Andrew Whitworth: Rams 'Youngsters Have Infectious Energy'

Former Los Angeles Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth believes the team's young players have created a "fun high school practice" environment.

The Los Angeles Rams may have won the Super Bowl in 2021-22, but they sacrificed a lot of picks and players to pursue the title. The one player that they lost not due to trades or money was left tackle Andrew Whitworth, who retired about a month after he hoisted the Lombardi Trophy.

Whitworth spent his final five seasons with Los Angeles, starting every game that he played in. The five-time captain received the Walter Payton Man of the Year award just three days before Super Bowl LVI.

Whitworth remains around the NFL today as an analyst on Thursday Night Football. He still has a relationship with the "Ramily" and spoke about what he's seen from Los Angeles at training camp.

"It's crazy that there are 36 rookies at camp," Whitworth said on "The Rich Eisen Show" Tuesday. "It's unbelievable how young they are."

Whitworth explained that the team's large number of young talent has created a "fun high school practice" environment. 

"Every time someone makes a play, the whole entire (defensive back) group jumps all over the field and you'd think they just won a game," Whitworth said. "If they break up a pass for Cooper Kupp or if they knock down a long ball from Matthew Stafford, they throw a party."

Despite not being with the team last season, Whitworth felt a sense of disappointment in the Rams locker room. He said that these "youngsters" are already changing the collective mood.

"It's an infectious energy that's cool for a team to be in a position where last year were bad days at work," Whitworth said. "You get down on yourself, but to have some of that young energy I think is a positive right now."

Whitworth believes that the only way the Rams will succeed this season is if the rookies and sophomores are heavily involved on Sundays.

"What's going to come down to this team is really less about who has been there and more about the young faces taking a lot of snaps this season," Whitworth said. "Do I think that they are gonna be better than last year—no doubt. It comes down to if they can overcome those young rookie football team mistakes and not let it cost them games."

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