Rams Camp: Intel on QB Matthew Stafford From SI's Albert Breer

Rams training camp updates from SI's Senior NFL Reporter Albert Breer.

The Los Angeles Rams hit the road this weekend to join the Dallas Cowboys for a joint practice, and Sports Illustrated's Senior NFL Reporter and Lead Content Strategist had boots on the ground in Oxnard, Calif. to observe the workout.

Breer dropped his MMQB column as he does the Monday of each week, and he provided intel on what he saw and heard from staffers at the practice. 

Breer wrote the following:

"The Rams are pretty ecstatic with Matthew Stafford. I was with L.A. on Friday and Saturday, and the most common conversation-opener that staffers there used on me was simple: “This guy …” And they knew I knew who they were talking about before saying Stafford’s name. During the team’s scrimmage with the Cowboys on Saturday, Stafford made a throw that brought to life what they’re enamored with. On the play, Stafford took the snap, and rolled to his left. With a couple Dallas defenders bearing down, he flipped his hips—I could swear he didn’t have his feet all the way planted—and launched a rocket to DeSean Jackson, who was racing downfield towards the right pylon. I was standing near Jackson, and could hear the ball humming. So it’s that, plus the mental acuity Stafford brings, that has Sean McVay, Kevin O’Connell and Co. believing pretty strongly that the quarterback is going to allow the coaches to swing some clubs they haven’t been able to pull from the bag in a while. And that’s not an indictment on Jared Goff, so much as it is an affirmation that Stafford’s high-end ability remains, as he heads into his 13th year as a pro, and first as a Ram."

The Rams acquiring Stafford this offseason always looked and felt like a move with one thing in mind: open up the playbook to let the offense loose. While that always sounds nice in theory, actually putting it to the test in another scenario.

According to Breer, it appears the Rams are pleased with how Stafford has uplifted the offense just as they had hoped when they finalized the trade.

Other Thoughts From Breer

3) The team's replacing Cam Akers with Darrell Henderson, so now they need Henderson's replacement. Xavier Jones and Jake Funk are two that have stepped forward in that chase.

4) Jalen Ramsey has really impressed as a leader, coaching up younger DBs and getting more vocal.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) August 9, 2021

- The Rams lost safety John Johnson III via free agency, so this season they’re going to be dealt with plugging that loss with some sort of combination that consists of players that are less experienced. Breer notes that safety Taylor Rapp is the emerging piece that may presumably take over that role. 

- The run-stuffing Sebastian Joseph-Day has taken positive strides in passing situations and could see more time in that role, based on Breer's assessment.

- Running back Darrell Henderson has moved into the starting role as a result of Cam Akers' Achilles injury. So who moves into the RB2 role? Breer states that Xavier Jones and Jake Funk have been the two standouts thus far.

- As Johnson departed to the Clevland Browns in free agency, so did Troy Hill. Therefore, the secondary will be significantly younger than in years past. Breer mentions that Jalen Ramsey has taken it upon himself to be the leader, helping guide the young defensive backs. 

Continue Reading: Pro Football Hall of Fame: Will Former Rams WR Torry Holt Be Canton Bound in 2022?

Nick Cothrel is the Publisher of Ram Digest. Follow Nick on Twitter @NickCothrel.