Tag: Rams

Matthew Stafford ready for ‘big challenge’ of facing former Rams CB Jalen Ramsey

See what Matthew Stafford said about Jalen Ramsey ahead of their matchup on Monday night, which is just their 2nd meeting as opponents

Matthew Stafford has had his fair shares of battles against star DBs, who have impacted the overall performance of the offense throughout his career. However, arguably his most difficult challenges came during the week of preparation instead of on Sundays.

While most teams shiver at the thought of playing against seven-time Pro Bowler Jalen Ramsey, Stafford had to face the future Hall of Fame cornerback every day in practice. As they say, iron sharpens iron and Stafford’s daily duels with Ramsey resulted in both players being victorious in Super Bowl LVI.

While the Rams’ cap situation saw their time as teammates come to an end, it’s all love for Stafford heading into this week’s game against Ramsey and the Dolphins – his first game against the former Rams corner.

“I practiced against him for a while there. I have so much respect for who he is as a player and a teammate,” Stafford said of Ramsey. “He affects the game in so many different ways, even if a lot of times guys are staying away from him. It’s basically a one for one that he’s taking away out there. He’s doing a heck of a job like he always does. He’s mixing it in there in the run game, finishing plays, blitzing, sacking the quarterback and getting a tipped interception last week. He’s doing all the things you want from Jalen Ramsey and I got a ton of respect for him. I had an amazing time playing with him as a teammate and that’ll be a big challenge for us come Monday night.”

Ramsey is now 30 years old but it doesn’t seem like his athleticism has declined at all.

“It still jumps off the tape,” Stafford said of Ramsey’s athleticism. “Some of the plays that he makes down the field, tracking the football, blitzing the quarterback, batting balls down or whatever it is, he’s still got all the tools that you would want at a corner. I remember watching him when he was in college, doing all the stuff he did, and just tracking his career. He has been an incredible player for a long time and is still doing it at a high level.”

Against Buffalo last week, Ramsey recorded his first interception of the season as the Dolphins look reenergized by the return of Tua Tagovailoa. With two of the more established passers in the NFL set to duel, it will be very interesting how Stafford and Sean McVay counter the problems created by Ramsey, especially if they need to put up points in a hurry.

Dolphins keep 5 out of Thursday practice, 8 limited

Zach Sieler made his return to the practice field Thursday, but offensive line injuries could be a concern.

The Miami Dolphins held five players out of action Thursday, but the bigger story was the return of a couple players.

Most important is defensive lineman Zach Sieler, who sat out two games due to a fractured orbital suffered in a practice. While he wasn’t a full participant, Sieler did limited work and is expected to play Monday against the Los Angeles Rams.

The other notable returnee was sixth-round rookie Patrick McMorris, who was placed on injured reserve at the end of August and hasn’t yet made his NFL debut.

Thursday participation

DNP

  • OT Terron Armstead (rest/knee)
  • DT Calais Campbell (rest)
  • S Jevón Holland (hand/knee)
  • OT Austin Jackson (knee)
  • S Jordan Poyer (rest)

Limited

  • CB Storm Duck (ankle)
  • TE Julian Hill (shoulder)
  • FB Alec Ingold (calf)
  • G Robert Jones (knee)
  • CB Kader Kohou (neck)
  • S Patrick McMorris (calf)
  • OLB Emmanuel Ogbah (bicep)
  • DL Zach Sieler (eye)

Full

  • OLB Tyus Bowser (knee)
  • WR River Cracraft (shoulder)

A concern for the Dolphins is the addition of offensive tackle Austin Jackson and guard Robert Jones with knee injuries. While Terron Armstead is also listed on the report, Thursday was a veteran rest day for the 12th-year offensive tackle.

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Why the Rams were smart not to be buyers at the trade deadline

The Rams were quiet at the trade deadline outside of sending Tre’Davious White. Deciding not to be buyers was the right move, and here’s why

The 2024 NFL trade deadline came and went with relative obscurity. Several teams across the league made moves, most supplementing their wide receiver or outside linebacker rooms.

The Rams had no need to add to either position group at this point in the season. Byron Young and Jared Verse have the outside linebacker positions on lock and with Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp returning from injury, there’s no room for another pass catcher.

The only superstar moved on Tuesday was Marshon Lattimore, who went from New Orleans to Washington. While Lattimore would’ve been a nice addition to the Rams, his cap hit wouldn’t make sense for the team. Lattimore has an $18 million cap hit in 2025 and an $18.5 million hit in 2026.

The only linebackers moved were Jerome Baker for former Rams linebacker Ernest Jones and since the Rams didn’t have a tradeable linebacker that could match the value of Baker, along with the emergence of Omar Speights, there was no market for the only pressing need of the team.

The trade market in 2024 was limited and the players available were of little value to the team. The Rams have a plethora of players on rookie contracts and a trade at this point in the season would impact the team’s ability to sign quality free agents.

With Alaric Jackson, Bobby Brown III and Demarcus Robinson set to be free agents at the end of the season, cap space is everything and that’s why the Rams were smart not to buy at the deadline.

Around the NFC West: Rams trade veteran CB for little return

Around the NFC West: Rams trade veteran CB for little return

The NFC West received a shake-up during Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline. Not only did the Arizona Cardinals acquire outside linebacker Baron Browning, but the Los Angeles Rams traded cornerback Tre’Davious White and a 2027 seventh-round pick to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a 2026 seventh-round selection. The Seattle Seahawks watched their divisional competitors admit a mistake on Tuesday.

Rams general manager Les Snead signed White to a one-year contract worth $4.25 million in the offseason with $3.25 million guaranteed at signing. White also received up to $1 million in per-game roster bonuses. The low-risk, high-reward gamble did not pay dividends.

White has allowed 12 completions on 18 targets this season, according to Pro Football Focus. The former Pro Bowl cornerback has forfeited 178 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Opposing quarterbacks have enjoyed a passer rating of 138.4 when targeting White this season.

The Rams eventually benched the aging, struggling White in favor of cornerbacks like Darious Williams and Ahkello Witherspoon. The Rams defeated the Seahawks 26-20 in overtime this past Sunday. The divisional rematch is scheduled for the Week 18 regular-season finale. It will perhaps be a decisive contest in a tight-knit NFC West. It’s a shame White won’t be in coverage.

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Investing in a fullback could be a game-changer for the Rams

The Rams have been at the forefront of football innovation but a new trend is passing the team by. Here’s why the Rams should add a fullback

The Rams’ offense has been at the forefront of innovation since Sean McVay became head coach in 2017. Modern passing concepts, different formations, and the “Cooper Kupp” role have defined McVay’s system but it’s time for some improvements.

McVay’s offense was innovative because it was ahead of the curve and that curve was a pass-first NFL. In 2017, teams were airing the ball out, but not in the way they are now. The NFL had legitimate gunslingers launching bombs on a regular basis. It was a vertical attack that McVay exploited with a horizontal passing attack in contrast. As defenses prepared for vertical attacks, the horizontal attack was a counter concept that soon infected the league.

Many McVay disciples like Kevin O’Connell, Zac Taylor, Matt LaFleur, and Raheem Morris ran similar offenses after getting hired to head coaching roles. The Chiefs also modernized their attack with similar philosophies to McVay, leading to a combined four Super Bowl wins between the Rams and Chiefs in the last five years.

As a result, McVay’s offense isn’t as forward-thinking as it once was. The league always catches up and oftentimes, in order to go forward, one must go backwards.

The fullback was a staple in every offense up until the end of the 2000s. Players like Mike Alstott, Lorenzo Neal and Mike Tolbert made up the then-“modern” fullback – a massive, muscled-out monster with a short neck and a propensity to put people on their behinds. As the NFL adopted a stronger emphasis on the pass, players like that were no longer needed and the position has been on life alert ever since.

That was until Kyle Juszczyk came into the NFL. A slender, physically cut player with length, he was the opposite of what a fullback was supposed to look like and for good reason. The modern fullback must accommodate the needs of a modern offense and Juszczyk’s body type allowed for that.

For Baltimore and now San Francisco, Juszczyk serves as a fullback, blocking halfback in shotgun formations, as a tight end, receiver and in rare occasions, he’s used as an H-back in odd formations. The modern fullback is a Swiss Army knife of talents that can be flexible.

That’s why players like Patrick Ricard, Hunter Luepke, Scott Matlock, Michael Burton and Alec Ingold have found work around the NFL. The Rams need a player like that. A fullback would complement the Rams’ rushing attack perfectly.

The fullback is effective in these times because linebackers are built differently. Gone are the downhill brawlers like Jessie Tuggle and now there are the Fred Warners of the world – he coverage guys that shed blockers. Well, a fullback provides the second hit that eliminates a player like Warner from making a play after he sheds an offensive lineman. A fullback is the player that will set the edge on a toss. Faster than an offensive lineman, a fullback can get to the point of attack sooner than any other blocker.

In the McVay offense, a fullback would not only open up holes for Kyren Williams but on passing downs, a fullback could serve as a more effective blocker than a true running back due to a difference in size and frame.

A fullback would also allow for better red zone plays as not only would the Rams be able to more effectively run the ball inside the 20, but fullbacks are the perfect targets for play action, something Matthew Stafford excels at.

The Rams need to incorporate a fullback into their offense. They’re gritty, they’re tough and they make the play that sets up the play to win a game. The key block, the FB dive on fourth-and-short to move the chains, the blocker that picks up the blitz. They are an essential part of football and the fullback is where the NFL is going. It’s time to get ahead of the curve once again.

Bobby Brown III having a big impact for Rams and Sean McVay is thrilled

Sean McVay gave a honest and in-depth evaluation of fourth-year NT Bobby Brown III during Monday’s press conference.

On Monday, Rams head coach Sean McVay was asked to evaluate Bobby Brown III’s performance this season. Brown has been a wall for the Rams this season, slowly becoming the team’s premier run defender.

McVay spoke highly of Brown, praising his play on early downs when teams are primarily running the ball.

“I think Bobby’s done a great job,” he said. “I think after the first couple weeks, we really challenged our front to step up, especially in some of those early down situations. I think Bobby has been at the forefront of a lot of the early down efficiency that’s earned us the opportunity to be aggressive in some of those known pass situations, whether that be second downs or some of the third downs. Bobby was great yesterday. I thought he knocked out the run in early downs, played with great hands and was able to show some great range down the line of scrimmage.”

Brown came through for the Rams on Sunday, making multiple tackles while dominating the line of scrimmage. This was made most evident when Brown took down Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker on fourth down in overtime, giving the Rams the ball with an opportunity to win with a score. Demarcus Robinson hauled in the game-winning touchdown four plays later.

“That play in particular was a huge play by him and for Omar [Speights] to be able to have that kind of violence on his arrival,” McVay continued. “Those two guys, that’s a game-winning play right there. When you really look at that sequence leading up to it, the tackle by Kamren Kinchens to be able to get it to a third down-and-1 and then what Jared Verse makes on the third-and-1 and what those two guys you just mentioned, in addition to the rest of the front on fourth-and-1, what a cool example of guys making them snap it one more time and complementary football. Then four plays later, Demarcus Robinson is making a catch in the end zone and the Rams are going crazy so that was pretty cool. Bobby’s done great.”

Brown is in the last year of his rookie contract, but he could be playing his way into an extension next offseason.

Kyren Williams is on a path to becoming the NFL’s next premier RB

Kyren Williams is on track to record another 1,000-yard season. Here’s why he could also be running towards being the NFL’s next great RB.

When talking about the elite running backs that currently dominate the NFL, Kyren Williams’ name may not be mentioned among the Derrick Henrys and Saquon Barkleys of the world. But while most people believe the best running back in the NFC West is Christian McCaffrey, it is Williams who has been displaying the three A’s necessary to be great at the game of football: Ability, availability, and attitude.

A testament to his mother Taryn Williams, who is often spotted attending her son’s football games, Kyren Williams’ work ethic is second to none. While his mother advocated on her son’s behalf to prospective college programs, Williams could be spotted in his high school’s weight room at 5:30 in the morning, working towards what would be a scholarship offer from Notre Dame.

Williams has not forgotten his roots, displaying both a physical and mental toughness that can only be recognized among greatness. After not playing much during his rookie year and missing time mid-season last year, Williams returned with a vengeance. In his final six games of 2023, Williams ran for 688 yards (114.7 yards per game) and scored eight touchdowns on his way to his first 1,000-yard season.

Williams has maintained his blistering pace. After eight games in the 2024 season, Williams has 602 rushing yards and 10 total touchdowns. With another 1,000-yard season on the horizon, Williams would be the first Ram with multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons since Todd Gurley.

While Williams sits outside the top 10 leading rushers in the NFL, it should be important to remember that no one ahead of him has had to deal with injuries to their offense’s two starting receivers, injured tackles and a replacement at center and left guard. Despite all these issues, Williams has remained productive as defenses centered their game plans around stopping the Notre Dame graduate.

Williams may have to wait his turn to become the running back king, but he will get his opportunity in the next few years. Henry is 30 years old, McCaffrey and Barkley both have documented injury histories and the new crop of backs show promise but only Jahmyr Gibbs and Chuba Hubbard have the jump-cut abilities of Williams.

Once the Rams get fully healthy and defenses have to cover multiple threats on the field, Williams will get his chance to embarrass people again. For those who forgot what Williams can do, he was 315 yards behind McCaffrey for the rushing title last season – and he played four fewer games.

Can Seahawks trust OT George Fant to stay healthy?

Can Seahawks trust OT George Fant to stay healthy?

The Seattle Seahawks activated offensive tackle George Fant off injured reserve (IR) ahead of Sunday’s Week 9 showdown versus their NFC West rival Los Angeles Rams. Fant was active for the first time since Week 1, when he suffered a knee injury in the regular-season opener. He opened Sunday’s contest as the starting right tackle, replacing rookie Mike Jerrell.

Fant unfortunately suffered another knee injury in the overtime defeat to the Rams. The veteran blocker exited the game and did not return. Jerrell replaced him and played the majority of snaps on Seattle’s offensive line.

Fant only managed 17 offensive snaps before re-injuring the leg that landed him on IR in September. Jerrell played the remaining 63 snaps on offense. Seattle’s offensive line was totally ineffective once again, with starting quarterback Geno Smith under constant duress from the Rams’ offensive line, leading to seven sacks for the defense.

Assuming Fant’s season isn’t over, the Seahawks unfortunately can’t rely on his availability for the rest of the season. Ideally, presumed starting right tackle Abe Lucas, who has been practicing lately, is getting closer to being activated from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. Otherwise, Jerrell will likely serve as the starting right tackle against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 11 when the Seahawks return from their bye week.

Fant simply can’t be relied on.

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Rams’ standout rookies were at the center of LA’s overtime win vs. Seahawks

From Jared Verse to Kam Kinchens, the Rams’ defensive rookies were a primary reason LA beat Seattle on Sunday

The Rams have lived and died by the play of their rookies. Since the first snap of the season, Jared Verse, Braden Fiske, Kamren Kinchens, Jaylen McCollough, and Tyler Davis have embedded themselves in the Rams’ defensive rotation, growing together as they’ve navigated the transition from college to the NFL.

It was poet Khalil Gibran who once said, “Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.”

Kinchens was believed to be a liability in coverage, Davis wasn’t getting enough penetration against the run, Fiske wasn’t getting the desired QB pressures and McCollough wasn’t even drafted.

Verse was the third pass rusher taken off the board, ending a surprising draft-day slide that saw him fall to No. 19 overall. I have not been quiet about my criticisms of Kinchens and Chris Shula, and Sunday, as they did with the Seahawks’ offense, the Rams defensive rookies shut me up.

They won the game for the Rams in Seattle, a potential season-defining win. Despite his limited snaps, McCollough is taking full advantage of his opportunities. McCollough set the tone for the day with his first-quarter interception, his fourth of the year. Playing closer to the ball, McCollough has served as a tackling machine and someone who’s always in the right place at the right time. Nothing gets past him as he fearlessly charges into the fire.

That fire was lit even brighter as the Florida State duo of Verse and Fiske harassed Geno Smith all night. Verse had one sack, two tackles for loss and one pass deflection. His quickness and power intimidated Seahawks tackle Michael Jerrell into committing several costly penalties.

Fiske on the inside was unstoppable. Two sacks and two QB hits may have been his stat line but his film will show him abusing the interior of the Seahawks offensive line. He quieted concerns about his run defense as the Seahawks refused to run his way, especially toward the end of the game.

The Seahawks thought perhaps it was Davis they could take advantage of. They were sadly mistaken. Davis, like Fiske, was a penetrating force and when his number was called in overtime, he answered. As the Seahawks were driving towards the endzone after hitting Jaxon Smith-Njigba for 31 yards, Seattle attempted to run at Davis with Kenneth Walker twice. Davis brought him down on both attempts. However, Davis and the Rams yielded 9 yards on those plays. On third-and-1 at the Rams’ 16-yard line, they once again ran Walker at Davis but as the saying goes, bend and don’t break.

Davis stalled Walker for no yards and on the ensuing fourth down, sensing that Davis would be impenetrable, they ran towards Bobby Brown, who subsequently delivered what was the beginning of a series of hits that stopped Walker for the turnover on downs. The Rams scored the walk-off touchdown four plays later.

Those events would not be possible without the redemption arch of Kinchens. Criticized, benched and questioned, Kinchens left no doubt that he belongs among the bright young players in the league. Kinchens intercepted Geno Smith twice in the red zone. The first was returned for a 103-yard touchdown that gave the Rams a 20-13 lead and the second came less than four minutes later when a blocked punt set the Seahawks offense up at the Rams’ 19-yard line. The Seahawks drove to the 4 before Kinchens snagged the pick.

Omar Speights and Josh Wallace added to the action as key rotational pieces as the Rams’ 2024 draft class went to the home of the once-feared Legion of Boom and told the world that a new force was coming and that they will be respected. For Rams fans, they are on Cloud 9 as their young, burgeoning superstars not only showed up but their breakthrough is synching up with Shula settling into a promising play-calling rhythm.

Perhaps this is a flash-in-the-pan type of game but with the team being tied with Arizona for the lead in the division and the lingering anger at the Cardinals for blowing the Rams out in Arizona, I’m willing to bet that this is the beginning of a special time for fans of defensive football. With pass-happy Miami on the horizon, the Rams are gearing up for another shootout.

Why the Rams should limit Puka Nacua’s usage against Seahawks

Puka Nacua is dealing with a lingering knee issue and the Rams should prioritize his longevity over his playing time

Despite writing the opposite last week, things have changed in regards to Puka Nacua’s health and it is in the best interest of Nacua and the Rams if he sees limited action against Seattle. Nacua, who suffered a knee injury during the Rams’ Thursday practice, is expected to play on Sunday despite the injury occurring to the same knee that put him on IR after the team’s Week 1 loss.

Nacua is a wild player in the fact that he does not fear contact. Despite his short time in the NFL, he has made countless diving catches mid-air, and while it’s great for team success and his highlight reel, those types of plays also put the body through a great deal of damage.

Pairing that with Nacua’s desire to get yards after the catch and we’re already seeing how all that wear and tear has affected his body.

This is a big game against the Seahawks and represents a golden opportunity for the Rams, but they are much more beatable than Minnesota was and an emphasis on a rushing attack could take pressure off of the pass game.

The last time the Rams played the Seahawks in Seattle, Cooper Kupp was out with injury and Tutu Atwell hauled in 119 yards receiving. Combining that with Demarcus Robinson’s multiple scores last week, the Rams have a receiving corps that can get the job done.

Nacua will have his moments but if the Rams want him to remain a stalwart past his rookie deal, they should limit his playing time. The knee is an important component of being a successful football player and with the horrors of Todd Gurley’s end in LA still on the minds of Rams fans, the team must prioritize long-term longevity over short-term success.