Tag: rams training camp

Peter Schrager shares what caught his eye while visiting Rams training camp

NFL reporter Peter Schrager visited Rams training camp this week and shared what he learned. He’s high on LA, particularly the Stafford-led offense.

There’s a lot of optimism around the Los Angeles Rams this summer, especially after going 10-7 and making the playoffs last season when few thought they’d win even eight games. With a reloaded offensive line and some reinforcements – both young and old – on defense, the Rams should be even better in 2024.

NFL Network’s Peter Schrager visited Rams camp on Tuesday and left Loyola Marymount impressed by what Sean McVay and Les Snead have built. He shared some of his observations from training camp, noting how good Matthew Stafford looks and the stellar play of both Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua.

“Stafford looks incredible, and Kupp and Nacua are dialed in,” Schrager said. “Cooper Kupp, coming off a little bit of an injury. Wasn’t himself last year maybe, looks amazing. He isin the best shape he’s been in in years. And then Nacua, we’re talking about a guy who had a record-breaking rookie year. He was unbelievable at practice yesterday.”

There are some questions about the Rams’ defense without Aaron Donald, but Schrager is confident in the group Los Angeles has assembled. He couldn’t help but notice that Jared Verse is everywhere, flying around the field in practice.

“Aaron Donald’s gone,” Schrager said. “You didn’t notice it yesterday. Chris Shula, he’s now the new defensive coordinator as Raheem Morris goes to Atlanta, this D looked good. And Jared Verse is a rookie, going to be wearing No. 8, he was everywhere. Flying all over the field. He was their first pick at 19 overall. He is the dude to watch and Braden Fiske, the other one, they were college teammates at Florida State, they’re both going to play a big role.”

Jordan Whittington has generated some buzz in training camp as a sixth-round rookie and there’s no question he’s made of the right stuff, cut from a similar cloth as Kupp and Nacua.

After practice was over and everyone was gone, Schrager saw Whittington sitting down catching over-the-shoulder passes from the JUGS machine.

“After practice, everyone’s gone, there’s a JUGS machine out there,” Schrager said. “I’ve never seen this drill. Whittington is lying down on his back, the JUGS machine is behind him, and he’s catching balls like this while lying down on his back. I was like, ‘Is that for show?’ I was talking to a coach. And he’s like, ‘This guy does his own thing and he’s been awesome all practice.’”

There’s a lot of excitement surrounding the Rams right now and Schrager’s comments only echo what has fans so excited about the 2024 season.

64 photos from Rams training camp at Loyola Marymount

Check out some of the best photos from Rams training camp so far

The Los Angeles Rams are calling Loyola Marymount University home for training camp this year after previously holding their summer practices at UC Irvine. Players and coaches have loved the setup at LMU during the first week of practice, while also enjoying the perfect weather in Southern California.

On Monday, the Rams put on the pads for the first time, an important step in their prep for the regular season. Though Matthew Stafford didn’t participate, he was in attendance during what was a planned rest day for the veteran quarterback.

With camp in full swing, take a look at some of the best photos from Rams practice.

 

Tre’Davious White’s football IQ helping Rams’ receiving corps

See what Puka Nacua had to say about how All-Pro DB Tre’Davious White has helped the Rams’ receivers in training camp

As the old adage goes, iron sharpens iron and for Puka Nacua, he’s being sharpened by All-Pro corner Tre’Davious White. White, a representative of LSU’s fierce reputation as “DBU,” came to Los Angeles after seven years with the Bills.

Over that time, White has earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors while leading the NFL in interceptions in 2019. White has everything a corner needs to be successful. His cerebral approach to the game and his feared athleticism allow him to be a shutdown corner when healthy.

When asked about White and if he’s given the team any teachable moments, Nacua had this to say.

“He’s really smart. Pre-snap stuff, he understands. He understands the motions, wherever we’re going, alignment, and things like that,” Nacua said. “So, he’s super aware of it. Depending on where we’re lined up, he knows he can eliminate certain routes, so it’s been fun. Because there are things that I feel… I know my strengths and they don’t really work against him because he’s thinking [about] the mental game before I ever get to be a physical player with him. So, it’s been super fun because now I get to work on some of the different tools that me and Coop are working on.”

If Nacua expects to surpass his rookie year production, being a student of the game must be his No. 1 priority in training camp. With a player like White to compete with and learn from, Nacua may already be ahead of the curve.

Predicting how the Rams will use their running backs in 2024

How the Rams use their running backs will determine their success in 2024. Using 2023 stats, here’s a glimpse into the future.

The Rams enter training camp with five running backs on their roster. Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, Boston Scott, Ronnie Rivers, and Zach Evans will be battling each other for roster spots and playing time.

It’s basically an agreed fact that Kyren Williams and Blake Corum’s roster spots are secured, while Boston Scott should be rounding out the room. Whether the Rams keep a fourth running back is to be determined and if so, they’ll probably go with Ronnie Rivers, who has shown flashes of potential and had 35 carries in 2023, including three rushes in the playoffs compared to Zach Evans who had nine all year.

Expect a run-based offense in 2024 as the team finished 12th in the league in total rushes in 2023. They averaged about 28 rushes per game, making up around 45 percent of their total plays.

We witnessed a massive boost to the Rams’ offensive production when the team ran the ball more in general but especially on second down. That led to more third-and-short situations, which the team had a higher success of converting compared to third down attempts following a pass.

With that being said, the Rams should average around 30 rushes per game in 2024. When Williams returned from injury last season, he averaged around 22 carries a game, or about 77 percent of the load. Because of the nature of his position and durability concerns, the team will slightly scale back that percentage to around 70 percent.

At 30 carries a game for the team, Williams should expect 21 rushes, if not less. In that case, who takes the other nine?

In 2023, Boston Scott had six games in which he didn’t get a single carry. He averaged around 2.2 carries per game in the games he recorded a carry. Expect things to stay the same in Los Angeles.

It’s still very early, but if the Rams average 30 carries a game, we predict that Williams will have 21 carries, Corum will have seven and Scott will get about two. There’s room for fluctuation between Williams and Corum, depending on performance and health, but that line will most likely sway only two or three carries between the two men.

Either way, the Rams brought in Jonah Jackson for a reason so bet on a heavy dosage of the run in 2024.

Sean McVay says his relationship with Matthew Stafford is stronger after contract talks

Sean McVay says that recent contract negotiations with Matthew Stafford has strengthened their personal relationship.

There was a bit of a scare entering Rams training camp as star QB Matthew Stafford and the organization had yet to agree to terms on a new contract. Stafford was seeking an updated deal that gave him more guaranteed money in 2025 and 2026, but no contract was struck until the 11th hour.

All fears of a holdout – or “hold-in” – were squashed Tuesday when the two parties agreed to an updated contract just before Sean McVay took the podium for his camp-opening presser.

In contract negotiations, especially QB contracts, hurt feelings and resentment are commonplace. This was not the case for the 2024 Rams, as McVay had this to say when questioned about his relationship with Stafford.

“I think it’s even stronger,” he said of his connection to Stafford. “I think the ability to have honest conversations where – I know this, the people that are the closest in my life and the people that I appreciate when I look back on my failures, my shortcomings, even if I wasn’t really ready to receive it at the time. That by no means what I am saying about him. It’s the people who told me what I needed to hear, not what I wanted to hear and that were honest. What I always appreciate about our relationship is that I think that honest communication exists and it never got to a point where there was anything other than I think we’ll be even better. I appreciate some of the emotional conversations that everyone has the right intentions and these things can get contentious but it never did between he and I. That was important because I was always very confident and optimistic that the end goal is to be able to have him here leading the way and the sooner we can be able to find what that looks like, the better off we are. We were able to do that without it taking away from our preparation leading into the season.”

With Stafford’s signature coming on his new contract, the Rams steam ahead into 2024 without distractions as they lay the foundation for a potential Super Bowl run.

Highlighting Rams legends: Kevin Carter, an unsung menace of the defense

One of the best pass rushers in Rams history, Kevin Carter was instrumental in the team’s pursuit of a Super Bowl in 1999.

When the story of the Greatest Show on Turf gets told, the only thing mentioned about the Rams’ 1999 defense is that it existed. All the fame and glory from that championship season has been and continues to be given to the offensive prowess displayed and points scored by the team.

However, behind the offense was a defense that was filled with stars and produced game-winning performances. Leading the pass rush was a consensus All-American and 1995 first-round pick from the University of Florida named Kevin Carter.

A monster among men, entering the 1999 season, Carter was a four-year veteran who had 35 career sacks and 192 total tackles. He was also named team MVP for the 1998 season.

Carter took his game to a new level in 1999, putting together one of the most impressive defensive performances in team history. While all eyes were on the offense, Carter put up a career-high 17 sacks, a mark that led the NFL that season.

Carter’s 17 sacks were the most recorded by a Ram since Jack Youngblood’s 18-sack season in 1979. As a result of Carter’s play, the Rams were the No. 1 rushing defense in the NFL and had the most sacks that season as Carter earned his first Pro Bowl honor. He was also a first-team All-Pro selection.

In the postseason, Carter would record a sack in each of the Rams’ three playoff wins, including the team’s lone sack against Steve McNair in Super Bowl XXXIV.

Carter would spend one more season in St. Louis, recording 35 tackles and 10.5 sacks, before he was traded to Tennessee. After leaving the Rams, Carter played eight more NFL seasons with the Titans, Dolphins and Buccaneers before retiring.

Carter finished his career with another Pro Bowl selection, 104.5 career sacks and 637 career tackles. In retirement, Carter continues his work with the Kevin Carter Foundation, something he started during his career and has worked with Make-A-Wish. He also helps provide scholarships to college athletes.

Carter is a member of the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame.

A pivotal part of the Rams’ success in St. Louis, Carter’s legacy will forever be sealed beside the Lombardi Trophy.

Even with Jimmy Garoppolo, Rams’ backup QB situation comes with questions

The Rams signed Jimmy Garoppolo to a one-year deal this offseason but their backup situation behind Matthew Stafford is still worrisome

It’s never a good sign when a franchise has to turn to their backup quarterback but in the same breath, backup quarterbacks have helped write the history of the NFL.

Whether it’s Doug Williams in Super Bowl XXII, Jeff Hostetler in Super Bowl XXV, or Nick Foles in Super Bowl LII, backup QBs have come in and led their teams to championship glory.

However, the Rams do not have the caliber of gunslinger needed at the backup position to win if Matthew Stafford goes down. As of right now, the Rams’ QB room consists of Stafford, Jimmy Garoppolo, who is suspended for the first two games of the regular season, Stetson Bennett, who spent 2023 away from the team, and Dresser Winn, who spent 2023 with the Rams on the practice squad and the Edmonton Elks.

Garoppolo has been getting flamed on Netflix’s “Receiver” series, seemingly becoming enemy No. 1 for former teammate Davante Adams due to his carelessness on ball placement and his propensity to throw hospital balls. That’s not exactly promising when one considers the fact that Cooper Kupp spent the beginning of the season on the sidelines due to injury.

In 2023, Garoppolo had six starts with the Raiders before his benching. He averaged 200 yards per game and was leading the league in interceptions. He’s perfect for the locker room and to spill secrets on the Shanahan offense but as QB2, he’s very worrisome.

Bennett has potential but the lack of practice time has severely hindered his growth process. A perfect passer if the Rams wanted to dink and dunk the ball but with McVay’s love of medium crossing routes, Bennett has yet to show the ability to hit those receivers in stride.

Winn has had a rough start to his pro career. A preseason cut in 2023 by the Rams, he would sign with the Edmonton Elks of the CFL before being released. Winn never played a snap. Now, he’s back and from all accounts, he’s far away from being NFL-ready. He just doesn’t have the tools, tape or experience to claim the QB2 spot.

So with all this negativity surrounding Garoppolo, and with Carson Wentz – the Rams’ 2023 backup – now playing for the Kansas City Chiefs, where could the Rams go from here?

There’s one name that sticks out and it’s Ryan Tannehill. The athletic QB revived his career in Tennessee and despite being 35, he’s displayed the mobile ability that made him so dangerous throughout portions of his career.

Tannehill is perfect because he plays within the structure of the offense but is able to make throws off-schedule. He’s athletic enough that the Rams could design packages around him if they so desire and he’s cheap. He’s been in the backup position before and he contributes.

Even if Tannehill isn’t a needle-mover, outside of Stafford, he’d be the best QB on the roster. Regardless, moves have to be made and they need to be made now.

Here’s why Blake Corum will impress in Rams training camp

Training camp is Blake Corum’s stage to take. Here’s why he may have a breakout performance this summer.

Blake Corum has some of the most beautiful film in college football history – Tavon Austin-level of film, highlighting his low center of gravity, footwork, and All-Pro-type vision.

Corum at Michigan was a machine. He had two 1,200-plus-yard seasons with 61 career touchdowns. He was an effective runner from both shotgun and under center, his understanding of blocking schemes allowed him to make cuts into holes that weren’t even visible and he has the finishing speed that turns big gains into touchdowns.

Corum has some of the most beautiful jump cuts I’ve ever seen. What’s so special about it is its display of effortless movement on Corum’s behalf. However, he pairs it with a Le’Veon Bell-level of patience, seemingly being so in tune with the game that he knows when to accelerate and hit the brakes at the perfect moment.

He’ll dominate in training camp because the one-on-one nature of camp plays into Corum’s abilities to make defenders look foolish in open space. Training camp also emphasizes players’ knowledge of the playbook, something Corum specializes in with his on-field experience and proven knowledge of the game.

He also shines brightest when the lights are on him. Corum scored at least two touchdowns in six of Michigan’s last seven games, including two touchdowns in a 134-yard National Championship performance. Corum also scored two touchdowns, including the game-winner, in the Rose Bowl.

Training camp is his stage. This is where he extinguishes any doubt that he isn’t the Rams’ RB2. Perhaps he could be RB1 if Kyren Williams falters in any way.

Mike Florio wonders if Matthew Stafford will ‘take a stand’ and hold out for contract

Mike Florio doesn’t believe it’s in Matthew Stafford’s DNA to hold out, but he wonders if the Rams QB will take a stand for a new contract

The Los Angeles Rams are committed to Matthew Stafford as their starting quarterback this year. That much is certain. But after that, his contract doesn’t include much guaranteed money, opening the door for the team to move on from him if things don’t go well in 2024.

Because of that, Stafford is looking for an adjustment to his contract which will give him more guaranteed money beyond this season. Essentially, he wants a commitment from the Rams that he’ll be staying in Los Angeles for several years to come.

That report first emerged during the NFL draft when Ian Rapoport broke the news on NFL Network and since then, the Rams have been tight-lipped on the situation. Sean McVay has said they’re keeping it all internal, but almost three months later, no deal has gotten done.

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk was on the “Pat McAfee Show” Friday and he wonders if Stafford will hold out for a new deal.

“I just can’t help but wonder what Matthew Stafford is going to do if he doesn’t get the new contract he’s been trying to get and they keep saying it’s coming, it’s coming, it’s coming,” Florio said. “If he doesn’t get it, would he really take a stand and not show up? I don’t think it’s in his DNA, but sometimes you have to take that stand to get what you deserve. And when Jared Goff got the $53 million a year and he’s the guy that they basically gave up a first-round pick to get rid of when they traded for Stafford and he’s at $40 (million per year), he’s clearly due for an adjustment.”

Florio says this all started when the Rams didn’t draft a quarterback in Round 1, despite there being “some talk” that they might take one in the first round. That’s when Rapoport disclosed Stafford’s displeasure and it’s been a looming issue since then.

Ultimately, Florio seems to believe the two sides could get something done before camp, but he wonders if Stafford will take a stand and hold out for a raise.

“When they didn’t draft a quarterback, it was boom, right after that, Rapoport’s reporting that Stafford isn’t happy with his contract, he wants guaranteed money beyond this year because he knew they were kind of in a year-to-year arrangement with him and he doesn’t want that,” Florio added. “He wants security. It became a thing for a little while after the draft. Sean McVay talked about it a couple of times and got the impression that they realized, ‘Hey, we’re not going to go year to year with Matthew Stafford. We’re going to give him a commitment beyond this season.’ It hasn’t happened yet. Now, it’s a deadline-driven league and maybe it happens just as they’re getting ready to go to camp. But if it doesn’t, does Stafford say, ‘Hey, look guys, I’ve made this clear, what I want we know what the market is. Are you going to do it?’ I’d like to think they get it done before camp opens.”

Rams announce training camp schedule with 8 open practices at Loyola Marymount

With training camp a month away, the Rams announced their full practice schedule at Loyola Marymount this summer

In just one month, the Los Angeles Rams will be back on the practice field for training camp. After a productive offseason program that featured a few weeks of OTAs and minicamp, the Rams are preparing to kick things into a higher gear next month at Loyola Marymount University – a new location for training camp this year.

On Monday, the Rams announced the dates of their eight open practices at LMU, which begin on July 25. The final practice will be held on Aug. 3 before the team breaks camp and heads to their new facility in Woodland Hills for the rest of the year.

Practices on July 25, 27, 29 and 30 will begin at 4:40 p.m. PT, as will their final two practices on Aug. 1 and 3. The other two practices on July 26 and 31 will start at 11:40 p.m. PT.

There will be a fan zone open at camp, as well as a free play field where there will be “skills and drills” and flag football games. Food trucks and concession stands will also be onsite at LMU.

The Rams are also planning giveaways each day, ranging from sunglasses to schedule magnets.

For more information on training camp, visit the Rams’ official site.