:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46481574/usa-today-7292115.0.jpg)
The Rams are back at it today with OTA #3. Words from Fish & Foles if you missed it. Let's swing around the major storylines.
The Offensive Line
Greg Robinson and Rodger Saffold sat out yesterday (more on that below), so the Rams' line was even more hodgepodge (from LT to RT): Brandon Washington, Garrett Reynolds, Barrett Jones, Jamon Brown and Rob Havenstein. Yikes. Unsurprisingly, the offense was harassed by the defensive pressure and struggled overall. With just more than two months to the first preseason game, this is going to take some time to get right.
Injuries
Todd Gurley: knee.
Brian Quick: shoulder.
Rodger Saffold: shoulder.
Greg Robinson: toe.
Those were the big four yesterday, with Gurley and Quick the only injuries needing extended time to rehab. The latter three did, however, participate in some individual drills so nothing all that concerning overall.
RB Todd Gurley did some limited work on the side. He's still a ways away from practicing.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) June 4, 2015
TE Alex Bayer was not seen at practice Thurs.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) June 4, 2015
Rams 6th-round draft pick Cody Wichmann didn't finishThurs. OTA session. Had ice on left calf.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) June 4, 2015
The Rookies
There's not a ton to be gleaned from OTA highlights, but Imoan Claiborne was unable to stop the biggest offensive play of the day - a deep pass from Nick Foles to Kenny Britt. All in all though, this is just warming up for camp. If we're fast-forwarding beyond OTAs, the real takeaway is Jamon Brown and Rob Havenstein seemingly entrenched as your starters at right guard and right tackle.
Defense
Yesterday reinforced this storyline: the defense is going to have to carry this team, at least through the early part of the schedule. They've got veteran expertise and overall talent far beyond the offense. It showed. Note Akeem Ayers' participation with the 1's was pretty heavy, though that may have been due to Mark Barron plugging in for T.J. McDonald.
OTA Offseason Workouts: June 2, June 4-5, June 8-9, June 11, June 15-16, June 18-19
(UPDATED, 4:26pm, June 5)
Media filing reports:
#Rams continue to rotate centers with the first unit. That seems to be the plan for Tim Barnes, Barrett Jones and Demetrius Rhaney for now.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) June 5, 2015
Rams did a lot of situational work Friday, including red zone period and two-minute drill.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) June 5, 2015
Not practicing Fri: WR Damian Williams; S T.J. McDonald; G Cody Wichmann; LT Greg Robinson; TE Alex Bayer, and of course, RB Todd Gurley.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) June 5, 2015
LT Greg Robinson, coming off offseason toe surgery, is a svelte 319 _ about 20 pounds lighter than last season. Wants to improve quickness.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) June 5, 2015
Interesting note, that last one. Couple it with Nick Wagoner's revelation that the Rams are adding more zone blocking into their offensive system this year, and it sounds like a pretty substantial change of how the Rams' offensive line plans to conduct business.