Steve Avila pass pro in the Nat Champ game. #ramshouse pic.twitter.com/pHXnMNThtB

— RAMZILLA (@elitster) June 23, 2023

Tyreek Hill couldn't believe Bijan Robinson put Marshall Faulk in his top 5 all-time running backs

"Obviously I know Marshall Faulk, but I've never heard nobody throw Marshall Faulk in the top five of running backs."

❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❓https://t.co/gkjjfiGSO6

— Cameron DaSilva (@camdasilva) June 21, 2023

What I remember most about Michel is that although he has the physical talent to be a solid, no frills back, what stands out about him is that he’s a max-maximizer. He just uses his intelligence and work ethic to maximize his play–he’s alert, he’s well-studied, he knows all the minor details and it makes him a certain percent better than you might expect as a blocker, receiver, and even as a runner.

Do the Rams have the worst LB unit in the NFL? PFF says so, but I disagree.

Ernest Jones is poised for a big year imo https://t.co/TauXTBHZoV

— Cameron DaSilva (@camdasilva) June 20, 2023

"Aaron Donald has established himself as not only the league's best defensive player but maybe even the best defender the game has ever seen."

The highest-graded seasons among defenders since we have started grading ⬇️https://t.co/6VPM0grI29

— PFF (@PFF) June 19, 2023

#Ravens Odell Beckham Jr. Shares Thoughts on Super Bowl Disappointment With #Rams #OBJ felt he was going to be the best player on the field that day.https://t.co/AVTL7JzVwq pic.twitter.com/u1bjjmht28

— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) June 18, 2023

Observations from Day 2 of Rams minicamp 2023: Stetson Bennett’s mobility, pressures from defensive front stand out

Stu Jackson

https://www.therams.com/news/observations-day-2-rams-minicamp-2023-stetson-bennett-logan-bruss-jordan-fuller

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – The Rams’ 2023 minicamp concluded with quarterback Stetson Bennett showcasing his ability to make throws on the run, pressure and plays made by defensive rookies, and more.

Here are additional notes, details and observations from Wednesday’s practice:

1) Logan Bruss in action: With Rob Havenstein getting a veteran rest day again, Bruss got some run at right tackle during Wednesday’s practice. It was good to see for the 2022 third-round draft pick whose rookie season ended prematurely because of a torn ACL sustained in the preseason last August.

2) Off-schedule: One of the most notable aspects of Wednesday’s session was Bennett showcasing his ability to make throws while on the run or escaping the pocket. On one play during redzone work, Bennett escaped pressure to find wide receiver Tyler Johnson in the back of the endzone for a short touchdown pass. He also made similar throws finding running back Ronnie Rivers for a short touchdown pass in the flat and wide receiver Lance McCutcheon in the back of the endzone for another short touchdown pass.

3) Getting pressure: The Rams’ front seven had success on a handful plays generating pressure that either forced a Rams quarterback to throw the ball away or tuck the ball and run out of the pocket. Rookie defensive tackle Kobie Turner had one on third down during team drills, though Stafford answered with a short touchdown pass to running back Kyren Williams on fourth down. Outside linebacker Michael Hoecht’s pressure on another play forced quarterback Matthew Stafford to settle for a short throw in the flat to wide receiver Tutu Atwell.

4) Floaters: If Tuesday’s session featured velocity, Wednesday’s was about putting just the right touch on the ball for Stafford, floating completions to wide receivers Tutu Atwell and Van Jefferson on the second level. Stafford also had an impressive throw where he escaped pressure by rolling out, then launching a deep completion down the sideline to wide receiver Van Jefferson.

5) Takeaway: Linebacker Christian Rozeboom nabbed an interception against Stafford during team drills. And while it didn’t result in a turnover, rookie outside linebacker Byron Young showcased his speed batting down a pass by quarterback Brett Rypien intended for running back Zach Evans in the flat. Fellow rookie outside linebacker Ochaun Mathis batted down a Stafford pass on another play.

6) Solid day for Tyon Davis: The undrafted rookie cornerback out of Tulsa was active in the secondary. On one play, he broke on the ball quickly to deflect a Bennett pass intended for wide receiver Austin Trammell. On another, he had a pass breakup in the flat.

The GOAT beard in my book @weddlesbeard, won a super bowl with the greendot and torn pec after being retired from the NFL 3 months prior coaching football. Definition of a hero. pic.twitter.com/BSqtzpjgUY

— RooliesByHalf (@Roolies_) June 14, 2023

Dispatch from Rams minicamp –
Caught up with DL Bobby Brown III, who had insight on his own journey + a young and developing D-line.
Plus: Jordan Fuller 2/2, OL shuffling, kicker tech, news, more https://t.co/5OMeFf6QwI

— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) June 15, 2023

Another strong day from Jordan Fuller. Byron Young stood out today, so did Christian Rozeboom, so did Kobie Turner, so did Logan Bruss, and while he’s still of course learning, Stetson Bennett throwing on the move is really fun to watch.

Much more detail to follow @TheAthletic

— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) June 14, 2023

…

Rams minicamp: Young D-line developing rapport, rotating centers, notable plays

By Jourdan Rodrigue

https://theathletic.com/4611113/2023/06/14/rams-minicamp-observations-defensive-line/?source=emp_shared_article

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Third-year defensive tackle Bobby Brown III has been leading the line of his teammates during drills in Rams minicamp this week, a responsibility he doesn’t take lightly.

“I’m just trying to be the guy that (defensive line coach Eric Henderson) thinks I can be, knows I can be,” Brown told The Athletic after Wednesday’s practice.

In his words, Brown wants to be a dominant player — “if I’m not getting double-teamed, that’s disrespect” — but getting back on track toward that has taken work. He was suspended for the first six games of the 2022 season for violating the NFL’s PED policy.

“It’s been like staying focused, taking it one day at a time. Getting better (by) 1 percent every day,” Brown said. “No matter if it’s technique, or mentally … even if it’s attitude.”

Brown said that this offseason he has become more of a “student.”

“I’ve been willing to learn since I got here, and that’s been one of my biggest things, and now it’s even more,” he said. “I’m learning more. Even the smallest details, as simple as backing off the ball or whatever it could be, any little thing. Lifting weights, getting stronger, as strong as I possibly can, all of that.”

The Rams need Brown to take a step forward this season because the departure of A’Shawn Robinson and Greg Gaines in free agency left two gaping holes on the inside of the defensive line.

It wasn’t just that Robinson and Gaines really understood how to work off the dominating, versatile and often creative play style of star Aaron Donald — they also all understood how to flow together and complement each other.

“You want guys that play off one another,” head coach Sean McVay said. “It’s all predicated situationally, but I think you want to see some of the things that A’Shawn Robinson has shown where he’s been a really productive player the last couple years, Greg Gaines … I think it’ll really come to life once we put pads on, and you start to see us try to get into more realistic situations and settings. … We’re gonna find the best players, and it might be more rotations than we’ve been accustomed to.”

Most of the Rams’ defensive line room is either filled with rookies or relatively inexperienced players. But they all need to figure out how to flow with each other and with Donald (who was excused from minicamp for a personal matter). Brown said that work is done off the field.

The defensive linemen all have a group chat, they have been watching the NBA Finals together at each others’ houses, they often get dinner together and hit the town and they recently went paintballing.

“It’s more family-oriented than just being single, trying to get paid,” Brown said. “We all love each other, we all work, talk crap, it’s all love. When we’re on the field, we just feel like we don’t want to let the guy next to us down. We’re out there playing for each other.”

More observations from the last day of Rams minicamp:

(Note: Per the Rams’ policy, media with access to practice cannot report formations, personnel groups, deployment of personnel, starting lineups unless confirmed directly by a coach or player, unconventional plays, the number of reps players take at certain positions, etc.)

• The Rams are missing several tackles at the moment because left tackle Alaric Jackson was excused from minicamp for a personal matter, tackle/guard Joe Noteboom is being brought back to full participation cautiously after a 2022 Achilles injury, and right tackle Rob Havenstein is taking veteran rest days.

So others have had to fill those roles — including second-year guard Logan Bruss, who played right tackle Wednesday.

“That’s where he was comfortable, he played a lot of that position at Wisconsin,” McVay said. “You don’t minimize how difficult the transition from tackle to guard really is, he did a really good job. I think it’s something to be able to look at.

“Ultimately, it is our job to be able to find the best spots that accentuate these guys’ skill sets, where they’re most comfortable and where they’re most valuable for our team.”

• As they have through much of the spring, the Rams continue to rotate their centers with quarterback Matthew Stafford. He may start out 11-on-11s with Coleman Shelton, and finish the last drill of the day with Brian Allen.

“We’re kind of rotating a bunch of guys in there,” Stafford said with a chuckle, referring to the offensive line in general. “We’ve had some new guys in at tackle this week. I know, at some point, we’ll settle into what we want to get to. I’m lucky to play with both of those guys. They’re really great centers. Great command of the offense, what we’re trying to do. Professional snappers of the football.”

• Cornerback Tre Tomlinson (hamstring) and receiver Ben Skowronek (foot) didn’t practice. Receiver Cooper Kupp went through individual drills with teammates, but not 11-on-11s. McVay said he expects all players to report healthily to training camp on July 25.

• Remember the play safety Jordan Fuller made against receiver Tutu Atwell on Tuesday? He did it again Wednesday, on the exact same route concept for Atwell. He also broke up a shorter pass intended for Atwell later in the day. The throw, from Stafford, drew a few impressed whistles from the sideline.

• In red zone 11-on-11s, Stafford hit receiver Van Jefferson with a dart of a throw through the middle of the field into the back of the end zone. Jefferson toe-tapped inbounds as he secured the catch.

• Robert Rochell broke up a deep pass intended for tight end Tyler Higbee, but the offense argued that it was clear pass interference and said Rochell would have been flagged were officials present.

• Undrafted free-agent cornerback Tyon Davis made a nice play on a Brett Rypien throw intended for receiver Demarcus Robinson.

• Inside linebacker Christian Rozeboom had an interception on a short underneath throw by Stafford.

• Running backs coach Ron Gould is in his first season with the Rams, but his veteran coaching style has been on display. Gould pulled rookie Zach Evans aside during 11-on-11s and, with one hand on his helmet in a comforting fashion, talked Evans through a concept and spent extra time with him.

• Players can’t hit each other, tackle, truly block or pass rush. But still, sometimes successful pressure is apparent. The combination of outside linebackers Daniel Hardy and Michael Hoecht, plus defensive linemen Jonah Williams, Kobie Turner and Marquise Copeland/at times Brown, were in high spirits after a few red zone pressure designs would have likely led to a sack or broken play for the offense.

• There is a ton of structure, design and discipline that goes into every Rams practice (they literally “walk through” every practice rotation and emphasize the point of certain drills and exercises, so that every segment of it moves fast and efficiently). But with such a young defense, it’s quite clear the Rams have encouraged the linebackers and defensive backs to build confidence early. One way to do this is to allow them to make plays on the ball if they see an opportunity and it’s within their technique and the structure of the play or drill. The benefit is twofold: Energy spikes up early in the practice and sustains through the end.

“It’s been great,” Stafford said. “Our guys on the back end, and really up front as well, are doing a really nice job. Rah (defensive coordinator Raheem Morris) has got a bunch of good stuff going in and they’re doing a nice job of executing it … playing within their technique and using their instincts.”

• Rams backup quarterback Stetson Bennett is, of course, still learning the ropes. But especially when he’s throwing on the move or out of structure, he has become appointment viewing. In red zone 11-on-11 drills with pressure looming (again, quarterbacks can’t get hit, linemen can’t really block, pass rushers can’t really rush), Bennett rolled to his right and flicked a pass across his body and into the outstretched arms of tight end Brycen Hopkins in the back of the end zone.

“When the ball is in Stetson’s hands, the game makes sense to him,” McVay said. “He’s got a good feel for being able to get through progressions quickly, he can feel space on the back end … he feels open areas, he can get through things quickly. And you love the athleticism. There’s still a lot of work to be done, but I like his demeanor.”

• Another new sight for the Rams’ special teams: Coordinator Chase Blackburn appeared to have brought in some motion-capture equipment for the kicking unit and had it running during parts of Tuesday’s practice. That’s the first time I’ve seen a special teams coach do that here. They’ll be able to measure things like alignment, kick height off the foot, angles, trajectories, spin, etc., with the equipment and adjust accordingly.

The Rams have converted $13.92M of WR Cooper Kupp’s base salary into a signing bonus, creating $10.44M in 2023 cap space, per source.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) June 14, 2023

Pretty much the natural path considering they were down to the hundreds of thousands in space, are in the process of signing a large draft class and need cash flow through the season itself. https://t.co/hD4pyKLt0L

— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) June 14, 2023