NFL
By George Lopez
The Los Angeles Rams enter training camp this week to prepare for the 2023 season. The Rams will look to bounce back from a disappointing 2022 season when they finished 5-12 while defending their Superbowl championship. The Rams were plagued with injuries and inconsistent play last season. With the salary cap constraint, the Rams faced entering this season, fans were forced to say goodbye to some of their favorite players. During training camp, the Rams will look to mix in younger players alongside returning veterans.
Coach Sean McVay enters the 2023 season coming off his first losing season as head coach of the Rams. McVay will look to get the Rams offense off to a quick start this season. Leading the offense once again is quarterback Matthew Stafford. Last season, Stafford was limited to 9 games due to multiple injuries. Entering training camp, Stafford has announced he is healthy and has no throwing limitations going into camp. Look for Stafford to be a full participant in camp this year. Backing up Stafford this season is rookie Stetson Bennett. The rookie quarterback is coming off back-to-back national championships at Georgia. Bennett impressed the Rams during OTA’s. The Rams believe they got a steal drafting Bennett in the 4th round of this year’s draft.
Rams Offense:
Cooper Kupp enters camp looking to bounce back from an injury-plagued 2022 season and lead the receiving corp this season. Like Stafford, Kupp was limited to 9 games due to injuries. In limited action, Kupp was able to haul in 75 receptions. Kupp and Stafford will look to continue their chemistry they have displayed since Stafford joined the Rams. Van Jefferson is expected to get a good look in camp to earn the starting WR spot opposite of Kupp. TuTu Atwell showed promise last season when given the opportunity to play receiver and is expected to compete for playing time in the McVay’s multiple receiver sets along with Ben Skowronek.
Cam Akers enters camp as the projected starting running back. The Rams brought back Sony Michel to back up Akers and is expected to see significant playing time this season. Kyren Williams, Zach Evans and Ronnie Rivers will compete in camp for a roster spot in the Rams backfield. Look for Williams, Evans and Rivers to see a lot of playing time in the Rams preseason games.
Rams Defense:
When you talk about the Rams defense, Aaron Donald is the first name that will come to mind. Like most key players, Donald will look to bounce back from a 2022 season marred by injuries. With Greg Gaines moving on in free agency, Bobby Brown III is expected to enter camp as the starting NT in the Rams base 3-4 defense. The release of A’Shawn Robinson also opens the door for Marguise Copeland and Earnest Brown IV to compete for the starting DT position opposite Donald. Ernest Jones enters camp looking to continue to improve as the one of the Rams inside linebacker spots. WIth, the release of Bobby Wagner, the other inside linebacker is open. Look for Ceristian Rozeboom, Shaun Jolly and DeAndre Square to compete in camp for the starting spot. Micheal Hoecht showed flashes of impressive play last season and is expected to replace Leonard Floyd at outside linebacker. Rookie Byron Young is enters camp as the projected starting left outside linebacker.
The Rams secondary will have new faces this season, as Troy Hill, Taylor Rapp, Nick Scott, and David Long signed with other teams during free agency. The Rams also traded Jalen Ramsey to Miami in the offseason. Jordan Fuller returns and is expected to be the Rams starting strong safety entering camp. Look for Russ Yeast and Jason Taylor II to compete for the starting free safety position. At the cornerback position, Derion Kendrick and Cobie Durant enter camp as the projected starters with rookie Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson and Robert Rochelles expected to compete for the Rams nickel back position.
The Rams enter their 2023 training camp with questions as to who will replace key players from last year’s team. Having a healthy Matthew Stafford available for the entirety of training camp will be helpful for the Rams to develop consistent chemistry. The Rams will look to avoid the injuries along the entire roster that plagued the team last season and look to bounce back and be a serious playoff contender. Get ready for the season with the latest gear from our friends at the NFL Shop.
