Kayvon Webster locks down starting CB job for Rams

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http://www.espn.com/blog/los-angele...n-webster-locks-down-starting-cb-job-for-rams

Kayvon Webster spent four years buried in the depth chart of a Denver Broncos secondary that was among the game's best. He started only two games during that stretch, both as a rookie.

From 2014 to '16, Webster received a mere 247 defensive snaps, sitting behind the likes of Aqib Talib, Chris Harris and Bradley Roby while forced to make his mark almost exclusively on special teams.

The Los Angeles Rams see him differently.

"Unless something changes, he's starting," Rams coach Sean McVay said of Webster following Monday's practice. "... He's a starting corner that's going to be very important for our defense moving forward."

Heading into training camp, Webster appeared to be in competition with E.J. Gaines for a starting job on the outside opposite Trumaine Johnson. Gaines had a solid rookie year in 2014, then spent the entire 2015 season recovering from a foot injury and dealt with a few lesser ailments last season. But Webster's play and his familiarity with Wade Phillips, also his defensive coordinator with the Broncos these last two years, ultimately gave him the edge.

The Rams will scale back Webster's demands on special teams because they
want him playing every snap for them on defense.

"He's been a huge addition to our secondary," McVay said. "You look at he and Trumaine Johnson, they offer a nice pair at the corner spot. I love the way that he works, and he's been a joy to be around."

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The Rams are off on Tuesday, then host a second joint practice with the Los Angeles Chargers at UC Irvine at 4:30 p.m. PT on Wednesday. Three days later, they'll play their first preseason contest against the Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Leading up to that game, the Rams released an unofficial depth chart.

Quarterback: Jared Goff is the starter, Sean Mannion is the backup and Dan Orlovsky is third string, as expected. The question is whether the Rams will ultimately keep Orlovsky on the 53-man roster. They might, given the youth of their top two quarterbacks.

Running back: It's Todd Gurley, Malcolm Brown, Lance Dunbar, Aaron Green and Justin Davis, respectively. Dunbar's knee injury, which has basically kept him out of practice since signing with the Rams, has opened the door for Brown to be Gurley's backup.

Wide receiver: In a three-receiver set, the Rams listed Tavon Austin, Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp, just like they did before training camp. Problem is, Austin is now dealing with a hamstring injury that has made the Rams very slot heavy. Mike Thomas, activated off the physically unable to perform list on Monday, was listed second in one of the receiver groups, but he is suspended for the first four regular-season games. Josh Reynolds, another vertical threat, was listed fourth in another, but he's dealing with an injured quad.

Tight end: Tyler Higbee is the starter and Gerald Everett is his backup, though they might see a lot of time on the field together. Third is Temarrick Hemingway and fourth is veteran Cory Harkey. That doesn't seem to bode well for Harkey's chances of making the team, but McVay recently said he sees

Harkey as both a tight end and a fullback. The only fullback currently listed on the Rams' depth chart is rookie Sam Rogers.

Offensive line: McVay recently began experimenting with the right side of his offensive line, but Rob Havenstein is listed as the right guard and Jamon Brown is the starting right tackle here. Andrew Whitworth (left tackle), Rodger Saffold (left guard) and John Sullivan (center) are solidified. Pace Murphy and Darrell Williams are listed as the backup tackles. Cody Wichmann and Andrew Donnal are the backup guards, though Donnal has been dealing with a knee injury. Austin Blythe is listed as the backup center.

Defensive line: Dominique Easley tore his ACL and is out for the year, while Aaron Donald continues to hold out (a close look at his situation can be found here). Michael Brockers is the last man standing. He is flanked by Ethan Westbrooks and Louis Trinca-Pasat on this depth chart. Once Donald reports, it'll probably be the more experienced Westbrooks who stays. But several others will get snaps, Trinca-Pasat included. Morgan Fox, Mike Purcell and Tanzel Smart are listed as backups.

Outside linebacker: Connor Barwin and Robert Quinn are the starters, as expected. Matt Longacre and Cassanova McKinzy are their backups. Samson Ebukam, a fourth-round pick out of Eastern Washington, is expected to play a significant role, but he has been among several nursing a soft-tissue injury.
Inside linebacker: No surprise with the starters here, either, with Alec Ogletree and Mark Barron. One mild surprise is that Josh Forrest is listed third string. Forrest was impressing as a rookie before a knee injury prematurely ended his season.


Cornerback: Johnson and Webster are the starters, while Gaines and Nickell Robey-Coleman, a standout slot corner who has impressed during training camp, are the backups. The Rams did a nice job over the offseason of replenishing some depth here. Mike Jordan and Troy Hill, suspended the first two games, are third string.

Safety: Maurice Alexander is the strong safety and Lamarcus Joyner is the free safety. That much has been established. But it'll be interesting to see how much the Rams also use Joyner as a slot corner. John Johnson, a promising third-round pick out of Boston College, is currently third string, which is somewhat surprising. Isaiah Johnson and Cody Davis are listed as backups.

Specialists: The Rams are solid on special teams, with punter Johnny Hekker, kicker Greg Zuerlein and long snapper Jake McQuaide. Austin is currently listed as the only punt returner, but Kupp and Pharoh Cooper are under consideration there, too. Cooper is listed as the kick returner, and it seems safe to say he'll play that role when the regular season begins.
 

Psycho_X

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No surprises really when you consider any injuries. Glad to see Malcolm Brown as backup currently. I really liked the way he ran last preseason and has good to great hands based on the limited time he's played so far. Could be a huge weapon for McVay playing off Gurley in two RB sets.
 

Soul Surfer

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They need to get a good look at EJ Gaines this year to see if he's ready to take over a starter job next year or if they need to pick one high in the draft.

I hope games look so good but he splits time with Webster and then takes over for Trumaine next year.

It would be really nice if Troy Hill or especially Michael Jordan, (at 6'1) can develop into a starter or reliable third.

Sorry to see John Johnson has fallen that far because he's supposedly a safety or a corner.
It might just be rookie jitters and rookie acclimation.
 

LACHAMP46

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They need to get a good look at EJ Gaines this year to see if he's ready to take over a starter job next year or if they need to pick one high in the draft.
I'm drafting a corner if we lose Tru....Always need corner depth and youth....contracts are too crazy.
 

BonifayRam

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Webster is a starter @ BCB as expected. NRC as expected has looked very good & will be our 3rd BCB back up. EJ Gaines as expected is leading the rest of the pack as #4, of Corners over the likes of Hill, Jordan, Peterson, Penton & so on. Nothing new here for me.

The listing of the safeties is odd...due to a couple of SS Isaiah Johnson & Marqui Christian in front of much better players like FS/Nickleback John Johnson & FS/NicklebackBlake Countess. I expect both Isaiah & Marqui not to make the final roster.

The listing of @ ISLBer is interesting I was asking last week here where LB coach Barry was playing Littleton. I would have thought ILB Davis would be listed higher.

The OSLB'er listing has Longacre behind Quinn?? Matt is much better fit on the strong side not weak. Same can be said about McKinzy who is a better weakside LB'er maybe Coach Barry got confused?
 

Adi

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Right now it looks like we have 4 quality corners , be a huge upgrade from last season. Always need depth in the secondary !
 

OldSchool

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He looks like a safety....to replace either Joyner or Mo should they fail to properly develop.
Or even if they develop not be able to resign both since they're FA after this year. Though I think with this coaching we might get some deals on free agency.
 

DaveFan'51

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No surprises really when you consider any injuries. Glad to see Malcolm Brown as backup currently. I really liked the way he ran last preseason and has good to great hands based on the limited time he's played so far. Could be a huge weapon for McVay playing off Gurley in two RB sets.
Gurley and FB Sam Rogers could be used the same way! and Rogers has good hands too!:D
 

Ramstien

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Dunbar's knee injury, which has basically kept him out of practice since signing with the Rams

I was never on board with signing Dunbar even if he was healthy. Aaron Green may be just as good and it looks like Gurley will get more 3rd down snaps in this offense. Looks like money that could have been better spent elsewhere.
 

Merlin

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They need to get a good look at EJ Gaines this year to see if he's ready to take over a starter job next year or if they need to pick one high in the draft.

Gaines will hit FA next year so that ship has probably sailed. Even with a strong year they cannot afford to risk big $$$ on him when they gotta pay AD and Ogletree. Draft and develop is the way forward with CB.
 

lockdnram21

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They need to get a good look at EJ Gaines this year to see if he's ready to take over a starter job next year or if they need to pick one high in the draft.

I hope games look so good but he splits time with Webster and then takes over for Trumaine next year.

It would be really nice if Troy Hill or especially Michael Jordan, (at 6'1) can develop into a starter or reliable third.

Sorry to see John Johnson has fallen that far because he's supposedly a safety or a corner.
It might just be rookie jitters and rookie acclimation.
They are going to draft a CB to play opposite of Webster....Money is going to be needed for other positions
 

drasconis

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Isn't Webster a FA after this year? Got a lot of contracts to deal with after this year....
 

CGI_Ram

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Right now it looks like we have 4 quality corners , be a huge upgrade from last season. Always need depth in the secondary !

I'm feeling pretty good about the CB position right now. I am anxious to see some preseason games, but I like the starters and the depth feels decent to me.

Now... the OL? I am a little more nervous behind the starters.
 

nighttrain

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I'm feeling pretty good about the CB position right now. I am anxious to see some preseason games, but I like the starters and the depth feels decent to me.

Now... the OL? I am a little more nervous behind the starters.
Wade said not to worry, our CB's would be fine
train
 

Adi

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I'm feeling pretty good about the CB position right now. I am anxious to see some preseason games, but I like the starters and the depth feels decent to me.

Now... the OL? I am a little more nervous behind the starters.

Ya, OL will decide where this team goes this year .
 

fanotodd

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Where is Littleton (LB)? The guy was the team ROY, excelling on STs and doing a pretty good job filling in for Forrest down the stretch. The guy reminds me of OTree the way he runs down plays (not OTree's entire game).

Just haven't seen his name mentioned in any camp reports. Curious if he's getting any reps and at which position/team.
 

BonifayRam

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Where is Littleton (LB)? The guy was the team ROY, excelling on STs and doing a pretty good job filling in for Forrest down the stretch. The guy reminds me of OTree the way he runs down plays (not OTree's entire game).

Just haven't seen his name mentioned in any camp reports. Curious if he's getting any reps and at which position/team.
Cory is listed as first reserve behind Mark Barron who is the weak inside LBer.