Michael Mulvihill@mulvihill79
With 13.6 million live viewers, the Game Of Thrones finale would have ranked 71st among all NFL games in live viewership last season.

Lindsey Thiry@LindseyThiry
First day of Rams OTAs, notably absent: RB Todd Gurley, CB Marcus Peters, CB Aqib Talib and OLD Dante Fowler.

Vincent Bonsignore@VinnyBonsignore
Marcus Peters, Aqib Talib, Dante Fowler Jr. and Todd Gurley were not present during #Rams OTA today, but each is in communication with Sean McVay and all absences were expected

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Aaron Donald at Rams OTAs, Gurley and Peters among absent players

Cameron DaSilva

Aaron Donald at Rams OTAs, Gurley and Peters among absent players

The next phase of the Los Angeles Rams’ offseason training program kicked off on Monday with the start of organized team activities. This portion of the offseason isn’t required, so players not in attendance for OTAs are not subject to punishment.

That being said, Sean McVay and the coaches would love to see as many players on the field as possible. Aaron Donald has skipped OTAs the last two years because of his contract holdout, but he was in Los Angeles for Day 1 this year.

On the flip side, there were some notable absences. As was the case with voluntary workouts last month, Marcus Peters and Dante Fowler skipped the start of OTAs on Monday, as well. The same goes for Aqib Talib and Todd Gurley.

Gurley has fielded frequent questions about his knee throughout the offseason, so perhaps he’d prefer to avoid any further speculation. Peters, Fowler and Talib haven’t had any reported injuries, so they’re likely absent from OTAs for personal reasons.

Chris Long reflects on time with Rams, ‘carnage’ in St. Louis

Cameron DaSilva

Chris Long reflects on time with Rams, 'carnage' in St. Louis

In 11 NFL seasons, Chris Long experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. He reached the pinnacle of the sport, but also knew what it felt like to miss the playoffs eight years in a row without a single winning record.

The former No. 2 overall pick announced his retirement over the weekend, leaving the game at the age of 34. With two Super Bowl rings and 70 career sacks, he should feel extremely satisfied with what he accomplished in the NFL – particularly off the field, winning the Walter Payton Man of the Year award last season.

In Peter King’s Monday morning column for NBC Sports, Long reflected on his career, including his time in St. Louis. In eight years with the Rams, he never made the playoffs, nor did he ever experience a winning season.

“I learned so much in my career. Getting drafted second overall, and going to St. Louis, and the fact that we were losing, I just thought, I am not gonna fold. I am not a loser. I am gonna be a bright spot. I am gonna give these fans, who I deeply appreciate for their dedication, the respect they deserve. Anyone playing in that era in St. Louis knows how bad it was at times. It was carnage, in so many ways. It was a test of my will. Do I get irritated by the no-Pro Bowl thing, never making a Pro Bowl? Yeah, I do. Fifty sacks in the first six years, with no one watching, on a bad team. I just felt the narrative should be, That kid panned out. But that’s okay—it was a labor of love. I have zero regrets.”

Long had a whopping 54.5 sacks with the Rams, including a career-high 13 in 2011. He was a consistent playmaker on St. Louis’ defense, and excluding his injury-riddled 2014 season, Long was almost always on the field. Surprisingly, he never made the Pro Bowl, but his numbers speak for themselves.

He eventually reached the promised land in New England and Philadelphia, winning back-to-back Super Bowls following the 2016 and ’17 seasons. His time in St. Louis wasn’t filled with glory or winning, but it did teach him a lot, including what it takes to overcome adversity.

LBRamsFan

I was talking to an offensive lineman yesterday for a Pac 12 team. He told me that the team they watched the most film on to learn the outside zone was the LA Rams. The team they watched the second most? Memphis. I thought that was interesting re [Henderson].

InvaderRam wrote:

this is forcing me to readjust my opinion

What is the “this” that did that?

Side note. You know, the Memphis coach watched a lot of tape of the McVay Rams and built a lot of it into his offense there.

Jim Nagy@JimNagy_SB
People often ask who my favorite player I ever scouted is and Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) is on the short list. Also the best Combine interview I’ve ever sat in on. Can’t wait to see the societal impact that Long and @DougBaldwinJr have on our country in the future. True leaders.

PFF LA Rams@PFF_Rams
Congrats to former #Rams EDGE Chris Long on an illustrious career! In his 8 years with the Rams, he tallied 395 pressures, 56 sacks, 151 tackles, 7 forced fumbles, and 164 stops!

Darrell Henderson: Rams ‘best system I could get in’

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001031229/article/darrell-henderson-rams-best-system-i-could-get-in

In the aftermath of Super Bowl LIII and Todd Gurley’s slowdown at the end of the 2018 season, the Los Angeles Rams opted not to find another backup running back to boost the ground game in free agency. Instead, L.A. waited until the draft, specifically the third round, to grab their next tailback, Darrell Henderson.

An undersized speedster out of Memphis, Henderson already feels at home with the Rams.

“If you go back and watch my college film and you watch the Rams film, it’s the same,” Henderson told the Los Angeles Times this week. “I thought that was the best system I could get in. So everything worked out great. When I was talking to them, everything was clicking and we developed a relationship. The coaches told me they knew they were going to get me so it was the perfect fit.”

What you see on Henderson’s college film is a lot of yards and a lot of house calls. The Memphis running back left college with 3,545 rushing yards on 431 carries and 36 rushing touchdowns (44 in total). Henderson averaged 8.2 yards per carry during his college career and 8.9 YPC during his final two seasons.

While it’s highly unlikely that, over the course of a season, Henderson will be able to keep up that pace against non-AAC defenses, the running back doesn’t expect to carry the load in Los Angeles right out of the gate. Why should he, with a former Offensive Player of the Year in Gurley ahead of him on the depth chart?

“Todd’s a great guy and he’s someone that every running back should want to learn from,” Henderson said. “Getting to be there with him and getting to work with him every day is an unbelievable opportunity. I’m just going to take the knowledge he gives me and watch how he works and learn from it and bring it to my game.”

Henderson, along with Malcolm Brown, might have to spell Gurley more often in 2019 than the star back is used to. Gurley was uncharacteristically unproductive and sometimes absent in Los Angeles’ final two games last season, including the Super Bowl. He and the Rams denied his relative lack of action (16 touches, 47 yards, TD) was due to injury, though Gurley had missed L.A.’s final two regular-season contests with a knee issue.

The Rams’ plans for Henderson were hinted at in a behind-the-scenes clip promoted by the team, in which general manager Les Snead said in the lead-up to drafting Henderson that the back has an “[Alvin] Kamara element.” Rams coach Sean McVay said that Henderson had a “specific skill set” and could do “unique” things for the offense.

While those terms describing Henderson don’t scream “contender for the starting job,” it’s noteworthy that Kamara, also a third-round pick of the Saints and initially third on the depth chart behind Mark Ingram and Adrian Peterson, was a lethal backfield option in his rookie season, averaging 7.7 yards per touch and scoring 13 touchdowns in his first year.

Might Henderson have the same impact on the Rams in 2019?

Eagles' Chris Long announces retirement after 11 NFL seasons https://t.co/ZxAhUUfZ2l

— Joe Curley (@vcsjoecurley) May 19, 2019

InvaderRam wrote:

rams could be relying on up to 3 players to start from that draft class.

and ogbo as a significant contributor.

if the rams pull it off, snead’s reputation goes through the roof.

I just get the impression from various things that 2019 was a much deeper draft. In 2019 they could have hit on 5-6 starters, no joke (counting change of pace back as a starting role or its equivalent).

As for 2018, I just think it would be a big score if it played out like this:

Noteboom, Allen, Kiser: solid starters

Joseph-Day, Franklin-Myers: solid rotational guys & depth in the mold of William Hayes (though obviously not the same position as Hayes).

Obo I have no feel for. I know he’s a favorite among many. But what he needs to be, is hard to come by. For example, there’s already talk of moving Ebukam inside. Being a top or even just good edge rusher is more than physical traits. You have to have a knack for it. Ebukam hits blockers and then nothing happens. He don’t seem to have any “engagement” tools or instincts. In contrast, Kevin Greene did not have half the physical talent Ebukam does but he knew what to do when he needed to and knew it instantly. Maybe Matthews is a teacher and passes some of that on. In other words, Obo looks good on paper but does he have the instincts and the know-how?

Can they hit 3-4 starters in a draft with not 1st round pick? Arguably they already did–2017. That is, if you count Ebukam as a continuing starter. Everett may be moving into the top TE role. Kupp and Johnson are obvious.

The #Rams are at Grand Park in L.A. for the United Way Homewalk. Really great turnout for a great cause pic.twitter.com/4AycNOO5JO

— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) May 18, 2019

Rams S Taylor Rapp was the Pac-12's highest-graded eligible safety, by a comfortable margin. pic.twitter.com/WjzASDbUBJ

— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) May 18, 2019

JackPMiller wrote:

If correct, we gave Goff the fifth year option, not sure how it works with that, but I would sign the extension, because if correct, this year & next years fifth year option is already done, so the extension would not take place until 2021 either way.

That might be true. But maybe it’s possible, if they wanted, to undo the 5th year option and just start a new contract extension as of next year. But I don’t really know the technicalities on that.

Rams Junkie

Rams top six picks are in drafttek’s top 111 players

from https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2019/4/28/18521022/2019-nfl-draft-grades-analysis-los-angeles-rams-class-picks-taylor-rapp-darrell-henderson

2019 NFL Draft LA Rams Order
Rd # Rd# Pick Player POS School
2 61 29 Taylor Rapp S Washington
3 70 6 Darrell Henderson RB Memphis
3 79 15 David Long CB Michigan
3 97 33 Bobby Evans OL Oklahoma
4 134 32 Greg Gaines DT Washington
5 169 31 David Edwards OT Wisconsin

https://www.drafttek.com/Top-100-NFL-Draft-Prospects-2019-Page-2.asp
Rk Player College P1 Ht Wt P2 Dif BIO SCT
1 — Nick Bosa Ohio State EDGE 6’4″ 266 BIO —
2 — Quinnen Williams Alabama DL3T 6’3″ 303 DL5T -17 BIO —
3 — Josh Allen Kentucky EDGE 6’4″ 262 BIO —
4 — Kyler Murray Oklahoma QB 5’10” 195 BIO —
5 — Devin White LSU ILB 6’0″ 237 BIO —
6 — Jawaan Taylor Florida OT 6’5″ 312 BIO —
7 — Ed Oliver Houston DL3T 6’2″ 287 BIO —
8 — Dwayne Haskins Ohio St QB 6’3″ 210 BIO —
9 — T.J. Hockenson Iowa TE 6’5″ 251 BIO —
10 — Andre Dillard Washington St OT 6’5″ 315 BIO —
11 — Montez Sweat Mississippi St EDGE 6’5″ 260 BIO —
12 — Rashan Gary Michigan DL3T 6’4″ 277 DL5T -2 BIO —
13 — Drew Lock Missouri QB 6’3″ 225 BIO —
14 — D.K. Metcalf Ole Miss WRF 6’4″ 225 BIO —
15 — Byron Murphy Washington CB 5’11” 182 BIO —
16 — Jonah Williams Alabama OT 6’4″ 302 BIO —
17 — Greedy Williams LSU CB 6’1″ 182 BIO —
18 — Clelin Ferrell Clemson EDGE 6’4″ 264 BIO —
19 — Christian Wilkins Clemson DL3T 6’3″ 315 BIO —
20 — C Gardner-Johnson Florida S 6’0″ 207 BIO —
21 — Marquise Brown Oklahoma WRS 5’11” 165 BIO —
22 — Noah Fant Iowa TE 6’4″ 249 BIO —
23 — A.J. Brown Ole Miss WRF 6’1″ 225 BIO —
24 — Devin Bush Michigan ILB 5’11” 234 BIO —
25 — Nasir Adderley Delaware S 5’11” 200 BIO —
26 — Dre’Mont Jones Ohio State DL3T 6’3″ 281 BIO —
27 — Daniel Jones Duke QB 6’5″ 215 BIO —
28 — Garrett Bradbury North Carolina St OC 6’3″ 306 BIO —
29 — Oshane Ximines Old Dominion EDGE 6’3″ 253 BIO —
30 — Dalton Risner Kansas State OG 6’5″ 312 OT -18 BIO —
31 — Hakeem Butler Iowa State WRF 6’6″ 205 BIO —
32 — Chris Lindstrom Boston College OG 6’4″ 308 BIO —
33 — Jerry Tillery Notre Dame DL3T 6’6″ 295 DL5T -10 BIO —
34 — DeAndre Baker Georgia CB 5’10” 185 BIO —
35 — Deionte Thompson Alabama S 6’2″ 196 BIO —
36 — Jaylon Ferguson Louisiana Tech EDGE 6’5″ 262 BIO —
37 — Kaleb McGary Washington OT 6’7″ 317 BIO —
38 — Brian Burns Florida State EDGE 6’4″ 249 BIO —
39 — N’Keal Harry Arizona State WRF 6’3″ 216 BIO —
40 — Josh Jacobs Alabama RBF 5’10” 216 BIO —
41 — Mack Wilson Alabama ILB 6’1″ 240 BIO —
42 — Erik McCoy Texas A&M OC 6’4″ 303 BIO —
43 — Taylor Rapp Washington S 6’0″ 207 BIO —
44 — J.J. Arcega-Whiteside Stanford WRF 6’2″ 222 BIO —
45 — Juan Thornhill Virginia S 6’0″ 200 BIO —
46 — Dexter Lawrence Clemson DL1T 6’4″ 342 BIO —
47 — Irv Smith Jr. Alabama TE 6’2″ 242 BIO —
48 — Amani Oruwariye Penn State CB 6’0″ 209 BIO —
49 — Damien Harris Alabama RBF 5’10” 196 BIO —
50 — Greg Little Ole Miss OT 6’5″ 310 BIO —
51 — Cody Ford Oklahoma OG 6’4″ 329 BIO —
52 — Lonnie Johnson Kentucky CB 6’3″ 218 BIO —
53 — Jeffery Simmons Mississippi State DL3T 6’4″ 300 BIO —
54 — David Montgomery Iowa State RBF 5’11” 219 BIO —
55 — Rock Ya-Sin Temple CB 6’2″ 190 BIO —
56 — Kelvin Harmon North Carolina St WRF 6’2″ 213 BIO —
57 — Zach Allen Boston College DL5T 6’4″ 281 BIO —
58 — Johnathan Abram Mississippi St S 6’0″ 215 BIO —
59 — Justin Layne Michigan St CB 6’3″ 195 BIO —
60 — Trayvon Mullen Clemson CB 6’2″ 190 BIO —
61 — Joe Jackson Miami (FL) EDGE 6’4″ 275 DL5T -55 BIO —
62 — Elgton Jenkins Mississippi St OC 6’4″ 310 BIO —
63 — Miles Sanders Penn State RBF 5’11” 215 BIO —
64 — Connor McGovern Penn State OG 6’5″ 308 OC -23 BIO —
65 — Parris Campbell Ohio State WRF 6’0″ 208 BIO —
66 — Emanuel Hall Missouri WRF 6’2″ 220 BIO —
67 — Chase Winovich Michigan EDGE 6’2″ 256 BIO —
68 — Vosean Joseph Florida OLB 6’1″ 230 BIO —
69 — Tytus Howard Alabama State OT 6’5″ 322 BIO —
70 — Terry McLaurin Ohio State WRF 6’1″ 205 BIO —
71 — Michael Jordan Ohio State OG 6’6″ 312 OC -430 BIO —
72 — Jace Sternberger Texas A&M TE 6’4″ 251 BIO —
73 — Jachai Polite Florida EDGE 6’2″ 258 BIO —
74 — Germaine Pratt N.C. State ILB 6’2″ 240 BIO —
75 — Darnell Savage Jr. Maryland S 5’11” 191 BIO —
76 — Dawson Knox Ole Miss TE 6’4″ 254 BIO —
77 — Josh Oliver San Jose State TE 6’5″ 249 BIO —
78 — Deebo Samuel South Carolina WRF 5’11” 215 BIO —
79 — Riley Ridley Georgia WRF 6’2″ 200 BIO —
80 — Andy Isabella UMass WRS 5’9″ 186 BIO —
81 — Julian Love Notre Dame CB 5’11” 193 BIO —
82 — Khalen Saunders Western Illinois DL3T 6’0″ 324 DL1T -6 BIO —
83 — Yodny Cajuste West Virginia OT 6’5″ 312 BIO —
84 — Amani Hooker Iowa S 6’0″ 210 BIO —
85 — Sean Bunting Central Michigan CB 6’1″ 181 BIO —
86 — Michael Deiter Wisconsin OT 6’5″ 309 OG -185 BIO —
87 — Bobby Okereke Stanford ILB 6’1″ 239 BIO —
88 — Renell Wren Arizona State DL1T 6’4″ 315 DL3T -3 BIO —
89 — L.J. Collier TCU DL3T 6’2″ 283 BIO —
90 — Bobby Evans Oklahoma OG 6’4″ 312 BIO —
91 — David Long Michigan CB 5’11” 187 BIO —
92 — JoeJuan Williams Vanderbilt CB 6’2″ 205 BIO —
93 — Martez Ivey Florida OT 6’5″ 315 BIO —
94 — D’Andre Walker Georgia EDGE 6’2″ 251 BIO —
95 — Charles Omenihu Texas DL5T 6’5″ 280 DL3T -33 BIO —
96 — Ben Banogu Texas Christian EDGE 6’3″ 250 BIO —
97 — Jamel Dean Auburn CB 6’2″ 208 BIO —
98 — Mecole Hardman Georgia WRS 5’11” 183 BIO —
99 — Miles Boykin Notre Dame WRF 6’4″ 220 BIO —
100 — Darrell Henderson Memphis RBF 5’9″ 200 BIO —
101 — Max Scharping Northern Illinois OT 6’6″ 327 BIO —
102 — Cameron Smith USC ILB 6’2″ 238 BIO —
103 — Gerald Willis III Miami (FL) DL3T 6’2″ 302 BIO —
104 — Kaden Smith Stanford TE 6’5″ 255 BIO —
105 — Isaiah Buggs Alabama DL5T 6’3″ 306 DL1T -29 BIO —
106 — Joe Giles-Harris Duke ILB 6’1″ 234 BIO —
107 — Jarrett Stidham Auburn QB 6’2″ 214 BIO —
108 — Daniel Wise Kansas DL3T 6’2″ 281 BIO —
109 — David Long Jr. West Virginia OLB 5’11” 227 BIO —
110 — David Edwards Wisconsin OT 6’6″ 308 BIO —
111 — Greg Gaines Washington DL1T 6’1″ 312 BIO —