Tag: Rams

Report: Puka Nacua (knee) expected to play vs. Seahawks

According to one report, WR Puka Nacua was on the team plane that left Saturday afternoon and is expected to play on Sunday.

The Rams left Los Angeles today as the team is set to do battle against the Seahawks on Sunday. Entering the game with the potential to be the top team in the NFC West, the Rams got good news as star receiver Puka Nacua is expected to play, per Dianna Russini of The Athletic.

As mentioned above, Nacua was on the flight to Seattle and the Rams listed him as questionable on Friday’s injury report. Nacua suffered a slight injury to his knee on Thursday, the same knee he injured in the Rams’ Week 1 matchup against Detroit.

Rams head coach Sean McVay has downplayed the severity of the injury, stating that there was nothing structurally wrong with it and quite frankly, until Nacua plays full-contact football, his availability will be on a play-by-play basis.

However, this is a positive sign, especially for a team that is just finding its stride.

Tutu Atwell could be the answer if Puka Nacua isn’t fully healthy

A late-week injury to Puka Nacua could open the door to a much-deserved oppertunity for Tutu Atwell.

The last time the Rams played in Seattle, it was Puka Nacua’s coming-out party. The rookie, who was making his NFL debut, recorded 10 catches for 119 yards in a performance that fans still talk about today. What was forgotten in the game was that Tutu Atwell, who started in place of an injured Cooper Kupp, recorded six receptions for 119 yards.

Atwell, when given the opportunity, has proved himself time and time again. He’s still the current Rams leader in catches and receiving yards this season, and stepped up when Kupp and Nacua were injured.

Against the Vikings, Atwell saw limited snaps despite his fast start to the year. if Nacua isn’t 100% entering Sunday after injuring his knee on Thursday, Atwell is the man for the job.

Atwell has shown excellent footwork, changing directions on defenders with quickness. He’s been one of Matthew Stafford’s favorite targets, he’s a nightmare when sent into motion and he can play any receiver position.

He’s shown strong hands, acceleration after the catch, and an ability to make tacklers miss. He’s a man deserving of more targets and when they’ve come his way, he’s hauled them in. Atwell has caught 67 percent of his targets this season and was on pace to record over 70 catches and 1,000 yards before his benching.

Atwell is the solution to the Rams’ wide receiver injury woes and he should see significant time versus Seattle.

How Rams’ loss to Mike Macdonald’s Ravens last year could help them beat Seahawks

The Rams lost to the Ravens last year, but that game gave them plenty of film to study before facing Mike Madconald’s Seahawks on Sunday

When the Rams visited Baltimore during the 2023 season, the offense faced one of the best defenses in the NFL. Mike Macdonald, the current Seattle Seahawks head coach, coordinated the Ravens D, a defense that had four All-Pros on its roster.

During the game, Macdonald, whose Seahawks are set to welcome the Rams on Sunday, gave the team a lot of film to analyze. The Macdonald defense is a zone-based shell defense that prioritizes stopping the run and keeping the ball in front of the secondary. He does this through a multitude of different defensive looks, utilizing his linebackers and hybrid defenders such as Kyle Hamilton to disrupt passing lanes up the middle.

The Rams should be able to take away several lessons from that game. Macdonald called a series of tendencies that constantly showed up throughout the game.

On third down, he’d stack his linebackers at the line of scrimmage to confuse the QB on whether he was bringing the blitz or dropping his backers into coverage. Most times, they bail out but considering the Seahawks acquired former Rams linebacker Ernest Jones, Macdonald may blitz him to send a message.

Macdonald also calls blitzes in the red zone, especially when the QB is in the shotgun. He’ll use his defenders to eliminate check-downs to the tight end and running back, so having a slot receiver hot read in the red zone is a must.

Macdonald rarely has more than two interior defensive linemen on the field as he expects his linebackers to blow up gaps on runs. As a result, on rushing plays, the linebackers crash hard. Running a trap blocking scheme could give Kyren Williams a clear path to the end zone.

Lastly, Macdonald likes to run man coverage in the red zone. Pre-snap motion in the red zone is a must as the Rams will struggle to find an advantageous matchup against Tariq Woolen and Devon Witherspoon, so diagnosing who they’re covering is key to victory.

Rams WR Puka Nacua left practice with a knee injury, status for Week 9 unclear

Puka Nacua left Thursday’s practice early with a knee injury and was unable to do his scheduled press conference

Puka Nacua’s comeback may have been put on hold after the star wide receiver suffered a knee injury during Thursday’s practice.

Nacua, who was set to speak to the media, had to cancel his appearance due to the injury. According to Rams reporter Stu Jackson, Nacua will be listed as a limited participant on the Rams’ injury report, calling into question his availability for this weekend.

Nacua missed five games this season with a knee injury, forcing the Rams to put him on IR. At this point, it is unclear what caused Nacua’s injury but it’s obviously a concern for the Rams as they battle for first place in the NFC West when they travel to Seattle on Sunday.

The last time the Rams played in Seattle, it was Nacua’s NFL debut where he put up 10 receptions for 119 yards.

Jared Verse is separating himself as the clear Defensive Rookie of the Year

Jared Verse is already making a name for himself in Hollywood. With his performance, a major accolade should be headed his way.

Defensive Rookie of the Year is an award reserved for the most impactful first-year player in the NFL. Given to the player who combines youthful vigor, enthusiasm for football and developed gifts into a standout season, winning such an award can sometimes be a precursor to a Hall of Fame career.

Edge rushers who have won this award include Micah Parsons, Nick and Joey Bosa, Terrell Suggs, and Lawrence Taylor. All of those men exemplify the same skills and desires possessed by Jared Verse.

Seeking to become the Rams’ first Defensive Rookie of the Year since Aaron Donald in 2014, Verse is well on his way to joining Donald and LB Isiah Robertson as the only Rams to win the heralded award.

Verse is currently tied with Edgerrin Cooper for the most sacks by a rookie this season but is the stand-alone leader in tackles for loss. He also ranks first among rookie edge defenders in tackles.

Verse has wreaked havoc in opposing backfields. This was made even more evident last Thursday when Verse put up 1.5 sacks and three total tackles in a victorious effort against Minnesota.

Verse on film and from a statistical standpoint is the best rookie pass rusher in the NFL. There’s no dominant rookie corner and outside of Edgerrin Cooper and perhaps Laiatu Latu, there’s no rookie that comes close to making the type of impact that Verse has on football games.

Verse has recorded a tackle for loss and a pressure win rate above 20 percent in five games this season. He is the only rookie to do so. Verse has also averaged nearly five QB pressures per game, totaling 32 this season – a number that leads all other rookie edge rushers by 15, per PFF.

Verse is the only defensive rookie that is undeniably dominating in the NFL. He’s so dominant that the Vikings had to redesign their protection schemes around what Verse could do.

Verse has a perfect blend of speed and power rush moves to throw blockers off balance and his ever-improving play against the run caps off the clear reasons why he should be – and will be – the 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year. Keep in mind that Verse is on pace to eclipse every statistical mark 2023 winner Will Anderson Jr. recorded last season outside of interceptions.

Sean McVay loves the recent changes made by Chris Shula on defense

The Rams have undergone several changes on defense, but Sean McVay loves the adjustments made by Chris Shula

Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula came out of the bye week with a new approach to attacking offenses. Shula has been aggressive, on the money with defensive calls and has shown a hunter-like mentality in the second half, helping the Rams win two football games in five days.

His improvements have not gone unnoticed, especially by Sean McVay.

The Rams head coach spoke highly of Shula in a recent press conference, applauding Shula for adapting to a tough situation with the injuries and changes Los Angeles has dealt with.

“I think they’ve done a good job. Number one, we’ve earned the right to be able to (rush the passer). You get into some of the pass situations, I thought that was reflected really after we got through the first two drives of the game against the Vikings and that was on display really throughout the course of the game against the Raiders. What he and the coaches have done a great job of is saying, ‘OK, here are these guys that we have. Here are the skill sets that they have. Let’s figure out ways to mesh, mold, and to continue to figure out really what the identity of this defense is.’ I think we’re starting to find that but it is a week-to-week thing. I think he’s done a great job of being able to identify – I think it’s really been for the last three weeks – there were some things that we can learn from against the Packers but really, there have been some opportunities for things to be on display and shoot, we’ve scored each of the last three games defensively with two touchdowns, one against the Packers, one against the Raiders, and then getting the safety the other night.”

Shula has had to face an uphill battle since getting promoted to defensive coordinator. Not only has he dealt with the departure of Aaron Donald but the Rams are starting a number of players with fewer than two years of experience.

Despite that, the young defenders have shown up and shown out. Jared Verse continues to impress, Braden Fiske is slowly coming along and undrafted rookie Jaylen McCollough has been a welcomed addition with his three interceptions on the season.

Shula however will face a big test this week with the pass-happy Seattle Seahawks, as their offense is averaging close to 24 points per game.

Tutu Atwell looks like odd man out in Rams’ WR rotation

Tutu Atwell went from leading the team in receiving to playing just nine snaps against the Vikings on Thursday night

Despite being one of the players who stepped up while Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua were injured, Tutu Atwell was rewarded with nine total snaps on Thursday night.

Even with Jordan Whittington injured, Atwell was leaped over by Tyler Johnson on the depth chart. While he remains the Rams’ current leader in both receptions and receiving yards, the numbers show that the team does not value Atwell within the WR rotation and his future in LA looks like it is coming to a close.

It’s not clear why Atwell has been made a pariah, but they should explore a trade for his sake and the Rams’. Atwell is a player who was finally coming into his own, operating as the team’s WR1 in multiple contests, and while Demarcus Robinson – who scored two touchdowns against Minnesota – may be the favored receiver to fill the WR3 role, it was Atwell who got the job done when called upon.

If Atwell can be effective as the WR1, he can be dangerous as a WR3. However, the Rams are obviously not interested in his services unless someone is injured. So for Atwell, who is in a contract year, a new home may spell greener pastures for a player with his talents.

And for those who say this is an exaggeration, he had nine total snaps on Thursday. Atwell wasn’t listed on the injury report leading into Thursday night so his limited playing time was a coaching decision.

Rams should hire Wade Phillips as a defensive consultant

Former Rams DC Wade Phillips may be out of the NFL but his mind and his creativity could help Chris Shula and LA’s defense

This is the time of year in the NFL when having any type of advantage could be the deciding factor between victory and defeat. The Rams should reach out to a familiar face to see if an old ball coach has some tricks up his sleeve that the Rams could use in a new era of the NFL.

Wade Phillips has been around football for his entire life. The “Son of Bum,” Wade’s legendary father Bum Phillips was one of the defining figures of the early NFL, commanding the Houston Oilers and the New Orleans Saints. Wade got his first NFL head coaching job after Bum resigned from the Saints in 1985, currently holding almost 55 years of coaching experience.

Phillips served the Rams from 2017-2019 as their defensive coordinator, helping the team reach Super Bowl LIII as his defense held Tom Brady to 13 points.

Phillips has remained close to football since leaving the NFL, currently working as the head coach of the UFL’s San Antonio Brahmas.

Phillips runs a 3-4 defense, he’s a knowledgeable mind and as a consultant, he can inject new defensive ideas and coaching strategies that could give the Rams an advantage in an ever-evolving league. In this role, Phillips would be able to remain at home and continue his work with the Brahmas, consulting from afar in Texas.

Green Bay just snatched up Robert Saleh, and the Rams should follow suit as there can never be enough bright minds within a football organization.

Alaric Jackson could be playing his way into an extension with the Rams

With Alaric Jackson playing well at left tackle, the Rams must consider extending him before he reaches free agency

Since returning from his suspension, left tackle Alaric Jackson has been a pillar of the Rams offense. Not only has Jackson been playing at an All-Pro level, he has proven himself to be a long-term answer at a position that has plagued the team since Andrew Whitworth’s retirement.

Jackson was phenomenal against Minnesota, displaying an elite ability to stop pass rushers in their tracks while being a nightmare for defenders in the screen game. Puka Nacua reopened his account on Thursday, running behind Jackson who continually led the way for Rams’ ballcarriers. That play set up his incredible night.

Jackson has only allowed two sacks on the season, minimal pressure on Matthew Stafford, and the entire offensive line looks much improved when he anchors the blind side.

Jackson, a 2021 undrafted free agent from Iowa, is set to hit free agency in the offseason after signing a one-year restricted free agency tender. The Rams can not let this happen. They need to extend him now before his already-rising price tag hits astronomical numbers.

The reality of the situation is this. Kelvin Banks and Will Campbell, the two best draft-eligible tackles in college football, are expected to be taken within the top six picks of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Rams do not have another answer for the position and Jackson has proven he can get the job done.

Extending him also allows the Rams to find a developmental tackle that wouldn’t need to play right away. Jackson is the answer for today and tomorrow and it’d be a good decision to extend him

Rams should trade for Titans DT Sebastian Joseph-Day

The NFL trade market is heating up and the Rams should look to bring a former player home.

The Rams made a bold statement with their 30-20 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night. Not only are they back in the playoff hunt, but they also knocked off a team considered to be a Super Bowl contender.

At this point in the season, injuries start to pile up and deals tend to get made. The Tennessee Titans may be undergoing a fire sale of veteran players, capped off by their trade of Deandre Hopkins to the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Rams should make a move for their former DT Sebastian Joseph-Day as he would most likely cost nothing more than a sixth-round pick. He would add depth to the defensive line and he’s very familiar with the Rams’ defensive scheme.

It would also allow rookie Braden Fiske to focus his efforts on nickel packages, turning him into a much more effective pass rusher instead of continually getting hit when he lines up as a DE in Chris Shula’s 3-4 formation.

Joseph-Day is cheap, smart, and possibly available. For a sixth-round pick, he would be a steal—the type of steal that turns contenders into champions.