Is he already the best defensive lineman in NFL history? It's not as crazy as it soundshttps://t.co/4q3XKKf8hq

— trey wingo (@wingoz) August 21, 2019

Los Angeles Rams HC Sean McVay

(On if there is a timeline for LB Micah Kiser)

“There’s no timetable on that. It was a pretty significant injury, though. So he’s going to be out for a while.”

(On if he expects to have Kiser back later in the season)

“It’s hard to say right now. I think a lot of that is predicated on exactly how he’s recovering from all that. But, it is a significant injury and as far as that timetable, it’s going to be a while. To say a specific timeline, I can’t say that right now.”

(On if they will be watching cuts to see if there are veteran LBs to bring in)

“I wouldn’t say bringing in a veteran. I would say that whether it be any position on our team. We have a lot of confidence in (LB) Bryce (Hager) and some of these younger players. To say that we’re going to go outside to look for an answer right now wouldn’t be accurate. But we’re always going to be in the position of – whether it be when it gets to cut downs or guys become available – if we feel like it’s something that can upgrade our roster and create a competitive situation, not exclusive to that linebacker spot but really any spot, those are the things that (General Manager) Les (Snead) and his group and our coaching staff are always looking at.”

(On if Kiser’s injury will change how he approaches the final two preseason games)

“It won’t. We’ve really thought long and hard about what we think is the best approach for our team and I think you have got to always try and avoid some of these things that do occur. But, this is a game that entails a lot of physical things that can occur whether it be at a practice, during some of the games. Part of it is we do utilize these as evaluation tools, especially for guys that have a chance to be situational starters and that’s where (LB) Micah (Kiser) was putting himself in a position to be. You hate it for him, because he’s worked so hard and he’s done such a great job. But I don’t think you can let it change the approach when we’ve tried to be so intentional about that already. I’m not going to let one situation affect the way we go about it as we move forward.”

(On if the LB position is open and if LB Natrez Patrick will compete for that role)

“The biggest thing is at our MIKE linebacker position, depending upon our different personnel groupings in base, Micah and Bryce were competing for that spot and they both are guys that have done a really nice job. That was one of the reasons why they were both playing – we’re continuing to evaluate that. Unfortunately, in Micah’s case, he ends up getting injured, but Bryce had a lot of production the other day. We’ve all seen when Bryce has gotten his opportunities, he’s shown that he’s deserving of being out on the field and been a really productive player for us, which is why we wanted to re-sign him in free agency. That’s not going to affect (LB) Natrez Patrick at all. He’s done a great job outside, I think he’s really taken advantage of his opportunities as a result of some guys getting banged up. Really, outside of our top-three linebackers and that’s where he’s continued to show and he’s going to stay there.”

(On if there were any players who would not participate in practice on Tuesday)

“(OLB Trevon Young) ‘T-Young’ is still dealing with an ankle injury. I’m trying to think off the top of my head. Nobody that ended up getting banged up. (WR) Alex Bachman’s a guy – he’s been dealing with kind of something in his groin, potentially hernia area. Or could potentially be a hernia in that kind of upper to lower abdomen area. He’s a guy that’s going to probably miss practice. (CB) Aqib (Talib), we’re still being smart with him – with his hamstring. But, we’re fairly healthy and feel really good about that.”

(On if he’s excited about a week without any travel)

“I think it will be good, really, in the next couple of weeks where you’re not having to travel. That’s always a good thing to try and get some normalcy and to try to get into what would be equivalent to a weekly rhythm. I think guys have handled it really well. I think it worked out in our favor being able to keep some of those guys back that weren’t participating in that game (in Hawaii) so you don’t truly get thrown off your rhythm like you would had they have traveled. I think we’re in a really good spot. We got a good workout with those guys the other day, we’re going to have really three good practices this week and then, hopefully, continue to evaluate a lot of our players that are still shaping and trying to carve out roles for themselves on our 53 (man roster) and 46 (man gameday roster) over the next couple preseason games.”

(On if he took into account leaving the starters behind for the Hawaii trip and it potentially dividing the team culturally)

“I don’t think we look at it that way. I think we’ve always communicated really clear with our players where there is a clear understanding of why these guys are not participating in these games. I think there is a reality of sometimes we are going to be very clear, open and honest about the guys that have shown that they’ve played in this league or they’re established themselves as clear-cut starters, it kind of ends up being what that approach is. It doesn’t mean that we don’t continue to compete. But, if they’re not going to participate in that game, we felt like, hey, if we are going to do everything that is in the players best interest, we’ve got a connected team and if these guys are going to travel six hours there six hours back, be on their feet for an additional four hours when they can really have a chance to stay back and stay on a more normal rhythm. Especially when you come from the east, traveling west, back east. That’s where you end up really learning about some of the things in terms of your internal clock and all those different things. Your circadian rhythm all that kind of stuff that I never had a clue about before, but you start to get educated and you realize how important that is. I think as long as we’re able to articulate to the players why, there is an understanding. If anything, it was a great opportunity for the guys that did go to connect and be amongst one another. But, I certainly feel like we got a good connection on this team with the 90 guys we have here.”

(On OL Jamil Demby playing various positions and if he expects it to be the case the next two games)

“I think it stresses those guys. I think you see it, it ends up being difficult but I think over the long haul this isn’t just to see how they perform this one game. This is to try to develop an understanding from a big-picture standpoint, that enables you to have some versatility whether it be playing both guard spots, that center. The more that you can do, especially when you’re trying to fight to make a name and find a role for yourself, the better you have a chance of being on the 53 (man roster) and having yourself potentially active on game day. I think coach (Run Game Coordinator) coach (Aaron) Kromer does a great job of being able to develop these guys. (OL) Jamil (Demby) is another guy that I think we expect a lot better from him than that, especially when he is playing that center spot. Those are things that we know by design stress those guys and that is kind of the approach.”

(On how S Nick Scott is doing on special teams)

“Yeah he’s doing a great job for ‘Bones’ (Special Teams Coordinator John Fassel) whether it’s being a ‘pp’ (personal protector) whether it’s playing gunner he can really line up in a bunch of different spots in all the major four-phases (of special teams). That was part of the reason why we liked him so much out of Penn State. That was in a lot of ways, ‘Bones’ and (Assistant Special Teams Coach) Matt Daniels kind of identified him as a big-time contributor. Really similar when you look at the difference that a (WR Matthew) Slater made for New England and that’s kind of what you hope the role is. I think he’s done a pretty good job as a safety as well. As we continue to figure out which direction we’re going, there is going to be a lot of tough decisions that have to be made, and certainly that is going to be something that comes up.”

(On If G Chandler Brewer and is he showing the coaching staff his ability to play)

“I think he did a good job. I think you just see the production that you’re looking for. In a lot of instances – are you getting done with whatever your role and responsibility is on that given play? Are you covering your man up in protection, are you able to switch things off, are you understanding the communication that’s required in the run game, some of the combinations? I thought (G) Chandler (Brewer) has a steady presence about himself and did a good job of really just being a solid productive player the other night. I think he’s really shown well at that guard spot for sure.”

Rams’ Jared Goff must transform into Joe Cool to join QB elites

https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/rams_jared_goff_must_transform_into_joe_cool_to_join_qb_elites/s1_13132_29789831

Jared Goff is one of the more interesting QB mysteries in the NFL. Over the past two seasons, he has put up some of the most prolific passing numbers in the league. Since 2017, he is fourth in the NFL in passing touchdowns (60) and fifth in passing yards (8,492), spearheading one of the NFL’s most dangerous offenses. Earlier this year, he led the Los Angeles Rams to Super Bowl LIII at only 24 years old.

However, many have questioned the legitimacy of Goff’s production. Are his gaudy numbers truly representative of his talent level? Or are they a product of head coach Sean McVay’s masterful scheming ability?

Let’s assess Goff’s greatest strengths and weaknesses:

STRENGTHS

Protecting home turf

When playing on his home field, Goff has produced at a dominant level.

In his eight home games in 2018, he completed 207 of 303 passes (68.3 percent) for 2,737 yards (9.0 per attempt), 22 touchdowns and three interceptions. He led the league in passing yards and touchdowns at home. The home passing yardage total, a whopping 342.1 per game, is the sixth-highest mark by a quarterback in a season.

Goff registered a spectacular passer rating of 116.7 in Los Angeles this past season. He also joined Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers and Kurt Warner as the only QBs who have won at least seven games and posted a 115.0 passer rating at home.

No game better exemplified Goff’s home cooking than the Rams’ 38-31 win over theMinnesota Vikings in Week 4. In that game, Goff completed 26 of 33 passes for 465 yards, five touchdowns and zero interceptions. Those numbers earned Goff a perfect passer rating of 158.3 as well as the NFL records for most pass attempts and passing yards in a perfectly rated game.

All of Goff’s best traits were on display in that historic game. On the following play, the Rams hurry up to the line following a five-yard run on first down. Wide receiver Cooper Kupp runs across the field out of the slot, drawing a mismatch with Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr. Kupp turns upfield and runs a vertical route, easily toasting Barr.

Impressively, it appears Goff knew pre-snap this matchup was going to be there. After receiving the ball, Goff keeps his head turned to the left to freeze the other two linebackers and prevent them from helping over the top. Then he moves his eyes to the right and immediately winds up, starting his throwing motion well before Kupp looks back for the ball. Goff’s throw hits Kupp in perfect stride, and he jogs in for the 70-yard score.

pic.twitter.com/Z5OBFavsdz

— Yardbarker All-22 (@22Yardbarker) August 20, 2019

Goff is not only a pocket passer. He is plenty capable of making pinpoint throws on the move, which he is frequently asked to do in McVay’s offense.

Later in the game, Goff and Kupp connected for another touchdown, seen below. Goff, in the shotgun, fakes a hand-off to the motioning Todd Gurley. Goff rolls to his right while the flow of the offense carries most of the defense to the left. Moving right with Goff is Kupp, who runs a crossing route from the left slot to the back right pylon. Kupp is sandwiched, as his man-to-man defender has him over the top and the defensive back covering that zone takes Kupp underneath. The window is microscopic, but Goff takes the shot anyway. Throwing on the run while under pressure, Goff drops the ball in the bucket as Kupp separates at the last moment to make the catch.

pic.twitter.com/w9euUztCwD

— Yardbarker All-22 (@22Yardbarker) August 20, 2019

Bombs away on first down

In 2018, Goff averaged 9.3 yards per attempt on first down passes, the best mark among the top 30 quarterbacks in first-down passing attempts. Additionally, Goff moved the chains on first down a whopping total of 89 times, the third-highest total in the league behind only Patrick Mahomes (91) and Matt Ryan (93). He registered a conversion rate of 36.9 percent on first down, fourth best in the league behind only Jameis Winston (37.6), Philip Rivers (39.8) and Drew Brees (40.2).

Goff and the Rams were able to generate a huge number of big plays on first down, often moving the ball downfield quickly without needing to face many third downs. On first downs in 2018, Goff completed 39 passes for gains of 20-plus yards, the highest total in the league.

In a Week 2 game against the Arizona Cardinals, Goff completed four 20-plus yard passes on first down, gaining an astounding total of 120 yards. Three of those completions were to wide receiver Brandin Cooks, for 99 yards.

The longest of those catches by Cooks came on the following play, a 57-yard bomb. The Rams are on their own 21-yard line, having just received possession following a Cardinals punt on the previous play. On the first snap of the drive, the Rams take a shot. Goff fakes the hand-off and first looks to his right at the crossing Cooper Kupp, drawing in safety Tre Boston. That frees up the deep range for Cooks, who uses his 4.33 speed (95 th percentile among wide receivers) to burn cornerback Jamar Taylor. Expecting help from Boston, Taylor plays Cooks underneath, but since the help never comes, Cooks is able to gain about four yards of separation. Goff loads up and launches a rocket that travels 63 yards in the air, and Cooks hauls it in for a 57-yard strike on first down.

pic.twitter.com/0I8XO3Vk8n

— Yardbarker All-22 (@22Yardbarker) August 20, 2019

Goff underthrew this ball a bit, but given the enormous distance of the throw, a completion is plenty to be happy about. Even when the receiver has that much separation, a 60-plus yard throw is difficult to complete. Goff got enough air under the ball, and the Rams are able to cover more than half of the field on a surprise first-down shot.

WEAKNESSES

Getting it done on the road

Goff’s home/road splits have been extremely volatile. In 2017, he was just decent at home (17th among qualifiers in passer rating); on the road, he was one of the best quarterbacks in football (2nd in passer rating).

In 2018, those splits flipped dramatically. As noted earlier, Goff performed historically well at home. However, on the road, Goff was one of the least productive quarterbacks in the league, completing 157 of 258 passes (60.9 percent) for 1,951 yards (7.6 per attempt) and 10 touchdowns. He threw nine interceptions, tied for fourth most in the league. On the road, he had a passer rating of 82.7, ranking 28thamong the 34 quarterbacks with at least 100 passing attempts on the road.

Goff’s worst road trip was easily the Rams’ Week 14 visit to Chicago against the Bears’ top-ranked defense. Goff completed 20 of 44 passes for 180 yards and no touchdowns, tossing a career-high four interceptions. He averaged only 4.1 yards per attempt and earned a passer rating of 19.1. Since the turn of the century, that stands as the third-worst passer rating posted by a quarterback to throw at least 40 passes.

Passing under pressure

In addition to his road woes, that game in Chicago highlighted Goff’s other major issue: throwing under pressure.

The Bears’ pass rush was downright unstoppable that night, and Goff had no answer. Chicago pressured Goff an astonishing total of 25 times. On those plays, Goff completed just 8 of 22 passes for 88 yards (an ugly 4.0 yards per attempt), throwing three interceptions and taking three sacks.

Goff’s difficulties dealing with pressure that night were a shining example of a weakness he displayed all season. When pressured, Goff completed 68 of 157 passes (43.3 percent) for 913 yards (5.8 per attempt), five touchdowns and five interceptions. Goff’s passer rating under pressure of 59.8 ranked 29th of the 39 quarterbacks with at least 150 total dropbacks last season.

The Rams had one of the best offensive lines in the NFL last season, so Goff did not have to work often under heavy pressure. However, when he did, the results were usually disappointing. Chicago was a prime example. On this play, something happens that Goff is certainly not used to –- his superstar left tackle, Andrew Whitworth, is beaten. In a battle of beasts, it’s Chicago’s all-world pass rusher, Khalil Mack, earning the victory. Mack slips between Whitworth and left guard Rodger Saffold to get to Goff. The quarterback does not feel the pressure from his blindside, and Mack knocks the football out from behind. The Rams recover, but they take five-yard loss on second down.

pic.twitter.com/SaogSV15nP

— Yardbarker All-22 (@22Yardbarker) August 20, 2019

That play highlights another Goff issue: fumbling. He was tied for the NFL lead with 12 fumbles last season. Five of those were lost, tying him for the fifth-highest total in the league.

In the Super Bowl against the Patriots, Goff also struggled while under pressure, completing four of 14 passes for 47 yards (3.4 per attempt). He was sacked four times, and his passer rating was 11.3.

Goff is one of the most talented young passers in the NFL, but to secure his place among the league’s elite QBs, he must do a better job staying cool under pressure.

“I was once that kid that had no one to look up to. It’s a pretty lonely feeling."@trapp07 on the importance of being a role model to Asian American kids, preseason progression + more. pic.twitter.com/tW38cuQefo

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) August 21, 2019

Vincent Bonsignore@VinnyBonsignore
Looks like Natrez Patrick will remain at OLB, rather than move inside to create coverage in Kiser’s absence. Pretty good sign for Patrick regarding a roster spot on the 53

The first NFL power rankings of the season are here! 🚨

Full list ➡️ https://t.co/gNsdPN7BOe pic.twitter.com/EfX49oSPgT

— ESPN (@espn) August 20, 2019

J.B. Long@JB_Long
Being unrealistic & greedy, #LARams on the bubble I’d hate to see leaving the building next week (13):

LB- Obo, Patrick, Allen, Young, Howard, Durham, Carraway
CB- Williams, Peterson, Deayon
S- Parker, Scott
RB- Kelly

Probably only room for 7 of them (and just 1 on game day).

A rookie linebacker moved outside, and perhaps up the Rams’ depth chart, in Hawaii

By Vincent Bonsignore

https://theathletic.com/1144990/2019/08/18/a-rookie-linebacker-moved-outside-and-perhaps-up-the-rams-depth-chart-in-hawaii/?=twittered

HONOLULU — Life moves pretty fast in the NFL, and it’s never been known to sit around and wait on anyone. You either maintain pace or you get lapped. Adapt or get shown the door.

It’s not a particularly forgiving or understanding system.

So when Rams coaches approached rookie undrafted free agent Natrez Patrick recently about moving from inside linebacker to outside linebacker, he instinctively knew it wasn’t really a request; it was an iron-clad decision. They weren’t asking him. They were pretty much telling him.

“I was willing to do whatever they asked me to do,” Patrick said Saturday after a solid all-around performance in the Rams’ 14-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys at Aloha Stadium, a game in which he recorded three tackles and combined on a sack.

Injuries to backup candidates Justin Lawler and Trevon Young, and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo’s nagging hamstring injury, depleted some of the depth at edge rusher. With the Rams intent on resting their key defensive players in the preseason and on the lookout for reserve help, they decided to slide Patrick to the outside.

Of course, they gave him the respect of sitting him down and talking it over. Not that he really needed to be convinced that it was in his best interest to accept the assignment. As a young player trying to work his way up from the bottom of the roster, just trying to get noticed enough to force the decision-makers to think long and hard about keeping him around when cut-down day arrives, he understood his lack of leverage.

So it didn’t take long, once the coaches described the plan, before Patrick had a simple response: “I’m in,” he basically told them.

Saturday’s game marked the second consecutive week the Rams’ young linebacker has made his presence felt in a preseason game, after last week’s four-tackle game against the Oakland Raiders. Only this time, he did the bulk of his damage at a new position, having made the move to start at outside linebacker on Saturday.

Patrick is new to the position, but he looked comfortable creating pressure off the edge, dropping back in pass coverage and nimbly getting around the field in run support.

“Natrez has done a nice job,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. “Really, we just transitioned him to outside linebacker a couple of weeks ago almost by necessity, as a result of Justin Lawler’s injury and ‘T-Young’ being banged up. He’s really done a good job. I think (outside linebackers coach) Chris Shula’s been outstanding, in terms of helping him develop and progress quickly.”

Said Patrick: “They just came and told me the plan and honestly, I just handled it and adapted. … You have to be adaptable at this level. And I just rolled with it.”

Based purely on skill — it’s been obvious, watching him in games and in practice, that he has a great feel for the game and an instinctive and explosive element in how he reads situations and accelerates to action — Patrick probably should have heard his name called during the draft last April.

But issues off the field — mostly self-inflicted — pretty much guaranteed Patrick would have to fight his way onto a roster as a free agent. A former highly ranked recruit out of Atlanta, Patrick chose Georgia over scholarship offers from Alabama, Clemson, Auburn and Florida. It was a pretty exclusive list, and it speaks to his level of talent.

He backed that up by earning a starting role as a freshman, and at that point it looked like he was on his way.

But three arrests for marijuana possession over the next three years and a failed drug test while on probation resulted in a stint in rehab and in Patrick having to watch Georgia play in the national championship game in Jan. 2018 from the sideline.

What it didn’t mean, thankfully for him, was expulsion from the football team. Georgia coach Kirby Smart never gave up hope that Patrick could find the necessary help and balance to keep his life in order, so rather than kick him out of the program he threw him a life preserver.

Patrick returned as a senior for the 2018 season as a leader and a productive player, and while he recorded 44 tackles (including 4.5 for loss), that wasn’t enough for the NFL to invest a draft pick in him. He’d get his chance, for sure, but he’d have to do it the hard way.

Patrick completely understood. The draft came and went without his name being called. And he never once felt sorry for himself.

Quite the opposite.

“For me, given everything I’ve been through, it was a blessing just to still be in that conversation,” Patrick said. “So there was no disappointment. In fact, I just feel blessed.”

Two weeks into the preseason, Patrick has seized the opportunity. McVay puts a lot of emphasis on game tape, believing there are certain aspects of football that simply can not be simulated. And he’s using these preseason games to monitor who can translate practice work into game production. Those who do begin to separate themselves from the pack.

Patrick is doing just that. And now that he’s shown he can play inside and outside, he’s forced his way into a possible roster spot.

That’s an incredible amount of progress for someone who was in a treatment center less than two years ago, wondering what his college football future held.

“It’s a great feeling just to come in here, undrafted as I was, and have this opportunity,” Patrick said. “I’m just trying to take advantage of every opportunity I get. So it’s a great feeling to be able to put good things on film.”

‘Obo’ on the field

Rams outside linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo hadn’t played a game since Jan. 1, 2018, in the Rose Bowl for the Oklahoma Sooners.

Things got pretty weird after that for the Rams’ 2018 fifth-round pick. A broken foot in OTAs cost him all of his rookie year and a nagging quad injury has limited him during training camp this year and kept him out of last week’s preseason opener.

In fact, counting last year’s games and this preseason, 24 Rams games passed with Okoronkwo watching from the sidelines. It was highly frustrating for Okoronkwo and the Rams and even their fans, who were eager to see what the athletic edge rusher could bring to the table.

His day finally arrived Saturday, and he didn’t disappoint.

It was only the preseason, but Okoronkwo displayed explosion and pass-rush ability in his first action with the Rams. He got pressure on the quarterback — and even drew a holding call — showed skill in some stunt calls and even got his hand up to knock down a pass at the line of scrimmage.

It was pretty much everything he and the Rams could have expected after a long absence.

“It felt amazing,” Okoronkwo said afterward. “It’s been a long time coming…just had some bad luck with injuries but so thankful to (trainer) Reggie (Scott) and the rest of the training staff. They do such a great job. They were patient with me. The coaches kept telling me to keep my spirits up. We have a great support system here. It’s a family here and they just kept me into it and every day I just kept on doing what I had to be doing. And I finally got a chance. I had a lot of fun.”

Said McVay: “You see some of the flashes of why we liked him so much, why he was such a productive player at Oklahoma. He drew a couple of holdings tonight and made his presence felt.”

It was a stepping stone for Okoronkwo, who is trying to create a role for himself as a situational pass rusher. The Rams’ starting outside linebacker rotation consists of Dante Fowler Jr., Clay Matthews and Samson Ebukam, but there are supporting roles to be earned.

Okoronkwo, with his ability to potentially bring heat, certainly can create a niche for himself with some more solid outings.

“I’m just grateful to be sitting here today,” he said. “I felt good. It was fun. It was fast, it’s been a while. But I had a ton of fun. It was cool getting back up to speed with everything. And all my teammates were happy with everything, kept my spirits up, encouraging me. Today was great.”

How the Rams’ cornerback depth could create difficult roster decisions

Vincent Bonsignore

https://theathletic.com/1139238/2019/08/14/difficult-choices-how-could-the-rams-cornerback-depth-chart-play-out-before-the-season/?=twittered

HONOLULU – With more than two weeks of training camp in the books, it’s becoming clearer by the day the Rams have created some enviable depth at cornerback.

In fact, with Kevin Peterson returning from a knee injury, adding David Long in the third round of the draft, retaining Troy Hill on a two-year deal and the improvements of Donte Deayon, Darious Williams, Dominique Hatfield and Ramon Richards, the Rams’ cornerback population has taken a decided leap forward.

And that doesn’t take into account starters Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib and valuable slot corner Nickell Robey-Coleman.

It’s a crowded room, to say the least. And with four roster spots essentially already accounted for with Peters, Talib, Robey-Coleman and Hill, it creates a major battle among the remaining candidates to win jobs on the 53-man roster.

“I think it’s a positive problem for us with the depth that we do have,” Rams coach Sean McVay said.

Complicating matters, somewhat, is the long-term status of Peters and Talib, as each is entering the last year of his contracts. Knowing there is a possibility they might lose one or both of their current starting cornerbacks, would the Rams keep an extra cornerback this year (compared to past seasons) in order to preserve control of a player they believe can help them down the line?

Recent history suggests Rams general manager Les Snead will keep the big picture in mind when constructing his roster. If he deems one of the young cornerbacks worthy of future consideration, don’t be surprised if he finds the necessary room even if the chances of playing time this year are slim.

In the Rams’ perfect world, they win the Super Bowl and bring back the majority of this year’s roster – Peters and Talib included. But that’s a lot of cards to perfectly turn over between now and next March. Given the harsh salary-cap restrictions, contract expectations and competing with 31 other teams on the open market, that doesn’t appear feasible.

No matter what happens on the field this year, chances are the Rams might need to replace one or two starting cornerbacks next season.

Whether that reality plays into the roster decisions they make over the next three weeks remains to be seen. For now, they welcome the difficult choices they’ll have to make, as they speak to the overall depth they’ve created.

Here is a closer look at that position, and the players involved.

The Locks
Marcus Peters

It was obvious from the start of training camp that Peters was prepared to continue the strides he made over the second half of last season, which put him in position to earn a long-term contract. He reported to camp in astounding shape and has played fast, smart and effectively throughout.

It was a weird first year for Peters in 2018, especially during his well-chronicled struggles over the first half of the season. What stood out, though, was his accountability. He never blamed a calf injury he suffered in Week 3 or the fact that the Rams essentially were misusing him for the struggles he incurred.

“I said during the season, I put him in situations we shouldn’t have,” Rams defensive coordinator Wade Phillips said.

As the year progressed, the injury healed and Phillips began utilizing Peters in more zone coverage looks. That allowed Peters to keep the play in front of him, enabling him to use the watchful eye he keeps on the quarterback, rather than losing sight by having to turn and run with receivers. Because of this, Peters became a much more dependable player.

“Now, we got him playing with more help in some situations, so he can take more chances,” is how Phillips explained it. “He knows when to and when not to”

It’s carried over into camp.

“He’s been locked in, he’s been engaged,” McVay said.

Peters is set up for a big year as a result. The question becomes: if he continues the upward trend as expected, what will that mean for the Rams in terms of bringing him back on a long-term deal?

Aqib Talib

Talib suffered an ankle injury in Week 3 that cost him eight weeks of last season, but when he was healthy he showed no signs of slowing down, and at 33 he still looks like he has a handful of good years ahead of him.

“Aqib Talib has been outstanding thus far,” McVay said.

Talib should continue to be a major asset for the Rams. But the salary cap eventually will rear its ugly head, and with difficult decision coming up and star players who need to be re-signed, It’s just hard to envision him sticking around beyond this season.

Nickell Robey-Coleman

Robey-Coleman has quietly and steadily become a valuable piece for the Rams as a slot cornerback in nickel and dime packages, and as last year showed, as he enters the prime of his career he’s playing as well as he ever has. He is under contract through the 2020 season.

Troy Hill

Hill sometimes gets a bad rap from internet folks – mostly on social media – who fret over his occasional mistake. Hill certainly is not a Pro Bowl-caliber player, but he’s added great value over the years as a dependable reserve who, when called upon, can hold down the fort as a starter. When you’re talking about the fourth guy on the pecking order, that’s exactly what you need.

The Rams understood, which is why they rewarded him with a new contract.

It isn’t easy being an NFL cornerback – and Hill has had his rough moments – but on balance he’s been much more of an asset to the Rams than a liability. He’s also a very good special-teams player, and that’s important.

The rookie
David Long

The Rams drafted Long in the third round out of Michigan last April and the profile he brings, as a rugged man-to-man cover corner, fits perfectly in Phillips’ 3-4 scheme. That said, it’s a major transition going from the Big Ten to the NFL, and Long is presently dealing with that learning curve.

Nothing has happened in camp or the first preseason game to suggest Long won’t eventually complete the process and develop into a productive player, and history has shown the light can completely turn on at any moment. Long has all the physical skills necessary to be a quality cornerback, and his roster spot is essentially set given the draft investment in him. As far as regular-season playing time goes, Long likely faces a bit of a climb given the talent in front of him and the improvements of some veterans. The Rams will be patient with him, as the upside absolutely is there.

Making a move
Darious Williams

Every time you look up at training camp, it seems Williams is doing something positive. Of all the Rams’ young cornerbacks, he’s probably been the steadiest player thus far and, as a result, the biggest surprise.

The Rams claimed Williams off waivers from the Baltimore Ravens last October and he played in one game. With little opportunity to show what he could do on the field, Williams made the Rams take notice during practice as a scout-team standout.

“You could really feel what a talented player he is,” McVay said.

That’s carried over in training camp.

Said McVay: “Now that he’s able to have some continuity in the system, really learn some of the intricacies of what (cornerbacks) coach (Aubrey) Pleasant and (safeties) coach (Ejiro) Evero are coaching in that room and being able to learn from the vets, I think his play and his confidence have really shown up.”

There is no doubt Williams is putting himself in a great position to earn a job.

Kevin Peterson

A knee injury during the preseason last year cost Peterson all of 2018, which is unfortunate because he was pushing hard for a roster spot. He’s returned completely healthy and, like Williams, has really opened eyes thus far, including the interception he came up with during the preseason opener against the Oakland Raiders. The position is loaded, but Peterson is again making a strong case for himself.

Where does that leave …
Donte Deayon, Dominique Hatfield and Ramon Richards

Deayon’s ability to play slot corner and traditional corner could help his chances, as versatility becomes paramount at this level of the depth chart. Hatfield is primarily a slot corner, and with no clear-cut backup for Robey-Coleman he remains under strong consideration. But other players have certainly stepped up, and that could cost him. Richards, who spent all of last season on the practice squad, is an intriguing prospect but on this team he could get squeezed out

from PFF ReFocused, NFL Preseason Week 2: Dallas Cowboys 14, Los Angeles Rams 10

https://www.pff.com/news/pro-pff-refocused-nfl-preseason-week-2-dallas-cowboys-14-los-angeles-rams-10

STRONG PERFORMANCES

LOS ANGELES RAMS
Darrell Henderson caught a wheel route against Jaylon Smith on third down for a 26-yard gain on the Rams’ first drive. He showed great burst all throughout and made several strong plays in the passing game.

Rookie Texas Tech product Dakota Allen laid the boom on a big defensive stop in the backfield late in the contest. He also several other tackles in the contest, including multiple defensive stops in addition to his big hit in the backfield.

POOR PERFORMANCES

LOS ANGELES RAMS
Edge defender John Franklin-Myers didn’t have a great night against Dallas’ offensive line. He failed to create pressure in the passing game and finished the contest with zero defensive stops.

Backup guard Jamil Demby, a 2016 sixth-rounder out of the University of Maine, was an absolute liability in this one. He turned in ugly performances in pass protection and in the run game.

John Wolford with the JUKE 👀

📺: #DALvsLA on NFL Network (or check local listings) pic.twitter.com/Y58OOX2Qnb

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) August 18, 2019

Vincent Bonsignore@VinnyBonsignore
FYI on #Rams looking outside for ILB help after Micah Kiser injury: While it remains a possibility, sense is there is an inclination to give some of their intriguing young players a chance to play and sort it out. Guys like Allen/Patrick are putting some good stuff on film

Natrez Patrick is primarily on ILB

Natriz Patrick was a solid top 60-90 recruit out of Atlanta, with a final top five of Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Auburn and Clemson in class of 2015. I’ll tell you what, this dude can play

off-field troubles at Georgia really hurt his stock. He seems to be on the right path now, though.

.@dallascowboys v @RamsNFL are well coached teams b/c when you really study them you see a consistency of techniques & fundamentals regardless of who is in the game. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/xNeS5NyKDa

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) August 19, 2019