rams reference – Syndication Server

Take a tour of the Rams’ redesigned facility and locker room

The Rams made several changes to their headquarters this year to keep players and staff safe amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Rams have been highlighted on multiple occasions by the NFL for their work to get their facility ready for players’ arrival before camp. Commissioner Roger Goodell even pointed to the Rams as an example of how the NFL is working to keep players and staff safe amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The team has reworked areas of the facility like the locker room and weight room to accommodate players as they arrive for work this week. They also installed a facial recognition and temperature sensor at the entrance, and will outfit everyone in the building with location trackers to ensure everyone is adhering to social distancing protocols.

Steve Wyche of NFL Network took a tour of the facility and was shown these new features of the building by Rams head trainer Reggie Scott. Take a look at the changes the team has made, as well as a glimpse at the new helmet with mouth shields installed by Oakley.

“Really important that when everyone comes in everyday that they understand the rules of operation.”@wyche89 gives an inside look at the measures the @RamsNFL are taking to create a safe environment for 2020 training camp. 👇 pic.twitter.com/7apcWFcoPt

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) July 28, 2020

Rams projected to receive two compensatory picks in 2021 draft

Cory Littleton and Dante Fowler Jr. will bring back two draft picks for the Rams.

The Los Angeles Rams have lost some marquee players in free agency over the last few years, but fortunately, the NFL compensates teams for their losses with draft picks. Compensatory draft picks can be very valuable and teams like the Rams, Patriots and Ravens have capitalized on the system by letting their high-priced free agents leave.

In the last two years, the Rams have received three third-round compensatory picks and two seventh-rounders. They’re in line to receive a few more in next year’s draft, too, after losing Cory Littleton and Dante Fowler Jr. in free agency.

According to Over the Cap, the Rams are projected to be awarded two compensatory picks in 2021: a third-rounder for Fowler and a fourth for Littleton. The Rams also lost Greg Zuerlein, but their addition of A’Shawn Robinson canceled that seventh-rounder out.

The compensatory pick formula isn’t public knowledge and even team executives aren’t exactly sure how the process works. However, it’s primarily based on contract value and also accounts for playing time, post-season awards such as All-Pro honors.

Fowler signed a three-year, $48 million contract with the Falcons after spending one and a half seasons with the Rams. Littleton left Los Angeles to join the Raiders, signing a three-year, $35.25 million contract.

The Rams would’ve gotten compensatory picks if they lost Andrew Whitworth and Michael Brockers, too, but they were able to retain them with three-year deals for each player.

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Only one player has been traded more times than Brandin Cooks since 1980

Eric Dickerson is the only player in the NFL to be traded more times than Brandin Cooks since 1980.

It seems illogical to say, but Brandin Cooks has been one of the most sought-after wide receivers in the NFL since he was drafted in 2014. He came into the league as a first-round pick by the Saints that year, and after three seasons in New Orleans, he was traded to the Patriots for a first-rounder.

He spent one year in New England before the Rams parted ways with a first-round pick to acquire him, promptly signing him to an $81 million extension in 2018. On Thursday, Cooks was traded for the third time in his career – this time for a second-round pick.

The Rams sent him to Houston, making the Texans his fourth team in seven seasons. For a player with four 1,000-yard seasons and 34 career touchdowns, it’s bizarre that he keeps getting traded.

It’s almost unprecedented, actually. According to NFL Research, only one player has been traded more times than Cooks in his career since 1980: Former Rams running back Eric Dickerson.

Brandin Cooks was traded for the third time. Asked the fine folks at @NFLResearch where that ranks. They have records back to 1980 and say only Eric Dickerson (four) has been traded more times since then. So there’s a good bit of trivia for your virtual holiday dinners.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) April 10, 2020

The Rams were the first team to trade Dickerson, sending him to the Colts in 1987. In 1992, he was traded by the Colts to the Raiders, who only kept him for one season. In 1993, Dickerson was traded twice: once in July to the Falcons and then again to the Packers in October.

He never played for the Packers, but Dickerson will still go down as the only player in modern history to be traded four times in his career. Just don’t rule out Cooks matching him at some point.