TOP 3 TRAINING CAMP BATTLES TO WATCH
NEWPORT BEACH » Rams coach Sean McVay briefly joked about his Super Bowl ring being too nice to wear before uttering a quick transition to officially starting training camp for the 2022 season.
“Let’s turn the page,” McVay said.
Two days after receiving their Super Bowl rings, the Rams reported to training camp Saturday morning to begin their quest for backto-back championships, something no team has done since the 2004-2005 New England Patriots.
The quest of ending that drought is one of many reasons the Rams aren’t concerned about a Super Bowl hangover. Motivation isn’t an issue, players said as they trickled into the team hotel in Newport Beach.
“You get to that point where you’ve celebrated enough,” Rams center Brian Allen said. “I know we just had the ring ceremony the other night, but we’re ready to keep building. … We want to win a Super Bowl this year. I think that’s the standard here and that’s the goal.”
What makes turning the page difficult for the Rams is the short turnaround from defeating the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI on Feb. 13 to needing to be mentally and physically prepared for training camp 160 days later.
Defensive end A’Shawn Robinson, who entered his seventh NFL season, flashed a smile when asked if he noticed a difference in his body after a Super Bowl run compared to shorter seasons.
“You feel a little bit of wear and tear,” Robinson said. “That’s fine.”
The Rams start their Super Bowl championship defense today as training camp gets underway at Crawford Field at UC Irvine.
As for all teams, camp won’t be without some competition for positions. Here are the top three training camp battles to watch:
No. 1 Starting right guard
Players: Logan Bruss, Coleman Shelton, Tremayne Anchrum, AJ Arcuri, Bobby Evans
The biggest uncertainty heading into training camp might be at starting right guard, a vacancy created by Austin Corbett’s departure to the Carolina Panthers. Bruss, the Rams’ first pick in the 2022draft, seems to be the favorite after center Brian Allen and right tackle Rob Havenstein shared praise for the rookie from Wisconsin on Saturday. Shelton started two games last season and has three years of experience. Evans could be in the mix, but the team might prefer to keep him as a backup tackle.
No. 2 edge rusher
Players: Justin Hollins, Terrell Lewis, Chris Garrett
The Rams have depth and plenty of star power on defense, but they’re thin at edge rusher behind Leonard Floyd. Hollins said in May he’s confident he’ll fill the starting vacancy left by Von Miller, and that could come to fruition because of his versatility and knack for making plays. But Hollins admitted Saturday that he needs to work on his pass-rushing skills to generate more sacks. He has only six career sacks in three seasons. There are high hopes for Lewis, a 2020third-round pick, but he has struggled to stay healthy.
No. 3 wide receiver
Players: Van Jefferson, Tutu Atwell, Ben Skowronek Jefferson likely holds the No. 3position behind Cooper Kupp and newcomer Allen Robinson because of his knack for getting open with crisp routes and physical play. But the explosive Atwell could make a push if he finds his footing in Year 2 after an injury-riddled rookie season. The wide receiver room could get crowded if the team decides to bring back Odell Beckham Jr., who’s rehabbing from a torn ACL.
Many notable players are still dealing with the aches and pains from reaching the mountaintop six months ago. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey (shoulder), inside linebacker Travin Howard (groin), running back Kyren Williams (foot) and safety Quentin Lake (undisclosed injury) were placed on the physically unable to perform list Friday.
Howard is scheduled to have surgery this week. Ramsey had his procedure last month. McVay wasn’t
sure whether Ramsey will be available for the season opener against the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 8.
“I think it’s going to be a long process, but a lot of it is the feedback from him and then when he has to really use that shoulder, just some of the different things where it’s stressed,” McVay said. “It’s hard to really simulate some of those things because you don’t ever really go live in practice settings. But I think a lot of it will depend on how he is feeling and then obviously the doctors giving him a full clearance.”
Quarterback Matthew Stafford, who didn’t throw a pass during the offseason program, is expected to be ready for the first training camp practice today at UC Irvine. Stafford received an injection in his right elbow after the Super Bowl.
“He is going to be ready to go, but we will be smart with what that workload looks like within our fourand three-day work week increments,” McVay said.
Stafford doesn’t need many reps as a 14-year veteran, but his presence would help the offensive line find early chemistry with Joe Noteboom taking over at left tackle after Andrew Whitworth’s retirement and with the opening at right guard.
The Rams, with plenty of depth and star power across the roster, don’t have many starting positions to fill, making them Super Bowl contenders again. But McVay understands plenty needs to go right, including health, to repeat as champions.
The organization is making sure McVay is around to deliver more than two Super Bowls.
McVay revealed that he and general manager Les Snead are close on agreeing to contract extensions, adding that it’s likely both deals get done before the regular season.
“I wouldn’t want to put a timetable on it, but I’d say more than likely,” McVay said. “But again, these things can kind of drag on as we all know. But I do feel really good about the direction and all the conversations that have been had as it relates to myself and Les.”
Money and motivation aren’t issues as the Rams turn the page to 2022.
Kings forwards Gabriel Vilardi, top middle, and Jaret Anderson-Dolan, right, both agreed to one-year contract extensions, putting the team near the salary cap ceiling.