Chargers Joint Practice (1st August)

[Dxmissile]

Just got home form Rams-Chargers scrimmage from Costa Mesa, and reading all the posts in this thread. Not a lot more for me to add as most everything in my notes have already been covered.

Some impressions of Chargers TC. Not as fan or kid friendly as Irvine. Chargers set up has 2 fields with bleacher stand on only one side. No stands in the end zones and no access at all to the far field. Of course that's where they put the Rams for warm-ups, and a lot of the 11 on 11 Ram offense vs Charger defense was on the far field . The only way to see was with strong binoclulars. I missed a lot because the action was so far away. Glad that others posted here what I missed.

Had punts with gunnar drills. One guy stood out to me . Nick Scott. Guy flat out gets after it with two defenders trying to slow him up before he can get downfield. Good luck with that, he beat them every time.

Gurley was full practice, was in on some plays but was only targeted a few times. Brown was mostly starting RB. after they ran position group exercises for the 1st hour they got into 7 on 7 and then 11 on11 without tackling. Teams looked pretty even with offenses getting the best of defenses.

We had Chargers offense vs Rams defense in front of stands, Far field 100 miles away was Rams off vs Charger defense, I couldn't see that far and no fan access to that field.

Rivers and his O are good. He picked apart defending LB's over the middle to TE's mostly. Rams have to figure how to defend that or its going to be a long season.

Starting Ram D is not bad, with good rush. 2nd team got tore up. Don't know what other folks are looking at but Jo-Day is a player and is a better NT than Gaines at this point, Day with the 1st, Gaines with the 2nd. A lot is going to change once the get some games in and coaches can look at tape vs other teams.

Things I think after 5 TC days and a Scrimage vs another team.

Rams offense is better than at this time last year. Goff is bigger and stronger and looks more confident.
I don't think there is anything wrong with Gurley. I've watched him run, catch the ball, make hard cuts. If he's hurting he's not showing it. The OL looks solid. Whitworth looks great. Noteboom and Allen stood up well against Chargers 1st team D. I have no ideal who they want as backup C. Neary, Demby, Hrynkwicz?

Rams DL looks very good. Must mention that they went with just 2 DT and 5 LB's several times today. Brockers, Donald, Fowler, Eubekam, Kiser, Littleton and Mathews. Brockers looks bigger and was getting off the line and penetrating. Mathews got a sack. Fowler got a sack. Jo-Day not losing out to Gaines any time soon.



Most everything else has already been coverd. Oh, Greg the Leg was nailing it from60+.

Back at Irvine tomorrow.

I really appreciate your insight on your camp reports. I like hearing things from fans instead of the reporters lol it just seems like it comes from a more intimate place then a guy just doing his job. So thanks and I look forward to these every offseason

 

[FarNorth]

Weddle getting the sticker may have interesting trickle down effects. By all accounts, Littleton acquitted himself well calling the defense last year but taking the responsibility off him may allow him to play a fraction faster and with more ability to diagnose pre-snap than last year.

Given all the confusion last season about gap filling on runs and coverage in the secondary, it seems to me that having Weddle call the signals might be the single biggest improvement in the D. Not sure the breakdowns were Littleton’s fault but inability of the D to get on the right or same page was a really bad situation until late in the year.

 

[Merlin]

Weddle getting the sticker may have interesting trickle down effects. By all accounts, Littleton acquitted himself well calling the defense last year but taking the responsibility off him may allow him to play a fraction faster and with more ability to diagnose pre-snap than last year.

My assumption is that it was never in doubt. Weddle is the guy to call this defense, it's not really a competition. Littleton is a good ILB, but he's not a savvy vet with a deep understanding that can rival that of EW.

Now if Weddle can't go for some reason will Littleton be the guy? I wonder about that. Might be that Johnson is maturing enough to factor in.

 

[Merlin]

— J.B. Long (@JB_Long) August 1, 2019
Second-team OL for the Rams

RT Bobby Evans
RG Jamil Demby
C Aaron Neary
LG Jeremiah Kolone
LT David Edwards

I really like Demby being second team RG. Right now he's looking like the guy they push Blythe with, which personally surprises me a bit but I am very glad to see it.

 

[Merlin]

Mike Thomas continues to make contested catches. Critical month ahead, battling for WR depth and SPTMs role. #LARams

Another surprise, for myself at least. I figured Thomas was as good as done with the Rams but it's nice to see him making some plays. Even if he doesn't make it if he continues that he will probably get a look with another team since there are some teams out there with WR shortages.

 

[Merlin]

Had punts with gunnar drills. One guy stood out to me . Nick Scott. Guy flat out gets after it with two defenders trying to slow him up before he can get downfield. Good luck with that, he beat them every time.

Good to hear that Bones' hand-picked player is showing up.

Also re: SJD & Gaines the reports have been unilaterally in favor of SJD. Don't think I've seen one report that says Gaines is the guy. It was nice to see Vinny mention he was lookin good today though, which means our rook is settling in.

 

[So Ram]

View: https://twitter.com/JB_Long/status/1156984570954186752

Funny as crap !! Nice pancake. Fowler vs Whitworth makes both players when they go live against other teams

 

[So Ram]

View: https://twitter.com/VinnyBonsignore/status/1157000838209888256

What an ASS Tru was when they scrimmaged 2 years ago. Mcvay took last season off, I believe because of the BS. It was Tru though who was the ASS. Should have had the video. I was right there & came down from the stands. I had something in my hands & could not video the first part. Saw it evolving before anyone. I pick that stuff up early due to years reffing sports. Anyway my thoughts. I did get some of it, but was talking crap to Tru. Rivers came running in on the 2nd time Tru started crap again. Was not a Tru fan because he was a selfish player. Cost The Rams games due to his personal fouls during critical times of a game.

 

[So Ram]

Just got home form Rams-Chargers scrimmage from Costa Mesa, and reading all the posts in this thread. Not a lot more for me to add as most everything in my notes have already been covered.

Some impressions of Chargers TC. Not as fan or kid friendly as Irvine. Chargers set up has 2 fields with bleacher stand on only one side. No stands in the end zones and no access at all to the far field. Of course that's where they put the Rams for warm-ups, and a lot of the 11 on 11 Ram offense vs Charger defense was on the far field . The only way to see was with strong binoclulars. I missed a lot because the action was so far away. Glad that others posted here what I missed.

Had punts with gunnar drills. One guy stood out to me . Nick Scott. Guy flat out gets after it with two defenders trying to slow him up before he can get downfield. Good luck with that, he beat them every time.

Gurley was full practice, was in on some plays but was only targeted a few times. Brown was mostly starting RB. after they ran position group exercises for the 1st hour they got into 7 on 7 and then 11 on11 without tackling. Teams looked pretty even with offenses getting the best of defenses.

We had Chargers offense vs Rams defense in front of stands, Far field 100 miles away was Rams off vs Charger defense, I couldn't see that far and no fan access to that field.

Rivers and his O are good. He picked apart defending LB's over the middle to TE's mostly. Rams have to figure how to defend that or its going to be a long season.

Starting Ram D is not bad, with good rush. 2nd team got tore up. Don't know what other folks are looking at but Jo-Day is a player and is a better NT than Gaines at this point, Day with the 1st, Gaines with the 2nd. A lot is going to change once the get some games in and coaches can look at tape vs other teams.

Things I think after 5 TC days and a Scrimage vs another team.

Rams offense is better than at this time last year. Goff is bigger and stronger and looks more confident.
I don't think there is anything wrong with Gurley. I've watched him run, catch the ball, make hard cuts. If he's hurting he's not showing it. The OL looks solid. Whitworth looks great. Noteboom and Allen stood up well against Chargers 1st team D. I have no ideal who they want as backup C. Neary, Demby, Hrynkwicz?

Rams DL looks very good. Must mention that they went with just 2 DT and 5 LB's several times today. Brockers, Donald, Fowler, Eubekam, Kiser, Littleton and Mathews. Brockers looks bigger and was getting off the line and penetrating. Mathews got a sack. Fowler got a sack. Jo-Day not losing out to Gaines any time soon.



Most everything else has already been coverd. Oh, Greg the Leg was nailing it from60+.

Back at Irvine tomorrow.

Awesome reports. Just wondering about Morgan Fox ??! He was getting reps over Gaines I thought, or lining up next to him ??

Pissed I didn’t pick up in Scott . I saw a couple guys that I missed there numbers during drills.
Good to see, but does that threaten Mike Thomas making the team ??
There is a lot of competition out there.

Did you actually see Demby taking snaps & did he look comfortable?

I really think The left side of The Rams offensive side is solid. I wish I could say years to come, but replacing Big Whit & now Noteboom at LG ?? I think Noteboom will make a good LT, but Big Whitworth has been amazing to this point. His OFF THE FIELD even better !!!! What a FA signing. One for The Rams history books for Best Ever !!!

 

[bluecoconuts]

Weddle getting the sticker may have interesting trickle down effects. By all accounts, Littleton acquitted himself well calling the defense last year but taking the responsibility off him may allow him to play a fraction faster and with more ability to diagnose pre-snap than last year.

Weddle is like a coach, dude can look at formations and call out the play they're likely to run. He's a film junkie like McVay.

Wouldn't be shocked one bit to see him transition onto McVay's staff after he hangs em up.

 

[tomas]

UDFA Dark Horse - Chandler Brewer 6'6 330lbs

 

[bubbaramfan]

Yes Demby is getting a lot of work at various positions on the line. He even took snaps with the 2nd team at C.\

Fox has also been getting a lot of snaps. @ OLB and DT. He looks quick and strong.

Mike Thomas has gotten in the mix. He looks like he's worked out over the off season.

Whitworth still looks great. He makes it look so easy, not a lot of wasted effort, guy just knows how to play a guy.

Starters have all looked good. backups and LB won't shake out until end of pre-season.

 

[Merlin]

Weddle is like a coach, dude can look at formations and call out the play they're likely to run. He's a film junkie like McVay.

Wouldn't be shocked one bit to see him transition onto McVay's staff after he hangs em up.

No doubt. Same deal with Big Whit too, have to think he is going to be a superb OL coach the day he joins a staff.

 

[Ram65]

Rams DL looks very good. Must mention that they went with just 2 DT and 5 LB's several times today. Brockers, Donald, Fowler, Eubekam, Kiser, Littleton and Mathews. Brockers looks bigger and was getting off the line and penetrating. Mathews got a sack. Fowler got a sack. Jo-Day not losing out to Gaines any time soon.

That's very interesting. Would like to see this in action. Haven't seen this before or at least don't remember seeing it. Wade will have a lot of different looks and defensive packages to go to this year. Mathews, Fowler, Ebu, Fox, Rapp and others give him a lot of flexibility. Rams need to up the sack total this year. Looks like they Rams can attack from all over the defense trying to exploit mismatches.

Here an interesting write up on different defenses with reference to the 2-4 with 2 down lineman.

https://www.footballstudyhall.com/2015/5/1/8528407/modern-defense-and-the-2-4-5-vs-the-3-3-5

 

[rdlkgliders]

Must mention that they went with just 2 DT and 5 LB's several times today. Brockers, Donald, Fowler, Eubekam, Kiser, Littleton and Mathews.

The Eagle is back. I knew it would happen...LOL

 

[Merlin]

Spanos is such a cheap @$$ MFer... Has to subsidize the crappy digs he's payin for with advertisements.

 

[OldSchool]

Spanos is such a cheap @$$ MFer... Has to subsidize the crappy digs he's payin for with advertisements.

That's classic.

 

[oldnotdead]

Bubba, they ran that alot last year. They moved Brockers inside to 3T on one side with AD at 3T on the opposite side. They then lined up Fowler and Ebukam as their outside rushers. They usually went to this on obvious passing situations. Brockers is better inside where he's a mismatch for normal OG's. Brockers has a good first step, but he is quick more than fast. That works inside, but it's why he struggles outside. Other than a bull rush he doesn't threaten the OT at DE because he lacks that overall speed. So unless the QB holds the ball longer than normal he doesn't get there.

Demby got a lot of snaps at OG and center and he looked pretty good. This type of workout really doesn't show much in terms of blocking, but you can see how he moves, and he looked good when he did.

David Edwards played both at OT and OG and it was clear that he's basically an OT. He can play at OG but IMO only in relief. Edwards is very long at 6'6" with 33 3/8" arms which makes it hard for him to keep his pads low when he's at OG. His technique has to be different at OG to compensate for his length by relying upon his arm length to fend off the defenders.

Bobby Evans played both OT and OG and looked equally comfortable in both positions. He is built like a classic OG, at 6'4" with 34 3/4" arms at 312 lbs. This guy looks like a LG and has the feet and length to play both OG positions and RT.

IMO we are going to see more oline changes next year. Noteboom LT, Evans LG, Allen C, Demby RG, Havenstein RT with Edwards as the swing OT. This will give them a very mobile oline with good size when they need to dig in. I like what I've seen so far in the young guys. But it will be interesting to see how they actually stand up in a game. But I think they have the makings of a very good oline.

As far as NT is concerned, SJD played with the 1's but that's really all you can say. He got zero penetration when they played 11 on 11. At least once I saw him blocked by a single OG and he couldn't get off the block. The OG simply stood him up and that was that. He needs to show more if he wants to stay with the 1's. Maybe it was the nature of the practice but there were times it looked like he was waiting to see if the play came to him. Which could be the case if they were playing a two gap scheme, but they weren't. Hopefully he will get into attack mode when they play their preseason game.

Gaines looks like a rookie, trying to adapt to the speed of the NFL and the differences in technique. Flaws in technique are amplified at this level. He clearly needs work and I think he will improve markedly by the end of TC.

 

[LA_Rams_#29]

Bubba, they ran that alot last year. They moved Brockers inside to 3T on one side with AD at 3T on the opposite side. They then lined up Fowler and Ebukam as their outside rushers. They usually went to this on obvious passing situations. Brockers is better inside where he's a mismatch for normal OG's. Brockers has a good first step, but he is quick more than fast. That works inside, but it's why he struggles outside. Other than a bull rush he doesn't threaten the OT at DE because he lacks that overall speed. So unless the QB holds the ball longer than normal he doesn't get there.

Demby got a lot of snaps at OG and center and he looked pretty good. This type of workout really doesn't show much in terms of blocking, but you can see how he moves, and he looked good when he did.

David Edwards played both at OT and OG and it was clear that he's basically an OT. He can play at OG but IMO only in relief. Edwards is very long at 6'6" with 33 3/8" arms which makes it hard for him to keep his pads low when he's at OG. His technique has to be different at OG to compensate for his length by relying upon his arm length to fend off the defenders.

Bobby Evans played both OT and OG and looked equally comfortable in both positions. He is built like a classic OG, at 6'4" with 34 3/4" arms at 312 lbs. This guy looks like a LG and has the feet and length to play both OG positions and RT.

IMO we are going to see more oline changes next year. Noteboom LT, Evans LG, Allen C, Demby RG, Havenstein RT with Edwards as the swing OT. This will give them a very mobile oline with good size when they need to dig in. I like what I've seen so far in the young guys. But it will be interesting to see how they actually stand up in a game. But I think they have the makings of a very good oline.

As far as NT is concerned, SJD played with the 1's but that's really all you can say. He got zero penetration when they played 11 on 11. At least once I saw him blocked by a single OG and he couldn't get off the block. The OG simply stood him up and that was that. He needs to show more if he wants to stay with the 1's. Maybe it was the nature of the practice but there were times it looked like he was waiting to see if the play came to him. Which could be the case if they were playing a two gap scheme, but they weren't. Hopefully he will get into attack mode when they play their preseason game.

Gaines looks like a rookie, trying to adapt to the speed of the NFL and the differences in technique. Flaws in technique are amplified at this level. He clearly needs work and I think he will improve markedly by the end of TC.

thanks for the info..

even though folks are ranking SJD ahead of Gaines..as you're pointing out SJD still has to make plays to get playing time..

also folks should remember is more than just SJD vs. Gaines..... The Rams could put Brockers inside and play Franklin-Myers....who has made plays in real NFL games including the Super Bowl...

I have a feeling we're going to see that line up alot

 

[BonifayRam]

Goff with a left knee brace ? Precautionary?