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9 takeaways from Rams' first week of training camp
Training camp has been a mix of good and bad for the Los Angeles Rams through the first week of practices. The good is that
sports.yahoo.com
cameron dasilva
Mon, Jul 29, 2024, 11:00 AM EDT·6 min read
Training camp has been a mix of good and bad for the Los Angeles Rams through the first week of practices. The good is that several players have stood out in a positive way and Matthew Stafford looks like the stud he was in 2023. The bad news is two cornerbacks have gone down with injuries already, testing the depth at that all-important position.
There's still more than a month until the regular season begins and the Rams will only put the pads on for the first time Monday, but they've made steady progress in the first week of training camp. Here are nine takeaways from the first four practices at Loyola Marymount.
1. Cornerback depth already being tested
Oct 22, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams cornerback Derion Kendrick (1) in the first half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
As if it wasn’t bad enough that Derion Kendrick tore his ACL in the first day of practice, Darious Williams then strained his hamstring the very next day on the final play of practice. Williams is considered week-to-week and the Rams won’t rush him back as they keep their eye on the start of the regular season.
It didn’t take long for the Rams to bring another cornerback in to help with the depth, signing Jerry Jacobs last week, while also keeping the door open for another corner to be added at some point soon.
Players such as Cobie Durant and Tre Tomlinson will need to step up with Williams and Kendrick out, while undrafted rookies such as Josh Wallace and Charles Woods could also get more opportunities in the secondary.
2. Jordan Whittington making good first impression
May 21, 2024, Thousand Oaks, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Jordan Whittington (88) during organized team activities at Cal Lutheran University. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Whittington is a sixth-round rookie with an unclear path to playing time at wide receiver, but he must be making a good impression in practice already because he’s gotten first-team reps and received some high praise from Cooper Kupp.
He’s not going to unseat Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp or Demarcus Robinson as a starting wide receiver but it’s possible he’s pulling ahead of Tutu Atwell as the fourth option on the depth chart. He’s a good blocker and a very smart player who could also contribute on special teams as a rookie.
3. Matthew Stafford picked up where he left off in 2023
May 28, 2024; Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) looks to pass during OTAs at the team training facility at California Lutheran University. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Stafford was throwing the ball as well as any quarterback in the NFL last season, earning MVP consideration from some voters. In the early stages of training camp, it seems he hasn’t missed a beat from the high level he was playing at last season. Teammates have raved about him, McVay has complimented his play and the few highlights shared by the Rams have shown a sharp Stafford zipping the ball around the field.
When healthy, No. 9 is a top-tier quarterback and he’s showing that once again in practice. He makes everyone around him better and his leadership on the field and in the locker room is second to none.
4. A healthy Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua will be dangerous
May 28, 2024; Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) and wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) talk during OTAs at California Lutheran University. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
For the first time since 2021, Kupp is enjoying a fully healthy offseason. He was plagued by a hamstring injury last year and never looked 100% healthy, but he’s back to being his usual self this summer, which should yield much-improved results during the regular season.
Pairing a healthy Kupp with a receiver like Nacua is going to make a huge difference for the Rams. They’ve both looked great in camp so far, with Nacua making some particularly impressive catches – including one over Tre’Davious White on Saturday afternoon.
The Rams need both players to stay healthy this season because Kupp and Nacua have the potential to be the best receiving tandem in football.
5. Kamren Curl looks like a free-agent bargain
Oct 23, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commodes safety Kamren Curl (31) runs onto the field during player introductions prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
The secondary will have an all-new look this year following an offseason of change, with Curl being one of the many additions to the defensive backfield. He’ll be a starting safety after playing in Washington the last four years and the early returns have been great.
Curl is standing out in practice and reports indicate the staff is thrilled with the job he’s done early on. The Rams are still trying to figure out who will start next to him but either way, Curl looks like he might’ve been a free-agent steal for Los Angeles.
6. Tight ends making an early impact as receivers
May 21, 2024, Thousand Oaks, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson (86) wears a Guardian helmet cap during organized team activities at Cal Lutheran University. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Tyler Higbee is on the PUP list so he’s not practicing, but Colby Parkinson and Davis Allen are more than picking up the slack. In the first practice of camp, they each made impressive leaping catches, standing out in a big way – quite literally.
They give the Rams two very capable tight ends who can make plays as pass-catchers, with Parkinson being the better blocker of the two. With Parkinson and Allen in the mix, the Rams can take it slowly with Higbee, not feeling the need to rush him back from his torn ACL and MCL.
7. Kyren Williams has no limitations
May 28, 2024; Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams (23) looks on during OTAs at California Lutheran University. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Williams suffered a foot injury that caused him to miss most of OTAs this spring but he’s been a full participant in practice during camp, which is a great sign for the Rams. He doesn’t appear to have any limitations based on McVay’s comments and the coach couldn’t be happier to have No. 23 in the backfield.
As excited as he is about Blake Corum, it’s clear that McVay loves Williams and the impact he has on the offense as a whole.
8. Demarcus Robinson firmly entrenched as WR3
May 28, 2024; Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (15) during OTAs at the team training facility at California Lutheran University. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Robinson was re-signed this offseason and has been given a chance to compete for the No. 3 receiver spot on the depth chart. There’s little down that’s exactly where he’ll land come Week 1 because he’s been a bright spot in camp.
According to team reporter Stu Jackson, Robinson had a big day on Saturday with a few nice receptions from Stafford.
Robinson hauled back-to-back passes from quarterback Matthew Stafford early on in team drills, then later capitalized on a perfectly thrown ball for a deep touchdown catch. All three receptions were a reminded of the 6-foot-1, 202 receiver's speed and size that made him a valuable target for Stafford over the second half of the 2023 season.
Though Atwell is also competing to be the third receiver, Robinson seems to have the clear advantage in that position battle thus far.
9. Rams will be smart with certain players’ workloads
Dec 31, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Los Angeles Rams linebacker Ernest Jones (53) at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
There’s more than a month until the regular season begins and the Rams want to ensure their most important players are healthy. When it comes to the defense, they’re going to be smart with the workloads given to several proven players, including Ernest Jones, Tre’Davious White and John Johnson III.
They don’t want to push any of those guys too much, which is the wise approach with so much time until Week 1 arrives.
"Just managing his workload,” McVay said of Jones Saturday. “He practiced for the whole beginning. We set up the practice in a manner that was reflective of when we ended up de-loading him towards the latter half, it was to get some other guys in there. You'll see that kind of approach with some guys like him, John Johnson, 'Tre' White and some of our guys up front as well."
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 9 takeaways from Rams' first week of training camp
