Los Angeles Rams Training Camp: Aug. 5 Practice Recap

Special teams took on special emphasis today as the Los Angeles Rams held practice at their University of California, Irvine training camp site.

Here are my observations of the day:

Injuries

• Notably missing from this week's earlier practices, WR Pharoh Cooper returned to today's sessions, even partaking in punt returning duties.
• Right tackle Rob Havenstein is still out. Third-year corner E.J. Gaines did not practice as well.

Jared Goff

The Good? Jared Goff connected on a beautiful crossing route with WR Duke Williams for a completion early in 11-on-11s. The Bad? There was plenty. In the same 11-on-11 session, Goff overthrew WR Brian Quick and was intercepted by CB Troy Hill. Later on in in practicr, he was intercepted again by rookie defensive back Jabriel Washington. Goff threw that second interception directly into the defender’s hands.

Offense

• QB battle? Well, the fans started to yell “Put in No. 17,“ so I guess that tells ya.
• WR battle? With his return to practice, Cooper was back in there during team drills. Williams made a nice catch over the middle. Tavon Austin scored a TD (did not get to see if it was a crossing route or a jet sweep). Mike Thomas continues to be a receiver that keeps making plays as well.
• TE? Tyler Higbee is legit y’all. He’s a tough, physical target. He came up with two TDs during red zone drills.
• RB? Aaron Green took one to the house against the third team.
• OL? I made on emphasis to keep my eyes on the “big uglies“ today. Man, I wish I did not because I came away so disappointed. One reason the offensive line is not improving might be because they do a lot of nothing. The entire group just stood as other position groups took part in their respective drills. When they did begin their drills, they were a bit lackadaisical.
• Greg Robinson was the main culprit. He gave minimal effort during the first part of OL drills. During one-on-ones against the defensive line, GROb was easily pushed back. During 11-on=-11s, he wouldn’t finish his blocks, just barely pushing off the defender, but still allowing him to get past him. It really was awful watching this cat today.

Defense

• DE? DE Robert Quinn blew by past Robinson all day. Was not fair at all. Newcomer DE Quinton Coples had himself a nice outing, embarrassing OT Darrell Williams in one-on-one drills. The newbie appreciation did not stop there; DL Dominique Easley got easy penetration over center Eric Kush.
• At this point it’s safe to say that the second starting corner job is Coty Sensabaugh’s to lose? I’d say so. Especially with E.J. Gaines missing practice again.
• The corners had themselves a day. Rookie Jabriel Washington made a nice interception (nice that he held on to it, because it was a rocket). CB Troy Hill also made a nice pick.