Rams camp setup: Suddenly team to beat in NFC West
Third-year QB Jared Goff is back to lead 2017's top-ranked offense in the NFL.
IRVINE, Calif. -- On the verge of their most important training camp since their Greatest Show on Turf era, the Los Angeles Rams are set to welcome rookies and veterans July 23 and 25 before officially opening camp in Irvine on July 26.
These are exciting times to say the least, as the Rams have emerged as a viable Super Bowl contender after stunning the NFL with one of the most dramatic turnarounds in league history while going from last to first in the NFL West to claim a division title and home playoff game.
From that 11-5 team and the top-ranked offense in the NFL, the Rams return 10 of 11 offensive starters while adding explosive, productive wide receiver Brandin Cooks as a difference making newcomer.
Defensively, they have made dramatic upgrades at cornerback with the additions of Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib and at defensive tackle with Ndamukong Suh. They will join reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald -- if and when his contract extension gets finalized -- and Michael Brockers along the defensive line and talented veterans Lamarcus Joyner, John Johnson and Mark Barron.
And while Samson Ebukam, Matt Longacre and Corey Littleton are being counted on as new starters, there is confidence they will each make a successful transition to their expanded roles and responsibilities.
On paper, the Rams have the look of an NFC power, especially with third-year quarterback Jared Goff surrounded by explosive and productive playmakers like Cooks, Todd Gurley, Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp and intriguing second-year tight end Gerald Everett and working behind an offensive line that made a dramatic jump forward last year.
And with second-year head coach Sean McVay adding and expanding to his innovative offensive scheme, there is reason to believe the Rams are perched at the doorstep of a prolonged playoff run.
Not that there aren't some concerns.
Donald and the club have yet to come to terms on a new contract extension, and his training camp and regular-season status remains uncertain. He's going into the last year of his original rookie contract -- and is wildly underpaid given his status as one of the best defensive players in the NFL -- but for the second straight offseason he and the Rams were unable to finalize a new deal a week ahead of camp.
That said, there is optimism the two sides will figure out a long-term extension in time for the season. If so, the Rams will be perfectly positioned to make a major run.
Recent Stories
Rams hard at work despite earning bye
The Los Angeles Rams will continue to stay hard at work despite earning a bye through the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs.
Players will continue to visit the ...
Packers' lost season includes losing Rodgers to concussion
Green Bay's 6-9-1 season ended with Aaron Rodgers getting knocked out of Sunday's 31-0 loss to the Detroit Lions with a concussion. That was dubious and fitting ...
49ers will retain defensive coordinator Saleh
The San Francisco 49ers gave up a lot of points and did not force many turnovers, but Robert Saleh will return for his third season as the 49ers' defensive coordinator, ...
GM Licht says Winston is Bucs' quarterback
Dirk Koetter was fired as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' head coach on Sunday, but his quarterback will be staying.
General manager Jason Licht, who will lead the search ...
Chargers get another chance against Ravens
The Los Angeles Chargers didn't have to wait long for a chance to avenge their Week 16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Los Angeles was shut down by Baltimore's stout ...
Latest Player Notes
How a Wisconsin legend got his German protégé into Badgers pro day
Mar 15, 2024
Marlon Werthmann put his life on hold for the opportunity in front of him Friday at the McClain Center.Werthmann ...
Why former Wisconsin football running back Braelon Allen didn't run the 40 at pro day
Mar 15, 2024
Braelon Allen’s sweat covered his shirt and dripped off his beard as he approached a group of reporters Friday.The ...
How can UW recruit its best class ever? It starts with these five prospects
By Andy Yamashita
Seattle Times staff reporter
Jedd Fisch has lofty recruiting goals at Washington. He didn’t waste any ...
Texas football kicks off spring practice Tuesday. We answer 24 questions for the 2024 team
Things certainly look fresh for the 2024 college football season, especially on the Texas campus.There’s a new conference ...
College Football Playoff: Conferences solve their differences (for now) and agree on general framework for 2026 and beyond
The FBS conferences and Notre Dame agreed on Friday to continue the College Football Playoff beyond the 2025 season, signing ...
Ball security, leadership key as Aztecs look to identify starting quarterback
San Diego State seemingly auditions a new starting quarterback on an annual basis.In the past 12 years, the Aztecs have opened ...
Results and more: A look at what happened at Penn State football’s Pro Day inside Holuba Hall
Most of those at Penn State’s Pro Day Friday were relatively quiet throughout the afternoon’s workouts, but there was one ...
Defense dominates first two weeks of Oregon State spring practice as Beavers ready for 2-week breather
CORVALLIS – Oregon State hit the break of spring practices Saturday, not exactly the midpoint but a good place to assess ...
Dillon Gabriel to have similar input, autonomy as Bo Nix had in Oregon’s offense
Published Mar. 16, 2024, 6:26 p.m.By James CrepeaEUGENE — Dillon Gabriel will have much of the same autonomy as Bo Nix did ...
Two transfers, one underclassman who impressed in Missouri football's spring game
With that, spring camp’s a wrap.Missouri football held its Black & Gold spring game Saturday in front of a healthy crowd ...