Three Keys: Rams vs. Broncos, preseason week 3

[CGI_Ram]

Three Keys: Rams vs. Broncos, preseason week 3

Three Keys: Rams vs. Broncos, preseason week 3

The Los Angeles Rams begin the back-half of their preseason schedule Saturday evening against the Denver Broncos at L.A. Memorial Coliseum. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. PT.

Ahead of the game, theRams.com examines three keys for L.A.

1. What can the Rams offense do against a stout Broncos defense?

Los Angeles’ second-team offense will face a stern test against Denver.

On Monday, the Broncos’ defense held San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to 1 for 6 passing with zero passing yards and 0.0 quarterback rating. While the 49ers ultimately won 24-15, they were also held under 300 total yards of offense with a pair of turnovers.

Whether the Broncos choose to give their defensive starters snaps again on Saturday remains to be seen, as head coach Vic Fangio said Wednesday afternoon he's uncertain about doing so. But if they do play, it will provide some good film for Los Angeles, regardless of the number of series.

It will be an especially valuable opportunity for backup quarterback Blake Bortles as Denver has allowed the third-fewest passing yards per game in the preseason (140.3).

2. How will Bryce Hager’s expanded role impact the defense?

The first two weeks of the preseason marked an audition and evaluation period for the starting MIKE linebacker position. Now, with Micah Kiser out indefinitely following surgery to repair a left pectoral injury, Bryce Hager is expected to handle those duties for at least the remainder of the preseason.

Both players had been receiving snaps prior to Kiser’s injury. Considering that same setback, while unfortunate, won’t be changing McVay’s approach to playing key defensive contributors in need of additional reps leading into the regular season, Hager will likely be in line for more work against the Broncos.

Hager is entering his third year in the Rams’ system, so from that standpoint there figures to be little if any drop off.

3. How much will RB John Kelly contribute?

While the focus in most of theRams.com’s observation pieces over the last two weeks have been on Darrell Henderson’s increased workload, another member of the backfield also deserves some attention for his recent play.

RB John Kelly chipped in five carries for 11 yards and hauled in his lone target in the passing game for nine yards in last Saturday’s 14-10 loss to the Cowboys in Hawaii, earning praise from McVay afterward for helping Los Angeles’ offense turn a few second-and-long situations in more manageable third down attempts.

The 2018 sixth-round draft choice has rushed eight times for 21 yards, with three receptions for 11 yards through the first two weeks of the preseason.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Quotes & Notes 8/21: Goff not worried about lack of live game action heading into regular season

Quotes & Notes 8/21: Goff not worried about lack of live game action heading into regular season

“I don’t think it will be any different than last year.”
– QB Jared Goff

• Asked whether he is going to have to make an adjustment to live action once the regular season begins, Goff said it will be the same as last year and that he's not worried about it.
• Even though he understands there’s no substitute for those live reps, Goff reiterated he is not concerned about the Rams’ approach when it comes to playing starters in the preseason, which is similar to the same method used last year.
• In fact, Goff said he is looking forward to getting his first hit out of the way.

“It went really well. He’s going to be out for a long period of time (though).”
– HC Sean McVay

• Following up on LB Micah Kiser’s Tuesday surgery for his left pectoral injury, McVay was pleased with how the procedure went.
• It’s still premature to assign a timetable for his return, and McVay said the team hasn’t discussed injured reserve as an option for Kiser yet.
• At the same time, McVay expressed confidence in how Kiser will attack the rehabilitation process and turn the setback into a positive comeback.

“That’s just the approach that we think is best for us.”
– HC Sean McVay

• Last year, the Rams’ third preseason game saw the first team defense play one series. However, McVay said that will not be happening this year as Los Angeles gets set to face Denver.
• McVay said the reason they went that direction during the 2018 preseason was because of the changes to the defense, namely the addition of a pair of new cornerbacks and defensive tackle Ndomukong Suh.
• The unit's heading into this season, combined with the work the first team defense was able to get in joint practices with the Chargers and Raiders, are the primary reasons why McVay feels comfortable about taking a different approach this year.

 

[Riverumbbq]

Three Keys: Rams vs. Broncos, preseason week 3

Three Keys: Rams vs. Broncos, preseason week 3

The Los Angeles Rams begin the back-half of their preseason schedule Saturday evening against the Denver Broncos at L.A. Memorial Coliseum. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. PT.

Ahead of the game, theRams.com examines three keys for L.A.

1. What can the Rams offense do against a stout Broncos defense?

Los Angeles’ second-team offense will face a stern test against Denver.

On Monday, the Broncos’ defense held San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to 1 for 6 passing with zero passing yards and 0.0 quarterback rating. While the 49ers ultimately won 24-15, they were also held under 300 total yards of offense with a pair of turnovers.

Whether the Broncos choose to give their defensive starters snaps again on Saturday remains to be seen, as head coach Vic Fangio said Wednesday afternoon he's uncertain about doing so. But if they do play, it will provide some good film for Los Angeles, regardless of the number of series.

It will be an especially valuable opportunity for backup quarterback Blake Bortles as Denver has allowed the third-fewest passing yards per game in the preseason (140.3).

2. How will Bryce Hager’s expanded role impact the defense?

The first two weeks of the preseason marked an audition and evaluation period for the starting MIKE linebacker position. Now, with Micah Kiser out indefinitely following surgery to repair a left pectoral injury, Bryce Hager is expected to handle those duties for at least the remainder of the preseason.

Both players had been receiving snaps prior to Kiser’s injury. Considering that same setback, while unfortunate, won’t be changing McVay’s approach to playing key defensive contributors in need of additional reps leading into the regular season, Hager will likely be in line for more work against the Broncos.

Hager is entering his third year in the Rams’ system, so from that standpoint there figures to be little if any drop off.

3. How much will RB John Kelly contribute?

While the focus in most of theRams.com’s observation pieces over the last two weeks have been on Darrell Henderson’s increased workload, another member of the backfield also deserves some attention for his recent play.

RB John Kelly chipped in five carries for 11 yards and hauled in his lone target in the passing game for nine yards in last Saturday’s 14-10 loss to the Cowboys in Hawaii, earning praise from McVay afterward for helping Los Angeles’ offense turn a few second-and-long situations in more manageable third down attempts.

The 2018 sixth-round draft choice has rushed eight times for 21 yards, with three receptions for 11 yards through the first two weeks of the preseason.

1) If the Rams don't settle some of these reserve OL positions so we can learn where each of these young players perform up to their highest abilities, if Demby is going to continue playing 4 different positions, i'm not going to expect much improvement. I'd also like to see David Edwards restricted to LT and LG duty & Bobby Evans to RT and RG only. Let the others (Kolone, Kaskey, Hrynkiewicz, Brewer & Hitner) do the bulk of cross-training while they compete for what is more likely a practice squad spot.

2) I'm hoping we see a lot less of Hager for these final 2 pre-season games. The Rams know what they have in Hager and we need not risk another injury here. More Travin Howard, Dakota Allen, Troy Reeder, Natrez Patrick, Josh Carraway & Ketner Kupp please.

3) Always going to be fun watching Henderson & Kelley in action, more so if they have a decent OL to block for them.