Saturday Scrimmage (Aug-29) SoFi Stadium - Thread

[CGI_Ram]

View: https://twitter.com/thereal_cam3/status/1300186202390159361?s=21

 

[CGI_Ram]

View: https://twitter.com/ramsnfl/status/1300176465997082626?s=21

 

[LA_Rams_#29]

The bolded part, I'm not sure of. Howard is really the only one I trust right now, given that he's the only one of the linebackers who's actually excelled while playing. Kiser has barely played and was injured last year. Reeder is not a good player. Young didn't see the field after we traded for him. Johnston and the rest are rookies, and can't be counted on yet.

I could see us drafting two inside linebackers next year because right now, I feel that we're in dire straits at ILB. Hell, I'd argue that we're worse off there than our offensive line.

Maybe I should have added "young" to my description of our ILBs. I am excited about this group though. I've had a problem with our ILB line up and depth for some time. I understand we're in an era of smaller, more athletic linebackers, but to me the Rams went a bit too far down that rabbit hole in a sense. I always felt that ideally we should have 1 stout more run stopping type alongside a smaller more athletic coverage type of ILB. To me we just haven't had that combo "right" in my eyes. We've been undersized there, and too many times we've seen big offensive linemen or TEs swallowing up our ILBs on run plays, or us playing with only 1 ILB and a hybrid Safety in the box, with the same results. We stuck with that philosophy for too long IMO.

I really liked Corey Littleton, and his rise from a late round practice squad guy to starting at ILB in the Super Bowl, is demonstrative of the solid player development we've had. But to me, we would have been better off with Corey lining up next to a more stout ILB, and not Mark Barron, or hybrid guys. We've drafted and picked up a solid young group, that hopefully will develop like Littleton. Howard, Reeder, Kiser, now Young, and drafting Johnston, now we have a whole group of younger guys, who with Kiser and Reeder are more traditional stout ILBs, and with Howard, young and even now Johnston, guys with some speed, who can make plays. We've kind of multiplied the formula we applied in developing Littleton, to multiple guys and now we have a group with some depth.

Yes, unproven for the most part, but I'm willing to give our front office and staff the benefit of the doubt because they're making a habit of developing guys that can contribute.

To me it's gone from kind of position where you have a couple of vets, and some average back ups, to a position where you have multiple guys you've developed and who are hungry.

 

[MachS]

Like I've been saying he better be on a short leash

Everyone blaming Havs performance last season on injury, like he was hurt the whole year. He wasn't, but he was horrible the entire season. No excuse for how much his play fell off. With a clearly in decline 38, soon to be 39yr old whitworth...one could argue we have 5 legit question marks on our offensive line lol.

People like to use the old excuse of "yea the dline is clearly going to be ahead of the OL at this point in camp." I think thats a bullshit excuse. And IMO there haven't been enough positive reports coming out of camp regarding to OL, which is by far the most important position group on this entire roster. And its not even close. Too many videos of things like this.

 

[LA_Rams_#29]

Yeah...DeMarco Farr seems most impressed with Kelly.

One of those updates... Jones was mentioned as having played well Saturday, though.

Jones would be a solid practice squad candidate. If Kelly is playing well, his familiarity with the system should keep him around.

 

[CGI_Ram]

I understand we're in an era of smaller, more athletic linebackers, but to me the Rams went a bit too far down that rabbit hole in a sense. I always felt that ideally we should have 1 stout more run stopping type alongside a smaller more athletic coverage type of ILB. To me we just haven't had that combo "right" in my eyes. We've been undersized there, and too many times we've seen big offensive linemen or TEs swallowing up our ILBs on run plays, or us playing with only 1 ILB and a hybrid Safety in the box, with the same results.

I like the idea of a little more beef too.

Wish we were seeing them play now to evaluate with our own eyes. It is going to be weird seeing the 2020 squad for the first time as a “big reveal” like this.

 

[DR RAM]

I used to not like them much.... now I mostly drink IPA’s.

But, I like most beers... A good rich Lager or a whiskey barrel ale... yum.

My palette, it not about like. If I drink one strong IP, it actually will eventually make me throw up. My stomach cant abide either! It’s crazy. Can’t take the bitters, I’m too damn sensitive.

 

[IowaRam]

I'm surprised at how bright it is inside SoFi stadium


View: https://twitter.com/RamsNFL/status/1299800615334244352

 

[oldnotdead]

People need to remember that only one ILB is normally a 3 down player at best. The other is pulled for a nickel DB (CB or S). OLB is the key LB position. In reality the Rams many times will play only 2 DL at 3T (AD) & 1T with both edges being OLBs. When the Rams are in the dime they will have no ILBs on the field.

When the Rams play teams like KC or the Ravens and even AZ you need your ILBs to have speed and coverage capability. That's why I'm not worried about ILB as they have the kind of ILBs you need in Kiser, Howard, and Young. That makes the Rams 3 deep at ILB when the Rams are in their nickel. I really like Kiser and hope he can stay healthy. He's got speed and coverage ability both of which were lacking in Littleton. Cory's coverage ability was strictly zone and when asked to play man he was consistently smoked because of his poor speed. Kiser is also a thumper in the middle which is exactly what you want in a MIKE. If they can get S level coverage ability out of Howard and Young it will be like playing a nickel when they are in their base.

As a parttime position at one ILB being 3 deep at ILB is fine. Clay Johnston for all his enthusiasm has a fatal flaw which is his poor speed. That said proper training can improve on that. Cooper Kupp dropped in the draft because he timed poorly. But because he ran outstanding routes he still got open. After his injury, Kupp's training has improved his speed to where he's noticeably faster post-injury. Wes Welker also was discounted because of his poor timed speed. Unbeknownst to most, he trained every offseason to improve his speed, especially his burst and quickness. So Clay needs to understand that he needs to focus his training on improving his biggest weakness, his speed, and quickness. If he does he can move into that starting rotation eventually.

 

[shovelpass]

People need to remember that only one ILB is normally a 3 down player at best. The other is pulled for a nickel DB (CB or S). OLB is the key LB position. In reality the Rams many times will play only 2 DL at 3T (AD) & 1T with both edges being OLBs. When the Rams are in the dime they will have no ILBs on the field.

So typically a 3-4 defense pulls the NT for a Nickel (5th) DB, you said it yourself 2 interior DL and 2 OLBs as Edge Rushers, so 5 DBs (Nickel), 4 Rushers, and 2 LB. 2018 was the first time that we began subbing in a S at ILB, Barron was injured and neither Hager or Wilson were good enough in coverage to stay on the field so Christian played there. The funny thing is that subbing in a S for a ILB while in Nickel formation actually makes it a Dime because you have 6 DBs, 6 DBs(Dime), 4 Rushers, 1 LB. They might try not using a ILB in certain packages this season, but there has almost always been a ILB on the field.

 

[FrantikRam]

So typically a 3-4 defense pulls the NT for a Nickel (5th) DB, you said it yourself 2 interior DL and 2 OLBs as Edge Rushers, so 5 DBs (Nickel), 4 Rushers, and 2 LB. 2018 was the first time that we began subbing in a S at ILB, Barron was injured and neither Hager or Wilson were good enough in coverage to stay on the field so Christian played there. The funny thing is that subbing in a S for a ILB while in Nickel formation actually makes it a Dime because you have 6 DBs, 6 DBs(Dime), 4 Rushers, 1 LB. They might try not using a ILB in certain packages this season, but there has almost always been a ILB on the field.

In nickel D the NT is usually subbed out for a CB - specifically the NCB.

I'm sure someone did it before them but the first team I remember throwing a safety in at ILB was the Cardinals with Deonne Buchannon.

Barron first played OLB in a 4-3 with the Rams and then after one good year Fisher and Snead paid him. With McVay and Phillips, they decided to keep him and put him at ILB with Ogletree. This made our pass d great and saw one of the worst run defenses in the league.

But - the overall concept seems to be "hey, we don't have two good ILBs in pass coverage - why don't we try that box safety who isn't great in coverage from the safety spot and put him at ILB on passing downs?"

You can call that dime defense I guess, but to me dime is putting another CB on the field whereas here your hedging against both run and pass by having a box safety in for ILB

 

[shovelpass]

In nickel D the NT is usually subbed out for a CB - specifically the NCB.

Yes usually, but not always a CB, a S can also be subbed, many speculated that Burgess would play NCB for us. The term NCB designates the position and number of DBs on the field, Ramsey will be our NCB on certain snaps depending on where the opposition is lined up. Joyner played both S and NCB for us in 2017.

I'm sure someone did it before them but the first team I remember throwing a safety in at ILB was the Cardinals with Deonne Buchannon.

Barron first played OLB in a 4-3 with the Rams and then after one good year Fisher and Snead paid him. With McVay and Phillips, they decided to keep him and put him at ILB with Ogletree. This made our pass d great and saw one of the worst run defenses in the league.

But - the overall concept seems to be "hey, we don't have two good ILBs in pass coverage - why don't we try that box safety who isn't great in coverage from the safety spot and put him at ILB on passing downs?"

Exactly, which is why we are seeing S subbing in for LBs on passing downs instead of moving there full time.

You can call that dime defense I guess, but to me dime is putting another CB on the field whereas here your hedging against both run and pass by having a box safety in for ILB

Again it's semantics. 6 DBs is what defines Dime personnel, I agree with the preference of CBs over S but not every team will run the classic 4-1-6 Dime formation.

 

[LA_Rams_#29]

Any further info on Travin Howard?

 

[CGI_Ram]

Any further info on Travin Howard?

From McVay’s conference today. Haven’t seen anything else;

Inside linebacker Travin Howard did not play in the mock game because of a knee injury. McVay was vague about Howard’s status.

“We’ll have some further updates,” he said. “In an instance if we’re not able to have him, it does look like you’d feel really good about” other inside linebackers such as Micah Kiser, Kenny Young and Troy Reeder.

 

[BonifayRam]

From McVay’s conference today. Haven’t seen anything else;

Inside linebacker Travin Howard did not play in the mock game because of a knee injury. McVay was vague about Howard’s status.

“We’ll have some further updates,” he said. “In an instance if we’re not able to have him, it does look like you’d feel really good about” other inside linebackers such as Micah Kiser, Kenny Young and Troy Reeder.

The Knee injury to Howard clues us in on why the Rams signed up two ILB'ers last week. So the injury must be significant.

Hate to hear that Howard has a knee injury. I was very happy with his snaps with the defense late last season. I think that Howard is a perfect part of the starting ILB duo. Howard was a tacking machine for all his years as a starter in college & Young is not close to that.

I have read all the positive hype & comments on Young's filling in for Howard.......I think that he will cause Staley some serious heartburn if Young ends up starting. Dallas RB's will have success up the middle with Young there. Have big hopes that Howard's injury is not that serious.

I would strongly consider going with Rapp (if he is healthy) back in @ Howard's ILB 'er posts before going with a Jag like Young. Thus SS Jordan Fuller right where he has been for the last two weeks as #1 team safety as starter. Fuller has had a very impressive camp if all the reports have been correct. Why remove him from the field then.

I have much more confidence in this lineup than with Young. Hopefully rookie ILB'er Clay Johnston can get more distance between last seasons knee injury & become the starter for the injured Howard by mid season.

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[LA_Rams_#29]

The Knee injury to Howard clues us in on why the Rams signed up two ILB'ers last week. So the injury must be significant.

Hate to hear that Howard has a knee injury. I was very happy with his snaps with the defense late last season. I think that Howard is a perfect part of the starting ILB duo. Howard was a tacking machine for all his years as a starter in college & Young is not close to that.

I have read all the positive hype & comments on Young's filling in for Howard.......I think that he will cause Staley some serious heartburn if Young ends up starting. Dallas RB's will have success up the middle with Young there. Have big hopes that Howard's injury is not that serious.

I would strongly consider going with Rapp (if he is healthy) back in @ Howard's ILB 'er posts before going with a Jag like Young. Thus SS Jordan Fuller right where he has been for the last two weeks as #1 team safety as starter. Fuller has had a very impressive camp if all the reports have been correct. Why remove him from the field then.

I have much more confidence in this lineup than with Young. Hopefully rookie ILB'er Clay Johnston can get more distance between last seasons knee injury & become the starter for the injured Howard by mid season.

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Last year I was so disappointed that we didn't get to see Kiser and Littleton go as our starting ILBs. Was looking forward to that for a long time. Since Corey left, I've been waiting for Kiser and Howard to line up as our starting ILBs, thinking finally we have a solid combo theere.

Now Travin is questionable. I'm hoping its nothing serious, but the fact that we have Kenny Young who would really be our only experienced ILB definitely helps.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

Everyone blaming Havs performance last season on injury, like he was hurt the whole year. He wasn't, but he was horrible the entire season. No excuse for how much his play fell off. With a clearly in decline 38, soon to be 39yr old whitworth...one could argue we have 5 legit question marks on our offensive line lol.

Actually Hav was playing through something before the injury that took him out last year (as was Blythe btw). McVay mentioned it again yesterday, along with picking him and Floyd as the two players who've stood out the most on the entire team this camp.

Hav's interview on therams.com was impressive also. I feel a lot better about our season after checking out those 2 vids.

I think what causes line injuries is plays not working and breaking down--players then have to overcompensate, extend plays with unplanned or out-of-the-norm movements, etc. I think that's why we stayed healthy in 2017-18 when things just clicked.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Actually Hav was playing through something before the injury that took him out last year (as was Blythe btw). McVay mentioned it again yesterday, along with picking him and Floyd as the two players who've stood out the most on the entire team this camp.

Hav's interview on therams.com was impressive also. I feel a lot better about our season after checking out those 2 vids.

I think what causes line injuries is plays not working and breaking down--players then have to overcompensate, extend plays with unplanned or out-of-the-norm movements, etc. I think that's why we stayed healthy in 2017-18 when things just clicked.

It makes sense and goes along with my belief (and a few others here) that it's necessary to have a minimum of two very good Olinemen on the line. It's like two veterans that don't make mistakes and lead the younger guys and help them not make mistake. It's a 'well liked machine's and they are the engine. Right now this team doesn't have it. They've got one guy like that and he's getting old. They need a very good center or a very good veteran guard. Preferably on the right for continuity of communication across the line.

 

[CGI_Ram]

It makes sense and goes along with my belief (and a few others here) that it's necessary to have a minimum of two very good Olinemen on the line. It's like two veterans that don't make mistakes and lead the younger guys and help them not make mistake. It's a 'well liked machine's and they are the engine. Right now this team doesn't have it. They've got one guy like that and he's getting old. They need a very good center or a very good veteran guard. Preferably on the right for continuity of communication across the line.

What if Havenstein plays as he has before, which earned him that extension?

With 68 starts, he should be that 2nd vet.