The Los Angeles Rams completed their final OTA on Tuesday. That means it will be the final time until July 29 that fans will see the team on the field. Many of the coaches and players were made available to the media afterwards. Here are my top-5 takeaways:
1. Todd Gurley Has Lost Weight, Will Be Ready For Training Camp
For the entirety of OTA’s, Todd Gurley was at the Rams’ facility, but not on the practice field. While we were not able to see what Gurley looked like on the field, off the field he looks like he’s slimmed down and the Rams running back touched on it in his press conference.
“If I keep sweating the way I am, I’m definitely going to lose weight,” joked Gurley at his post OTA’s press conference. “It’s whatever, it’s how I feel in the offseason. Probably the last couple of years going into the offseason I’ve dropped weight. I guess the older I get, the more weight I lose.”
Watching Gurley’s press conference you get the sense that he’s annoyed answering the same questions regarding his injury and rehab. However, he reiterates time and time again that he’ll be ready and be on the field for camp. The Rams have said that they plan to bring Gurley’s workload back a big which may have been what holding him out of OTA’s was for.
This isn’t Gurley’s first rodeo when it comes to rehabbing from a knee injury and he called it “small” compared to what he dealt with coming out of college.
2. Rams Feel Fine on the Offensive Line Despite Offseason Losses
The Rams enter the offseason without two big pieces on the offensive line. They will be without John Sullivan and Rodger Saffold. However, Kromer and the Rams feel good about the pieces they have in place.
Run-game coordinator Aaron Kromer says the Rams offensive line will miss the experience brought by John Sullivan and Rodger Saffold, but it helps that their potential replacements already have a year in the team’s system. pic.twitter.com/XIUkf2cAxh
— Joe Curley (@vcsjoecurley) June 11, 2019
Both Noteboom and Allen didn’t get a lot of playing time last year, but they both have been in the system for a year. Kromer also mentioned that Jamil Demby has been taking reps at all five offensive line positions which at the very least will give the team some potential good depth.
“They’ve had a great opportunity this offseason to get all the repetitions that they needed that can really help them grow to understand how to handle it themselves. It’s their line, it’s their group. They’re one of the top guys now and that comes with a little responsibility. I think they’ve handled it really well through study, through understanding, and then going out on the field as much as we can do at the point of the year. They did a good job of that and learning how to practice, how to fundamentally do things, how to see things defensively. I think it was a good start to the process.” -Aaron Kromer
With anything, not having a lot of experience is going to have its learning curves and bumps, but the Rams are doing what they can to get this group ready and at this point, they feel good about where they’re at.
3. Micah Kiser Will Have an Immediate Role on Defense
Another place the Rams don’t have a lot of experience is at inside linebacker, however, it sounds like Micah Kiser will be the guy. This should come as no surprise as he is a guy the Rams drafted last year and they didn’t bring in a replacement for Mark Barron via free agency or the draft.
Phillips says the Rams need LB Micah Kiser as a base defensive player right now. Will make impact on first and second downs @DowntownRams @CVRamsClub
— Joe Curley (@vcsjoecurley) June 11, 2019
“Micah, he showed a lot of things last year. You always have high hopes I think. He only got to play basically special teams and he was one of our best special teasers. Corey Littleton kind of went that path too and turned out to be a really good ‘backer and I think Micah looks to be going the same direction. When they show the ability to get to the football in special teams, they carry it over to defense. He moves well, he’s a smart player, and he’s had a really good spring. He’s fit in real well.
For where he is in his career, where we need him, we need him on those first and second downs plays for sure. Corey is such a good coverage guy and then we’ve got a lot of safeties that can come in and help us on third downs. I think his main role certainly right now is to be a first and second down base defense player.” – Wade Phillips on Micah Kiser
The Rams and Phillips know they are inexperienced when it comes to Kiser and they know he does have some holes in his game. However, that’s a big reason why they brought in guys like Eric Weddle and Clay Matthews – two guys that can add a veteran presence on defense.
One thing is for certain – Micah Kiser will have a role on defense right out of the gates.
4. Rams Are Committed To Jared Goff Long Term
This really should come as no surprise. Sean McVay joked that Jared Goff is “stuck with him” for the long term. Goff also discussed briefly Carson Wentz’s contract and what it means for the Rams signal caller. Goff said that Wentz’s contract extension with Philadelphia made him think about his future extension with the Rams and that he was proud of his agent Ryan Tollner, for getting the Wentz deal done.
It’s clear that Wentz’s contract will be a barometer of Goff. While a deal will not be getting done this offseason, it will be something to keep an eye on at the conclusion of the 2019 season.
5. Cooper Kupp is Feeling Good After His Torn ACL
Kupp has reiterated that he’s feeling good after tearing his ACL last season and Goff mentioned that his favorite receiver has looked good on the practice field.
Jared Goff on Cooper Kupp’s return from knee surgery, “Cooper looks good… Looks fast. Looks like himself.” @DowntownRams @usatodaynfl @CVRamsClub
— Joe Curley (@vcsjoecurley) June 11, 2019
Heard from #LARams WR Cooper Kupp post practice today, who said he’s feeling good and will be around the facility rehabbing during the break between now and training camp. Story to come.
— Myles Simmons (@MylesASimmons) June 11, 2019
Kupp has being doing a lot of rehab thus far in OTA’s but he has been catching some balls and running routes on offense as well. He seems ready now and fans will certainly be keeping a close eye on him come training camp. Until we see Kupp in a live game setting, his knee will continue to be a topic of conversation.
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