomorrow and onward, said McVay.
Pass rush one on ones: lots of notes coming but instant reaction is that Kevin Dotson maybe moved one square foot and gave no other ground in his opps
Alaric Jackson tweaked his ankle early in practice and did not finish the day; McVay had some early optimism on that front.
defense had a good day in team drills, which favored the run install. Braden Fiske is the real deal. And more!
Stu Jackson@StuJRams
McVay says Alaric will be fine.a run-heavy day for offense by design.
Sarah Barshop@sarahbarshopSean McVay said it was the plan all along to give QB Matthew Stafford the day off. “There’s nothing wrong with him,” McVay said. “…It was really more about just the amount of throws that he would get in a week’s time.” -
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