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Countdown to Camp #3: Out with the old, in with the new for the 2019 Los Angeles Rams

I don’t know why you say goodbye. I say hello!

Los Angeles Rams rookies S Taylor Rapp, left, and CB David Long, Jr., watch a video about the Rams’ new stadium opening for the 2020 season before touring the construction site, Jun. 7, 2019.
Los Angeles Rams rookies S Taylor Rapp, left, and CB David Long, Jr., watch a video about the Rams’ new stadium opening for the 2020 season before touring the construction site, Jun. 7, 2019.
Photo by Scott Varley/MediaNews Group/Daily Breeze via Getty Images

As we near the opening of training camp for the 2019 Los Angeles Rams, we’re counting down the top storylines.


Personnel turnover is a constant in the NFL forced upon every team. Roughly 13 of most 90-man rosters are new every year while 53-man rosters see about 25% turnover.

So it is for the 2019 Los Angeles Rams.

Five starters are gone: LG Rodger Saffold III, C John Sullivan, DL Ndamukong Suh, ILB Mark Barron and S Lamarcus Joyner. While many of their replacements will come from in-house replacements climbing up the depth chart, the Rams brought in seasoned veterans in free agency and a very intriguing haul via the 2019 NFL Draft.

From free agency, LB Clay Matthews and S Eric Weddle arrived to try and cap off their stellar careers with a Super Bowl run. QB Blake Bortles is on a one-year trainer after struggling as the starter for the Jacksonville Jaguars; he’ll find a more permanent home next year.

And then there’s the rookies.

From the draft, you’ve got additions to the secondary in S Taylor Rapp and CB David Long, Jr. The Rams beefed up the offensive line depth with OL Bobby Evans and OT David Edwards. DL Greg Gaines is pegged to get attention at nose tackle. And fans will certainly take notice of RB Darrell Henderson in training camp to say nothing of what he might do in the preseason before hitting the field in the regular season.

The Rams went all-in on a Super Bowl or Bust campaign last year. It worked. But now, they’re transitioning out of that into something more sustainable on the backs of the rookies and the youth across the roster.

So while there’s nothing to go off of with so many players yet to see much action, there’s reason to be excited.

And it the first chance to see the reason for that excitement takes shape in camp.