wv wrote:

zn wrote:

Jourdan Rodrigue

They drafted him in the third because they absolutely loved him, he was a Sugarman visit, there is enough injury precedent even before this (recent) issue with Kyren to need a solid 2, and they will not extend running backs…

I didnt think it was that black-and-white. They ‘will not extend running backs.’ w v

It may be that way after Gurley. Hard to say. They haven’s kept any backs they’re acquired since 2015  (to count only the fairly to fully productive ones–Brown, Anderson, Henderson, Akers, Michel, Freeman). But then none of them were compelling cases. Williams might be a candidate, but then the issue with KW is health. He was banged up twice in 2022 (foot, including surgery, and then ankle) and in 2023 (ankle again then a hand injury in the Lions game that required surgery).

KW’s contract is up after 2025. Corum’s will be up after 2027. If Corum eventually supplants KW and KW gets no 2nd contract with the Rams, that means the team has 3 drafts to find a 1B back to play behind Corum and/or eventually supplant him.

Tom Pelissero@TomPelissero
End of OTAs? The NFL Players Association is working to finalize a proposal to overhaul the offseason starting as soon as 2025, eliminating voluntary on-field work in the spring in favor of a longer training camp ramp-up, with players reporting in mid-June to early July, per sources.

.

from PFF, Bounce-back candidates for all 32 NFL teams in 2024: https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-bounce-back-candidates-all-32-nfl-teams-2024#LAR

LOS ANGELES RAMS: CB TRE’DAVIOUS WHITE

White was regarded as a burgeoning cornerback until the injury bug bit — and it hasn’t released its jaws much in the past few years. White has played just 631 snaps across the past two seasons and tore his Achilles in Week 4 of 2023.

However, White was off to a strong bounce back a year ago. He allowed just nine catches for 60 yards on 116 coverage snaps, also racking up an interception in that span. In fact, his 79.0 coverage grade (albeit in a very limited sample) was his highest since 2017.

The Rams could let White start promptly, especially because of Derion Kendrick‘s struggles through two seasons. What could also benefit White is having veteran Darious Williams beside him, as he could regain confidence and ability while Williams handles the more difficult assignments.

Observations from Rams’ first open OTA session of 2024 offseason program: Early look at rookies, plays made by Cobie Durant and Tre Tomlinson, and more

Stu Jackson

https://www.therams.com/news/observations-rams-first-open-ota-session-2024-offseason-program-early-look-at-rookies-plays-made-by-cobie-durant-and-tre-tomlinson

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – The Rams held their first OTA session open to the media on Tuesday, giving observers their first look at the team’s 2024 rookies on the practice field, a couple of interceptions by defensive backs Cobie Durant and Tre Tomlinson, and more.

Here are some of the notes and and observations from it:

1) OL Jonah Jackson and LB Ernest Jones IV non-participants: Regarding Jackson, head coach Sean McVay said “we’re just being smart with him” because “he had some things after the season that we (are) just not quite ready for (him to be out there).” Jackson departed practice about halfway through it.

“He’s done a lot of stuff as it relates to jog-throughs, the mental stuff,” McVay said. “Making good progress, but when he’ll be able to take part in the full 11-on-11 stuff, we expect that to happen at some point this offseason. But right now, we want to be smart with him.”

Jones, meanwhile, had an excused absence.

“Just handling some stuff today, but he’s been outstanding and a great leader for us,” McVay said.

2) RB Kyren Williams won’t participate in OTAs: McVay said Williams is dealing with a “foot issue” that will sideline him for OTAs, but it’s nothing to be concerned about and he’ll be ready for training camp.

3) QB Matthew Stafford present and participating: McVay during the NFL Draft confirmed a reported that Stafford wants an adjusted contract. Even as that situation is going on, Stafford was taking part in Tuesday’s session – confirming what McVay anticipated last month.

“He’s here and we appreciate that, and he knows that,” McVay said. “We’ve had good conversations with him about football, and anything other than that, really just kind of keep it in-house.”

4) Tip tip, hooray: One notable play was when DB Cobie Durant coralled a Stafford pass deflected LB Christian Rozeboom during 11-on-11 work.

5) Another pick: Tomlinson also secured an interception of his own, but in this instance it was against backup QB Jimmy Garoppolo during 11-on-11 work.

6) Stafford bounce-back: In a later part of 11-on-11, Stafford had consecutive completions to WR Demarcus Robinson, WR Cooper Kupp and WR Davis Allen at different levels of the field.

6) Lots of divots: If you saw grass flying up from the field, there’s a good chance it was because of the fast feet of rookie defensive tackle Braden Fiske. So far it’s one of the telling signs of how his motor runs during these sessions.

7) Tutu, one hand: WR Tutu Atwell had an impressive one-handed catch on a short pass toward the sideline from Garoppolo.

8) Skillset similarities: One thing McVay noted about why the team drafted RB Blake Corum this year is the similarities between Corum and Williams. The overlap could be seen Tuesday, especially when it came to the patience, vision, footwork, quickness, agility and pass-catching displayed by Corum.

joemad wrote:

Help me understand…….Why does his statement state negative 32 days for SF, then the list states negative 21 days for SF?   why the different values?

I had trouble with that too. He’s not very clear sometimes.

Coach Dan Casey@CoachDanCasey
Cool story from Sean McVay about one of Matthew Stafford’s most ridiculous throws from 2023.

Throughout the week as they were game planning they noticed that Browns DC Jim Schwartz was bringing Double Edge Pressure with Split Safety Coverage against their Condensed Formations.

During their Saturday Walkthrough (the day before the game) Stafford asked McVay if they could check out of a called run and get into a 4 Verts Concept vs. this defensive look.

McVay responded, “Does a bear sh*t in the woods? Of course you can!”

Stafford checked into 4 Verts, brought the RB across the formation for 6-Man Protection and sent Puka Nacua on a Seam down the middle of the field vs. the Mike LB.

Puka Nacua said he could feel the Mike LB Sione Takitaki playing visual on the Seam so he used “Late Hands” so Takitaki couldn’t get the deflection.

The perfect check vs. the perfect defense.

A perfect throw and catch.

“Is football fun or what??” – Sean McVay

…

Gary Klein, May 21, 2024…from https://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/story/2024-05-21/rams-move-training-camp-loyola-marymount-matthew-stafford-contract

Will starting quarterback Matthew Stafford, who wants his contract adjusted, be there when training camp opens in late July?

After watching Stafford go through the first workout of organized-team activities open to the media Tuesday, coach Sean McVay was asked if he was confident Stafford would be there for the start of training camp.

“I’m confident that he’s been out here leading the way,” McVay said.

If that sounds noncommittal, well, at least McVay is consistent.

Stafford, 36, is scheduled to earn $31 million this season and carry a salary-cap number of $49.5 million, according to Overthecap.com.

Stafford has two additional years left on the extension he signed in 2022 after leading the Rams to a Super Bowl title, but the salaries of $27 million and $26 million are not guaranteed, according to the website.

During the draft, McVay confirmed a report that Stafford wanted his contract adjusted to include guaranteed salary beyond this season. He also expressed confidence the Rams and Stafford would come to an agreement on his contract situation and that he would participate in OTAs.

“There’s nothing that’s more important than making sure that he feels appreciated,” McVay said at the time, “and he knows how much we love him and want him to lead the way and, you know, I think that the commitment that I think he wants to have can be reciprocated and we want to work toward figuring that out.”

In April, when the Rams opened their offseason workout program, Stafford was not among players made available to reporters. He was not made available to reporters Tuesday, and his availability during OTA workouts is to be determined, a team spokesman said.

Rams’ coach Sean McVay, right, gestures at quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during an organized team activity.

“He’s here and we appreciate that and he knows that,” McVay said. “I’ve had good conversations with him about football, and anything other than that really just going to keep it in house.”

Stafford appeared sharp during drills and 11-on-11 situations. The quarterback’s contract situation is not affecting his preparation or play, receiver Cooper Kupp said.

“There’s been no change in his attitude, the way he comes in and approaches things, the way he’s interacting with guys in meetings, coaches and with guys out here,” Kupp said. “He’s a pro’s pro. He’s going to be out here and be the best version of Matthew for the team.

“And so, whatever’s going on with that, he’s not letting it affect anything about what the goal is for the L.A. Rams this year.”

It seems unfathomable the Rams would not work out an agreement with Stafford before training camp.

The 15-year veteran bounced back from injuries in 2022 and a thumb injury early last season and keyed the Rams’ unexpected run to the playoffs.

from https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2024/05/20/rams-2024-schedule-toughest-games-playoffs/?taid=664dc22dd740d60001d5b338&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=twitter

 after the initial wave of the schedule drop, we begin to see other elements that can’t be ignored – like the tough stretches that could decide a team’s season. For the Los Angeles Rams, there are two of those: one early in the year and one later on. In the middle, there’s a gettable portion of the schedule that should yield wins.

Weeks 1-3
at Lions (SNF)
at Cardinals
vs. 49ers

The second tough stretch comes later in the season from Weeks 12-15, a five-game span that includes two prime-time games, including a Thursday night showdown with those same 49ers again.

Weeks 12-15
vs. Eagles (SNF)
at Saints
vs. Bills
at 49ers (TNF)
at Jets