So far, so good
New Rams QB Matthew Stafford is eager to learn the offense and get used to his teammates.
Matthew Stafford began the organized-teamactivities phase of Rams offseason training Monday sounding like a rookie again.
Excited, and, more to the point, facing a learning curve.
“From a mental aspect, I’m kind of right where they are,” Stafford said, referring to the Rams’ recent draft picks. “We’re all in the same boat, trying to learn this (offense) as fast as we possibly can and make it second nature as soon as possible.”
Stafford spoke by video conference after the first day of OTAs on the Rams’ practice fields in Thousand Oaks. OTAs will run for four days this week and three days next week. Then comes a three-day mandatory minicamp.
Few NFL veterans probably minded in 2020 when these spring workouts were canceled early in the COVID-19 pandemic. But for Stafford this year, they’re a welcome opportunity.
They’re a chance to feel out coach Sean McVay’s offense and his new teammates after the trade that brought the 33-year-old quarterback to the Rams in exchange for Jared Goff and three draft picks.
“Selfishly, I’m liking these times,” Stafford said. “It’s giving me the chance to be on the field and calling plays, and going against our defense a little bit in some jog-through scenarios.”
Stafford reported his thumb feels “way better” and isn’t limiting his ability to pass after surgery in March to repair a ligament tear sustained last November.
But with the Sept. 12 season opener against the Bears at SoFi Stadium more than 100 days away, Stafford’s most important throws might be the ideas he and McVay toss back and forth about how to improve an offense that ranked 22nd in both points scored and passer rating in 2020.
And then putting those ideas to work on the field.
“The physical part of it is great right now, being able to throw and catch and work with the guys,” he said. “But for me, probably the biggest thing in the quarterback position is being able to get some of these mental reps, being able to get in and out of the huddle, learning the new terminology, and then see our plays develop versus different defenses.
“To get that, in my opinion, you can definitely look at it on a screen, look at it on a piece of paper, take notes. But until you get out and watch Cooper Kupp run this route, Robert Woods run that route or whatever it is, that’s stuff that takes time and in-person repetition.”
Since the Rams traded for Stafford, they’ve built up the Kupp- and Woodsled wide-receiver group by signing DeSean Jackson and drafting Tutu Atwell from Louisville with their first draft pick (second round), expecting both to add deep threats to the offense.
“He can still run, I know that,” Stafford said of Jackson, 34. “He can still go. He’s a smart guy. He’s learning this thing a little bit like myself.”
Stafford said he expects to practice with receivers between the end of mandatory minicamp June 10 and the beginning of training camp in late July.
He didn’t sound as if he’ll push McVay to let him play in the Rams’ three preseason games, which begin Aug. 14 against the Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Stafford said he’d prefer to get his game reps in the jointpractice scrimmages the Rams will hold with other teams.
Meanwhile, the Texas high school product who played in college at Georgia and in Detroit the past 12 years as a pro is getting comfortable in California. He notices the differences.
“Besides the sun shining every single day, there’s been a few things here and there,” Stafford said with a laugh. “It’s all a new experience for me.
“I’ve played a lot of football in my life, but every time you go to a new situation, whether it’s a new coach coming in or you going to a new organization, there’s things to figure out. I’m still in that process.”