Aug-02 / 1st day pads offense/defense

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JackDRams

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Big ups for Duke, Thomas and Spruce it seams. Keep up the good work guys.
 

lockdnram21

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U not really hearing anything about Britt. Hopefully This the year Quick or Thomas or somebody can be a #1
 

LACHAMP46

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U not really hearing anything about Britt.
Well, there were reports that he had the best testing time...and came to camp in phenomenal shape....It seems that he's working with the 1's...tavon too...and not really targeted often....as I wouldn't either...

similarly, it looks like Goff and his receivers are going against the 2nd & 3rd stringers...

from the tv...he looks like a stud...and can get deep on every play...the key is still, can Keenum get the ball to him...and like you stated, probably not....
 

DR RAM

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Well, there were reports that he had the best testing time...and came to camp in phenomenal shape....It seems that he's working with the 1's...tavon too...and not really targeted often....as I wouldn't either...

similarly, it looks like Goff and his receivers are going against the 2nd & 3rd stringers...

from the tv...he looks like a stud...and can get deep on every play...the key is still, can Keenum get the ball to him...and like you stated, probably not....
He's showing leadership in every clip that I see him. I think Fisher said he was the fastest WR tested this year. He had a good catch today that I saw. Quick had a nice catch in the EZ also.
 

hotanez

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He's showing leadership in every clip that I see him. I think Fisher said he was the fastest WR tested this year. He had a good catch today that I saw. Quick had a nice catch in the EZ also.
I just saw those plays. They both looked good the little I saw of them. I will not get excited about Quick until I see him in preseason.
 

den-the-coach

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Jared Goff shows off his arm and release to Rams and fans at training camp

By Gary Klein

[www.latimes.com]

It was only one pass, one late-practice throw.

And it seemed, for an instant, to momentarily freeze the Rams’ practice on Tuesday at UC Irvine.

Rookie quarterback Jared Goff had dropped back, stepped up to avoid the rush and zipped a spiral deep through the defense and into the hands of receiver Nelson Spruce.

It marked the first time the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft truly showed the arm and release that caused the Rams’ brain trust to trade numerous draft picks for the opportunity to select the former California standout.

Goff had displayed flashes during rookie camp workouts after the draft and during off-season and organized team activities in Oxnard.

But Tuesday was the first time that the Rams were in pads.

So when Goff stepped up and delivered, the crowd in the nearby bleachers roared. And though the play came with the second-team offense operating against the second-team defense, players and coaches appeared to sense the moment.

“He made some really good throws,” Coach Jeff Fisher said of Goff, adding, “We added a little bit of noise so they had to focus in the huddle and I thought he took charge of it.

“He’s progressing well.”

Goff is attempting to supplant Case Keenum at the top of the depth chart. He will need to make plays like he did Tuesday against the first-team defense and against exhibition opponents to convince Fisher that he is capable of starting the Sept. 12 season opener against the San Francisco 49ers.

Whether it happens at the outset or during the season remains to be seen, but it is only a matter of time before Goff ascends to become the starter.

Keenum, for his part, has looked comfortable in the role for now.

On Tuesday, he made several impressive plays, including a touchdown pass in a tight window to Brian Quick and a touchdown pass to Tavon Austin in the left corner of the end zone.

“I’m doing my job,” Keenum said. “When I’m at quarterback, I’m running the show. … It’s my huddle, my squad, my offense and I’m taking ownership of it.”

Comeback trail

Defensive end Robert Quinn took part in the team drills as he attempts to return to full strength after back surgery.

Quinn, 25, was a Pro Bowl selection in 2013 and 2014 before he was injured last season.

“I’m feeling more and more like my normal self,” he said. “They’re taking their time, making sure I’m healing properly and building my strength back up without trying to overwork me.”

Quinn, William Hayes, Eugene Sims and Aaron Coples are among the ends that will flank tackles Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers on a line that is regarded as a Rams’ strength.

“By Game 1, I should be full-go,” Quinn said.


Fisher said there was no rush.

“We’re going to watch him,” he said. “His reps probably aren’t up to where they normally would be. He’ll get there.”

Cornering the market

E.J. Gaines and Lamarcus Joyner are competing to replace Janoris Jenkins at the cornerback spot opposite Trumaine Johnson.

Both have made plays during team drills. Joyner intercepted a Keenum pass on Tuesday.

Gaines started 15 games in 2014 but suffered a foot injury during training camp last August and was sidelined for the season after surgery. He said after the first workout on Saturday that his goal was to prove himself and “show that I haven’t lost a step.”

Notes

Rookie receiver Pharoh Cooper was held out because of a quadriceps issue, Fisher said. … Rookie receiver Duke Williams and Tyler Higbee followed impressive performances during Monday’s special teams workout with more good plays Tuesday. … Rookie receiver Michael Thomas made several difficult catches during red-zone passing drills. … With tackle Rob Havenstein still sidelined, Rodger Saffold is playing right tackle, Cody Wichmann left guard.


An autograph-signing session featuring quarterbacks and tight ends will be held after Wednesday’s practice. Autographs are limited to fans 14 and under…. The Rams will hold their inaugural Family Day on Saturday at the Coliseum in conjunction with a team practice. The 3 p.m. event is free but requires registration for a ticket through Ticketmaster. Gates open at 1 p.m. Parking is $20. The event includes a kids zone area and other activities. According to a release from the Rams, prohibited items include, but are not limited to: purses larger than a clutch bag, coolers, briefcases, backpacks, fanny packs, cinch bags, luggage of any kind, seat cushions, computer bags and camera bags. Information: info@rams.nfl.com.
 

den-the-coach

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Practice Report 8/2 - Offense Finds a Rhythm in Pads


Myles Simmons

[www.therams.com]

The Rams took another step in their preparation for the 2016 season, going through their first full practice with pads.

Monday’s special teams-only session gave a little taste of what was to come, but Los Angeles had a spirited practice in front of another nice crowd on Tuesday — this time with popping pads.

While head coach Jeff Fisher put the club in a number of different situations, the offense seemed to get the better of the defense in just about all of them on this particular day.

“As you see, we added another phase. We moved into the red zone today and the offense made a lot of plays, a lot of good throws, a lot of good catches,” Fisher said. “We had a lot of good work in the special teams period and got a lot of work just throwing the ball into tight areas in the red zone, which is hard. I thought all of the quarterbacks did a nice job today.”

Indeed, whether it was in two-on-one drills with QBs and wideouts vs. cornerbacks, 7-on-7, or 11-on-11 the offense was consistent in making plays.

“Everybody was just playing sound football today,” wide receiver Tavon Austin said. “Everybody did what they were supposed to do — nobody was extra. Our energy level was up.”


“I think we just came out and competed and we had guys knowing their responsibilities. I think we worked with good tempo,” quarterback Case Keenum said. “It was a good day for us — a good day to build on. I think we set the bar and I want to get better tomorrow.”

Keenum and wide receiver Kenny Britt connected on a number of passes, displaying their running chemistry that dates back to last season. Britt caught a pass of at least 25 yards from Keenum in each of the Rams’ final four games, two of which went for touchdowns.

“Obviously, you feed off of good plays — great plays. I think they like it when you throw them touchdowns. I like it when they catch touchdowns and get open,” Keenum said. “So I think that sort of stuff builds camaraderie and … chemistry between receivers and quarterbacks.”

Keenum also had some nice throws to Austin and Brian Quick, showing good command of the first unit.

But rookie Jared Goff had a strong day with the second unit, too, displaying many of the traits that induced L.A. to trade up to No. 1 for him.

“I thought he did well. He made some really good throws — a couple, the balls should have been caught,” Fisher said. “I thought he was making really good decisions. We had a little bit of noise the last period, so they had to focus in the huddle and I thought he took charge of it. He’s progressing well.”

Fellow rookie Mike Thomas was on the receiving end of a good number of Goff’s passes, and did well to reel in the vast majority of them. But the Cal product’s best throw of the day may have been when he uncorked a ball down the right seam to undrafted WR Nelson Spruce, who ran it in for a touchdown. Spruce is another player receiver who always seems to catch the ball when it’s in his orbit.

With so many receivers competing for a roster spot, Austin described the vibe in the position’s room as competitive, but in the best way possible.

“One thing I like about all of us — all of us look at it like we’re brothers,” Austin said. “Nobody is ever hating on each other. We’re always motivating the next person — especially me. I’m always motivating the next person to get better, because that’s only going to up my game.”

And so while the offense looked sharp on Tuesday, Fisher said the unit better come with it on Wednesday.

“I’m expecting the defense to answer a little bit tomorrow,” the head coach said. “The offense is probably going to need to strap it up a little bit tomorrow. It was a good day overall.”

EXTRA POINTS

— Rookie wide receiver Pharoh Cooper has not practiced for the last couple of days, but Fisher said he should return to the practice field soon. 


“He’s got a little thing going in his quad,” Fisher said. “You push through it, it may be two weeks, [but] if you back him off, it might be a couple days. That’s what we’ve got going there. He’ll be fine.”

— After a back injury prematurely ended Robert Quinn’s 2015 season, the defensive end spent most of OTAs doing rehab work on the side. He did participate in some parts of individual drills for the D-line, but did not venture into the 11-on-11 sessions.

Now Quinn has been getting some snaps during team drills — but not too many.

“That was not an easy thing that he went through last year,” Fisher said. “A lot of hard work during the offseason, step-by-step-by-step to where we are right now.

“He’s 100 percent, but it doesn’t make sense – when you have a racehorse like that, you have got to watch him,” Fisher continued. “We’re going to watch him, his reps aren’t, probably aren’t up, to where he normally would be, but he’ll get there. It just makes sense just to protect him.”

Fisher added Quinn will likely see some snaps in preseason games. But, as it is every year with proven veterans such as Quinn, even if he’s in, he won’t play too much.

— After a tough practice on Sunday, wide receiver Duke Williams has put together a nice two-practice string over the last two days. Fisher said Williams has done a lot of work since the offseason program to get to this point.

“Duke came in, knew he had a once in a lifetime opportunity based on some of the things that happened in his history,” the head coach said. “We gave him that opportunity and he took advantage of it. Went off in the summer and came back, took a lot of weight off and he’s doing well.”

— Finally, the Rams signed two wide receivers to boost depth at the position — Austin Hill and David Richards. Both wideouts played their college ball at Arizona.