Rams NFL combine thoughts: Jalen Ramsey return, resurrecting the run game

Hi all,

I’m Bill Williamson, and I’ll be working on this great, passionate community often. I couldn’t be more excited about it and the opportunity to get to know you all, as well. So here’s a little about myself: I have covered the NFL for the past 24 seasons, and spent eight of those working at ESPN.

That means I’m old enough to have lived through many shades of Rams’ helmets and uniforms.

I was there when my childhood best friend, David, had to watch his beloved Rams’ lose Super Bowl XIV on his birthday … he barely was able to eat his Rams’ helmet-shaped cake that night. Then less than a decade later, Dave and I snuck into a Rams-49ers Monday Nighter at Candlestick Park (with a little help from a yellow-jacket security guard). We must have been good luck charms, as the Rams won 27-20.

As a journalist, I was in Atlanta to watch the Greatest Show on Turf win Super Bowl XXXIV. So how far away are the present day Rams from winning another Super Bowl? We shall see, but I must admit, I’m a big believer in Sean McVay.

On that hopeful note, here are some random early NFL combine Rams’ thoughts:

The Rams want to extend the contract of cornerback Jalen Ramsey, but they know it won’t be easy.

We all know the Rams paid handsomely last October to pry Ramsey from Jacksonville. We also know the Rams currently have a tight salary cap. So, Rams’ general manager Les Snead is correct in presenting his thoughts this way. Surely, the Rams will do everything they can to keep Ramsey. That’s why they dealt for him, but it would be disingenuous of Snead to act like a deal will be easily executed.

Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images

The Rams’ brass believes they can improve on the ground in 2020.

It’s only February, but it is encouraging that McVay and Snead know how important this area is.

The Rams were 26th in the NFL, averaging 93.7 rushing yards a game in 2019. In 2018, the Rams were third in the NFL, averaging 139.4 yards per game. That was a huge reason why the Rams failed to make the playoffs in 2019.

Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images

Of course, a healthy and productive Todd Gurley and an improved offensive line will go a long way into turning the Rams around on the ground in 2020.

Let me know what you think, and feel free to say “hi” in the comments below.