GDT: Chargers at Rams - Preseason Game 1

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Elmgrovegnome

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McVay said he was Keeping 35 players out so I’m guessing no starters tonight other than kickers
Yep that’s what I mean. When McVay first got here and didn’t play starters inpreseason, I was against it because they may need to knock off the rust once the season began. Now I’m all in favor of sitting starters in preseason.
 

blackbart

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Might be fun if this was a regular season game but with these two coaches and no starters playing are they even going to tackle?

I don’t see the crowd getting very excited.

I’m recording it and will probably run through it Sunday evening. How about the LB’s who are trying to make an impression.
 

PhillyRam

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The two rookie DL's and the 2nd yr UDFA DL's. Who steps up become a factor this yr.

Also TuTu and Harris. Lets see some burst and speed in the offense.
 

CGI_Ram

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Five players to watch vs. Chargers​

Following last week's joint practice with the Cowboys, the Rams have another competitive opportunity coming their way this weekend with their preseason Week 1 game against the Chargers on Saturday at SoFi Stadium (7 p.m. pacific time, locally on ABC-7 and nationally on NFL Network).
Here are five players fans should be watching during the contest:

Xavier Jones

An undrafted free agent signee out of SMU last year, Jones' performance in intra-squad scrimmages during the 2020 preseason caught the attention of Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald. In training camp this year, he seemed to pick up where he left off – Rams head coach Sean McVay said both Jones "and (Jake) Funk have done a really nice job," and that "if they continue on this trajectory, they're going to be a part of our plans in the running back room."
Padded training camp practices in Irvine focused on a "thud" approach – making contact while keeping players on their feet – which McVay said can sometimes make it difficult to evaluate running backs, so Saturday will be an important day for Jones.

Jake Funk

Along those same lines, that makes Funk another player to watch on Saturday. McVay said at the start of training camp that Darrell Henderson Jr. won't play in the preseason, so there will be plenty of opportunities for Funk to show what he can contribute to the running back rotation.

Jacob Harris

McVay name-dropped Harris during organized team activities this spring, but also emphasized the importance of translating that performance when the pads come in training camp. Training camp observers have seen glimpses of the athletic ability that made him an intriguing draft pick, now he'll get a chance to show it in a game setting.

Ernest Jones

While the rookie and third-round pick out of South Carolina made a mark with his tackling production in college, he has also used those instincts in training camp to show he can drop back into coverage and defend the pass.

Kareem Orr

The former Titans defensive back finished training camp at UC Irvine strong and also made the most of last week's joint practice with the Cowboys. Week 1 of the preseason marks another opportunity to build on those big plays made.
 

CGI_Ram

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How Rams' Sean McVay Plans to Manage Players in First Preseason Game​

Sean McVay already has his blueprint set for how he'll manage his starters and reserves this preseason.

Ever since Sean McVay came aboard in Los Angeles, the Rams have been no stranger to sitting their key players throughout the preseason slate.

Based on McVay's strict preseason curriculum in past seasons, it felt evident that players such as quarterback Matthew Stafford, defensive tackle Aaron Donald and cornerback Jalen Ramsey, would not take a snap until Week 1 of the regular season.

And while those three cornerstone players won't play, it appears McVay will take it up one more notch and sit even more players than he's done in previous seasons — at least against the Chargers.

"We'll get a chance to see a lot of our depth guys because there's going to be probably about 35 players that are not playing in this game for us," McVay said following Thursday's practice. "The goal is always to try to stay healthy."

McVay has always leaned on the side of caution, and he's going to continue to do so — except he's upping the ante once more.

As backup quarterback John Wolford recovers from an appendectomy last week, McVay has already ruled him out for preseason play.

“No, he’s not playing this preseason," McVay said of Wolford on Tuesday.

The quarterbacks, Devlin 'Duck' Hodges and Bryce Perkins — will share snaps throughout the preseason.

Sitting starters without preseason reps may cause reasons for concern, but McVay relies on joint practices to get his starters ready. Last weekend the Rams traveled up to the Cowboys training camp facility for a joint practice and next week the Raiders will do the same, joining the Rams in Thousand Oaks for two days.

With about 35 players sidelined for the first preseason matchup, the Rams will face the Chargers on Saturday, August 12 at SoFi Stadium.
 

CGI_Ram

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Tutu Atwell to return some punts in preseason debut vs. Chargers​

Fans have been anxiously awaiting the chance to see exactly what the Rams got in rookie receiver Tutu Atwell, who they selected in the second round of the draft this year. He missed the start of camp due to COVID-19 but returned in time for the team’s joint practice against the Cowboys.

He’ll be on the field Saturday night against the Chargers in the Rams’ preseason opener, though, which will be the first real look at the rookie speedster for fans and coaches. He’ll not only get opportunities on offense, but he’ll also get the chance to return some punts.

Sean McVay told reporters Thursday what he’s looking to see from Atwell against the Chargers.

“Just continued growth. Just understanding what’s being asked of him from the receiver position within the framework of whether it’s the run game, the pass game,” he said. “He’s doing a good job. I like the progression. (WRs coach) Eric Yarber always does a great job with those receivers. If he gets the ball in his hands, want to see him be able to make some plays and then he’ll get an opportunity to catch some punts as well.”

Atwell seems to be among the favorites to start the season as the Rams’ punt returner, but he’ll face some competition from others such as Landen Akers, Jeremiah Haydel and possibly Otis Anderson.

We don’t have much clarity on how that battle is going, but Saturday’s preseason opener will tell us a lot about the pecking order.
 

Merlin

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35 is a lot of guys sitting. Went through just the offense and getting to half is difficult.

4 WR, 5 OL, 1 TE, 2 QB, 1 RB... Still need 4 or 5 shit's gonna be fugly lol.
 

CGI_Ram

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35 is a lot of guys sitting. Went through just the offense and getting to half is difficult.

4 WR, 5 OL, 1 TE, 2 QB, 1 RB... Still need 4 or 5 shit's gonna be fugly lol.

I was shocked to read 35.

Probably was that big years past, but that seems big.

.
 

bubbaramfan

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McVay getting the bottom of the roster ready and is busy this morning in nearby Inglewood recruiting local Crips to fill out his roster.

"If we don't win on the field, we'll beat you in the parking lot".


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