Rams OL Returning all five of its starters, John Sullivan, Dominique Easley, Ramik Wilson, 'Everyone In' Campaign, 'Read Across America Day', United Way of Greater Los Angeles, Los Angeles Rams Weekly, LAUSD's Student and Teacher of the Month, Nickell Robey-Coleman Appears on NFL Network, Between the Horns Episode 43 with Myles Simmons, Vybe 305 & Rams Spots at 2018 NFL Draft

Now that Los Angeles has re-signed center John Sullivan, the club will at least begin the offseason program on April 16 returning all five of its starters — left tackle Andrew Whitworth, left guard Rodger Saffold, Sullivan, right guard Jamon Brown, and right tackle Rob Havenstein.

Rams Support 'Everyone In' Campaign to Combat Homelessness in LA
The Los Angeles Rams joined hundreds of people and city officials in Echo Park on Friday, March 9, to support the launch of United Way of Greater Los Angeles’ Everyone In coalition, which aims to fight towards the common goal of ending homelessness across Los Angeles county. Onsite for the coalition’s announcement was Rams guard JAMON BROWN, hall of fame running back ERIC DICKERSON, and COO KEVIN DEMOFF, who provided a few words of encouragement and support. In attendance were other notable community stewards and officials such as Mayor Eric Garcetti, Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, star of NBC’s This Is Us Jon Huertas, and United Way of Greater Los Angeles’ President and CEO Elise Buik.

“Everyone In is a strong coalition of community, business, civic and philanthropic leaders and partners to end homelessness in Los Angeles County,” said Buik. “We couldn’t be more proud to have the Los Angeles Rams, under the leadership of Kevin Demoff, at the forefront to help our most vulnerable neighbors who are suffering on our streets on any given night. I encourage everyone to become part of our winning team, and help end homelessness with effective and efficient solutions under the goal of supportive housing from Measure H and Prop HHH.”
The city initiative will bring together leaders within LA County philanthropy, business, labor, and community organizations to keep the permanent solutions to homelessness moving forward by creating ways for the public to get involved, measuring and sharing progress, and celebrating program successes.

Everyone In will offer Angelenos opportunities to learn more about the work that is happening across the country, volunteer, train, and organize people to advocate for approving supportive housing and other needed services in their own neighborhoods. Meanwhile, the community alliance will monitor Measure H and Proposition HHH funded programs and share both progress and challenges with the objectives of: ending homelessness for 45,000 people, preventing homelessness for nearly 30,000 people, and approving approximately 5,000 units of supportive housing for the city’s most vulnerable by July 2022.

Angelenos can learn more about the Everyone In coalition, follow the program’s progress, or get involved in the campaign by visiting EveryoneInLA.org.

About United Way of Greater Los Angeles
United Way of Greater Los Angeles is a nonprofit organization fighting to end homelessness and poverty by providing students with support needed to graduate high school prepared for college and the workforce, providing housing for our homeless neighbors, and helping hard-working families become financially stable. United Way identifies the root causes of poverty and works strategically to solve them by building alliances across all sectors, funding targeted programs and advocating for change. For more information, visit UnitedWayLA.org.

Rams Visit Union Avenue to Recognize LAUSD's Student and Teacher of the Month
On Wednesday, March 7, the Los Angeles Rams visited Union Avenue Elementary to recognize LAUSD’s Student and Teacher of the Month in partnership with CBS-2/KCAL-9. As part of the celebration, fourth grade student Skyler Imperialbobis and first grade teacher Ms. Samantha Pulliam were honored in an all-school assembly in which CBS’ famous sports anchor Jim Hill and Rams Tight End TYLER HIGBEE praised their achievements. Higbee also awarded each honoree four tickets to the Rams’ 2018 season opener and encouraged Skyler to keep pushing himself before thanking Ms. Pulliam and all the teachers for the time and effort they put into educating our youth.

“To Ms. Pulliam and all the teachers here at Union Avenue Elementary, I want to thank you because you’re the ones that lead the way and make everything happen,” said Higbee. “The time and effort that you put in is second to none and I want to personally thank you.”

With a strong passion for teaching, Ms. Pulliam serves as a perfect example of an educator who has dedicated herself to improving the lives of her students and their families. She recently obtained the high achievement of becoming a National Board Certified Teacher in Literacy and is fully committed to teaching all her students how to read. Even from a young age, Pulliam would accompany her mother, who taught at Union Avenue in the same classroom, leaving her destined to be a teacher at the school her mom once served.

“I’ve known since I was a kid that this was what I wanted to do because I saw the difference it made in kids lives,” said Pulliam. “I wanted to make an impact like that. As soon as I heard that Union Avenue Elementary had an opening, I knew that this is where I belong because my heart has always been here. I didn’t choose this, it chose me.”
Excelling in all academic subjects, Skyler Imperialbobis makes an effort to help his peers in the classroom in areas they might be struggling. He enjoys science fiction movies and books, and is currently writing a script for the school’s Youth Cinema Project. On a day that Skyler surely won’t forget, he made sure to express his gratitude for those who continue to support him on his journey.

“I feel very honored to have been chosen to receive this award and I’ll always remember this moment in my life,” said Skyler. “I have to say thank you to all the people that have helped in school and at home and I appreciate everything the people in my life do to help me achieve my goals. Having so many important and famous people, like Tyler Higbee, come out to my school to honor me and hearing them speak about my accomplishments felt great. This is the biggest thing that has ever happened to me and it’s one of my favorite days in my entire life.”

Before Skyler took his bow in front of the cheering student body and staff, CBS’ legendary sports anchor Jim Hill made sure to remind Skyler that his efforts are not only important for he and his family, but for our society at large.

“Skyler, we need you,” said Hill. “We need your enthusiasm, knowledge, and we need you to be the very best you can be. Our country is going to keep improving because of people like you.”

Union Avenue Principal, Veronica Herrera, believes the event was a great opportunity to expose her students to role models and opportunities within our LA community while recognizing a few of the school’s exceptional performers.

“I think this is a wonderful opportunity for students to really get to see the world and the opportunities out there,” said Herrera. “Today they saw all these wonderful role models and it shows them that good things can happen in their lives. We’re a hub to many different students from many different parts of the world and this is to connect with people in our community who are wonderful and who care.”

Before the assembly was dismissed, tight end Tyler Higbee wanted to leave the student body with one last piece of advice about the role education played in his own journey.

“Even as a professional football player now, it all started here in the classroom,” said Higbee. “Growing up, I wasn’t able to be out on the field unless I got my grades right. So make sure you’re staying in school and being responsible, because none of this would have been possible for me without getting my education first. That’s the most important thing that led me to where I am today.”

Other notable members in attendance were LAUSD’s Board President Monica Garcia and Local District Superintendent Roberto Martinez from Local District Central. This was the second of seven events the Rams will be hosting with CBS-2/KCAL-9 to recognize exceptional students and teachers throughout the district.

Rams Visit Three Elementary Schools to Celebrate 'Read Across America Day'
In a national celebration of the great Dr. Seuss’ birthday on March 2, the Los Angeles Rams visited three local elementary schools to participate in the annual ‘Read Across America Day.’ The team’s cheerleaders and front office staffers read books aloud to students and also delivered books to Claude Hudnall and Frank D. Parent elementary schools in Inglewood to enrich their classroom libraries.

As Inglewood Unified School District’s executive director of school and community relations, Jacqueline Sanderlin understands the importance of literacy and believes the Rams’ involvement in ‘Read Across America Day’ added a special element of teamwork to the celebration. She believes the issues of literacy are not only meant to be solved school-by-school, but are meant to be tackled as a community.

“It’s a special day because we’re celebrating Dr. Seuss’ birthday and focusing on reading and engaging the community,” said Sanderlin at Claude Hudnall Elementary school. “It’s so exciting to have our partners here, the Los Angeles Rams, who are helping us improve literacy through reading and are working right alongside us. We believe our students are growing through the interactions we’re bringing to them. We’re reading to them, but we’re also finding ways to engage them in the reading because reading is more than a task, it’s an experience. Having been an educator for 21 years, these are the types of partnerships and experiences that make me want to work 21 more.”

A few of the Frank D. Parent elementary school classrooms engaged in some warm-up dances led by Rams cheerleaders before collectively reading some of Dr. Seuss’ most famous literary works. Principal Robert Lawson believes there aren’t many role models in American society that can have as large of an impact as those in professional sports. Therefore, he deems it essential for organizations such as the Rams to continue to emphasize the importance of education to our young students.

“The students were so inspired by the LA Rams visit, especially the lower grades who got to meet the cheerleaders,” said Dawson. “Not only did the cheerleaders read with them, but a number of classes even practiced some funky dance moves. It’s really impactful because in our American society, our young people tend to look up to two major groups of people: athletes and entertainers. Unfortunately, the reality is that most kids dream to become one and don’t make the cut. Therefore, I believe that team visits and outreach programs geared towards schools, especially schools that are predominately low-income and majority-minority, must continue to emphasize the core values of commitment and dedication as they pertain to our youth reaching their life-long academic goals.”

At Willow Elementary, near the Rams front office headquarters in Agoura Hills, Principal Laura Kintz echoed the importance of reading at a young age. She believes reading can also be an interactive activity, creating discussion and proposing questions that spark others to contribute.

“We loved having the Rams Readers at Willow,” said Kintz. “Our students thoroughly enjoyed them! Initiatives like this encourage reading and the enjoyment of books for life. When one day is dedicated to a genre of books, readers learn to thoroughly appreciate those books and seek others.  When adult readers from a well-known organization visit and read, all the better! It’s important for the Rams and other teams to be involved in the community because we live, work and play in the same town.  We support the Rams and are proud that they call Agoura Hills their home.”

During the celebration, the Rams also worked with FirstBook, a national non-profit that works to transform lives by improving access to equal, quality education for all children, to provide books to additional schools in Inglewood, Watts, and South LA. FirstBook is currently the largest and fastest-growing network of educators and program leaders serving children in need. The Read Across America initiative 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. Since returning home to Los Angeles, Rams staff members have provided more than 3,000 hours of community service and impacted 19 non-profits and 41 schools through the Day of Service program.

For more information about the Los Angeles Rams community outreach efforts, please visit therams.com/community.

Rams Agree to Terms with Ramik Wilson
The Rams have added an inside linebacker to their roster, agreeing to terms with Ramik Wilson on a one-year contract.

A Chiefs fourth-round pick out of Georgia in the 2015 draft, Wilson has played in 30 games in his career — all for Kansas City. The 25-year-old linebacker has recorded 112 tackles, one interception, three passes defensed, and a forced fumble.

Wilson received the most pro playing time during the 2016 season when he started 11 games. While he also started the first four games of 2017, Wilson was sidelined when Reggie Ragland took over for Kansas City at inside linebacker in early October. Wilson did, however, start the Chiefs’ last game of the season when the club rested many of its starters against the Broncos. In that game, he returned a fumble by quarterback Paxton Lynch 11 yards for a touchdown.

The inside linebacker was set to become a restricted free agent when the new league year began last week. But the Chiefs declined to place a tender on Wilson, making him an unrestricted free agent able to sign with any team.

After playing as a backup in his first two years at Georgia, Wilson led the SEC with 133 tackles as a junior in 2013 — earning a first-team all-conference selection. He was a second-team All-SEC honoree in 2014 before entering the NFL Draft.

Rams, Dominique Easley Agree to Terms on One-Year Deal
Rams, Dominique Easley Agree to Terms on One-Year Deal
The Rams have agreed to terms with defensive lineman Dominique Easley on a one-year deal, keeping him with the club for the 2018 season.

Easley signed with Los Angeles as a free agent prior to the 2016 season and was productive in a rotational role that year. Easley recorded 3.5 sacks in his first season as a Ram.

The former Patriots first-round pick was expected to continue playing a significant role on the Rams’ defense in 2017, but suffered an ACL tear early in training camp to prematurely end his season. It was the third major knee injury for Easley, going back to his college days at Florida. Since entering the league in 2014, Easley has played 38 games, recording 6.5 sacks. When healthy, Easley is a strong pass rusher from the interior.

Rams, John Sullivan Agree to Terms on Two-Year Deal
Rams, John Sullivan Agree to Terms on Two-Year Deal
The Rams will have their starting center back in 2018, as the club has agreed to terms on a two-year contract with John Sullivan.

At the NFL Combine, head coach Sean McVay termed Sullivan a player the team was not looking to replace. And just on Wednesday, general manager Les Snead said the Rams were in communication with Sullivan’s representation.

And now, despite reports that other teams in the NFC had interest in him, Sullivan will remain a Ram. Los Angeles signed Sullivan to a one-year contract as an unrestricted free agent in April of last year, and he made a clear impact to help stabilize the Rams’ offensive line. The center had familiarity with head coach Sean McVay’s offensive scheme, as the two spent the 2016 season together in Washington.

CB Nickell Robey-Coleman Appears on the NFL Network
CB Nickell Robey-Coleman Appears on the NFL Network
Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman — who recently signed a three-year contract with the franchise — appeared on the NFL Network’s “Up to the Minute” show on Tuesday. The USC product discussed a variety of topics including his decision to return to Los Angeles long-term as well as his career path thus far.

In addition, Robey-Coleman made his pitch for any free agents pondering the decision to join the club next season and gave his outlook for the Rams secondary in 2018. Plus, with the addition of cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib, NFL Network host Andrew Siciliano tasked Robey-Coleman with coming up with a few nicknames for the new unit.

His top three suggestions were as follows:

1) L.A.P.D or the Los Angeles Pass Defense

2) The No Fly Rams

3) Lock Angeles Rams

To watch the full interview, click here.

Webster Hosts First Official Food Truck Tasting
Rams cornerback Kayvon Webster has been busy this offseason, preparing to launch a new food truck. The truck — Vybe 305 — brings the best of local Miami cuisine to the streets of Los Angeles and hosted its first official tasting event on Wednesday night.
Thankful for everyone that came out and made my first food tasting a success

Find out more about Vybe 305’s new menu and launch, click here
Rams Have Nine Picks in 2018 NFL Draft
The Rams made several important transactions at the start of the new league year on Wednesday that have shaken up the club’s 2018 draft order.
Los Angeles acquired two fourth- and sixth-round selections in the 2018 Draft in exchange for middle linebacker Alec Ogletree and outside linebacker Robert Quinn, who will be heading to the Giants and the Dolphins, respectively.
The Rams also acquired cornerback Aqib Talib from the Broncos for a 2018 fifth-round draft pick. And they sent a 2018 fourth-round pick and a 2019 second-round pick to the Chiefs in exchange for cornerback Marcus Petersand a 2018 sixth-round selection. The club subsequently sent the Chiefs sixth-round pick to Miami.
Last season, the club also acquired another sixth-round pick from the Bills in a trade involving wide receiver Sammy Watkins, cornerback E.J. Gaines, and the Rams 2018 second-round draft pick.
Finally, the Rams sent their 2018 seventh-round pick to the Redskins in exchange for tight end Derek Carries, but they hold an additional sixth-round selection via the Lions from a trade involving left tackle Greg Robinson.
Here’s the full rundown of where L.A. will be picking in April’s draft:
Round 1 — No. 23
Round 3 — No. 87
Round 4 — No. 111 from Dolphins
Round 4 — No. 135 from Giants
Round 6 — No. 176 from Giants
Round 6 — No. 183 from Dolphins
Round 6 — No. 194 from Lions
Round 6 — No. 195 from Bills
Round 6 — No. 198
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 HistoryWorld History, an American Football team, and Political Science.