Latest news with #LosAngelesRams'
USA Today
an hour ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Rams training camp preview: Will LA's secondary be a strength or weakness?
Depth isn't a concern but top-end talent might be lacking in LA's secondary The Los Angeles Rams' secondary got off to a terrible start last season but by the end of the year, it was excelling against even the top receivers in the league – including Justin Jefferson and A.J. Brown in the postseason. That turnaround in coverage helped the Rams make a run in the playoffs but they can't afford to get off to such a slow start in 2025. With many of the same defensive backs on the roster still, the Rams are counting on their incumbent starters to take positive steps this season. The question is, will they? From Darious Williams and Ahkello Witherspoon at cornerback to Kamren Curl and Kamren Kinchens at safety, the Rams have talent in the secondary. They just need to play better as a cohesive unit. Here's a look at how the secondary stands with training camp getting underway. Roster locks All six of these players are going to make the team and they'll all play major roles on defense, too. Williams, Witherspoon and Durant are the top pure cornerbacks, but Lake is as versatile as anyone and is essentially a slot cornerback who can also play safety. Curl and Kinchens gave the Rams a dynamic new safety tandem last season in their first year with the team, as Kinchens tied for the team lead with four interceptions. Kinchens should see even more playing time in Year 2 now that he's gained some comfort on defense. Likely to make it McCollough is almost certain to make the 53-man roster but as a former undrafted rookie, the Rams don't have big financial ties to him. Plus, he needs to show that his strong rookie season in 2024 wasn't a fluke after picking off four passes, returning one for a touchdown. He's a great backup to have on the roster with his ability to play deep or cover the slot. On the bubble This is where things get very complicated and unpredictable. The Rams are likely to keep at least eight defensive backs, potentially even going as high as 10 DBs. That means anywhere from one to three of the players listed here will make the 53-man roster. All of them likely breathed a sigh of relief when the Rams chose not to trade for Jalen Ramsey or Jaire Alexander, giving them a much better shot to make the team. Now the real work begins in training camp as they attempt to show the coaching staff that they deserve to stick around into September. Forbes is perhaps the most intriguing name on the list because of his pedigree of being a former first-round pick. Kendrick missed all of 2024 with a torn ACL but he's back this year and attempting to reclaim a starting spot in the secondary. Dixon-Williams and Valcarcel are two undrafted rookies with a lot to prove and given the Rams' knack for finding talented safeties late in the draft or in free agency, one of them could be the next gem. Position battle to watch If not for Lake, these three players would likely be the top cornerbacks in nickel packages. However, Lake's ability to play in the slot complicates things for Williams, Witherspoon and Durant. Lake plays every snap, which means Williams, Witherspoon and Durant could be competing for the two outside cornerback spots. The Rams will rotate their corners a bit depending on the opponent and individual matchup, but only two of them are likely to be full-time players. That competition could be sorted out in training camp. Potential sleeper While not a sleeper by name as a former first-rounder, Forbes is someone to watch. He barely played after being claimed by the Rams last season but with a full offseason of training in Los Angeles, his stock is on the rise. He received high praise from his coaches during the offseason workout program, too, even bulking up this spring in an attempt to get better in his third NFL season. It's not out of the question for him to play a lot of snaps for the Rams this season. Follow Rams Wire on X, Facebook and Threads for more coverage!
USA Today
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Look: Kevin Dotson showed up to training camp with an incredible Rams-themed hairstyle
Dotson is all Rams all the time with his new yellow horns hairstyle There may not be a player more excited for training camp than Kevin Dotson. The Los Angeles Rams' starting right guard showed up at Loyola Marymount University on Tuesday sporting a new hairstyle and it's perfect for this time of year. He dyed his hair to look like a Rams helmet, rocking yellow horns just like Los Angeles' iconic lid. Dotson is the lifeblood of the team and always brings the energy every day, so he's the perfect player to rock this look. He made an appearance in this video posted by the Rams, showing players' arrivals at LMU on Tuesday – including Puka Nacua on a go-kart and Matthew Stafford in the same Dodgers hat he's been wearing for four years. It absolutely does not get better than this. K-Dot officially wins arrival day. Follow Rams Wire on X, Facebook and Threads for more coverage!
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Matthew Stafford's wife Kelly Stafford reflects on golfer Scottie Scheffler's deep take on winning ahead of NFL Season
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is gearing up for his fifth NFL season with the team, but before football takes over again, the Stafford family took time to soak in the moments that truly matter. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Meanwhile, a poignant perspective from World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler caught the attention of Stafford's wife, Kelly, who shared his comments about life and winning — drawing a deeper connection between elite athletes who value more than just trophies. As Stafford eyes another postseason run, Kelly Stafford used the offseason to reflect on family, gratitude and a grounded message from the golf world that hit home. Scottie Scheffler's words strike a chord with Kelly Stafford | What did he say? During a press conference at The Open Championship, PGA Tour star Scottie Scheffler offered a heartfelt take on the fleeting nature of sports victories and the importance of keeping life in perspective. "It feels like you work your whole life to celebrate winning a tournament for like a few minutes," Scheffler said, as quoted by a news platform. "It only lasts a few minutes, that kind of euphoric feeling. ... You win it, you celebrate, get to hug my family, my sister's there, it's such an amazing moment. Then it's like, okay, what are we going to eat for dinner? Life goes on." What Kelly Stafford wrote about Scottie Scheffler's quote Kelly Stafford, Matthew Stafford's wife, saw the quote and shared it on Instagram. She liked how Scottie Scheffler thinks about life and said that athletes from their hometown, Highland Park, Texas — like Scheffler, Clayton Kershaw, and her husband — really understand what matters in life. 'Something in the water in Highland Park ... not to become pro athletes, but to become men who just fully get what life is about. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now @scottiescheffler @claytonkershaw @matthewstafford,' she wrote. Matthew Stafford and Kelly Stafford spend quality time head of former's training camp As NFL training starts, players are getting ready for football again. But before that, Kelly Stafford spent time making memories with her family. She posted a sweet video on Instagram showing trips, fun days, and moments with Matthew and their kids. She wrote a message about enjoying the time they have now. "Am always grateful for an offseason with you, while always looking forward to another football season. Soon these seasons won't exist, so not taking any of it for granted. " FAQs Q: What did Kelly Stafford say about Scottie Scheffler's comments? A: Kelly Stafford praised Scottie Scheffler's life perspective, calling attention to the values shared by Highland Park athletes like her husband, Scheffler, and Clayton Kershaw. Q: How did Matthew Stafford spend his NFL offseason? A: He spent quality time with his family, which Kelly Stafford highlighted in a heartfelt Instagram video capturing their vacations and events. Q: When does the Los Angeles Rams' 2025 season start? A: The Rams will open their NFL season on September 8 against the Houston Texans. Also read :
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Rams stars make top-30 under-30 list
It's no secret that some of the Los Angeles Rams' best players are older. Matthew Stafford is 37, Davante Adams is 32 and Rob Havenstein is 33. Even Tyler Higbee, Poona Ford and Darious Williams are in their 30s. But where do the Rams' older players sit among the rest of the NFL's veteran elite? CBS Sports' Jeff Kerr ranked the top 30 players over the age of 30 heading into the 2025 season, and two Rams stars made the cut: Stafford and Adams. Stafford ranked No. 12, while Adams came in at No. 20. Stafford is still considered amongst the top at his position in his late 30s, finishing strong to close the 2024 season. He had nine touchdowns to just one interception over his last eight games (including playoffs) and boasted a 98.5 passer rating -- part of a season in which he finished with 3,762 yards and 20 touchdowns to just eight interceptions (93.7 rating). When healthy, Stafford can still get the job done and win games for the Rams. He's still going strong at 37. Even in his 30s, Adams still finds ways to produce. Adams had his fifth consecutive 1,000-yard receiving season in 2024, finishing with 85 catches for 1,063 yards and eight touchdowns. He has six 1,000-yard seasons and five double-digit touchdown seasons, being named a first-team All-Pro three times. Let's see if Adams can return to his All-Pro form with the Rams, but he's still a very good receiver. Naturally, the list skewed toward those closer to 30 than 40, but Stafford was tied with San Francisco 49ers tackle Trent Williams for the oldest player on the list. Stafford was also the fourth player over the age of 35 ranked in the top half of the list, alongside Williams (No. 13), Eagles tackle Lane Johnson (No. 2) and Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (No. 10). No other Rams players made the list, but ex-Rams receiver Cooper Kupp (now with the Seattle Seahawks) was named an honorable mention.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Rams' Kobie Turner has this game circled on 2025 schedule
Kobie Turner already knows which game he's looking forward to most on the teams' 2025 regular-season schedule. The Los Angeles Rams' defensive tackle told NFL Network's The Insiders recently that he's been excited for a rematch with the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3 since he saw when the game would take place. "I've had that loss in the back of my mind for a while," Turner said. "Obviously, it's on to a new season and on to continue to progress, but I definitely have — I believe it's Week 3 — circled. I mean, even in the individual training right now, we're breaking down, 'OK, this is how some of the guys, some of the offensive linemen for the Eagles, this is how they block, and this is how we're going to defeat that.'" L.A. lost to the eventual Super Bowl champions twice in 2024: First in Week 12 and then by just six points in the NFC Divisional Round. The defense played a big role in both defeats after giving up 599 combined rushing yards in those two games, 460 of which from the legs of running back Saquon Barkley. "So, I mean, ultimately, the thing that really got us last year is there's a couple of big runs," Turner added. "We stopped the run for the most part, handled it really well, but a couple of those runs where we didn't fit it up right, where Saquon was able to get to the second level fast, and he's super dangerous there. So at the end of the day, it's about getting Saquon down, and that's what we're gonna do a lot better of this year, making sure that we stop the run on the run." To combat this, the Rams upgraded their defensive front with the addition of nose tackle Poona Ford. L.A. also drafted Ohio State defensive tackle Ty Hamilton in the fifth round to add to the team's depth. Turner doesn't want to continue to dwell on the past, but he didn't deny he's excited for a shot at revenge so early in the season. "I'm just super excited to be able to run that back," he said. "Obviously those guys are Super Bowl champs, they won it, they deserve it and whatnot, but this year's a new year, and man, we definitely have that game circled, I definitely have that game circled, and I'm super excited to get another crack at those guys."
