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znModeratorChecking in from our future home! 😍 pic.twitter.com/qBFQ0Xg2sE
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) May 30, 2019
znModeratorGeoff Schwartz@geoffschwartz
Lots of chatter about “establishing the run” in the NFL and how data shows that’s an outdated way to think/call an offense. I agree. However, I’ve always thought as a player that “ETR” was about asserting physical dominance over the opponent. Body blows over a gameThere’s a fine line between running the ball just to run the ball, especially if it’s not working. But those body blows on defenders slow them down against the pass. It grinds on them so when you’re winning in the 4th and you’re running to grind out the clock, they are weak
The ball is thrown so quickly now that I think the idea that OL prefer run blocking is going away a bit.
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TurfShowTimes@TurfShowTimes
OTA report for all 32 teams according to beat coverage:– Every team got better
– All free agents look good
– Players that were injured last year look healthy
– Rookies are really impressive
– Players in contract years not worried, just focused on “playing my best”Vincent Bonsignore@VinnyBonsignore
This isn’t even close to accurate.Right, because we’ve all written that Todd Gurley is completely healthy. Or that he doesn’t represent an unknown. And none of us have written that until Noteboom and Allen prove themselves, they are question marks. Or that ILB and NT will likely be filled by unproven newcomers
By the same token, I’m not going to apologize for the honest observations I’ve made about a team that’s won more games than any team in the NFL the last two years. I write what I see.
znModeratorThe Rams protected themselves for 2020 by extending Troy Hill https://t.co/rNWfKZfWEh
— Rams Wire (@TheRamsWire) May 30, 2019
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The Rams signed Troy Hill to an extension, giving him $5.25M for the next 2 years. The deal goes up to $8.25 million if he plays 52.5% of the defensive snaps https://t.co/K7tIzvtOu7
— Cameron DaSilva (@camdasilva) May 30, 2019
znModerator#VoiceofREason: @richeisen says talk of an 18-game #NFL schedule is just a bad idea: pic.twitter.com/QV8x4BnBRf
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) May 30, 2019
znModeratorMCVAY ON KISER: “One of the things that you loved about him was the instincts, the awareness, the ability to anticipate – especially when so much of defense is reactionary based on some of things you can gather before the snap and then once that thing happens post-snap, it’s how quickly can I adapt and adjust based on whatever that call is defensively and what the offensive set, whether running it or throwing it dictates”
More of the same kind of thing, from a 2018 draft report:
Skill-Set Summary: Even though the NFL is a passing-driven league, pro defenses still have a place for a run-stuffing interior linebacker. Such players may be rotational, but they are key to goal-line, short-yardage, and four-minute defenses. In the older era of pro football, Kiser would be a more in-demand player, but he still should fill a role as a professional.
Kiser is a physical in-the-box defender against the run. He is thick, strong and sturdy, plus can diagnose plays and read his keys well. Kiser also tackles consistently, physically taking to the ball-carriers to the ground. While Kiser is an intelligent, instinctive defender, he doesn’t possess sideline-to-sideline speed or elite athleticism. Kiser makes up his lack of elite attributes by being a tough interior linebacker at the point of attack.
In pass coverage, Kiser is going to need development for the NFL to be a three-down starter. Kiser isn’t fast or fluid in pass coverage, so pro offenses could single him out for mismatch plays. Virginia often uses him as a pass-rusher by having him blitz off the edge or rush up the middle, and that is a more natural fit for Kiser as he can use his instincts and downhill quickness to pressure quarterbacks.
Kiser has some athletic limitations for the NFL. He is not a fast linebacker, not a fluid athlete, lacks lateral speed, and can have issues redirecting. Trimming some weight down might help him a little, but Kiser could be limited to being more of a run-stuffing linebacker for the pro game.
In the NFL, Kiser would fit best as an inside linebacker in a 3-4 defense with a fast run-and-chase linebacker next to him.
May 30, 2019 at 3:48 pm in reply to: I think this is a big deal: new DL coach (Henderson) & the hands on approach #101797znModeratorDonald is going to get better?!?!
znModeratorSean McVay breaks down what makes Micah Kiser a good linebacker
Cameron DaSilva
Sean McVay breaks down what makes Micah Kiser a good linebacker
Among the young players expected to step up in 2019 is Micah Kiser, a fifth-round pick of the Los Angeles Rams last year. He didn’t play a single regular-season snap on defense, but he was a core special teams player and really showed up in the preseason with 26 tackles and two passes defensed.
He’s penciled in as Mark Barron’s replacement at inside linebacker, starting next to Cory Littleton. Kiser has been taking first-team reps on defense, which is a good sign for his chances of being a key player in 2019.
Kiser has always been a physical and smart player dating back to his days at Virginia, which stood out to the Rams before the draft. This week, Sean McVay talked about some of the traits that stood out to him about Kiser and what he likes about his game.
“One of the things that you loved about him was the instincts, the awareness, the ability to anticipate – especially when so much of defense is reactionary based on some of things you can gather before the snap and then once that thing happens post-snap, it’s how quickly can I adapt and adjust based on whatever that call is defensively and what the offensive set, whether running it or throwing it dictates,” McVay said.
Kiser may not be the best athlete at linebacker, but his instincts allow him to get in the right spot to make a play.
“He’s always had a good feel. I think he’s naturally a tough guy, he’s a great tackler,” McVay continued. “I think one of the things that showed up for him consistently was he found the role as the season progressed to be a core special teams player for ‘Bones’ and then he just got better and better on the defensive side of the ball.”
Playing in the preseason versus the regular season is a completely different story, given the plays used and the level of competition. However, Kiser was a standout player for the Rams last summer and the team hopes that can translate to next season.
McVay is excited to see what he can do when the regular season begins after seeing him improve already this spring.
“When he played in the preseason games last year, he was active. He’s one of those guys, you hear us talk about it all the time, you feel players on defense. He arrives, he’s violent, he gets guys down in a hurry,” McVay said. “I think Joe Barry does a great job getting all these inside linebackers up to speed and really having an ownership of the system and Micah’s definitely showing why he’s a pro and he’s gotten a lot better in Year 2 and we’re looking forward to seeing it translate when we actually play real football.”
znModeratorRams soon must decide how much cornerback Marcus Peters is worth
Vincent Bonsignore
Marcus Peters randomly appeared on a Hawaii newscast this month to do the local weather report. Aside from being ridiculously funny — and much more complicated than Peters could have imagined — the clip made him sort of an unofficial meteorologist. So as the Rams cornerback stepped off the field Tuesday after an OTA practice, someone asked for a forecast.
Peters looked up at the clear, picturesque Southern California sky and smiled.
“It’s sunshine today, man,” he said. “We doing good. We doing good in L.A.”
As for his own long-range forecast in L.A., well, that’s still too early to predict. Peters, like fellow starting cornerback Aqib Talib, is slated to play out the last year of his contract in 2019.
Rams coach Sean McVay has indicated a desire to lock up the 26-year-old Peters long-term, and by all indications, Peters wants to remain in L.A. well beyond next season.
And while the Rams have shown a tendency to lock up players they consider core pieces — last summer they extended right tackle Rob Havenstein, All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald, running back Todd Gurley and receiver Brandin Cooks — they’ve also been selective, if not entirely reluctant, to do so with defensive backs.
Over the last three years, they’ve let cornerbacks Trumaine Johnson and Janoris Jenkins and safeties Rodney McLeod, T.J. McDonald and Lamarcus Joyner leave as free agents. In fact, aside from extending slot corner Nickell Robey-Coleman last offseason, the current front office — including vice president of football operations Kevin Demoff and general manager Les Snead — has shown a tepid appetite for getting involved in long-term contract relationships with defensive backs.
The Rams have made it clear they intend to keep emerging third-year safety John Johnson around for the foreseeable future, so it looks like that trend may soon come to an end. But Johnson has two years remaining on his rookie deal, and probably won’t get a new one until next offseason at the earliest.
With Peters’ contract ending after the season, he is first in line to reverse the Rams’ recent approach. For now, though, it looks like a situation they’ll table until next March.
That means next season will essentially turn into a prove-it year for Peters.
And it means the Rams could be setting themselves up for a 2020 offseason in which they’ll have to replace their two starting cornerbacks. In fact, as of now, Robey-Coleman is the only cornerback with notable NFL experience who is under contract beyond 2019.
The Rams drafted Michigan cornerback David Long — a rugged defender who shined as a man-cover corner for the Wolverines — this year with the hope he grows and develops during his first year and is ready to take over a starting position in 2020. But it remains to be seen how viable Long is a trusted piece.
Any way you look at it, it’s a precarious situation. Yes, the Rams are fully focused on 2019 and their unfinished business coming off a Super Bowl loss. But their long-range situation at cornerback is clearly an issue they have to address.
Peters, at least publicly, appears content with letting things play out.
“The only thing I can do is come in and do my job and be the best teammate, be the best player I can be on the field, and the rest of the stuff will take care of itself,” Peters said. “I’m not too worried about it.”
If Peters and the Rams do talk about an extension, the starting point — or at least the range — Peters will point to is the recent five-year, $75 million ($39.2 million guaranteed) record-breaking extension Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard signed with the Miami Dolphins last month.
Given the Rams’ reluctance to lock up defensive backs, that price tag almost seems prohibitive. Throw in the fact that the Rams also will be dealing with the potential free agency of linebackers Dante Fowler and Cory Littleton, guard Austin Blythe, defensive lineman Michael Brockers, tight end Tyler Higbee and kicker Greg Zuerlein at the end of next season, plus quarterback Jared Goff and Johnson after 2020, and you wonder how prudent it would be to allocate that kind of money to Peters.
Going into last season, just after the Rams acquired Peters for second- and fourth-round draft picks, the smart bet would have been on Peters sticking around well beyond 2019, considering his impressive resume over the first three years of his career in Kansas City. His 19 interceptions were the most in the NFL from 2015-17 and he seemed to be a perfect fit as a lockdown corner in coordinator Wade Phillips’ 3-4 defense.
But 2018 didn’t unfold as expected. Peters struggled as a man-cover corner — an issue that was exasperated by a calf injury he suffered against the Chargers in Week 3 — and for a long stretch during the first half of the season, he was a liability.
Peters, it turns out, is much more effective in zone concepts, when he can face the line of scrimmage, read the quarterback and developments in front of him and make plays in reaction mode. Phillips, realizing the issue, began playing coverages more to Peters’ strengths, and his play over the last half of the season positively reflected the adjustment.
To his credit, Peters never complained or made excuses about the injury or the scheme. And his readiness and willingness to respond through his play, rather than his words, certainly resonated with the Rams.
“He stayed the course, took accountability, and I thought he played his best ball toward the end of the year,” McVay said.
The question is, are the Rams willing to invest the kind of money needed to re-sign Peters, knowing he may never be the sort of lock-down man cornerback that Phillips desires for his 3-4 defense? Or is he simply what he is — a good zone coverage corner — and is it worth the investment it might require to keep him around?
Peters still has time to prove he can be a better scheme fit, and in the process create more comfort for the Rams to reward him with a multi-year extension. You get the feeling the Rams are going to take the necessary time to figure that out.
As for Talib, he missed eight weeks last year recovering from a Week 3 ankle injury, but his play was impressive when he was healthy. In fact, his return against the Detroit Lions in Week 12 had a calming effect on Peters, whom Talib quickly befriended and mentored after the Rams acquired him from the Denver Broncos.
Talib is 32 years old, but keeps himself in tremendous shape and whatever steps he’s lost, he’s made up for with experience and intelligence.
Depending on his performance in 2019, it’s conceivable the Rams could re-sign Talib to a reasonable extension and keep him in L.A. for a couple more years. If so, it gives them some flexibility in dealing with the other cornerback spot.
Maybe Peters solidifies himself as a long-term fixture, or at the least a candidate for the franchise tag in 2020. In that scenario, the cornerback tandem might return intact for at least one more year.
But if not — or if Peters’ contract expectations exceed how high the Rams are willing to go — maybe Long will be ready to take over and the Rams could be looking at a tandem of Talib and Long.
Either way, Peters will have a major say in how all this plays out.
And you get the sense Rams are content with giving him the 2019 season to state his case as a long-term fixture.
znModeratormy early guess is he’s even better than last year although it may not necessarily reflect in production.
I know what you mean. This could diminish his numbers.
But as I know you know, even without the numbers an AD on the DL demanding double teams makes for a better defense, even if others get the stats. An up to speed AD doing all that presumably means it all starts sooner.
My official position on all this is, can’t wait.
….
znModeratorcan donald challenge the sack record again with a full off-season with the team.
I think it’s possible. As it stands AD got the sack record for DTs after getting off to a slow start.
This includes games he missed, but in 2017 and 2018 combined, first 6 games (3 from each season) he had 2 sacks and 6 qb hits. The next 12 games in 2017 (he took the SF game off) he got 10 sacks and 22 qb hits. In 2018, next 13 games he had 20.5 sacks and 40 qb hits.
Thought experiment…what if we gave him his “up to speed” numbers for the whole season, both seasons? In 2017, that would be 12.5 sacks. In 2018, it would be 24 sacks and 49 qb hits for the season.
So, slow start–first 6 games both seasons combined = 2 sacks, 2 hits.
Next 25 games both seasons combined = 30.5 sacks and 62 qb hits.And he’s not only active and getting up to speed this spring/summer, which means he starts the season fast and in game shape, he also has a new DL coach who is working on correcting issues with his game (more on the coach here: http://theramshuddle.com/topic/i-think-this-is-a-big-deal-new-dl-coach-henderson-the-hands-on-approach/ ).
Sounds good to me.
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znModerator
May 30, 2019 at 1:51 am in reply to: police hassle black guy cleaning up where he lives..& more along those lines #101778znModeratorThis Guy 2020 pic.twitter.com/NTK9W49PfQ
— Talk, Dark & Sad (@cxcope) May 30, 2019
znModerator🔜 Year 4@JaredGoff16 puttin' in work! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/o2X523Iacm
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) May 30, 2019
znModeratorSean McVay impressed by Blake Bortles, says he's 'only going to get better' https://t.co/8T3WVCb0p3 via @theramswire
— RamsNewsNow (@RamsNewsNow) May 30, 2019
May 29, 2019 at 10:27 pm in reply to: OTAs (including a great final write-up by VB, posted 6/10) #101775znModerator10 Observations from OTA No. 5
Myles Simmons
https://www.therams.com/news/10-observations-from-ota-no-5
1) As expected, outside linebacker Dante Fowler was in attendance for Wednesday’s OTA. While he was not there for Tuesday’s voluntary session, head coach Sean McVay said Fowler had communicated to the team a travel snafu. Fowler was active throughout the session within his position group and in 11-on-11 work.
2) As Fowler was getting some one-on-one instruction from OLBs coach Chris Shula at the beginning of practice, Los Angeles was putting in work on special teams. On one field, players were drilling kickoff and kickoff return. On the other, players were drilling how to set up a double team for punt return.
3) During the defense’s usual pursuit drill, defensive tackle Aaron Donald fielded a swing pass on the left side, leaving the reserves to chase after him. If that ever happened in a real game….good luck stopping that freight train.
4) On the other field, the tight ends were performing an interesting drill to ostensibly practice their first steps in blocking. One player would wear a long stretch band around their waist, and a position-mate would hold it. The first TE would then get in a stance and take his first couple steps, while the one behind would provide resistance on the band.
5) With the offense working independently, the Rams practiced a number of screen plays — moving down the field against air. Running backs Malcolm Brown and John Kelly rotated at their position. L.A. ran a wide variety of screens to each skill position during the period.
6) Bringing the skill-position players on both offense and defense together, Los Angeles went through a half-field passing drill — essentially 7-on-7 but with fewer players so more could rotate in and get more frequent reps. Cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman broke up a short pass to wideout Robert Woods on the defense’s left near the sideline early on in the drill.
7) But during that same period, quarterback Jared Goff connected with Woods deep down the right sideline for a touchdown. It was one of Goff’s better passes on the day, hitting the wide receiver in stride.
8) The No. 16 to No. 17 connection struck again on another deep pass, this time during 7-on-7 drills. It looked like Woods ran either a deep seam route or a post route. And on the next play, Goff dropped in a nice deep out to wide receiver Josh Reynolds on the left side. This came after a set of plays where the defense had great coverage, essentially preventing any completions — showing the competitiveness of both units.
9) During a water break, safety Eric Weddle, cornerback Aqib Talib, and cornerback Marcus Peters were all chatting with McVay. The subject matter was unclear, but it does show how McVay is certainly not just the head coach of the offense — he’s heavily involved on both sides of the ball.
10) Finally, the Rams held a competitive 11-on-11, two-minute period, during which the defensive backs continued to excel. Peters had strong coverage on the defense’s right sideline for an out route, forcing a throwaway. Safety John Johnson had good coverage down the field on a deep route, also forcing an incompletion. And Talib ended the drill by tipping an intermediate pass up and then making the catch for an interception.
znModeratorBlueBlood_Rams @Blueblood_Rams
LA Rams want the new look to reflect the new stadium. They are putting a lot of research (more than a normal NFL team) into getting uniforms right…there will be new uniforms AND new logo for next year.znModeratorVincent Bonsignore@VinnyBonsignore
Everything is subject to change but the plan right now is to move Noteboom to LT when Andrew Whitworth retires. In fact Noteboom, as of right now, is the swing tackle in addition to the starting LG as he’d probably step in at T if one went down.Geoff@GMWalker_
Who’s first off the bench at LGVincent Bonsignore@VinnyBonsignore
If the season started today, Demby (a guy the #Rams really like and tried to get back into the fold from the moment they had to release him at the end of camp last year) But there’s a long way to go before the season openerznModeratorMyles Simmons@MylesASimmons
it’s been really interesting to me to hear DLs talk about their new position coach Eric Henderson, they’re giving him a lot of credit for working with them on the details for their development. Heard that from Sebastian Joseph-Day today.znModeratorbigjimram21
Reggie Bush was on Cowherd and he said players can and do get arthritis in their knees and he did. It becomes about pain tolerance . But if it comes with swelling then that would be when he has to sit out.
znModeratorVincent Bonsignore@VinnyBonsignore
#Rams OTA observation: Rob Havenstein looks to have taken rookie (5th rd) David Edwards – a fellow Wisconsin OT – under his wing. Edwards had a 2nd RD grade in 2018 draft but returned to college for one more year. The size and athletic ability really jumps out in OTAs==
Ian Rapoport@RapSheet
Sources: The #Raiders are signing free agent guard Richie Incognito to a 1-year deal. He’s back in the league after a hiatus, having last played for the #Bills in 2017.Melissa Jacobs@thefootballgirl
Was arrested last year for threatening to shoot funeral home employees. But thank goodness he never protested.znModeratorMicah Kiser says it's 'kind of surreal' to play alongside Clay Matthews https://t.co/6RII6jasI3 via @theramswire
— RamsNewsNow (@RamsNewsNow) May 29, 2019
znModeratorKiser: “I’m just going to go out there and do my best”
Micah Kiser talks improving his role, being comfortable during 2019 season.Or here:
Micah Kiser was so amped up about Eric Weddle that he almost let an F-bomb out 😂 pic.twitter.com/hXSY9I7MP2
— Cameron DaSilva (@camdasilva) May 29, 2019
znModerator.In “Pop Goes the Universe,” by Anna Ijjas, Paul J. Steinhardt and Abraham Loeb, the authors (hereafter “IS&L”) make the case for a bouncing cosmology, as was proposed by Steinhardt and others in 2001.
Near as I can say, the bouncing universe idea (that it expands, contracts, re-explodes) CAN’T be tested. How would you test it? Each new “bounce” would wipe out the traces of the last one.
BUT if they can refine the data, it IS possible to test the idea of expansion (ie. the idea that the universe expanded at an amazing rate early in the big bang process). That’s because they’re looking at a discrete one-time event that, it is argued, left traces and evidence, IF you can refine your tools to the point of being able to detect it.
znModeratorL.A. @RamsNFL RB @TG3II is putting in the work this offseason, with a tweak, and plans on playing about six pounds lighter than he did last season @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/QY6nOevkHj
— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) May 29, 2019
znModeratorRams are ‘counting on’ Joseph Noteboom, Brian Allen as starters
Rams are 'counting on' Joseph Noteboom, Brian Allen as starters
There weren’t many offensive lines better than the Los Angeles Rams’ unit last season, if any at all. The Rams won the Offensive Line of the Year award for their play up front in 2018, led by Andrew Whitworth, Rodger Saffold and Rob Havenstein.
Three of the five starters will be back in the mix next season, but two key players are no longer in the picture. Saffold signed with the Titans in free agency and John Sullivan was cut, opening the door for two second-year players to step in as starters.
Joseph Noteboom and Brian Allen were drafted last year to be future cogs on the offensive line, which is exactly what they’re expected to be in 2019. Noteboom will likely step in at left guard, while Allen will replace Sullivan at center.
It appears there won’t be much competition at either position despite the Rams adding Bobby Evans and David Edwards in the draft, and also having Jamil Demby on the roster.
“There are some changes. We’ve got a little bit more continuity on the offensive side of the ball, but we’ve got two guys we’re counting on starting up front that need to do a great job of implementing themselves into the language, the vernacular, with Brian Allen and Joe Noteboom. You want to continue to see guys take steps in the right direction,” McVay said Tuesday.
Evans and Edwards were both tackles in college, but after the draft, O-line coach Aaron Kromer said both would work at tackle and guard. Those comments seemed to open the door for the rookies to potentially compete with Noteboom at left guard, or entice the Rams to plug one in at right guard and move Austin Blythe to center (if Allen struggled).
That may not be the case now as the Rams seem set on sticking with Noteboom and Allen inside, barring some real difficulty from either player in camp or the preseason.
znModeratorAs Brian Allen readies to take over at center, Goff and McVay talk transition
In the business that is professional football, a starting spot is hardly set in stone — especially for young players like 23-year-old center Brian Allen. But on Monday, the former Michigan State Spartan trotted off the practice field following his first day of OTAs slated as the man in the middle of the offensive line headed into 2019.
“With a year under my belt with some really good teammates to go against and to have a couple of experiences in the game, I know what’s coming now,” Allen told media members after going against a defense for the first time this offseason.
Allen saw action in his first professional season mostly in practice, taking weekday reps with quarterback Jared Goff, while the seasoned veteran, former Rams center John Sullivan, took the reins on Sundays.
But general manager Les Snead called Allen in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft with some long-term planning in mind. At that time Sullivan was headed for year nine as a pro, and Allen was plenty experienced while on campus in Lansing, Mich. — starting 17 games at center, 15 games at left guard, and five games at right guard. A variety of action in college and a “redshirt” season behind Sullivan, where he trained at multiple spots on the line, has led Allen to his NFL opportunity.
“Yeah, that was the same thing that I did in college, running a pro-style offense, and I had pretty good grip of the scheme and stuff,” Allen said, in review of year one. “Just having an opportunity here is the same thing. It just forced you to know it better and know what everybody is doing and as the center that’s kind of your job.”
“Obviously Brian [is] being naturally thrusted into a role where you have to communicate and I think he’s done a really good job,” head coach Sean McVay said on Monday. “Because there’s so much that goes on specific to the cadance up front, he and Jared’s rapport, and I think they are taking good steps one day at a time.”
McVay isn’t the only one ready to see the young, cross-trained center step into the spotlight. When the club didn’t pick up the veteran center’s option, Allen received a one-of-a-kind phone call from the signal-caller himself.
“Just telling me about the situation and to get ready, get excited to keep working together,” Allen said, recalling his phone conversation with Goff — who was asked about the transition from taking snaps from a veteran to first-time starter after Day 1 of OTAs.
“Basically I could just lean on John so heavily and expect Brian to get there, but it’s just his first full year of actually playing,” Goff said. “It’s been good, it’s been helpful to my development. It’s been good.”
“I’m excited for the opportunity,” Allen added before heading into the locker room. “And this is what I’ve been working for my whole life — it’s here.”
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Rams center Allen ready for “full-time gig” as starter
https://www.oaoa.com/sports/article_e4c60663-0684-5a8a-982d-11c1d613de51.html
Associated Press |
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Rams center Brian Allen started to build a rapport with quarterback Jared Goff last season as a rookie when starter John Sullivan would be held out of practice early in the week to rest and recuperate.
Allen was again snapping the ball to Goff during the first day of organized team activities Monday. In his second season, however, Allen will not have to make way for Sullivan.
“We had a lot of time to play together last year Monday through Thursday, and then John took over on the weekends. But now it’s a full-time gig for me,” Allen said.
How Allen settles into his new position could determine whether the Rams reach the Super Bowl for the second consecutive season. It is the biggest change on an offensive line that has been a marvel of health and consistent play during the previous two seasons under coach Sean McVay. Sullivan started 35 of a possible 36 games during the regular season and playoffs during that span.
The Rams chose not to exercise a team option in March to bring back the 33-year-old Sullivan for a third season and instead put into action a succession plan that started when they selected Allen in the fourth round of the 2018 draft.
Allen got a “redshirt year” last season to learn from the veteran lineman and work with Goff, all without the pressure of having to play a critical role for the eventual NFC champions.
Offensive line coach Aaron Kromer also had Allen learning to play guard to give the position group more flexibility. Such practice was particularly helpful in helping Allen learn blocking schemes in McVay’s offense.
“It really forces you to know it better and know what everyone is doing,” Allen said. “As a center that’s kind of your job, but to have that, it just makes you stay on top of it a little bit better.”
Allen believes that experience will give him the best opportunity to succeed in the NFL, and he is immensely grateful to Sullivan for the part he played in that development.
“It’s sad not having him here,” Allen said. “I’m just kind of out here sometimes thinking what would he do here, what would he say to me here, stuff like that. He was a great mentor for me and I couldn’t thank that guy enough.”
Allen wasn’t the only young Rams player to benefit from what Sullivan could offer on and off the field. Goff credits Sullivan’s vast understanding and recognition of opposing defenses for playing a part in his improvement over the past two seasons.
Without the trustworthy Sullivan there to change protections at the line of scrimmage, Goff and Allen are working to build a more collaborative approach to making calls in hopes of overcoming the lack of experience.
“With Brian, there is some of me and him working together a little bit more and trying to solve problems at the same time at the line where I could lean on John so heavily,” Goff said. “I expect Brian to get there, but he’s just in his first full year of actually playing.”
The plan is to show Allen as many different defensive alignments as possible over the next few months to make sure he is on the same page with Goff, but McVay understands there are limits to what a coach can do in creating the relationship between a center and quarterback. The early signs are promising, McVay said, pointing to how Goff is talking to Allen.
“I think he and Brian are really getting comfortable with one another, and you can hear it,” McVay said. “Their communication after periods, a certain sets of plays, whatever it is, their dialogue is ongoing and that’s the most important thing.”
Thanks to the support system put in place last year, Allen is confident he will be ready to start on Sundays later this year.
znModeratorWill Jared Goff’s performance as ‘young Bill’ in the upcoming film, “Bill and Ted 3” outshine his performance on the field?
Does the sun set in the east?
znModeratorVincent Bonsignore@VinnyBonsignore
I know everyone wants “answers” but it’s pretty simple: All signs point to a condition that needs to be managed rather than an injury that needs to be “fixed” There is an unknown factor that exists, as a result. One that won’t clear up until he actually gets out there and playsAnd while there is a level of confidence – or hope – the plan they’ve put in place will adequately manage the situation, there are no guarantees. I know that’s frustrating for fans, and I understand the want for clear-cut answers.
But this obviously isn’t a clear-cut situation.
May 29, 2019 at 2:23 am in reply to: OTAs (including a great final write-up by VB, posted 6/10) #101751znModeratorVincent Bonsignore@VinnyBonsignore
Some observations so far from #Rams OTA’s: The crispness and sense of purpose in how the Rams are working is very evident. I’d be shocked if there is a SB hang over. In fact it looks like the complete opposite.
Also pretty clear that this is an offense going into year three of the same system. Plenty of new wrinkles/layers being added.
Micah Kiser, Austin Blythe, Joe Noteboom, Brian Allen, Gerald Everett – among other young players – all look like they’ve been diligently following their offseason physical training programs.
Kupp was out there today in some 11 on 11 periods. It didn’t appear full speed but everything seems to be right on track for him
znModeratorQuotes & Notes 5/28: McVay’s thoughts on CB Marcus Peters’ upcoming contract season
“He’s always going to want to go above and beyond, but he’s done a great job following the specific rehab plan that we’ve implemented.”
-HC SEAN McVAYHead coach Sean McVay was asked for an update on his rising third-year wideout Cooper Kupp on Tuesday.
The head coach said the long-term goal is for Kupp to return to the slot option that accounted for 566 yards receiving and six touchdowns in eight games before suffering an ACL tear last season. And although he’s stayed out of the majority of offense vs. defense situations in OTAs so far, Kupp can be seen working individually in rehab drills on campus at Cal Lutheran University. On Tuesday, Kupp spent significant time chasing down deep balls in his red practice jersey.
“He stayed the course, took accountability, and I thought he played his best ball toward the end of the year.”
-HC SEAN McVAYCornerback Marcus Peters is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and when asked what he expects out of his star CB in 2019, McVay said he hopes the Oakland native picks up where he left off.
Peters played one of his best games as a Ram in Super Bowl LIII. He finished his first season in L.A. with seven tackles and a pass defensed at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
“I want to get to the Super Bowl and win it.”
-CB MARCUS PETERSWhen asked about his upcoming contract season and second as a member of the Rams defense, Peters made it clear what’s on his mind with training camp still a couple months out.
Back in March, McVay said the club “absolutely” had interest in keeping Peters around for 2019 and beyond. The pesky defensive back has grabbed 22 interceptions since he was drafted No. 18 overall by the Chiefs in 2015.“This is a big part that I definitely did miss and I’m happy I’m here now working with these guys.”
-DT AARON DONALDThe Rams reigning two-time AP Defensive Player of the Year took the podium following Tuesday’s OTA and said he’s enjoyed being on hand for the offseason program following his career season.
Donald, who previously spent offseasons working individually back in Pittsburgh, said his individual workouts in L.A. have resonated among his fellow D-linemen and that the group frequently gets in extra work in the facility’s weight room.“I’ve been loving Coach ‘Henny,’ that’s one of the main reasons I’ve wanted to be here.”
-DT AARON DONALDDonald was particularly enthused about the chance to work with the Rams new defensive line coach Eric Henderson, spending the offseason in L.A.
Henderson has quite literally taken a hands-on approach training his unit in OTAs, frequently posing as an offensive lineman and forcing Donald and Co. to swat their new coach out of the way.“I think it made us better overall, just getting some more veteran leadership in here to come in and help the young guys to continue to learn and grow.”
-CB MARCUS PETERSRams veterans on the defensive side of the ball in Los Angeles combine for some a pretty impressive list of NFL accolades.
Between Peters Donald, cornerback Aqib Talib, safety Eric Weddle, and linebacker Clay Matthews, the group combines for 24 Pro Bowl nods, 10 First-Team All-Pro seasons, and two Super Bowl titles. In 2014 and 2015, Donald and Peters each took home the league’s AP Defensive Rookie of the Year honor, respectively.
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