Tag: rams news

Sean McVay gives definitive answer on potential Odell Beckham Jr. reunion

Sean McVay made it pretty clear that the Rams won’t be signing Odell Beckham Jr. right now

Sean McVay wasted no time shutting down rumors of a potential reunification between the Los Angeles Rams and veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

On Wednesday, McVay told reporters that the Rams aren’t “looking at” bringing in Beckham right now, making a pretty definitive statement that Los Angeles won’t be bringing Beckham back.

Beckham cleared waivers Monday and is now available to be signed by any team.

The Rams currently have seven wide receivers on their active roster and with the return of Tyler Higbee, it looks like McVay has all the pass catchers he needs.

While it looks unlikely that Beckham will link up with the Rams this season, he remains a free agent and the list of teams interested in his services continues to dwindle with every passing day.

If the Rams are playoff-bound, don’t shut the door yet on another potential OBJ playoff masterclass performance in blue and yellow.

Breaking down Chris Shula’s perfect approach to defending the Hail Mary

Chris Shula’s usage of personnel and the blitz sealed victory for the Rams in what was perhaps the perfect way to defend a Hail Mary

At the end of the Rams-49ers game, Los Angeles led 12-6 and San Francisco had the ball at the 50-yard line with 6 seconds remaining in the ballgame. With no timeouts remaining, the 49ers called a classic Hail Mary play.

The standard operating procedure for the defense is to line up three defensive linemen and drop eight defenders in coverage. The theory is that once the ball is in the air, the likelihood of a catch is nonexistent due to the amount of bodies going for the ball once it comes down.

In years past, several teams have attempted to sway from the norm by blitzing the quarterback, hoping to get a rushed throw or a sack. While it has worked in the past, it has also failed as in the case of the Aaron Rodgers Hail Mary against Arizona in the 2015-2016 playoffs.

Shula decided to change up how defenses cover Hail Mary plays by rushing five instead of three. That’s not a revolutionary concept, but the big difference was in the Rams’ personnel. Usually, teams like to blitz with more physical linebackers in this scenario. Shula went with a dime look that replaced Omar Speights with Kam Curl.

Shula had Jared Verse and Byron Young attack from the outside to force Brock Purdy to step up in the pocket. He then used Kobie Turner to draw the double-team. The 49ers called six-man protection so at this point, both tackles for the 49ers, along with their left guard and center, were being occupied by pass rushers. This left the right guard and running back as San Francisco’s only remaining blockers.

The guard took on Christian Rozeboom, leaving the speedy and physical Curl one-on-one with the running back. Rozeboom and Curl would bring Purdy down for the game-ending sack.

It takes receivers at least 4.5 seconds to reach the endzone from the 50-yard line. Purdy was wrapped up in 3 seconds.

By deploying Curl as a linebacker, it forced the 49ers to use their running back to block him as the guard could easily get run past. Rozeboom, on the other hand, is also too quick for the guard to handle so no matter what, the QB doesn’t have enough time to get the ball off.

In terms of numbers and time, it’s better to rush five players instead of three in Hail Mary situations from 50 yards and beyond. A proper pass rush will get the QB on the ground before his receivers even reach the endzone. Expect more teams to deploy “hybrid linebackers” in the future like Curl in order to stop last-minute heaves before they can happen.

De’Vondre Campbell quitting on 49ers played big part in Rams’ win

De’Vondre Campbell’s decision not to play midway through Rams-49ers left a hole that Sean McVay and LA exploited.

In an inexplicable move, San Francisco 49ers linebacker De’Vondre Campbell refused to go into the game against the Los Angeles Rams in the third quarter of Thursday’s game, walking off toward the locker room.

While Campbell’s refusal to play remains a story without an ending, his decision may have not only ended the 49ers’ season, but possibly propelled the Rams into the playoffs.

Before Campbell was called into service, the 49ers were operating with a linebacker rotation of Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, and Dee Winters. The trio, along with the rest of the defense, held the Rams to just three points and just three first downs midway through the third quarter.

It was at that point that Greenlaw would exit the game with 7:12 remaining after helping to bring down Blake Corum. He would not return. Dee Winters was also hurt and was unable to go back in.

Campbell was the next man up but his defiance forced the 49ers to deploy a banged-up Demetrius Flanagan-Fowles during a critical drive for the Rams. Not only was Flanagan-Fowles hurt, but he’s a rotational player who hasn’t seen a whole lot of defensive snaps this season compared to Campbell. Before the game, Flanagan-Fowles had 11 total tackles on the season.

With Campbell having thrown in the towel, the Niners had to step out of their base nickel defense and go into a single-high safety look that brought Talanoa Hufanga into the box. As a result of these unforeseen defensive adjustments, the Rams would proceed to score nine unanswered points, entering the red zone on three straight drives.

The Rams also targeted the interior via Puka Nacua. With an already injured Flanagan-Fowles and Warner, the Niners had no chance. Campbell was already playing at a poor level but his absence doomed what was a winning effort by San Francisco.

While an incredibly lucky sequence of events for the Rams may have gifted them the path to victory, perhaps it’s Los Angeles’ emphasis on bringing in players that fit their culture that has propelled them to a Super Bowl victory, while the 49ers – despite their consistent success – have failed to win a title since 1995.

If Campbell’s departure wasn’t evidence enough of his character, the vocal outcries of teammates Charvarius Ward and George Kittle calling for his removal from the team have sealed Campbell’s future in the bay.

The Rams took advantage of a tough situation for the 49ers and are now in the driver’s seat in the NFC West.

Scott Frost’s new job could provide Rams with scouting advantage

With Scott Frost returning to UCF, here’s why his new job could help the Rams win in the long run.

Former Rams consultant Scott Frost’s time in Los Angeles ended when he was recently announced as the new head coach at the University of Central Florida. It was always a probability that Frost would return to the collegiate ranks and for UCF, they get back the coach that led them to an undefeated season in 2017.

While Frost may not work for the Rams anymore, the relationship between the coach and the organization may provide the Rams’ front office with unmatched access to players within the organization and in the Big 12 conference.

While Frost himself would be able to provide insight into players within his program, which is important as UCF has become a hotbed for high school and transfer portal talent since their jump to the Big 12, the Rams would also have an affiliated coaching staff that would most likely be willing to share their perspectives on the NFL-caliber players that they have to scheme against.

In his introductory press conference, Frost heaped praise on the Rams organization for being a first-class group, so it sounds like he built strong connections within the building.

For Frost, his coaching staff, and UCF, the prospect of forming/strengthening connections inside the NFL is more than enough for them to provide such information, especially when UCF can use its relationship with the Rams as a recruiting tool.

When it comes to pro football, it’s more who you know instead of what you know and with a known man leading one of the top football programs in the state of Florida, there’s reason to believe Frost’s short stint with the Rams can lead to long-term benefit for both parties.

Matthew Stafford praises ‘ultra-talented’ Josh Allen ahead of Rams-Bills showdown

Matthew Stafford took time to praise fellow gunslinger Josh Allen, detailing the problems he presents for opponents.

Matthew Stafford has played just about every elite quarterback during his time in the NFL so he knows talent when it presents itself. During his time in Detroit and Los Angeles, Stafford has had the opportunity to play Josh Allen twice.

It’s funny how similar both player’s careers have been. Both are former first-round picks selected by struggling franchises with historic backgrounds and both have often had to will their teams to victory. Both have big arms, are tough, and have battled through injuries, too.

Despite being in different conferences, Stafford has actually seen a lot of Allen, watching his early development as a member of the Lions.

Ahead of the Rams’ matchup with the Bills on Sunday, Stafford talked about his initial thoughts on Allen from when he first came into the league.

“We used to play those guys in the preseason a bunch when I was in Detroit, so I got a bunch of chances to watch him play in preseason environments and then obviously played against him,” Stafford said. “It’s incredible to see what he was able to do. I remember (him) jumping over linebackers in Minnesota and doing all sorts of stuff. He’s as physically talented of a runner at quarterback that I’ve seen. He does it a little bit differently. He’s a big and physical guy but can still get away from you and run. He’s made some throws that, throughout the years are as impressive as they get.”

Stafford continued to praise the Bills quarterback, who’s the front-runner to win NFL MVP this year.

“He’s ultra-talented, a great competitor, can make all sorts of plays, can sit in the pocket and beat you, can break outside the pocket and make plays, both with his legs and with his arm when he breaks the pocket,” he said. “I’ve been really impressed by him his entire career. Obviously, he’s been playing at a really high level this year and doing a great job for them.”

Having seen him in practice and as an opponent, Stafford knows firsthand the type of damage Allen can do to opposing defenses. In those two games between Allen and Stafford, the Bills quarterback had over 550 total yards of offense and five total touchdowns.

For a Rams team looking to stay competitive in the NFC West, the matchup against the Bills is a perfect test of how competitive the Rams could be if they get into the postseason. As for Sunday, it’s win at all costs.

Sean McVay wishes he had the answer for stopping Josh Allen: ‘It’d be a lot easier’

Sean McVay went into detail about the massive challenges Josh Allen presents ahead of Sunday’s Rams-Bills matchup

Josh Allen has cemented his place as one of the premier passers in the NFL and in 2024, the Bills’ gunslinger is lighting up defenses with MVP-level numbers.

Rams head coach Sean McVay knows about the challenges Allen presents all too well as he torched the Rams in 2022, ruining the night they celebrated their victory in Super Bowl LVI. In a 31-10 thrashing of the Rams, Allen completed 26 of 31 passes for 297 yards and four total touchdowns. He also added 56 yards on the ground.

When asked about how the Rams plan to limit Allen this time around, McVay said he wishes he knew the secret to that.

“If I had the answer, then it’d be a lot easier,” he quipped. “I think everybody tries to figure that out week in and week out. They’re a complete offense and they have the ability to do a lot of things. I think he does a great job of getting all his playmakers involved. They’re obviously doing an excellent job of being able to run the football both from the gun and underneath the center. I think he’s playing really well within the structure when the timing and rhythm present itself. He’s getting a lot of guys involved like I mentioned. And then when things go off schedule, that’s when you see what a special player he is. He can beat you with his mind. He can beat you with his arm and he can beat you with his legs. Those are recipes for why he deserves all the accolades, the praise, and the credit that he gets.”

One of the things that makes Allen so difficult to stop is his athleticism and power. His strength makes him incredibly tough to get on the ground, something Aaron Donald talked about during his playing days.

“I think he’s a lot bigger and a harder tackle in person than probably what guys that haven’t played against him realize,” McVay said. “I remember even going up there in 2020 and listening to Aaron talk about how challenging that was and he’s only gotten better. You can really see he understands what’s going on. He has a great rapport with their coaches and the guys that he’s playing with. It’s why they’re one of the best offenses in the league and he is up there for MVP.”

While McVay and his staff attempt to figure out Josh Allen, they must also find ways to shut down their power rushing attack spearheaded by James Cook and rookie Ray Davis. They’ve combined to rush for over 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2024.

Allen has shown some cracks in his armor. After starting the season with seven straight games without an interception, he’s thrown five in his last five games. While he didn’t throw one last week against San Francisco, it should be noted that the game was played in the wind and snow, forcing Allen to have a season-low 17 passing attempts.

As wild as it may sound, perhaps the best way to stop Josh Allen is to get into a shootout with him. However, that’s a textbook case of playing with fire and it has burned teams in recent weeks. Winning the turnover margin may be the key to victory; Allen threw two interceptions in the 2022 matchup.

Emmanuel Forbes unlikely to make Rams debut vs. Bills on Sunday

Sean McVay indicated that Emmanuel Forbes is unlikely to make his Rams debut this week against the Bills

Rams fans will have to wait a little while to watch the team’s newest cornerback, Emmanuel Forbes. Rams head coach Sean McVay said Forbes is unlikely to make his team debut this weekend when Los Angeles hosts the Bills.

At his Wednesday press conference, McVay cited Forbes’ unfamiliarity with the defense and playbook as the reasons behind his decision.

https://x.com/stujrams/status/1864430700994416697?s=46

While the move makes the most sense, especially when dealing with a player who needs a hot start to rebuild his confidence, it is a bit disappointing for Rams fans that they will have to wait to watch a player as talented as Forbes take the field.

However, the move will allow Forbes to not only get acclimated with the team but it will allow the team time to institute their patented program in rehabbing player’s careers.

According to former NFL DB Terrell Buckley, Forbes “is a very good player that still needs some development. As soon as he learns what it means to be a pro, he will take off.”

Buckley was instrumental in recruiting Forbes to Mississippi State.

With Darious Williams, Cobie Durant, and Ahkello Witherspoon listed ahead of Forbes on the depth chart, expect Forbes’ involvement to gradually increase over time. With two years remaining on his contract and a potential fifth year option that the Rams do not need to make a decision on till after next season, there’s plenty of time to mold Forbes into the player he can be.

Emmanuel Forbes is a perfect pickup for a team in need of DBs like the Rams

Emmanuel Forbes will try to make the most of his fresh start in Los Angeles, where he’s a perfect fit with the Rams

The Rams have struggled to find consistent cornerback play since trading away Jalen Ramsey. Ramsey was such an integral part of the defensive scheme, his departure called for the team to reinvent their approach to pass coverage. While Darious Williams, Akhello Witherspoon, and Cobie Durant have done a decent enough job, there’s a need for another corner that can play fast and disrupt the timing of passing routes.

Tre’Davious White was supposed to fill that role, but that didn’t work out due to various factors, so whoever the Rams brought in next would need to be the opposite of what White is. That player would need to be young, explosive, and injury-free and despite Christmas being weeks away, the Rams got an early gift in Emmanuel Forbes.

Forbes was a highly touted prospect out of Mississippi State due to his 4.35 40 time, 14 career interceptions, and his ability to make plays from different positions in the secondary. He’s a perfect fit for Chris Shula’s defense.

Shula has used three-safety packages during certain passing situations and as a result, Kam Curl, Kam Kinchens, and Jaylen McCollough have been put into positions to make game-changing plays. All three players have had game-sealing interceptions this year, with the scheme playing right into Forbes’ versatility.

Forbes also looked more comfortable in coverage when he had Curl’s help over the top when they were teammates in Washington. Having such a bond paired with Curl’s already-established relationship with Rams defenders will help Forbes assimilate into LA quickly.

Forbes’ two years in the NFL have not been great. There’s no denying the truth. There’s also another truth about his development that hasn’t been talked about. He was ruined by Jack Del Rio’s poorly designed defensive scheme that was stuck in the last decade. Currently, Washington is cleaning house of all the old Ron Rivera players and unless he magically started playing at an All-Pro level in Year 2, Forbes was going to be let go anyway.

Looking at his film, it seems his underwhelming play is a result of bad coaching and a lack of motivation from the people surrounding him. In Los Angeles, he will be put in positions that fit his strong suits with coaches and teammates that will give him the confidence he had at Mississippi State.

If the Rams can get him back to the aggressive player he was in college, they have a stud on their hands at no cost to their draft capital. Plus, they inherit his fifth-year option, which could keep him under contract through 2027.

Bold prediction: Forbes will not only be a pillar for the Rams’ defense for the next three years but he will also propel the team to the NFC West title.

What does the future of the Rams’ offensive line look like?

Despite spending over $90 million on offensive linemen this offseason, there are questions about the future of that group for the Rams

The Los Angeles Rams’ offensive line has been a point of pride for the franchise throughout its entire history. Hall of Famers Orlando Pace, Jackie Slater, Bob Brown, Tom Mack, and potential future Hall of Famer Andrew Whitworth have preserved a longstanding tradition of dominance along the line of scrimmage.

But the state of the Rams’ offensive line in 2024 is a far cry from the days of old. Resting in a state of uncertainty and inconsistent play, the future for the five men up front remains bleak.

Tackles Alaric Jackson and Rob Havenstein have held up strong but Jackson is in a contract year and Havenstein will be 33 years old at the start of next season, the last year on his deal. Both men may have different futures in football but they share the same cloudiness when it comes to who they will play for next season.

The problem is that the Rams can not afford to lose either of them. The Rams’ offensive line is even more brittle than they already are when either of them misses time and the capital it will take to replace them would be more than it would take to renew their deals. A replacement may also yield poor results.

So both Jackson’s and Havenstein’s agents have serious leverage in contract negotiations, which could leave a dent in the team’s wallet. However, the situation with the tackles is a cakewalk compared to the mess on the interior offensive line.

The Rams signed Jonah Jackson to a three-year, $51 million deal in free agency this offseason. They also re-signed Kevin Dotson to a three-year, $48 million extension. Steve Avila is on a four-year rookie deal worth about $9.2 million and Beaux Limmer is on a four-year rookie deal worth about $4.1 million. All four men are under contract until at least the end of the 2026 season.

That’s over $110 million committed to an interior offensive line unit that has contributed to an extensive display of poor pass protection. With pressure primarily coming from the inside, the Rams have given up 25 quarterback hits in the past four games.

So that begs the question: What is the solution? There really isn’t one. When the Rams signed Jonah Jackson, the thought was that Avila would move to center. Avila played the position at several points during his collegiate career so the move in theory would be simple. It wasn’t. It was a failure and through injuries, Beaux Limmer became the starter.

Limmer is a rookie and plays like one. Yes, Limmer has shown good potential and has thrived in the run game but he recorded a 5.2 pass-blocking grade from PFF on Sunday. That’s out of 100. To bench Limmer now,  however, would ruin his development but keeping him in means exposing Matthew Stafford to even more damaging punishment.

The bigger question is that out of Avila, Dotson and Jonah Jackson, who will be the odd man out when all three are healthy? Currently, it’s Jackson but he’s the most expensive player out of three. Plus, he was promised the guard job when he signed.

But for Avila, if he gets benched, he would be within his rights to request a trade. He’s in the second year of his rookie deal and if he wants to see a big second contract, he’ll need playing time. Plus, he was drafted to be a guard, the position he was a first-team All-Big 12 selection and PFWA All-Rookie Team selection at.

Financially, the answer is to cut Dotson. He and Jackson have similar deals, Dotson is a bit older and he would save the Rams a little over $12 million in cap space. The problem is that cutting Dotson would be one of the worst football decisions of GM Les Snead’s career. Dotson is playing at an All-Pro level, he’s started in every game since week three of the 2023 season and he’s on a very short list of players that the team can not touch. So that begs the question, what do the Rams do?

They could cut Jackson as he offers similar cap relief but that would also mean letting go of a Pro Bowl-caliber player and admitting that his signing was a failure. They could trade Avila but that would mean getting rid of a burgeoning star in the prime of his career while on a cheap contract. The other choice is to bench Limmer. If done, benching Limmer would severely damage the development of a player who has a 50-50 shot of being the centerpiece of the offensive line for the next decade.

If the team doesn’t make a move, they’ll be on the hook for a ton of money, while also having to negotiate potential deals for Havenstein, Alaric Jackson and/or their replacements.

A tough decision lies before Snead but inaction could lead to growing resentment in the locker room and the last thing this offensive line needs is another reason to not be on the same page.

Matthew Stafford suffered ankle sprain vs. Saints but is not expected to miss time

Matthew Stafford sprained his ankle on Sunday but Sean McVay doesn’t expect it to affect the veteran QB

Matthew Stafford has been hit a lot this season and it seems the wear and tear has caught up with the 36-year-old Iron Man. Sean McVay told reporters on Monday that Stafford suffered a lateral ankle sprain in the teams’ victory over New Orleans on Sunday.

Stafford’s standard week of preparation will not be affected as the Rams are set to host the red-hot Buffalo Bills at SoFi Stadium in a rematch of the 2022 NFL season opener.

As of writing, Stafford will be a full go for the game but his injury and how it affects his mobility will be something to keep an eye on. The Rams have surrendered 25 QB hits in their last four games.

The last time the Bills played in a domed environment, their defense put up six QB hits, four sacks, and forced four turnovers in a 30-20 win over a Joe Flacco-led Colts team.

The Bills are coming off a 35-10 thrashing in the snow against the 49ers on Sunday night. Buffalo is 3-0 against the NFC West this season as they defeated Arizona 34-28 in the season opener and won 31-10 at Seattle in Week 8.