4 takeaways from Rams' preseason win over Texans

[Riverumbbq]

By: Cameron DaSilva | 6 minutes ago


The Los Angeles Rams finished the preseason at .500, going 2-2 after beating the Houston Texans 22-10 on Thursday night. John Wolford led both of the Rams’ touchdown drives and lifted Los Angeles to victory, looking great in his fourth preseason appearance.
The defense stood tall against the Texans’ backups after a slow start, holding Houston to only 10 points.

Here are four takeaways from the win as the Rams now head into the regular season.

KhaDarel Hodge is going to be difficult to cut
As of now, it looks like Hodge is going to be left off the 53-man roster. It’s not the popular decision among fans, but it’s simply a matter of numbers. With JoJo Natson and Mike Thomas sitting out the final preseason game, it’s all but certain they’ve made the team. That means six wide receivers have secured roster spots, and it’s highly unlikely a seventh will be added.
Hodge put forth his best performance of the preseason, catching five passes for 76 yards on Thursday night. The Rams have to hope he slips through waivers so they can add him to the practice squad. He’s shown he can play in the NFL, though.

Special teams penalties are still an issue
It’s only the preseason, and it is the backups playing special teams, but penalties continue to be an issue in that phase of the game. On Thursday night, Kendall Blanton was called for three special teams penalties (double-team block and ineligible downfield kick twice).
It’s not the biggest concern, but infractions such as those really hurt field position. John Fassel will get things cleaned up on special teams, but there were a fair number of infractions by his unit last year, too.

John Wolford deserves a spot on the practice squad
There (probably) isn’t room for him on the 53-man roster, but Wolford is someone the Rams must try to keep. Although his numbers aren’t anything to get excited about, they were hindered by two drops in the first half. Wolford showed great potential, as he has all offseason, with two touchdown passes and a passer rating of 115.3. His throwing motion is compact, and when on the move, he’s accurate on downfield passes.
At the very least, Wolford should be added to the practice squad if he slips through waivers. He may not be a starter in the NFL, but if he develops enough, he could be Jared Goff’s backup when Blake Bortles’ contract expires in 2020.

Ogbonnia Okoronkwo is showing why Rams liked him
It’s been a rocky start to Okoronkwo’s career, but he’s finally showing why the Rams were so high on him out of Oklahoma. On Thursday night, he continued to be a preseason star, recording two sacks, six tackles, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble. He played a lot against the Texans, not because he’s in danger of being cut, but because he missed so much time this offseason and last.
Okoronkwo has a legitimate chance to play meaningful snaps this season as the fourth pass rusher behind the two starters (Dante Fowler and Clay Matthews) and Samson Ebukam. After once being viewed as a potential surprise cut, Okoronkwo has moved safely onto the 53-man roster.

4 takeaways from Rams' preseason win over Texans

Four things we learned from the Rams’ win over Houston, including thoughts on Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and John Wolford.

theramswire.usatoday.com

 

[hotanez]

I still can't believe we are keeping JoJo over Hodge or Webster.

 

[LA_Rams_#29]

I think we should keep Nsimba over Jojo

 

[Loyal]

I still can't believe we are keeping JoJo over Hodge or Webster.

It's insane.

 

[RamFan503]

Maybe they've seen enough of JoJo and wanted to get a better feeling for Webster and Hodge. This stuff is coming from a reporter - not the coaches. So JoJo didn't play. Is there something in his game the coaches don't know about?

 

[hotanez]

Maybe they've seen enough of JoJo and wanted to get a better feeling for Webster and Hodge. This stuff is coming from a reporter - not the coaches. So JoJo didn't play. Is there something in his game the coaches don't know about?

always a possibility and I hope your right but from Hodges interview it sounded like he knew he wasn't making the cut.

 

[rams1fan]

Obo is the star in this. He is basically a rookie and now has had three big preseason games. Arrow is pointing up.

 

[RamFan503]

To add... His (the reporter)#2 concern is ST penalties with players unlikely to be playing ST if at all.

One thing we know. Some of us will be upset and scratching our heads.

 

[I like Rams]

Maybe they've seen enough of JoJo and wanted to get a better feeling for Webster and Hodge. This stuff is coming from a reporter - not the coaches. So JoJo didn't play. Is there something in his game the coaches don't know about?

This right here. Jojo showed nothing special after his first 4 games of his rookie season, and now he has clearly been outplayed. Why put Jojo on the field to take away snaps from Hodge and Webster on their last preseason game? Just bc Jojo didnt play doesnt mean he's safe.

 

[PhillyRam]

Maybe they've seen enough of JoJo and wanted to get a better feeling for Webster and Hodge. This stuff is coming from a reporter - not the coaches. So JoJo didn't play. Is there something in his game the coaches don't know about?

Plus, you do not want to get him hurt if you are going to cut him. On the other hand it would not be fair to him to sit him if he is going to be cut since you are limiting his exposure.

 

[Mojo Ram]

Stash Jojo, if he gets picked up....meh

 

[PhillyRam]

Stash Jojo, if he gets picked up....meh

I doubt anyone be would claim Jo Jo, but I guarantee Hodges gets claimed and possibly Webster

 

[Mojo Ram]

Cooks, Woods, Kupp, Reynolds, Thomas, Hodge. Walker looks like he can play but we've got bigger fish to fry on this roster and we're loaded at WR.

I guess i'm just not that concerned over who's returning punts and kicks these days as long as they can catch and secure the ball. Every return seems to be plagued with flags anymore anyway.

 

[Farr Be It]

Cooks, Woods, Kupp, Reynolds, Thomas, Hodge. Walker looks like he can play but we've got bigger fish to fry on this roster and we're loaded at WR.

I guess i'm just not that concerned over who's returning punts and kicks these days as long as they can catch and secure the ball. Every return seems to be plagued with flags anymore anyway.

This is my perspective as well. The return game is almost nonexistent these days, especially kickoff return. Starting on the 25 is so much better than these heroes that get the ball 4 yards deep and return it to the 16, then go running off the field, all proud, while they pinned the offense back nine yards. It seems to happen 3-4 times a game.

Punt returns, too, seem rare, and dangerous. Just call fair catch, already, then actually catch the ball.

As to the receivers, as much as I'd hate to see Hodge go, how many catches do the #5,6 make during the season, anyway? Injuries, though, demand a deep bench at WR, without much drop-off, in this offense. I say keep Hodge and no no to Jo Jo.

 

[Merlin]

As a wideout: Webster can play. Jojo meh. Web is a better receiver right now IMO.

 

[RamsOfCastamere]

Getting an extra 10-15 yrds on a punt return actually make a difference. Starting with the ball at the 35 yrd line feels a lot better than the 20.

 

[Akrasian]

guess i'm just not that concerned over who's returning punts and kicks these days as long as they can catch and secure the ball. Every return seems to be plagued with flags anymore anyway.

Exactly. Most kick offs go to the end zone - any returner trying to get those out should be fined or demoted anyway. And the difference between a great punt returner and a very poor one is about 4 yards average a couple of times a game (since most punts are fair caught anyway). I just want them to hold onto the damn ball, and have the sense to fair catch unless there are huge holes. It's not worth the risk of penalties or fumbles otherwise. It's much more important that the returner has other value to the team, unless they are great. Hint - none of the Rams' returner candidates are great.

 

[Merlin]

Punt returns are the real challenge tbh. It's easier to find guys who can catch kickoffs, but those punts require a rare mix of elusiveness & balls.

 

[Akrasian]

Getting an extra 10-15 yrds on a punt return actually make a difference. Starting with the ball at the 35 yrd line feels a lot better than the 20.

But that's not relevant. No punt returner averages 10-15 yards more on average than a bad punt returner. The average is a couple of yards difference a couple of times a game. And a greater risk of either a fumble or a holding penalty. The true net is tiny. I'd rather have a guy who doesn't fumble and has value at another position, just in case or for future development.

 

[Memento]

I will be really, really disappointed (to put it mildly) if they cut Hodge. That will be a move that'll come to bite us, if we do cut him.