Quarterback Matthew Stafford has not confronted an opposing staff’s protection since February, when he led the Rams to victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Tremendous Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium.
On Wednesday, Stafford will see the Bengals once more when the Rams maintain the primary of two joint practices with the defending AFC champions.
Coach Sean McVay doesn't play starters throughout preseason video games, so the exercises supply Stafford and different frontline gamers a lone alternative to run performs in opposition to somebody apart from teammates earlier than the Sept. 8 opener in opposition to the Buffalo Payments.
“It’s a heck of a check for us going up in opposition to our protection each single day, however I feel it’s good for either side of [the] ball,” Stafford stated final week. “Simply see one thing completely different. Seems like a sport. ... So long as all people retains their head on straight and doesn’t go too loopy or now we have to name observe earlier or no matter that's, I feel it’s a optimistic.”
Joint practices are structured for gamers to function in game-like situations, although in a semi-controlled setting that ostensibly reduces the prospect of harm.
The principle purpose for McVay and Bengals coach Zac Taylor — a former Rams assistant underneath McVay — is for each groups to emerge unscathed.
“We don’t need any type of low cost stuff,” McVay stated. “We now have no place for combating. ... We are able to’t afford to overlook it for dumb” stuff.
That is the second time throughout McVay’s tenure that the Rams have traveled out of state for joint practices. In 2018, they practiced with the Baltimore Ravens earlier than a preseason sport.
McVay stated the Rams will run greater than 90 performs in the course of the two days of exercises, which is able to precede the preseason finale between the groups Saturday at Paycor Stadium.
Rosters should be minimize to 53 gamers by subsequent Tuesday.
The Rams don't sport plan for the practices, which may serve extra as a testing lab for the offense, protection and particular groups, McVay stated.
“Generally the very best studying ops, whether or not or not it's for coaches or gamers, can happen the place there’s actually no ramifications, apart from exit, don’t be afraid to fail,” McVay stated.
Within the Tremendous Bowl, star defensive lineman Aaron Donald clinched the Rams’ 23-20 victory over the Bengals by pressuring quarterback Joe Burrow right into a desperation toss that fell incomplete.
Donald is trying ahead to lining up throughout from gamers apart from Rams offensive linemen.
“It’s simply extra going in opposition to anyone completely different,” he stated. “Attending to work, and attending to compete in opposition to anyone apart from … your individual staff.”
The practices additionally supply alternative for younger gamers presumably to work with starters.
Receiver Lance McCutcheon, for instance, has performed effectively in preseason video games in opposition to the Chargers and Houston Texans, catching passes from reserve quarterbacks John Wolford and Bryce Perkins.
However the practices would possibly afford McCutcheon, an undrafted free agent pushing for a roster spot, the prospect to work in conditions with Stafford, Cooper Kupp and different starters.
How lots of the Rams starters on offense and protection take part within the practices stays to be seen.
Cornerback Jalen Ramsey and inside linebacker Ernest Jones didn't observe Monday due to sickness. Operating backs Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson have been sidelined for per week for what McVay has described as “soft-tissue” accidents.
Rookie Kyren Williams is predicted to take first-team reps.
With Coleman Shelton presumably sidelined due to a lower-body harm and rookie Logan Bruss out for the season due to a knee harm suffered in opposition to the Texans, third-year professional Tremayne Anchrum may take first-team snaps at proper guard.
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