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The Los Angeles Rams credentialed us for this practice so we were able to get our own Skye Sverdlin (@Skyeattolah) and Eddie Perez (@iAmEddieP_) on-site to cover training camp today as media. I hope it serves as an opening to cover the team more from the fans’ perspective with the access provided media.
Our two guys got a ton covered from the field today that helped show where the Rams are at with just one more camp practice remaining tomorrow.
#LARams LIVE: Press conferences following joint practice with Chargers https://t.co/ItYRwxEMAF
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) August 3, 2019
Injuries
I’m writing this right as practice is ending, so Head Coach Sean McVay hasn’t talked to the media yet. So no update on the two players who didn’t dress today in DL John Franklin-Myers (roster preview) and EDGE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (roster preview), but whatever’s keeping Obo off the field needs to end soon. For someone who missed all of the camp/preseason last year after breaking his foot and then missing the entire 2018 regular season, he sorely needed to show out in this year’s camp/preseason. That he’s not on the field yet again is a troublesome sign whatever the reason.
Obo running out of time. Needs to get right and get on the field and impress quickly. https://t.co/wfRIO2D7UZ
— TurfShowTimes (@TurfShowTimes) August 3, 2019
#Rams are hopeful he’ll be good to go by next week. It’s disappointing he’s not out there but they feel it’s best to play it safe now and get a good look at him during preseason games. So still time for him to open eyes https://t.co/mL2KPAQ5o3
— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) August 3, 2019
Offense
Tons on the line today:
Technically Brian Allen @BAllen65_ went to Michigan State, but he acts like a snarling wolverine over the ball. Very vocal out there, and that's a good thing. #RamsCamp #Rams
— skyeattolah (@Skyeattolah) August 3, 2019
Now Edwards at LG and Evans at RG. CROSSTRAIN!
— skyeattolah (@Skyeattolah) August 3, 2019
Demby getting reps as the second team center
— skyeattolah (@Skyeattolah) August 3, 2019
Some OL position groupings: OL Bobby Evans in at RG. Demby at C.
— TurfShowTimes (@TurfShowTimes) August 3, 2019
Back on the Rams offense side. OL Evans at RT.
— TurfShowTimes (@TurfShowTimes) August 3, 2019
Elsewhere:
TG running strong.
— TurfShowTimes (@TurfShowTimes) August 3, 2019
Goff with a deep connection with Kuppover the middle. #kuuuuuuup chants followed
— TurfShowTimes (@TurfShowTimes) August 3, 2019
And yea, the reports are true: Jared is lookin’ #thicc
— TurfShowTimes (@TurfShowTimes) August 3, 2019
Defense
This one on LB Bryce Hager made some waves:
Bryce Hager in with the 1s at inside LB
— TurfShowTimes (@TurfShowTimes) August 3, 2019
Second day in a row that Bryce Hager getting first team reps over Micah Kiser at Mike LB in base defense
— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) August 3, 2019
FYI on #Rams Mike LB competition: Micah Kiser and Bryce Hager are alternating first-team reps one day to next, which is why Hager got bulk of them today. Rams want to make the competition as fair as possible. At some point, a decision will be made on who the starter is.
— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) August 3, 2019
LB Travin Howard is listed at 6-1 219 but dude looks the part of an LB. Doesn’t look too undersized
— TurfShowTimes (@TurfShowTimes) August 3, 2019
UDFA Gervase almost came up with a pick.
— TurfShowTimes (@TurfShowTimes) August 3, 2019
OLB Samson Ebukam with a nice pass rush rep.
— TurfShowTimes (@TurfShowTimes) August 3, 2019
Really good sequence for #Rams defense getting the #Chargers offense off the field in four plays during a 2-minute drill
— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) August 3, 2019
Special Teams
One of the things I’ve been wondering throughout camp is if anyone was going to get some love from Special Teams Coordinator John Fassel as a potential challenger for KR/PR JoJo Natson (roster preview). While his quickness lends itself to a return role, his production last year wasn’t superb for what has historically been a superb return unit. Also, his size limits him to return duties only. So instead of having a returner that could offer skills somewhere else on the depth chart as former Rams returners have like Benny Cunningham, Tavon Austin, Pharoh Cooper and Blake Countess, Natson would be taking up a spot on the 53-man roster without offering any other capabilities. So to hear he had a day like this at least firms up his chances of sticking around this year:
If the NFL went to flag football rules because of the concussions and whatnot, the Rams’ JoJo Natson would be an All-Pro receiver. The Bolts defense can barely get a hand on him in these non-tackle scrimmages.
— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) August 3, 2019
The Rams close out training camp tomorrow with one final practice. After tomorrow, the Rams head up north to get in two joint practices with the Oakland Raiders at their training camp hub in Napa, California, on Wednesday and Thursday ahead of the preseason opener against the Raiders. With the game on Saturday, no word on if the standard Wednesday-Thursday-Friday practices are getting pushed back a day which would mean a Tuesday session.
So as it stands, we wrap camp tomorrow. We get the joint practices with the Raiders on Wednesday and Thursday and then the game meaning we’re going to see plenty of the Rams on Hard Knocks with the Raiders in front of the cameras this year.
A week from today, the preseason starts.
Get ready.