OTA Observations: ILBs coach Greg Williams discusses performances during OTAs, impact of new faces, adapting to how teams attacked them last season​

Jul 02, 2025 at 11:00 AM

Wyatt Miller
Staff Writer

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – Rams inside linebackers coach Greg Williams directs a position group with significant roster turnover and massive responsibilities in 2025.
The Rams lost their leading tackler from last season, inside linebacker Christian Rozeboom. In his wake, they brought in veterans and rookies to compete for snaps in a unit that is truly open for the taking.
During OTAs, Williams discussed some of his observations with theRams.com, including impressions of new faces like veteran Nate Landman and fifth-round pick Chris "Pooh" Paul Jr. as well as how he's adapting to the way teams attacked the Rams' inside linebackers last season.

Landman transitioning "seamlessly" into Rams' defense​

After playing under Raheem Morris in Atlanta last season, the predecessor and mentor of Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, Landman's transition to L.A. has been smooth. Shula said they heard great things about him from Atlanta, and he showed valuable qualities already in OTAs.
"He's come in and guys respect him just from where he's been and what he's done," Williams told theRams.com. "He's taken into our defense just seamlessly."
He's only been in the league three years, but Landman worked his way from undrafted free agent to reliable starter in just his second professional season. He's been more than willing to share his knowledge with a group full of similarly under-looked players in Los Angeles. His success against the run will be a welcome addition to the Rams' defense.



Williams said he's helped younger players understand where their eyes should be throughout certain plays and what to expect based on their observations.
"'Hey, if my guy does this, I'll give you an in-call right away just because this is what I'm anticipating,'" Williams recalled Landman saying. "And it's really good when it comes from the players because he gives them a view from behind the face mask."

Paul's aggressiveness impresses: "He's a football guy"​

When asked what Williams liked about Paul coming off a career year at Ole Miss, he answered swiftly: "Aggressiveness."
Williams also said "he can tackle," evidenced by a mere 4.5% missed tackle rate last season. He also tallied 54 total stops, ranking 13th among qualified FBS inside linebackers.

"I don't even think we've seen the best of Pooh because we don't have pads on," Williams said.
Still, he's seen enough from Paul's mindset and physicality in a limited practice capacity to know that he has tons of potential. Roles are far from determined, but Williams would not bet against Paul forcing his way into opportunities as a rookie.
"That kid has been unbelievable as far as his preparation," Williams said. "He's a football guy. It is his number one priority. So, with that being said, I'm going with him because I think he's going to will himself to be good."

Last year's faults shaping this year's preparation​

The Rams' run defense had its ups and downs last year. However, their late-season triumphs against the run were largely overshadowed by Saquon Barkley's 205-yard explosion in the team's divisional round loss to Philadelphia.
Williams is using last year's experiences as a blueprint for what the group needs to work on ahead of the 2025 campaign.

"It's been just good knowing the defense and how people are going to attack us now," Williams said. "... It gives me a better chance of going into individual (drills), putting them in situations and letting their eye progression know like, 'Okay, these are the ways they're going to try to attack you, and this is the way we need to respond.'"
Williams said they must keep better track of the ball carrier within the context of the defensive line. There are times to press the gap and times to stay home to play a gap-and-a-half – he understands those opportunities better now, and his players will too. He's confident in that because the room is full of intelligent players who can take concepts learned in the classroom and apply them to the field quickly.
"Once we started understanding the line movements and how the line is playing, now it gives us more freedom to understand where the ball should go if our d-line is doing what they're supposed to," Williams said. "... It feels way more connected."

Omar Speights is "the definition of preparation and professionalism"​

Speights, a 2024 undrafted free agent signing out of LSU, burst onto the scene as a rookie after Troy Reeder went down in Week 6. He took the starting job and never looked back, starting 10 games and ranking fourth on the team in total tackles with 67.
Ahead of his sophomore season, Williams just wants Speights to continue his obsessive preparation to remain consistent all year long.
"Omar, continue to be Omar," Williams said. "There's a reason why he ended up playing and a reason why he had the success he did as a rookie because of the things that he did to prepare his body, things that he did to prepare from a game plan standpoint. So for him, I told him what I wanted out of him is to continue with the consistency.

"He is a dog. That dude, he's the definition of preparation and professionalism. And as long as he continues to do that, he's going to play in this league for a long time."

Troy Reeder provides "a comfort level"​

Reeder, who started the first six games of the season for L.A. before landing on injured reserve, was re-signed late in the free agency process. For Williams, the move provided some extra familiarity and veteran presence in a group full of young bucks.
"Troy was the ultimate professional last year, (he) was playing well before he got injured," Williams said. "And then even the times when he didn't come back, he was always present in all the meetings, he was present in all the game plans and understood.
"He was like another coach on the sideline, talking to guys and able to communicate. So having Troy in the room is actually a comfort level for me as well, just because I have another guy in the room that I have a lot of respect for and will talk to about a lot of different things."

Shaun Dolac "could teach you the defense right now"​

The Rams are no strangers to undrafted free agents forcing their way into snaps through grit and gumption. Dolac embodies those qualities, and the 2025 UDFA signing out of Buffalo has made a lasting impression during OTAs.

"Shaun could probably take you out here and teach you the defense right now," Williams said. "He is a quick study, man, he really is. And that's one thing you respect from him… I think from the way he plays the game above the neck and the way that he had tackled in college, (if) he does that, Shaun is going to be another guy that will be somebody to reckon with."
Dolac led the FBS in total tackles last season with 168, averaging 12.9 per game. He fell in the draft due in large part to below-average measurements. The Rams have never valued those attributes as much as tangible skill sets, and Dolac was one of the most productive players at his position in college.
Most coaches say that every position holds open competitions during training camp, but this is a group where that truly applies.

The idiot that wrote this doesn't recognize that Higbee was hurt at the end of the 2023-24 season and RETURNED to action near the end of last season.

We raised Havanese dogs, little dogs, for a lot of years. We stopped a few years back and settles in to not having any animal responsibilities for a few months, until we received a phone call from a couple that we placed a black little boy, 6 years before.
The lady said if we didn't take him back, the next day they were going to have the vet put him down because he was hurting their marriage. He loved the man, but barked at the lady. He didn't like her and this had lasted 6 years. We of course said we'd take him back. Cuddles was his name and I loved him so much, but he barked at my wife like he did at the other lady. At first he didn't trust either of us, but he naturally took to me. I held him often and he'd look into my eyes with such trust like he knew I'd always protect him.
He was sick this week and we took him to the vet. Dehydration and anemia. The vet gave him an IV for a while and sent him home with a vitamin B mixture. It worked, for a couple of days. He was his old self, barking at my wife and nudging me to get held. I held him most of the night last night and rubbed his belly. Today he was lethargic again and had a seizure, bleeding from his mouth. Cuddles died in my arms. I am devastated.
Remember to hug your dog or kitty extra close tonight, cuz you never know how long you have them.

At 20:20 of the vid, there is a lack of vision.

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Say what you want about her but she was the most connected reporter we had and she created great content. This will be a huge hole in our way to get Rams news. Good luck to her, I will miss her.

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Contract terms indicate that the Rams have a good understanding of Alaric's availability.

Anyone know what happened to it/them ? Asking for a friend ! -- the Fatboy

Wore a Rams hat after the game the other day.

Love to see it.

And yes I know hes from Dallas and has been a Cowboy fan....NOT ANYMORE.

Hate might be a strong enough word.

Wasn't ever a Pirates fan but this man was one of my favorite players to watch. The passing of a true legend of the game.

RIP

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This popped into my YouTube drip and I had to share. This takes me back. So many great rams, Ellard, Bell, Everett, Greene, Holohan, Gray, etc... .also, what's with the no win Novembers with these rams, haha

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NFL Fourth Quarter Comebacks Career Leaders (since 1950)​

Our QB inching closer and closer to being The King Of Comebacks.
I could very easily see him taking the 3 spot this year

How high do you see him climbing on this list at seasons end ?

Well, let's get to it (mind you, I'm trading Kyren Williams at the deadline to a team, not out of misplaced anger, but because I feel we have three very good running backs behind him. That will be detailed in the trades.):

Cut:

Coleman Shelton
Darious Williams
Colby Parkinson

(Just makes sense for all three with the signings and the lack of need - as I think Limmer, Forbes, and Ferguson/Allen take those respective spots.)

Extension:

Puka Nacua - five years.
Steve Avila - four years.
Emmanuel Forbes - four years
Kobie Turner - four years
Ethan Evans, three years

(All five are necessary re-signings, especially Avila and Nacua. I think all five are going to be some of the best at their positions, and you might as well pay them.)

Re-sign:

Akhello Witherspoon - one year, four million.
Alex Ward - RFA, extend, two years, two million.
Kier Thomas - RFA
Shaun Jolly - RFA
Dylan McMahon - ERFA
Charles Woods - ERFA
Cam Lampkin - ERFA
Justin Dedich - ERFA
Elias Neal - ERFA

(Witherspoon should come cheaply. The others are RFAs and ERFAs.)

Release:

Rob Havenstein
Tyler Higbee
Quentin Lake
Kamren Curl
Cobie Durant
Nate Landman
D.J. Humphries
David Quessenberry
Jimmy Garoppolo
Chatarius Atwell
Larrell Murchison
Ronnie Rivers
Tony Fields
Xavier Smith
Britain Covey
A.J. Green
Jack Heflin
A.J. Arcuri
Troy Reeder
Derion Kendrick

(I regret having to let Havenstein go, but he can't last forever. Higbee can't last forever either, and he's had injury concerns. Lake, Curl, Durant, and Landman - if the latter is as good as I think he could be - will be too expensive to retain. Garoppolo will likely go somewhere to start for more money, Atwell will go for more money to start - I think he loses his job to Whittington and maybe Mumpfield - and the rest are depth. And Reeder and Kendrick can get the hell out.)

Free Agents:

Cor'Dale Flott - four years, 44 million.

(Flott is the only massive signing...but he's worth it. He'll only be twenty-five at the start of the 2026/2027 season, he'll likely want to leave the Giants, who are a hot mess, and he should come fairly cheap for a young corner on the rise...unless he balls out this year. Still, definitely one to keep an eye on.)

TRADES:

Kyren Williams and 2026 fifth-round pick (Titans) to the Kansas City Chiefs for 2026 third-round pick and 2026 fourth-round pick.

(K.C. needs a running back if Isiah Pacheco goes down again. Kareem Hunt is twenty-nine, Elijah Mitchell is a gamble, Carson Steele is a fullback, and Brashard Smith is a seventh-round rookie. Not good for a contending team. K-Will would fix that, and we get two nice picks in exchange.)

Byron Young and 2026 second-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for 2026 second-round pick (theirs) and 2026 third-round pick (theirs).

(The Steelers have T.J. Watt - who is a free agent after this year, and little else at edge. They also have a good shot at staying under .500, thanks to A-Rod being old and having nothing else at quarterback and having an otherwise poor roster constructed. We already have Josaiah Stewart (in my opinion, Agent Zero's replacement), Brennan Jackson, and a pick in this draft, most likely. The fit makes sense as well as a pick swap.)

#32 and third-round pick (our original) to the Green Bay Packers for 2026 first-round pick (#25).

(We trade up to get someone who is falling. Packers move back for an extra pick.)

All right, now we're done with the trades. On to the draft:

#5 overall (Falcons) - Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah.

(I know that Utah's other tackle is currently ranked higher. Lomu could easily eclipse that because he's a special pass-protector and athlete. Lomu has amazing footwork and technique, very long arms, was an All Academic Big Twelve, and has the frame to pack on more weight without losing that athleticism. That's the main thing, though; he's 295 lbs. at the moment. I think he could get up to fifteen/twenty pounds heavier without losing that athleticism, as he's a kid who's still growing - just a redshirt sophomore. I think Lomu could be special.)

#25 overall (Packers) - Spencer Fano, OT, Utah.

(We double-dip at tackle and Utes. Fano is currently their right tackle, and though he's incredibly athletic and smart (also an All-Academic Big Twelve), he strikes me as a right tackle more than a left one. He also has shorter arms than most would care for, and he's had holding penalties in the past. But with elite athleticism, a big frame to hold more than his current 304 lbs., and nastiness in the running game, I think Fano would be a perfect bookend for our tackle position, and could be just as special there as Lomu is at left tackle.)

2nd round (Steelers) - Dillon Thieneman, SAF/STAR, Oregon.

(Thieneman has people raving about him; he could actually be a first-round pick with his elite athleticism, superb tackling ability, and uncanny leadership and dedication to football; people always say he's the first one in, last one out, and watches film obsessively. In short, he cares, like AD said. He needs to start converting his pass breakups into interceptions, but he could be an elite STAR safety to replace Lake, to set the tone for our secondary.)

3rd round (Steelers) - Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois.

(Jacas is a bigger edge rusher (6'3", 275 lbs.) with a wrestling background that serves him well in the trenches; Jer'zhan Newton praised him and said that in a wrestling contest, Jacas would win, no contest. He's got a powerful base, leverage, and is explosive and versatile off the edge, all which serve him well. He's stiff in his hips, which limits coverage, and he needs to develop more of a repertoire of pass rush moves and counters for pro tackles. But he'll only be twenty-two during the 2026 season. He's got plenty of time to figure it out, and AD and Verse could be solid mentors.)

3rd round (Chiefs) - Taylen Green, QB, Arkansas.

(Our quarterback of the future. Green honestly reminds me of Cam Newton on the football field: big (6'6'", 230 lbs.), physical, can run like the wind (4.44 forty). He's a gunslinger, unafraid to put the ball into tight windows, which works for and against him. He really needs to gain more consistency; he's capable of throwing with accuracy, but it doesn't show up game to game. Touch is another important factor, and he needs to look at the underneath options instead of always trusting the deep ball. But Green could be one of the best quarterbacks of this class, and while he'll be twenty-four in this season, the upside he displays is absolutely tantalizing.)

4th round (Chiefs) - Tacario Davis, CB, Washington.

(I loved him as a potential draft candidate before he decided to transfer to Washington instead. Not the fastest cornerback out there, but he's huge (listed at 6'4", 190 lbs.) with long arms, exceptional awareness of the football (twenty-two career PBUs), solid tackler (only 2.5 missed tackles per advanced stats), and while he needs to turn those PBUs into interceptions, it's a good start.)

5th round (ours) - De'Zhaun Stribling, WR, Ole Miss.

(Holy shit, I think I found my receiver prospect crush for this draft - especially if he produces like I think he can in the Ole Miss system. Just a dominant physical force, one of the best run-blocking receivers I've seen in college in a while, crisp route runner, vises for hands, underrated athleticism and YAC skills, but physicality is the name of his game. He's transferred a ton and is an older senior (will be twenty-four at the time of the 2026 Draft), and he's had hand and wrist injuries that have been setbacks. I think he could be the Puka Nacua of this class, though: a physical, punishing receiver who can contribute in a variety of ways.)

6th round (Texans) - Xavier Nwankpa, SAF, Iowa.

(Nwankpa is sushi-raw and hasn't always displayed his immense talents and put it together on the field. But we're talking about an uber-athletic safety who can do everything on a football field at his best. He's a 6'2", 215 lbs. safety who can run a 4.39; you get that in the sixth round, and you're not complaining.)

6th round - Fernando Carmona, OT/OG, Arkansas.

(Yes, this is for the future: Kevin Dotson will be a free agent after this year, and I feel Carmona would be a good replacement, not only as a swing tackle, but as a swing guard as well. Carmona paved the way for a new and improved Arkansas team in 2024, and at 6'5", 322 lbs., he's a big kid who has underrated athleticism and power. Formerly a tight end, he needs to learn proper technique and the like, but this is a good pick in the sixth round.)

7th round (Ravens) - Brett Norfleet, TE, Missouri.

(Yes, I'm picking a Mizzou player in the seventh, but he's worth it. Norfleet is a 6'7" monster with basketball skills, vises for hands, a redzone threat, and is a solid blocker. His only issues are injuries, needing to bulk up, and a lack of burner speed. He needs to prove he's healthy first. But he could be a force who could potentially go earlier than this with a good year.)

7th round (Demarcus Robinson comp) - Marquis Johnson, WR, Missouri.

(Another Mizzou player? Color everyone shocked. Johnson is one of the fastest players Mizzou has had in a long time with legit 4.29 wheels. He could easily go earlier than this if he has a good year and blows up the Combine. Not a big guy, but a surprisingly physical blocker (played gunner and kickoff on teams and caught a fair few passes on the punt team as well). Definitely someone to keep an eye on.)

Roster:

QB - Matthew Stafford, Taylen Green.

(Stafford's health is key for this season, but he's a free agent the year after. Hopefully by then, Green will be ready.)

RB - Blake Corum, Jarquez Hunter, Cody Schrader, Willie Lampkin (FB)

(It's a coin flip between Corum and Hunter. I'm going with more experience in Corum. Schrader is our best receiving back, and I still feel Lampkin makes this team as a fullback.)

WR - Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, Jordan Whittington, Konata Mumpfield, Tru Edwards, De'Zhaun Stribling, Marquis Johnson (PR/KR).

(Nacua will play here until he retires. Adams has one more year after this one, but a lot of young receivers could be ready by then.)

TE - Terrance Ferguson, Davis Allen, Brett Norfleet.

(This is going to be a young tight end group. Ferguson should be ready by year two, Allen is underrated, and Norfleet could be another weapon.)

OL - Alaric Jackson, Steve Avila, Beaux Limmer, Kevin Dotson, Spencer Fano, Caleb Lomu, KT Leveston, Dylan McMahon, Fernando Carmona.

(With A-Jax, it really depends on his health, first and foremost; that's why I'm drafting two tackles, just in case. Avila, Limmer, and Dotson should be an outstanding trio in the middle. Leveston (tackle and guard), McMahon (center), and Carmona (redshirt) should be excellent depth.)

DL - Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske, Poona Ford, Desjuan Johnson, Tyler Davis, Ty Hamilton.

(We've got a loaded D-line. Let them eat.)

LB - Jared Verse, Josaiah Stewart, Omar Speights, Pooh Paul Jr., Brennan Jackson, Nick Hampton, Gabe Jacas, Shaun Dolac.

(Linebacker should be stacked again. I think Stewart is really going to impress this year. Speights and Paul compliment each other well. Jackson and Jacas should be solid edge rushers, while Hampton and Dolac are our special teams aces.)

DB - Emmanuel Forbes, Cor'Dale Flott, Dillon Thieneman (STAR), Kam Kinchens, Jaylen McCollough, Akhello Witherspoon, Tacario Davis, Josh Wallace, Charles Woods, Nate Valcarcel, Xavier Nwankpa.

(I think Forbes and Flott take the cornerback position by storm with Witherspoon as a backup. Thieneman is the real surprise; I think he could start on the first day. Safety might seem weak, but I think McCollough and Valcarcel (whom I think will make it for our roster this year) are going to be solid, and Nwankpa could be solid as well, eventually.)

ST - Josh Karty, Ethan Evans, Alex Ward.

(Bring the battery back. That's all I'm going to say.)

Thoughts and critiques are all welcome.

We've got recent threads here for east coast and Midwestern Rams fans. I'm thinking the international Rams brothers and sisters will represent well. Let's hear you.

ScotsRam, Scotland's most passionate (and possibly only) Rams fan.

Yep, I figured since there's an East Coast thread, we "flyover country" guys and gals need to get some love as well.

Hope this isn't a bad thread to do, mods?

Am I the only one that thinks disgraced semi rapper Will Smith should redo his song "Gettin' jiggy wit it" in commemoration of the Sean Diddy trial?

No truth to the rumor he'll have a bat in his hands and a syringe sticking out of his ass.

I was born raised and will probably die in central North Carolina.
20 miles south of Greensboro.

By the time I was 10, I was falling in love with football.

Playing backyard football with my many cousins every other Sunday
at Grandmas'. (Just had to avoid the big rock in middle of yard)
This was the mid 70's

When we were inside we were watching NFL. where I lived it was
always the Skns who were on tv every sunday. I hated everything about that team.
This was of course long before the Panthers were even a idea.

So all of us had our favorite teams.
The honest to god reason I picked the Rams as my favorite team
was the Super Bad helmets and colors of uniforms.
At that time the blue and white uni's had to more of a Blue and yellow,
which I love.

So east coast or close to east coast. Give us your location.
Happen to see @Tano is from West Virginia and it made me wonder.
how many Easterly Rams maniacs we have at ROD

Doesn't have to be a long winded post ,like mine.
Just your location and how many years you've been a RamHead.
THX

Did we luck up and get another "Special" super star Right After AD. retires
Terron talks about Verse's strength being Abnormally strong

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An arbitrator's ruling reportedly has found the NFL encouraged teams to reduce guaranteed contracts for veteran players in 2022 (Tim Bradbury)

AFP
Jun 24, 2025 at 6:14 PM MDT


An arbitrator ruling on a collusion grievance between the NFL and its players union found the league encouraged all teams to reduce contract guarantees for veteran players in March 2022, according to multiple reports on Tuesday.

Podcaster Pablo Torre and Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com unveiled the 61-page ruling from January 14, 2025, and said the NFL and NFL Players Association had kept the outcome private.

"There is little question that the NFL management council, with the blessing of the commissioner, encouraged the 32 NFL clubs to reduce guarantees in veterans' contracts at the March 2022 annual owners' meeting," arbitrator Christopher Droney wrote.
That meeting was only days after the Cleveland Browns had given quarterback Deshaun Watson a five-year deal worth $230 million -- all of it guaranteed.

Droney, however, found in favor of the league in his ruling, saying evidence introduced at a 2024 hearing on the matter did not prove by a "clear preponderance" of evidence that teams acted on the NFL management council's encouragement.

NFL quarterbacks Russell Wilson, Lamar Jackson, and Kyler Murray signed huge contract extensions after Watson but none were fully guaranteed deals.