Matthew Stafford didn’t spend much time knocking the rust off in Rams training camp.
Back on the field Monday after sitting out Sunday’s opener under a modified schedule, Stafford came out throwing with the kind of rhythm that made Sean McVay’s assessment easy. The quarterback connected with Puka Nacua, Davante Adams and Konata Mumpfield on a day when the Rams’ rebuilt defense - including newly acquired edge rusher Myles Garrett - still made things difficult across the field.
McVay’s verdict was blunt: Stafford looked “pretty damn sharp,” he said.
Stafford sounded just as comfortable afterward.
“Wasn’t out here yesterday. I was able to kind of watch and see these guys do their thing,” Stafford said, via SI.com.
“Coach McVay, Reggie, and all his staff are doing everything they can to try and help our team be as good as we can, but also help me peak at the right time and be ready to rock and roll come Week 1. It was a blast to be out here today.”
That comment carried a little extra juice because Stafford is heading into his 18th NFL season, and the setup around him looks very different from the ones he’s had in the past. According to NFL.com, he was taking snaps in front of the NFL’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year and the league’s highest-paid cornerback, while also working with last season’s NFL leader in receiving yards or touchdown catches on offense.
The Rams have clearly built this camp with a plan for Stafford in mind. Per the team’s four-day practice block structure, he’s on the field every second and fourth day instead of grinding through every session. The goal is simple: have him ready to peak in Week 1, not wear him down in July and August.
The talent around him showed up elsewhere, too. On Day 1, with Stafford resting, Stetson Bennett ran with the first-team offense and hit Tyler Higbee on a crossing route for a red-zone touchdown, according to therams.com. Higbee is entering his 11th NFL season, and the tight end group has real competition with rookie Max Klare joining Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen and Terrance Ferguson.
By Day 4, the early feel-good signs were still there. Stafford remained the first-team quarterback, while Nacua and newcomer CJ Daniels kept standing out at receiver, according to therams.com.
It’s still camp, and none of these reps settle anything by themselves. But for a Rams team built around Stafford and loaded up to chase something bigger, a sharp start from the quarterback - without needing extra runway - is exactly the kind of tone McVay wants.
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