Goff wears a left knee brace to protect his plant knee from injury, not because he has an injury. He wore it every game in college, many quarterbacks do.
Chargers Joint Practice (1st August)
- Thread starter Merlin
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Very well said. These reports are not overly possitive or negative - more neutral really. But they are done with an eye from people who really care about our Rams and us Rams fans. So SO much better than anything you can get from the "professionals".
Son of a son of a slum lord.... Sung to the tune of a well known musician.Spanos is such a cheap @$$ MFer... Has to subsidize the crappy digs he's payin for with advertisements.
https://www.therams.com/news/10-observations-joint-practice-with-chargers
10 Observations from the Rams first joint practice with the Chargers
After each training camp practice, senior writer/team insider Myles Simmons will share 10 observations from the session. Here are the notes from the first of two joint practices with the Chargers from Aug. 1. With action on two separate fields, these observations are all of the offense.
1) One notable element of the session was who didn’t participate — wide receiver Cooper Kupp. Head coach Sean McVay said after the session that the Rams held Kupp out for precautionary reasons, not wanting to expose the wideout to a tempo that could jeopardize his progress. But based on everything, that happened, McVay said Kupp would likely be on the field for Saturday’s practice at UC Irvine. Kupp did participate in the separate warmups with the Rams before the two teams came together.
2) During red zone 7-on-7 work, quarterback Jared Goff connected with wideout Brandin Cooks in the back-right corner of the end zone for a touchdown. Cooks ran a nice route and Goff put some good touch on the throw to float it in. McVay mentioned the Rams held Cooks out later on in the session due to some discomfort in Cooks’ hamstring, but the head coach didn’t make it seem like it was too serious.
3) In one-on-ones on the other side of the field with offensive lineman and pass rushers, left tackle Andrew Whitworth used Melvin Ingram’s momentum against him to push the defensive end to the ground before he could make a move. Whitworth may be 37, but he’s still got it.
4) The Rams’ tight ends made some big playsthroughout the day, one coming in the red zone 7-on-7 period from Tyler Higbee. Los Angeles was using a two tight end set, Higbee ran a slant on the right side, made the catch, got popped by a defender, but still held on for a touchdown.
5) Goff went back to Higbee during the first 11-on-11 period, hitting the fourth-year tight end down the left sideline off play action for a play that would’ve gone for a touchdown. Goff’s ball placement was strong on the play, dropping it in the bucket for Higbee to run down the field for YAC.
6) With the second offense in for 11-on-11, quarterback Blake Bortles hit wide receiver Mike Thomas on the left side with an intermediate pass. Thomas, who had a strong practice, went up for the catch, got hit as he went to the ground, but still held on. Bortles has gone to Thomas a bunch throughout the first week of camp.
7) In red zone 11-on-11 drills, tight end Gerald Everett caught a pass and tiptoed the end line for a touchdown. Whitworth neutralized Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa in the backfield, giving Goff time to complete the pass as the play developed.
8) Early on for an 11-on-11 “move the ball” drill, Goff faked left, booted to his right, and then connected with a wide open Higbee for a big gain down the right side of the field. Again, Goff’s ball placement was just right for the tight end to continue running.
9) On the same drill, the offense ended the drive with a touchdown as Goff once again connected with Everett in the red zone. The tight end got his feet in quickly for a second time, but in this instance he was at the front right pylon.
10) In a two-minute period with the second-team offense toward the end of practice, Bortles threw a pass to JoJo Natson that the receiver was able to run under to make a nice catch as he approached the sideline. It was one of a few nice receptions for Natson on the day — prompting running back Todd Gurley to quip at his press conference that both Natson and Thomas “had a day.”
10 Observations from the Rams first joint practice with the Chargers
After each training camp practice, senior writer/team insider Myles Simmons will share 10 observations from the session. Here are the notes from the first of two joint practices with the Chargers from Aug. 1. With action on two separate fields, these observations are all of the offense.
1) One notable element of the session was who didn’t participate — wide receiver Cooper Kupp. Head coach Sean McVay said after the session that the Rams held Kupp out for precautionary reasons, not wanting to expose the wideout to a tempo that could jeopardize his progress. But based on everything, that happened, McVay said Kupp would likely be on the field for Saturday’s practice at UC Irvine. Kupp did participate in the separate warmups with the Rams before the two teams came together.
2) During red zone 7-on-7 work, quarterback Jared Goff connected with wideout Brandin Cooks in the back-right corner of the end zone for a touchdown. Cooks ran a nice route and Goff put some good touch on the throw to float it in. McVay mentioned the Rams held Cooks out later on in the session due to some discomfort in Cooks’ hamstring, but the head coach didn’t make it seem like it was too serious.
3) In one-on-ones on the other side of the field with offensive lineman and pass rushers, left tackle Andrew Whitworth used Melvin Ingram’s momentum against him to push the defensive end to the ground before he could make a move. Whitworth may be 37, but he’s still got it.
4) The Rams’ tight ends made some big playsthroughout the day, one coming in the red zone 7-on-7 period from Tyler Higbee. Los Angeles was using a two tight end set, Higbee ran a slant on the right side, made the catch, got popped by a defender, but still held on for a touchdown.
5) Goff went back to Higbee during the first 11-on-11 period, hitting the fourth-year tight end down the left sideline off play action for a play that would’ve gone for a touchdown. Goff’s ball placement was strong on the play, dropping it in the bucket for Higbee to run down the field for YAC.
6) With the second offense in for 11-on-11, quarterback Blake Bortles hit wide receiver Mike Thomas on the left side with an intermediate pass. Thomas, who had a strong practice, went up for the catch, got hit as he went to the ground, but still held on. Bortles has gone to Thomas a bunch throughout the first week of camp.
7) In red zone 11-on-11 drills, tight end Gerald Everett caught a pass and tiptoed the end line for a touchdown. Whitworth neutralized Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa in the backfield, giving Goff time to complete the pass as the play developed.
8) Early on for an 11-on-11 “move the ball” drill, Goff faked left, booted to his right, and then connected with a wide open Higbee for a big gain down the right side of the field. Again, Goff’s ball placement was just right for the tight end to continue running.
9) On the same drill, the offense ended the drive with a touchdown as Goff once again connected with Everett in the red zone. The tight end got his feet in quickly for a second time, but in this instance he was at the front right pylon.
10) In a two-minute period with the second-team offense toward the end of practice, Bortles threw a pass to JoJo Natson that the receiver was able to run under to make a nice catch as he approached the sideline. It was one of a few nice receptions for Natson on the day — prompting running back Todd Gurley to quip at his press conference that both Natson and Thomas “had a day.”
https://www.therams.com/news/quotes...mpetes-against-former-team-in-rams-practice-w
Quotes and Notes 8/1: Eric Weddle competes against former team in Rams practice with Chargers
After each media session, Quotes and Notes will bring you what was said, who said it, and what it means for your Los Angeles Rams.
“I love and have the utmost respect for him and all the players that I used to play with. It was fun to get out there on the practice field and compete and it makes each other better.”
— S Eric Weddle
“Those are the conversations you miss and it’s helped me become the player I am today of what we went through for nine years.”
— S Eric Weddle
“When you have that trust and you have that accountability, everything runs smooth.”
— S Eric Weddle
“I’m out here practicing.”
— RB Todd Gurley
“I think you can expect to see him get some work on Saturday when we revisit these guys.”
— HC Sean McVay
“Mike Thomas and JoJo — they had a day. They had a great day.”
— RB Todd Gurley
“I thought overall, going against a front of that caliber, I thought that they did a nice job today.”
— HC Sean McVay
“They positively push each other. … Both those guys, you saw them show up in the pass game and they did a nice job in the run game.”
— HC Sean McVay
Quotes and Notes 8/1: Eric Weddle competes against former team in Rams practice with Chargers
After each media session, Quotes and Notes will bring you what was said, who said it, and what it means for your Los Angeles Rams.
“I love and have the utmost respect for him and all the players that I used to play with. It was fun to get out there on the practice field and compete and it makes each other better.”
— S Eric Weddle
- Rams safety Eric Weddle went against many of his old teammates — including quarterback Philip Rivers — during the Rams’ joint practice with the Chargers on Thursday morning.
- Weddle played nine years for the Chargers in San Diego before spending the last three seasons with the Ravens.
- Weddle said he enjoyed getting to practice against Rivers, adding that Rivers didn’t seem to challenge the him too much throughout the course of the session.
- The 34-year-old safety will get a chance to compete against the 37-year-old Rivers later this week during the teams’ second joint practice at UC Irvine.
“Those are the conversations you miss and it’s helped me become the player I am today of what we went through for nine years.”
— S Eric Weddle
- Weddle was asked about his conversations with Rivers, with the reporter apparently having spotted the safety and quarterback chatting at one point during practice.
- Weddle noted that he used to habitually have those kinds of conversations with Rivers when both were on the same team for years.
- The safety said he learned plenty from going over plays — why they succeeded, why they failed — with Rivers. It helped him see the game better.
“When you have that trust and you have that accountability, everything runs smooth.”
— S Eric Weddle
- Weddle was also asked about how helpful joint practices can be in terms of jelling with his new teammates.
- The veteran safety downplayed that notion a bit, essentially saying that he’s already been building plenty of chemistry through practices.
- Many defensive players have spoken about how Weddle can move them around pre-snap based on what he’s seeing from an offense.
- Weddle said he’s always accountable for those moves, noting that if he ends up being wrong, that’s what he tells the coaches.
- To him, that’s how he establishes the trust that helps everything run efficiently on defense.
“I’m out here practicing.”
— RB Todd Gurley
- Running back Todd Gurley had a simple answer when a reporter asked how his knee is feeling.
- In other words, if he’s on the field practicing, his knee is doing just fine.
- Gurley rotated in with Malcolm Brown, John Kelly, and Darrell Henderson with the first-team offense throughout Thursday morning’s practice.
- And when Gurley was in, he looked explosive.
“I think you can expect to see him get some work on Saturday when we revisit these guys.”
— HC Sean McVay
- Head coach Sean McVay held wide receiver Cooper Kupp out from the joint portions of practice out of an abundance of caution.
- Kupp has been a full participant in training camp so far, but McVay didn’t want to put Kupp in harm’s way unnecessarily.
- McVay noted that the tempo of practice was such that he’ll likely feel comfortable putting Kupp out there against the Chargers on Saturday.
“Mike Thomas and JoJo — they had a day. They had a great day.”
— RB Todd Gurley
- Gurley had praise for a pair of wide receivers, Mike Thomas and JoJo Natson, after what the pair were able to accomplish on the field during Thursday’s practice.
- Thomas has started to develop a real chemistry with backup quarterback Blake Bortles, as the signal-caller seems to find him all the time.
- That was the case on Thursday, with the pair connecting a number of times against the Chargers.
- Thomas also came in for wide receiver Brandin Cooks — who experienced some hamstring tightness — and made what McVay called “some big-time catches” against the first-team defense.
- While a return specialist last year, Natson also made some strong receptions with the twos on Thursday.
“I thought overall, going against a front of that caliber, I thought that they did a nice job today.”
— HC Sean McVay
- McVay liked what he saw from the Rams’ offensive line on Thursday.
- The Chargers finished with 38 sacks last season, led by defensive end Melvin Ingram (7.0) and defensive end Joey Bosa (5.5). Bosa was injured for much of the season, however, playing just seven games.
- Left tackle Andrew Whitworth displayed his skill on the practice field, particularly on a red zone play where he neutralized Bosa in the backfield to give Goff time to find tight end Gerald Everett for a touchdown.
“They positively push each other. … Both those guys, you saw them show up in the pass game and they did a nice job in the run game.”
— HC Sean McVay
- Speaking of Everett, both he and Tyler Higbee made a number of impact plays from the tight end position on Thursday.
- Everett had a pair of red-zone touchdown receptions, and Higbee had a pair of downfield catches that ostensibly could have gone for scoring strikes.
- McVay said both Higbee and Everett positively influence and affect one another, and gave new TEs coach Wes Phillips credit for the way he’s developed the players at the position throughout the offseason.
now this is what i like to see. remember when he found it difficult to even catch a ball in his rookie year. good to see him making plays with the starters.
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Looks like we got a couple Pete Holihans out there.Five 1000 yard WR's/TE's? ~Me
Writing is on the wall for Justin Davis.
Thomas is playing like he knows this is his last chance.
Higbee looks bigger and is really getting after it.
Whitworth is a supreme technician. He knows his opponent inside out and makes it look easy.
Adding Long and Rapp have made Rams backfield super deep.
Trevon Young and Justin Lawler have getting getting good reps.
Thomas is playing like he knows this is his last chance.
Higbee looks bigger and is really getting after it.
Whitworth is a supreme technician. He knows his opponent inside out and makes it look easy.
Adding Long and Rapp have made Rams backfield super deep.
Trevon Young and Justin Lawler have getting getting good reps.
I like Rams
Hall of Fame
He needs to stay healthy bc he's one of the guys who i think can surpass Reynolds and take over as a deep threat if Cooks is ever out. Really glad to see him finally putting it together.
My thoughts exactly! Cooks, Woods, Kupp, Reynolds, Thomas, Higbee, Everet, Henderson, Gurley, Natson, Brown....weapons everywhere!!
The only thing that makes me hesitant is remembering how good Austin Pettit looked in every camp...
ReekofRams
Hall of Fame
He has no chance of surpassing Reynolds. If you’ve noticed by what everyone is saying about him, including myself, he has almost made himself part of the group that includes Cooks, Kupp, and Woods.
Jared Goff = 1st 6000 yard, 60 TD passer?
These guys have all looked good during the season. Watching the development & bond with QB’s . Bortles throwing to WR’s & TE’s really helps build confidence as well. Higbee has always laid out & just squishing the ball out. Everett is more fluid. Reynolds is filling out & getting stronger. Developing year in & year out. He was called upon a lot last season. Coming through more than half the time.
Henderson is going to be exciting. Brown will continue to make big time plays to keep the chains moving.Underratted 3rd down back.
Mcvay will put them in a good spot to succeed.
The TE coach now(grandson of bum) is going to help this group evolve that much more. Waldron can concentrate more on the offense w/ Phipps influence from the TE group.
BonifayRam
Legend
Thomas has always had the talent but as you stated he has failed to remain healthy period. Our 4th wide out Reynolds has had an exceptional TC thus far & last season his play was outstanding too. Finding ways to utilize all 4 WR & both young TE's then add in the pass catching weaponry of Gurley & Henderson......:wow::shocked:.
Thomas is in his last year of his 4 year contract & thus far done nothing to make me think he has a future with the Rams. However, Thomas is a natural hands catcher with decent speed 40-yard dash: 4.53 seconds. Another thing we are seeing early in camp is Thomas' ability to track the deep ball ...this skill is close to sensational & then having the hands to make those highly contested catches. Another plus with Thomas would offer up a great partner to Nick Scott as a gunner.
Currently, Rams offense has a loaded receiving cadre involving the RB/TE & WR's units. Only loss upcoming in March 2019 free agency is TE Tyler Higbee. Rams main four WR's all return next season! So finding a good back up TE to our only starting TE Gerald Everett in 2019 would have a much higher priority over finding a 5th wide out involving Thomas.
IMO Thomas has shown he can not be counted on to remain injury free the last two seasons. It's a gamble to depend on Thomas & I would value using an extra OL'er or TE over a 6th WR in that 53 roster spot.
Why not, I’ll drink all that kool aide
Rivers is the most underrated QB in the league. Hes played his entire career behind bad Olines and still does damage.
No body in the league today gets the ball out quicker. Tough guy to sack for not being mobile
Brown is the most underrated player on this team, especially after CJ came in late last year. That grab on the sideline in the regular season vs the Aints was amazing.
You’re right about the growth, I’ve seen it myself, TC hype always makes me weary though. Boys should be ballin all year either way!
I like Rams
Hall of Fame
I wouldnt call Reynolds play "outstanding", if his play was outstanding we wouldnt have felt the loss of Kupp, bc Kupp is outstanding. Reynolds is a good receiver, but if you go back to the game day threads or if you can remember purely from memory, there were quite a few times where Reynolds ran the incorrect route, didnt look for the ball when it was thrown, or just didnt make the contested catch. He has the potential to be a really good receiver, hes especially good in the red zone, but as far has physicality i believe Thomas has the upper hand. I believe Thomas can be just as good as a receiver but a tad more athletic. Also, Thomas was only injured last season, he was not injured in 2017 or 2016, but was suspended the first 4 games of 2017 season. I personally feel Thomas's upside is greater than Reynolds, although i will give the upperhand to Reynolds for advancing ahead of Thomas bc of his injury and getting the starter experience. Thomas was balling out last years camp just as he is this camp and Reynolds wasn't, so if he never got hurt there might have been a chance for Thomas to have been the one in Kupps place, or maybe even switching bw him and Reynolds. In the end I think Thomas makes the roster based on him being a strong gunner on special teams and for back up WR.
Reynolds was available last year and Thomas wasn't, and that is a pretty important consideration. I think if Reynolds got injured right now, versus Thomas getting injured, the Rams keep Reynolds of the two.
I like Rams
Hall of Fame
I mentioned Reynolds being available in my post that you quoted, giving him the edge over Thomas ATM.