“I missed them. I would joke with my agent, ‘What if I just texted McVay, ‘Hey big head?’”

Troy Hill may have been closer to “home” in 2021, but he was homesick. Back in LA, Hill’s role keeps expanding in many ways on the field and in the locker room: https://t.co/CkD4Vf8LhW

— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) August 9, 2022

Warner goes deep to Az Hakim for the score. #stlrams @kurt13warner @AzHakim_81 pic.twitter.com/1kTAwB4Rw0

— St Louis Rams History (@STLRamsHistory) August 10, 2022

Jourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
Have said this a few times but it’s fair if Stafford is more irritated at not throwing than he is concerned about the pain or the issue. That said, team is clearly wanting to control variables this time of year out of concern for arm of player at most important position. It’s OK

if both of those things are true at the same time

“It’s not one of those things that, the more I throw the worse it’s gonna get,” Stafford did notably say after throwing in individuals and 7-on-7s, but not team periods. “It’s kind of just a balancing act at this point.”

…

Matthew Stafford not concerned about ‘irritating’ elbow issue as team manages workload

By Jourdan Rodrigue

https://theathletic.com/3483843/2022/08/06/matthew-stafford-elbow-issue-training-camp/

IRVINE, Calif. — Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford seemed amused and a little bewildered about how large the conversation has gotten about his right arm, he told reporters after Saturday’s practice.

“It’s gotten a lot more traction than I would have thought, to be honest with you,” he said. “I’m just going through something that is irritating, at the moment, but I’m working through it. We’ve got a great plan. I’m feeling stronger every time I come out and throw. … I’m right on track, feeling good.”

Stafford, 34, has been on a pre-planned throwing schedule (referred to in shorthand as a “pitch count”) since training camp opened as the team monitors an ongoing issue with his elbow. The Rams’ overall plan has spanned as far back as the spring, when Stafford did not throw in OTAs after receiving a few different types of non-surgical treatment on his arm, including an anti-inflammatory shot in March, as The Athletic first reported.

Head coach Sean McVay reiterated that Stafford has stayed on schedule in accordance with this plan and has not suffered a setback. On Saturday, Stafford had his pads on (like the rest of the team) and threw in individuals and in 7-on-7 drills, about 40-50 total balls and at a wide variety of different distances and angles.

“Felt like I could make any throw I wanted to, today,” said Stafford.

Objectively and in person, it was hard to tell that anything was bothering him.

“I don’t really know how much you can ask about how Matthew is feeling, I mean, he threw it all over the yard today,” said McVay. “Looked really good, felt good, we’re very much on track with what we had hoped. I think you could really see the ball was jumping out of his hand, making all types of throws. I think he was trying to show you guys that there’s probably not many questions you can ask him either …

“The way that he looked today, I don’t think you would know that anything was going on, and he felt good. So I know that I’m gonna sleep better tonight.”

Neither Stafford nor McVay will outright put a name to the issue, which Stafford has dealt with for at least the last year – if not even before that. While one source described it as “tendinitis” to The Athletic, McVay declined to say whether that was actually the diagnosis earlier this week – instead saying that it was “a tricky deal” and “abnormal for a quarterback,” likening it more to something an MLB pitcher might experience.

Stafford, meanwhile, said the issue is “just a little soreness, we’re working through it. Felt pretty good today, we’re working through it. Felt pretty good today (and) thought it looked pretty good. Just trying to be smart with it and make me feel as good as I can feel going into Week 1 while still getting as many reps as I can, too.” He also declined to say whether he/the team believed that it would be a chronic issue.

However, managing Stafford’s arm is clearly a priority for the team, especially while they can control every variable in a camp setting. My understanding throughout the spring and summer is that they want to limit extra stress on his arm because they can’t possibly know how the rest of the year will unfold, especially after Stafford played the longest NFL season of his career in 2021 by a large margin. McVay indicated earlier this week that, depending on how Stafford felt upon leaving Irvine, Calif., the team could ramp him back up for team drills and their fuller offensive installations ahead of their Sept. 8 opener against Buffalo.

“It’s not one of those things that, the more I throw the worse it’s gonna get,” said Stafford. “It’s kind of just a balancing act at this point.”

Love this teaching moment between Sean McVay and Derion Kendrick

Full video: https://t.co/NkyA7Scr1S pic.twitter.com/n6mbTNG6Od

— Cameron DaSilva (@camdasilva) August 5, 2022

.

Allen Robinson II and Tutu Atwell shine, plus a pick for Nick Scott: 10 Observations from the fifth open practice of 2022 Training Camp

Stu Jackson

https://www.therams.com/news/10-observations-2022-training-camp-allen-robinson-tutu-atwell-nick-scott

IRVINE, Calif. – Wednesday’s practice at 2022 Rams Training Camp presented by UNIFY Financial Credit Union saw plenty of catches by wide receivers Allen Robinson II and Tutu Atwell, and safety Nick Scott making a nice interception.

Here are 10 observations from the session:

1) More reps for Wolford: With starter Matthew Stafford not throwing and working off to the side, and later watching from the sideline, backup John Wolford led the first team offense during individual and team drills Wednesday. Rams head coach Sean McVay said Wednesday’s approach to Stafford’s workload was part of his plan, and emphasized he isn’t concerned about Stafford.

2) Robinson one-hands it: During 7-on-7 redzone drills, Robinson made an impressive one-handed grab in the corner of the endzone. Robinson also had impressive catch in the back of the endzone a few plays earlier.

3) Nick with the pick: Scott made a nice play on a Bryce Perkins pass over the middle intended for Brandon Powell in 11-on-11, jumping in front of it to make the interception.

4) Touchdown Tutu: While their were multiple catches throughout the afternoon that impressed the crowd, the loudest cheers came on a 50-yard touchdown catch by Atwell on a pass from Wolford.

5) Hall-ing it in: Defensive back Tyler Hall also had an impressive interception during 11-on-11 redzone work, catching an interception on a Perkins pass as he was falling backwards in the endzone on a broken play.

6) Another sideline grab for Kupp: Whether it’s Wolford or Stafford under center, Kupp finds ways to make impressive catches. He had one near the sideline on Wednesday that drew lots of “oohs” from the fans in attendance.

7) Robinson shows other aspects of skillset: Rams players and coaches have consistently mentioned Robinson’s (perhaps untapped) versatility, and it showed on Wednesday. While that one-handed grab was impressive, he also made a nice one over the middle in traffic.

8) Tight coverage: Speaking of catches in traffic, Ben Skowronek also had a solid one during 11-on-11 work, hauling in a short pass from Wolford as the three defenders closed in on him.

9) Jones’ instincts: Ernest Jones had a pass breakup (near interception) that drew an audible reaction from the crowd during team drills.

10) Rest day for Donald: McVay said after Wednesday’s practice that they gave Aaron Donald the day off. “We’re gonna continue to be smart with him, just with the experience that he’s accumulated,” McVay said. “He’s feeling good, but we want to be smart with him, with his workload, just going into year nine.”

Checking in from @RamsNFL training camp… as hard as it is to repeat, I gotta tell you, the way the way the energy is here combined with a few of their additions, I really like what the Rams have cooking. @NFLonFOX #Rams#NFLTrainingCamp#GlazeAcrossAmerica #Football pic.twitter.com/KBE0bawZOK

— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) August 4, 2022