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https://www.therams.com/news/10-observations-from-day-3-of-training-camp
10 Observations from Day 3 of Training Camp
1) Los Angeles began the session with special teams and Johnny Hekker launching a number of punts. Hekker was routinely making his kicks at least 45 yards, working to move the ball in a number of different directions. During the offseason program, special teams coordinator John Fassel said one of Hekker’s goals for 2018 was to get better at directional punts.
2) As head coach Sean McVay said would be the case, many of the Rams veteran players received practice off. Among others, the list included the Rams’ longtime veteran offensive linemen — Andrew Whitworth, Rodger Saffold, and John Sullivan — along with defensive linemen Ndamukong Suh and Michael Brockers, and cornerback Aqib Talib. With his heavy use rate, running back Todd Gurley also received a vet day.
3) During individual drills, the tight ends came over to work with the offensive line on a pair of sleds. Most linemen and tight ends worked in pairs to push the two-man sleds. But others went solo to get in some good work.
4) On the defensive field, safeties spent time working on deep drops and interceptions. On one throw, safety John Johnson showed his considerable vertical, leaping up to make a pick. The play came against air, so take that for what it’s worth. But the raw athleticism is real.
5) McVay often talks about the need to maximize each moment during practice because there’s limited time. On Saturday, Los Angeles did that by splitting a field in half and running two-on-two, or three-on-three drills with quarterbacks, wide receivers, and the secondary. During that period, quarterback Jared Goff connected with wideout Brandin Cooks on a deep ball down the left side of the field.
6) The first 11-on-11 period of the day started with a nice touch pass from Goff to wide receiver Cooper Kupp. The Eastern Washington product caught the pass one handed over the middle of the field on a crossing route.
7) With many of the veterans resting on the offensive line, rookies Joe Noteboom and Jamil Demby received an opportunity for some extended reps. On one play in 11-on-11, Noteboom and Demby made a solid double-team block at the point of attack to spring running back Justin Davis for a solid five-to-six-yard run. The rookie duo slapped hands after the run in recognition of solid teamwork.
8) One reason Los Angeles wanted to re-sign slot corner Nickell Robey-Coleman this offseason was his ability to always be in position to stuff quick screens and swing passes in the flat. Robey-Coleman displayed that ability on Saturday, when wideout Pharoh Cooper received a swing pass from quarterback Sean Mannion and the slot corner out of USC was right there to make a play. He didn’t, of course, since the Rams weren’t in pads. But it was clear that he would have.
9) With McVay making Saturday’s practice a bit of a lighter session, some reserves got more time in 11-on-11 than they normally would. Quarterback Brandon Allen was able to take advantage of the opportunity, making a nice downfield completion to wide receiver Fred Brown off play action during a period.
10) Finally, it was nice to see kicker Greg Zuerlein nail four of his field-goal attempts during the later stages of practice. It was the first time Zuerlein’s kicked in an open practice during camp. Zuerlein — who was placed on injured reserve with a back injury requiring surgery after the Week 15 victory over Seattle — hit his longest field goal of the day from 45-yards out. In his daily press conference, McVay said Zuerlein “looked like the old Greg” with the successful kicks.
