RamsFootballFans.com Message Board System - RamsFootballFans.com Welcome to The RamsFootballFans.com forum- the Grand Daddy of all Rams message boards and the home of some of the most serious Rams Fans on the internet. This forum is HIGHLY MODERATED for maximum quality and content. NO POLITICAL OR RELIGIOUS DISCUSSIONS WILL BE ALLOWED!!! E-Mail The Adminhttps://ramsrule.com/herd/list.php?19Sun, 09 Aug 2026 12:18:35 -0400 Phorum 5.2.18 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248429,1248429#msg-1248429 How will the Rams pay AD?https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248429,1248429#msg-1248429Do they have enough surplus that they have the resources now, or do they have to restructure some contracts?]]> BlueRidgeHorns RamsFootballFans.comSun, 09 Aug 2026 12:18:21 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248428,1248428#msg-1248428 Nate Atkins of The Athletic joins Erin Coscarelli to Talks Rams-Videohttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248428,1248428#msg-124842800:00 Rams Training Camp Update
02:00 Rams Defense Is Dominating
05:15 Defense Reaching Another Level
07:21 New Pieces & Defensive Chemistry
09:03 Emmanuel Forbes’ New Role
11:26 Breakout Potential in the Secondary
13:13 How Myles Garrett Changes the Defense
18:20 Latest Aaron Donald Update
19:47 When Could Aaron Donald Return?
23:34 How Donald Would Fit Back In
26:45 Rams QB2 Battle
27:36 Stetson Bennett vs. Ty Simpson
29:27 Could Jimmy Garoppolo Return?
31:24 Developing Ty Simpson
32:29 Matthew Stafford’s Importance



]]> RamBill RamsFootballFans.comSun, 09 Aug 2026 11:44:50 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248427,1248427#msg-1248427 McVay Talks Simpson & Bennett Preseason Expectations,Practice With Cowboys-Videohttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248427,1248427#msg-1248427
]]> RamBill RamsFootballFans.comSun, 09 Aug 2026 11:42:30 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248425,1248425#msg-1248425 Per Atkins, Simpson to play in PS, Bennett undecidedhttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248425,1248425#msg-1248425

[attachment 15569 1.png]]]> Ramsdude RamsFootballFans.comSun, 09 Aug 2026 11:39:27 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248323,1248423#msg-1248423 Re: In his case, no news IS bad newshttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248323,1248423#msg-1248423 Classicalwit RamsFootballFans.comSun, 09 Aug 2026 11:28:45 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248422,1248422#msg-1248422 The Cowboys are about to find out how different this Ram defense is.https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248422,1248422#msg-1248422Story by Eric Lambkins II • 10h • 8 min read

[www.msn.com]

WOODLAND HILLS — The sun sits higher here. Hotter. More exposed.

The Rams traded the manicured soccer pitch of Loyola Marymount's grass, hightailed up the 405 and the 101 home, for the familiar bake of their home facility Saturday, and the change of scenery brought a change in temperature.


Sean McVay felt it. His defense felt it too.

"It's good," Sean McVay said of the return. "It's a little bit hotter out here, but it's good to be back home."

Back home. Back to work. Back to the business of building a defense that might just be the best of the McVay era.

The head coach stood on the sideline and watched his defense do something he hadn't seen all camp. They suffocated the offense. They turned one of the most potent offenses in the NFL into an impotent one.

They forced a handful of turnovers in a single practice. They made throwing and catching look like a foreign language.

"Oh yeah, defense was outstanding," McVay said. "There was great coverage, some great individual plays, disrupting timing and rhythm. It was a great day for the defense. Offensively, they were able to run the football with some success, but throwing and catching was a real struggle. That was a real credit to great defensive play. I was really pleased with the way that our first defense looked."

The secondary had its best day of training camp. The front four wreaked havoc. And at the center of it all stood a man who might be the most disruptive force in football.

Myles Garrett is built different.

Duh.

Braden Fiske learned that truth the hard way. The defensive end who had to watch Garrett miss four practices due to lower body soreness got a front-row seat when the reigning Defensive Player of the Year returned.

And what he saw Thursday confirmed everything he already suspected.

"Not all men are created equal, that's for sure," Fiske said. "He's a baller, no doubt."

The truth has been evident to Fiske during Rams training camp. Garrett missed time. He missed four practices. But in the time he's been on the field, he's been undeniable. Unblockable. Unreal.

"He's getting a slide, there's no doubt about that," Fiske said. "Trying to work off him or vice versa, communicating. The biggest thing right now is working on our communication of how to rush together, how we're going to attack certain looks. As all four, the certain looks that we're going to get when he's on the field, preparing for that and doing our best to work off each other. It's been good so far though. I think we're making strides."


Making strides. That's the quiet work—the unglamorous labor of learning to play alongside a man who changes everything.

Saturday, Garrett closed the day with a pick-six touchdown off the edge. Read that again. A defensive end. An edge rusher. A man whose job is to hunt quarterbacks, not catch footballs. He read a screen, broke on the ball, secured it and high-stepped into the end zone like he'd been doing it his whole life. A sign of the elite tenacity that the reigning Defensive Player of the Year showcases daily.

The Rams may have to start giving that Myles Garrett guy more "veteran rest" days. Not because he needs them. But because he's too disruptive.

Because he takes over practices. Because the offense can't function when he's on the field.

The lower body soreness that cost him four practices is a distant memory. What remains is the reality that Garrett is a problem. For the offense. For the quarterback. For anyone standing in his way.

Kam Kinchens is flashing.

The safety who recorded 84 tackles, two interceptions, six passes defensed and two fumble recoveries in 2025 has taken another step. Saturday, he delivered one of the standout plays of practice.

Kam Kinchens secured an interception in the early moments of 11-on-11 drills.

He's been really good," McVay said of Kinchens. "He's had great range. He's dropping down in a man coverage and ended up being able to play visual and overlap. It was an outstanding play that he ended up making. You can see he's healthy, he's feeling good. Whether he's playing in the deep part of the field or the intermediate, you feel him, he's flashing. I've been really pleased with Kam."

Flashing. That's the word. Not just present. Not just adequate. Flashing. Making plays. Changing games. The kind of player who makes you stop and take notice.

Kinchens has great range. He can play deep. He can play intermediate. He can drop down in man coverage and still find the ball. The versatility is real. The production is real. The trajectory is upward.

"Today was probably the best day that they had as a whole on the back end and they've had a lot of really good days so that's saying something," McVay said. "We want to just continue to take those steps on that upward trajectory and that's exactly what they're doing."

The defense is jelling.

The front four is already jelling despite abbreviated time together. Garrett missed four practices. Fiske had to learn on the fly. The communication had to be built from scratch.

And yet.

"We've done a really good job stacking days," Fiske said on Thursday. "It's competitive football on both sides of the ball. We've made each other a lot better in the days we've been here. Now we get to go back and sweat in Woodland Hills a little bit."

The sweat is real. The work is real. The results are real.

Fiske can already feel the difference. The pressure up front. The coverage on the back end. The marriage of rush and coverage that makes a defense special.

"It has been awesome," Fiske said. "Having that mindset up front of knowing who you have on the back end that's covering you. As we continue to marry our rush and coverage as we go forward and continue to build on that, I think we've made great strides through this camp."

Great strides. That's the goal. Not perfection. Not dominance. Just continuous improvement. Day by day. Rep by rep.

Fiske feels confident about this new-look defense. From the defensive line back to the secondary, the trust is building. The camaraderie is growing. The energy is real.

"There are little tells in camp of the energy, the vibe guys bring and the camaraderie that's built through these days of camp when you spend all day every day with each other around the dorms, around the facilities, when we're in this confined space," Fiske said. "It is a special group. I can say that now for sure that we're headed in the right direction."

The Cowboys are next.

McVay has long valued joint practices as a way to get starters meaningful competitive work without exposing them to preseason games. And on Tuesday, the Dallas Cowboys arrive in Woodland Hills for the first of those sessions.

"We don't gameplan it or anything like that, but just the competition," McVay said. "I think when you go against each other as much as we've done up to this point, it's good to be able to just change it up and get a feel to go against different schemes and great players."

Different schemes. Great players. A different opponent. The joint practices will supplement preseason game action for many of the Rams' established players. The starters will get their work. The backups will get their reps. And the defense will get its first look at someone wearing a different color jersey.

"I'm looking forward to being able to go against some different schemes and really all three phases are the best things and some really good personnel that they have," McVay said.

The Cowboys have Dak Prescott. They have weapons. They have a scheme that will test the Rams' communication and execution. It's the kind of challenge this defense needs.

"Humility is only a day away in this league," McVay said. But he likes where this group is at. He likes the progression. He likes the questions they ask, the ownership they take, the understanding they show.

The work continues

The Rams are back in Woodland Hills. The heat is real. The competition is real. The expectations are real.

McVay was asked about the interceptions in Saturday's practice. About whether the offensive struggles frustrated him. The answer came easy.

"I'm equally as invested in the defense so I want to see good football," McVay said. "A lot of those plays were more of a reflection of great individual plays than necessarily poor execution. What I get upset about is when the other opponent or whether the other side of the ball doesn't have to earn it because it's sloppy, whether it's poor execution or communication on one side or the other. The plays that happened today… there were a handful of turnovers, but I thought it was a really great reflection of excellent execution defensively, some outstanding individual plays and sometimes that's the price of doing business."

The price of doing business. That's the reality of going against a defense this good. The offense struggles. The defense shines. And everyone gets better.

"I think every single day is a great opportunity for us to be able to take steps in the right direction," McVay said.

Steps in the right direction. That's what Saturday was. That's what the joint practices will be. That's what this entire training camp has been.

The defense forced a handful of turnovers. Garrett had a pick-six. Kinchens had an interception. The secondary had its best day of camp.

And the Cowboys are next.

"We can't win a Super Bowl today," Kam Curl said earlier in camp. "So the work [has] got to be put in."

The work is being put in. At Woodland Hills. On the grass. In the heat. Against the reigning MVP in practice and against the Cowboys in joint practices.

The work never stops.

The work is the point.

And this defense? This defense is becoming something special. Something that makes offenses uncomfortable. Something that makes quarterbacks nervous. Something that makes the Rams a problem.

Myles Garrett is the headliner. Kam Kinchens is the rising star. The front four is jelling. The secondary is communicating. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

And the Cowboys are about to find out exactly what that means.

The Rams have a special group, and it appears that Dallas will be their first test of dominance.

The direction is clear. The trajectory is upward. And the Rams' defense is just getting started.]]> Rams_43 RamsFootballFans.comSun, 09 Aug 2026 11:16:08 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248420,1248420#msg-1248420 Some excerpts from a very long camp notes article by Greg Robinson.https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248420,1248420#msg-1248420
[www.nflbluebook.com]


LOS ANGELES — The first seconds of the first practice.

That’s how long it took Sean McVay to look at defensive end Myles Garrett — suddenly and unbelievably McVay’s and the Los Angeles Rams’ Myles Garrett — to deliver a pause where reality set in for the head coach.

“What thought goes through your mind at a moment like that?” I asked McVay.

“@#$%& stupid,” McVay said. “To see him in person, the body control, on our field — it’s @#$%& stupid.”

NFL head coaches don’t get a lot of these instances in their careers — even the distinguished, ultra-successful ones — where they’re staring at a player and truly in awe of both the athlete and the opportunity to coach them. The Rams are there with Garrett, getting through the phase of pinching themselves and just now moving on to the gravity of what his addition means. A calculation that couldn’t begin until he was in a meeting room, locker room, every room, and looming larger than life. Not to mention on the practice field, where the initial non-padded work for the reigning defensive player of the year was a frightening display for a staff that might need to dial him back to get a full slate of good offensive reps in.

“The first two practices, we were sliding to him, he’s drawing a bunch of attention,” McVay said. “And he still — if you were playing real football — he still had five or six sacks in each of those practices. He’s like Gumby. He’s got the flexibility and the bend of Von Miller and power of…”

McVay thought for a beat.

“Well, just name whoever is a really powerful rusher,” he said.

What’s the situation with Donald’s remaining $30 million in salary?

Diving in, there are certainly granular aspects to lay out when it comes to Donald’s contract situation, with multiple individuals in the media space who have done excellent work walking readers through the details. A hat tip to Jason Fitzgerald at Over The Cap, Mike Ginnitti at Spotrac and Joel Corry at CBS Sports. They’ve all done outstanding work on Donald’s most recent contract going all the way through the latest ramifications.

The broad strokes: When Donald retired in 2024, the $30 million remaining on his deal remained in limbo. This is why the Rams are still holding his rights despite his two years off and what would have been a natural expiration of his contract terms if he had played through the 2024 season. Essentially, there’s $30 million attached to Donald and the Rams have a few choices.

Assuming Donald isn’t trying to earn more than that $30 million for one more year of service — and this could end up being a point of contention — the Rams have a handful of options. Among them?

Dive into the deals of other players and establish enough cap space to fit the entire $30 million under the current cap. As it stands, Over The Cap pegs the Rams’ space at roughly $15.2 million. To maintain a workable cap margin for future moves, that means a number solidly north of $14.8 million would need to be found by diving into other deals. It varies by team, but franchises typically like to have at least a few million dollars in space to have breathing room to facilitate any unexpected smaller transactions.
Get creative and renegotiate Donald’s contract into a new one-year pact, giving him a large signing bonus and a low base salary, then attaching as many as four void years to spread out the impact of the signing bonus over multiple future seasons.
For the sake of keeping it in round numbers, if there was an inclination to pay him the full $30 million (again, this might be a point of contention), the Rams could pay Donald a $5 million base salary in 2026 with a $25 million signing bonus, then spread that remaining $25 million over five years total. Prorated out, that would be $10 million in 2026 — his $5 million base and one $5 million installment of his signing bonus — and then the remaining $20 million hitting the cap in the next four voided years, translating to $5 million a year in 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
Work out a middle ground where Donald is guaranteed a lower portion of the salary — such as $20 million — and then tack on the remaining $10 million (or more if he’s seeking a bigger number) in a series of bonuses that allow the team to put together a cap-friendly structure. Because certain performance bonuses have to be tied to Donald’s last year in the league, this could get a little tricky. But it’s still an option.

One way or another, dealing with that $30 million is the lingering barrier with Donald if he plays in 2026. How complicated it gets will depend on what Donald wants to make if he returns, how much the Rams are willing to pay him, and the structure of the money.

And even with it all being down the road, I know it’s on the minds of Rams decision-makers, because one conversation I had inside the building involved things like using different types of bonuses to massage a Donald contract without beating up the cap. In my mind, you’re already negotiating with yourself as a franchise if you’re game-planning out the possibilities ahead. You may not be actively going back and forth with Donald’s agent, Todd France of Athletes First, but you’re setting the table.

“The contract, you’ve got to have a contract to play in the NFL, but that’s kind of the last step,” general manager Les Snead said of the remaining hurdle. “We’re not putting the cart before the horse. Let’s see if he feels like he can play. It’s pretty obvious he wants to play. It’s one thing to want to play. The next most important variable in the equation is do I feel like I can play?”

Asked if he thinks past negotiations with Donald and their ongoing relationship will help if it gets to the point of talking money, Snead said he believed it would.

“That’s definitely the approach,” he said. “We’ve partnered together. We’ve had a great relationship. If we want to get this done, we’ll work to solve that part of it. But that’s the last part of it.”

So that’s what I ultimately think is lingering here for a Donald return. How close is he to his own physical standard? How fast can he come back if that standard is reachable? How much of the $30 million remaining on his last contract does he want to make? How far will the Rams stretch themselves in terms of adding Donald to the roster and the cost to make that happen?

These are the questions that measure the distance between today and Donald’s return — as well as the weight that a Garrett and Donald tandem could carry forward. The possibilities are, well, I’ll just steal McVay’s line.

Effing stupid.

Rookie to Watch

I’m going to have to go with sixth round wideout CJ Daniels — who entered the league at 24 years old after six years of college eligibility — who made a handful of impressive catches when I was at practice. Including a couple tight-window snags that had to raise everyone’s eyebrows whether it were coaches, personnel staff, media or fans.

I hate to go overboard until I see these guys in games, but Daniels has size and played his way to the top of Liberty’s roster before transferring to LSU in 2024 and then finishing his college career at Miami in 2025. Guys like that can arrive with maturity and skills that get discounted due to their age. He appears to have something real. But the preseason games will be an important measure.

What I Saw That Was Interesting

I thought about putting second round rookie tight end Max Klare as my rookie to watch, but he lands here instead. A quad injury to backup tight end Davis Allen opened a fraction of first-team rotational opportunities for Klare and it was pretty clear there was excitement about it. Terrance Ferguson has emerged as the likely third receiving option behind Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, but Klare could absolutely have a role this season.

Klare’s combination of physicality and fluidity for his size is fun to watch. There’s a real chance he ends up being the every-down tight end that balances the offense’s multiple tight end sets alongside Ferguson by next season. The Rams do have a monstrous tight end room and it’s intriguing to ponder what kind of mismatches they create with this group. I think McVay is going to have new wrinkles.

Wild Card

Running back Blake Corum goes here pretty easily. I’m sure others would plug in different candidates, but Corum looks to me like the player he was prior to suffering a bad bone bruise and meniscus tear at Michigan late in the 2022 season. Go back and look at Corum’s highlights from that 2022 season. He had explosion and toughness to his game and absolutely was cutting the figure as a potential first round pick in the 2023 NFL draft. Instead he banged up his knee and went back to Michigan for the 2023 season — when he was still very good, but also not quite back to his previous level.

I think he has regained that 2022 form. Plenty has been written about his offseason workouts, which have gotten a wave of attention on social media. But when you talk to the coaching staff and elements of the personnel department, some of it is just feeling fully healthy and confident and using that momentum to level up. If Corum has recaptured the explosiveness of 2022, this offense is loaded regardless of what happens at the third wide receiver spot.

Share

Veteran I’m keeping an eye on

The Rams coaching staff has been over the moon with cornerback Trent McDuffie from the moment he walked into the building. To the point that a member of the Rams’ brain trust said that they were having a hard time reconciling the respect they had for the Kansas City Chiefs as an organization with Kansas City’s decision to actually trade McDuffie to the Rams.

As that source framed it: “I have no idea how we got that guy. I don’t know why [Kansas City] would ever let him get out of their building.” Well, the gas pedal is down in Los Angeles. The Rams think he could end up being the best cornerback in the league when this season is in the books, and it’s clear they plan on using his versatility and toughness to be an eraser of every opponent’s best wideout.

I said it when the trade with the Chiefs happened and I’ll say it again: He’s the chess move to provide an answer for the Seattle Seahawks’ Jaxon Smith-Njigba…and whatever other elite receiver stands in the way in the postseason.

Fantasy thought

What’s good for the Rams might be a little bit of a ding on a few of their best fantasy assets this season. I think if everyone is healthy, there are more mouths to feed than ever. Both running backs, Corum and Kyren Williams, will eat touches this season. And if Ferguson takes the step that the staff believes he can, it’s going to threaten to temper at least some production between Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.

Even Stafford, who is still at the top of his game, may not have to shoulder an MVP-level load if the running game functions as intended. This is all health permitting. Even one injury could change that outlook dramatically. But in the best-case scenario, this shouldn’t be an offense that is just hyper-focused through one aspect or player. I tend to believe a healthy Nacua will maintain his elite level statistically, if only because he’s that guy. But when it comes to everyone else, I can see there being a lot of balancing and load-sharing. Take that for what it’s worth.]]> Rams_43 RamsFootballFans.comSun, 09 Aug 2026 10:56:52 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248323,1248415#msg-1248415 Au Contraire - It's a numbers gamehttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248323,1248415#msg-1248415
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RockRam
I suspect he has one foot out the door. He made zero impact as a rookie, and his name is never mentioned by coaching staff or media. Nearly anonymous. Not good. He must be barely a JAG. I suspect he'll be among the first cuts. No suprises. Guys taken as late as he was have but a small chance of making a team, and with the Rams incredibly stocked roster, it is even harder.

Training Camp Competition: While his roster spot is relatively secure, Hunter is locked in a training camp battle to secure the RB3 role: The Top Duo: Kyren Williams and Blake Corum are firmly locked in as the Rams' premier one-two punch at the top of the backfield. The RB3 Battle: Hunter is competing directly with veteran Ronnie Rivers. Reports from Rams Wire indicate that after playing zero offensive snaps as a rookie, Hunter has had a relatively quiet camp outside of a few tough runs. Meanwhile, Rivers holds a slight edge in dependability due to his extensive experience on special teams. Barring an unexpected decision by LA to carry only three running backs, Hunter's draft status and explosive athletic profile should easily safeguard his spot on the 53.]]> Shecky RamsFootballFans.comSun, 09 Aug 2026 09:20:46 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1247942,1248414#msg-1248414 The Good ol' days...https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1247942,1248414#msg-1248414
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RamsFanforLife
Brandon Powell was the only good return guy they have had since Mcvay took over. (Pharoh Cooper was good, but he was there when Mcvay became coach.)

I miss the 80s lol. With return guys like Ron Brown and Henry Ellard. They were part of the offense.




Rams Toot their Horne]]> Shecky RamsFootballFans.comSun, 09 Aug 2026 09:18:10 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248339,1248413#msg-1248413 Re: Did Bennett "earn" QB2 or was it "gifted" to him?https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248339,1248413#msg-1248413
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Shecky
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Ramsdude
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Shecky
I read somewhere that Bennett won't likely play in preseason since he's the current QB2.

Simpson will likely start at least PS W1 and W2. The other Matthew (Caldwell) will back up Ty and may even have W3 to himself.

Did Bennett "earn" QB2 or was it "gifted" to him? I think he was gifted the job due to not having anyone better on the roster. I surely don't think he deserves it or earned it by his play. He only had like 1 1/2 ok preseason games against a bunch of scrubs.

Bennett is one lucky dude, that's for sure. He did nothing the first few years to even make us think he could be a capable QB2, left the team with mental issues and most likely had an alcohol problem too.

Imo, Bennett is a QB3/Practice squad QB. His only strength is knowing the McVay system. Not "executing" McVay's system, just "knowing" it. That might be enough to land him a spot on another team coached by a McVay disciple but other than that, I don't see many teams breaking down the door for him.

Not sure what it is with McVay and QB2's but other than Jimmy G, who he didn't have to "evaluate", he seems to have a weakness when evaluating them. I mean The Wolf was a legit QB2??? lol

Having said that, I am looking forward to seeing Simpson play. Even if it is against scrubs. Will he look better than Bennett has previously? We'll see.

In a way, I think the Rams trap themselves within their own SOPs, such as resting starters in preseason, but that has included QB2s (Jimmy G). No doubt Stetson can use the work. And God forbid Bennett gets hurt in preseason when we already have Simpson (who may be as good or better than SB).

Jimmy G didn't "need" to play in the PS. Bennett on the other hand does, need to play imo, Bennett needs all the in game reps he can get, not just practice reps, but you make a good point about "if" he would get hurt.

Having said that, it's kinda like playing scared or should in this case, "not playing" scared. lol

Imo, having Bennett as QB2 in an All In year like this one is not a smart move. We could...and should do better than him. Same as it was with The Wolf. That dude should never have been a QB2 in the NFL for as long as he was.

I really hope we don't need to play Bennett at all this year during the season. I have zero confidence he could lead us to any wins. Not even against weaker competition.]]> Ramsdude RamsFootballFans.comSun, 09 Aug 2026 07:58:06 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248339,1248412#msg-1248412 Re: Did Bennett "earn" QB2 or was it "gifted" to him?https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248339,1248412#msg-1248412
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Ramsdude
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Shecky
I read somewhere that Bennett won't likely play in preseason since he's the current QB2.

Simpson will likely start at least PS W1 and W2. The other Matthew (Caldwell) will back up Ty and may even have W3 to himself.

Did Bennett "earn" QB2 or was it "gifted" to him? I think he was gifted the job due to not having anyone better on the roster. I surely don't think he deserves it or earned it by his play. He only had like 1 1/2 ok preseason games against a bunch of scrubs.

Bennett is one lucky dude, that's for sure. He did nothing the first few years to even make us think he could be a capable QB2, left the team with mental issues and most likely had an alcohol problem too.

Imo, Bennett is a QB3/Practice squad QB. His only strength is knowing the McVay system. Not "executing" McVay's system, just "knowing" it. That might be enough to land him a spot on another team coached by a McVay disciple but other than that, I don't see many teams breaking down the door for him.

Not sure what it is with McVay and QB2's but other than Jimmy G, who he didn't have to "evaluate", he seems to have a weakness when evaluating them. I mean The Wolf was a legit QB2??? lol

Having said that, I am looking forward to seeing Simpson play. Even if it is against scrubs. Will he look better than Bennett has previously? We'll see.

In a way, I think the Rams trap themselves within their own SOPs, such as resting starters in preseason, but that has included QB2s (Jimmy G). No doubt Stetson can use the work. And God forbid Bennett gets hurt in preseason when we already have Simpson (who may be as good or better than SB).]]> Shecky RamsFootballFans.comSun, 09 Aug 2026 07:50:35 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248253,1248411#msg-1248411 Eric Lampkin - Rams defense dominanthttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248253,1248411#msg-1248411x.com]

Rams defense dominating the O is now a trend for sure

Cowboys up next this week. Those award and Dak will be a great test.]]> Speed_Kills RamsFootballFans.comSun, 09 Aug 2026 07:46:39 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248253,1248410#msg-1248410 Re: Agreedhttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248253,1248410#msg-1248410
[x.com]

I have no issues with him other than he comes off as a hype man for the Rams

No issues with his writing. He’s a gifted writer for sure but can be repetitive.

To be honest I’m surprised the Rams have so few local writers so I do enjoy what I get when I can]]> Speed_Kills RamsFootballFans.comSun, 09 Aug 2026 07:43:05 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248339,1248409#msg-1248409 Did Bennett "earn" QB2 or was it "gifted" to him?https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248339,1248409#msg-1248409
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Shecky
I read somewhere that Bennett won't likely play in preseason since he's the current QB2.

Simpson will likely start at least PS W1 and W2. The other Matthew (Caldwell) will back up Ty and may even have W3 to himself.

Did Bennett "earn" QB2 or was it "gifted" to him? I think he was gifted the job due to not having anyone better on the roster. I surely don't think he deserves it or earned it by his play. He only had like 1 1/2 ok preseason games against a bunch of scrubs.

Bennett is one lucky dude, that's for sure. He did nothing the first few years to even make us think he could be a capable QB2, left the team with mental issues and most likely had an alcohol problem too.

Imo, Bennett is a QB3/Practice squad QB. His only strength is knowing the McVay system. Not "executing" McVay's system, just "knowing" it. That might be enough to land him a spot on another team coached by a McVay disciple but other than that, I don't see many teams breaking down the door for him.

Not sure what it is with McVay and QB2's but other than Jimmy G, who he didn't have to "evaluate", he seems to have a weakness when evaluating them. I mean The Wolf was a legit QB2??? lol

Having said that, I am looking forward to seeing Simpson play. Even if it is against scrubs. Will he look better than Bennett has previously? We'll see.]]> Ramsdude RamsFootballFans.comSun, 09 Aug 2026 07:40:43 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248323,1248407#msg-1248407 In his case, no news IS bad newshttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248323,1248407#msg-1248407 RockRam RamsFootballFans.comSun, 09 Aug 2026 06:53:19 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1247623,1248406#msg-1248406 Other Major Factorshttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1247623,1248406#msg-1248406
Loveland: 818 snaps, 82 targets, target%: 15.5
Warren: 899 snaps, 112 targets, target%: 20.9
Fannin: 786 snaps. 107 targets, target%: 20.8

Ferguson: 415 snaps, 25 targets, target%: 04.3]]> Shecky RamsFootballFans.comSun, 09 Aug 2026 06:49:46 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248339,1248405#msg-1248405 QBs not named Staffordhttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248339,1248405#msg-1248405
Simpson will likely start at least PS W1 and W2. The other Matthew (Caldwell) will back up Ty and may even have W3 to himself.]]> Shecky RamsFootballFans.comSun, 09 Aug 2026 06:39:26 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248339,1248398#msg-1248398 Re: The OLhttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248339,1248398#msg-1248398
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leafnose
I thought last year most of the starting OL was out there for preseason

Surprised me for sure.

Pretty sure you are wrong about that.

McVay doesn't play starters in preseason. Often not even key 2nd stringers either.

Just to double-check, I looked up a recap on the 2025 preseason and the article stated:

"As per usual, the Rams didn't play any starters in the preseason."]]> XXXIVwin RamsFootballFans.comSun, 09 Aug 2026 02:48:47 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1247623,1248394#msg-1248394 Loveland, Warren and Fannin had terrific seasonshttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1247623,1248394#msg-1248394 ferragamo79 RamsFootballFans.comSat, 08 Aug 2026 21:46:53 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248285,1248392#msg-1248392 Another Ram to root forhttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248285,1248392#msg-1248392Just about everybody, really.
What a team they have assembled.

BC]]> BC Ramsfan RamsFootballFans.comSat, 08 Aug 2026 21:13:56 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1247623,1248391#msg-1248391 IMO that's the planhttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1247623,1248391#msg-1248391Gotta stay ahead.

BC]]> BC Ramsfan RamsFootballFans.comSat, 08 Aug 2026 21:11:48 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248339,1248390#msg-1248390 Who the hell is backing up LT?https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248339,1248390#msg-1248390Not confident in Quessenberry.
Dang.

BC]]> BC Ramsfan RamsFootballFans.comSat, 08 Aug 2026 21:10:08 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248360,1248389#msg-1248389 You can never go wronghttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248360,1248389#msg-1248389IMO one of the top ten to listen to, including coaches!

BC]]> BC Ramsfan RamsFootballFans.comSat, 08 Aug 2026 21:07:15 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248170,1248388#msg-1248388 Makes you wonderhttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248170,1248388#msg-1248388
'Wouldn't blame him. Nationally televised game.
Second shot as a head coach.]]> 1st Rounder RamsFootballFans.comSat, 08 Aug 2026 20:54:41 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248224,1248387#msg-1248387 Saw this one Facebookhttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248224,1248387#msg-1248387
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Golden Ram
[attachment 15568 EditedPhoto.jpg]

I love this one and think it would look great on a Black Tee shirt or hoodie! :beercan]]> Ramsdude RamsFootballFans.comSat, 08 Aug 2026 19:30:43 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248224,1248386#msg-1248386 Re: RAMPAGING WEST (Fun w/ChatGPT image creator!)https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248224,1248386#msg-1248386 Golden Ram RamsFootballFans.comSat, 08 Aug 2026 19:27:43 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248224,1248385#msg-1248385 Re: It's AIhttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248224,1248385#msg-1248385
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NewMexicoRam
Easy to do.

Artificially easy to do! :beercan]]> Ramsdude RamsFootballFans.comSat, 08 Aug 2026 18:21:24 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248170,1248384#msg-1248384 Re: Lolhttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248170,1248384#msg-1248384 73Ram RamsFootballFans.comSat, 08 Aug 2026 16:56:42 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248376,1248383#msg-1248383 Re: Some Nate Atkins Tweetshttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248376,1248383#msg-1248383
...HOW did CJ Daniels impress? What did Stuard show that stood out to you, and how do you project either into the regular season?

Can Daniels play out of the X spot, where I can envision him using the sideline as a friend and grabbing anything thrown there against 1:1 coverage? Does he have what it will take to play against real-time NFL defenders and be that sure-handed contested ball receiver who is money for first downs and in the red one? Or mdoews he play Y with Puka slot and Adams X? Where and how does a reporter's eyes on thre ground project him?

And Stuard: is he the thumper who can work his way into regular rotation as an ILB? I already project him as a ST sparkplug and emerging ST caaptain whose presence can embolden and inspire our ST coverage unit - possibly return unit as well.

Insights and evidence welcome.]]> mtramfan RamsFootballFans.comSat, 08 Aug 2026 16:48:05 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248376,1248376#msg-1248376 Some Nate Atkins Tweetshttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1248376,1248376#msg-1248376x.com]

The battles between CeeDee Lamb and Trent McDuffie and George Pickens and Jaylen Watson are going to be Fire on Tuesday in the Rams-Cowboys joint practice.

The Rams are back at Woodland Hills, and today was another practice where the defense suffocated the offense.

Kam Kinchens, Kam Curl and Myles Garrett came up with turnovers.

Sean McVay said it was the secondary’s best day yet.

Sean McVay said that Ty Simpson will definitely play in the preseason. They're still deciding on if Stetson Bennett will.

Bennett took all the second-team reps again today, with Simpson watching.


The most dominant Rams players at Loyola Marymount were zero surprise:

Matthew Stafford
Puka Nacua
Trent McDuffie
Quentin Lake
(Myles Garrett didn’t really practice enough or get to hit the QB in order to qualify for this super unscientific list.)

But here are some less heralded names who have impressed, too:

CJ Daniels
Cam Lampkin
Emmanuel Forbes Jr.
Josaiah Stewart
Grant Stuard]]> RamBill RamsFootballFans.comSat, 08 Aug 2026 16:11:24 -0400