The Los Angeles Rams lately unveiled their diamond-covered Tremendous Bowl rings designed by famend jeweler Jason of Beverly Hills with a complete diamond weight of 20 carats for essentially the most in championship ring historical past. In each ring, there are items of the Tremendous Bowl recreation ball, inexperienced remnants of turf from the previous two seasons, and a miniature model of SoFi stadium revealed when the detachable prime is unscrewed.
Now that the bling has arrived, so has the large query surrounding the NFC West franchise: Are they constructed to repeat as Tremendous Bowl champs? Let’s dive into their prime storylines heading into training camp.
5 storylines for Los Angeles Rams coaching camp
Rams basic supervisor Les Snead wore a T-shirt after the Tremendous Bowl victory that summarized how the group operates: “F— them picks.” The Rams observe that technique with nice success. The final time they picked within the first spherical was in 2017 with Jared Goff, whom they traded final yr to improve to Matthew Stafford. They don’t have one other first-round draft decide scheduled till 2024 after buying and selling Goff and their first-round picks in 2022 and 2023 to amass Stafford.
The Rams’ prime participant, after all, is defensive deal with Aaron Donald, who got a huge extension this offseason. And Tremendous Bowl MVP extensive receiver Cooper Kupp was chosen within the third spherical in 2017. Like each soccer group, it’s a combination of free brokers, trades, and picks. Snead does it his approach, and who may argue with the outcomes. The Rams are a winner and their roster appears to be like sturdy once more.
Repeating as champs is extraordinarily robust. The New England Patriots (2003-2004) had been the final franchise to repeat in consecutive years. Can the Rams buck the pattern in 2022?
Making up for lack of Von Miller, different departures
The Rams have been good at restocking their roster, however Von Miller was a key piece of their Tremendous Bowl title run. He joined the Buffalo Payments as a free agent.
Additionally they misplaced nostril deal with Sebastian Joseph-Day and cornerback Darious Williams in free company, traded extensive receiver Robert Woods, and had offensive deal with and group captain Andrew Whitworth retire. Plus, offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell left to turn out to be the Minnesota Vikings’ head coach.
The Rams had 50 sacks final season, rating fifth within the NFL, plus a dozen within the playoffs.
Donald led the group with 12 1/2 sacks final season. Miller had 9 sacks in 13 video games earlier than signing a six-year, $120 million cope with the Payments. The Rams will lean closely on Donald as standard and hope the presence of veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner offers management and productiveness to bolster the entrance seven after Miller’s departure.
What’s happening with Sean McVay?
Sean McVay briefly flirted with a profession change when Amazon approached him a few tv gig. He’s slated to get a brand new contract that aligns him with Snead for years to return. It is going to be costly, however there’s no wage cap for coaches. And proprietor Stan Kroenke has mega bucks.
The problem for McVay is to switch good coaches like O’Connell and Wes Phillips, the Vikings’ new offensive coordinator, and create a championship ambiance once more.
Can Matthew Stafford recapture playoff kind?
Stafford struggled with ball safety throughout the common season, throwing 17 interceptions. He took off within the postseason, although, with 1,188 yards, 9 touchdowns, and simply three picks. Within the fourth quarter within the common season, Stafford was simply as clutch. He accomplished 70.3% of his throws for 1,127 yards, 12 TDs, and one INT for a league-high 120.7 passer ranking. That’s why he obtained a new big deal this offseason.
What is going to the operating recreation appear to be in 2022?
Cam Akers tore his Achilles final season however returned for the Tremendous Bowl run. He was again for 5 video games, however he wasn’t 100%. The Rams obtained by way of the season with Sony Michel filling in, however he wasn’t pretty much as good as Akers might be when he’s wholesome. Moreover, Darrell Henderson Jr. is an efficient change-of-pace again to Akers.
Will OBJ return
There’s mutual curiosity between extensive receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and the Rams in operating it again, however OBJ has to get wholesome first after tearing his ACL within the Tremendous Bowl. A reunion shouldn’t be dominated out, although the Rams have Kupp in place after he caught 145 passes for 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns final season, main the NFL in all three classes. The Rams additionally signed Allen Robinson to an enormous deal to enhance Kupp.
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