Good info on some of the young guys impressing thus far in camp

[CoachAllred]

Rams camp report: Rest day for some veterans means big opportunity for young players fighting for spots​

By Jourdan Rodrigue Aug 4, 2021

37

IRVINE, Calif. — Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris ran all the way out to the middle of the field to greet safety Taylor Rapp and slap him on the shoulder pads in celebration of a big hit Rapp delivered on a run play in the box in one of the 11-on-11 periods of practice (in which the first-team offense usually goes against the second-team defense and vice versa).

“Some days, you’ve got to push people’s buttons in practice — when there’s dog days, like today,” said Morris after practice, “when you start off sluggish, you start off slow, you know whose buttons you can push to get things going.
“Today, it was Taylor Rapp. He ignited us with a big pro thud. And then after that, it got the defense going — all talking, involved with everybody.”

More:

Rams camp report: Rest day for some veterans means big opportunity for young players fighting for spots
https://theathletic.com/2753063/202...ighting-for-spots/?source=user_shared_article

 

[CoachAllred]

This article is chopped full of some good observations.
How many times have we heard Justin Hollins name this year?
From McVay bringing up his name on several ocasions to
Jourdan Noticing him being impressive in drills

Guys we may have our second edge guy to go with Leonard Floyd
Sure there will still be some rotation at the position, but it is pointing to
Hollins getting the chunk of the reps.

It also appears Burgess will be our primary nickle CB,
slipping back to safety in certain packages.

Some other noticible guys making there case in camp
Kendall Blanton and Triston jackson. Kenny Young. Tremayne Anchrum

Seems as though we really have some young guys stepping up
and creating more overall depth.

 

[Memento]

We're stacked at wide receiver. Not even counting the top five (Kupp, Woods, Jefferson, Desean Jackson, and Atwell), we have guys like Skowronek and Trishton Jackson stepping up to the plate.

Honestly think we keep seven.

 

[Merlin]

• Left tackle Andrew Whitworth had a vet day on Tuesday, and outside linebacker Terrell Lewis had a rest day as the Rams continue to figure out what his best/most efficient pitch count is. Both players were back Wednesday and practiced fully. Lewis had a solid speed-rush in one-versus-three drills, in which the pass-rushers lined up to rush against three linemen in a variety of protections.

• Outside linebacker Justin Hollins had a really good day in those same drills (at least it appeared to be so, from my observation), and repped against first- and second-team offensive linemen (aligned from the left side into the center for the purposes of the drill; Hollins rushed outside the tackle’s shoulder). He was the only rusher who made it to the rubber dot on the ground that was standing in for the quarterback and scooped it up with one hand, and assistant linebackers coach Thad Bogardus applauded Hollins for his efforts.

• The rush/block drills also went gap-by-gap at one point, with McVay closely watching. Michael Hoecht had a great, quick rep during this period from the interior, as did undrafted free-agent George Silvanic. Both players, along with Eric Banks and Marquise Copeland, have been getting extra time in before practice with assistant defensive line coach Marcus Dixon. After a year of development on the active roster, Banks looks to have filled out his long frame and may be able to align in a variety of techniques. Without Donald, Sebastian Joseph-Day, A’Shawn Robinson and Greg Gaines had a competitive day, with Banks, Copeland, Jonah Williams and Hoecht rotating in often. Williams looked to have a versatile alignment package in the rotation.

Really like that 3 on 1 drill. I think it simulates a lot of situations for a rusher where they have to find a weak spot in an instant, so allows them to practice something they might not otherwise get a lot of opportunities to do. But where it really shines IMO is the big fellas working together. It's really good for them in getting used to each other and how they handle things to avoid overreactions and poor decisions that lead to free rushers.

I am starting to think I seriously underestimated Hollins this offseason in my expectations. Sure sounds like he's doing a hell of a lot more than Oko. Still feel like our blindside rush is our biggest weakness defensively but there is more time to go and I am hopeful that continues.

Think I'm gonna need a couple preseason games to fully process this DL depth chart. It's intriguing and I find myself wondering if E Brown will be counted as OLB to ensure he makes the roster.

• Back to Rapp — I like when the Rams put him closer to the box/inside the box. Rapp seems, especially in camp, to have a knack for those physical type of plays where he also has to move through congestion and certainly fit his gaps against the run today. Because the Rams have sub package options with Terrell Burgess, who would slide into a nickel/big nickel role and also a coverage safety alongside Jordan Fuller in heavier passing or mismatch sets, I think they can keep Rapp in that starting position opposite Fuller for now, as a “base” safety (I wrote more in-depth about this at the start of the week). They’re in their sub packages more often, statistically speaking, so basically here you’d be playing to both players’ strengths — at least, in my opinion.

It is very unlikely for them to start the guy who is a box type and then sub in a deep guy. Obviously that usually goes the other way around. We are witnessing the early change from Rapp to Burgess here IMO.

Rapp will be our nickelbacker. Still wish they'd play him at WILB though.

• Inside linebacker Kenny Young is having a great camp and has clearly taken on more responsibility this season, especially when sub packages include extra defensive backs or designed pressure looks.

I have watched entirely too much Young on tape to buy that. I don't care how much the Rams say they like Young or talk him up. He's marginal as F.

Seriously man. Been going through the early half of the season on defense and both Young and Kiser driving me batshit. They get wired to OL like clockwork and both have poor instincts. Both are usually on their heels when the OL is in seek 'n destroy it's shitty. In this league if you can't get the jump as an ILB you'd better be a kung fu badass and they're neither.

 

[Flint]

This article is chopped full of some good observations.
How many times have we heard Justin Hollins name this year?
From McVay bringing up his name on several ocasions to
Jourdan Noticing him being impressive in drills

Guys we may have our second edge guy to go with Leonard Floyd
Sure there will still be some rotation at the position, but it is pointing to
Hollins getting the chunk of the reps.

It also appears Burgess will be our primary nickle CB,
slipping back to safety in certain packages.

Some other noticible guys making there case in camp
Kendall Blanton and Triston jackson. Kenny Young. Tremayne Anchrum

Seems as though we really have some young guys stepping up
and creating more overall depth.

Good to hear, a lot of this team’s success depends on the “other” guys. We all know what the money players on this team can do and so do opposing teams so if they can have success going away from AD or Ramsey they will. The experts see the defense as the weakness with all the losses and coaching changes, I’m anxious to see how the defense shapes up.

 

[Florida_Ram]

Rams camp report: Rest day for some veterans means big opportunity for young players fighting for spots​

By Jourdan Rodrigue Aug 4, 2021

37

IRVINE, Calif. — Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris ran all the way out to the middle of the field to greet safety Taylor Rapp and slap him on the shoulder pads in celebration of a big hit Rapp delivered on a run play in the box in one of the 11-on-11 periods of practice (in which the first-team offense usually goes against the second-team defense and vice versa).

“Some days, you’ve got to push people’s buttons in practice — when there’s dog days, like today,” said Morris after practice, “when you start off sluggish, you start off slow, you know whose buttons you can push to get things going.
“Today, it was Taylor Rapp. He ignited us with a big pro thud. And then after that, it got the defense going — all talking, involved with everybody.”

Thanks for posting @CoachAllred

Always enjoys these tidbits during the dog days of training camp.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Really like that 3 on 1 drill. I think it simulates a lot of situations for a rusher where they have to find a weak spot in an instant, so allows them to practice something they might not otherwise get a lot of opportunities to do. But where it really shines IMO is the big fellas working together. It's really good for them in getting used to each other and how they handle things to avoid overreactions and poor decisions that lead to free rushers.

I am starting to think I seriously underestimated Hollins this offseason in my expectations. Sure sounds like he's doing a hell of a lot more than Oko. Still feel like our blindside rush is our biggest weakness defensively but there is more time to go and I am hopeful that continues.

Think I'm gonna need a couple preseason games to fully process this DL depth chart. It's intriguing and I find myself wondering if E Brown will be counted as OLB to ensure he makes the roster.


It is very unlikely for them to start the guy who is a box type and then sub in a deep guy. Obviously that usually goes the other way around. We are witnessing the early change from Rapp to Burgess here IMO.

Rapp will be our nickelbacker. Still wish they'd play him at WILB though.


I have watched entirely too much Young on tape to buy that. I don't care how much the Rams say they like Young or talk him up. He's marginal as F.

Seriously man. Been going through the early half of the season on defense and both Young and Kiser driving me batshit. They get wired to OL like clockwork and both have poor instincts. Both are usually on their heels when the OL is in seek 'n destroy it's shitty. In this league if you can't get the jump as an ILB you'd better be a kung fu badass and they're neither.

Young played better in the second half.

 

[Merlin]

Young played better in the second half.

I don't disagree on that. But better is relative. Also there are other options at ILB as well as some excellent box safety options to replace him.

So I don't hate the guy or anything like that. But skeptical on him making some sort of strides at this point. He's got a long way to go IMO and might never get to the level that I'd like to see.

Also and btw I keep waiting to hear they're playing Warner at ILB. His brother's a stud in the box. He's a bit different maybe but I'd have both him and Rapp working in at nickelbacker as a permanent type fixture at WILB that would allow us to have more speed and coverage ability while also not losing much if anything in the box performance vs the run.

As an aside I do think the Rams highly prioritized stopping the run. They lost games in which they got bullied on the ground and it seems like it's a big priority. So I applaud that. But IMO some of our safeties are probably straight better than guys like Young at filling vs the run. Because using Rapp as an example he's wired to read and react quickly and take his angle while guys like Young are on their heels waiting for the OL to get in their way.

 

[Rams43]

Rams camp report: Rest day for some veterans means big opportunity for young players fighting for spots​

By Jourdan Rodrigue Aug 4, 2021

37

IRVINE, Calif. — Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris ran all the way out to the middle of the field to greet safety Taylor Rapp and slap him on the shoulder pads in celebration of a big hit Rapp delivered on a run play in the box in one of the 11-on-11 periods of practice (in which the first-team offense usually goes against the second-team defense and vice versa).

“Some days, you’ve got to push people’s buttons in practice — when there’s dog days, like today,” said Morris after practice, “when you start off sluggish, you start off slow, you know whose buttons you can push to get things going.
“Today, it was Taylor Rapp. He ignited us with a big pro thud. And then after that, it got the defense going — all talking, involved with everybody.”

Just a tip, CoachAllred.

Copying and pasting articles from a paywall (subscription) site is considered not only a breach of etiquette, but is downright illegal.

I’m sure you didn’t know this and that your heart is in the right place, but still…

Just for the record, no one is a bigger fan of Jourdan Rodrigue than yours truly and I’m a happy subscriber. The subscription is a pittance compared to the constant stream of elite reporting from Jourdan alone, so I strongly recommend that everyone subscribe and enjoy all the benefits.

It would also prevent potential legal entanglements for the board, as well. Just sayin’…

 

[Jacobarch]

Young played better in the second half.

Totally agree. Watching his first half vs second half of the season was like watching two different players. Once he settled into his role he did a nice job. However I honestly think kiaser is better suited for his role. I would like to see reeder and kiaser as our base lb package

 

[BonifayRam]

This Rams passing defense will be much better off if DB Terrell Burgess is our main Nickel Cornerback, with Rapp & Jordan being our starting base safeties. Corner Long & Rochell need to be working hard on the outside corner posts behind the starters. Not sure what we have in corner Orr. The Rams are thick with good talent in both safety positions.

Been posting on this for a long time..... give Hollins a full Ram TC & pre-season & he will be the starter opposite Floyd. Og Okoronkwo has been here now for 3 yrs & now in his 4th season .....has yet to show anything to make me think he is a starting OL'er in the NFL.

Kenny Young is a veteran ILB'er who has many starts so he should be a leader but ILB'er Travin Howard is more talented & will make many more plays than Young ever will.

Most all know by now that OL'er Tremayne Anchrum was a steal in last year's draft congrats to Snead & his team! One of the reasons that OL'er Bobby Evans was freed up to be placed in competition into the open RG post.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Just a tip, CoachAllred.

Copying and pasting articles from a paywall (subscription) site is considered not only a breach of etiquette, but is downright illegal.

I’m sure you didn’t know this and that your heart is in the right place, but still…

Just for the record, no one is a bigger fan of Jourdan Rodrigue than yours truly and I’m a happy subscriber. The subscription is a pittance compared to the constant stream of elite reporting from Jourdan alone, so I strongly recommend that everyone subscribe and enjoy all the benefits.

It would also prevent potential legal entanglements for the board, as well. Just sayin’…

I agree. We appreciate the good intentions @CoachAllred posting in content from a paid site.… And, it pains me to pull down ANY Rams content, but I removed the bulk of the article and linked the source.

We do not allow ROD-BOT to grab these either.

We can still talk articles from the Athletic though. Many of us are subscribers and they have great things worth talking about.

 

[CoachAllred]

Really like that 3 on 1 drill. I think it simulates a lot of situations for a rusher

Dude when I was coaching it was my absolute favorite drill to run. I was coaching
younger kids and we would have the whole team running that drill.
Usually we would start it out with 2 on 1 and work up to 3-1.

I have had plenty of opposing coaches come to me and ask how I got my kids to
play so physical and I think that drill was a huge reason. So many coaching points could be used
while running it.
But I think the key was, when kids starting getting good running that drill,
It sent their confidence sky high. In their mind, if they can beat a triple team, Then they ain't scared of shit
Sorry for the ramble. I have just seen a ton of kids transformed by that drill.

 

[CoachAllred]

I agree. We appreciate the good intentions @CoachAllred posting in content from a paid site.… And, it pains me to pull down ANY Rams content, but I removed the bulk of the article and linked the source.

We do not allow ROD-BOT to grab these either.

We can still talk articles from the Athletic though. Many of us are subscribers and they have great things worth talking about.

@Rams43​

I was more or less looking to promote Jourdan by posting an article or two I also have
several 30 day free invites if anyone is interested.
But either way I will adhere to what ever you think is best, CGI. Thanks Bro

 

[oldnotdead]

Morris seems to favor a lot of sub-packages which keeps key players fresh. He will mix in rotational guys to play a snap or two alongside the normal "starters". Much of it is situational.

It's clear from their draft they wanted to prioritize stopping the run, and part of that is schematically as well. As good as Staley's scheme was it clearly prioritizes pass defense. Morris' history with cover 1, 2 and 3 would seem he's going to go the more conventional route, but probably include aspects from Staley in the way they play those schemes.

The report also would seem to confirm what I've heard about McVay not being worried about a SCB because of the emergence of Scott. It allows Morris to be very flexible with his safeties. He has "in the box" safeties in Rapp and Fuller who are your more typical SS types. With Burgess and Scott, Morris has speed ergo range to play deep safeties. Burgess played CB in college as well as safety so it would be natural for Morris to look to him as their nickel DB. This gives him the ability to hide his coverage as Burgess can play in multiple coverage schemes. I think their dime package will often be a 4 safety sub-package because I see Morris favoring zone-based schemes.

This report seems to again confirm what I've heard that Jonah Williams is being looked at to play the same role that Brockers held. The difference is Williams brings a lot more speed and quickness. Brockers was basically a two-down player to play the run and IMO Williams is of that same mold. He can give them that strong outside pass push if needed on early-down passing and would be a major disruption on the edge in the run game.

It would also seem to confirm what I've felt since last year. The Rams have their bookend to Floyd in Hollins. Having that kind of speed off both edges and that push by AD and Robinson inside will give the Rams one of the best 4 man fronts in the NFL. I liked Hollins in the 2019 draft as a developmental edge. I was surprised that Denver didn't seem to know how to use him. I was elated when the Rams signed him as I saw the perfect bookend to Floyd. Both he and Floyd are examples of poor developmental coaching by their former teams.

I honestly feel Hoecht is going to open some eyes. The Rams need to start considering ways to extend AD's career. The best way to do that is with a similar type of player in rotation. I think Hoecht gives them that role player and may end up succeeding AD down the line.

I see both Hoecht and Williams making this roster. I think both Trishton Jackson and Kendall Blanton IMO will make the PS as protected players. As I've been postulating I really feel this could be Higbee's last contract. Blanton could be pushing for them to carry 4 TEs not so much this year but next year. Higbee's under contract through 2023 but his dead cap number is only $600K in that last year and he will be 30. The continued emergence of Hopkins, Harris, and now Blanton is really going to push Tyler. As is I don't see Mundt making the cut this year.

Trishton looks like the player they wanted Reynolds to be. At 6'1" he runs a solid 4.5 and can play all the WR positions. Woods is under contract through 2025 but I don't see him playing with the Rams at 33 years old. They have a potential contract out after 2022 where his dead cap drops to a manageable level. With the emergence of T. Jackson they have a younger version of Woods. They basically are the same height and Trishton runs the same 4.5 as Woods. Jackson simply needs to polish his route running, so I give him another year.

It is my hope that the Rams hire both Whitworth and Woods as coaching assistants as both men have valuable experience they can pass on to the young guys. Whitworth is already in that mold as he openly mentors the young linemen.

 

[CoachAllred]

I’m anxious to see how the defense shapes up.

From what I gather, they (Def Players) are getting tired of the media constantly bringing up the fact
that there may be a drop off in defensive play.
I'm sensing some agitation and maybe a bit of a chip on the shoulders of our defense.
And I Love It!!

 

[CoachAllred]

We are witnessing the early change from Rapp to Burgess here IMO.

LOL Brother you are intent on that happening. Heard you bring it up before.
I guess we'll see soon enough. If it makes the Rams better I'm With it!!!

 

[Ram65]

"..........After a year of development on the active roster, Banks looks to have filled out his long frame and may be able to align in a variety of techniques. Without Donald, Sebastian Joseph-Day, A’Shawn Robinson and Greg Gaines had a competitive day, with Banks, Copeland, Jonah Williams and Hoecht rotating in often. Williams looked to have a versatile alignment package in the rotation.........."

Williams could be the next Morgan Fox. He may become better.

The defensive front looks stronger with more depth. Going to be fun watching them play in the preseason and seeing who makes the cut.

I guess they keep only six on the roster.

 

[Merlin]

LOL Brother you are intent on that happening. Heard you bring it up before.
I guess we'll see soon enough. If it makes the Rams better I'm With it!!!

I just haven't seen anything from Rapp to make me think he's comfortable enough in quarters to react quickly and make good decisions. He's much more comfortable in a more conventional look where he can man up at times or go get the ball carrier. Decision making based on reading route depths in real time like you have with quarters is not his thing IMO.

But this also goes back to what Morris' plan is. Which is why I'm so curious about how he's going to call it. If he goes with more Cover 3 as has been discussed then Rapp is in a far stronger position. But if he's gonna keep us in a ton of Cover 4 Burgess is a much better option to pair with Fuller.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I don't disagree on that. But better is relative. Also there are other options at ILB as well as some excellent box safety options to replace him.

So I don't hate the guy or anything like that. But skeptical on him making some sort of strides at this point. He's got a long way to go IMO and might never get to the level that I'd like to see.

Also and btw I keep waiting to hear they're playing Warner at ILB. His brother's a stud in the box. He's a bit different maybe but I'd have both him and Rapp working in at nickelbacker as a permanent type fixture at WILB that would allow us to have more speed and coverage ability while also not losing much if anything in the box performance vs the run.

As an aside I do think the Rams highly prioritized stopping the run. They lost games in which they got bullied on the ground and it seems like it's a big priority. So I applaud that. But IMO some of our safeties are probably straight better than guys like Young at filling vs the run. Because using Rapp as an example he's wired to read and react quickly and take his angle while guys like Young are on their heels waiting for the OL to get in their way.

I’m not crazy about a lighter LBer package, but they may not have much of a choice. If the Rams can get an early, big lead it’s a moot point. But I’ve seen enough of the Niners receivers blocking the Rams run defense on running plays to not want Rapp or Warner as linebackers playing the run.

I’ve never been crazy about the Rapp pick if you recall. Taking a box safety in the end of round two is bad value unless your talking about a much better strong safety. Rapp is too limited.