2 more cents on this fwiw

—

Rampage2K-

I was watching some pregame show the other day and they were talking about the Rams not playing any starters on offense. Prisco said he liked it and that other teams might start taking a page out of McVay’s book on how to handle preseason, but they might get some pushback by the NFL because they want to sell tickets and advertising…

He said he has been to every camp and said the Rams are the only team that is on a different level when it comes to practicing. He said the Rams do a lot of situational football and don’t waste time on a lot of the other stuff teams typically do. The Rams don’t need preseason as much as some other teams seem to need it.

Rich Hammond@Rich_Hammond
Ndamukong Suh, on his 1Q hit on Deshaun Watson that led to a Rams INT: “For sure it feels good. We can’t hit 16 [Jared Goff] or even get near him in practice, let alone all the other guys. So it feels good to hit a quarterback.”

The Rams just had a 19-play drive that ended in an impressive 15-yard TD run by John Kelly. And, best of all, it took 12:06 off the clock!

==

Ryan Kartje@Ryan_Kartje
Sean McVay on sitting his entire 1st team offense this preseason: “This is what we felt like was best for our football team. It might not be for everybody. There might be disagreements, but this is the decision that we made.”

Ndamukong Suh postgame: “For sure it feels good [to hit a QB]. I mean, we can’t hit ’16’ or even get near him in practice, let alone all the other guys, so it feels good to hit a quarterback especially with the new rules and all that stuff.”

— Myles Simmons (@MylesASimmons) August 26, 2018

Welcome back to the NFL, Sam Shields!#HOUvsLA pic.twitter.com/SsyTMthmhL

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) August 25, 2018

“Old school, hard-nosed football right down the gut.” – @Nate13Burleson 😤@JKShuttlesworth with his second TD of the preseason! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/PcGoF18QZg

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) August 25, 2018

Eric Edholm@Eric_Edholm
John Kelly is better than at least half a dozen RBs taken ahead of him

==

Brad Evans@YahooNoise
If Todd Gurley is felled by a significant injury (God forbid), John Kelly is going to win people fantasy titles. He’s really good people.

from ReFocused, NFL Preseason Week 3: Los Angeles Rams 21, Houston Texans 20

https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-refocused-2018-rams-21-texans-20

The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Houston Texans on Saturday evening, 21-20 continuing the third full week of preseason action in the NFL.

Los Angeles Rams 21, Houston Texans 20

Rookie running back John Kelly shouldered the load against the Texans and offered more than a glimmer of promise on the depth chart behind Todd Gurley. He capped off the best drive of the day for the Rams with a 15-yard run on third & goal, as he weaved through the heart of the Texans defense with decisive cuts, spinning through arm tackles before entering the end zone.

Third-string quarterback Brandon Allen produced his best work on third downs, both with his arm and his legs. He picked up one conversion on a scramble up the middle to push the Rams into the red zone. He also set up a couple of conversions on the Rams’ long third-quarter drive with strong throws to out-breaking routes to keep the Rams’ backup offense on the field.

The Rams showed some strong depth up front, as they went to work on the Texans offensive line with second-year edge defender Ejuan Price being the standout. He picked up two sacks, though one was negated by a penalty after a vicious spin move left Texans tackle Chad Slade grasping at thin air.

It remains to be seen who will start opening week at linebacker, but Ramik Wilson’s play of late warrants some serious consideration. Wilson closed quickly in coverage and did a good job getting off blocks.

KEY TO THE GAME

Houston: Houston’s offensive line looked shaky from the start, only to struggle even more as the game progressed.

Los Angeles: Once the Texans’ starting defense left the field, the Rams’ backup offensive line took control. Mental errors were at a minimum and steady play in various combinations allowed the Rams to keep moving forward against the Texans’ backups.

Turns out, he’s sitting all the starters.

Vincent Bonsignore@VinnyBonsignore
#Rams will sit out all offensive starters except for Jamon Brown today against the #Texans

zn wrote:

Andy Benoit@Andy_Benoit
Love Aaron Donald, but how does a member of a run D that ranked 30th in yards allowed per attempt run away with Defensive Player of the Year?

Sam Monson@PFF_Sam
*sigh*
Because run defense is 11 players.

It is possible, and in fact very common, to have great players toiling away on bad defensive units.

We have to be better than this.

Evan Silva@evansilva
Because Wade Phillips is smart & knows Run Defense doesn’t matter. In fact, there is evidence strongly suggesting it’s better to have a soft Run Defense so long as your Pass Defense is stout and/or can create takeaways.

==

Ted Nguyen@FB_FilmAnalysis
What teams in the NFL are comfortable with their OL depth?

Sam Monson@PFF_Sam
Delusional ones

==

‘How to Keep a Quarterback Healthy in the NFL’: Luck, McVay, Stafford, Reich, RG3, Eli and a host of players and coaches tell @Andy_Benoit their strategies and tips for keeping the QB on the field.https://t.co/lb28hkzZfa pic.twitter.com/XAYJDoqndi

— The MMQB (@theMMQB) August 24, 2018

Rams will test outside linebackers, pass rushers and backups on offensive line against Texans on Saturday

GARY KLEIN

http://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/la-sp-rams-texans-20180824-story.html

Rams rookie offensive lineman Joseph Noteboom talks with coach Aaron Kromer during practice at Cal Lutheran University on June 4. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Preseason NFL games are not high-stakes affairs, unless you are a rookie offensive lineman charged with protecting the franchise’s most valuable asset.

That’s the assignment the Rams’ Joseph Noteboom initially drew for Saturday’s game against the Houston Texans at the Coliseum.

Veteran Andrew Whitworth is sitting out preseason games, so Noteboom will start at left tackle in what was supposed to be quarterback Jared Goff’s first and only preseason action.

“You definitely don’t want him getting pressure or touched,” Noteboom said.

Noteboom’s job will remain the same, but he probably will once again be protecting the blind side for backup quarterback Sean Mannion.

Coach Sean McVay indicated Thursday that Goff is on track to sit out the entire preseason, which ends next week at New Orleans. Whitworth and veteran center John Sullivan are not playing against the Texans and, of more immediate concern, right tackle Rob Havenstein is nursing an ankle injury.

The risk Goff would face taking snaps behind rookies and backups — with Texans lineman J.J. Watt and edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney on the other side of the line of scrimmage — is too great.

On a day when McVay said that running back Todd Gurley definitely would not play, he did not make the same definitive proclamation regarding Goff. Havenstein’s availability Saturday, McVay said, “will definitely have an impact on what we do.”

But with the Rams investing heavily in players for a possible run to the Super Bowl, McVay is expected to play it safe to ensure that Goff and all starters are physically sound for the Sept. 10 opener against the Oakland Raiders on “Monday Night Football.”

Receivers Robert Woods, Brandin Cooks and Cooper Kupp will be catching passes from Mannion, who rebounded from a poor performance against the Baltimore Ravens and played more efficiently against the Oakland Raiders.

All but two starters — offensive guard Jamon Brown and linebacker Samson Ebukam — were held out of the 33-7 loss to the Ravens and a 19-15 victory over the Raiders.

Many are looking forward to acclimating to game conditions, if only for a few series.

Linebacker Cory Littleton will call defensive signals for the first time.

Defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh noted this week that joint practices with the Ravens were valuable, but did not include hitting the quarterback.

“But in these games we can,” he said. “It’s always good to get a couple bumps, hits and get to the real thing in Week 1.”

Preseason action enables players to gauge their conditioning and more, cornerback Aqib Talib said.

“Get some full-speed reps, that first initial tackling somebody all the way to the ground, get that out your system before the first game of the season,” he said.

Cornerback Marcus Peters’ goals?

“Get a three-and-out every time,” he said, “and then we done.”

Nearly every starting position is accounted for except outside linebacker.

Ebukam, a second-year pro, started the first two games to continue gaining experience. He appears on his way to starting as an edge-rusher.

But the other outside spot is not settled.

Matt Longacre is coming off back surgery and was slowed through training camp and the first two weeks of the preseason because of a biceps injury. Second-year pro Ejuan Price started against the Raiders.

The Rams considered signing veteran free agent Junior Galette, bringing him in for a physical, but dismissed the possibility without putting him through a workout.

Dominique Easley played defensive tackle in college and during his first three NFL seasons. He sat out last season after suffering his third major knee injury, but began practicing this week at outside linebacker.

Rookie Justin Lawler has played well behind Ebukam. Rookie linebacker Trevon Young and, possibly, lineman John Franklin-Myers also could get opportunities to rush the passer from an outside spot against the Texans.

Stopping pass rushers will be on Noteboom’s mind as he plays alongside veteran left guard Rodger Saffold.

“I just want to try to reassure him,” Saffold said, “To help where need be and tell him just to play his game.”

Against the Raiders, Noteboom started at left tackle but also played right tackle and right guard.

He is among the players the Rams are considering as a temporary replacement for Brown, who is suspended for the first two games of the season for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy.

Playing tackle requires heightened athleticism, playing guard more power, Noteboom said. Switching positions is not a problem.

“It’s just flipping your mind-set,” he said.

Andy Benoit@Andy_Benoit
Love Aaron Donald, but how does a member of a run D that ranked 30th in yards allowed per attempt run away with Defensive Player of the Year?

Joe Curley@vcsjoecurley
Nominee: Worst Rams Tweet of the Year

I mean, honestly, the Rams struggled at times last year early in games stoppping the run. But did it ever cost them a game? Off the top of my head, I don’t think so. Completely overrated aspect of last season.

Andy Benoit@Andy_Benoit
Matt Longacre is a tremendous athlete who happens to play in a dad bod

Joe Curley@vcsjoecurley
Nominee: Rams’ Tweet of the Year

==

Andy Benoit@Andy_Benoit
Imagine Cooks running a deep route, lifting the safety, and Todd Gurley catching a pass underneath that.

Rich Hammond@Rich_Hammond
This is what the Rams envisioned last year with Sammy Watkins, and to an extent, it worked, but the belief is that Cooks, with greater speed and a better knowledge of the offense, can be an even greater threat.

Plus, based strictly on anecdotal evidence in camp, the Goff-Cooks connection looks tighter than Goff-Watkins did last season. That doesn’t mean all will be perfect. Defenses will adjust to what McVay did last year. But Cooks got the big $ because the Rams need his skill set.

==

Myles Simmons@MylesASimmons
slot corner Nickell Robey-Coleman calls teammate WR Cooper Kupp the best slot receiver in the league. #LARams

==

He doesn’t get home, but #LARams lining Marqui Christian up as a LB next to Hager in nickel, then following him on a B-gap blitz, is an intriguing takeaway from OAK film. pic.twitter.com/U5zeX1SXyd

— J.B. Long (@JB_Long) August 24, 2018

Why the Rams might have Jared Goff sit out another preseason game

Vincent Bonsignore

https://theathletic.com/486969/2018/08/23/why-the-rams-might-have-jared-goff-sit-out-another-preseason-game/

THOUSAND​ OAKS, Calif. —​ The Rams’ plan​ for​ Saturday’s game​ against​ the Houston​ Texans​ was​ to​ get Jared Goff​ some playing​​ time for the first — and only — time this preseason. Whether it was playing one quarter or an entire half, Goff would take the field at the Coliseum with most of his starting supporting cast getting some run before going back into the bubble wrap in preparation for the Sept. 10 season opener against the Oakland Raiders.
That plan took a decided turn Tuesday with the news that starting right tackle Rob Havenstein tweaked an ankle, leaving his status for Saturday up in the air. Havenstein’s absence would mean the Rams would be without three starters on the offensive line.
“Whether (Havenstein) plays or not will affect some things potentially,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said.
In other words, there’s a good chance Goff doesn’t suit up Saturday.
“Whatever they decide to do, I’m on board with,” Goff said. “I think we got a lot of good work through training camp and through different situations that may come up this weekend that may happen. I’m planning to play and we’ll see what happens.”
Goff absolutely wants to play. That’s obvious.
But sitting him is the right decision if Havenstein is a no-go no matter how much the fans squawk or Goff pleads his case or how strong the Rams’ need is to get Goff some snaps in real game conditions at least one time before the season opener.
The third-year quarterback is as close to irreplaceable as it gets on the Rams roster. This is a collective effort to be sure, from McVay to Gurley to Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp and Brandin Cooks to a strong offensive line. But it’s Goff who ultimately makes it all go offensively.
And while it’s not ideal he goes through the entire preseason without taking a single in-game snap, the risk of playing Goff behind an offensive line down three starters far outweighs the benefit he’d get managing a playbook that in no way shape or form represents what he’ll use in the regular season.
“So, there’s a lot of things that — like I’ve told you — self-admittedly, this isn’t like an easy answer because there’s a lot of layers to it,” McVay said. “I think those guys would want to play. But we’re not game-planning, we’re not doing things that are consistent with our normal approach.”
The Rams were already pushing things a bit with left tackle Andrew Whitworth and center John Sullivan missing Saturday’s game as part of the long-range plan to get the two veterans through the regular season.
What gives the Rams confidence is the steady progress of rookies Joseph Noteboom and Brian Allen and the confidence in third-year lineman Austin Blythe. All three are growing up at warp speed under highly-regarded offensive line coach Aaron Kromer, and they have played extensively during the preseason along with rookie guard Jamil Demby, who will see plenty of action Saturday as well.
“It says that you feel good about these guys,” McVay said. “I think you guys have heard us say it over and over, Aaron Kromer has done a really good job developing, especially these young linemen. You look at Brian Allen and Joe Noteboom specifically. Obviously, we’ve talked a lot about the progression of Austin Blythe, who’s been with us, and you just see what a good player he’s become that really can play any one of those three interior spots. So we feel really good about the depth that Coach Kromer has developed.”
So much so that the Rams felt confident Goff would be adequately protected if a healthy Havenstein anchored the right side with Jamon Brown and Rodger Saffold played left guard in between Noteboom at tackle and either Allen or Blythe at center. But Havenstein’s status changes things considerably.
What McVay might have been comfortable asking Goff to do previously — deep drops operating in a safe pocket that allows him to go through his progressions — he would likely be hesitant to ask of his starting QB if he had to play behind an O-line missing both starting tackles against the Texans’ monster pass-rushing duo of J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney.
That would mean calling more run plays and quick throws on shorter drops and quick boots to help Goff get rid of the ball as quickly as possible to prevent him from getting hit.
And if that’s the case, there’s really no reason for Goff to play at all. There would be no point running him out there if you can’t confidently run the kind of 15 to 20 plays that will benefit him most going into the season opener.
It’s not the ideal way for Goff to go into the regular season. But in this case, the risk far outweighs the reward.
“Again, whatever happens this weekend happens,” Goff said. “I’m expecting to play, and if it’s a situation where I don’t, that’s OK.”

Andy Benoit@Andy_Benoit
No player outperforms his body type more than Matt Longacre.

Lamarcus Joyner has outstanding range and coverage flexibility, is also a great hitter.

Love Aaron Donald, but how does a member of a run D that ranked 30th in yards allowed per attempt run away with Defensive Player of the Year?

CBs Talib and Peters need a potent pass rush in front of them. Their gambles work when defense forces the ball out early. When it doesn’t, gambles can backfire.

#Rams defense star-studded in places, but questions at wide DE, LB and safety, and almost no back 7 depth to speak of.

#Rams might miss Tavon Austin. His gadgetry brought a lot of deception to the scheme.

Andrew Whitworth is most commanding pass-blocker in NFL in terms of fundamentals, but only when he’s dictating the terms. When he’s in reaction mode, his age shows.

Kupp has a high-level understanding of how plays are designed to beat specific coverages.

#Rams will be great in 3×1 sets this year. Gurley as receiver here, Cooks drawing double-teams on weak side.

Gerald Everett an important piece for #Rams. McVay wants a receiving TE like he had in Washington (Jordan Reed).

#Rams OL under Aaron Kromer was the most improved unit in NFL last year.

It’s between Aaron Kromer and Bill Callahan for best zone-oriented OL coach in football.

Left side of #Rams OL, especially guard Saffold, is as good as any in the screen game.

Gurley has good wiggle but not GREAT change-of-direction. Those are 2 subtly different things.

Gurley a perfect fit in a zone scheme and backfield screen passing game like #Rams feature.

Goff must get better in messy pockets. He’s shown progress here.

Jared Goff a more talented Kirk Cousins. You can go far with that.

#Rams on the cusp of being the best play-action offense in football.

McVay masterful in the hurry-up game, imagine he’ll play 3-WR packages and go hurry-up a lot in 2018.