IRVINE — The Rams said goodbye to UC Irvine after completing their 15 scheduled training camp practices Wednesday morning. The 2022 summer stay with the Anteaters will be best remembered for the hysteria Coach Sean McVay created at the podium.
McVay called Matthew Stafford’s elbow pain “abnormal,” flirted with Odell Beckham Jr. with hopes of a reunion and confessed to having a new contract with the Rams.
Those post-practice comments come to mind first, but McVay saying he views Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson as two starting running backs sounded many alarms in the fantasy football world.
“I look at it as we’ve got two starting backs,” McVay said on July 30. “Those guys are great complements of one another, but I see them as both starting-caliber players. We need to get them involved. They need to be on the field.”
McVay said that after the Rams’ second padded practice and with Akers and Henderson receiving limited carries in team drills. But once McVay got them involved and increased their workload, it was clear – at least to this beat reporter – that Akers was the lone starting running back.
Akers appeared to be back in top form a year after tearing his Achilles tendon during training camp. He was elusive in space, burst through running lanes and productive in the passing game. Akers said he was tired of discussing the Achilles injury and wanted to move forward. He’s done that with his standout summer camp.
As for Henderson, there weren’t as many flashy plays, but it is difficult for bruising running backs to display their full skill set in a practice setting. Also, Henderson didn’t dress for the final two camp practices in Irvine for unknown reasons.
Henderson might be playing catch up and now he has to compete with rookie Kyren Williams, who returned to practice this week after breaking his foot in the offseason.
McVay criticized the offense for sloppy play during Tuesday’s practice, but he added that he was pleased with the running game. Akers got the bulk of the carries that day.
“Not nearly good enough offensively but I thought there were some positive strides in the run game,” McVay said. “I thought we leveled off runs.”
Here are seven more observations from the Rams’ stay in Irvine:
WAGNER’S FULL PLATE
Perhaps it shouldn’t be a surprise that middle linebacker Bobby Wagner didn’t get a rest day from team drills because he’s getting acclimated to the Rams’ defensive scheme. But the 11-year veteran rarely left the field and quickly got the hang of being the defensive play caller.
Wagner displayed impressive coverage skills with a handful of tipped passes and returned an interception for a touchdown. He was also heavily involved as a pass rusher and run stopper. It’s clear that Wagner will have a heavy workload, similar to what he did for 10 years with the Seattle Seahawks.
“Having Bobby being able to see things differently, and react faster, with his experience and everything that he brings to the table, it just makes our group better,” Rams defensive line coach Eric Henderson said.
SHELTON TAKES COMMAND
Fourth-year veteran Coleman Shelton likely left Irvine as the starting right guard.
Shelton was competing with rookie Logan Bruss, but Shelton got most of the first-team repetitions at right guard. Bruss played with the first unit whenever Shelton shifted to center to give Brian Allen a breather.
“I think (Shelton is) a tough competitor,” McVay said Monday. “He’s really starting to separate himself amongst those guys. Been really pleased with him. I think he can play any of the three interior spots.”
Bruss, the team’s third-round pick, will have to wait his turn, but he received valuable reps against star defensive lineman Aaron Donald.
“It’s definitely a privilege to go against a guy like that,” Bruss said. “One of the best to ever do it. You learn quickly what it takes to compete against a guy like that once you go against him a few times. I definitely have an appreciation for the level I need to hopefully be at eventually to play and contribute.”
TUTU MAKES MOST OF OPPORTUNITIES
The Rams’ coaching staff prioritized designed plays for second-year wide receiver Tutu Atwell after Van Jefferson went down with a knee injury.
Atwell gained trust from coaches and quarterbacks by making plays downfield, but he took it a step further by fighting for contested passes. Atwell, however, will need to continue his surge in preseason games. He’s competing with Ben Skowronek for the temporary third wide receiver job and Jefferson could be close to returning to the field.
Targets are limited with the presence of star wideouts Cooper Kupp and Allen Robinson, but Atwell is the only receiver who provides speed and he certainly has made that his role the past two weeks.
LOGJAM AT TIGHT END
Tyler Higbee had a strong camp as a reliable and favorite target of Stafford.
The seven-year veteran took most of the first-team reps, but the Rams are planning to include their promising young tight ends Brycen Hopkins and Kendall Blanton in the rotation for the regular season.
Getting them involved might be tough with the Rams playing heavy 11 personnel with three wide receivers and one tight end, but tight ends coach Thomas Brown said there could be more multiple-tight end sets and there will be opportunities for Hopkins and Blanton when Higbee comes off the field for breaks.
“It’s their overall development and ownership of the entire offense,” Brown said about the progress Blanton and Hopkins have made this summer.
SPECIAL TEAMS NUGGETS
It didn’t seem like it, but there is a punter competition, according to McVay and special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis.
Riley Dixon is the frontrunner to replace Johnny Hekker, who is now with the Carolina Panthers, but the Rams are set on giving Cameron Dicker a legit chance to compete in the preseason.
“I would say there’s a definite competition,” DeCamillis said on Aug. 1. “I think both guys have done a good job. Riley’s obviously a veteran. I’ve had him before in Denver. He’s got a very similar skill set to what we had before, but Cam’s doing a good job for us, too, so it should be a real good battle.”
The Rams are also allowing Atwell and running backs Williams and Raymond Calais to compete with wide receiver Brandon Powell for the kick returner job. Powell, the team’s punt returner, recently injured his knee, but McVay didn’t sound too concerned.
DeCamillis listed linebackers Christian Rozeboom, Jake Hummel, Jake Gervase and Anthony Hines as players who could produce as special teams players during the season.
HOLLINS IN LINE TO START
Justin Hollins didn’t relinquish his starting outside linebacker role and will likely be tasked with filling Von Miller’s void. Hollins took most of the first-team snaps next to Leonard Floyd, but the Rams are leaving Irvine with injuries at the position.
Floyd missed the final three practices with an ankle issue and Chris Garrett is dealing with a groin injury. Terrell Lewis has had a productive camp, but the team has been cautious with him because of his history with knee injuries.
On Tuesday, undrafted rookie Benton Whitley played next to Hollins with Floyd, Garrett and Lewis missing practice.
YOUNG STANDOUTS
Rookie outside linebacker Daniel Hardy could receive opportunities if Floyd and Garrett are sidelined for an extended period. The seventh-round pick received shoutouts from McVay and DeCamillis as a young player who stood out in training camp.
Second-year running back Jake Funk impressed McVay and had a handful of productive runs while filling in as the third back with Williams missing most of camp.
Second-year offensive lineman Alaric Jackson is the favorite to be the team’s swing tackle and he’s also contributing at guard.
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