Steven Jackson officially retired as a member of the Rams today after signing a one-day contract

READ: https://t.co/OaKi6o52Dj pic.twitter.com/XomFXdJLit

— Cameron DaSilva (@camdasilva) July 29, 2019

Eric Henderson hire already paying off for Aaron Donald, Rams D-linemen https://t.co/CZX47ak8Yc

— Rams Wire (@TheRamsWire) July 29, 2019

Rams DT Aaron Donald – July 28, 2019: http://theramshuddle.com/topic/mcvay-donald-peters-7-28-transcripts/

(On how much Coach Henderson benefited him)

“A lot. OTA, just the type of drills, the techniques he’s teaching us now. He knows football. He’s a young coach that’s hungry, that loves football, that loves teaching football. He’s breaking down film, he broke down film and he’s coaching me so that’s what I like the most. He’s telling me my weaknesses and things I need to clean up and trying to teach me things that I can do better and work better that can help my game.

DAY 2, 7/28

Early training-camp miscue signals growth in Jared Goff’s maturation

Vincent Bonsignore

https://theathletic.com/1102489/2019/07/28/early-training-camp-miscue-signals-growth-in-jared-goffs-maturation/

IRVINE, Calif. – A year ago or so, Jared Goff likely would have fretted over the interception he threw the first day of Rams training camp. On the play, he faked a screen throw to his right then looked downfield to well-covered receivers. Rather than throw the ball away or take a sack, he heaved a long ball that cornerback Aqib Talib made a break toward before leaping for an easy interception.

Talib celebrated his good play.

Goff quickly moved on to his next one.

A while later Goff approached Talib on the sideline to discuss the sequence.

“I told him I did it on purpose,” Goff later joked.

The truth is, rather than sulk about the mistake or let it mentally damage his play moving forward, Goff immediately put it behind him. It’s part of his maturation as an NFL quarterback.

“I don’t put as much weight on each play. I think I’m a little bit more secure in myself and I understand what matters and what doesn’t,” Goff said. “That play, in particular, is just gone and moved on. I think it’s just understanding each play is separate, especially in practice and training camp, just trying to work. At times I tend to try things a bit too much and get a little bit on it, but that was just one of those.”

The chat with Talib is something Goff is intent on doing more of this year, given the advanced intelligence level of a defensive backfield that includes Talib, John Johnson, Eric Weddle and Marcus Peters. Goff, now in his fourth year, is a relationship builder who likes to work the room. Not just to forge deeper friendships, but to pick brains and ask questions and know the information he gets in return is honest and earnest.

“It’s great,” he said. “You have all of those veterans that we have on defense. Just like I said about (Weddle), same thing with Aqib, just being able to pick his brain and ask him a situation like that, ‘What were you thinking? What did you see? What did I do that gave it away?’ Different stuff like that can help me get better.”

Gurley plan is engaged

You can imagine the angst on Sunday when Todd Gurley wasn’t on the practice field to start Day 2 of training camp with the Rams. Or when he finally strolled onto the field shortly after it started, dressed more like a spectator than a participant.

One day into camp, did something already happen to the star running back’s knee?

Nope.

It’s just part of the plan.

Somewhat expectedly – and this will be the case the rest of training camp – Gurley was given a scheduled day as a part of the program in place to help ensure Gurley’s left knee gets through the 16-game regular season in as optimal shape as possible.

Gurley, you’ll remember, was severely limited late last season after suffering a knee injury that was slow to heal over the final month of the season and into the playoffs. The Rams hope to avoid a similar situation by monitoring Gurley’s practice and in-game usage this year.

And they obviously aren’t wasting any time executing it, as they rested him one day after he went through a full workout to start camp Saturday.

The Rams are expected to adhere to a set schedule with Gurley through the first few days of training camp – which means another day off for Gurley on Tuesday – then adjust accordingly when they travel north for joint practices against the Oakland Raiders ahead of those teams’ preseason game on Aug 10, and then a week later when they go to Hawaii to play the Dallas Cowboys.

The manner in which they handle Gurley’s practice schedule in camp and during the regular season, and the discipline they show in how he’s used during games, could prove critical in how much he has to offer late in the season.

McVay setting a tone

Coach Sean McVay had to whistle a stop to practice twice during an 11-on-11 period on Sunday to sternly talk to his players. The first chat occurred after a small fight broke out between the offense and defense, followed a short while later when Goff went to the ground after the pass rush converged on him as he threw a pass.

In both cases, McVay got after his players about cleaning things up and making better use of practice time. If there is a theme to this season, it’s making sure the Rams remain focused on the necessary steps needed to deliver them to their ultimate goals.

After reaching the Super Bowl last year, the natural inclination is to want to get back. Like right now.

But the Rams won’t get to that point without adhering to each leg of the journey. It’s a reminder McVay will continue to deliver.

“I think the guys are on the same page, but it is certainly something we talk about,” McVay said. “You wipe the slate clean every year. There are 31 other teams that have the same goals as us. But I think really like last year, the only way you achieve goals in this league is you produce in the present and you just control what you can control. Everybody has the long-term goals, but you don’t even give yourself a chance to achieve those if you don’t accomplish temporary things that we can control in the day. I thought we got better and I think there’s going to be a lot of things we can look at to hopefully improve for tomorrow.”

DAY 2, 7/28

Rams shaking off Super Bowl loss to start new training camp

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2019/07/28/rams-shaking-off-super-bowl-loss-to-start-new-training-camp/39819205/?utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=FeedBlitzRss&utm_campaign=usatodaycomnfl-topstories

IRVINE, Calif. (AP) — Most of the Los Angeles Rams had never been to the Super Bowl before last February, so they relished every day of the experience in Atlanta.

And over the ensuing five months, the Rams have experienced another first: Being constantly asked how they managed to lose like that on football’s biggest stage.

“Yeah, there was a lot of talk this summer,” cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman said. “It was the last game of the season, so it’s natural. It’s just more motivation. It just actually lets you know how big that game is, and how important it is for people to win.”

The Rams reported to training camp this weekend with that 13-3 loss to New England still sharp in many minds. In particular, the high-powered Los Angeles offense’s largely inept performance still seems baffling in retrospect, both to the fans who watched it and to the players and coaches who lived through it.

When Sean McVay appeared on Jimmy Kimmel’s ABC talk show earlier this month, the host asked how often the coach still thought about his offense’s three-point, 260-yard effort in the lowest-scoring Super Bowl.

“Every minute,” McVay said with a rueful smile.

McVay had never coached in a Super Bowl, but he already knows how to use that experience to motivate a team returning with nearly all of the players who came up short in Atlanta.

While he shares most coaches’ earnest focus on the future, McVay knows he can draw motivational fuel from the disappointment and embarrassment of the NFC champions’ thumping from the Patriots.

“It is certainly something we talk about,” McVay said Saturday. “(But) you wipe the slate clean every year. There are 31 other teams that have the same goals as us, but like last year, the only way you achieve goals in this league is you produce in the present, and you just control what you can control.”

The Rams went back to work at UC Irvine this weekend intending to turn their experience into more success. They’ve won 26 total games and two NFC West titles in McVay’s two seasons, but that Super Bowl loss serves as a reminder not to lean on past achievements.

“Yesterday’s home runs don’t count for today’s games,” punter Johnny Hekker said. “Last year’s wins don’t mean anything right now.”

McVay didn’t tear up his inventive offensive schemes after Bill Belichick countered them so comprehensively in the Super Bowl, and Los Angeles didn’t shake up its roster.

Instead, nine of the Rams’ 11 offensive starters are returning along with the potentially enormous addition of receiver Cooper Kupp, who missed the second half of last season and the playoffs with a torn knee ligament.

Kupp broke out with 62 catches for 869 yards as a rookie in 2017, and he was midway through another outstanding season when he went down. He has been the receiver on some of the biggest throws ever made by quarterback Jared Goff, whose 19-for-38 performance in the Super Bowl quieted none of his critics.

Goff appears to be growing nicely from the setback, although the results won’t be clear until the regular season begins in September. He said he feels more mature heading into his fourth training camp, and the Rams hope it shows on the field as they prepare to sign him to a massive contract extension in the near future.

“I think (the opening practice of camp) was the first time that truly felt like we picked up where we left off,” Goff said, noting that McVay was new two years ago, while top receiver Brandin Cooks was new last season.

“The third year, this is it, is where everyone is coming back collectively as a unit,” Goff added. “It felt like there was no fall-off at all. We know exactly what we we’re doing, and it felt really good. … I think this year is truly the first year where it didn’t feel so big. You’re so used to it at this point.”

The Rams’ two biggest offseason additions were Eric Weddle and Clay Matthews, two veteran defensive NFL stars return to their native Los Angeles area to chase a championship. They also added a crop of rookies — most notably Greg Gaines, the current replacement for starting nose tackle Ndamukong Suh — but otherwise will rely on the roster that was so close, but yet so far from a title.

The upcoming season will prove whether one major loss shook the confidence of a team that has been among the NFL’s best teams for the past two seasons. The Rams believe they can shake it off.

“I think you have to realize,” Goff said, “that you didn’t win the division two years in a row on accident.”

Day 2, 7/28….SOME FOLLOW-UP:

bubbaramfan

Demby did take snaps at G with the ones, but mostly played with the 2’s and I think that where he belongs.
avis is looking good. Kelly, meh. Webster and Jo-Day have impressed me so far. Wolford at QB is a player. Brandon Allen hasn’t impressed.

I just read Cameron De Silva’s article on TC and I have to dis agree with one of his takes. He thinks Henderson is clearly the #2 RB. After todays practice its clear to me Malcom Brown is. He had a very good day today, better than Henderson. Brown is way better at pass blocking and finds holes through the middle. He had a very good day today.

52, Matthews, was out there with the 1 defense and doesn’t look like he’s lost a step. Rams fans are going to be pleased to have Mr. Mathews in horns.

InvaderRam wrote:

really like what i’m reading about henderson.

can’t wait to see him in preseason.

Myles Simmons
Running back Darrell Henderson continues to impress over the first couple days. Again during on-on-ones, he tracked a deep ball down the right side from quarterback Brandon Allen, reeling it in over his shoulder. There are wide receivers who don’t have that kind of ability. It’s early and the Rams aren’t in pads, but he looks like a weapon.

DH does sound like he’s big in their plans

…

DAY 2, 7/28

—

4 takeaways from Day 2 of Rams training camp: Gurley sits as planned

Cameron DaSilva

4 takeaways from Day 2 of Rams training camp: Gurley sits as planned

Todd Gurley will be monitored closely

After practicing on Saturday, Gurley got the day off Sunday. He didn’t participate in any drills or team sessions but he was out on the field without a helmet. There’s nothing to be alarmed about, as this was the plan all along for the Rams.

Sean McVay made it clear that Gurley will get days off here and there to manage his workload and keep him fresh. It’s somewhat surprising to see his off day come so early in camp, but it’s clear the Rams have a plan for him.

And in Gurley’s mind, “it’s a good plan.

Darrell Henderson is going to have a big impact

With Gurley sitting out, Henderson got more work than he did on the first day of practice. He appears to be the No. 2 back right now, though John Kelly also got first-team reps on Saturday and Sunday, too.

The Rams have been rotating their running backs in the first two practices, giving multiple players the chance to work with the starters. Henderson, however, has the greatest potential of anyone not named Gurley, and given how highly coaches have talked of him, he should have a significant impact right out of the gates as a rookie.

Things got chippy on Day 2

The pads haven’t come on yet, but things got a little heated on the field Sunday. According to Vincent Bonsignore of The Athletic, McVay stopped practice at one point and huddled the entire team together. It was likely to settle things down and give everyone a chance to regain their composure before the next rep.

McVay stopped practice a second time after Jared Goff was knocked to the ground, which should never happen in training camp.

Cornerbacks had a solid day

Expectations are high for the Rams secondary this season, particularly with the arrival of Eric Weddle. It’s still very early in the process, but between the first two days of training camp and spring’s organized team activities, the secondary is looking good.

On Sunday, Aqib Talib had a nice breakup in coverage against Brandin Cooks.

It sounds like Marcus Peters also had a nice day in coverage, breaking up a few passes.

If Talib and Peters can both stay healthy for all 16 games and meet expectations, the Rams defense is going to be dangerous.

That's our quarterback! 👏@JaredGoff16 | #NFLTop100

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) July 29, 2019

===

Jared Goff lands at No. 32 in the NFL Top 100

Myles Simmons

https://www.therams.com/news/jared-goff-lands-at-no-32-in-the-nfl-top-100

The Rams have another player on the 2019 NFL Top 100 list, as quarterback Jared Goff is No. 32.

It’s Goff’s second career appearance in the rankings, as he checked in at No. 38 in 2018.

Goff continued his upward career trajectory in 2018, completing 65 percent of his passes for 4,688 yards with 32 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Goff’s 8.4 yards per attempt ranked No. 4 in the league, and his 12.9 yards per completion ranked No. 3. He also finished in the top 10 in passer rating, en route to leading the Rams to their first NFC Championship since the 2001 season.

Los Angeles’ signal-caller is the fourth Ram to appear on the Top 100 so far, including safety Eric Weddle (No. 100), left tackle Andrew Whitworth (No. 91), and wide receiver Robert Woods (No. 76).

The rest of the NFL Top 100 will be revealed this week through July 31.

Vincent Bonsignore@VinnyBonsignore
In watching #Rams center Brian Allen it’s pretty obvious he’s got some brawler in him.

Right in middle of 11 on 11 period #Rams coach Sean McVay pulled the plug – there was some sort of altercation – huddled the whole team up for some choice words. They resumed the period shortly after

Another team meeting for #Rams after Jared Goff went to the ground during 11 on 11

Downtown Rams [DTR]@DowntownRams
One thing that I’m noticing. Goff is relying a ton on Cooper Kupp in 11v11’s he’s glad to have him back.

Marcus Peters has had a few pass breakups over the last few snaps. #RamsCamp
Bortles hands it off to John Kelly who stayed out. Kelly’s had a good day and it’s kept him on the field the most out of the running backs

Lindsey Thiry@LindseyThiry
Day 2 of Rams practice has started, and so far Todd Gurley is not on the field with running backs. Sean McVay said at outset of camp that they had a plan in place to monitor is workload. Gurley yesterday called it a “great plan!”

—
from https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2019/07/28/nfl-rams-camp-aaron-donald-noteboom-allen-starters/?utm_source=smg&utm_medium=wasabi&utm_content=home-latest-news

[On Noteboom & Allen]

“I think it’s too early to really say that,” McVay said of whether they’re where they need to be. “I think we’re confident in them. I think like anything else, really, for those guys up front especially, putting the pads on is the best indicator. Their understanding of what we’re trying to get done – Brian’s communication and then just physically, Joe’s looking like he’s in a really good position. Feel good about those guys knowing that there’s a long way to go, but there’s a reason why we have a lot of confidence in them, but they certainly have to earn it every day.”

There isn’t a better way for each player to earn their place on the offensive line than facing Donald every day in practice.

===

First team offense out there and look at who is in the backfield… No.42 – John Kelly pic.twitter.com/ZWlClzgrVs

— Downtown Rams [DTR] (@DowntownRams) July 28, 2019

Vincent Bonsignore@VinnyBonsignore
To better explain what the #Rams did with Robert Woods in giving him a pay raise this year and next year – totaling a reported $3 million: it was a matter of them converting incentives to actual salary.

Todd Gurley looked good on opening day of #Rams camp. But it’s too early to tell what that means for his 2019 season.

Glenn Ryder@GlennRyder1
This is my 4th year coming to ⁦@RamsNFL⁩ camp. Have never seen it like this. Standing room only.

JBro | SoCal Designs@JBroFronk
NFL network saying 13,000 fans at first day of #RamsCamp in Irvin’s. Holy shit lol

==

“Welcome home!”@ClayMatthews52 takes the field for his first #RamsCamp! pic.twitter.com/8TVUwksO84

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) July 27, 2019

10 Observations from Day 1 of training camp

Myles Simmons

https://www.therams.com/news/10-observations-from-day-1-of-training-camp-x3669

After each training camp practice, senior writer/team insider Myles Simmons will share his top observations from the session. Here are the notes from Saturday, July 27.

1) With practice beginning around 3:30 in the afternoon, quarterback Jared Goff was the first on the field at about 3:10. It was a beautiful day in Irvine, with temperatures hovering around 80 degrees throughout practice.

2) The moment everyone’s been waiting for came early on in practice — running back Todd Gurley took a handoff from Goff and opened it up a little as he ran down the field. After practice, Gurley told reporters he felt good and that he enjoyed being on the field with his teammates again.

3) There was a strong fan presence as Los Angeles got training camp started on Saturday, and the crowd definitely enjoyed any time Gurley did anything on the field. Case in point — Gurley caught a simple swing pass in individual drills from Goff and the crowd went wild.

4) Cooper Kupp started out practice working on the side with trainers and assistant offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch. But then he got in with the offense as it worked on screens against air. Kupp also caught a few passes from Goff during individual drills. He was a significant part of the team’s 11-on-11 sessions as well.

5) While head coach Sean McVay downplayed the notion of running back Darrell Henderson getting first-team snaps — the Rams are rotating in a lot of players, McVay said — Henderson looks the part. During one-on-one drills, Henderson caught a slant going from left to right and it’s easy to see why the Rams like him. McVay credited Henderson’s work ethic and running backs coach Skip Peete for getting the rookie RB up to speed.

6) During 7-on-7 drills, Robert Woods had a nice catch along the right sideline on an intermediate route. He grabbed it out of the reach of cornerback Aqib Talib, for a completion that would have gotten the offense past the sticks for a first down. Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips waved his arms to signal incomplete, but it looked like No. 17 got two feet down. To that end, cornerbacks coach Aubrey Pleasant yelled out from the sideline, “Hey, good throw 16! Good throw!”

7) While Goff and Woods got Talib then, the cornerback got his later in the 7-on-7 period. On this particular play, the defense had strong coverage on all the receivers. Goff rolled to his right and looking to make something happen, threw a pass intended for Woods in the end zone. But the ball floated, Talib camped under it and picked it off — running up the left sideline. As he walked back following the play, Phillips gave him a fist bump. Goff later joked in his press conference that he told Talib he threw it to him on purpose.

8) During that 7-on-7 period, punter Johnny Hekker was on the same field booming coffin-corner punts down the field on the left side. Some of the punts were going 60 yards in the air, with Hekker standing at about the 50-yard line and the ball landing out of the end zone.

9) Henderson made a couple of nice plays in 11-on-11 drills that illustrated his versatility out of the backfield. Keep in mind that he made the plays while on the second-team offense facing the first-team defense. But on the first play, Henderson motioned out of the backfield and then caught a pass in the flat. Then on the next play, he caught a screen on the left side. It’s not a direct comparison, but as general manager Les Snead has said, Henderson does bring that “Alvin Kamara element” to an offense. He should be fun to watch with pads.

10) At the end of practice, Goff and backup quarterback Blake Bortles participated in a friendly competition of target practice. Goff fared a bit better than Bortles in their respective attempts with assistant QBs coach Zac Robinson feeding them the footballs.

Vincent Bonsignore@VinnyBonsignore
Five straight plays, all out of 11 personnel, for #Rams 1st team offense. Only interchangeable parts were Gurley and Henderson and Higbee and Everett switching in and out.

Henderson and Gurley both lined up as WR’s on a couple plays

Sebastian Joseph-Day getting the initial first-team base defense snaps at NT for #Rams.

Gary Klein@LATimesklein
WR Cooper Kupp, coming off knee surgery, caught a tough pass in traffic without flinching.

Omar Ruiz@OmarDRuiz
Sean McVay said Todd Gurley “looked good” in his return to the practice field. Cooper Kupp’s return was a success, as well. No restrictions for the WR, according to Kupp & McVay.

==

Aaron Donald, in his first training camp appearance since 2016, is a fan favorite. pic.twitter.com/LJ0wTKw5FY

— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) July 28, 2019

Todd Gurley on his 1st practice of training camp, and return to the field with his teammates: “Feels good, feels good… I don’t have to prove anything to anybody… I’ve been doing this for so long, this is my job.” Asked to describe the TC plan for him, “it’s a great plan.” pic.twitter.com/ETeatFs0CQ

— Omar Ruiz (@OmarDRuiz) July 28, 2019