5 things to know as Rams kick off OTAs on Monday

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Corbin

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Are these practices mandatory?​

No, these sessions are still voluntary, as workouts have been all offseason thus far. Players won’t be required to attend practice without potential fines until mandatory minicamp from June 13-15. After that, the team won’t be together again until training camp begins in July.
Even though these practices aren’t mandatory, it’ll be worth watching which players attend and which ones decide to skip them. Ideally, the Rams will have full attendance for OTAs.

I Didn't know this, I damn sure hope this doesn't hurt our 14 rook's and more UDFA's!
 
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den-the-coach

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Time for the Special Team to look Special.
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Corbin

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Time for the Special Team to look Special.
bs0babtyuknzs5h7aqyq.jpg

qvjiricfmftlnvzlqisl.jpg

aqrfeurjia1sksenssdb.jpg

exeqonh3nujehxbrltth.jpg
Honestly I'm excited asf to see how this plays out!

Obviously the big one is our Kicker, what's his name? lol The guy who has hella good accuracy?


ps checking in on @dieterbrock How's Sloman doing this year bruh? lol

Don't you say a word about my Goggles!
 

rdlkgliders

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I could be wrong ( as I often am ) but I would think that you can't dictate a player's attendance until they are under contract.
 

Kupped

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They're only "voluntary" if you think it's voluntary to give up your job.

Superstars can get excused from portions of these for various reasons.. if you're a grunt and you're not there.. good luck at cutdown time.
 

Corbin

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I could be wrong ( as I often am ) but I would think that you can't dictate a player's attendance until they are under contract.

They're only "voluntary" if you think it's voluntary to give up your job.

Superstars can get excused from portions of these for various reasons.. if you're a grunt and you're not there.. good luck at cutdown time.

I could be wrong but that doesn't include Rookie Mini Camp does it? And it seems by that post we didn't have one this year?
 

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I could be wrong but that doesn't include Rookie Mini Camp does it? And it seems by that post we didn't have one this year?
Rams don't do a rookie mini-camp.. and a lot of the league seems to be copying them.

Unless I'm mistaken.. they prefer to ramp the guys up, getting them familiar with the ins and outs of being an NFL player.. more of an orientation than camp.

I think the expectation is that these guys are already working their asses off, on their own, and that it's more important to have them set up for success, meaning no outside distractions, once things really start.
 

Corbin

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Rams don't do a rookie mini-camp.. and a lot of the league seems to be copying them.

Unless I'm mistaken.. they prefer to ramp the guys up, getting them familiar with the ins and outs of being an NFL player.. more of an orientation than camp.

I think the expectation is that these guys are already working their asses off, on their own, and that it's more important to have them set up for success, meaning no outside distractions, once things really start.
Agh that's right, I seem to recall that now.

As always, I trust in our coaching staff to know what's better as far this getting these guys up to speed. Very excited with this crop of players this year! I have a feeling those guys from Vanderbilt and Toledo are going to be pretty solid towards the end of the year and beast in the coming few.
 

rdlkgliders

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The direct answer is No they are not mandatory, but rookies are "expected" to attend, also they will receive a stipend or per diem which is likely incentive enough @ over $1000 a day I believe.
 
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Corbin

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The Los Angeles Rams have officially entered Phase 3 of their offseason workout program, which means the start of OTAs (organized team activities). It’s the next step in the process as they continue to prepare for the 2023 season, ramping up the intensity a bit before mandatory minicamp and eventually training camp.

The Rams begin OTAs on Monday, as do 19 other teams across the NFL. These won’t be high-tempo practices with tackling the way training camp sessions are, but team drills are now permitted.

Here are five things to know as the Rams get things underway on Monday in Thousand Oaks.

1
How many days of OTAs will there be?​

Teams are allowed to hold 10 days of OTAs, which is exactly how many the Rams will have. They’ll begin with a two-day session on May 22-23, followed by one practice on May 25, two on May 30-31, one on June 2 and four straight days from June 5-8.
Reporters will only be permitted to attend the practices on May 23, 30 and June 6, so it won’t be like training camp where videos and highlights are shared daily by reporters. We’ll have to rely on videos and photos shared by the Rams’ social media accounts.

2
Are these practices mandatory?​

No, these sessions are still voluntary, as workouts have been all offseason thus far. Players won’t be required to attend practice without potential fines until mandatory minicamp from June 13-15. After that, the team won’t be together again until training camp begins in July.
Even though these practices aren’t mandatory, it’ll be worth watching which players attend and which ones decide to skip them. Ideally, the Rams will have full attendance for OTAs.

3
Will rookies be in attendance?​

The Rams didn’t hold a traditional rookie minicamp like every other team, but rookies will be on the field for these OTA sessions. They’ve been in the building for about a week now and have gotten in some individual drills, but during OTAs, they’ll get to participate in team drills and more organized practice sessions.
Competition won’t heat up until camp but this is valuable practice time for the first-year players in L.A.

4
What are the Rams allowed to do during these practices?​

Up to this point, teams have only been allowed to run group and individual drills at a walk-through pace, with no offense vs. defense plays. They’ve only been able to have offensive players line up against offensive players, and defenders on defenders.
However, with the start of OTAs, the Rams can run offense vs. defense sessions. They just can’t have live contact, so tackling is not permitted yet. Players will be in helmets, though. And during OTAs, the Rams can run 7-on-7, 9-on-9 and 11-on-11 drills, so there will be more team settings on the field, which is exciting.

5
Who are some players to watch?​

There are a lot of new faces on the Rams’ roster, all of whom bear watching. Some positions will get more out of these practice sessions than others, though. For instance, defensive linemen and running backs don’t benefit as much from these non-contact sessions as cornerbacks, wide receivers and quarterbacks do. And it’ll be almost impossible to get a gauge on how the offensive line or pass rushers are performing in practice, too.
That being said, it’ll be worth monitoring the development of Cobie Durant and Derion Kendrick, as well as the initial impressions of Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson. Tight end Hunter Long will be one to watch, as well.
Ernest Jones is taking over for Bobby Wagner as the top linebacker, and with Jordan Fuller back healthy, he should be on the field with the first-team defense a lot. This is a good time for Tutu Atwell and Puka Nacua to make a good impression on the coaches as they push for that No. 3 spot behind Cooper Kupp and Van Jefferson.
Of course, Stetson Bennett is someone fans are very interested to hear about, even if it’s only during these spring practices.
 

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I Didn't know this, I damn sure hope this doesn't hurt our 14 rook's and more UDFA's!
Team won't say it but if you're a young player and you're not at OTAs you'd better have a real good reason (like a death in the family) otherwise you're probably the wrong type of dude for the roster.

Vets, sure. Some of them don't need that shit. Though the great players will be there I'm sure, showing the kids how to approach shit.
 

Merlin

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Also what a cool surprise that OTAs started today. Had no idea. I am out of touch as hell this offseason.
 

Corbin

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Team won't say it but if you're a young player and you're not at OTAs you'd better have a real good reason (like a death in the family) otherwise you're probably the wrong type of dude for the roster.

Vets, sure. Some of them don't need that shit. Though the great players will be there I'm sure, showing the kids how to approach shit.

Also what a cool surprise that OTAs started today. Had no idea. I am out of touch as hell this offseason.
Damnit getting used to your new avatar! lol

Yes I was shocked when I seen it earlier!

Anyways, Yeah I always assumed they were mandatory for the rook's but that makes sense, you better have your ass there ready. I'm sure for 95% that's not an issue.
 

Jorgeh0605

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It's not mandatory, but making the 53 man roster is also not mandatory...
 

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Any guesses on which newbie will be the camp star? Last year it was McCutcheon. Who will it be this year? Being camp star is like the kiss of death though. Guys like Nelson Spruce and McCutcheon didn't see the field when the real games started.