CAMP REPORT Camp Reports Day 9: Mon, Aug 9

[Jacobarch]

Evans has graded out pretty bad so far in the NFL. Not sure why some people love him. If Allen can play center at an average level I think we are better with Corbett at RG. Problem is I don't think Allen can play center at an average level.

Actually Evans graded out very well at RT when hav was out. He actually played pretty damn well. He's just not a guard

 

[Shuie3225]

And Lewis can't contribute/get better? He's only twenty-two, and his potential is still sky-high. There's a reason why they picked him in the third round.

No he cant get better if he's not on the field. Definitely not. You don't improve as a football player sitting on the sidelines or rehabbing an injury. You improve by playing. And talent doesn't matter if you're always injured. RG3 was an all pro player following your logic. All that talent really did him well.

The point is we have young less talented OLBs that should be getting those reps and trying to reach their fullest potential. Because T Lewis does not have a future on this roster I promise you that. Age does not matter when you have degenerative knees. You think sitting out for another year will allow him to heal? The fact is his knee will always be an issue for him. And the reason he was picked in the 3rd round is the same reason he has barely seen the field in 4 of the last 5 years. 4 of the last 5 years!! And you think he will suddenly get healthy and contribute? Some picks dont pan out its fine. But his snaps should be going to other people that will help us win.

 

[MachS]

Just read from J. Rodrigue about Terrell Lewis' knee acting up...thats WITH limited reps and veteran rest days. No idea why we didn't bring in Melvin Ingram. OBO flashes, Lewis flashes, etc...but I can't see why they don't warrant competiton considering they just tried to add Julio Jones when we have Woods, Kupp, and Jefferson...

Because for whatever reason we opted for a 5th ILB instead of a backup OLB that could see a ton of snaps or an IOL that could contribute early as well. Given Lewis' knee and the uncertainty at IOL we obviously have still with all the shifting of C and RG.. this decision is looking worse and worse in hindsight.

 

[TexasRam]

Good practice today. Full pads. They got in a lot of snaps 7 on 7 and 11 on 11. Looks like Jordan and VFR have posted the best highlights.

Joseph-Day and T Lewis not practicing.

Got here early and the first guys out shagging punts from the punt machine the same add Atwell. He looks good. I still think Calais looks the best. I have to mention here that this seasons TC they have practiced ST drills a lot more than in past TC's. Especially punt returns.

Funk, Skowronik, Hodges all out early stretching and warming up. 3:00 they are all on the field together doing stretching and warm ups.


As posted eariler 11 on 11 had a new look on OL. Brian Allen was at C and Austin Corbett RG, but not always. Evans got snaps in at RG and Corbett got snaps in at C. Didn't see anybody else play LG, LT and RT other than Edwards, Whitworth and Havenstien.

2nd team OL had some changes also. Anchrum was the only one to play RT, Shelton and Evans played RG, Kolone got a lot of snaps at C along with Allen. Brewer and Noteboom always at LG and LT. Didn't see Aleric Jackson out there at all today.

I'm guessing thery're still trying to get a feel for thier backup OL. Evans seems to being demoted. Shelton didn't help his cause with bad snaps at C. Kolone didn;t mess any up helping his cause.

There've been lots of discussion here at ROD about Allen. My take: Allen has bulked up and gotten stronger. He looks 10-15lbs heavier and much thicker than 2 yeas ago when I last attended a TC. He gets off his snap very well and has held his own against SJD, Gaines and A'Shawn. He's opening holes in the run. Corbett is a better G than Evans and it looks like at this point Allen is as least as good as Corbett at C. This is NOT the Allen we saw 2 years ago.

Don't be surprised folks if Allen ends up being the starting C game one of the regular season.

On D with Lewis and SJD out today Gaines filled in nicely at NT, and Bobby Brown III is back and got work in with the twos as did Banks, Copeland, Williams and Brown IV. Rams have some hard decisions to make at DL depth.

Some notable plays:

Kendal Blanton with a good grab on the sideline
Stafford to Kupp over the middle
Stafford hands off to Funk with good moves to gain 8 or 10
Henderson with a huge run to the right
stafford to Jefferson for 35 or 40 for a TD
Djax a quickie over the middle
TuTu from Hodges for 15, TuTu has impressed me with good route running and good hands.
Higbee gets a bullet from Staffor over the middle. (I like all the plays going over the middle)
Kolone with a ad snap but Perkins picks it up and makes a good pass to Koski
Perkisn with a td pas to Mundt in the back of the endzone. Mundt ha been having a very good camp
Henderson with a good run up the middle (Corbett and Allen opening a big hole)

Really fun practice. You can see it coming together. this is the deepest Ram team I've seen at TC. Deep at WR, OL, DL and S.

My players of the day: Jefferson, Allen, D Jax, Orr, Ramsey

Now comes pre-season games where depth will shake out.

Not much more to add that hasn't been already. Jordan Rodrique stealing my thunder. What a difference she makes, I love her reporting. We'll be there tomorrow for the last day for fans.

Thanks for the report. Hey if Allen turns into a Pro Bowler that would be great. He can move people in the run game and I never saw a lack of bulk as the issue. It was his small arms and frame that were a massive liability in pass pro.

But I also see Evans as a massive liability as well. So if Allen is actually highly improved then best 5 is the right move. We know Corbett can play well at RG.

We are a lineman short of a functional group in my book. Maybe signing a vet that gets cut will be coming.

 

[MachS]

Can DJax get behind the D anytime he wants? He may only need to play 5 or 6 plays a game to score 2 TDs/ game. I would open the first few games with a deep shot to DJax until teams expect it then hit them with a run. But IMO any time DJax is on the field he needs to go deep. Keep his hammies warm on the sideline and just run go routes when on the field. If teams roll the deep safety to DJax somebody will be open or the box will be light.

Best deep threat WR in the history of the NFL. Top 3 at least if you want to be conservative. But look at the stats, more 50+ yard TDs than anyone ever. If we can keep him healthy he will go absolutely nuts this year.

 

[MachS]

Actually Evans graded out very well at RT when hav was out. He actually played pretty damn well. He's just not a guard

We're asking him to play guard so if he's not a good guard it will be an issue. And he hasn't shown to be a good guard in the NFL. If we were satisfied with the interior OL McVay wouldn't still be tinkering.

Dont know what metrics you're using for your grades but feel free to share. PFF ranked Evans with a 49 in 2019 (when he played tackle) and a 60 in 2020. But he got a 43 grade in the 2020 postseason (2 games). All very below average and he played his worst football when it mattered most.

 

[El Chapo Jr]

Every report I'm reading from our ROD reporters and the national sort say Allen is looking very good. IMO for whatever that's worth right now it seems to be a good problem to have.

Look, I get Brian Allen sucked in the past so people are holding that against him, but it's also very possible that he's just a late bloomer. You are absolutely correct that it's a good problem to have. I for one could care less is we had a player named Asshat that over took a position because he shitted on everyone else playing the position (pun intended). I want the best Rams on the field.

 

[El Chapo Jr]

Might have been a good pickup! Even with drafting Rochell I worried about our CB after the first 2. Him stepping up could be huge!


View: https://twitter.com/JourdanRodrigue/status/1424885306138927114

Looks like we may have found a gem. If he keeps it up, I hope he makes the team. Never hurts to find those diamonds in the rough.

 

[El Chapo Jr]

Best deep threat WR in the history of the NFL. Top 3 at least if you want to be conservative. But look at the stats, more 50+ yard TDs than anyone ever. If we can keep him healthy he will go absolutely nuts this year.

I know I've said this before, but I wasn't a fan of him being signed, but I'm fucking pumped over the positive impact he's having so far. Keep sending that crow this way Mr. Jackson, that shit is delicious lol

 

[El Chapo Jr]

Evans has graded out pretty bad so far in the NFL. Not sure why some people love him. If Allen can play center at an average level I think we are better with Corbett at RG. Problem is I don't think Allen can play center at an average level.

I agree with you as I've always viewed Evans as a backup.

 

[El Chapo Jr]

Bingo.

playing real games vs starting defenders Going full steam for 4 quarters is night and day to looking good in preseason or scrimmages.

We have tape on Allen and he can’t play at the NFL level.

Not sure I agree there. Can't give a guy one healthy season and be like, he sucks. He still has an opportunity to start and hes showing up for the challenge.

 

[El Chapo Jr]

Guys, I think we just need to be more realistic about this team and it's regular season record. My prediction of 15 wins is probably not gonna happen. 14 wins, however....

I say 13.5 wins.......said point 5 cuz it makes it sound kinda smart in a math nerdy way

 

[Neil039]

I know @Ram65 , I should have stuck to my guns......15 WINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[WestCoastRam]

Are the Rams about to switch centers — again? Curveball on the OL comes the last week of camp

Austin Corbett had been handling the center spot but has shifted to right guard, with Brian Allen getting the majority of snaps at center.

theathletic.com

And there it is folks... sounds like it's Allen's job to lose. They've been impressed with him (apparently been getting a lot of snaps with 1's) the past few days and how he did vs the Cowboys. And sounds like with Allen's bigger base now, they won't change the blocking scheme from more gap and trap this year. She also speculates that Allen-Corbett combo is a net positive over Corbett-Evans and it may not entirely be that Allen is beating Corbett out.

 

[FarNorth]

I know I've said this before, but I wasn't a fan of him being signed, but I'm fucking pumped over the positive impact he's having so far. Keep sending that crow this way Mr. Jackson, that shit is delicious lol

I was thrilled when DJax was signed and now I'm really pumped at how he looks in camp with Stafford. But he doesn't have to catch two TDs a game or run deep routes to have an impact. Stretching the field across underneath will open up the offense too.

Defenses will have to take him into account. If they don't, he might actually score two TDs a game. Actually, one a game would keep me happy.

 

[thirteen28]

I get the concern about Allen's tape from 2019 - it was bad. Really bad.

But things are not static, things change. If Allen really is much bigger and bulkier and holding his own against guys like SJD, Gaines, and ARob then maybe he is truly different, maybe he had progressed and gotten better. I doubt he put on the extra weight by sitting around eating Funyons while not doing anything football-related.

We've seen several reports from different sources that Allen looks like a different and much better guy. Sometimes good news is really just that. Sometimes you've just gotta take yes for an answer. This may be one such time.

I wouldn't have given Allen the benefit of the doubt going into camp, but from what we are hearing now from multiple sources, I think he's earned it.

 

[1maGoh]

Me too.

They could just be getting Allen Reps with Stafford in case he’s needed. Or as others say, maybe Evans does not look good.


Some seem excited about this possibility. Not me. I’d prefer Evans greatly improved. I don’t know how Allen improves with a full season with a slow healing knee. Maybe he’s pass blocking well, or better than Evans. That was Evans weakness. They had chances to draft centers and passed. I hope it does not come back to bite them.

Could be yes or could be no. If it’s because Evans does not look good then the line is status quo from last year with a weak spot at guard or center.

I saw Allen move well but he was easily avoided. He rarely landed his block, at least when the run was outside.

I share @TexasRam concerns. How does Allen improve technique by not playing for a year and a half?? It would be great if he turned into a good player but this could just mean that they gambled on Evans and lost. Allen was not considered an upgrade over Blythe. Remember how much better Center got once Blythe took it over? So it could be that they now have less than Blythe. Ouch. They’ve had three drafts to find a center. Allen was designated as a backup a few weeks ago. I don’t see how this is something to be excited about.

I don't really care who improves. I'd just prefer somebody at a position is weakness improves enough to be quality. Allen, Evans, Idgaf. As long as somebody can play center at a decent level and that allows us to field a good to great o-line.

And prayers can get better through practice, film study, and working on technique individually. Allen didn't show up to camp hurt right? I don't think he did but I might be wrong. So theoretically sometime between heading and the start of camp he's been working on stuff. Plus the year the he's spent working on stuff over the last 2 years (partially injured). Players improve. It happens. It's why they don't cut every rookie that isn't a pro bowler their first year. Allen may have gone from awful to useable over 2 years. And we should be happy if he did.

On the other hand, it sucks that Evans hasn't developed into some kind of man crushing Uber guard. I would very much like that as well. Either way. Or both. Both is good.

 

[thirteen28]

I was thrilled when DJax was signed and now I'm really pumped at how he looks in camp with Stafford. But he doesn't have to catch two TDs a game or run deep routes to have an impact. Stretching the field across underneath will open up the offense too.

Defenses will have to take him into account. If they don't, he might actually score two TDs a game. Actually, one a game would keep me happy.

To play off my previous post about Allen, I was one of those who was most decidedly not pumped about DJax when he was signed (no, not because he's not 4 pillars ... ). I just thought he's kind of a retread at this point and hadn't been healthy.

But now, all we are hearing about DJax in camp is that he's constantly getting open deep and catching damn near everything in sight. While I'm still worried about his health, I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt as well. If Reggie Scott can work his magic and they can keep him on a pitch count, he could end up doing good things for us this year.

 

[FarNorth]

Are the Rams about to switch centers — again? Curveball on the OL comes the last week of camp

Austin Corbett had been handling the center spot but has shifted to right guard, with Brian Allen getting the majority of snaps at center.

theathletic.com

And there it is folks... sounds like it's Allen's job to lose. They've been impressed with him (apparently been getting a lot of snaps with 1's) the past few days and how he did vs the Cowboys. And sounds like with Allen's bigger base now, they won't change the blocking scheme from more gap and trap this year. She also speculates that Allen-Corbett combo is a net positive over Corbett-Evans and it may not entirely be that Allen is beating Corbett out.

Stunningly positive comments from McVay about Allen! But it also seems that they may want Corbett, not Evans, at guard. If Allen can really get it done at center I like that lineup for the oline.

 

[Merlin]

Thanks again for the reports dudes. Feels this year like we have a good handle on the offensive depth chart. Defense we seem to have more to sort but still this camp is living up to expectations. I am a very happy fan. Yes I have concerns but still this is clearly a very good team.

One note from your reports is it seems Carberry may have depth locked by position. For example at RT it seems Anchrum was focused in there over most practices. Now if Hav misses time does that mean Anchrum goes in? Probably Boom but I am not so sure there. Definitely seems like less moving around and tbh I like that.