Category: Latest Rams news

Robert Woods appreciates Rams’ offense letting players ‘be themselves and play free’

Robert Woods says the biggest change in his game since entering the NFL has been opportunities.

Back in 2017, the Rams gave Robert Woods a five-year deal worth $39 million with $15 million guaranteed. At the time, it was viewed as a fairly rich contract for a player who never topped 700 yards receiving or had more than 65 catches.

But since then, Woods has shown it wasn’t a lack of talent holding him back from being a productive receiver. He was in a situation with the Bills where he wasn’t able to showcase his skills and catch many passes.

During an appearance on the Jim Rome Show, Woods said the biggest change in his game since coming into the NFL has been “opportunities.”

“Being able to showcase my skills as a true receiver,” he said. “Really, the targets doubled and the stats went right with it. Being able to get the ball in my hands and run with it. coming here in this offense and having the quarterback be able to deliver the passes, coaches being able to showcase my talent. Really, just coming in this offense that spreads the ball around and lets players be themselves and play free.”

It’s obvious that Woods looks back on his time in Buffalo and feels his chances were limited. Despite being the No. 2 receiver, he was targeted just 345 times in 57 games. With the Rams, he’s been targeted 483 times in 59 games, a significantly higher rate.

The Rams haven’t always been a pass-happy offense, but Woods’ opportunities have not been limited in L.A., which he appreciates. And when he has gotten chances, he’s made the most of them with three seasons of 930-plus yards.

[vertical-gallery id=651916]

Damien Harris calls Aaron Donald the best defensive player of all time

Patriots RB Damien Harris on Aaron Donald: “I don’t even have the words to describe this guy.”

Aaron Donald is routinely considered the best defensive player in the NFL each season, winning Defensive Player of the Year three times. But with how dominant he’s been throughout his career, he’s in the conversation as being one of the best defender in league history.

He’s certainly a first-ballot Hall of Famer and if he wins Defensive Player of the Year again this season, he’ll be the first ever to win it four times. Patriots running back Damien Harris sees Donald as the best defender to ever play in the NFL, giving him some seriously high praise.

Here’s what Harris said after Donald was voted second on the NFL’s top 100 players list.

“I don’t even have the words to describe this guy,” Harris said. “Personally, to me, I think he’s the best to ever do what he’s done. “I think he’s the best defensive player this game has ever seen. His physical dominance, his technique, his power, his strength, his speed, his quickness — there are no flaws in his game.”

Harris wasn’t the only player to give Donald some big-time props. Devin White, Stefon Diggs and Miles Sanders all said Donald would be No. 1 on their top 100 lists. Marlon Humphrey said the same thing, acknowledging that he knows it’s repetitive to say how good he is over and over.

Donald was edged out by Patrick Mahomes for the No. 1 spot on the top 100, but there’s no doubt about him being the best defender in the game right now.

[vertical-gallery id=651916]

Watch: Rams drop hype video for Matthew Stafford’s first game in LA

If you’re somehow not excited for Matthew Stafford’s Rams debut, this video should change that.

The Los Angeles Rams are nine days away from beginning a new era with Matthew Stafford at quarterback. They hope it’s a partnership that lasts for several years to come after acquiring Stafford from the Lions, and he has the team looking like a Super Bowl contender in the NFC.

Considering Stafford didn’t play a single preseason snap, fans can’t wait to see him finally take the field for a game in a Rams uniform. He’ll do that for the first time on Sept. 12 when Los Angeles hosts the Bears at SoFi Stadium.

Not that fans needed another reason to be excited for that game, but this hype video dropped by the Rams on Friday is sure to get the blood flowing.

Just nine more days, everyone.

Nine. Short. Days.

[vertical-gallery id=651916]

Rams sign DB Antoine Brooks Jr., RB Buddy Howell to practice squad

The Rams’ practice squad is full after the team signed Antoine Brooks Jr. and Buddy Howell.

It took a few days, but the Los Angeles Rams’ practice squad is officially full. The Rams announced on Friday that they’ve signed Antoine Brooks Jr. and Buddy Howell to the practice squad, making them the 16th and 17th players in the group.

Brooks was waived by the Steelers with an injury settlement this week, while Howell was formerly with the Texans.

Brooks was drafted by the Steelers in the sixth round last year and was expected to compete for the team’s starting nickel role as Mike Hilton’s replacement. He missed time with an injury suffered in the Hall of Fame game, which cost him valuable reps in practice and the preseason.

He’s viewed as a hybrid safety-linebacker with good upside, but he has to stay healthy and improve in coverage.

Howell is a bigger back at 6-foot-1 and 213 pounds, excelling on special teams. He provides depth behind Darrell Henderson Jr., Sony Michel and Jake Funk, though he’s unlikely to contribute unless there’s an injury.

[vertical-gallery id=651916]

Robert Woods: Matthew Stafford has keys to Rams offense and is ‘seeing what this car can do’

Robert Woods says Matthew Stafford has the keys to the Rams’ offense and he’s “seeing what this car can do.”

Being in the NFL for 12 seasons, Matthew Stafford has seen teammates come and go. But he’ll take on a new challenge this year on a completely different team than the one he spent the last dozen seasons with.

He had to get comfortable in the Rams offense and hit the ground running with his wide receivers, building chemistry with them before Week 1. Robert Woods says things went off without a hitch, immediately connecting with Stafford this offseason.

He can see Stafford gaining confidence in the offense, too, adding that the QB has the keys to the car and he’s seeing what it can do now.

“Him coming in, I think we reacted right away really, really well,” Woods said on the Jim Rome Show. “We crossed paths a little bit on my rookie visit in Detroit, seeing him there. But now that we’re on the same team, it’s just picked up off of that. Chemistry was strong right away, coming out here throwing. His work ethic was on point. But really, I’ll just say his leadership and grasp of the offense – I was just telling somebody, he has the keys to the car and he’s really testing it out and seeing what this car can do, making adjustments and seeing what he can do with it.”

Woods will be one of Stafford’s favorite targets this season, along with Cooper Kupp. Woods was productive with Jared Goff as his quarterback, topping 900 yards in each of his last three seasons and putting up better numbers with the Rams than he ever did in Buffalo.

But with Stafford, it wouldn’t be surprising if he sets career-highs in yards and receptions, especially in a 17-game season. To do that, he’ll need to catch more than 90 passes and 1,219 yards.

With how often the Rams figure to be throwing the ball, those numbers are certainly attainable.

[vertical-gallery id=651916]

Watch: Andrew Whitworth narrates chilling hype video for LSU

LSU called on Andrew Whitworth to narrate this chilling hype video for the upcoming season.

It’s been a while since Andrew Whitworth suited up for the LSU Tigers, last playing for them in 2005, but his alma mater has kept him in the family. Ahead of LSU’s upcoming season, which begins on Saturday night against UCLA, Whitworth narrated a chilling hype video for the team.

LSU always has some of the best videos in college football, getting its fans ready for the season, and Whitworth’s narration doesn’t disappoint.

The season opener for the Tigers will be played close to home for Whitworth, with the game taking place at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Don’t be surprised if Whitworth attends the highly anticipated game, especially since the Rams have the weekend off before returning to work on Monday as they prepare for the Bears in Week 1.

Whitworth started 52 games for the Tigers from 2002-2005 before being drafted by the Bengals in the second round of the 2006 NFL draft. He’s spent the last four seasons with the Rams and now entering Year 16 in the NFL, he hopes to go out on top with a Super Bowl victory in Los Angeles.

Former Rams WR Trishton Jackson signs to Vikings practice squad

After spending last season with the Rams, Trishton Jackson will try to carve out a role with the Vikings.

As deep as the Los Angeles Rams’ receiver room was last season, it got even better this year with the additions of DeSean Jackson and Tutu Atwell. That left Trishton Jackson on the outside looking in.

After making the team as a rookie in 2020, he was waived by the Rams this week as part of final roster cuts. He’ll take on a new venture in Minnesota, though, signing to the Vikings’ practice squad on Thursday.

He teased the move on Twitter and after it was initially unclear if he’d be joining the 53-man roster or the practice squad, the NFL transaction wire shows it was the latter.

When Jackson was cut by the Rams on Tuesday, he shared a message for the Rams on Twitter, thanking them for the opportunity to get his career started “with one of the best organizations in sports.”

Jackson has what it takes to play on Sundays, he just needs to keep developing his skill set, which he’ll be able to do in Minnesota.

Jordan Fuller on being a captain: ‘One of my biggest achievements to this day’

Jordan Fuller isn’t taking his captaincy lightly, calling it one of his biggest accomplishments yet.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqby8n025panb709 player_id=none image=https://theramswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Jordan Fuller has officially established himself as a leader in the Rams’ locker room after being voted one of the team’s eight captains this week. It’s a remarkable accomplishment for a sixth-round pick who’s only entering his second NFL season, but it shows how well respected he is among his teammates.

Fuller being a captain at Ohio State didn’t go unnoticed by the Rams’ coaches and front office when he was being scouted last year, and as impressive as that was, Fuller considers his captaincy in L.A. to be one of his greatest feats in football.

“It means so much. It’s probably one of my biggest achievements to this day, aside from being a captain at Ohio State,” he said Thursday. “This is huge. Love my teammates, love this team, this organization. And they get my all every day. I’m just really grateful that I was able to gain the respect of my teammates and I know it doesn’t stop here but I’m definitely really grateful.”

Jalen Ramsey is also a captain and while he’s honored to carry that title, he’s proud of the way Fuller has stepped up as a leader in the secondary, too. And despite only being in his second season, Fuller challenges Ramsey to be better, the All-Pro corner said.

“We’ve seen his growth since he stepped on the field here. It’s been special to see,” Ramsey said Thursday. “He’s taken on different roles, leadership roles, really well. So he’s not only a captain of the team, but he’s our guy in the DB room, too. I say things and I’ve got a little say, so I lead in my own way, but he challenges me even to be better, to be a better leader. I was super proud of him, super happy for him. He deserves it, honestly.”

Aaron Donald is the other captain on defense, giving the Rams a great group of leaders on that side of the ball – along with Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, Matthew Stafford and Andrew Whitworth on offense. Johnny Hekker is the eighth captain, leading the special teams unit again after it appeared he could be cut or traded this week.

None of those seven players are surprising selections as captains, but to see a second-year player like Fuller earn that honor is awesome – and “extremely rare,” as Raheem Morris put it.

[vertical-gallery id=651916]

Bryce Perkins was one of NFL’s fastest players in preseason Week 3, topping 20 mph twice

Bryce Perkins was one of the fastest ball carriers in the NFL last week, topping 20 mph twice against Denver.

The Rams didn’t plan to keep three quarterbacks when camp and the preseason began. They expected to only carry Matthew Stafford and John Wolford on the 53-man roster.

Bryce Perkins changed their mind with some really impressive play in the team’s three preseason games. Not only did he show poise and accuracy throwing the ball, but he turned on the jets a few times and picked up yards with his legs.

Next Gen Stats tracks the speeds of ball carriers and in the third week of the preseason, Perkins was one of the fastest. He had two of the three fastest speeds of any player that week, behind only Tyreek Hill. Not bad company to keep.

Perkins’ athleticism and mobility are certainly his best asset and could potentially be something the Rams use if he sticks around on the 53-man roster, but even if he doesn’t suit up for a game this year, keeping him on the team as a developmental quarterback is critical.

If he can keep growing as a passer, Perkins could have a future in the NFL as a real dual-threat quarterback.

[vertical-gallery id=651916]

Johnny Hekker opens up about battle with Corey Bojorquez, COVID-19 and his ‘conflicted feelings’

Johnny Hekker reflected on his time away from the Rams and watching Corey Bojorquez dominate against the Broncos.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqby8n025panb709 player_id=none image=https://theramswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

In a matter of a few days, Johnny Hekker went from potentially being cut or traded by the Rams to being one of the eight team captains. It was a rollercoaster stretch for the punter, who was forced to miss two preseason games and more than a week of practice while on the COVID-19 reserve list.

But he wasn’t voted a captain for no reason. He’s a true leader in Los Angeles and has been for years. So despite Corey Bojorquez dominating against the Broncos and potentially pushing Hekker out of a job, the four-time All-Pro was still happy to see his competition performing at a high level.

“I had some conflicting feelings,” he said of how he felt watching Bojorquez’s performance against the Broncos. “On one hand, this whole offseason with the competition with Corey and everything, I’m a guy with faith in God and I was just praying that Corey and I would have good preseasons and both position ourselves in a way that could help this team and help ourselves moving forward. Corey’s a well-established, dominant punter in this league and I was really happy to have the opportunity to work with him for the few months that we did. I think it did nothing but make us better as a team and individually, working with each other and picking each other’s brains. So when I saw his success, I was very happy for him but on the other hand, I saw a little bit of writing on the wall that the team might go with this guy and I could be having to find a new home here pretty soon.”

Hekker said he watched the Broncos game with his wife, who he was talking through things with. He also called a mentor of his to get his mind right, knowing what could be on the horizon for him if the Rams kept Bojorquez over him.

And to get his emotions back in check, he turned the game off early and flipped on “Ted Lasso,” which he accurately called a feel-good show.

The Rams obviously kept Hekker over Bojorquez after restructuring his contract, which he appreciated the team being open to. And fortunately for the team, it was able to trade Bojorquez to the Packers, swapping late-round picks in 2023.

“It meant a lot. It’s something that I’m definitely very thankful for. And looking back, I’m humble for the opportunity to come back,” he said. “To feel appreciated and wanted back here means a lot, especially with a talented guy like Corey, being able to get him traded to a place where he’s going to have a great impact in Green Bay. I wish him nothing but the best, but to be able to come back and be in this locker room with all the guys I’ve cultivated those friendships with, relationships, it means so much and it’s something that I’m not going to take for granted every time I come to the practice field – just come out here with a renewed sense of purpose to be a good leader, be a good punter and just have a ton of fun doing it.”

In addition to battling Bojorquez, Hekker was dealing with COVID-19. He contracted it and was placed on the reserve list on Aug. 21, forcing him to miss 12 days with the team; he was activated and returned on Wednesday.

Knowing he couldn’t be on the field proving himself made the competition with Bojorquez even tougher because he felt isolated away from practice. But fortunately, his symptoms were mild and he’s healthy now, preparing for the upcoming season.

“It was tough sitting at home in such a competitive part of the season with the preseason wrapping up and the competitive environment Corey and I were in,” he said. “There were no symptoms that got out of hand. Nothing felt like we were in real danger. Just had some body aches, little coughs and no taste and smell, but other than that, we’re really thankful and just glad to be on the other side now and looking forward to having a great season.”

As one would expect, Hekker handled this situation with complete class despite being in a tough spot for multiple reasons. Now that he’s not only healthy but also established as the team’s punter again, he’s locked in for Week 1 and wants to do everything he can to help the Rams win.

[vertical-gallery id=651916]