Quotes & Notes 8/6/18: First Practice with Ravens Proves Beneficial

Clarence Dennis

https://www.therams.com/news/quotes-notes-8-6-18-first-practice-with-ravens-proves-beneficial

“[A] lot of people behind the scenes did an excellent job setting it [practice in Baltimore] up — really very appreciative of coach [John] Harbaugh and his group and what a great job they’ve done in accommodating us. It seemed like it was a great first day guys were able to get a lot out of it — a lot of respect for this organization and how they’ve completed the last handful of years..”
-HEAD COACH SEAN McVAY

Head coach Sean McVay praised many of those who worked “behind the scenes” for his team to be able to participate in joint practices with the Ravens during training camp.
The Rams traveled over 2,000 miles from LAX to Baltimore on Sunday morning, with a larger than normal roster prior to cuts at the beginning of September.
The Rams will practice once more with the Ravens on Tuesday before a Wednesday walk-thru and Thursday evening’s first preseason game for the Rams and second for the Ravens.
The Ravens played in the preseason opening ‘Hall of Fame Game’ last Thursday night, defeating the Bears 17-16.

“We wanted to be able to get a lot of good work in today. I thought coach Harbaugh’s guys did a great job of competing smart from what it seemed like as well, and so did our guys. But that was definitely the message — we don’t need any of that [fighting in joint practice], especially because of some of the things that can happen injury-wise, things like that. And [we] always talk about what’s the intent of coming out here to practice and it’s to get better and go against a really good football team and that’s what we felt like we got today.”
-HEAD COACH SEAN McVAY

While the Rams have had a scuffle-free training camp thus far in Irvine, there was some question as to whether or not tempers might flare in joint practices with the Ravens.
McVay said he made it clear to his guys what the “intent” of these practices are and plans to avoid injuries at all costs.
All eyes were on corner Aqib Talib and Ravens’ wide receiver Michael Crabtree, who have had on-field confrontations in the past.

“It really is [difficult to only watch offense]. But that’s where you have such great confidence in [defensive coordinator] Wade [Phillips] and our defensive staff as a whole. We have always talked about it — you know when you have great coaches like we do, if you do a situation where it’s a two-spot drill, just with the involvement that you have offensively, you feel like you can get some good work in. And then I’m excited to watch the tape and kind of be in tune with what happened [on defense].”
-HEAD COACH SEAN McVAY

Monday’s practice was split between offense and defense, forcing McVay mostly focus on the Rams’ offense on one field. Los Angeles’ defense — squaring off against Baltimore’s offense — was far enough away from McVay that he really couldn’t tell what was going on, especially since he serves as the offensive play-caller.
McVay was complimentary of the Ravens’ defense, specifically of linebacker C.J. Mosley and safety Eric Weddle.

“It felt good Saturday. I think as time goes on you just continue to get more comfortable. I think we have put in all of our installs now and we are starting to rep the same plays over and over again and our good plays over and over again — starting to figure out what we like, what we are good at. And when that happens, I think you become more comfortable with it and stuff starts to roll a little bit better.”
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Early on in Irvine, Goff expressed how excited he was to face a challenging defense daily. On Monday, Goff seemed equally up to the challenge of running his offense against an unfamiliar defense in the Ravens.

“Yeah, it’s definitely different for me, being a native of California and being out here. But we have played in games, you know Jacksonville is the one last year that you look at that was really humid like this. It can happen, I’m sure we will have a game this year or multiple games in that kind of temperature — so we have to deal with it and I thought today was good to feel that.”
-QB JARED GOFF

“It kind of boosts our confidence a little bit. When you go against your team so much, you obviously know each other — you know each other’s playmakers and stuff like that. Going against another team and you get stops it kind of makes you feel like it’s for-real ball — it’s what it’s going to look like on Sundays. So getting out there, getting some stops on third down, getting some sacks, and the secondary breaking up some passes — it felt great definitely for us.”
-DT MICHAEL BROCKERS

Andy Benoit@Andy_Benoit
I asked about 20 coaches at Combine which offensive schemes they’re studying for 2018. Every coach named 2 teams, and only 2 teams: #49ers and #Rams.

Joe Curley@vcsjoecurley
Asked if the Rams are the team to beat in the NFL, Goff responds “That’s up for you guys to decide. I don’t know. We’ve got a lot of work to do. We’re 0-0 right now and haven’t even played our first preseason game.”

Goff says he hasn’t spoken to Aaron Donald recently. “We love Aaron. Aaron’s a great part of our team and a good piece of our team. We hope to get him back soon….

“We don’t hate if offensively during practice when he’s not here. We don’t hate it. We get some good work in and don’t get any plays ruined.”

“We’d love for him to be here. At the same time, that’s part of the business that he has to deal with and our team is dealing with with him.

Goff on his expectations for Year 3 after a big improvement last year: “I just want to continue to keep getting better and continue to keep understanding everything we that we’re doing offensively…

“But right now I feel like we’re in a good spot, feel like I’m in a good spot, continue to gel with Sean and continue to get better.”

“I felt like I had a grasp on it last year and then where I’m at now, I look back to last year and go ‘You know I really didn’t know that much.’ And I’m sure that’ll happen as time goes on, year to year…

Goff on the Rams improving offensively after scoring 29.9 points per game last year: “We’re going to have to continue to evolve and be creative and come up with new things. At the same time, be good at our base stuff, be really good at it and continue to get sharper at it.”

Goff on Todd Gurley’s contract: “It’s awesome. It’s great to see a guy like Todd get that reward with all he did last year and what he’s done his whole career… especially last year coming in and working… and having the year he had.”

Jared Goff just told @nflnetwork that today’s joint practice with the Ravens was the hottest practice of his life. “I’ve never really been practicing in a humid environment like this, just growing up in California and getting a chance to play college and pro ball in California.” It was 101 degrees and humid. “It’s a little bit different,” Goff said.

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Gary Klein@LATimesklein
McVay said he spoke with Talib about Crabtree in advance of practices: “Aqib is a smart player, he’sa leader. I think he knew that there would be a lot of eyes on that specific situation and trusted that based on our conversations he’s be smart about it and he certainly was.

McVay on whether he has a plan re Jared Goff for Thursday night: “There’s a good chance a handful of guys, if we feel like we get the work that we want, will sit out on Thursday.” Goff said he was fine with whatever McVay decides.

McVay on the Ravens facility: “You feel like you’re pulling up to a country club, so pretty nice.”

McVay continued: “But I don’t think there’s any realistic deal to kind of that Aug. 7 being a date that changes really anything. But you never know. And things remain the same. I’m looking forward to trying to connect with him later today and we’ll see where we’re at.”

McVay on Donald situation:” I don’t think anything’s going to change with that in the near future. I’ve had a little bit of dialogue with Aaron and we’re hopeful that we’ll get something done.”

Jared Goff said it would be no problem if he was among starters who don’t play Thursday against Ravens.

Sean McVay said he’d be surprised if Aaron Donald reported by Tuesday.

Rams Aqib Talib lined up opposite Ravens receiver Michael Crabtree 10 times during various drills. No incidents. Talib broke up only pass that came his way.

Adam Schefter@AdamSchefter
Rams DT Aaron Donald has until Tuesday to report to camp or he will lose an accrued season and become a restricted free agent after this season, as opposed to an UFA. Saying that, Donald doesn’t care whether he’s an RFA or UFA; he’s determined not to play until he has a new deal.

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NOTE: I corrected a typo in that. The first time he uses the term RFA he means UFA so I just changed it. I bold the changed term.

InvaderRam wrote:

just love what i’m hearing about goff so far. still only practice but still…

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Edited/expanded version:

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SoCalRam78

Goff is shredding it in camp

guy threading needles and calling own plays and hooking up all over the place with different receivers.

Second year in system. Second year with receivers. Age 23.

McVay is just feeding him growth at QB. Just look at Cousins.

The Great thing about Jared Goff is how level headed he is. Doesn’t get too high or too low. He can get flushed & then just lives for another play. The thing that is cool is if Goff gets flushed he keeps eyes open down field , but also mindset is not to force it.

He is so connected to Robert Woods it’s crazy. Goff would talk about things on routes with Woods keeping a good 30-60 seconds between routes.

Copper Kupp was last player on the field a couple days. Wonder if he is in trainers room trying to stay healthy?

Cooks is electric, but stayed after practice running routes with Goff. That big long hair blonde dude throwing snaps.

Last season I had Copper Kupp & Woods at certain points on fantasy. Woods was a numbers machine before getting hurt.

Gurley is already in the same page as well. Goff hit Gurley to end Thursday’s practice for a 2 point conversion to have the offense win the day !! Goff is hitting his spots.

The pass protection is spot on in timing. Putting the package together.

I can’t imagine there are many NFL head coaches who are more insightful during their pressers.

Here’s Kyle Shanahan discussing how sometimes players need to “overcome coaching”: pic.twitter.com/Z4RwPL52M6

— Joe Fann (@Joe_Fann) August 3, 2018

Tavon Austin lining up everywhere but the backfield

Kevin Patra

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000944407/article/tavon-austin-lining-up-everywhere-but-the-backfield

When the Dallas Cowboys acquired Tavon Austin in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams, the immediate discussion was about the receiver being used as a “web-back.”

Apparently, those stories were mostly works of fiction.

During Cowboys training camp, Austin has lined up everywhere but the backfield. According to Dallas Morning News beat reporter Jon Machota, Austin has taken snaps on the outside, lined up in the slot, taken handoffs on end-arounds and returned punts. He hasn’t seen the backfield.

“All the things you see me doing out here is pretty much what I’ll be doing,” Austin said. “I ain’t touched the backfield yet, but hopefully, eventually if they need me back there, I’ll be back there too.”

NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal noted that Austin was lining up outside a lot early in camp, making the talk of using him as a running back seemingly a hazy dream of a sleepy offseason.

With big questions at receiver, and one of the best running backs in the NFL already in the backfield, attempting to utilize Austin as a veteran presence at receiver makes sense. Whether it works out is a different question. In five years with the Rams, the 28-year-old has never earned more than 434 receiving yards in a single season. Sean McVay, widely believed to be one of the brightest offensive minds in the NFL, couldn’t figure out how to unlock Austin’s talent last season.

Past failures have the former first-round pick salivating to prove that a change of scenery will make the difference in his receiving production.

“There’s always going to be a chip on my shoulder,” Austin said. “No. 1 because I’ve always been small. I had the same thing coming out [of college] when I went No. 8. The chip is always going to be there regardless. But last year was a little hard for me. My injury and I didn’t get a fair chance over there. But at the end of the day, God’s got me right now.

“I’m just happy right now. They [are giving me] an opportunity and I’m making the best of it.”

For now, that opportunity doesn’t include backfield work.

Lindsey Thiry@LindseyThiry
After eight practices, the Rams will now travel to Baltimore to practice against the Ravens for a couple of day ahead of their preseason matchup on Thursday. Safety Lamarcus Joyner has sat out two consecutive practices because of a sore Achilles, but will travel and is expected to practice against the Ravens. Tight end Gerald Everett and outside linebacker Matt Longacre will remain in L.A., as they nurse a shoulder sprain and tweaked bicep, respectively.

ANALYSIS: Rams Release First Unofficial Depth Chart

Myles Simmons

https://www.therams.com/news/analysis-rams-release-first-unofficial-depth-chart

Los Angeles released its first unofficial depth chart of the preseason on Saturday.
While there aren’t too many surprises, here are a few highlights from the list. Remember, the depth chart is unofficial and is subject to change at any time.
The offensive unit looks just about the same as it did on the final unofficial depth chart of 2017. The only change is Brandin Cooks now in as Los Angeles’ third wide receiver.
The starters are listed in ’11’ personnel, which is what the Rams utilized 81 percent of the time in 2017. In this personnel grouping, there’s one running back, one tight end, and three wide receivers.
Despite his two-game suspension to open the year, Jamon Brown is still listed as the starter at right guard. Fellow offensive lineman Austin Blythe — widely thought of as the current leader in the clubhouse to replace Brown at the beginning of the season — is listed as the backup center.

The rookie draft picks on the offensive line are all listed at third string — Joe Notebom at left tackle, Jamil Demby at left guard, and Brian Allen at center. Still, all three have been cross-training at other positions.
Back after a season-ending knee injury, tight end Temarrick Hemingway is listed as the third-string tight end behind Tyler Higbee and Gerald Everett.
The defense looks significantly different to start the preseason with six new starters listed: nose tackle Ndamukong Suh, outside linebacker Matt Longacre, outside linebacker Samson Ebukam, inside linebacker Cory Littleton, cornerback Marcus Peters, and cornerback Aqib Talib.
Though he’s currently on the “did not report” list, defensive tackle Aaron Donald is still listed among the starters. Ethan Westbrooks is listed as the second-string defensive tackle. He’s been taking many of the snaps in Donald’s stead during training camp.
There are two rookies listed with the second-string defense: defensive end John Franklin-Myers and outside linebacker Justin Lawler. They’re behind Michael Brockers and Samson Ebukam, respectively.
Mark Barron is also listed with the starters at inside linebacker. According to head coach Sean McVay, Barron has been taking the walk-thru snaps at ILB next to Littleton, the defensive signal-caller. Ramik Wilson, however, has been repping at inside linebacker during practice to keep the wear and tear off Barron.
With the Rams listing their base defense — three down linemen, four linebackers, four members of the secondary — cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman is listed as a second-string cornerback with Sam Shields. Robey-Coleman, however, will likely start plenty of games to combat three wide-receiver sets.

Like the offensive unit, there’s not much change to the specialists heading into the 2018 preseason. Kicker Greg Zuerlein is back to being listed as a starter after finishing the 2017 season on injured reserve. Kicker Sam Ficken is listed behind him.
All-Pro Pharoh Cooper is also listed as the first-string kick and punt returner. Wide receiver Cooper Kupp is listed behind him at punt returner, while wide receiver Mike Thomas is listed behind him as kick returner.

Herzog wrote:

If he really is trying to get quarterback money…. than they should just franchise him a few years in a row and cut bait.

I feel he is abusing the good will the Rams have extended him.

I agree with ag. What is “qb money”? In 2018 2nd contracts for qbs were around 28 M. I doubt he is asking for anything like that. And besides, these are negotiable positions. If the team is offering 21 M (which is too low) and AD is asking 25, that would seem to point to them signing him at 23 M give or take.

August 7 deadline likely won’t make a difference for Aaron Donald

Mike Florio

August 7 deadline likely won’t make a difference for Aaron Donald

The holdout continues for Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, thanks to (as recently explained by Rams COO Kevin Demoff) a fundamental disagreement between what the player wants and what the team will pay.

A key deadline for Donald is coming in two days, but that deadline isn’t likely to get him to cave.

The CBA provides that any player under contract who doesn’t report to camp by the 30th day before the start of the regular season does not acquire a year of credit toward free agency. Donald, who is entering his fifth NFL season, has only three years of credit toward free agency, because he held out into September last year. Thus, if he doesn’t show up by Tuesday, August 7 (30 days before the September 6 regular-season opener between the Falcons and Eagles), Donald will be stuck at three years of credit toward free agency, keeping him from becoming an unrestricted free agent in March.

So, coach Sean McVay, do you think Donald will show up in order to get his key fourth year of credit toward free agency?

“You know, I’m not really sure,” McVay told reporters on Saturday. “We’re scheduled to meet together with [General Manager] Les [Snead], Kevin, myself and Tony [Pastoors] tonight to discuss kind of where we are at. There really hasn’t been much progress in terms of the dialogue since camp. I know that we’re very intentional about trying to get him here, love to have him.”

They’d love to have him, but on their terms. And the August 7 deadline won’t make a difference, because Donald’s three years of credit toward free agency still make him eligible for restricted free agency. Which means that the Rams can either apply the highest level of RFA tender, which would give them a right to match an offer sheet from another team and a first-round pick as compensation if they don’t, or use the franchise tag. Given that plenty of other teams (especially those picking late in round one) would gladly give up a first-round draft pick to get Donald, the Rams will be using the franchise tag, regardless of whether Donald is restricted or unrestricted.

The far more relevant deadline comes on Thursday, August 9, when Donald skips L.A.’s game at Baltimore — and potentially loses more than $400,000 under an obscure CBA provision that sets the fine for players in their fifth-year options at one regular-season game check for each preseason game missed. Last year, the Rams waived the daily training-camp fines that Donald racked up during an extended holdout. This year, the stakes will be higher, thanks to more than $3.2 million in potential fines if Donald once again shows up on the eve of Week One.

Either way, Donald and the Rams remain dug in, and the real question is whether, unlike last year, his holdout will linger into the regular season, which starts with a Monday night game against the Raiders

8to12 … 8/4

Warm day like usual …. 85 degrees with a slight breeze

Players not dressed: Lamarcus Joyner, Travin Howard (LB), Gerald Everett (no on field that I could see)

Difficult day to follow & evaluate the 11-on-11 scrimmaging. Many players were being moved in and out of each group of 1’s & 2’s, offense & defense. For example, on the first play of 11-on-11, Johnny Mundt lined up as FB with the second team offense, then lined up as an inline TE on the next play, then he was off the field with 3 or 4 other offensive players.

Practice started on the near field for me with Punt return. There would be 2 up field players (blockers) in line (horizontally)…. then when the ball is in the air the larger blocker moves laterially to line himself up with the punt returner in a vertical line upfield along with the smaller blocker doing same falling into the space equal distant between the 2 players. They are all in alignment verically as the returner catches the ball and starts upfield. The blockers then break off from the alignment to make their blocks. The returners were P. Cooper, MIke Thomas, Steven Mitchell, and Jojo Natson. Jojo would remind you of Tavon Austin ; small with quickness.

In other individual drill, the TE’s worked on blocking with the O-line, then broke off to take passes versus air. The took turns in sequence that I thought to be their spot on the depth chart ; HIgbee first, Hemingway second, Mundt third, Kreiger-Koble fourth, and Cody McElroy last. Should be noted that After Hemingway, Mundt seems to have run the best routes and have the best hands of all the other TE’s. He looks natural as opposed to McElroy, who is more long legged and seems to Lumber around.

In WR vs CB drills, Cooper Kupp beat Robey-Coleman 3 straight times for completions. Coleman looked frustrated after the third one. Reynolds schooled Sam Shields with a stop and pivot move . Shields was riding him with his body to the outside when Reynolds stopped on a dime, came up out of his crouch and cut inside while Shields kept moving to the outside. It was an OH WOW moment. Mike Thomas was looking smooth running his routes and catching the ball. He is looking more consistent then he has in the past.
Woods and Cooks were their usual….. unstoppable against the DB’s

After individual drills, the Offense worked on Reverses. The WR would come around the back side of the QB to receive the toss. Then they worked some Dbl reverse with the RB receiving a toss and then tossing it to the WR coming the opposite way. They ran one of these in 11-on-11 with Woods being faked the toss, then play action with Woods then catching a wheel route for a TD from 20 yards out.

During 11-on-11’s, for many plays, the second team offense had Noteboom (LOT), Demby (LG) and Brian Allen at Center. They seemed to hold their own when Brockers and Suh were on the field. Mannion made a couple of nice completions. He hit Reynolds on an 18 yard crossing pattern against the first team D.

Interesting note regarding 2nd team Defense ; on many plays, they had T. Young, DT Smart and DT Day with J. Lawler all down with their hands in the dirt and all within the OT’s. They had 2 LB’s with 5 DB’s. It must have an experiment with a 4-2-5 (Nickel)
On some plays, MIcah Kiser and Tegray Scales were playing MLB with the second team.

ON a play in 11-11, MIcah Kiser blitzed and blew up John Kelly trying to protect. The collision knocked Kelly’s helmet off. That was the play of the day for me.

After seeing 2 practices, the one thing that jumps out at me is how the first team Receivers are catching passes at a very high percentage rate. In individual and 7-on-7 drills, the CB’s can’t cover the Rams receivers. I don’t know what to think about that at this point.