Los Angeles Rams Weekly, 2018 Season Officially Underway This Week, Nickell Robey-Coleman, Tavon Austin, Jake McQuaide, Between The Horns with Myles Simmons, City Year, Dymally High School in Watts, LAUSD's Student and Teacher of the Month, Malcolm Brown, Troy Hill, Garrett Sickels, Greg Zuerlein, Cam Lynch, Darrell Williams, Sam Ficken & Behind The Grind debuts on Facebook!
Tavon Austin has done the right thing for his career and most of all, for the team. Jake McQuaide Agree to Terms on Three-Year Deal. The Trades from the last few months are official as of Wednesday this week. Rams Community Service efforts pan out this week. Nickell Robey-Coleman signs deal along with many others sign this week and tune in for the Episode 42 of Between The Horns with Myles Simmons as the host!
(Tavon) Austin restructures deal to stay with Rams.
This was a product of one of those odd off season deals Jeff Fisher made a few years ago making Tavon the the 42 million dollar back up wide receiver.
Tavon Austin was drafted to be the Rams' X-factor, and while he flirted with the role from time to time, he never fully filled it.
It seemed after a year in which Los Angeles turned to other options to stock its receiving corps, Austin was on his way out. He was making far too much money ($14.97 million cap hit in 2017) to justify his marginal usage (13 catches, 47 yards; 59 rushes, 270 yards, one touchdown in 2017).
Thanks in part to Sammy Watkins' somewhat surprising departure, Austin is instead sticking around. The wideout has agreed to restructure his contract with the Rams, which has four years remaining on it, according to the Los Angeles Daily News' Vincent Bonsignore.
Austin was set to carry a cap number of $8 million into 2018 -- more than $6 million less than last season's figure, per Over The Cap -- but will instead redo his deal to preserve his standing with the Rams after his worst statistical season of his career.
The 2017 dropoff wasn't all Austin's doing. Rams GM Les Snead went out in the 2017 offseason and signed Robert Woods, drafted Cooper Kupp and then made an August trade for Watkins, creating a rather crowded position group that was incredibly thin just a year prior with Austin, Kenny Britt and Brian Quick. As a result, Austin's chances were dramatically reduced as Sean McVay tried to find other ways to use his elite-level speed, evidenced by his spike in rushing attempts.
Furthermore, $9 million (or $14.9 million last season) is far too much money for a receiver who's gained just 1,689 yards on 194 catches over five NFL seasons. The gamebreaking threat the Rams envisioned they were getting when they selected him eighth-overall in the 2013 draft still shows up occasionally, but isn't worth close to $10 million annually when it's only on display a handful of times per season.
Los Angeles has realized this and adjusted compensation accordingly, keeping alive Austin's chance to significantly impact the team while also costing them much less in the long run. It will be interesting to see how much less (especially in terms of cap space) it will be.
Rams to Premiere "Behind the Grind" on Facebook Watch
The Los Angeles Rams are launching a new documentary series, "Behind the Grind," that will air exclusively on Facebook Watch. The show's first episode will premiere on Thursday, March 15 at 9 pm ET/6 pm PT.
Each 10-minute episode of "Behind the Grind" will showcase various elements of the team’s preparation during the offseason as they look to defend their NFC West title and build on their success heading into 2018. The Rams' Emmy Award-winning media group developed this original series as a way to give fans a unique look into the team on and off the field.
Fans can follow the show and watch the trailer at Facebook.com/RamsBehindTheGrind.
Facebook Watch was introduced by Facebook last year as a platform for episodic shows. It is accessible for U.S. users on mobile, on desktop/laptop, and in Facebook's TV apps.
The first episode of "Behind the Grind" kicks off with the General Manager Les Snead and 2017 AP Coach of the Year Sean McVay traveling to Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine.
"If you’re trying to win the West, you should probably have an urgency to win that Combine," says Snead. "But if you’re trying to repeat as champions of the West — guess what — you should try to win that Combine."
Below is the tentative schedule and descriptions for the first five episodes.
Rams, McQuaide Agree to Terms on Three-Year Deal. The Rams will be retaining a key member of their special teams unit, having come to terms on a three-year contract with long snapper Jake McQuaide.
McQuaide, 30, has served as the Rams’ long snapper since he entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Ohio State in 2011. He’s made every long snap for the franchise since that season. He was slated to become an unrestricted free agent at the start of the new league year on March 14.
A Pro Bowl selection for his 2016 and 2017 seasons, McQuaide is instrumental in Greg Zuerlein and Johnny Hekker getting off successful kicks and punts. Zuerlein led the league with 158 points scored from 44 field goals and 38 extra points in 2017, becoming a Pro Bowler and a first-team All-Pro. And fielding McQuaide’s snaps, Hekker has been to four Pro Bowls and has also been named a first-team All-Pro four times.
Rams Team Up with City Year to Beautify Dymally High School in Watts
In partnership with City Year, the Los Angeles Rams participated in a school beautification project at LAUSD’s Dymally High School in Watts on Thursday, February 22. Front office staffers and City Year AmeriCorps members painted murals around campus to provide inspiration for the school’s current and future students.
The murals depicted Rams Pro Bowl players including quarterback Jared Goff, punter Johnny Hekker as well as the NFL’s Defensive & Offensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald and Todd Gurley. Each player mural was paired with a positive character traits such as perseverance, dedication, determination and teamwork. The Rams staff also painted the Dymally High School logo, as well as the logos of state universities for students to use as visual reinforcement for their academic goals and aspirations.
“The murals are positive imagery,” said Principal Simone Charles. “When my students walk through the hallways and see the murals painted, it’s as if they’re seeing a ‘vision board’ that was created just for them and that the work that they’re doing in class is leading them closer towards their goals of going to college. It lets my students know that college is not a dream but a reality and they can choose which college they would like to attend, they just have to put in the work, and as it says on the Rams mural, ‘perseverance’ and ‘dedication’ are the keys.”
Rams COO KEVIN DEMOFF believes creating an environment that drives learning and creativity is of paramount importance for our students in the Southern California region. Therefore, he has made it a priority for the Rams organization to creatively find ways to inspire youth, and to improve their learning spaces in order to maximize their engagement and passion for school.
“We partnered with City Year at Dymally High School to do a beautification project with murals really to help students be inspired to learn,” said Demoff. “I think the things we’ve been involved with working alongside City Year is really for the social and emotional well-being of kids as they walk into school and making them feel proud about their environment and walking into class with their head held higher, and hopefully that helps them do a little better in the classroom.”
Although the Rams season will officially begin in September and hopefully end in February, the team’s passion to improve both on the field and in the community is unwavering all-year round. Demoff doesn’t see the team’s community initiatives as volunteer work, rather a civic duty.
“Part of the job of being a sports team and an NFL team in Los Angeles is not just playing games on the field and hopefully winning games, but about giving back to the community in a meaningful way,” said Demoff. “I think our job is to roll up our sleeves as a staff or organization and get involved with the schools, get involved to try to solve homelessness, work with the veterans locally, and any other way we can contribute to the LA community and give back to remind people we’re here 365 days a year and not just 16 Sundays a year.”
Having partnered with the Rams on numerous occasions throughout 2017, City Year’s Executive Director Mary Jane Stevenson has been encouraged with the work they’ve been able to do together in the Southern LA community. Through the various different initiatives, City Year and the Rams have been able to elevate the learning environment for local schools and give back to our community in creative and engaging ways.
“I have been personally inspired by the Rams’ enthusiastic embrace of the City Year team at Grape St. Elementary and the school community as a whole,” said Stevenson. “Whether it’s helping students write letters of gratitude at Thanksgiving time or showing their love by giving every student a brand new bike, Rams players and staff have stepped up both professionally and personally to show our students that they matter. In addition to their sponsorship of Grape St. elementary, we are incredibly grateful to the Rams for helping to transform Dymally High School into an inviting learning center where South L.A. students can learn and thrive today and for generations to come. We are excited to grow our relationship with the Rams so together we can continue to help more kids graduate high school and create lasting social change in Los Angeles.”
City Year is a national organization that mobilizes AmeriCorps members for a year of full-time service in underserved communities to serve as tutors, mentors and role models for students so they graduate high school, college, and become career-ready. During the 2017-2018 school year, the Rams partnered with City Year by sponsoring a team of AmeriCorps members to help serve Grape Street Elementary School in Watts.
The beautification project was part of the Rams’ monthly Day of Service program. Each month, the Rams front office staff takes time out of the office to volunteer with local non-profits. For more information about the Rams community outreach programs, please visit therams.com/community.
This was a product of one of those odd off season deals Jeff Fisher made a few years ago making Tavon the the 42 million dollar back up wide receiver.
Tavon Austin was drafted to be the Rams' X-factor, and while he flirted with the role from time to time, he never fully filled it.
It seemed after a year in which Los Angeles turned to other options to stock its receiving corps, Austin was on his way out. He was making far too much money ($14.97 million cap hit in 2017) to justify his marginal usage (13 catches, 47 yards; 59 rushes, 270 yards, one touchdown in 2017).
Thanks in part to Sammy Watkins' somewhat surprising departure, Austin is instead sticking around. The wideout has agreed to restructure his contract with the Rams, which has four years remaining on it, according to the Los Angeles Daily News' Vincent Bonsignore.
Austin was set to carry a cap number of $8 million into 2018 -- more than $6 million less than last season's figure, per Over The Cap -- but will instead redo his deal to preserve his standing with the Rams after his worst statistical season of his career.
The 2017 dropoff wasn't all Austin's doing. Rams GM Les Snead went out in the 2017 offseason and signed Robert Woods, drafted Cooper Kupp and then made an August trade for Watkins, creating a rather crowded position group that was incredibly thin just a year prior with Austin, Kenny Britt and Brian Quick. As a result, Austin's chances were dramatically reduced as Sean McVay tried to find other ways to use his elite-level speed, evidenced by his spike in rushing attempts.
Furthermore, $9 million (or $14.9 million last season) is far too much money for a receiver who's gained just 1,689 yards on 194 catches over five NFL seasons. The gamebreaking threat the Rams envisioned they were getting when they selected him eighth-overall in the 2013 draft still shows up occasionally, but isn't worth close to $10 million annually when it's only on display a handful of times per season.
Los Angeles has realized this and adjusted compensation accordingly, keeping alive Austin's chance to significantly impact the team while also costing them much less in the long run. It will be interesting to see how much less (especially in terms of cap space) it will be.
The Los Angeles Rams are launching a new documentary series, "Behind the Grind," that will air exclusively on Facebook Watch. The show's first episode will premiere on Thursday, March 15 at 9 pm ET/6 pm PT.
Each 10-minute episode of "Behind the Grind" will showcase various elements of the team’s preparation during the offseason as they look to defend their NFC West title and build on their success heading into 2018. The Rams' Emmy Award-winning media group developed this original series as a way to give fans a unique look into the team on and off the field.
Fans can follow the show and watch the trailer at Facebook.com/RamsBehindTheGrind.
Facebook Watch was introduced by Facebook last year as a platform for episodic shows. It is accessible for U.S. users on mobile, on desktop/laptop, and in Facebook's TV apps.
The first episode of "Behind the Grind" kicks off with the General Manager Les Snead and 2017 AP Coach of the Year Sean McVay traveling to Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine.
"If you’re trying to win the West, you should probably have an urgency to win that Combine," says Snead. "But if you’re trying to repeat as champions of the West — guess what — you should try to win that Combine."
Below is the tentative schedule and descriptions for the first five episodes.
| EPISODE | DATE | FEATURED TOPICS |
| 1 | Thurs., March 15 | Rams at NFL Combine/ |
| 2 | Thurs., March 29 | |
| 3 | Thurs., April 12 | Players off the field/Cheerleader auditions |
| 4 | Wed., April 25 | Players return to Rams facilities/2018 Draft prep |
| 5 | Thurs., May 10 | Behind the scenes during the 2018 Draft |
McQuaide, 30, has served as the Rams’ long snapper since he entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Ohio State in 2011. He’s made every long snap for the franchise since that season. He was slated to become an unrestricted free agent at the start of the new league year on March 14.
A Pro Bowl selection for his 2016 and 2017 seasons, McQuaide is instrumental in Greg Zuerlein and Johnny Hekker getting off successful kicks and punts. Zuerlein led the league with 158 points scored from 44 field goals and 38 extra points in 2017, becoming a Pro Bowler and a first-team All-Pro. And fielding McQuaide’s snaps, Hekker has been to four Pro Bowls and has also been named a first-team All-Pro four times.
Rams Team Up with City Year to Beautify Dymally High School in Watts
Rams COO KEVIN DEMOFF believes creating an environment that drives learning and creativity is of paramount importance for our students in the Southern California region. Therefore, he has made it a priority for the Rams organization to creatively find ways to inspire youth, and to improve their learning spaces in order to maximize their engagement and passion for school.
“We partnered with City Year at Dymally High School to do a beautification project with murals really to help students be inspired to learn,” said Demoff. “I think the things we’ve been involved with working alongside City Year is really for the social and emotional well-being of kids as they walk into school and making them feel proud about their environment and walking into class with their head held higher, and hopefully that helps them do a little better in the classroom.”
Although the Rams season will officially begin in September and hopefully end in February, the team’s passion to improve both on the field and in the community is unwavering all-year round. Demoff doesn’t see the team’s community initiatives as volunteer work, rather a civic duty.
“Part of the job of being a sports team and an NFL team in Los Angeles is not just playing games on the field and hopefully winning games, but about giving back to the community in a meaningful way,” said Demoff. “I think our job is to roll up our sleeves as a staff or organization and get involved with the schools, get involved to try to solve homelessness, work with the veterans locally, and any other way we can contribute to the LA community and give back to remind people we’re here 365 days a year and not just 16 Sundays a year.”
Having partnered with the Rams on numerous occasions throughout 2017, City Year’s Executive Director Mary Jane Stevenson has been encouraged with the work they’ve been able to do together in the Southern LA community. Through the various different initiatives, City Year and the Rams have been able to elevate the learning environment for local schools and give back to our community in creative and engaging ways.
“I have been personally inspired by the Rams’ enthusiastic embrace of the City Year team at Grape St. Elementary and the school community as a whole,” said Stevenson. “Whether it’s helping students write letters of gratitude at Thanksgiving time or showing their love by giving every student a brand new bike, Rams players and staff have stepped up both professionally and personally to show our students that they matter. In addition to their sponsorship of Grape St. elementary, we are incredibly grateful to the Rams for helping to transform Dymally High School into an inviting learning center where South L.A. students can learn and thrive today and for generations to come. We are excited to grow our relationship with the Rams so together we can continue to help more kids graduate high school and create lasting social change in Los Angeles.”
City Year is a national organization that mobilizes AmeriCorps members for a year of full-time service in underserved communities to serve as tutors, mentors and role models for students so they graduate high school, college, and become career-ready. During the 2017-2018 school year, the Rams partnered with City Year by sponsoring a team of AmeriCorps members to help serve Grape Street Elementary School in Watts.
The beautification project was part of the Rams’ monthly Day of Service program. Each month, the Rams front office staff takes time out of the office to volunteer with local non-profits. For more information about the Rams community outreach programs, please visit therams.com/community.
Rams and CBS-2/KCAL-9 Recognize LAUSD's Student and Teacher of the Month
In partnership with CBS-2/KCAL-9 and Los Angeles Unified School District, the Rams will recognize a Student and Teacher of the Month with an all-school assembly and tickets to attend the Rams 2018 season opener in an effort to celebrate students who are excelling in the classroom, and teachers who are going above and beyond to positively impact the lives of their students. On Wednesday, February 21, the Rams and CBS-2/KCAL-9 honored their first student and teacher when they visited Oliver Wendall Holmes Middle School in Northridge to recognize 8th grade student, Afrika Nkosi, and science teacher, Dina Karathanas, as LAUSD’s Student and Teacher of the Month.
Nkosi, known for her infections kindness and positive attitude, is a leader amongst her peers and currently serves as the student-body president, speaks fluent Korean, and has a 3.6 cumulative GPA in all advanced level courses. She aspires to attend NYU and to become a mathematician upon college graduation. Since the Rams moved back to LA in 2016, Nkosi has found inspiration in Rams star running back TODD GURLEY. After the all-school assembly, Nkosi had the opportunity to connect with her favorite player via FaceTime in which Gurley congratulated Nkosi and Karathanas for their accomplishments and encouraged them to continue inspiring others.
“I was truly speechless,” said Nkosi. “FaceTiming with Todd Gurley was by far one of my best experiences.”
Dina Karathanas has been teaching science at Holmes Middle school for the past 24 years and has never wanted to leave due to her commitment to her students. She takes tremendous pride in being a positive and supportive figure in her student’s lives in-and-out of the classroom, often attending her students sporting events on weekends. Four years ago, Karathanas was battling breast cancer but never missed a day of school as she went through chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
“I am filled with gratitude for the recognition from the Rams and CBS-2,” said Karathanas. “I’m not in the teaching profession for the acknowledgement from anyone other than myself, but when it happens after putting so much time and energy into my teaching, it reaffirms to me that I’m in the right place and doing the right thing with my knowledge.”
As someone who always enjoyed the camaraderie of team sports growing up, Karathanas appreciates the physical, social and mental skill and preparation it takes to perform at a professional level. She often uses athletes as inspiring examples for her students to continue to set high expectations for themselves.
“I grew up playing sports and it gave me confidence to handle things that come my way,” said Karathanas. “Todd Gurley is a fine example of someone who pushes themselves to their best self. So when I FaceTimed with him, I was really excited and filled with energy. I’ve never met a professional athlete before, and for him to take time out of his busy schedule to recognize Afrika and I was really fantastic. He’s a true MVP in my playbook!”
Holmes Middle School principal Kim D’Aloisio is proud to recognize Nkosi and Karathanas because of the ways they elevate the performance of others around them. As a student, Nkosi’s humble leadership-by-example approach has caught the attention of her peers, as Karathanas continues to find creative ways to engage and push her students to limits they didn’t always know they could reach.
“It was an incredible experience and a great honor for our school to spotlight these amazing people who are unspoken heroes and quiet achievers in our community,” said D’Aloisio. “Both exemplify the qualities of highly effective leaders: caring, passionate, responsible, and a willingness to learn. All of these qualities are really valued as part of our school’s vision and mission.”
For more information about the Rams and CBS-2/KCAL-9’s LAUSD Student & Teacher of the Month initiative, or any other program, please visit therams.com/community.
Rams, Robey-Coleman Agree to Terms on Three-Year Deal
The Rams have retained one of their pending free agents before the onset of free agency, agreeing to terms with cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman on a three-year deal.
Robey-Coleman originally signed with the Bills as an undrafted free agent out of USC and played four years in Buffalo, before arriving back in Los Angeles last offseason on a one-year deal. He intercepted a pair of passes for the Rams in 2017, also recording nine pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
The defensive back played well in the slot for Los Angeles, receiving an 84.9 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. He played in 15 of the Rams’ 16 regular-season games, starting four — two at outside corner and two in the slot.
With Robey-Coleman back, the Rams are now in position to retain several key members of their secondary before the start of the new league year on Wednesday. Los Angeles placed its franchise tag on safety Lamarcus Joyner last week, and placed a tender on exclusive rights free agent Troy Hill on Monday.
Cornerback Trumaine Johnson is also a pending free agent, and his agent is now able to negotiate with other teams with the start of the NFL’s so-called legal tampering period on Monday.
Rams Tender Exclusive Rights Free Agents Brown, Hill
In advance of the new league year beginning on Wednesday, Los Angeles has submitted minimum salary tenders to a pair of their exclusive rights free agents: running back Malcolm Brown and cornerback Troy Hill.
Both Brown and Hill have expiring contracts but two credited seasons. With the rules and regulations of the latest Collective Bargaining Agreement, because the Rams have submitted tenders to the players, Los Angeles retains exclusive negotiating rights for both. Should Brown and Hill each sign their tenders, they will be playing under a one-year contract for 2018.
Originally signed as an undrafted free agent out of Texas in 2015, Brown ascended to the Rams’ backup running back in 2017, taking 63 carries for 246 yards with one rushing touchdown. He also caught nine passes for 53 yards, and returned a blocked punt for a touchdown against Jacksonville in Los Angeles’ NFC West title season.
The Rams claimed Hill off waivers in Week 17 of the 2015 season after the cornerback had spent most of the season with the Bengals. He’s provided depth in the secondary since then, having started seven games in the last two years — including the last three regular-season contests in 2017. Hill made 18 total tackles and recorded five passes defensed in 12 games last season.
Rams Tender Longacre, Ficken, Sign Sickles
In advance of the new league year, the Rams have submitted a few transactions for some of their depth pieces.
First, the club has placed an original-round tender on restricted free agent outside linebacker Matt Longacre. Because Longacre initially signed with the Rams as an undrafted free agent out of Northwest Missouri State in 2015, Los Angeles would not be entitled to any draft pick compensation should Longacre sign an offer sheet with another team in free agency. However, the Rams would still have the right of first refusal to match any contract offer Longacre receives to keep him in the fold.
Longacre was an important rotational piece for L.A. in 2017, finishing third on the team with 5.5 sacks and tied for second with 12 quarterback hits. Longacre played in 14 games — starting one — before suffering a season-ending back injury that had him placed on IR in Week 16.
The Rams have another two restricted free agents: linebacker Cam Lynch and offensive tackle Darrell Williams.
Los Angeles has also submitted a minimum salary tender for exclusive rights free agent kicker Sam Ficken, who stepped in for the injured Greg Zuerlein at the end of the 2017 season. Ficken connected on two of his three regular-season field goal attempts, before converting two field goals and an extra point in the Rams’ playoff game against the Falcons.
Finally, the Rams have re-signed exclusive rights free agent outside linebacker Garrett Sickels to a renegotiated contract. Los Angeles signed Sickles to its practice squad in October, before promoting the undrafted free agent out of Penn State to its active roster before the Week 17 matchup against the 49ers.
L.A. previously tendered exclusive rights free agents Malcolm Brown and Troy Hill. The club has two other exclusive rights free agents: fullback Zach Laskey and outside linebacker Carlos Thompson.
NFL's 'Legal Tampering' Period Begins
Let the tampering begin. Legally, that is.
On Monday at 9 a.m. pacific, teams were able to begin negotiating with agents on potential contracts for unrestricted free agents — more commonly known as the “legal tampering” period for pending free agents. However, players cannot meet with teams themselves and contracts cannot be fully executed until the new league year begins on Wednesday at 1 p.m. PDT.
This practice started in 2013, and the fairly oxymoronic “legal tampering” moniker essentially came with it. Over the next few days, many players will be linked to various teams via media reports — even though the players aren’t able to talk with coaches about potential scheme fits.
But this does mean that the Rams’ pending unrestricted free agents may be linked to other teams in the coming days. For reference, here’s a list of all pending UFAs from Los Angeles’ 2017 roster.
OLB Connor Barwin
TEDerek Carrier
SCody Davis
DTDominique Easley
CBTrumaine Johnson
OTCornelius Lucas
CBNickell Robey-Coleman
CJohn Sullivan
DTTyrunn Walker
WRSammy Watkins
TE
S
DT
CB
OT
CB
C
DT
WR
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Diary Of A Ram Fan. A satirical look at more than 75 years of Football's Rams history, combined with discussions of American Exceptionalism and almost 50 years of personal experience in the life of a Rams Fan. The history parallels and intertwines life to form a humorous, yet serious look at American History, World History, an American Football team, and Political Science.
