Rams' 6 biggest strengths heading into training camp

[ROD-BOT]

Rams' 6 biggest strengths heading into training camp

The Rams have a lot of things to sort out in training camp, from the offensive line to the defensive scheme under Brandon Staley. There are certainly some weaknesses on this team, but there are als…

theramswire.usatoday.com

Rams' 6 biggest strengths heading into training camp

The Rams have a lot of things to sort out in training camp, from the offensive line to the defensive scheme under Brandon Staley. There are certainly some weaknesses on this team, but there are also plenty of strengths.

Even after a disappointing season in 2019 and an underwhelming offseason that was filled with losses, the Rams are in decent shape heading into this season.

Here are their six biggest strengths as they enter training camp.

Defensive line talent

Aaron Donald is the best player on the team and the top defender in football, so the defensive line is automatically a strength. It doesn’t hurt that the Rams also have two quality run defenders in Michael Brockers and A’Shawn Robinson, as well as good depth behind them with Sebastian Joseph-Day and Greg Gaines.

Outside of Donald, this group may not be loaded with pass-rush talent, but that should come from the outside linebacker position. The defensive line will stand out against the run with those big three starters up front.

Wide receiver reliability

Even without Brandin Cooks, the Rams’ receiving corps is as good as they come in the NFL right now. Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp are both underrated playmakers, and the confidence Jared Goff has in them is undeniable. They do a great job getting open for Goff and combined, they have just 10 total drops in the last two seasons on 458 targets.

Josh Reynolds and Van Jefferson will compete for the No. 3 receiver job and both seem like capable starters. Reynolds already has experience in this role, while Jefferson is considered a combination of Kupp and Woods. His route running and hands will be on display early.

The secondary

The Rams secondary was ranked ninth in the NFL by Pro Football Focus, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them finish even higher at the end of the season. Jalen Ramsey and Troy Hill give the Rams a pair of really good corners, especially if they plan to run man coverage a lot. There aren’t many young safety duos in the NFL better than Taylor Rapp and John Johnson, either, and they should continue to flourish as they play together more.

The nickel spot is still up for grabs, but Terrell Burgess, David Long and Darious Williams could surprise some people and put together a strong season. The secondary is absolutely a strength of this team.

Offensive scheme

Sean McVay is a tireless worker and never seems satisfied with his success – similar to the mindset Donald has. After a down year in 2019, you can bet McVay will be back this season with an improved offensive scheme that will capitalize on the talent Los Angeles has on that side of the ball.

The Rams’ scheme is already one of the best in the league, keeping defenses on their toes with pre-snap motion, play-action passes and outstanding route combinations, but don’t expect McVay to simply sit back and rest on his laurels.

Playmaking tight ends

Tight end has turned into a highly important position on offense, as gone are the days of them being more athletic linemen. Tyler Higbee and Gerald Everett are both athletic receivers who can also hold up as blockers, with their best assets being their ability to make plays in the passing game.

Higbee had four straight 100-yard games late last season, while Everett has shown potential (without breaking out) when healthy the last two years. If the Rams properly utilize their tight ends, this could be one of the best tandems in football.

Running back versatility

Pro Football Focus may not think highly of the Rams’ running back room, but it’s a group filled with potential – and versatility. Cam Akers is a do-it-all back who can contribute on all three downs, both as a runner and receiver. Darrell Henderson is a nice complement as a slasher and change-of-pace back, also proving to be a good pass catcher. Malcolm Brown brings a hard-nosed running style in short-yardage situations, which is where he figures to work in 2020.

All three players have the potential to be the No. 1 back in L.A., but they also have separate skill sets that will allow them to contribute in specific roles.

 

[Lunchbox]

...and the only mention of Goff is in the section on wide receivers. He is almost criminally underrated IMO.

 

[den-the-coach]

...and the only mention of Goff is in the section on wide receivers. He is almost criminally underrated IMO.

IMO, Goff is always going to be one of those QB's people much about until he wins a few Super Bowls, then everyone will write, what you just communicated, how underrated he is or was.

 

[majrleaged]

...and the only mention of Goff is in the section on wide receivers. He is almost criminally underrated IMO.

my thoughts exactly. QB is at least a top six strength. Duh!

 

[Neil039]

I believe Goff will get his due in 3-5 years. There are a few extremely deep teams that haven’t hit salary cap he’ll yet. When they do players will leave. The Rams have solid key position players in place for a few years(minus the two biggies of Kupp and Ramsey). They are truly O line play away from making another solid run late into the post season. The Brass feel they have their guys so hopefully it works out. Then Goff will get his overdue appreciation IMO.

 

[oldnotdead]

Even the Rams own media are down on this team. I see a championship-caliber roster if used correctly. It starts with the o-line and unlike most I see the talent there to be a very good unit. The problem has been playing people out of position and not to their strengths. Edwards and Evans is a perfect example of that. Edwards consistently played too high as an OG but a lot of that had to do with his length and playing a position he had never played. Evans by his physical metrics is far better suited to play RG. Last year Noteboom struggled badly being expected to start at a position he'd never played. Played in his natural position of LT in 2018 he performed very well. It was like the coaches assumed both positions were alike just like they did with Edwards on the opposite side. They had Shelton and Brewer, both far better suited to play OG. If the position coaches get it sorted out properly this could be a very good o-line.

WR is a true strength of this team. It has very good depth with one of the best trio of starting receivers in Woods, Kupp, and Jefferson. This group is a match for any secondary. Now add in the most underrated TEs in the league in Higbee and Everett and this team has a passing threat that will outmatch most defenses if the o-line simply plays well in front of Goff.

Now we come to the most underrated player on the entire team. Goff showed something last year that very few players can accomplish. With poor o-line play in front of him and no run support in the offense he virtually put it on his back and carried the entire offense to what should have been a 10-6 record and the playoffs except for a missed FG. Goff showed why he's an elite talent. He never gave up despite being pummeled all during the season. Let me give an example of what I'm saying. A few years ago Eli Manning struggled with a poor o-line and there were games in which the fear in him was completely obvious. Also obvious was how he tanked in some games by simply giving up. I have never seen that in Goff. It doesn't matter how talented of receivers a team has if the QB can't get them the ball. People blame him for the team's bad performance. It wasn't Goff blowing blocks, dropping passes, not reading the run gaps properly. It wasn't Goff, not playing the scheme defensively allowing for easy completions. He didn't play soft in the middle against opposing offenses. Goff wasn't the cause of the poor performance of this team, in context he was the victim of poor play on both sides of the ball around him. Yet Goff never pointed a finger, accepting the blame that wasn't his. That is the sign of a true leader and believe me it hasn't gone unnoticed by his teammates. Does Goff have flaws? Absolutely he still is a work in progress, and again that comes back to a breakdown in coaching.

For the most part McVay and Snead seem to have stopped the bleeding with new coaching hires in O'Connell, Staley and Bonamego. Much has been said about both the OC and DC but IMO a crucial hire was Bonamego. His strength is developing young talent on STs which is exactly what is needed (especially this year) on this team. I can see this unit being a top ten unit this year.

This could be the best defense this team has had in years. Donald will be Donald but now he's got some real talent around him. Teams are going to have a hard time defending Robinson with just a center. He's an underrated talent. Much was made when they signed Suh, and he did elevate the position of NT in ways it needed to be elevated. IMO Robinson is a similar talent, only better in a very important way he's more consistent in his level of effort. He's a mismatch for almost all centers and with AD next to him forcing the o-line into a double team, Robinson could force teams to double him as well leaving one on one blocking outside. With Floyd and Lewis outside that is simply leaving the backdoor unlocked.

Evaluators overlook the talent they have in David Long. Like all rookies playing in their first season at CB he struggled somewhat. Very few are ready for the enormous jump in competition at this level and coupled with the speed of the game it's not surprising that young CB will be inconsistent. That said, I saw the promise that Long brings. He has the talent to become another lockdown boundary CB much like Ramsey. Long's strength is his press-man coverage ability. I expect him to take that next step in his development. CB is extremely technique heavy in the position execution. The slightest flaw and elite WR's will make them pay.

That said this could be among the best secondaries ever fielded by the Rams. There simply are no holes as long as they don't have to play Hill. Hill is much like Blythe in regard to their inconsistent play. They might play well on one snap then completely lose their technique on the next snap. As veteran players that simply isn't good enough.

The bottom line is that this roster has very good talent across the board if used properly. The only excuse this year would be virus related. But in a normal season, this team is a legit Super Bowl contender, far better than the 2018 team in many crucial ways. Like the 2018 team I think this version is going to surprise a whole lot of people. Like I've said before, if they stay healthy they matchup well with all the teams on their schedule, especially within the division.

 

[Ram65]

After a down year, Goff is going to have to prove he is a strength this year. He made too many bad throws last year. He did get lucky with some dropped passes that were easy INTs. Goff makes some great throws and then makes a bad throw. He has to cut down on those bad throws that look forced. I expect a better run game now that McVay doesn't have to hold back as he did with Gurley. A little better protection will go a long way to helping Goff get back to being a top ten Qb.

 

[majrleaged]

After a down year, Goff is going to have to prove he is a strength this year. He made too many bad throws last year. He did get lucky with some dropped passes that were easy INTs. Goff makes some great throws and then makes a bad throw. He has to cut down on those bad throws that look forced. I expect a better run game now that McVay doesn't have to hold back as he did with Gurley. A little better protection will go a long way to helping Goff get back to being a top ten Qb.

I agree, he made a lot of mistakes last year and to many were unforced, but there is also no doubt he has incredible talent. He is still young and his history says he will improve. If they play it will be the Year of the Gooooff!!! I wish this didn't look like Goof. LOL

 

[MachS]

...and the only mention of Goff is in the section on wide receivers. He is almost criminally underrated IMO.

After the season he had last year he deserves the criticism, he played horrible...bad o-line or not. He has a ton of talent but if he's not consistent then he needs to get better. He's had two subpar seasons and two great seasons. But he played terribly in the biggest game of his life in front of the whole world. There are a lot of reasons to be excited about the offense this year and Goff is definitely one of them. But pretending he wasn't bad last season doesn't make that year go away. It happened. However I read this week that Goff was working a lot this off-season with QB coach Tom House like he did after his rookie and sophomore years. Something we didn't read about him after the SB loss. His 2nd and 3rd years were his best seasons so all we can do is hope for improvement in his play, and in the o-line especially.

 

[Lunchbox]

Disagree that he was horrible last season. He is one of the reasons the Rams were able to win 9 games and should have been more.

His play was inconsistent and overall not up to the standard of previous seasons, but ignoring the O-line struggles, stagnant offensive scheme and lack of running game and placing the blame on Goff is inaccurate as well.

Last season was a total team letdown minus one or two individuals. He has shown what he is capable of. Now he and the rest of the team have to find the consistency required to get back to being a playoff team.

 

[dang]

The Rams have Goff for at least another 5 years. He is the very good QB we have been looking for since Kurt Warner. At times he had been great but he is not and may never be elite. With that said McVay will continue to build around his strengths and the Rams look to be solid with Goff at QB. McVay and Goff need to continue their evolution and both have a chance and an opportunity to become elite together. Again great time to be a Rams fan.