Rams' defense will have a new look, and coordinator Gregg Williams is fine with that

By Gary Klein

The middle linebacker is playing the position for the first time.

The weak-side linebacker is a converted safety who led the team in tackles last season.

The strong-side linebacker?

After the release of Akeem Ayers, the Rams have all but said they don’t need one.

At least not very often.

“If you look at how many teams we’re going to play this year that are going to play two backs in the backfield against us — not very many people like doing that against us,” defensive coordinator Gregg Williams said Saturday. “So take a look at how many times were going to play three linebackers this entire season.”

On Monday night, when the Rams open the season against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium, Alec Ogletree will be the new middle linebacker, Mark Barron flanks him on one side and the defense could utilize multiple defensive backs “in those areas that a linebacker plays,” Williams said.


Gary Klein and Lindsey Thiry preview the Rams season opener at San Francisco.

Cornerback E.J. Gaines did not practice this week and was ruled out of the game because of a thigh injury.

So the Rams could rely heavily on cornerbacks Trumaine Johnson,Coty Sensabaugh and Lamarcus Joyner with safeties T.J. McDonald and Maurice Alexander.

“It’s a passing league now,” Sensabaugh said, adding, “I’m just ready to compete. I don’t care who’s out there with us.”

Ayers’ departure — he signed with the Indianapolis Colts — leaves the Rams with three backup linebackers: second-year pro Bryce Hager, sixth-round draft pick Josh Forrest and undrafted free agent Cory Littleton.

Williams is noted for adapting schemes to fit personnel.

Last season, after Ogletree suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 4 at Arizona, Williams moved Barron from safety to a hybrid role similar to the one played by the Cardinals’ Deone Bucannon.

Barron flourished, finishing with a team-best 116 tackles.

“We’re going to play the best guys we have that they bring in the door,” Williams said. “I don’t draft them, I don’t sign them, but when they get here I’m going to coach them.”

Addressing reporters on the practice field a few yards from the Rams’ modular facility, Williams said Ogletree has put in the work, on and off the field, to make a successful transition to the middle.


Rams take wraps off Todd Gurley as regular season starts vs. 49ers
“When I say this I‘ll probably get in trouble: He’s been in here more than our quarterbacks,” Williams said, “and he’s been in the film room longer than some of our coaching staff around here.

“So you have to respect the fact that he’s going to get an opinion because he works hard.”

Ready to go

Left tackle Greg Robinson said he was looking forward to the opener and the chance to show his improvement from a year ago.

He will be protecting the blind-side of quarterback Case Keenum, who is making his first season-opening start.

The 6-foot-5, 332-pound Robinson was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2014 draft. He struggled at times with consistency and penalties during his first two seasons.

“I had a good preseason and that helped build my confidence,” Robinson said. “I feel like the game has slowed down a lot for me.”

Quick hits

Receivers Pharoh Cooper (shoulder) and Nelson Spruce (knee) also were ruled out of the game. Offensive tackle Rob Havenstein(foot) and linebacker Bryce Hager (concussion) practice but they are listed as questionable…. The Rams will have a short walk through Sunday and then depart for the Bay Area.

[www.latimes.com]

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Practicing with the wrong balls.

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Heard a fan theory on the radio recently that Sandy from Grease was in a coma or dying the whole time during the movie due to having drowned on the beach. Some of the reasons for this were intriguing, but incomplete, IMO. I'd like to expand a little on this, because it really is a cool theory.

1. They spent the whole summer together at the beach. Are you telling me that not ONCE did Danny tell her he was gonna be a senior at Ridell High? Remember she was surprised to find he went to that school too. Did they talk about anything during this time where they established a connection that causes them to fall for each other?

2. They never exchanged phone numbers or mailing addresses despite having fallen for each other? Surely she could have let him know they weren't leaving for Australia, but were instead hanging back in his home town by calling or writing.

3. Is it really normal that the during the whole movie groups of people break out in song and dance at random moments? That never happens in real life.

4. In the song "Summer Lovin'", Danny tells his dudes that he "saved her life .. she nearly drowned." Well, what if he didn't, and she did in fact drown? Thus creating this whole fantasy fairytale while hooked to life support. Keep in mind that they don't show her nearly drowning in the opening credits - so why mention it?

5. She fights Danny off in the opening scene when he tries to put the moves on her, thus indicating to everyone that she's a goody two shoes. She then rebukes him some more when he tries again (drive-in). In her oxygen starved mind, she then imagines what it's like to be with a good guy, so she creates one (Lorenzo Lamas), but discovers that maybe she is a little slut inside and wants to explore that. THEN she breaks up Lorenzo and give him no reason and without so much as offering him a consoling word or explanation (so unlike her).

6. [added] a Guardian Angel (Frankie Avalon) makes an appearance in the movie to guide Frenchie's life decisions before telling her (again, in song) that he's head back up to that Malt Shop in the sky.

7. In her song outside of Rizz's house, Sandy ends the song she's singing with the line "Goodbye to Sandra Dee", thus signifying that she's slowly drifting away at the hospital.

8. Since this is the end, her mind concocts a whole smorgasbord of feel-good moments as her brain floods with endorphins. Namely:

• Rizz isn't pregnant - YAY!
• Kenickie falls in love with Rizz again - YAY!
• She sheds her goody-two-shoes ways and becomes someone else exciting - YAY!
• The whole world breaks out in song and dance - YAY!
• The nerd (Eugene) makes the baseball/football team - YAY! (but, uh, he's a senior and school is over)

And last, but certainly not least...
as she slowly takes her last breaths...
she's whisked away with her dream guy in an unrecognizable make and model car ... into Heaven
(largely criticized as the stupidest ending to a movie, but now it all makes sense)

Hello everyone! I have been lurking these forums for about a year now but never got around to making an account until now. First off, I just wanted to say that I really like this community and appreciate all the news and information many of you provide on a daily basis.

The reason why I wanted to make this post is because I had something pretty cool happen yesterday. My parents live across the street from the practice fields at California Lutheran University and I happened to be at their house when I heard yelling and whistles in the distance. So I immediately threw on my jersey and rams hat and walked over to the fields hoping I would be able to see part of their final practice before leaving to San Francisco!

They have two fields that they use for practice. I wasn't able to get too close because they have a fence that blocks out access. A Rams employee came up to me and told me that residents are allowed to watch because they make a lot of noise but said not to take any videos, just pictures. I took a few pictures but the quality of them are not that great since the players were pretty far away.

I did see Gurley make a few good runs and Keenum make a nice throw to Britt. After the 11 on 11 drills, they split the defense and offense up onto two different fields.

I only stayed for about half an hour and then I had to go to work. About half way through my shift a huge guy comes walking into my work with a Rams shirt on. I immediately realize that it's Tyler Higbee. I told him that I am a huge rams fan and said that I saw him tear it up against Dallas in preseason. He started laughing and asked for my name, shook my hand, and talked about if I lived in the area, etc. he said that the team leaves for San Francisco Sunday morning. Overall, he was a really chill and awesome guy to talk to! I'm so excited for Monday for the Rams to take on the 9ers! The offseason takes way too long!

TL;DR
Hello everyone! Long time lurker, first time poster. I live next to CLU and I ran into Higbee at work last night.

One of his feet is limited, per NFLN.....Is this guy capable of being injury free?

Practice Report 9/9: Gurley Primed for Strong Year 2

By Myles Simmons

[www.therams.com]


If you’re a competitor like Rams running back Todd Gurley, the preseason probably isn’t much fun.

First of all, the games don’t count. And when you’re the focal point of the offense like Gurley, as seen on Hard Knocks, the coaching staff likely doesn’t want you getting hit very much.

It’s all about making sure the team is in the best shape possible to begin the season. And now that Week 1 has arrived, everyone is looking forward to Todd Gurley receiving his usual starter’s workload against the 49ers.


“He does some amazing things,” offensive lineman Rodger Saffold said. “It always makes the offensive linemen feel good when your running back gets about 20, 30 yards.

“It’s just like — yes,” Saffold continued with a laugh, “because it’s a lot better for an offensive lineman when you score in four plays than when you score in 12.”

This year, Gurley will be breaking off those explosive runs with a “C” on his uniform. The running back has been named a captain for the first time, showing the immense respect Gurley has earned after his AP Offensive Rookie of the Year season in 2015.

“It means a lot,” Gurley said Friday. “I’m honored and I’m going to to take that role and try to lead this team as much as I can.”

The knee injury Gurley suffered his final year of college that kept him out until Week 3 last year is effectively behind him. Even if it did affect Gurley in 2015, he was still able to become the league’s No. 3 rusher with 1,106 yards.

“I still do a little maintenance stuff twice a week — just make sure I get a couple extra strength exercises.” Gurley said. “But other than that, that’s about it.”

“This offseason I was able to do a lot more than I was the past offseason because of my knee,” Gurley added. “So I was able to do extra workouts and stuff like that.”

If there’s one element the Georgia product appears to want to add this year, it’s becoming a better receiver. Gurley was targeted only 26 times last season, making 21 receptions for 188 yards and no touchdowns. That latter stat is what Gurley really wants to change.

“It’s about time for me to get a receiving touchdown this year,” Gurley said. “Hopefully I’ll get at least one, so that’ll be an improvement from last year, for sure.”


Gurley sat out the second contest against the 49ers in 2015 with a toe injury, but he was electric in the first. He recorded 20 carries for 133 yards, including a 71-yard touchdown run during which he used his speed to go untouched from the line of scrimmage to the end zone.

This matchup will be featured on Monday Night Football, which creates a spotlight Gurley embraces.

“I love it,” Gurley said. “I love the big games, everybody’s watching and that’s what we’re made for.”

With a new coaching staff, the 49ers brought in Jim O’Neil to be their defensive coordinator. He held the same position with the Browns last year — another team Gurley torched for over 125 yards rushing. Still, San Francisco has some strong defenders that could be a challenge for Gurley.

“Obviously, their linebackers are great — they have some great linebackers inside, outside,” Gurley said. “Their interior defensive linemen are pretty good. I know they have a couple guys banged up, but it’s the first game of the year, so they’re going to be ready to play as much as we are.”

One of the players Gurley figures to meet up with a bunch on Monday is linebacker NaVorro Bowman, who led the league in tackles last year.

“It’s the best versus the best,” Gurley said. “Somebody’s got to come out on top, somebody has to lose.”

Niners head coach Chip Kelly said this week the key to trying to slow down Gurley is team tackling — if defenders can catch up to him.

“Very rarely are you going to get one person to get him on the ground,” Kelly said. “We have to do a great job in our leverage of the running back and we have to do a great job in guys running to the football, playing with great effort because he made such an impact as a rookie.”

“I think he’s faster than people give him credit for, maybe,” Kelly continued. “But he’s also such a big, physical runner – you’re going to have to get a lot of guys around him and you’re going to have to gang-tackle him.”

And so even though the running back took only four carries during the preseason, he’s feeling ready for the bright lights — and many carries — that will come on Monday night.

“I feel like my practice habits have been pretty good, just as far as finishing my runs and just out here every day, going hard as much as possible,” Gurley said. “So once the game comes, I feel like I’ll be fine.”

EXTRA POINTS

— Los Angeles had some good news on the injury front, as the team was able upgrade two players on the report. Right tackle Rob Havenstein (foot) and linebacker Bryce Hager (concussion) both went from limited participants on Thursday to full participants on Friday.

The remainder of the report went unchanged, as cornerback E.J. Gaines (thigh), wide receiver Pharoh Cooper (shoulder), and wide receiver Nelson Spruce (knee) all did not participate on Friday.

— Los Angeles reached an injury settlement with offensive lineman Garrett Reynolds, terminating his contract. The Rams placed Reynolds on injured reserve following the club’s final preseason game during the roster reduction from 75 to 53 players.

Rams take wraps off Todd Gurley as regular season starts vs. 49ers

By Gary Klein

[www.latimes.com]

Todd Gurley’s national profile began rising almost immediately after the NFL approved the Rams move from St. Louis to Los Angeles.

The star running back — the only player featured in the Rams’ relocation pitch to NFL owners — signed endorsement deals, appeared in television commercials and was featured prominently this summer in the opening montage for HBO’s “Hard Knocks.”

In two days, Gurley takes perhaps his biggest star turn yet when the Rams open the season against the San Francisco 49ers on “Monday Night Football.”

“I love it,” Gurley said Friday. “I love the big games. Everybody’s watching. That’s what we’re made for.”

Gurley, the reigning NFL offensive rookie of the year, was in college at Georgia when the Rams made their last appearance on “Monday Night Football” in 2014.

Now he is perhaps the main attraction in a game between teams rekindling what was once a bitter L.A.-San Francisco NFC West rivalry.


Gurley, 22, rushed for 1,106 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. He did so despite sitting out the opener while recovering from knee surgery, not starting until the fourth game, and being held out of the season finale against the 49ers at Levi’s Stadium for precautionary reasons.

In his only game against the 49ers, he rushed for 133 yards in 20 carries and scored on a 71-yard touchdown run in a 27-6 victory at St. Louis.

Chip Kelly was coaching the Philadelphia Eagles at the time.

Now the 49ers’ first-year coach is game-planning to stop the 6-foot-1, 227-pound Gurley.

“He’s faster than people give him credit for, maybe,” Kelly said. “But he’s also such a big, physical runner — you’re going to have to get a lot of guys around him and you’re going to have to gang-tackle him.”

To keep Gurley physically sound for the season, Rams Coach Jeff Fisher limited him to only one series during the exhibition season.

Fisher said Friday that there was “no such thing as a sophomore slump” for running backs.

“I would assume that this thing’s going to get better and better, as we get better up front … and we’re able to stay in games and get the ball in his hands,” Fisher said.

Rams players said Gurley appears ready for the opener.

Offensive linemen are especially eager to block for a back who rushed for more than 100 yards in each of his first four starts last season.

“It always makes the offensive line look good when your running back gets about 20 or 30 yards,’’ on a play, guard Rodger Saffold said. “It’s a lot better when you score in four plays than when you score in 12.”

Gurley was selected as an offensive team captain along with quarterback Case Keenum.

Defensive tackle Michael Brockers cited “maturity” when asked if he noticed a difference in Gurley as the back prepared for his second season.

“Taking his craft and taking his game to another level,” Brockers said. “Finishing plays, going down and finishing in the end zone.

“Just the little things you do that show he’s a real professional.”

Gurley worked during the off-season and in training camp to improve his pass-catching skills. Last season, he had 21 receptions for 188 yards but never reached the end zone.

“It’s about time for me to get a receiving touchdown,” he said. “This year, hopefully, I get at least one.”

But the bulk of his work will be as a runner.

On Monday night, he will go up against a defense that features All-Pro linebacker NaVorro Bowman.

“It’s the best versus the best,” Gurley said. “Somebody’s got has to come out on top, somebody has to lose.”

Quick hits

The Rams terminated the contract of offensive lineman Garrett Reynolds, who had been on the injured list. Reynolds received an injury settlement. He is eligible to return after Week 6…. Tackle Rob Havenstein (foot) and linebacker Bryce Hager (concussion) were full participants in practice. Cornerback E.J. Gaines (thigh) and receiver Pharoh Cooper (shoulder) did not practice for the second day in a row.

Rams QB Jared Goff must learn to be a backup

By Vincent Bonsignore, Los Angeles Daily News

[www.sgvtribune.com]

THOUSAND OAKS >> The starting point is nowhere near were Jared Goff originally imagined. In that respect, he’s no different than anyone else. The Rams included.

If anyone says they would have predicted or anticipated or been OK with the first overall pick starting his NFL career at the back of the Rams quarterback line, they’re either lying or not in the loop.

Goff was generally regarded as the most National Football League quarterback available in last April’s draft, and that wasn’t an opinion exclusive to the Rams.

Off that distinction, he separated himself from the rest of the quarterback group and the Rams built their justification to trade six picks to the Tennessee Titans to move from the 15th pick to the first pick overall to take Goff over North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz.

So to say there isn’t even a hint of disappointment that Goff didn’t distinguish himself as the second-string quarterback, let alone the starter, would be disingenuous.

“My whole life, I’ve been the starter,” Goff said.

Now he’s third string. And that takes some getting used to.

For everyone.

Instead of returning home to the Bay Area the starting quarterback of the Los Angeles Rams, he’ll be standing on the sideline in street clothes.

Instead of preparing for the season opener against the San Francisco 49ers, he’s focused on a long-range plan that will eventually lift him from the raw prospect he looked like during training camp to the player everyone assumed he’d rapidly be upon the Rams taking him with the first overall pick.

It’s about having faith in the process rather than trusting this week’s game plan.

“And there is a process,” Goff said. “You’re just going to trust the process, and know that it’s all going to work out.”

He said this with conviction in his voice. But more and more the conversation about Goff is based on hope rather than certainty.

Based on how he performed during training camp and the preseason, it’s all we really have.

Yes, the Rams preached patience with Goff going all the way back to their pre-draft evaluation of him. And in talking to the former Cal Golden Bear, Rams coach Jeff Fisher was up front that getting him on the field could be swift or a prolonged ordeal.

“He talked about if (prolonged) was the case, there will be no rushing,” Goff said. “Whenever it’s time, it’s time. If it needs to happen early, it happens early. If it needs to happen a little bit later, it happens later. I’m just going to continue to trust him and to trust the process, and know that they have a really well thought-out plan in place, and I’m still a part of it.”

But completion of that plan seems so much further away than anyone could have imagined.

And that’s disappointing considering the home run swing the Rams took to acquire Goff.

It was move made for reasons both obvious and subtle.

No question they wanted to make a bold first step back into the Los Angeles market, and it doesn’t get much grander than trading for the first overall pick and grabbing a future face of the franchise at the most important position on the field.

Just as importantly, in talking to Rams folks, there is a sincere belief they are inches away from taking that next step in the growth process rather than feet. Closing that gap was predicated primarily on better quarterback play.

With one mighty swing of the bat, they felt they achieved both objectives.

Nothing like making a bold move to stir up the second-biggest market in the country.

And nothing like adding a dynamic new quarterback to carry the team to the next level.

That didn’t happen, obviously.

Goff performed through training camp and preseason like a prospect still in need of major seasoning. Without the benefit of the minor leagues for more fine tuning, he’ll toil away behind the scenes trying to get up to speed.

To the untrained eye, Goff looks at least a year away from making a significant contribution. That goes for his level of play to his physical stature. He’s every bit the 6-foot-5 he’s listed. But 205 pounds never looked skinnier stretched over his lanky frame.

Meanwhile, starter Case Keenum and second-year man Sean Mannion significantly out-played Goff. So when the Rams drew up their depth chart for Monday night’s season opener, there was no justification to elevate Goff over the two veterans.

Discouraging.

But prudent.

And for the kid for whom so much was expected, about as humbling as you can imagine.

His name was called first overall among 253 players drafted last April.

But no telling when his named will be called upon.

Nobody had that in the script.

“I’m just going to be patient, wait until my number is called, and continue to get ready out on the field, and continue to practice as hard as I can,” Goff said. “When my number is called, be ready.”

Goff’s NFL future pretty much depends on it.

His ability to process and compartmentalize what can only be deemed a set back and learn and grow and emerge better for it are the keys to everything.

And he’ll have to do it as much mentally as he does physically.

With practice time cut down in the NFL over the years and reps at a premium for the starter and back up, third-string quarterbacks get precious few chances to get snaps during the course of the week. So Goff will have to rely on his eyes and ears watching Keenum and Mannion almost as much as his legs and arm.

“Just continue to learn and take mental reps,” he said. “I’ve never done it before, so I am learning how to do that as well. Just trying to try to learn from what they do well, and then learn from their mistakes. Case has been in the league for a long time now. I just pick his brain and ask him as much as I can, and get to know as much as I can before my number is called, so I can be ready.”

When that time comes is anyone’s guess.

Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher –– September 9, 2016

(On what concerns him the most about the 49ers)
“They’re very well-coached. Their defensive side, they can be exotic at times, but they’re very sound. They’re gap-sound, they’re run-game sound. Look at the way Cleveland operated last year – they do a great job communicating on the defensive side. Offensively, they’re big up front, they can run it and they’re going to run it. They’ve averaged 184 yards a game rushing in the preseason and (49ers QB Blaine) Gabbert can extend plays. You have to play solid defense and get off the field. And then special-teams-wise, they’ve got good players, they have some good matchups that will be created this game.”

(On if the foundation comes down fundamentals just like any other game)
“It’s execution. You take the fundamentals for granted, but this is all about going out and executing and taking the stuff that we’ve done out here onto the field.”

(On if he has had weeks, as a head coach, where he has felt like the team was very ready and then they lost the upcoming game and vice versa or if he has a feeling about it this week)
“No, you don’t because it’s like if there’s a mistake in a Thursday practice or a Friday practice, you just correct it. You rather that it takes place during the week than on Sunday or Monday, so no. The same thing is the case with the pregame warm-ups – sometimes I, personally, will come in and say ‘I don’t know if these guys are ready to go’ and then we jump out to a 21-point lead. And then sometimes when you think they’re really going, then things don’t work out. It’s about being consistent, and that’s the thing. So the practice sessions need to be consistent. What you have to do is you have to set the bar in Week 1 and then make sure you get back there every week. And they’ve done that this week.”

(On if there is anything to being in the same time zone as the divisional opponents)
“Yes and then, again, as I said, I have an appreciation for what the other three division opponents have had to do over the years because we’re going to find out very full-well how difficult it is to go out and play at 10 AM your time. But as far as the division is concerned, yeah, I think they’re probably glad that we came out here.”

(On if there has been anything in common once successful rookie running backs, like RB Todd Gurley, enter their second year)
“No, there’s no such thing as a ‘sophomore slump’ with running backs, that just doesn’t happen. It’s about, I would assume, that this thing’s going to get better and better, as we get better up front, for him and we’re able to stay in games and get the ball in his hands. I’ve never seen a ‘sophomore slump,’ as it relates to running backs.”

(On if he personally has any pregame rituals or superstitions)
“No. the Monday night thing is a little bit different in that it’s a long day. So we’re going to try to keep them calm. But personally, no, I pretty much follow the same routine and that’s prepare myself and get back in the rule book when I have got some time.”

(On if there’s a particular song he listens to before the game)
“There was in high school, but there isn’t now.”

(On what his song was in high school)
“I knew you guys would ask. You pick it – it was Jethro Tull, so you pick it.”

(On if Monday Night Football is still as big of a deal for him as it was in high school)
“It’s a big deal for them, it really is. For the next however many Mondays, they’re going to be watching the games – and so are Thursdays, for that matter because the guys watched the game last night. It is a big deal for the players. Coaches would prefer not to have Monday night games, because we’re going to jump right in to a short week next week. We don’t arrive until 2:30, 3:00 in the morning and we have to get going again. Coaches are creatures of habit and you just kind of like the normal game weeks. But it’s exciting, it’s exciting for the players. Things have changed, back in the day when Howard (Cosell) and Don (Meredith) and the rest of them were doing it, that was the only way you got to see highlights from the weekend, were halftime highlights. Now you get to see highlights moments after they happen.”

(On if there’s a sense of excitement with Todd Gurley getting a full workload as opposed to the limited carries he had in the preseason)
“Yeah, we did that on purpose. He looks great, he feels great and he’s ready to go. (RB) Benny (Cunningham) is going to play a little bit and you may even see (RB) Malcolm (Brown) in the game at times, but Todd is the workhorse now.”

(On if he has the same feeling as the players who have the feeling that the team is on the edge of being successful after winning three of the final four games in 2015)
“Their expectations are high, but they also understand the one-at-a-time thing. Like we say every year, you win 11 games or 12 games in a season and go to the playoffs, you can’t just come back the next year and escrow your success and expect to draw on it and go from there, you have to start over every year. That’s what we’ve done, we’ve started over with high expectations.”

(On what jumped out about LB Cory Littleton in rookie camp)
“Cory missed the rookie camp because of the quarter system. Cory really didn’t get to do much until he got to training camp – I think that speaks volumes for him because he had a short period of time and he showed us what he can do.”

(On what he tells players about recuperating from the short week)
“We’ve had the discussions from this standpoint. The things that you do from this evening through the game are going to carry over into next week. It’s the sleep, it’s the rest, it’s recovery, it’s diet, it’s all those things. and then we have to quickly get into the short-week routine where it’s all about recovery. And they all have different needs – some guys play 60 plays, some guys play 10 and some guys don’t play. They all have different needs, but we address them individually.”




Rams RB Todd Gurley – September 9, 2016

(On his thoughts about being named one of the team captains)
“It means a lot. Just for coach and the team to vote on me as a team captain. I’m honored. I’m going to take that role and try to lead this team as much as I can.”

(On if he knows how unusual it is for a player as young as he is to be named a team captain)
“Yeah, for sure, most definitely, most definitely.”

(On his concerns about increased playing time, after a lighter preseason load)
“I’m not too worried about it. I feel like my practice habits have been pretty good. Just as far as finishing my runs, and just out here every day going hard as much as possible. Once the game comes, I feel like I’ll be fine.”

(On his level of anxiety entering Monday night)
“I’m ready, I’m ready. Football is back. It started last night. Everybody is ready.”

(On if it was difficult sitting out the first game of last season)
“It was, but hopefully I have a long career. I have many more games to come, so I wasn’t worried about the first or second game.”

(On if he was on the sideline watching last year’s season opener)
“Yeah, I was still there.”

(On if he watched Monday Night Football growing up)
“No, I didn’t even know about Monday Night Football, probably not until I got to high school or college. But, I’m ready for it.”

(On if he enjoys being in the spotlight)
“Yeah, I love it, I love it. I love the big games, everybody is watching. That’s what we’re made for.”

(On if he did anything differently in the preseason to prepare himself for the workload he’s about to endure)
“I try to keep it the same. Just work a little harder. Obviously, this offseason, I was able to do a lot more than I was the past offseason, because of my knee. I was able to actually do extra, extra workouts, and stuff like that.”

(On his thought regarding taking on a heavy workload entering the season)
“It’s whatever. I’ve been running the ball my whole life, same thing.”

(On if he still has trouble with his knee)
“I still do a little maintenance stuff twice a week. Just make sure I get a couple extra strength exercises. But other than that, that’s about it.”

(On if people will see anything different from him this year, in comparison to last season)
“I can’t predict the future. We’ll see, we’ll see what happens when the season comes.”

(On if he has any pregame rituals or traditions he partakes in)
“I might listen to a couple old songs from high school, or something that I used to play before a Friday night game or a college game.”

(On what songs he listens to before games)
“Anything, honestly. Maybe like some old Wiz Khalifa, or old Lil Wayne. Just something to remind me of an old game or something like that.”

(On which Lil Wayne album is his favorite)
“I’m a Carter II type of guy.”

(On his thoughts regarding the 49ers defense)
“Obviously, their linebackers are great. They have some great linebackers; inside, outside, the interior. The defensive linemen are pretty good. I know they have a couple guys banged up, but it’s the first game of the year. They’re going to be ready to play as much as we are. Monday night, at their place; their definitely a great team for sure.”

(On his thought regarding LB NaVorro Bowman)
“It’s the best versus the best. Somebody got has to come out on top, somebody has to lose.”

(On how much pride he takes in his receiving skills/pass catching game)
“Yeah man, it’s about time for me to get a receiving touchdown this year. Hopefully I get at least one. So that’ll be an improvement from last year, for sure.”

(On if it’s his goal to notch a receiving touchdown this season)
“Yeah, yeah, most definitely; to at least get one”

(On if he watched last night’s game between the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers)
“I did. It was a good game, good game man.”

(On if watching the game last night inspires him, or if it’s just another game)
“No, it inspires me. Seeing what (Denver RB) C.J. (Anderson) did last night, it’s like, ‘Oh! He did that against the Super Bowl runner-up team.’ So, I’m excited to go out there and be able to try to run the ball just like he did last night.”

(On if he saw Denver LB Von Miller’s custom made ‘Yeezy’ cleats last night)
“I did. You know I’m a Nike guy so…I don’t care too much about Yeezy’s”

These are unique games for the below listed teams because they open the 2016 season with new starting quarterbacks for their current NFL Teams.

Of the 9 New opening day Starting Quarterbacks, Trevor Siemian already broke the ice with a 21-20 Victory vs Carolina.

Which of the remaining new opening day NFL starting QB's will get a Victory?


Trevor Siemian WON 21-20 vs the Carolina Panthers

VS


Sunday's Games

Dak Prescott home vs New York Gians
VS

Carson Wentz home vs Cleveland Browns Robert Griffen III
VS

Jimmy Garoppolo at Arizona Cardinals
AT

Brock Osweiler home vs Chicago Bears
VS

Shaun Hill/Sam Bradford at Tennessee Titans
AT


Monday Night

Case Keenum at San Francisco 49ers Blaine Gabbert
AT

I'm going to take a shot and say of the 8 remaining new opening day starting quarterbacks, the winners will be?

I predicted Trevor Siemian to loose vs the Panthers so I'm 0-1 with 8 new starting QB's to go.

Dak Prescott Loss

Carson Wentz Win
vs
Robert Griffen III Loss

Jimmy Garoppolo Win

Brock Osweiler Win

Shaun Hill/Sam Bradford Loss

Case Keenum Win
vs
Blaine Gabbert Loss

If you think you know these new Signal callers fate for week 1, I'm interested to know your predictions.

Login to view embedded media View: http://www.therams.com/videos/videos/Game-Trailer-Rams-at-49ers/36413637-ed0a-44b4-a3b5-c9a3db1bea52


I like how they used the old Wild West theme music




I know all of us Rams Fans are.............

ready for the real bullets to fly Monday night.

This is supposed to be a show with Rams fans in the audience, talking about the Rams up coming game. Really? We got Eric Davis, Keshawn Johnson, Marcellus Wiley, and another couple of fools talking about everything BUT the Rams. None of these guys care about the Rams, and I think some were pushing hard about wanting the Raiders and not the Rams last year to come back to LA....The only Rams talk there has been, is complaining about Goff and a little bit about Fisher...Most of the rest of the cr@p is about Kaepernick , marijuana legalization in the NFL, and about Can Newton getting hit on the noggin four times.

What about the Oline?
What about the RB group?
What about the Rams Dline?


I hate these stupid, Rams hating MOTHERFU#%$^#@!

I'm talking just rushing yards here, do y'all think he goes over or under? I'm thinking over because he's fresh and will probably bust a long run. They are definitely going to be focused on him though.

Locally, I'll have the privilege of watching two of the big SuperBowl contenders this year: the Browns/Eagles.

After that, desert, will be a serving of Giants/Cowboys. Eeeeech.

I may scan the games but will probably mostly watch RedZone.

Hi all, Been a busy summer, remodeling the house and all. Hopefully I can get back to couch potato status on Sunday and Monday night. Go Rams ball:

http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2016/09/05/mmqb-staff-nfl-predictions-2016-super-bowl-51-winner

The MMQB 2016 Season Predictions
Our staffers make their bold selections for individual award winners and provide some contrasting viewpoints on who’ll hoist the Lombardi in Houston in Super Bowl 51
by The MMQB Staff

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

Peter King: Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle. Without the subtle/overt pressure of Marshawn Lynch in the locker room and huddle, Wilson, already a beautiful thrower of the deep ball, takes his game to its highest level--and takes Seattle into January again.

Albert Breer: Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh. No LeVeon Bell until October. No Martavis Bryant until who knows when. No problem.

Jenny Vrentas: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay. Bolstered by the return of Jordy Nelson, and Mike McCarthy’s day-to-day involvement in the offense again, we welcome back the Aaron Rodgers we’re used to seeing.

Robert Klemko: Andy Dalton, QB, Cincinnati. Don't @ me.

Emily Kaplan: Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh. He has the most talented cast, and there should be nothing preventing Big Ben from having a highly productive year.

Tim Rohan: Cam Newton, QB, Carolina. He gets his No. 1 receiver (Kelvin Benjamin) back, and he’s on a mission to avenge the Super Bowl loss.

Andy Benoit: Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh. Has mastered the system of the most dynamic offense in the league.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

King: Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota. Again, and unfortunately, Minnesota puts its season on Peterson's shoulders. Again, he performs superbly, with an 1,800-yard rushing season.

Breer: Todd Gurley, RB, Los Angeles. There will be bumps in the Rams’ return-to-L.A. campaign. So they’ll give Gurley the ball. A lot.

Vrentas: Antonio Brown, WR, Pittsburgh. MVPs are for QBs, but this award can go to a skill position player based on the sheer volume of offense he generates. And Brown, who has caught more than 100 balls each of the last three years, is sure to generate a high volume of offense.

Klemko: Rob Gronkowski, TE, New England. He’s the greatest tight end ever, and now he has the benefit of fellow big man Martellus Bennett to stress defenses in the red zone. I’m thinking career year.

Kaplan: Antonio Brown, WR, Pittsburgh. Consider his gaudy numbers in 2015—which included five games of Landry Jones and Michael Vick quarterbacking. Brown rarely drops passes, he’s always improving and I expect nothing but a monster 2016.

Rohan: Antonio Brown, WR, Pittsburgh. Brown puts up video-game numbers again.

Benoit: Antonio Brown, WR, Pittsburgh. Will be the most productive player in the NFL’s most prolific offense.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Peter King: Khalil Mack, LB, Oakland. Nice of J.J. Watt to cede this. Once. Mack has a 20-sack season in him one of these years, and I think it's this year, starting with a favorable matchup opening day in New Orleans.

Breer: Tyrann Mathieu, DB, Arizona. He became the NFL’s human highlight reel in 2015, and the comeback from ACL surgery will just add to his legend.

Vrentas: Khalil Mack, LB, Oakland. J.J. Watt’s back surgery perhaps opens the door for someone else to win this title. A good bet is Mack, who was once famously described by Hue Jackson as “a rolling ball of butcher knives.”

Klemko: Patrick Peterson, CB, Arizona. Probably one of the more under-appreciated superstars in the NFL.

Kaplan: Khalil Mack, LB, Oakland. The league’s next dominant pass-rusher is going to be a household name after a 20-sack season.

Rohan: Khalil Mack, LB, Oakland. The Raiders’ linebacker takes the next step, rises to J.J. Watt territory.

Benoit: Khalil Mack, LB, Oakland. But only if voters realize that he’s an even better run defender than pass rusher.

OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Peter King: Ronnie Stanley, LT, Baltimore. Now, the assignment is my pick for offensive rookie--not the guy who will win it. And almost certainly someone who touches the ball will win it. But Stanley, a vital guy for Baltimore's future, is the best offensive rookie this year. And Indy center Ryan Kelly is second.

Breer: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas. The hashtag #FEEDZEKE gets imported from Ohio to Texas. With Tony Romo down, the Cowboys will oblige.

Vrentas: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas. As our Albert Breer wrote in June, one reason the Cowboys drafted Elliott was so their offense could be more competent in the event they lost Tony Romo again. Well, they’ve lost Romo for a while again, and the rookie has the great fortune of running behind the league’s best OL.

Klemko: Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas. I freely admit to drinking the Kool-Aid. Great offensive line, with the benefit of Ezekiel Elliott, Dez Bryant and Jason Witten. I can't remember a rookie QB in a better position to thrive. Okay I can: Roethlisberger.

Kaplan: Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee. Maybe this is a hot take considering Henry isn’t the Titan’s No. 1 back. But I think Tennessee is going to run the ball 40 times a game and Henry will shoulder a fair share of the load — especially on the goal line.

Rohan: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas. With Tony Romo out, the Cowboys will lean on Elliott and their superb offensive line.

Benoit: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas. As Elliott himself has already said, with Dallas’s O-line, his job is easy.

DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Peter King: Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Tampa Bay. He had a superb preseason. Nothing was a surprise for him. Unfortunately, he'll have to get six or eight picks to be in the running for this award. With his instincts, he just might get that many.

Breer: Jalen Ramsey, DB, Jacksonville. This freakish LB-sized CB/S will be used every which way—and show why he was considered such a unique prospect.

Vrentas: Myles Jack, LB, Jacksonville. For cornerbacks to win this award, they have to rack up a lot of interceptions. Jack, assuming his scrutinized knee holds up, will turn heads with a sideline-to-sideline athleticism that creates big plays.

Klemko: Jalen Ramsey, DB, Jacksonville. Incredible nose for the ball has been evident this preseason; my only trepidation is that teams will be able to throw away from him against this defense. Runner up: Arizona CB Brandon Williams, who will have plenty opportunities for interceptions playing opposite Peterson.

Kaplan: Myles Jack, LB, Jacksonville. I’m a sucker for a good story, and the Jaguars linebacker making other general managers look foolish for passing on him will be a great one.

Rohan: Myles Jack, LB, Jacksonville. Racks up a ton of tackles and helps lead the Jags’ resurgence.

Benoit: Karl Joseph, S, Oakland. Raiders D and its strong pass rush will generate turnovers. Typically, safety is the one capping those forced turnovers.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Peter King: Gus Bradley, Jacksonville. Year four (after going 12-36 in his first three Jag seasons) is significantly more friendly to Bradley. His patience with players pays off in a big way, with an AFC South title.

Breer: John Fox, Chicago. I’m buying in on Fox’s patented second-year bounce—and the roster implosion that Ryan Pace has overseen.

Vrentas: Ben McAdoo, Giants. Sitting in the same seat one occupied by Tom Coughlin and Bill Parcells, the first-time head coach earns this honor by leading the Giants back to the postseason after a four-year drought.

Klemko: Jack Del Rio, Oakland. The AFC West looks wide open and the Raiders are in a great position to take advantage, provided recent offensive line expenditures and a re-tooled secondary get the job done. Runner up: Marvin Lewis.

Kaplan: Mike Zimmer, Minnesota. It will be impossible not to choose him after he leads Minnesota to the playoffs with Sam Bradford under center.

Rohan: Mike Zimmer, Minnesota. Guides the Vikings to the playoffs despite the quarterback shakeup on the eve of the season.

Benoit: Bill Belichick, New England. With Martellus Bennett now opposite Rob Gronkowski, New England's two tight end system will border on unstoppable. Remembering that they were without their Hall of Fame QB for the first quarter of the system, voters will credit this success to New England's Hall of Fame head coach.

COMEBACK PLAYER

Peter King: Tyrann Mathieu, rover, Arizona. When I saw him in camp, he was playing deep safety. He'll play lots of press corner, and some inside linebacker. All coming off an eight-month-old knee reconstruction. Runner-up: Dante Fowler, pass-rusher, Jacksonville.

Breer: Tyrann Mathieu, S, Arizona. If I’m gonna pick him for DPOY, this one is academic.

Vrentas: Tyrann Mathieu, S, Arizona. Few players in the NFL are the kind of Tasmanian Devil of energy—those are GM Steve Keim’s words—that Mathieu is. He transforms the personality of the Cardinals when he’s on the field, and he’s back after his second ACL

Klemko: Robert Griffin III, QB, Cleveland. Robert will have to split this award with Hue Jackson, who will work wonders with the guy who was a healthy scratch all of last season in Washington.

Kaplan: Keenan Allen, WR, San Diego. Before his season-ending knee injury, Allen had 67 passes through eight games, which ranked third-most in NFL history. He’ll pick up right where he left off.

Rohan: Tyrann Mathieu, S, Arizona. Coming back from an ACL tear, Mathieu becomes the face of the Cardinals defense.

Benoit: Jordy Nelson, WR, Green Bay. Nelson’s healthy return will get Aaron Rodgers and the Packers’ offense back on track.

* * *

NFC PLAYOFF TEAMS

NFC East/ NFC North/ NFC South/ NFC West/ Wild Cards

Peter King- Washington, Green Bay, Carolina, Arizona, Seattle, Minnesota
Albert Breer- Washington, Chicago, Carolina, Arizona, Seattle, Minnesota
Jenny Vrentas- NY Giants, Green Baym, Carolina, Arizona, Seattle, Atlanta
Robert Klemko- Washington, Green Bay, Carolina, Seattle, Arizona, NY Giants
Emily Kaplan- NY Giants, Green Bay, Carolina, Arizona, Seattle, Minnesota
Andy Benoit- Washington, Green Bay, Carolina, Seattle, Arizona, Atlanta
Tim Rohan- Washington, Minnesotam Carolina, Arizona, Seattle, Green Bay

* * *

AFC PLAYOFF TEAMS

AFC East/ AFC North/ AFC South/ AFC West/ Wild Cards

Peter King- New England, Cincinnati, Jacksonville, Oakland, Denver, Pittsburgh
Albert Breer- New England, Pittsburgh, Houston, Oakland, NY Jets, Denver
Jenny Vrentas- New England, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Baltimore, Denver
Robert Klemko- New England, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Oakland, Kansas City, Pittsburgh
Emily Kaplan- New England, Pittsburgh, Houston, Kansas City, Cincinnati, Oakland
Andy Benoit- New England, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Denver, Oakland, Jacksonville
Tim Rohan- New England, Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Cincinnati, Denver

* * *

SUPER BOWL 51

King: Green Bay 30, Pittsburgh 26. The Steelers rise from the sixth playoff seed to fall one possession short in a rematch of Super Bowl 45. Aaron Rodgers finishes his season of redemption with a Super Bowl MVP game.

Breer: New England 30, Arizona 23. I came very close to giving Tom Brady the MVP, so let’s just hand him his record fourth Super Bowl MVP instead. No matter what happens over the season’s first month, this team is loaded with 20-something talent on D, and New England’s 12-game finish will be something to see.

Vrentas: Arizona 31, Pittsburgh 24. All of the Cardinals’ star players had a bad game on the same day in last year’s NFC Championship. Don’t count on that happening again. Go-big-or-go-home coach Bruce Arians is the perfect coach to shepherd the Super-Bowl-or-bust Cardinals.

Klemko: Carolina 21, Cincinnati 20. I felt Andy Dalton had turned a corner last season before his injury, with just seven picks in 13 starts and the highest completion percentage of his career. I'm banking on TE Tyler Eifert coming back strong from his ankle injury, and LB Vontaze Burfict coming back fit and dominant after his three-game suspension. In the end, I think Carolina survives the fact they did nothing this offseason to improve the offensive line simply because all the elite pass rushers are in the AFC (with the exception of Seattle, which has bigger problems on its own offensive line).

Kaplan: Cardinals 28, Steelers 24. The best offense in football (Pittsburgh) has made enough improvements in the front seven to go deep in the playoffs. But Arizona has too much talent, and the right coach, to beat anyone.

Rohan: Cardinals 35, Steelers 28. The Cardinals’ innovative defense – led by Patrick Peterson, Tyrann Mathieu, and Deone Bucannon – slows Big Ben and Antonio Brown just enough. Carson Palmer redeems himself from last year’s playoff dud. Brown gets two touchdowns anyway, and Ryan Shazier gets three sacks, but Palmers throws four touchdowns to four different receivers. John Brown scores the winning touchdown in a close one. How’s that for a pick?

Benoit: Pittsburgh 31, Green Bay 27. Pittsburgh has the most explosive offense in the NFL, even without Martavis Bryant. And that defense is schematically complex and full of young players reaching their primes. The Packers have all of their weapons back and should be able to regain the identity that they lost in 2015.

Rams QB Case Keenum gearing up for first Week 1 start
By Alden Gonzalez

[www.espn.com]

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- The backdrop was carried into the locker room, Case Keenum took his place in the middle of it and a mob of media members swelled around him late Thursday afternoon, four days before the Los Angeles Rams will open their season. Then came the first question ...

Case, your first NFL start. What's it like?

"Well ... it's my 16th NFL start, just so you know," Keenum said. "So, I have done it before."

Yes, in case anybody forgot, he has. But Keenum has only ever been the guy by default, starting with the Houston Texans because Matt Schaub injured a foot and an ankle in 2013, and starting for the Rams because Nick Foles wasn't good enough in 2015. This is the summer when Keenum actually won a job, holding off a developing No. 1 pick to do it.

This is the summer when Keenum will finally start a regular-season opener -- on Monday Night Football, against the division-rival San Francisco 49ers, in the first meaningful game back in Los Angeles.

"It’s the first time for it to be my show starting out, and not just taking over like, 'Oh crap, send out Case now,'" Keenum said. "It’s been something I’ve prepared for for a long time. I’m excited. I really am."

Keenum left Houston as the NCAA's all-time leader in passing yards, touchdowns and completions, but a relatively small stature and a weak throwing arm left him undrafted in 2012.

He spent that season buried on the Texans' practice squad, then started eight games in 2013, throwing for 1,760 yards with nine touchdowns and six interceptions. Keenum spent a chunk of the next year on the Rams' practice squad, then returned to the Texans, started the final two regular-season games, winning both. He returned to the Rams for a seventh-round pick in March 2015.

Keenum went on to supplant Foles, the man he was brought in to back up, and returned from a concussion to start the final four games last season, a stretch in which he threw for 692 yards, completed nearly 65 percent of his passes and led the Rams to three victories.

In the eight months that followed, the Rams have seen continued growth.

"Every week seeing just more and more command of the offense, which is comforting," Rams coach Jeff Fisher said of Keenum. "He’s going to get up there and make the right decision. The position itself is hard to play, but he’s going to give us a chance with checking in and out of run stuff, changing protections, getting the ball down the field, making plays, extending plays with his legs."

Keenum is coming off a solid preseason, one that saw him complete 75 percent of his passes without committing a single turnover.

That's all the Rams really need from the 28-year-old: just enough to keep opposing defenses from stacking the box against star running back Todd Gurley.

But Keenum starting is in no way an ideal scenario for the Rams. He shoulders a 38.2 QBR that is the fifth worst among quarterbacks who have attempted at least 400 passes over the past three seasons. And the guy the Rams truly want ready, of course, is Jared Goff, the first overall pick who cost an assortment of high-round draft choices for the right to select him.

Keenum hasn't forgotten that.

The line of questioning won't let him.

"I’m still batting a thousand," Keenum said. "Every interview I’ve ever done, somebody has asked [about Goff]. It is what it is. I compartmentalize it. People are going to ask what they want to ask. He was the first pick of the draft. Obviously some attention there, but I’m just going to go out and do my job. My job is to be the quarterback of this team and get the ball in the right people’s hands and convert on third downs and score points."

Rams' WR situation seems tenuous heading into opener
By Alden Gonzalez

[www.espn.com]

The Los Angeles Rams are carrying seven receivers on their 53-man roster, tied with the Green Bay Packers for most in the NFL -- and that isn't necessarily a testament to their depth at the position.

Rams wideouts racked up the fewest yards, the fewest first downs and the fourth-fewest touchdowns last season. And the unit appears just as unsteady heading into the Week 1 opener on Monday night, regardless of the volume. Two of the seven receivers might not play, another might be hobbled, another has struggled with drops, another is a late-round draft pick, and the two best ones haven't produced like top-end receivers in recent years.

Here's a look at where the group stands heading into the Monday Night Football matchup against the San Francisco 49ers from Santa Clara, California. ...

Tavon Austin: The Rams gave Austin a lavish four-year, $42 million extension based largely on what his production could be. Austin is coming off his best season, which included 473 receiving yards and 434 rushing yards. The dynamic playmaker basically only touched the ball one time in the preseason, but that isn't any indication of where he fits in the offense. The Rams hope to double -- yes, double -- Austin's production and are being secretive about his usage.

Kenny Britt: He's the veteran of the group, having compiled 3,879 yards over the course of his seven-year career. His 1,429 yards in the last two seasons rank 50th. But it isn't all Britt's fault. The 27-year-old specializes in stretching the field for an offense that doesn't throw the ball deep very often, particularly with Case Keenum at quarterback. The Rams had the fewest passing plays of 20 yards or more last season with 35.

Pharoh Cooper
The Rams like the potential of Pharoh Cooper, but he won't likely make his regular-season debut Monday because of a shoulder injury.
Pharoh Cooper: The Rams are excited about their fourth-round pick out of South Carolina, a versatile receiver who can contribute a multitude of ways and is a menace after the catch. Cooper had already cemented himself as the Rams' No. 3 receiver, but he suffered a shoulder injury on an acrobatic catch in Week 3 of the preseason and will probably miss the opener. The Rams hope he can make it back shortly.

Brian Quick: Quick might not have even made the final roster if not for the Rams' uncertainty at this position. That's a crazy thought when you consider his projections upon being drafted 33rd overall out of Appalachian State in 2012. Quick has struggled to catch the football. His catch percentage last season, 31.3, was the eighth-lowest in the NFL. He had 32 targets and reeled in only 10 of those, then continued to drop passes during the preseason.

Bradley Marquez: The second-year wide receiver was in a walking boot after Week 2, but only missed about a week of action with an injury to his right ankle. He returned for the preseason finale 12 days later, connected with Jared Goff on a 30-yard pass play in the opening possession and hobbled back to the huddle. Marquez remained in the game and the Rams hope he is completely healed by the opener. Marquez caught 13 passes for 88 yards as an undrafted rookie last season.

Mike Thomas: A sixth-round pick out of Southern Miss, Thomas compiled 52 receiving yards in the preseason, hauling in four of his 10 targets. Listed at 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, Thomas is good at catching passes in traffic. He became one of the country's most productive amateur receivers after leaving junior college, finishing 2015 with 71 catches for 1,391 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Nelson Spruce: The Rams -- and their fans -- are excited about Spruce, a possession receiver who flashed his ability to create space and secure catches by racking up a team-best 51 yards and a touchdown in the preseason opener against the Dallas Cowboys. But Spruce also sprained his knee in that game and hasn't practiced with the team since, though he has done some light work on his own. Upon return, Spruce could become a focal point of the offense. But he'll likely sit out Week 1.

Rams lineman Aaron Donald small in stature, huge in impact

By RYAN KARTJE / STAFF WRITER

[www.ocregister.com]

IRVINE – Since the advent of the forward pass, conventional knowledge dictates a pass rush should be built from the outside. For decades, that meant the NFL’s most feared defenses were crafted around freakish defensive ends or rush linebackers, most of whom appeared predisposed to terrorize quarterbacks. Glory – and glamorous paychecks – were earned collecting gaudy sack totals. Sack artists, they were so glowingly labeled.

Just a few feet inside, meanwhile, their counterparts at defensive tackle were often cast as oversized workmen, plugging rush gaps and forcing double teams, toiling away in relative obscurity. They were almost always paid less. Rarely were they counted on to get after the quarterback.

On the all-time, single-season sacks list, only three defensive tackles crack the post-merger top 50. From 2003-12, the position was even more bereft of pass-rushers: Only six defensive tackles tallied double-digit sack totals in a season during that stretch, while 40 defensive ends reached that mark.

At the outset of the 2016 season, though, that balance of power on the defensive line might finally be shifting inside. In March 2015, the Dolphins made defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL with a six-year, $114.375 million deal. The Buccaneers and Bills also locked up their own interior weapons in Gerald McCoy and Marcell Dareus, respectively, signing them each to deals of $95 million or more.

This June, the mega-deals continued, as the Eagles’ contract extension with Fletcher Cox surpassed nine figures – and included about $4 million more in guaranteed money than Suh’s deal. After years of anonymity, the interior renaissance finally is upon us.

As it stands, five of the nine biggest NFL contracts on defense belong to defensive tackles. But still missing in that group is the most feared interior rusher in all of the NFL, who – at 25 years old, with only a $2.7 million cap hit – might very well redefine the defensive tackle position as we know it.

“The game has changed,” says Aaron Donald, that rare talent who over the course of two seasons, 20 sacks, and an endless highlight-reel of nightmare-inducing bullrushes, has almost singlehandedly turned the Rams into a defensive force.

It’s the final week of his third training camp with the Rams, and on the practice field in Irvine, Donald is explaining just how an undersized defensive tackle became the new prototype at a position once defined by size and brute strength.

“It’s more of a speed game now,” he says. “There’s a lot more zone schemes, a lot more running sideways. You can be a guy who’s 285 and 6-foot-1, as long as you can hold a double-team sometimes and do your job.”

Of course, to suggest that Donald wouldn’t succeed in a different era is to ignore everything he has demonstrated in his two seasons. His speed on the interior is unmatched. His strength is akin to that of a much larger, bulkier tackle, even after he cut his body fat percentage below 10 percent in the offseason. He easily slices through double teams.

Quite simply, Donald is as close to unstoppable as one finds in the NFL. And as an already-pass-heavy league continues to evolve in his favor, football’s new prototype in the middle is ready to wreak havoc on NFL offenses, and – in due time – take that havoc to the bank.

* * *

The first time Mike Waufle sat across from Donald in his office, the Rams defensive line coach told his first-year defensive tackle something he’d never, in 14 years of coaching, considered telling another NFL rookie. But after playing and replaying Donald’s highlights from Pitt, watching him win every collegiate defensive award, obliterate his competition at the Senior Bowl, and then, run the fastest 40-yard dash for a defensive tackle at the combine since 2000 (4.68), it was clear Donald required a different approach.

That Donald fell all the way to 13th overall, where the Rams had been waiting with their second first-round pick of the 2013 draft, was no less than a miracle to Waufle. Unlike others, he was not deterred in the slightest by Donald’s “undersized” frame. As an assistant with the Raiders and Giants, he routinely used smaller, quicker linemen on the interior. With the Giants, he once used 263-pound end Justin Tuck as a nose tackle during the team’s Super Bowl run.

In his office, Waufle looked his rookie straight in the eye: “I’m going to say a lot of things in this room,” he told him. “However, I do not want you to listen to one word I say. Just play like you did in college.”

Still, Donald asked Waufle to cut up highlights of Vikings Hall of Famer John Randle and other great, undersized defensive lineman such as Warren Sapp of the Bucs and La’Roi Glover of the Saints, both of whom stood 6-foot-2. Donald studied the film obsessively.

Such obsession is part of his personality, he explains. From high school into college, he was so determined to become a pingpong virtuoso that he played for hours on end, challenging anyone willing to play – coaches, teammates, strangers. “It was non-stop,” he says. But it worked. As one episode of HBO’s “Hard Knocks” showed, Donald is an exceptional pingpong player.

In training camp that fall, that thirst to be the best was instantly clear. The Rams offensive line couldn’t block him. During his first week, nose tackle Michael Brockers remembers sitting down to casually watch Donald’s college highlights on YouTube that first week. He ended up consuming all 14 minutes.

By October, Donald announced his presence to the entire league. In a Week 7 win over the Seahawks, he burst through the line and body-slammed running back Marshawn Lynch in the backfield for a violent 5-yard loss. Teammates were stunned.

“I remember thinking then this might be the best football player I’ve ever seen,” defensive end William Hayes says.

Donald was named Rookie of the Year and followed that with a more dominant 2015 season. He tallied 11 sacks – already startling for a defensive tackle – though, he almost certainly could have had more. According to Pro Football Focus, Donald hit or hurried quarterbacks 37 times last season – 14 more than any other defensive tackle.

In an increasingly pass-heavy league, Donald’s size – or lack thereof – has become one of his greatest assets. At 6-foot-1, he has a lower center of gravity than most defensive tackles, which allows him to get under an offensive lineman’s pads easier than the likes of Brockers, his interior counterpart, who stands five inches taller. In addition, his fast first step makes it nearly impossible for linemen to keep their footing in front of him.

“It’s all about leverage and speed,” Waufle said. “He has a whole lot of both.”

He also has an advantage in Waufle, whose career has been tailored to exploit such a unique skillset. Waufle learned the nuances of defensive line play from respected assistant John Teerlinck, who helped popularize the 3-technique defensive tackle with John Randle in the 1990s. Like Donald, Randle was 6-foot-1, and as Waufle enters Year 3 with his transcendent young tackle, he is using Teerlinck’s work with Randle as his guiding light. This season, Donald will move around even more on the Rams’ line. He might even rush off the edge.

Donald insists he’s more comfortable in that role as this season begins. He’s quicker. His understanding of the scheme is more complex. His pass-rushing technique has improved. He promises he should get to the quarterback even more often in 2016.

“He’s the best defensive player in football,” Hayes said. “That’s the reality, and I don’t think it’s even really that close. He’s just different. Different than anyone I’ve ever seen.”

* * *

Most of the NFL’s best defensive tackles are still towering, 300-pound behemoths. The five highest-paid players at the position stand at least 6-foot-3 and weigh at least 295 pounds.

But with Donald, that is destined to change. The 2018 season, once his option is picked up, will be the final year of his rookie contract. Before then, the Rams will almost certainly offer Donald a contract that could make him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history, one that could eclipse six years and $120 million.

Such a deal would fall just short of the deal handed to Andrew Luck by the Colts this offseason – a significant investment in any non-quarterback, let alone a defensive tackle. In Donald’s case, though, he looks to be worth it.

Until then, he will keep studying film of past undersized greats, gleaning as many details as he can.

“When you talk about 3-techs – the John Randles, the Warren Sapps, the La’Roi Glovers – I want my name in that conversation,” Donald said. “I’ve got a lot more work to do, but that’s my mindset. I want to be great.”

In the Rams’ own building, one of those greats has watched closely over his first two years in the NFL. A four-time All-Pro with the Saints at just 6-foot-2, 290 pounds, Glover, now the Rams’ director of player engagement, has offered his advice to Donald on occasion, one undersized defensive tackle to another.

But as Waufle understood, Glover isn’t sure how much he can really teach Donald, either. After watching these last two dominant seasons, in fact, he wonders if Donald might already be on a level of his own – an undersized but overpowering nightmare at tackle, with the capability of changing how defenses value the interior.

“I’m not afraid to say it,” Glover said. “He has the potential to be the best ever.”

I apologize if this has been posted previously.

If you can’t get enough of Los Angeles Rams head coach Jeff Fisher, then The Jeff Fisher Show is for you. It airs on September 13 starting at 6:00 p.m. PT on ESPNLA 710 AM. Via the team’s official Twitter: Fisher will be joined by J.B. Long (ESPNLA Rams radio network play-by-play) and former Rams defensive tackle D’Marco Farr. The show will air every Monday night after the premiere. It will be taped live from Bogies at the Westlake Village Inn and open to the public.

Marshall talks about Goff and the Rams, the NFL, and more.....

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