Category: Latest Rams news

Sean McVay pleased with how Rams’ OL played despite adversity

The Rams underwent countless changes on the offensive line but still allowed the fewest sacks in the NFL.

There was no lack of questions and concerns surrounding the Rams’ offensive line entering this season. Brian Allen and Joseph Noteboom both stepped in as first-year starters, but they struggled out of the gate.

Eventually, both would be placed on IR with season-ending injuries, which created even more problems up front for the Rams. Austin Corbett was acquired, Austin Blythe moved to center, David Edwards became a starter at guard and Bobby Evans replaced an injured Rob Havenstein.

Yet, despite all that adversity and change, the Rams still allowed the fewest sacks in the NFL this season. Yes, you read that correctly: the fewest.

That doesn’t mean the offensive line was one of the best in the league; it ranked 22nd in pass block win rate and created few holes for Todd Gurley and the running backs. All things considered, though, Los Angeles made the best of what it had on the O-line and Sean McVay is pleased with how the unit played.

“Well, I think the players continued to play. I thought the coaches did a great job – a lot of adjusting and adapting on the fly from Coach (Aaron) Kromer, Zak Kromer, Andy Dickerson. I think Andrew Whitworth’s leadership, really impressed with Austin Blythe’s command when he took over at playing that center spot,” McVay said.

However, just as all the blame doesn’t fall on the offensive line, all the credit doesn’t go to the five big men up front, either.

“Anytime you just look at that number, sacks are always a reflection of the unit. I think exclusively, in a lot of instances, offensive linemen are not always accurately pegged for the responsibility of sacks,” he continued. “They are certainly very helpful, but I think the quarterback has a huge responsibility, the backs if they’re used in protection, and then the other eligibles separating in the timing and rhythm. In some instances, those guys are even asked to protect. We’ve got receivers that are willing to protect, obviously the tight ends are used. I think it’s a great reflection of the entire unit and their ability to work through some adjusting, some adapting and then ultimately it’s about the players’ execution.”

Whitworth and Blythe are both free agents, and there’s no guarantee either Allen or Noteboom will be starters. Edwards and Evans are both candidates to start, as is Corbett. Havenstein should get his job back at right tackle, but that’s not a certainty either.

In other words, the Rams have a lot to figure out with their offensive line, but the potential for success is there.

2020 NFL mock draft: Rams address the trenches in 3-round projection

The Rams add two big bodies in this three-round mock draft.

After acquiring Jalen Ramsey in a midseason trade, the Los Angeles Rams have left themselves without a first-round pick in 2020 and 2021. As a result, they’ll have to wait until No. 52 overall to make their first selection in the upcoming draft.

Needing help on the offensive and defensive lines, the Rams will likely address both with their first two selections. Inside and outside linebacker will also be offseason needs if Cory Littleton and Dante Fowler Jr. leave in free agency.

In his latest three-round mock draft, however, Luke Easterling of Draft Wire looked to the trenches and gave the Rams two big bodies up front. In the second round, he has them taking Marlon Davidson out of Auburn.

He’s a defensive end who could step in for Michael Brockers, if he departs in free agency. This season, Davidson has 6.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss, stepping up in a big way for the Tigers. Brockers is a stout run defender, but he doesn’t offer much as a pass rusher. Davidson could change that philosophy for the Rams’ defensive end spot.

In the third round, Easterling mocked offensive tackle Scott Frantz out of Kansas State. He’s played left tackle for the Wildcats the last couple years and played at a relatively high level.

With Andrew Whitworth’s contract expiring and his future in doubt, the Rams need help on the offensive line, specifically at left tackle. Frantz would add some competition at that spot with Joseph Noteboom, David Edwards and Bobby Evans also vying for the job.

This would be a solid haul for the Rams, adding two potential starters despite not having a first-round pick.

Les Snead says Todd Gurley wasn’t the same RB as usual in 2019

Todd Gurley wasn’t nearly as effective as he once was and Les Snead took notice.

Todd Gurley’s usage and overall lack of production this season was a talking point throughout the year. It wasn’t until Week 11 that he got at least 20 touches in a game, he never finished with more than 100 rushing yards in a single start and he averaged 3.8 yards per carry – the second-lowest of his career.

The Rams made it clear before the season began that he would probably have his workload limited in an attempt to “keep him fresher,” as general manager Les Snead put it, but he was still expected to put up more than the 1,064 total yards that he did.

On Tuesday, Snead was asked whether Gurley was the same running back he was in recent seasons. His answer was telling of how the year went for the former All-Pro back.

Gurley wasn’t nearly as efficient as he was in 2017 and 2018 when he was a first-team All-Pro. In those seasons, he averaged 6.1 and 5.8 yards per touch, respectively. This year, that number was down to 4.2, the second-worst of his career.

The Rams could’ve used the old version of Gurley this year as they were one of the worst running teams in the league. Their 3.7 yards per carry ranked 28th in the NFL. Gurley helped take pressure off of Jared Goff the last two years, but he couldn’t do that this season with poor blocking up front and struggles as a receiver.

Los Angeles can trade him this offseason to free up $4.65 million in cap space, but cutting him will cost them $8.4 million more than keeping him. So they have a big decision to make with their costly running back who the GM admitted wasn’t the same player this season.

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Rams have decision to make with Nickell Robey-Coleman, but it’s an easy one

Nickell Robey-Coleman has a team option in 2020, which should be a no-brainer for the Rams.

There will be a lot of difficult decisions made by the Los Angeles Rams this season. Deciding whether to keep Nickell Robey-Coleman on the roster in 2020 will not be one of them.

Robey-Coleman has a team option written in his contract for next season, which the Rams can either choose to pick up or decline. If they decline it, he’ll become a free agent in March. If it’s picked up, he’ll be on the books with a cap hit of $4.5 million in 2020.

It doesn’t take much to realize this decision should be a no-brainer for the Rams front office.

Robey-Coleman was one of the Rams’ steadiest cornerbacks this season and has been since coming to Los Angeles in 2017. Despite being undersized, he’s among the best slot corners in the NFL.

Keeping him around for $4.5 million would be a wise move for the Rams, given how valuable he is to the defense at such a low price. He signed his current contract before the 2018 season, locking him in for three years for a total of $16.75 million.

He finished this season with seven passes defensed, 35 tackles, two forced fumbles and three tackles for loss. Robey-Coleman was only responsible for one touchdown and allowed receptions on 64.1% of the passes thrown his way (41-for-64).

Assuming he does return in 2020, he’ll be part of a cornerback group that should also feature Jalen Ramsey, Troy Hill, Darious Williams and David Long Jr.

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Andrew Whitworth: Returning to Rams is top choice ‘without question’

Andrew Whitworth has no doubt in his mind that staying with the Rams is his top option.

Andrew Whitworth is one of 10 Rams who are set to become unrestricted free agents in a couple of months as his three-year contract with Los Angeles comes to an end. It’s been a very successful tenure for Whitworth, who made his first career postseason appearance, was a Pro Bowler and All-Pro and even reached the Super Bowl.

Being 38 years old, retirement is certainly on the horizon for Whitworth. But he wants to continue playing in 2020, saying as much after the Rams’ Week 16 loss to the 49ers.

“My intention is to play football. We’ll see if it works out,” he said.

With the 2019 season in the books, Whitworth has some time to reflect on his future in the NFL and with the Rams. If he does return for another season in 2020, it’s clear which team he wants to play for.

“Hopefully, the opportunity will be here,” Whitworth told Gary Klein of the L.A. Times on Monday. “Obviously, anytime you’re a free agent, you’ve got to listen to everything and figure out what’s best for you.

“But of course, for me and my family, being a Ram would be No. 1, without question.”

That’s a pretty strong statement from the veteran left tackle. Even at his age, Whitworth is playing at a high level and remains an above-average player at a premier position.

The Rams don’t have a clear-cut replacement for him, either, which would make his return to Los Angeles that much better for both sides. Money will of course be a factor with the Rams not exactly flush with cap space, but they can create $16.8 million by simply restructuring Jared Goff’s deal.

When asked if he would take a pay cut to stay with the Rams, Whitworth wouldn’t give a firm answer.

“You let all that play out and just figure out where everything is,” he said. “For everyone else you have to speculate. For me, I know the product. I know what I bring and they do, too, so it’s just us finding common ground.”

Free agency will begin in March, so the Rams have some time to work things out with their veteran left tackle. Keeping Whitworth for one more year at a reasonable price would be Option A for the team, giving them another year to find an heir to his throne at left tackle.

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Rams coaches not drawing interest from NFL teams yet

The Rams haven’t received any interview requests for their assistants yet.

In the last two offseasons, Rams assistant coaches have been hot commodities. Matt LaFleur was hired by the Titans to be their offensive coordinator two years ago, and last offseason, the Packers brought him in to be their head coach. Also after the 2017 season, Greg Olson left the Rams to become Jon Gruden’s offensive coordinator in Oakland, a position he still holds today.

Last year, Zac Taylor was poached from Los Angeles to become the Bengals’ next head coach, replacing Marvin Lewis in Cincinnati. Shane Waldron was interviewed by the Bengals for the same opening, which came as somewhat of a surprise.

Sean McVay’s offensive assistants have been in high demand recently, but that isn’t the case in 2019 – yet. McVay said at his press conference Monday that he hasn’t yet received any interview requests from other teams for his assistants.

“We have not, not like last year. I think there’s a couple guys that may have some interest you know from some colleges but out of respect for the privacy of those places, I don’t want to get into that,” McVay said. “I’m always going to be of the approach that you want to try to help guys. I don’t ever want assistants apologizing for being ambitious and wanting to grow and wanting to have their careers if they have the goals of being a head coach or taking the next step, depending upon where they’re at. I don’t think those are things that people should apologize for. I think part of what we want to try to do is help people grow. That’s why I was fortunate enough to get to the role that I got to at a young age because I had so many good people that were willing to help me.”

Waldron would seem to be a potential head coaching candidate after drawing interest from the Bengals last year, but McVay doesn’t expect any of his assistants to be sought after like the were a year ago.

That could change, of course, but it’s been quiet on that front so far.

“Don’t anticipate a whole lot of those kind of like what you were asking with what happened last year,” he added. “But again, usually those kind of conversations and those requests come in today and over the next couple days. We wouldn’t have known that last year either. You see kind of the buzz and if you’re writing if guys are going to be head coaching candidates on Gary Klein’s weekly profile for the L.A. Times, maybe you’ll get some guys requested.”

As of now, only the Redskins’ head coaching vacancy has been filled with Ron Rivera being hired on Tuesday. The Browns, Panthers and Giants are all looking for new head coaches after Freddie Kitchens, Rivera and Pat Shurmur were all fired.

Jason Garrett of the Cowboys and Doug Marrone in Jacksonville could be the next coaches on the way out.

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Johnny Hekker named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week

Johnny Hekker was honored for pinning three punts inside the 20 on Sunday.

In a week where the Rams missed a 47-yard field goal and came up short on a fake punt, they still had a special teams player win an award. Johnny Hekker was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance on Sunday against the Cardinals, his first time winning the award this season.

Hekker punted it four times, pinning three of them inside the 20-yard line. It was a fairly typical game by Hekker, but with few NFC special teams players standing out in Week 17, he took home the honor.

It’s the third time in his career that he’s won player of the week in the NFC, and the first time since Week 10 of 2016.

Hekker was having somewhat of a down year in 2019 before turning it on late. He still had the fifth-most touchbacks of any punter, but he averaged 42.4 net yards per punt, which ranked seventh among all punters. Through the first 13 weeks, Hekker was 17th in that stat.

His 22 punts downed inside the 20-yard line this season ranked 24th.

Sean McVay says failed fake punt was miscommunication: ‘I was upset’

Sean McVay discussed what happened on the Rams’ failed fake punt Sunday.

The Los Angeles Rams were only playing for their pride on Sunday at the Coliseum, having already been eliminated from playoff contention. However, even with not much on the line, it was still stunning to see them attempt a fake punt from their own 17-yard line in the first quarter.

The play failed as Nick Scott came up short of the sticks after taking the snap, but what transpired afterwards was just as surprising. Sean McVay went over to John Fassel, visibly upset, and said “What are you doing?”

They talked for a few seconds before going their separate ways, but on Monday, McVay explains what happened in that instance.

“I was upset. There was a little bit of a miscommunication. Those are things that we want to try to avoid. That’s kind of really where I’ll leave it. You saw, I was not happy,” McVay said.

He was asked to elaborate on the call and discuss whether it will impact the special teams staff heading into the offseason. As upset and frustrated as he was in the moment, McVay made it clear that one play won’t have a ripple effect to that magnitude.

“No. John Fassel is a great football coach. The players respond to him, I have the utmost respect and appreciation for him. One play or one miscommunication will never dictate or determine the way that I look at him or a certain player,” McVay said. “But we all care a lot about it. I know he cares too. There was just a little bit of a mix-up, miscommunication and ultimately, I’m responsible for it as much as ‘Bones’ is and those are things that we’ll get fixed.”

Fassel and the rest of the Rams’ coaches will be evaluated in the coming days and weeks as the Rams begin their offseason prep. This call won’t help his cause, but it also shouldn’t determine his future in Los Angeles.

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Despite early struggles, Rams allowed fewest sacks in NFL this season

The Los Angeles Rams’ offensive line has been criticized all season long. Despite that, they gave up the fewest sacks in the NFL.

The Los Angeles Rams’ offensive line has received plenty of criticism over the course of the 2019 season. Many have pointed the finger at the line being a major reason why both Jared Goff and Todd Gurley regressed this year.

Much of the criticism was warranted. But here’s a truly surprising stat about the 2019 Rams: They finished the season giving up the fewest number of sacks in the NFL. The Rams gave up just 22 sacks on the season, narrowly beating out the Dallas Cowboys, who gave up 23.

This was the second-lowest total for the Rams in a full 16-game season, only trailing the 2015 unit that gave up just 18 sacks on the year. Goff was sacked only 10 times over the team’s final 10 games, and four of those sacks came against Pittsburgh.

Veteran tackle Andrew Whitworth was asked how it was possible that the Rams gave up the fewest sacks in the NFL. “I don’t know,” Whitworth joked. “Sure doesn’t fit the narrative though.”

The aforementioned Pittsburgh game was a disastrous performance for the Rams’ offensive line, and the team lost starters Brian Allen and Rob Havenstein in the process. They rolled out a new-look offensive line the following week, with Austin Blythe sliding from guard to center, David Edwards sliding from left guard to right guard, rookie Bobby Evans stepping in at right tackle, and mid-season acquisition Austin Corbett stepped in at left guard. Whitworth was the only constant on the offensive line this season.

The new-look group deserves plenty of praise for this number, as they gave up just six sacks in the seven games they started together. Goff was much more comfortable behind this group, completing 6% more of his passes in the final seven games than he did in the previous nine. Most importantly, Goff fumbled just one time and the Rams were able to recover it. He fumbled nine times in the previous nine games, and the Rams lost five of them.

Leading the league in fewest sacks allowed should give Rams fans a sense of optimism about the offensive line moving forward. They were far from perfect, particularly in the running game. But this unit was able to bounce back after a disastrous start to the season, and both Goff and Gurley played better in the second half of the year. The rookie duo on the right side of the line played far better than the veteran combination of Rob Havenstein and Austin Blythe, and Blythe played far better at center than he did at guard.

The Rams will have some decisions to make on the line heading into 2019. Blythe and Whitworth are free agents, with the latter mulling over retirement. Rob Havenstein, Joseph Noteboom, and Brian Allen will be returning from injury. All three of them were outplayed by their replacements, and all three are under contract in 2020.

Regardless, both Rams fans and the Rams staff have to feel better about this unit heading into the offseason than they did after the Pittsburgh game. Things are looking up in Los Angeles, at least when it comes to the front five.

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Jared Goff: Rams offense found ‘new identity’ in final 5 games

In Week 13, the Rams flipped a switch and utilized more two-tight end sets.

When you look back on the Rams’ 2019 season, it’s difficult to say what their identity was on offense. The past two years, they were a team that ran the ball successfully and utilized play-action passes better than just about any other team in the NFL.

This season, neither was the case. Todd Gurley averaged 3.8 yards per carry and wasn’t a factor as a receiver, while Jared Goff had two touchdowns and five interceptions on play action.

The lack of consistency on that side of the ball was startling. The Rams would go weeks with 35-plus pass attempts and abandon the running game in the fourth quarter, while other times, they’d try to run the ball down the opponent’s throat with Gurley and Malcolm Brown.

In Week 13, they seemed to find a groove. Sean McVay turned to more two-tight end sets with Tyler Higbee and Johnny Mundt, taking some pressure off of the receivers. Cooper Kupp and Brandin Cooks played fewer snaps as a result, but the offense was more consistent.

Goff says the Rams found a “new identity” in that 34-7 win over the Cardinals, changing things for the final five weeks of the season. He says that’s how the offense was supposed to look all along, with an abundance of play action, rollouts and heavy packages.

“It’s supposed to look like how it looked today. How it looked today, how it a handful of the last weeks, if you take out Dallas. I think since we played Arizona, we kind of did find a new identity. I think ultimately, we found different ways to win games,” he said after Sunday’s season finale.

Defenses adapted to what the Rams did best, which was outside zone runs and play action. They figured out ways to counter McVay’s scheme, just as the Patriots did in the Super Bowl and the Bears did last season.

Goff acknowledged that fact, admitting teams figured out parts of the Rams’ offense.

“I think that’s the biggest thing we can take away, is that we were so specific the last two seasons and then this year, we had to find different ways to win. Teams figured some stuff out where we had to adjust,” he continued. “We did adjust and we adjusted well, just unfortunately, we were one game short, two games short, whatever you want to call it. That’s the way it goes. I think it’s a good learning experience for all of us, coaches included. I know myself, personally, like I mentioned, we’ll use this as motivation and come back next year stronger. It’s something that eats at you and you never want to – especially if you think about the fans.”

The Rams will have to adjust and adapt again in 2020 as teams gather film on McVay’s offense. It’s part of being a coach in the NFL, needing to find different ways to win each week. Los Angeles just took too long to figure it out, coming up a little bit short of the playoffs.

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