The Los Angeles Rams are set to begin training camp on Saturday with their first practice at UC Irvine. Rookies and quarterbacks report Wednesday with veterans following close behind on Friday, signaling the return of football after a long summer off.
Here are eight of the biggest questions facing the Rams as they get camp underway this weekend.
How healthy will Todd Gurley be?
Sean McVay said this spring that Gurley was going to be ready for camp, getting on the field for the first time all offseason. That’s great news, but how healthy will he really be? Will he be cutting the same as he has? Will he be limited in practice?
Ideally, Gurley will fully participate as he has in the past, but there’s a chance the Rams will bring him along slowly like they did in the spring. They need him as healthy as possible for the regular season and beyond, so keeping him fresh in July and August is definitely a possibility.
Who will emerge to replace Ndamukong Suh?
Suh had a fairly underwhelming regular season in 2018, but that doesn’t mean replacing him will be easy. He’s a former All-Pro and a solid pass rusher from the interior, showing the ability to disrupt quarterbacks from the nose tackle position. Greg Gaines and Sebastian Joseph-Day are the top candidates to fill the void left by Suh, but they’ve played a combined zero snaps in the NFL.
The Rams could be in some trouble if those two players struggle in camp and the preseason because they don’t have much behind them at nose tackle.
Is Micah Kiser the answer at ILB?
Kiser is the top choice to replace Mark Barron, who was released by the Rams and signed with the Steelers this offseason. But with zero defensive snaps played last season, Kiser is essentially a rookie. He has the benefit of a year of practice under his belt, yet questions remain about his ability to be a full-time starter.
Bryce Hager and Dakota Allen could compete with Kiser, but expect the second-year Virginia product to emerge as the top choice.
Will Sean McVay make noticeable changes to the offense?
The Rams’ potent offense was shut down by the Bears and Patriots last season, and it’s no coincidence that they attacked McVay’s scheme with the same defensive approach. After one play in Super Bowl LIII, McVay realized the Patriots were using the Bears’ quarters coverage.
McVay has relied heavily on 11 personnel and deception before the snap, but if teams begin to figure that out, how will he adjust? His inability to change things up in the Super Bowl is a big reason the Rams lost.
Perhaps he’ll utilize more two-tight end sets and put Gurley on the field with Darrell Henderson together. Or maybe Josh Reynolds will earn playing time in four-wide packages, which the Rams rarely used under McVay.
Can Darrell Henderson push Malcolm Brown for RB2 spot?
Henderson is going to get on the field, whether it’s on offense or as a return man. The Rams didn’t draft him in the third round to replace Gurley three years from now. He’ll be utilized as a runner and receiver on offense, which could limit the number of snaps Brown gets.
If Henderson is electric in camp and ripping off long runs the way he did in college, Brown could be pushed down the depth chart to RB3. Brown is still the more reliable and safer choice because of his experience and pass blocking, but it could be hard to keep Henderson off the field.
Will the interior of the O-line hold up?
Joseph Noteboom and Brian Allen have big shoes to fill at left guard and center, respectively. Rodger Saffold was worthy of a Pro Bowl selection and John Sullivan was a key part of the offense with his pre-snap reads and chemistry with Jared Goff. Replacing them is no small task, especially considering the lack of experience Noteboom and Allen have.
If the two second-year players can’t hold up inside, the Rams are going to have trouble running up the middle and protecting Goff from interior rushers. When he gets pressure in his face, Goff becomes a different quarterback, which makes solid guard and center play vital to the success of L.A.’s offense.
Which version of Jared Goff will the Rams get in 2019?
We saw two versions of Goff last season: The one who was an MVP candidate before Week 12, and the one who looked somewhat lost late in the season and in Super Bowl LIII. If Goff plays the way he did for the first 11 games of last year, the Rams are going to be in fantastic shape. However, there’s also the possibility that Goff doesn’t improve while under pressure and makes poor decisions like he did against the Patriots and Bears.
Goff’s play will be a massive factor in the Rams’ success this season. Although they’re a very talented team, if he commits silly turnovers or can’t protect the football, things could go awry. The expectation is that he’ll take another step forward, but it’s not a certainty.
How will newcomers fit on defense?
Clay Matthews will play both inside and outside linebacker, likely lining up on the edge more often than he will inside. Eric Weddle will be a starting safety, playing alongside young stud John Johnson. Both veterans should have an impact in 2019, but they’re past their prime and may be in for a decline.
At the very least, Weddle’s leadership and instincts will help the secondary in a big way. He’ll get everyone aligned correctly and put his fellow DBs in the best positions for success. The way he’s able to read an offense is outstanding and will make a big difference in the secondary.
