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The Los Angeles Rams held their final public practice today. It's a good thing that HBO's Hard Knocks is still around to document what happens after today.
With the Rams heading to Denver to face the reigning Super Bowl champions, here are the big tidbits captured from practice.
Injuries
@RyenM_20 Spruce not expected to play. Williams is still around, he’ll play. Gaines is looking good and healthy.
— Myles Simmons (@MylesASimmons) August 25, 2016
The big news is that CB E.J. Gaines is finally healthy enough that the Rams do not have to worry about him anymore. Of course, it was great to see him on the field against the Kansas City Chiefs last week. It is even better to to hear that he is fully healthy.
The bad news is that WR Nelson Spruce and RT Rob Havenstein will not play this week.
Jared Goff
"He came a long ways, this is his first time ever calling plays out of the huddles - he's going to be good for sure," Todd Gurley on Goff
— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) August 26, 2016
Goff throws a dime down left sideline to Mike Thomas. Complete for 30+ yds. Perfect toss, in stride. #RamsCamp
— J.B. Long (@JB_Long) August 26, 2016
It sounds like every week QB Jared Goff has been getting better. This weekend, though, will be a big one for Goff.
He does not have to play mistake free against the Broncos, but he does have to at least show that he can play on Sundays. Oh, and WR Mike Thomas needs to learn how to make these type of plays in games and not just practice.
Offense
P. Cooper makes a couple nice catches from Keenum, going head first to the turf to make the 2nd of the two. #RamsCamp
— J.B. Long (@JB_Long) August 26, 2016
A chant of "MVP...MVP" for @TG3II as he's mobbed following final open-to-the-public #RamsCamp session. #Rams pic.twitter.com/mM0O7H9dqC
— J.B. Long (@JB_Long) August 26, 2016
WR Pharoh Cooper is going to have to be the lynchpin of the offense this season, and he has been showing up in practice. Cooper is going to be an important part of the Rams offense, so it is good to see him making not only making routine plays, but clutch catches.
Oh yeah, just in case you didn't know, RB Todd Gurley is considered a big deal.
Defense
CB Lamarcus Joyner INT of Goff in goal line drill would have been pick six.
— Gary Klein (@LATimesklein) August 26, 2016
@seattlerams_nfl a legitimate question within the lols! Johnson, McDonald, Alexander, Gaines. (Joyner the nickel)
— Myles Simmons (@MylesASimmons) August 25, 2016
So it appears as though Gaines is firmly the starter opposite of CB Trumaine Johnson. Although S Maurice Alexander did not play against the Chiefs, he is still a starting safety. Now that there are no questions as to who will be starting where, all that matters is that they play solid on Saturday, especially since this will be the first chance that the starting squad will play together.