Tag: rams camp

Why haven’t the Rams signed any of their rookies yet?

The Rams have yet to sign a single draft pick despite training camp being right around the corner.

While most other teams across the NFL have been working to get their rookies under contract all offseason – increasingly so with training camp around the corner – the Rams have yet to sign a single one of their 2020 draft picks. In recent years, the Rams have signed their rookies by the end of June. But as we all know, this isn’t a typical offseason.

We’re now approaching the end of July and some are wondering why Los Angeles has seemingly dragged its feet on this subject. There are a few possible reasons to explain why the Rams have waited longer than just about every other team.

The first of which is tied to the coronavirus pandemic, which has prevented teams from getting players into the building. There were no OTAs or rookie minicamp earlier this offseason, limiting players to working out on their own.

The Rams usually replace rookie minicamp with a financial literacy course for their draft picks, hoping to prepare them for the rigors of the NFL and the money they’re set to receive from their first professional contracts.

It’s not until after that financial advice class that the Rams sign their draft picks – a tradition set in place by Jeff Fisher when he was head coach. Considering the Rams couldn’t have that class in person this year, it’s possible they’re going to put rookies through it when they arrive for training camp this week or next.

Another factor could be the Rams’ salary cap situation, though it’s nothing that will prevent them from getting their rookies under contract. Before Todd Gurley’s contract came off the books on June 2, the Rams had less than $1 million in cap space – not even enough to sign their rookie class.

Now, they’re sitting on about $5.2 million in cap space, according to Over The Cap, which is enough to cover the expected $1.6 million the Rams need to sign their rookie class.

In all likelihood, it was probably a combination of all the above. The coronavirus pandemic prevented rookies from getting into the Rams’ facility, which probably caused the team to push its financial literacy class back to training camp. The added factor of Gurley’s contract not coming off the books until June 2 didn’t help, either.

This is nothing to be worried about because rookie contracts are all structured based on the CBA and wage scale, but it is interesting that the Rams are one of the only teams that hasn’t signed a single draft pick yet.

[vertical-gallery id=635978]

NFL agrees to cancel preseason, limits camp rosters to only 80 players

The first game at SoFi Stadium will be on Sept. 13 between the Rams and Cowboys.

The NFL and NFLPA agreed to cancel the preseason this year in response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, according to Mike Jones of USA TODAY. It was a recommendation from the Players’ Association, which was agreed to by the league on Tuesday night.

Additionally, roster sizes for training camp are expected to be trimmed by 10 players. Rather than the usual 90-man rosters teams are allowed in a typical year, they’ll be limited to only 80 this summer.

Here are more updates from Tuesday night’s conference call with players, via Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

The Rams currently have 90 players on their roster, which means they’ll have to cut 10 players before camp starts next week. All players are expected to report by July 28.

There will be some difficult decisions to be made, but considering the Rams signed 22 undrafted free agents this year, it’s almost certain that a large number of the team’s initial cuts will come from that pool of players.

With the preseason canceled, the first game at SoFi Stadium will be Rams-Cowboys on Sept. 13 – a Sunday night matchup in Week 1 of the regular season.

[vertical-gallery id=635883]

NFL still plans to start training camp on time, sets reporting dates

Rookies will report on July 21, with all other players reporting on July 28.

Just as MLB and the NBA are gearing up for their returns to action, so too is the NFL. And while the football season isn’t slated to start until September, players could be back on the field sooner rather than later.

On Saturday, the NFL sent a memo to coaches and general managers reinforcing the fact that training camp is still scheduled to start on time. The league set separate reporting dates for rookies, quarterbacks and injured players, and all other players, with rookies showing up on Tuesday, July 21.

Quarterbacks and injured players will follow on the 23rd, with everyone else reporting on July 28.

There’s still plenty to sort out with regards to testing protocols, social distancing guidelines and other preventive measures, but the NFL is still pushing forward as scheduled.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported that as of now, only 20 players would be allowed inside the team’s facility until the NFLPA approves of the league’s proposed plan for testing protocols.

Players such as J.J. Watt and Richard Sherman have expressed frustration and displeasure with the NFL’s plan to move forward despite the ongoing pandemic, though no Rams players have spoken out on the matter.

Andrew Whitworth did say on Friday that he and his entire family tested positive for COVID-19 this offseason, putting into perspective how quickly the virus can spread from one infection.

NFL minicamps won’t be held in June, virtual program extended

There will be no minicamps held this month.

There was a report from Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports that indicated minicamps could be held in June after coaches returned to their respective facilities. That’s no longer in the cards, though.

According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the league will not hold minicamps this month and has extended its virtual offseason program through June 26. This isn’t the first time the virtual offseason has been extended, either.

Previously, it was scheduled to run through May 15, which was then extended through the end of May, and then into mid-June, and now through June 26.

The NFL has taken steps toward getting team employees back in the building, allowing coaches to return to their facilities last week. Not every team took advantage of that change, but some did – including the Bengals and Steelers, among others.

The Rams are expected to have their coaches return on an optional basis beginning June 15, though it’s unclear if Sean McVay will be among those going into the office.

As of now, there’s no set timeline on when practices will begin or when training camp will take place. The Rams haven’t announced a start date for training camp, but typically, it takes place in late July. What we do know is that it will be held in Thousand Oaks at Cal Lutheran instead of off-site at UC Irvine.

Rams not allowed to hold training camp at UC Irvine this year

The Rams will stay at home in Thousand Oaks for this year’s training camp.

Whenever training camps do open up this offseason, the Los Angeles Rams will be holding theirs in a different location than usual. Typically, they’d pack up and set up camp at UC Irvine, which is about an hour and a half from the team’s headquarters at Cal Lutheran in Thousand Oaks.

Due to the coronavirus, however, the NFL is forcing teams to stay at home for camp this year. That means the Cowboys won’t be in Oxnard and the Rams won’t be in Irvine. The Rams will instead hold camp in Thousand Oaks.

While this isn’t a huge deal, it is another adjustment teams will have to make in this significantly altered offseason. And assuming training camp is held as scheduled, fans will most likely not be allowed to attend because of the large crowds it would attract.

In addition to teams being forced to stay at their respective facilities, they will also not be allowed to hold joint practices. The Rams prefer joint practices because of the competitive atmosphere it creates, holding sessions with the Raiders and Chargers last year alone.