Three questions the Los Angeles Rams must answer before training camp

  • To unlock all of features of Rams On Demand please take a brief moment to register. Registering is not only quick and easy, it also allows you access to additional features such as live chat, private messaging, and a host of other apps exclusive to Rams On Demand.

den-the-coach

Fifty-four Forty or Fight
Rams On Demand Sponsor
Joined
Jan 16, 2013
Messages
22,424
Name
Dennis
Three questions the Los Angeles Rams must answer before training camp

By Kaleel Weatherly

[isportsweb.com]

The Los Angeles Rams have the talent to win the NFC West in 2016. They have a great defense and a strong rushing attack. However, head coach Jeff Fisher still has some work to do, especially on offense. Indeed, the Rams’ key to success is running back Todd Gurley, but other players on the team must improve quickly. There are still some question marks on the team’s offense and defense.

Who is going to play safety alongside T.J. McDonald?

McDonald is a ferocious hitter who loves to play with physicality. However, he needs someone beside him who can cover. Are the Rams going to sign a veteran to pair with McDonald? If so, they should sign Donte Whitner. He may not be great in coverage, but he is decent at times. Furthermore, like McDonald, Whitner likes to make big hits. Both players are comfortable playing in the box to stuff the run. At this point, the Rams are not going to find a better option than Whitner. The team could still put safety Maurice Alexander alongside McDonald. At this point, the Rams do not have a lot of options.

How is the offense going to look in 2016?

It’s clear that the Rams want to run the ball with Todd Gurley. But you cannot run the ball throughout the whole game. This offense was not explosive last year, and that needs to change this year. How are the Rams going to move the ball when Gurley is not on the field? Instead of having wide receiver Tavon Austin run jet sweeps, is he going to play in the slot and run more routes? Los Angeles cannot have a predictable offense. This unit needs to make explosive plays next season. Other players like wide receivers Kenny Britt and Brian Quick must step up. Now that the Rams have their franchise quarterback in Jared Goff, the rookie out of California, it’s time for this offense to start making more plays in the passing game.

Is Tyler Higbee the starting tight end?

Tight end Lance Kendricks is a serviceable tight end at best. Indeed, he is a great blocker, but he is mediocre at best in the passing game. Last year, Jared Cook was the starting tight end, but he is no longer with the team because of his inconsistent play. Since the Rams released Cook, they drafted Tyler Higbee out of Western Kentucky University in fourth round in this year’s draft. Higbee is a solid tight end with good hands, speed, and size. He is also a polished route runner. The Rams want Higbee to take Cook’s place as the team’s receiving tight end. So, does this mean that he is the starter?
 

DaveFan'51

Old-Timer
Rams On Demand Sponsor
Joined
Apr 18, 2014
Messages
18,666
Name
Dave
Three questions the Los Angeles Rams must answer before training camp

By Kaleel Weatherly

[isportsweb.com]

The Los Angeles Rams have the talent to win the NFC West in 2016. They have a great defense and a strong rushing attack. However, head coach Jeff Fisher still has some work to do, especially on offense. Indeed, the Rams’ key to success is running back Todd Gurley, but other players on the team must improve quickly. There are still some question marks on the team’s offense and defense.

Who is going to play safety alongside T.J. McDonald?

McDonald is a ferocious hitter who loves to play with physicality. However, he needs someone beside him who can cover. Are the Rams going to sign a veteran to pair with McDonald? If so, they should sign Donte Whitner. He may not be great in coverage, but he is decent at times. Furthermore, like McDonald, Whitner likes to make big hits. Both players are comfortable playing in the box to stuff the run. At this point, the Rams are not going to find a better option than Whitner. The team could still put safety Maurice Alexander alongside McDonald. At this point, the Rams do not have a lot of options.

How is the offense going to look in 2016?

It’s clear that the Rams want to run the ball with Todd Gurley. But you cannot run the ball throughout the whole game. This offense was not explosive last year, and that needs to change this year. How are the Rams going to move the ball when Gurley is not on the field? Instead of having wide receiver Tavon Austin run jet sweeps, is he going to play in the slot and run more routes? Los Angeles cannot have a predictable offense. This unit needs to make explosive plays next season. Other players like wide receivers Kenny Britt and Brian Quick must step up. Now that the Rams have their franchise quarterback in Jared Goff, the rookie out of California, it’s time for this offense to start making more plays in the passing game.

Is Tyler Higbee the starting tight end?

Tight end Lance Kendricks is a serviceable tight end at best. Indeed, he is a great blocker, but he is mediocre at best in the passing game. Last year, Jared Cook was the starting tight end, but he is no longer with the team because of his inconsistent play. Since the Rams released Cook, they drafted Tyler Higbee out of Western Kentucky University in fourth round in this year’s draft. Higbee is a solid tight end with good hands, speed, and size. He is also a polished route runner. The Rams want Higbee to take Cook’s place as the team’s receiving tight end. So, does this mean that he is the starter?
Really!? These are Questions that will be answered in OTA's, Training Camp, and Pre-Season! Not " Before Training Camp" as the Tital of the Op suggests! JMHO
 

LACHAMP46

A snazzy title
Joined
Jul 21, 2013
Messages
11,735
Everyone keeps saying Whitner....and this writer even states, Whitner isn't even good in coverage..yet we need a "coverage" type safety to pair with McDonald....So why the hell would we want Whitner back there???? Play TJ at Free Safety....Put Mo at SS.....Hell go with Christian Bryant or even Cody Davis....
Throw Brian Randolph back there...I mean, start a rookie....Everyone else is experienced....

I think Higbee won't start...but should play a ton....so will Harkey...I think Cunnigham will play too....I'd really like to see what Hemingway will bring to the team as well.
 

rdlkgliders

"AKA" Hugo Bezdek
Joined
Jul 1, 2013
Messages
7,806
Name
Don
I am not a believer that TJ is a good FS candidate he has stiff hips is better in the box and likes to pop players.
As a FS we would just be adding another position to the list of question marks. I think TJ stays at SS where he is much better and roll the dice with what we have or use someone like Whitner (not my favorite option) and rotate him out on passing downs where we could use Joyner or whomever they see as ready Mo possibly or ?.
We have options but no obvious answers yet but TJ would be a forced move and be playing out of position and away from his strengths.
 

BonifayRam

Legend
Joined
Jan 14, 2013
Messages
13,435
Name
Vernon
....At this point, the Rams do not have a lot of options."

How many options do the Rams need @ FS? They have five young veterans right now.
#1-TJ McDonald
#2-Cody Davis
#3-Mo Alexander
#4-CB Bryant
#5-Lamarcus Joyner

Then Fisher/Snead has stockpiled four UDFA's ......do not discount them because they are UDFA's cuz I should remind these writers that Rodney McLeod was a UDFA too. That's NINE!

#6-Mike Jordan
#7-Jordan Lomax
#8-Brain Randolph
#9-Jabriel Washington