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znModerator10 Observations from Day 5 of Rams 2021 Training Camp
IRVINE, Calif. – Day 5 of 2021 Rams Training Camp presented by UNIFY Financial Credit Union saw rookie wide receiver Ben Skowronek continue his good start to camp, with Los Angeles’ defensive backs also making plays during team drills.
Staff writer Stu Jackson shares 10 Observations from Monday’s session:
1) Ben Skowronek has a great day: Across the Rams’ different team drills, the former Notre Dame standout connected with backup quarterback John Wolford and displayed strong, reliable hands on multiple occasions, including a nice sideline catch against the first-team defense in tight coverage. For what it’s worth, his reliable catching recently caught the attention of Rams legend Torry Holt.
2) Another interception for Jalen Ramsey: The sixth-year cornerback jumped a Wolford pass for his second-consecutive practice with a pick.
3) Kareem Orr joins the pick party: During that same session, the second-year defensive back snagged an interception on the opposite sideline.
4) Directing traffic: Quarterback Matthew Stafford’s most impressive throw of the day came during the redzone period, when after rolling out to his right, went back to his left and directed wide receiver Van Jeffersonwith him. End result: Stafford finding Jefferson for the diving, toe-drag touchdown, despite cornerback Darious Williamsbeing in great position and appearing to partially deflect the pass.
5) Not just a deep threat: Wide receiver DeSean Jackson stretched out his hands to make an impressive grab over the middle off a Stafford pass. Both in training camp and throughout his career, much has been made of his explosive plays downfield, but he has shown he’s capable of making plays at the short and intermediate levels of the field, too.
6) Ball placement: Next to the Jefferson throw, Stafford also delivered a nice ball over the top to wide receiver Robert Woods where only he could snag it with three defenders not far behind him.
7) Ogbo Okoronkwo on the move: The fourth-year outside linebacker closed out quickly to break up a Wolford pass intended for running back Jake Funk during team drills.
8) Jordan Fuller on the move: The second-year safety had a nice pass breakup on a Stafford pass intended for tight end Johnny Mundt during that same session.
9) Raheem Morris hands-on: Similar to organized team activities this spring, Morris took a hands-on approach to the linebacker group during individual drills, throwing them passes to help them work on their hands.
10) Veteran mentorship: Prior to the start of practice, a couple of the Rams’ most experienced offensive linemen (Rob Havenstein and Joe Noteboom) were seen providing guidance to Chandler Brewer and Tremayne Anchrum Jr., respectively.
znModeratorCan’t wait for the real thing soon. @AaronDonald97 with the pressure, @jalenramsey with the pick 😈 pic.twitter.com/YjEZeB9ra2
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) August 3, 2021
znModeratorJourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
Rams QB Matthew Stafford hit his surgically-repaired thumb on a helmet near the end of practice and got it taped by Reggie Scott; did not resume throwing. Was gripping a cold towel and his helmet well. Sean McVay said he has no information yet. Says he does think he will be OK.znModeratorVeteranRamFan
CAMP REPORT DAY 5
This is going to be brief as some things have come up at home that require my attention.
Kick off team and return team drills. The kicking team only sent like five players down the field to cover the return man where the receiving team had the full compliment. Needles to say, some nice returns were show cased.
Matt Gay and Austin MacGinnis traded off the kicking duties. Gay consistently sent the ball 5-8 yards deep in the endzone (one exception, fielded at the two). MacGinnis was consistently shorter on the kicks, not one I can remember made it into the endzone.#30 Calais, #34 Funk and #18 Haydel were the return men. Calais I would say had the edge over Funk who had the edge over Haydel. Calais was good at catching and securing the ball then was smooth in his runbacks with some shifty moves. Funk also secured the ball well and his speed was evident along with his ability to change direction. Haydel seems like a long strider but once up to speed he is fast. His hands were good, like the others but he just didn’t seem to have the moves to change direction or make players miss him.
11×11 showcased both QB’s (#9 and #13) throwing some real nice passes. For the better part of the session, both were throwing where only the receiver could catch it. The first bad throw came from Stafford. Henderson snuck out of the backfield and angled towards the left sideline. Stafford overthrew him badly. Hendo was wide open. I don’t think anyone could have caught that ball.
There were two interceptions, first by Ramsey and then by Orr. Both thrown by Wolford. This was after Stafford hurt his thumb and was pulled from practice. That whole sequence after Stafford went out was horrible for Wolford, He let a clean snap from shotgun get by him then made a desperate throw to a covered receiver. Not a smart play.
#81 Skow was getting some serious opportunities today and he made the best of it. That kid is tall! #12 Jefferson also showed his skills, catching everything thrown his way, unless it was batted away. I also think he was the victim of a rather rough push to the ground/out of bounds by Ramsey.
As far as running backs, Henderson, Jones, Calais and Funk all got some reps. My feeling is Jones is not going to make it. He seems to get swallowed up by the defense. Henderson although a veteran, didn’t seem like the type to carry the load as the featured back. Not big enough to take the beatings of an every down back. Calais could use some fine tuning of finding the hole and should be okay. Funk is my favorite. Just love watching him with the ball in his hands. If he is placed on the practice squad, he won’t last there. Heck, he may not clear waivers! We’ve got to hang on to him.
Speaking of hanging on to players. I would wager one million bucks (if I had them) that when it comes down to cutting players, more players will be pick up by other teams than not. Let me say it this way, all of our wide receivers and tight ends have a place in the NFL. We just can’t accommodate them all! The ones cut will be picked up. With the exception of special teams players (kicker and punters), those guys may not find a new home. But then again, Sam Ficken just signed and new deal so anything is possible. Defensive players are also all very good! Many of our cuts will be picked up by other teams. We are just loaded with talent!
znModeratorA Detroit police officer punched a man in the face with so much force that he fell backwards onto the pavement and appeared unconscious for a few seconds. This is NOT how police should interact with citizens & this use of force must NOT be tolerated. pic.twitter.com/otTp7VVIoR
— Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) August 3, 2021
znModeratorbubbaramfan
Day 4 I got there early, starting time was supposed to be 2pm, but they did even get on the field til 3, they all did stretching and warmups together. No Pads, they were all in shorts and shells.
Rochell only player not there. Jacob Harris was out there and participated some today.
Huge crowd as it was “family Day”, about 85F
Had the punt return guys again. Same group, Landon Akers, JJ Koski, Ray Calias, Funk, Otis Anderson, Jerimiah Haydel. Calais fielded all his without any bobbles. Koski dropped one, Anderson bobbled 2. 4 days of watching these same guys fielding punts and the only one I have any confidence in is Calias.
Special teams drill rushing the punter, two seperate squads, Hekker with one, #16 camp leg Brandon Wright on the other.
Far field LB’s fumble recovery drill. Coach bounces the ball out on the field and they try to pick it up and run with it.
Hekker did a fake punt again and threw it to Funk. There were no DB’s. Crowd went wild anyway. Hekker banged a couple 50 yder’s.
They sent the D after the punt returner and 4 or 5 punts, Funk looked pretty good returning on a couple, Calais has better hands.
Lots of punt coverage today.
QB’s drilled taking snaps from trainer, then moving left and throwing accross their body 10 yds to a RB, Wolford and Hodges had trouble doing this. Perkins did pretty good, so did Stafford, but there were a lot of high and off passes. I hope the practice this drill more.
Next had QB’s practicing handing off the RB’s. The RB order as they did this is telling. Henderson was first, X Jones second,
Funk third, Calais then Anderson.Another rotation and we have the QB’s and WR’s in front of us again. Trainers snapping for all four QB’s and quick 10 yd slants as Wr’s rotate from QB to QB. Nice to see Jacob Harris in the WR rotation. He’s quick for a big guy. Kupp and Woods snagging balls one handed, wowing the crowd. Jefferson and Tristen Jackson look very good also. DeSean Jackson smiling and cutting it up with everyone and looks excellent out there. Hardly any dropped balls.
Now passes going 20-25 yds as Wr’s go out (no DB’s), Wood with a one handed grab, First bad pass from Stafford to Mundt. then overthrows Blanton next pass. Jacob Harris with a nice catch, wow he has a long stride.
Shortened it up to 5 yd quick zip over the middle passed. No one comes close to Kupp at snagging these, he makes it look easy.
DeSean good at this too. Harris with couple good grabs.Finally 11 on 11’s
OL the same with Whit back at LT, Edward LG, Corbett C (Allen did get snaps with the ones today), Evans RG, Havenstien RT.
D ones Floyd DE, SJD DT, AShawn DT, AD DT, Hollins DE, ILB Kiser, Young, OLB Obo, Lawler, DB Ramsey Williams, S Fuller, Rapp or BurgessGreen dot on fuller
Stafford to woods, missed just over his head.
Stafford to Skowronik for about 10
Koski from Wolford drops a 30 yder
Bobby Woods schooled Donte Daeyon with a good move to get open
Wolford to Skoronik for 10
DeSean from Stafford with Ramsey covering, Ramsey knocks it away30 yds deep! Ramsey and DJack having fun with that play.
tristen Jackson nice deep fingertip catch from Wolford with Williams coveringRunning plays they are really getting after it, guys ending up in a dogpile several times. Really going hard at it today. McVay telling them to tone it down.
Now doing Red Zone drill. Higbee with a catch over the middle, Kupp low catch right at the goal line. couple running plays that go nowhere.
Ramsey with a pick six off Stafford! Stepped right in front of Jefferson(?) Donald running all the to the end zone with him doing flip at the goal line in celebration. Paly of the Day!
Stafford makes up for it on the next snap finding Kupp in the back of the endzone..Funk gets in a good end around for a TD
That pretty much did it for me today. All in all the offense got the best of the D today.
Good to see Harris today. Funk continues to get a lot a touches. Both Jackson WR”s are looking good’
Really bummed they weren’t in pads. Going 11 on 11 in shorts and shells is fun to watch, but you really can’t get good evaluations, especially OL and DL.
My players of the day: Kupp, guy just makes it looks easy, catches everything thrown at him Ramsey: covered everyone, swatted away everything.
Will be there Monday, and hopefully they will be in pads. Sorry for the late post, been a long day.
znModeratorRobert Woods loves having DeSean Jackson in L.A., saying his leadership and speed have already had an impact. https://t.co/BlAFWeSYnj
— Rams Wire (@TheRamsWire) August 2, 2021
znModerator"Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin (W.V.) made a $10,000 donation on March 11 from his leadership PAC, Country Roads PAC, to Republican Sen. Richard Burr’s (N.C.) legal defense fund."https://t.co/omuzeCjflY
— Fifty Shades of Whey (@davenewworld_2) August 2, 2021
znModeratorfrom https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2021/08/02/rams-austin-corbett-sean-mcvay-better-center-nfl/
[McVay] told Peter King of NBC Sports that he believes Corbett can become one of the better centers in the NFL if he can fully grasp the mental aspect of the position and snap the ball consistently when the Rams are in the shotgun.
“I think if Corbett can handle the mental part—which is tough in our offense—and if he gets comfortable with the consistent accuracy on the shotgun snaps, I think you’re going to be talking him as one of the better centers in this league. Very quickly,” McVay said.
znModeratorMatthew Stafford has gotten off to a good start in camp and is already making the defense better. https://t.co/zx2wrK0o7H
— Rams Wire (@TheRamsWire) August 2, 2021
August 2, 2021 at 5:58 am in reply to: Stafford (stuff during camp)…the 8/2 entry is must read #131263znModeratorPeter King, from https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/08/02/nfl-training-camp-tour-fmia-peter-king/?cid=fmiatw
IRVINE, Calif. — There was a telling moment in Rams practice Saturday, though barely perceptible. The best defensive player in football, defensive tackle Aaron Donald, walked up to Matthew Stafford, mid-practice, and hugged him. This is not done, a defensive player hugging the quarterback, during a competitive period of practice. But here it was, under an unforgiving southern California sun, 99 hugging 9, and then practice continued.
“I mean, I’m just so happy he’s on our team,” Donald told me later. “I hugged him, just because. I said to him, ‘Man, I just wanna give you a hug.’ “
Donald, the most decorated defensive player in football, was searching for the right words here, because it was clearly unusual for him to do that in practice to a guy he’s trying to foil. “It’s honestly nothing funny,” he said finally. “He’ll be throwing the ball at practice, and I’m rushing, trying to win the play, and the throws he makes, the balls he throws, throwing to spots, how perfect a spiral it is. It’s crazy. As a competitor, I’m just happy. Happy he’s here.”
This will be a bit of a quarterback-centric column, because I’ve been places on my training-camp tour where this is a very big season for the quarterbacks—Derek Carr (Vegas), Dak Prescott (Dallas), Jimmy Garoppolo/Trey Lance (San Francisco), and Stafford with the Rams. Regarding Stafford: How amazing is it that a quarterback who was drafted first overall by Detroit in 2009, and never won a division title in 12 seasons, and never won a playoff game in 12 seasons, is now unabashedly viewed by some of the most respected people in football—Donald and coach Sean McVay, for two—as the missing piece in a Rams’ championship.
The Lead: Rams Camp
Last week, a bunch of baseball teams did what the Rams have been doing to build their team since McVay arrived in 2017: Stars went flying at the trading deadline. Six months to the day after the Rams traded a ransom to Detroit to get Stafford, the crosstown Dodgers traded their top two prospects to Washington for mega-stars Max Scherzer and Trea Turner. Just as the Dodgers did that to try to beat back major contenders San Francisco and San Diego in their division, the Rams got Stafford because they need to compete in the best division in football—and they’d fallen out of love with Jared Goff. It’s unfair to put the ’19 and ’20 failings on Goff’s shoulders alone; this is the player who did so much to get the Rams to a Super Bowl in 2018. But he’d hit a wall, and McVay and he just weren’t working. So here we are.
McVay fell in like with Stafford during a chance meeting with him while vacationing in Mexico in late January. (Both men say the encounter was unplanned.) As Carolina, Washington, New England (lightly), Denver, Indianapolis and the Jets tried to get involved in the Stafford stakes, the Rams had a quarterback Detroit thought may be its future (Goff), the Rams wanted Stafford badly, and the Rams were willing to surrender two first-round picks to get him. No other team could make an offer that complete.
Half a year later, Aaron Donald’s hugging Stafford and Sean McVay is lifting Stafford’s kids up to the sky and chortling with them post-practice. So how’s it going? Pretty good—but camp is camp, and we’ll see what happens when Khalil Mack is chasing Stafford around SoFi Stadium in six weeks. On Saturday, I made the rounds of Rams execs, McVay and players, and watched their two-hour practice. The biggest takeaway from the day: In Jared Goff, McVay had a student. In Matthew Stafford, McVay has a peer.
Some of it might be proximity of age: Stafford is 33, McVay 35. Goff is 26. But it’s more than that. To McVay, a quarterback needs a lot of traits, but two important ones are disciplined reads going through his options on a play, and boldness on downfield throws—the ability and mental acuity to be willing to take risks when it’s smart. Clearly, those are traits McVay sees in Stafford.
Last Thursday during the team’s nightly meeting at the hotel, McVay cued up a play that had meaning far beyond one down. Stafford took the snap inside the 5-yard line. Empty formation. Stafford started on Cooper Kupp in the right slot. Covered. Tight end Tyler Higbee on a crossing route from the left. Too much traffic. Then Robert Woods, back of the end zone. Stafford lowered his arm slot to three-quarters to fit the ball where he saw an opening. Then zzzzzzzzip. “That thing came whizzing by my left ear,” center Austin Corbett said. “I heard it! I’m like, ‘Holy cow!’ “
Touchdown.
“When the pros are saying ‘Ooh, holy blank,’ you know it’s a pretty good play,” said McVay. “Those who know, know.”
That play accomplished a lot. It showed McVay and the offense that Stafford was going to be honest and thorough in his progressions, so the second and third and fourth options need to be ready. That wasn’t always the case with Goff. And the fastball. And moving and manipulating the pocket, changing his arm slot. And did I mention the fastball? “He will attempt throws that 26 or 28 starting quarterbacks in the NFL won’t,” said Dan Orlovsky, the ESPN analyst who projects a happy marriage for Stafford with McVay. “Matthew’s aggressive, and his confidence is founded in aggression. But he’s smart about it.”
Saturday was a good day for the team too. Stafford went at top cornerback Jalen Ramsey a few times, and Ramsey made a great play to bat away a deep throw for DeSean Jackson once; later, in a red zone period, Ramsey may have lulled Stafford into thinking he had a pathway to Kupp, but he darted in at the last second to pick Stafford—and ran it back for a touchdown. On the last play of practice, another tight window, and Stafford risked it, hitting Woods over leaping safety Juju Hughes.
All of that is exactly what practice on July 31 should be: great competition among very good players trying to get ready to win the final game of the season.
“When you really study him,” McVay told me, “you see the intricacies of quarterback position. He’s playing it at the highest level in the most difficult spots. You’re getting rushed. His ability to navigate the pocket, his movement, his feel for the rush, his ability to keep his eyes down the field. And then to exhaust your progression against that rush, that’s something in the NFL that a quarterback just has to do, and you see him progress to second, third, fourth, maybe even the fifth option, is real. It’s important.”
STAFFORD INTERLUDE [interview]
FMIA: How much did losing wear on you in Detroit?
Stafford: “Had some great seasons there where we were successful and that’s as much fun as you can have playing football. It’s tough to lose. Everybody knows that. For me, it wasn’t so much that as it was just kind of knowing where the organization was going. It was going through a big change with new head coach, new general manager. Gonna be a lot of new players as well. I just felt like the timing was right. It was well within their rights to tell me that it wasn’t, and I would’ve understood. Just really appreciate them for at least entertaining the idea and then obviously going through and together making that happen. It’s something that as a player, you want to have chances at it. Luckily, they were great and sent me to a place that’s got a bunch of great players and a bunch of recent success.”
FMIA: Any part of you feel you let the franchise down there?
Stafford: “Definitely. I sit there and go, ‘Man, I wish I could’ve gotten it done.’ I mean, it would’ve been amazing to have a Super Bowl parade down Woodward Avenue in Detroit. Didn’t happen. Tough pill to swallow as a competitor and somebody who touches the ball on every single offensive play. You definitely look back and wish you’d done a few things different here or there in some games, that maybe change the outcomes of seasons, but I’m focused completely forward now.
FMIA: Are you a good fit for the McVay offense?
Stafford: “I mean, it’s very complex. At the same time, it all makes sense. There’s just quite a bit to it. I’m doing everything that I can to make sure that I’m diving into it and getting as comfortable as I can as quickly as I possibly can. As far as fitting me, I think it probably fits most quarterbacks to tell you the truth. It’s a really good offense. I’m excited to try to bring it to life.”
FMIA: Think the fun of football will be rekindled here?
Stafford: “I don’t think I ever lost it. I love playing this game. I love competing. Being in those big moments late in games, playing in big games, playing in playoff games, that’s what you play this game for. You live for those moments. Hopefully I get a bunch of opportunities at those while I’m here and make the most of them.”
Honeymoons are wonderful. McVay and Stafford are on one now, as you can see. Stafford has the undying respect of his peers for his arm strength and guts and football smarts. Lots of good quarterbacks have been stuck on bad teams and played parts or all of their careers in the mire of mediocrity. But Stafford isn’t in the Michigan muck anymore. He’s got two of the best defensive players in the game, Donald and Ramsey, and enough weapons so that any good to very good quarterback should have a good chance to win. His running game will be diminished after the loss of Cam Akers for the season last month, but that might just mean three to five more ball-control safe throws per game to try to move the chains. Stafford was already going to be a strong contender to lead the league in passing yards and touchdowns. Minus Akers, Stafford could be the most desirable fantasy quarterback in the NFL’s golden age of quarterbacks.
There’s nothing standing in his way now. The offensive chessmaster who is McVay will challenge Stafford to be great and give him every chance to be great. After 12 years in a football hinterland, the L.A. lights will be bright, starting in prime time on NBC in the Sunday night season-opener against Chicago. Now it’s on Stafford. His legacy awaits.
August 1, 2021 at 9:47 pm in reply to: Just a thread for different kindsa interesting things #131261znModeratorHere it is. @SifanHassan falls in last lap of 1500 meter qualification race and comes back to win it pic.twitter.com/Z27wrEUftF
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) August 2, 2021
znModeratorStafford throwing no-look dimes 👀🎯
(via @RamsNFL) pic.twitter.com/1VynJ31irG
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) August 1, 2021
znModeratorJalen Ramsey burns Matthew Stafford, who then gets on a roll
By Ryan Kartje
Rams camp Day 4: Jalen Ramsey burns Matthew Stafford, who then gets on a roll: https://t.co/EPg9a1mgbX
— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) August 1, 2021
Jalen Ramsey watched the new quarterback’s eyes, ready to pounce.
Matthew Stafford had earned only rave reviews over the first four days of Rams camp, flashing the kind of veteran savvy and pinpoint accuracy that inspired the franchise to trade significant assets for him in the offseason. But as Stafford laced a throw near the left sideline during a team portion of Saturday’s practice, the Rams’ top cornerback got the best of the new quarterback.
A pass intended for wide receiver Cooper Kupp was stolen away by Ramsey, the cornerback was off to the races, and the veteran quarterback, forced to confront his first major mistake of camp, set about burning the Rams’ top-notch defense to a crisp.
There was a no-look pass to running back Darrell Henderson, a sidearm slingshot to Kupp for a corner score, a laser to receiver Robert Woods over the middle. For the rest of the team period, an especially determined Stafford unleashed every weapon in his arsenal.
On his final throw of practice, Stafford uncorked a deep ball to Woods for a session-ending touchdown, giving the offense the last word and sending Rams coach Sean McVay sprinting up the sideline.
“The goal is being able to push one another,” McVay said. “When you get into those competitive situations, that’s exactly what we want to see.”
It was also further proof of the strong early connection between Stafford and Woods, who had a standout performance Saturday.
“I was able to send it off on a good note,” Woods said.
Observations from Day 4:
— The pads won’t come on until Tuesday, so the pecking order in the Rams’ backfield could look radically different a week from now. But through the first three days of camp, Xavier Jones has served as the No. 2 back behind Henderson, while seventh-round rookie Jake Funk has been close behind him. Funk, who tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee twice at Maryland, showed some nice acceleration on a touchdown run during the team period, shaking a defender in the backfield, then speeding up to pass another.
— The competition at outside linebacker beyond Leonard Floyd is wide open, but Justin Hollins might have an inside track. Hollins was claimed off waivers by the Rams last season and still managed to tally three sacks. He could be in line for even more opportunity if he’s able to stave off the likes of Ogbonnia Okoronkwo. “Hollins showed me a lot last year,” Floyd said Saturday. “He’s building on that, taking it one practice at a time, and growing from rep to rep.”
— Rookie tight end Jacob Harris is still working his way back from a minor injury suffered during the spring, but you wouldn’t know it judging by the first few days of camp. The fourth-round pick has proved himself to be a physical specimen. He dropped a few passes from Stafford during drills, but the raw skills are clearly there, even if he’s a bit lanky at 6 feet 5, 210 pounds.
— Rookie cornerback Robert Rochell injured his wrist during Friday’s practice and will have surgery. His timeline to return is undetermined, but the injury is a setback for the fourth-round pick, who had a chance to earn a role in the Rams’ secondary rotation. Rookie defensive tackle Bobby Brown III suffered a thumb injury and also will have surgery. He’s expected back within a week.[/quote]
znModeratorThe Rams’ two fourth-round rookies, Robert Rochell and Bobby Brown III, will both undergo surgery for injuries suffered Saturday. https://t.co/Ie4SLOrsnj
— Rams Wire (@TheRamsWire) August 1, 2021
znModeratorStu Jackson@StuJRams
Running backs looking good during this period too. Like the agility I’ve seen from Jake Funk and Xavier Jones. Funk had a nice TD run where he ran outside and beat the defender to the pylon.znModeratorCompetitive redzone period delights crowd: 10 Observations from Day 4 of Rams 2021 Training Camp
Stu Jackson
https://www.therams.com/news/competitive-redzone-period-10-observations-day-4-2021-training-camp
IRVINE, Calif. – The Rams welcomed a big crowd to UC Irvine on Saturday for their fourth practice of 2021 Training Camp presented by UNIFY Financial Credit Union, and the fans on hand for Family Day didn’t come away disappointed thanks to a competitive redzone period and other fun moments.
Staff writer Stu Jackson shares 10 Observations from the session:
1) Five goes for six: Cornerback Jalen Ramsey had one of the top plays of the day, intercepting a Matthew Stafford pass during red zone drills and returning it most of the distance toward the opposite endzone, with defensive lineman Aaron Donald somersaulting into the endzone to finish the play off. While it wasn’t clear how Donald got the ball, there was a similar play during last year’s training camp where Ramsey intercepted a pass and ran it most of the way back before lateraling the ball to Donald just before the goal line so Donald could score.
2) Then 9 finds 10: Stafford’s response to the interception was equally impressive. The next play, he escaped the pocket and found wide receiver Cooper Kupp in the back corner of the endzone for a touchdown.
3) No-look pass: The redzone period ended with Stafford firing a no-look pass to running back Darrell Henderson Jr. for a touchdown.
4) Ramsey vs. DeSean Jackson: To the delight of the crowd, the final rep of one-on-one drills featured Ramsey lining up against DeSean Jackson. Stafford launched a deep ball down the right sideline, but Ramsey was there to break up the pass. The efforts of both the receiver and cornerback – and probably Stafford for the deep shot – garnered cheers from the crowd.
5) Getting a look at the running backs: Henderson looked explosive, while Xavier Jones and Jake Funk showed good agility. All three had touchdowns during the redzone period. Funk specifically had a nice outside run where he beat the defender to the pylon for the score.
6) Woods’ big day: During 11-on-11 drills, Stafford fired a tight-window throw to Woods near the sideline, and Woods was able to get both feet in down while making the catch. Then, in a separate team drill emphasizing moving the ball, Stafford ended that drill threading the ball between two defenders to find Woods for the touchdown. Woods also had a sideline catch during the quarterbacks and wide receivers’ preliminary throwing sessions on a sideline throw by Stafford that he juggled and successfully corralled with both feet in bounds, drawing cheers and applause from fans.
BRINGING THE ENERGY 🔋@robertwoods pic.twitter.com/oV7UaNMS6k
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) August 1, 2021
7) Ben Skowronek’s strong hands: Rookie wide receiver Ben Skowronek had another good session, catching a deep ball from backup quarterback John Wolford over the middle. Later on, in redzone work, Skowronek made a catch in tight coverage near the pylon, but defensive back Kareem Orr was there in time to prevent Skowronek from reaching over or crossing the goal line.
8) Denied by David Long Jr.: Cornerback David Long Jr. had a nice pass breakup on a Stafford pass intended for Kupp during 1-on-1s.
9) Micah Kiser’s instincts: While linebacker Micah Kiser’s instincts are nothing new given his tackling production, on Saturday he showed it during the move the ball team drill by ripping the ball loose from a receiver after they made the catch on a Stafford pass.
10) Family Day includes players, too: After Saturday’s practice concluded, several players were greeted by their families as they came off the field.
znModeratorDonald confirms Jalen Ramsey tossed the ball back to him toward the end of the pick-six during Saturday’s practice so he could score.
“I had to run down there with him and I wanted to make sure he threw that back. I wanted to get me a little bit of shine with him.” https://t.co/VcxJGVLyjg
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) August 1, 2021
znModeratorWhy is this woman still a member of Congress? https://t.co/Br3Mqyqs6N
— David Weissman (@davidmweissman) July 31, 2021
znModeratorJourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
CB Robert Rochell hurt his wrist on a punch-out yesterday, and will have surgery per McVay. Timeline TBD but procedure is this week.I didn’t get the impression that it will be a super long absence for Rochell, for what that’s worth
Bobby Brown III suffered a UCL injury (thumb) and will also have surgery this week but is expected to return to the field shortly after that procedure, per McVay.
Here’s something cool: Rams QBs and centers were working on exchanges just now, and Nick Jones – Matthew Stafford’s former center at UGA, now an assistant coach for the Rams – took some extra time on a few details with Stafford and new starting center Austin Corbett.
Rookie TE Jacob Harris is slowly working back into things. Is able to participate in individuals today.
OK not trying to cause a fuss but Harris (bc recovering from a core injury) has lined up behind everybody to take the last rep, which a backup QB would normally throw. But on his rep the Rams switched back in Matthew Stafford, who delivered a gorgeous 30-yder to his back shoulder
Robert Woods is having a DAY out here so far. Crowd loving it.
Jalen Ramsey. Red zone. Pick six. Aaaaaalllllll the way to the other end zone.
Oh my goodness – and the offense gets one back. Stafford handled a bobbled snap, re-set, flushed and threw a dart on the run to Cooper Kupp in traffic for the score. This is goooood stuff.
Ok this guy is just showing off now. Looking toward the EZ corner route (and the beer garden!), Stafford quick-fires a pass to Henderson up the middle.
I’m standing in the corner of the end zone and just stared down the barrel of a Stafford side-arm throw AMA
Matthew Stafford strikes Robert Woods on a long touchdown in “move the ball” period and McVay sprints downfield to celebrate – that one was enough to get the guys out a few minutes early. Fun, fun day
znModeratorBobby Brown III suffered a UCL injury (thumb) and will also have surgery this week but is expected to return to the field shortly after that procedure, per McVay.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) August 1, 2021
znModeratorBobby Brown III suffered a UCL injury (thumb) and will also have surgery this week but is expected to return to the field shortly after that procedure, per McVay.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) August 1, 2021
znModeratorJourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
CB Robert Rochell hurt his wrist on a punch-out yesterday, and will have surgery per McVay. Timeline TBD but procedure is this week.Lindsey Thiry@LindseyThiry
Big picture with Matthew Stafford and his new receivers: Chemistry is there. Great connections so far with Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp and Desean Jackson.Stu Jackson@StuJRams
Jalen Ramsey vs. DeSean Jackson during 1-on-1s provided an exciting matchup for the fans in attendance. Matthew Stafford launched a deep ball down the sideline for Jackson, Ramsey was there for the pass breakup.Jourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
Jalen Ramsey vs Desean Jackson in one-on-ones on a deep ball was exactly the rep this crowd wanted to see. Ramsey PBUMatthew Stafford strikes Robert Woods on a long touchdown in “move the ball” period and McVay sprints downfield to celebrate – that one was enough to get the guys out a few minutes early. Fun, fun day – notes coming soon over at
Stu Jackson@StuJRams
Darrell Henderson Jr. looks explosive too.Henderson’s cuts looking smooth too.
Running backs looking good during this period too. Like the agility I’ve seen from Jake Funk and Xavier Jones. Funk had a nice TD run where he ran outside and beat the defender to the pylon.
is it looking like Jones then Funk behind Hendo??
Want to emphasize this is not indicative of RB rotation/order, just making sure I make observations of others besides Henderson.
znModeratorStaff with the DART to @CooperKupp 🎯 pic.twitter.com/bh3nXMQRf8
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) July 31, 2021
znModerator.@JalenRamsey doing Jalen Ramsey things 😱 #NFLTrainingCamp @RamsNFL
📺: Back Together Saturday all day on @nflnetwork! pic.twitter.com/T84O5OYY71
— NFL (@NFL) July 31, 2021
znModeratorDeSean Jackson looks smooth at #RamsCamp pic.twitter.com/lquMvJLN5w
— DOWNTOWN RAMS [DTR] (@DowntownRams) July 31, 2021
znModeratorMatthew Stafford to Jacob Harris pic.twitter.com/LPwXHUmUJs
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) July 31, 2021
znModeratorMy discussion with the anti-vax crowd this weekend. The long version is on my Instagram page! pic.twitter.com/eletuuTt7h
— mark schlereth (@markschlereth) July 27, 2021
znModeratorRivera said some players asked them to set up appointments for vaccinations on Sunday… He said he's talked to players about the issue; said some players are "dug in so hard so much, they're not gonna back down."
— John Keim (@john_keim) July 31, 2021
July 31, 2021 at 9:40 am in reply to: Stafford (stuff during camp)…the 8/2 entry is must read #131232znModeratorJalen Ramsey was asked what he’s seen from Stafford in the early part of camp, and although he doesn’t have a very big sample size, one aspect of the veteran quarterback’s game has been particularly great. Ramsey said Stafford’s ball placement is impressive, showing the ability to throw receivers open.
“Once again, we only at day two, so it’s a small little sample that I’m going off of, but just in these first two days, his ball placement on balls,” he told reporters Thursday. “Sometimes it is – we may have really good coverage and he’ll throw a receiver open just by his ball placement. That’s been very impressive, in my opinion, at least these first couple of days.”
…
He once again mentioned Stafford’s ball placement, calling it “elite elite.”
“There’s been times where I feel like I cover receivers well, even in one-on-one’s yesterday and he’s throwing them open,” Ramsey said. “His ball placement is super, super good. Something that I haven’t seen from a quarterback in awhile. It’s elite elite. That’s one of the main things I’ve been noticing about him especially these last couple of days.”
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