Category: Latest Rams news

Rams 2020 free agency preview: Can Greg Zuerlein bounce back?

Greg Zuerlein will be a free agent in March, but will the Rams prioritize re-signing him?

There were a lot of reasons the Los Angeles Rams came up short of the playoffs in 2020, and while it’s unfair to blame one single factor, Greg Zuerlein’s struggles played a role in the team’s 9-7 records. He had his worst season since 2015, and arguably the second-worst campaign of his career.

He made only 72.7% of his field goal attempts, making just five of his 11 attempts from the all-important range of 40-49 yards. His miss from 44 yards in Week 5 against the Seahawks in the final seconds cost the Rams a win, also missing a 52-yarder against the 49ers in Week 16, which wound up as a three-point loss.

Zuerlein has been with the Rams for nine years, but will they keep him around for the future after a down season?

  • 2019 stats: 24-for-33 FGs (72.7%), 42-for-42 PATs

Analysis

Zuerlein was one of the best kickers in football in 2017 and 2018. He was even named a first-team All-Pro in 2017, making 38 of 40 field goal attempts and 44 of 46 PATs. His field goal percentage dropped to 87.1% in 2018, but he was still clutch for the Rams and helped land them in the Super Bowl with game-tying and game-winning kicks in the NFC championship game.

For whatever reason, Zuerlein’s accuracy fell off in 2019. He was returning from a foot injury that he suffered in the playoffs and he had a minor quad injury late in the 2019 season, but those are unlikely to have affected his performance.

Positional need: Medium

Kicker isn’t always the most prioritized position on a team, but as we saw with the Rams last season, the performance of Zuerlein played a role in their absence from the playoffs. The problem is, finding a reliable kicker is easier said than done.

The Rams don’t have another option on the roster and there aren’t any good one available in free agency. So if they do move on from Zuerlein and let him leave this March, they’ll likely need to find a rookie in the draft or as a priority free agent.

Prediction: Signs three-year, $12 million deal with Rams

(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

The Rams know Zuerlein well, and they’re aware of how good he can be. He showed excellent accuracy in 2017 and 2018 and there’s reason to believe he can bounce back with another great year in 2020.

They should attempt to re-sign him for at least one more season, hoping he can regain his past form. Yes, he’s 33 years old, but kickers can play well into their late 30s. A three-year deal with an easy out after two seasons would work for the Rams, loading it with incentives and not a lot guaranteed.

Report: Rams not sending coordinators to NFL combine

Sean McVay is keeping his new coaches back as they won’t attend the 2020 combine.

Sean McVay has only been a head coach for three years, but he’s already established himself as someone who bucks the trend every now and then. Whether it’s by hiring a coaching staff full of guys in their 30s or sitting his starters for just about the entire preseason, McVay approaches things differently.

His plan for the 2020 NFL combine will be out of the ordinary, too. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Rams’ new coordinators – Brandon Staley and Kevin O’Connell – will not attend the combine in Indianapolis because the team “would rather have them in Los Angeles, implementing the team’s new offensive and defensive schemes.” The Broncos aren’t sending their assistants to Indy, either.

Additionally, McVay’s time at the combine will be limited, too. He will attend the first few days in Indianapolis to speak to the media, but he’ll then return to Los Angeles and continue working on “implementing his systems with his two new coordinators.”

The rest of the Rams’ coaching staff, as well as their scouts and personnel evaluators such as GM Les Snead, will be in attendance at the combine.

This is an interesting move by the Rams, but one that does make some sense. It’s the first time McVay will have a mostly new coaching staff, so there is a lot that needs to be done with regards to their scheme on both sides of the ball. And given the fact that they won’t be making personnel decisions in the draft, their attendance in Indianapolis isn’t exactly required.

Sean McVay has had an eye on Thomas Brown since being hired in 2017

Sean McVay considered hiring Thomas Brown back in 2017.

One of the more surprising moves made by the Los Angeles Rams this offseason was the decision to let Skip Peete go as the team’s running backs coach. He was a holdover from Jeff Fisher’s staff, and someone Todd Gurley encouraged the Rams to keep when Sean McVay took over in 2017.

He was the running backs coach during Gurley’s two All-Pro seasons in 2017 and 2018, but also when Gurley’s production and usage fell off last season. To replace Peete, McVay hired Thomas Brown, who was coaching the running backs at South Carolina in 2019 and had previous stints at Georgia and Miami.

While McVay didn’t exactly give a reason for the change, he did praise Brown and is excited about the impact he’s going to have on the team. He also recalled playing against him in high school when Brown was one of the top recruits in the country.

“We’re also very excited about adding Thomas Brown as our running back coach. He’s a guy that I’ve known for a while,” McVay said during an introductory press conference this week. “I remember playing against him when he was the top recruit in the country. He was a really good football player and you can see why he’s seamlessly transitioned to become a really good football coach. Another guy that has a lot of those traits and characteristics that you look for.”

McVay’s relationship with Brown goes back years, which has led them to connect now with the Rams. When McVay was hired by Los Angeles in 2017, he considered bringing Brown with him on his staff.

McVay felt good about Peete at the time, but he’s had his eye on Brown for a while.

“He and I, really – there was a possibility when you first go and you’re interviewing for head coaching opportunities, you have a list of projected coaches,” McVay said. “Skip was in place and felt really good about continuing that relationship. But Thomas is somebody that we’ve always kept in touch and there had maybe been a chance if the circumstances and the timing worked themselves out for his family and his situations and this year just so happened to be that year. I’m excited about being able to work with him.”

Brown and Gurley have a connection, too, both hailing from the University of Georgia. Brown never coached Gurley with the Bulldogs, but they both played in Athens and have known each other for a few years.

The Rams hope this change will provide a spark for Gurley in 2020, getting him back to the way he was playing in 2017 and 2018.

Rams 2020 free agency preview: Michael Brockers is valuable, but at what cost?

The Rams have a big decision to make on their longest-tenured position player.

Michael Brockers has played 123 career games with the Rams, only missing five games in his eight-year career since being a first-round pick out of LSU in 2012. As the longest-tenured position player on the team, he’s been as reliable as anyone over the course of his career, even if he hasn’t put up huge numbers.

Since the Rams switched to a 3-4 scheme in 2017, he’s had at least 54 tackles in each of the last three seasons, totaling 8.5 sacks and 21 QB hits in that span. He originally started as the nose tackle when Wade Phillips took over, but for the better of the team, he moved to defensive end without issue.

Now a free agent once again, the Rams have a decision to make: keep Brockers around for a few more years or move on and let him walk? That’s not an easy call to make, of course, for several reasons.

  • 2019 stats: 63 tackles (3 for a loss), 3.0 sacks, 9 QB hits
  • PFF grade: 74.6 overall

Analysis

Brockers has been steady for the Rams since they switched to the 3-4 front – and really, throughout his entire career. Never a Pro Bowler or star in the NFL, Brockers simply does his job as a run stopper and provides a little bit as a pass rusher at times.

2019 was one of his best seasons, posting a career-high 63 tackles with nine QB hits – second-most he’s ever had, only trailing his 2013 campaign (10). His three sacks are nothing to write home about, but his impact comes more as a run defender than pass rusher.

Aaron Donald called Brockers “one of the best run stoppers in the National Football League,” saying he’s “been that way since I’ve been in the league.”

“He’s one of the main reasons we’re able to do what we can in the run game and do a lot of things just with moving him and putting him in positions to help us,” Donald added.

Fans and casual observers may not recognize the impact Brockers has on a weekly basis, but the Rams clearly know the value he brings to the defense against the run.

Positional need: Medium

The 3-4 defensive end position isn’t necessarily one of the most important on the defense. It can be filled with relatively inexpensive players, but the best ones in the NFL have a huge impact on their teams – guys like Cam Heyward, J.J. Watt and Akiem Hicks.

Brockers isn’t on that level, but he certainly is the best option for the Rams. They don’t have a viable replacement on the roster right now, with Morgan Fox being the only other candidate to replace Brockers – and even he’s a free agent, albeit a restricted one.

The Rams shouldn’t have immense trouble finding someone to take Brockers’ place, but replacing his leadership and ability as a run stopper could be a challenge. There will be options available who offer more as pass rushers, particularly in the draft, but Brockers’ impact comes against the run, which is a weakness of the Rams.

Prediction: Signs two-year, $13 million deal with Rams

Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

In the end, the Rams will see the value Brockers brings and prefer to keep him in the mix rather than spending a draft pick on a defensive end when their assets are so limited as it is. Brockers has expressed a strong desire to come back and said in an interview last year that he believes he will stay with the Rams.

While he’s been in the NFL for eight years, Brockers is still on the right side of 30, so he has additional productive seasons still ahead of him. The Rams should try to lock him up with a short-term deal, hoping he’ll take a slight hometown discount to remain with the team that drafted him.

But if they can’t get him for around $7 million per year after his last contract paid him more than $11 million annually, they should consider looking elsewhere for his replacement.

Rams share new video from inside SoFi Stadium showing Oculus screen

The Oculus video board will weigh 2.2 million pounds when completed.

The 2020 season is going to be a big one for fans of the Los Angeles Rams, not because the team is guaranteed to go deep into the playoffs, but because of all the changes coming this offseason.

The Rams will get new uniforms, new colors and a redesigned logo, coinciding with the opening of the magnificent SoFi Stadium. The stadium is more than 85% complete will be finished in July, in time for the preseason.

The Oculus video board is one of the best features of the stadium, stretching 120 yards of double-sided 4K video for every fan in every seat to see. The Oculus is still on the ground being constructed, but it’s coming together and the screens are being installed.

You can see that in this new video shared by the Rams, giving a look inside the stadium.

Cooper Kupp marveled at the size of the screen, noticing how monstrous it is compared to the construction worker next to it.

Needless to say, the Oculus will be revolutionary when it comes to stadium scoreboards. It will weigh 2.2 million pounds, feature 80 million pixels and house 260 speakers, which will be the sole provider of all the audio in the stadium.

Once it’s finished, it’ll be hoisted into the air and suspended from the roof, which will tie the whole venue together.

Here’s another look at the stadium from inside, where you can see the roof coming together with glass panels being installed every day.

Rams don’t have much capital to move up in 2020 NFL Draft

The Rams’ 2020 draft picks are the third-least valuable in the NFL.

Rams general manager Les Snead has never been afraid to wheel and deal in the NFL draft, whether it’s ahead of the big event (Brandin Cooks, Jalen Ramsey) or during it. The Rams have gone three straight years without a first-round pick as a result of trades made, and they won’t have won in 2020 or 2021, either.

This year, in particular, it’ll be difficult to make a significant move up the board. With their first pick coming at No. 52 overall, and not another until 84, the Rams don’t have much capital if they want to go up and get someone.

According to Tankathon, which uses Jimmy Johnson’s trade value chart, the Rams’ collection of picks is the third-least valuable in the NFL with a point total of 667. Only the Steelers (550.2) and Texans (512) have lower totals, holding one fewer pick than the Rams’ six.

Using Drafttek’s trade value chart, you can see just how difficult it’ll be for the Rams to move up. Here are a few potential scenarios for them going up from No. 52 overall.

  • Nos. 52 + 84 (550 points) for Lions’ 35th overall pick (550)
  • Nos. 52 + 123 + 234 (430) for Falcons’ 47th overall pick (430)
  • Nos. 52 + 137 + 234 (418.5) for Jets’ 48th overall pick (420)

Trading fourth-round picks to move up four or five spots in the second round wouldn’t be worthwhile for the Rams, unless there’s a player they absolutely must have and can’t risk being selected before them.

The Rams don’t have the flexibility of trading next year’s first-round pick, either, since that also went to the Jaguars in the deal for Jalen Ramsey. What they should have, though, is an extra fourth-round compensatory pick, which would come at the end of Round 4. The point value of that selection will be around 32-33 points.

Rams 2020 free agency preview: Andrew Whitworth is best LT option

Andrew Whitworth is a free agent, but the Rams should keep him around for one more year.

Three years ago, the Los Angeles Rams set out to remake their offensive line – arguably the weakest part of the team. They did so by signing Andrew Whitworth and John Sullivan, simultaneously keeping Rodger Saffold at left guard and Rob Havenstein at right tackle.

Whitworth’s arrival was the biggest difference-maker for the Rams in 2017, elevating the offensive line from arguably the worst unit in the NFL to one of the best. Now three years later, the Rams have a decision to make on Whitworth.

He’s coming off an up-and-down season in which he committed the 14th-most penalties by an offensive lineman, but also only allowed one sack. With no quality options to replace Whitworth in 2020, the Rams have to hope they can retain him for another year.

It seems a reunion could happen with Whitworth saying he wants to play another season, and that the Rams are his top choice. But will the two sides come to an agreement?

  • 2019 stats: 1,098 snaps, 14 penalties, 1 sack allowed, 94% pass-block win rate (2nd among tackles)
  • PFF grade: 72.8 overall

Analysis

Whitworth was by no means perfect last season. It was hardly a banner year for the veteran left tackle, but it wasn’t a bad season, either. Sure, he got off to a slow start with new teammates next to him at left guard and center, but he turned things around as the year went on.

He only allowed one sack all year, which is impressive – especially considering the competition he faced: Nick Bosa, Jadeveon Clowney, Robert Quinn, Chandler Jones. Too often Whitworth was caught holding or committed a false start penalty, but a handful of the calls were questionable.

Whitworth has stabilized the offensive line since he got to L.A. in 2017, and also been an important presence in the locker room and in the huddle. He gives Jared Goff comfort that his blindside is going to be blocked, which goes a long way for a quarterback.

Going on 38 years old, Whitworth is no longer in his prime, but he’s still an above-average left tackle – even after losing a step.

Positional need: Medium

Outside of quarterback, left tackle is probably the most important position on offense; some would argue it’s the second-most important on an NFL roster. Finding a quality one is difficult, which is why the Rams’ O-line struggled for so many years.

The Rams have options to replace Whitworth if he doesn’t return, but not any that make you feel great about the situation. Joseph Noteboom is being groomed as his heir, while Havenstein and Bobby Evans could also be options at left tackle.

The Rams have greater needs at center and guard, but if Whitworth leaves in free agency, it’ll be a challenge to find someone with his talent this offseason.

Prediction: Signs one-year, $8.5 million deal with Rams

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Whitworth’s previous contract with the Rams paid him $11.25 million per year. He had a cap hit of $16.7 million in 2019 alone after it was about $9 million in the previous two years. He won’t make $11 million again in 2020 if the Rams extend him, because the team shouldn’t feel inclined to give him that much for just one season.

The more likely scenario is Whitworth signing a one-year extension worth less than $10 million, likely in the range of $8-9 million. It should be an incentive-filled deal that rewards him for the Rams making the playoffs and for him playing 16 games, which could drive the total cost near $10 million.

I think the Rams feel good about Whitworth playing one more year and then handing the job to someone like Noteboom in 2021, leading them to sign the veteran to an extension.

Rams’ new coaches have Sean McVay ‘more rejuvenated’ than ever

Sean McVay is fired up about his new coaches and can’t wait to get started on the upcoming season.

This offseason has been different for Sean McVay, unlike his first two with the Rams. After his first and second seasons, McVay was coming off playoff appearances and even a Super Bowl berth, needing to find ways to get over the hump and win it all.

Now, he’s left with the task of simply getting back to the playoffs after the Rams went 9-7 and came up short in the NFC last season. With the disappointing year came changes on the coaching staff, too, as Wade Phillips and Skip Peete were both let go, while John Fassel left to join Mike McCarthy in Dallas.

McVay brought in his own guys to replace those coaches, most notably with Brandon Staley as his defensive coordinator, John Bonamego heading the special teams and Kevin O’Connell joining as the offensive coordinator.

Those changes have sparked a fire on McVay’s competitive side, making him more motivated than ever before.

“I’m excited and motivated and really, I would say more rejuvenated and reinvigorated than I’ve ever been since I first got here,” McVay said in a press conference Wednesday. “That’s a reflection of these men up here. The excitement about getting back with our players and really attacking this season by strategically taking it a day at a time and understanding, ‘All right, let’s really look inwardly at what are the things that we can do to be better.’”

Being a 34-year-old coach himself, most of McVay’s hires were also on the younger side. O’Connell is also 34, while Staley is 37. New running backs coach Thomas Brown is 33 and defensive assistant Jonathan Cooley is just 30 years old.

The outlier is Bonamego, 56, who brings more than a decade of NFL coaching experience to the special teams unit. McVay lauded him for the work he’s done with other teams and loves the experience he carries, seeing it as a big plus.

With all this youth and the new faces in the building, it’s easy to see why McVay is fired up for next season.

Look: Jared Goff played PGA Tour pro-am with Chris Pratt, Albert Pujols

Jared Goff was in a star-studded group at the Genesis Invitational pro-am.

The PGA Tour is in Los Angeles this week for the Genesis Invitational, a star-studded event on the season’s schedule. The top golfers in the world weren’t the only ones descending on Riviera Country Club on Wednesday, though.

There were big names all over the course for the tournament’s pro-am, which Jared Goff played in. And needless to say, his group was one a lot of fans were sure to be following.

Goff was grouped with actor Chris Pratt and Angels slugger Albert Pujols, who also happens to be a future Hall of Famer. Their pro was Keegan Bradley, who’s the 58th-ranked golfer in the world right now.

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Great day. Better group. #43s @thegenesisinv

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According to Pratt, their team came in second.

Goff has been working on his golf game in recent years, and not just because he was losing to Charles Barkley on the course or because he has a 10-year bet going with Andrew Whitworth that he’ll beat him straight-up in the next decade.

When you’re half-decent at golf and also the quarterback of L.A.’s football team, you get to play in events like this one. And even if Goff’s game may not be where he wants it to be just yet, he does have a hole-in-one on his resume. So he’s got that going for him, which is nice.

Brandin Cooks says Jared Goff will do ‘whatever it takes to win’

Brandin Cooks doesn’t lack confidence in the Rams QB.

The combination of a $134 million contract and a disappointing 2019 season have fans and media members doubting the ability of Jared Goff to truly be a franchise quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams. There were factors that played into his regression last season, like the constant changes on the offensive line and the lack of support from the running game, but Goff was certainly to blame for his own struggles, too.

He’s received votes of confidence from those inside the walls of the Rams’ facility, most notably with Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp and Sean McVay backing the young quarterback. Brandin Cooks has joined the chorus, saying unequivocally that Goff is the guy to lead the Rams back to prominence.

“Absolutely. Yes, he is the guy,” Cooks told Doug Farrar of Touchdown Wire. “I mean, you talk about a guy that … we had so many different position changes along the offensive line last year. And for any quarterback, that is so tough. To still be able to stand in there and take the licks, it goes to show you that this guy is willing to do whatever it takes to win for his team. And at that young an age, when you have that mindset, special things happen.”

Cooks, himself, had a down year in 2019, too. He caught a career-low 42 passes for 583 yards and two touchdowns, averaging only three catches per game – 1.1 fewer catches per game than his previous low.

He and Goff didn’t connect on many deep passes at all in 2019, which is Cooks’ forte. It didn’t help that Cooks missed two games after suffering two concussions over the course of the season, which limited his practice time and availability.

Cooks and Goff should both bounce back in 2020 as the Rams attempt to regain the magic they found in 2017 and 2018.