Day 9 of Rams training camp saw the offense put up an “abysmal” performance, marked by a multitude of pre-snap penalties. With Matthew Stafford and Davante Adams sitting out, the team had a chance to really dig into their backup situation, and honestly, what they saw wasn’t pretty. These kinds of struggles, especially with no play clock, are a serious red flag.
Rams D-Line and a Couple O-Linemen Are Absolutely Balling Out
While the offense sputtered, the defense and a specific part of the offensive line looked fantastic. Myles Garrett’s welcomed return had everyone buzzing, but it was other guys making noise on defense. Braden Fiske has seriously grown into an every-down player, constantly getting into the backfield and blowing up plays all day long. Desjuan Johnson is looking even better as a run stopper, making plays of his own, and Byron Young is showing off serious speed and balance. That defensive line was phenomenal, giving the offense almost zero room to operate. Even the linebackers were on their game, with Omar Speights breaking up a pass intended for Puka Nacua. On the other side of the ball, the right side of the offensive line, Kevin Dotson and Warren McClendon, were putting on a display. They were getting their hands on defenders and taking them for a ride. McClendon has this natural, stout presence, just absorbing pressure without giving ground. Dotson’s ability to advance to the second level and rake out linebackers keeps impressing, even earning him congratulations from offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase after one rep.
This Backup QB Battle Is a Serious Red Flag for the Rams
Alright, let’s get back to the elephant in the room: the quarterback situation behind Stafford. The offense, in general, was just abysmal, plain and simple. Both Bennett and Simpson were pedestrian at best, failing to put together any strong sequence of passes and staying off-target all day long. The writer of the source article wouldn’t feel confident in either guy starting Week 1 right now, and that tells you everything. Bennett probably has the edge due to his pocket composure and better understanding of the offense. Simpson, on the other hand, just doesn’t have the arm to push the ball downfield the way the team needs. It’s not a full-on critique of Simpson, but it highlights that he needs more time to put all the pieces together, and Bennett has had that time.
Who’s Fighting for a Spot? Two Rams Are Making Noise
Beyond the big issues, a couple of guys are making a real push for roster spots. Cam Lampkin is making a final surge for the 53-man roster, specifically for the CB4 role, which is one of the only truly open battles outside of special teams. He’s been a solid riser for a few years and looks like a natural fit for the secondary, with some untapped potential. Then there’s Grant Stuard, who sounds like an absolute wild man. This guy has only one speed: full speed. Stuard was flying all over the field, and while his initial addition was meant to bolster special teams, he’s quickly emerging as a competent backup who could provide depth and relief at the off-ball linebacker spot. He’s one of those players you love to have on your team and hate to play against.
The Rams still have a lot of work ahead, especially if they want to clean up these offensive woes. With so much riding on getting the right players in the right spots before the season kicks off, every rep from here on out is going to matter.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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