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Rams finally reunite with fans in SoFi; Sean McVay comments on his new QB, and practice observations
By Jourdan Rodrigue Jun 10, 2021
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Just 30,000 people viewed Thursday’s Rams practice at year-old SoFi Stadium, an engineering marvel that holds up to 100,000 — but every single one of them mattered.
It was the first time fans were able to gather en masse to watch their team — the first time most had seen the stadium at all. There was an air of delight flowing through the building — something intangible that a sports journalist can’t directly quote as if lifting from a stat sheet, per se, but she damn sure knows it when she feels it.
Sure, reality did hit in some ways, still. Several players got stuck in Los Angeles traffic on their way into the stadium, so the practice started late, for one. And, head coach Sean McVay says his team is still in the process of getting all players vaccinated (and did not specify for privacy reasons), but on at least one occasion they have brought in a doctor to discuss the vaccine with players and even had options for players to get them as recently as Thursday afternoon.
Yet the swells of the crowd, even if for only an hour, and even to watch the Rams players run through light drills, stretching and partial-speed seven-on-sevens, were a joyful thing to hear — and brought back the old memories of packed stadiums, tight games, clashing pads and tide-turning plays. It was something. It mattered. And it was a hell of a lot better than watching through a television screen or glass partition, tucked away from the sights and sounds of this sport that we love to feel in our bones.
And, in a way, the day got Rams players and coaches jump-started back into what things will look and sound like once the season begins (simple variables such as communication volume or finding the scoreboards and time clocks will be so important with fans back in stands across the NFL).
Here are more observations and notes from Thursday night’s practice — the last of the spring before the team breaks for its six-week “offseason”:
McVay walks back quarterback comment
At a Super Bowl Host Committee press conference held before the open practice — one that honored 56 local organizations for their good work in the Los Angeles community and awarded each a $10,000 grant — McVay and quarterback Matthew Stafford took the stage to offer some remarks in a live Q&A setting with host Kevin Frazier.McVay was asked, “What do you think about your new quarterback?” To which McVay responded in full, “I think I’ve been very happy. Everybody says, ‘Man, you just seem like you’re in a better mood this offseason.’ I said, ‘You’re damn right I am.’
“This guy, he’s a special guy. One of the best ways that I can describe him (is) when you hear from people who have been around him, there’s a known confidence where when he walks into a room, you always feel his presence. But he’s got a great humility about himself. Everybody loves being around him. And he’s one of those guys where I think he’s a true ignitor — he makes everybody around him better. I feel like I’ve become a better coach in the few months we have been able to spend together, and we’re looking forward to doing a lot of good things together.”
The comment flooded across social media because of the added backstory of the trade McVay pushed for in January to get Stafford in the first place — thereby moving former first-round pick Jared Goff to Detroit. At the time of that trade, multiple sources discussed with The Athletic the deterioration of McVay and Goff’s professional relationship — and McVay grew publicly frustrated with Goff on a few occasions during the 2020 season itself.
After Thursday’s practice, McVay opened his press conference by walking back any association of his remarks to Goff and said he believed he had been taken out of context.
“I am very excited — I have been in a good mood because of the confidence I have in this team. But by no means is that a slight to anybody like Jared, who has done a phenomenal job for the last four years here,” he said. “I hated that I even have to address that, but I do think out of respect for him and all of the good things he’s done — I am in a good mood, but that doesn’t mean it’s not because we’re working together, or because of just Stafford exclusively. There’s a lot of good things going on that I feel really good about and I’m confident about.”
Two players who made a consistent impression
Lots of players flash during these limited, lighter workouts, but two up-and-comers have specifically left a strong impression on McVay.Third-year cornerback David Long moved with impressive speed and intentionality through drills on Thursday night, and has been getting a ton of work at first-team outside cornerback in seven-on-sevens throughout OTAs and minicamp (which I am now able to report, since McVay discussed it publicly). Part of this was due to sheer need, because largely starters Darious Williams and Jalen Ramsey had not been participating in the on-field work (Ramsey did through minicamp). But when his number was called, Long showed up — and McVay has high expectations for him this season.
“I think he’s done a great job,” said McVay. “He’s really done a nice job elevating his game at the outside location. He has been a guy who has some position flexibility inside, but I think he’s done a really nice job of growing. … You’ve seen him tangibly improve throughout the course of this offseason because the one thing that we have done full-speed is a lot of seven-on-seven.
“I’ve been really pleased with David, and he is a guy that we are going to count on — and we’re expecting him to be a big-time contributor for us.”
Long could step into fill the role held by Troy Hill in 2020. Hill, who signed with Cleveland in free agency, was able to move inside and outside as needed in order to help unlock Ramsey’s flexibility in the Star package and on the outside, depending on the matchup.
Meanwhile, tight end Jacob Harris is breathing some rare air for a rookie fourth-rounder — and it’s not just hype and circumstance, according to McVay. Harris has been taking the bulk of first-team tight end reps along with Johnny Mundt in what media is able to watch (again, now able to report this since McVay has since discussed it publicly). Part of this is due to
Tyler Higbee’s absence in live team activities (Higbee is present and undergoing his own programming). But there are a few other tight ends on the roster who have more experience — whom Harris got reps over especially in the last week of work.
“I think he’s just earned it,” said McVay of Harris’ increased role over a rapid period. “Obviously Tyler is the lead dog … he’s one of the most complete tight ends in this league, and when he’s feeling good, Tyler Higbee can do it all for us. Jacob Harris is a great addition to that room.
“I think he’s a guy that has a tremendous amount of upside. (Tight ends coach) Wes Phillips has done a really nice job of getting him up to speed. His natural range, catch radius, body control for a player of his size is pretty rare. I think you guys can see — for NFL guys to stand out the way that he has done, in some of these limited settings, in shorts and in helmets, he’s definitely made a positive impression.”
Harris has worked pretty exclusively with Phillips through the spring, so that is the indicator he’ll be a “tight end” — which I’ll say with a wink, because McVay made it clear that he’s a player they can move all over the place in the passing game outside of the traditional tight end assignments.
Catch of the day
The best throw and catch of the day came in individual drills, off a tightly wound 40-yarder down the sideline from Stafford to veteran receiver DeSean Jackson — who happened to secure the catch right in front of team owner Stan Kroenke, who attended the day’s events.Quick notes from the workout
• Receiver and second-round draft pick Tutu Atwell continued to get some work on punt return, as did Trishton Jackson, Landen Akers, J.J. Koski and running back Raymond Calais. Special-teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis worked his way throughout the drills, and his energy was palpable (and audible). Veteran punter Johnny Hekker mentioned that it’s more helpful to have a “live leg” on punt return reps, particularly with the Rams attempting to establish a full-time player in that role; Brandon Wright handled those duties and also pegged in a few kickoffs.• Harris did drop one ball — after a catch on a quick slant and a little contact that surprised him — but it’s clear that McVay has taken a great interest in the rookie because he immediately went up to him individually and made a ball-security tucking motion with his arm, then patted Harris on the back before moving on through the drills.
• Left tackle Andrew Whitworth was present, though not practicing, so Joe Noteboom naturally took the starting left tackle snaps. Interestingly, during the quarterback/offensive line warmups, Brian Allen moved to right guard on the second team while Coleman Shelton took center snaps. Allen and Shelton are still considered by McVay to be depth at center as the Rams try out former right guard Austin Corbett at center through the summer. Whitworth did get pretty involved all the same, taking extra time to coach up young tackles Chandler Brewer and Max Pircher — the latter of whom joined the Rams via the International Pathways program from Italy.
(Photo of Sean McVay: Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press)
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