Aaron Donald will be the highest paid defensive player in league history, Los Angeles Rams 2018 Preseason Schedule Announced, Johnny Hekker, Ravens, Rams to hold joint practices this summer, Episode 3 of Rams Original Series "Behind the Grind", Dominique Easley & CBS-2/KCAL-9 Honor LAUSD's Student & Teacher of the Month
Rams punter Johnny Hekker restructures contract
According to Field Yates of ESPN.com, the Rams restructured the contract of punter Johnny Hekker. The move converted $1.21 million of Hekker’s 2018 base salary to a signing bonus paid immediately. It saves the team $968,000 in cap space this season while pushing an additional $242,000 in cap commitments to each of the next four seasons of his deal.
Rams General Manager Les Snead conceded that they are about to make defensive tackle Aaron Donald the highest paid defensive player in league history.
The Rams currently have the least amount of salary cap space of any team in the league, according to NFLPA numbers. The team will have to find the space needed to accommodate Donald’s impending deal, though the year one cap hit could potentially be pretty negligible depending on how the contract is structured. Hekker’s contract restructure is one way for the Rams to get the space needed so they can take care of the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Todd Gurley Throws Out First Pitch for Los Angeles Dodgers
Rams RB Todd Gurley was invited to throw out the first pitch at Dodger Stadium. Click here to watch the highlight video of Gurley’s night at Dodger Stadium
Rams & CBS-2/KCAL-9 Honor LAUSD's Student & Teacher of the Month
On Friday, March 23, the Los Angeles Rams & CBS-2/KCAL-9 paid a visit to Southern California’s oldest public high school, Los Angeles Senior High, to recognize LAUSD’s Student and Teacher of the Month. The entire student body filled the school auditorium for an all-school assembly to celebrate the accomplishments of senior Emma Salim and teacher Ms. Kerrie Egerton. Rams defensive end Dominique Easley and CBS’ illustrious sports anchor Jim Hill joined the festivities to commemorate some of our community’s finest achievers.
Described by many as a self-starter and a problem solver, Salim is a standout student with a 99% attendance rate and serves as president for the Associated Student Body and as the Chair of the School Site Council, which is typically a position held by a parent. In her time as a student at LA Senior High, she has supported community activities such as campus cleanup and has been a member of the varsity track team. With a knack for helping others, it’s of no surprise that Salim wants to make a career of helping others as she aspires to be a nurse following her college graduation.
“I enjoy being a leader to others and showing them the right path to help them pursue what they want to do and to achieve it,” says Salim. “I wanted to be involved with the school and stay involved because my parents always inspire me to and I just want to help others.”
As a Special Education teacher, Ms. Egerton has a passion for her students and is dedicated to ensuring they all succeed. At the age of 11, she decided her fate would lead her to become a teacher and she eventually developed a desire to mentor students with disabilities. In her time at LA Senior High, Ms. Egerton has supported the school on its transition to full inclusion for students with disabilities securing a $25,000 grant to assist programs that transition special needs students into traditional classroom environments.
“I think it’s one of the most rewarding jobs in education because you’re dealing with children who are struggling or are maybe already behind and you’re taking them to a level that they maybe never thought they could be,” said Egerton. “Even with the most challenging students, just getting through to them is the part that I really enjoy and that’s why I do it…It’s the students, that’s the reason I come to work every day.”
Rams defensive end Dominique Easley even took the auditorium stage to provide a few words of encouragement for Salim and Egerton before surprising each of them with four tickets to the Rams 2018 regular season home opener.
“Emma, I would like to say thank you for everything you have done in this community,” said Easley. “Continue to be great. You don’t know how special you are to everyone in this community and in this world. So please, continue to be great. And thank you so much for leading Emma and many other students, Ms. Egerton.”
This was the third LAUSD Student & Teacher of the Month initiative this year. Other notable community representatives in attendance were LAUSD’s Board District 1 Representative Patrice McKenzie, LAUSD’s Local District West Superintendent Cheryl Hildreth and KCAL-9 News Anchor Juan Fernandez.
For more information about the Rams community outreach programs, please visit therams.com/community.
Rams 2018 Preseason Schedule Announced
The NFL has announced its preseason schedule, and the Rams will have a strong slate of opponents for the four exhibition contests.
Playing the AFC West during the regular season, Los Angeles doubled up with only one Pacific time zone team for its preseason slate. The Rams will travel to Baltimore to face the Ravens in Week 1, square off against the Raiders at the Coliseum in Week 2, take on the Texans in Los Angeles for Week 3, then finish the preseason slate against the Saints in Louisiana.
Los Angeles will also face Oakland and New Orleans during the regular season. Last year, the Rams only faced one preseason opponent in the regular season in the Cowboys.
All games may be seen on KCBS and Univision/UniMas, and may be heard across the Rams Radio Network on ESPN LA 710 AM plus the simulcast on 93.1 JACK FM.
Week 1 - at Ravens
Los Angeles will make a cross-country trip for the first week of the preseason, taking on a Ravens team that finished 9-7 in 2017.
The Rams and Ravens have played six regular-season games since Baltimore’s inception in 1996. The two teams last met in 2015 in Maryland, which the Ravens won 16-13. The two franchises will play in the regular season once again in 2019, with Baltimore making its first trip to Los Angeles.
Week 2 - vs. Raiders
This will be the second year in a row Los Angeles will take on Oakland in Week 2 of the preseason — this time in L.A. This will mark the first time since 1979 that the Rams have played the Raiders as the home team at the L.A. Coliseum. The Rams and Raiders last played a regular-season game at the Coliseum in November of 1994, with the Raiders as the home team.
Last year, the Rams defeated the Raiders 24-21 at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in the second week of preseason play. Quarterback Sean Mannion hit wide receiver Josh Reynolds with a 20-yard touchdown pass with just 1:16 left in the fourth quarter to take the lead.
Week 3 - vs. Texans
Houston will make the trek to Southern California for the third exhibition contest — often thought of as the most important of the preseason.
The Rams and Texans have faced one another only four times in the regular season since Houston’s first season in 2002. Los Angeles beat the Texans 33-7 at the Coliseum last season, with wide receiver Robert Woods catching a memorable 94-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter.
Week 4 - at Saints
Los Angeles will have another cross-country flight for the final preseason contest, when the club will take on New Orleans.
This will be the first of (at least) two visits to the Big Easy the Rams will make in 2018, as the club will take on the Saints in New Orleans during the regular season. It will also mark the third consecutive year L.A. has played the Saints.
As former division rivals, the Saints and Rams have a rich regular-season history, with the Rams holding a 41-32 record. Los Angeles beat New Orleans 26-20 at the Coliseum in 2017, with quarterback Jared Goff just missing a career high with 354 yards passing. Running back Todd Gurley also picked up 128 yards from scrimmage in the victory.
To secure your season tickets for 2018 click HERE.
Watch Episode 3 of Rams Original Series "Behind the Grind"
Episode 3 of new Rams original series "Behind the Grind" is available now on Facebook Watch. "Hard Work Pays Off" features the introduction of new Rams DT Ndamukong Suh, a visit to Aaron Donald's home in Pittsburgh and a look into John Johnson III's offseason workouts.
"Behind the Grind" airs exclusively on Facebook Watch biweekly on Thursdays at 9 pm ET/6 pm PT. Each episode of "Behind the Grind" showcases 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 full episodes 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.
Ravens, Rams to hold joint practices this summer
Ravens wide receiver Michael Crabtree and Rams cornerback Aqib Talib aren’t scheduled to face each other in the regular season, but they will have a chance to catch up with one another over the summer.
According to multiple reports, the Ravens and Rams have agreed to hold joint practices this summer before they play a preseason game in Baltimore on August 9. It will be the first preseason game for the Rams while the Ravens will be playing in the Hall of Fame Game against the Bears in the league’s first exhibition game of the summer.
Crabtree and Talib were both ejected from a game between the Raiders and Broncos last season after a fight that started when Talib, who was then with Denver, tore a chain off Crabtree’s neck while Crabtree was blocking him. It was the second straight year that the two players had scuffles that involved Talib yanking Crabtree’s chain and it resulted in two-game suspensions for both players that were reduced to one game following appeals.
Given what’s gone on in the past between the two players, Crabtree might want to keep his chain in his locker rather than around his neck for those workouts.
Rams General Manager Les Snead conceded that they are about to make defensive tackle Aaron Donald the highest paid defensive player in league history.
The Rams currently have the least amount of salary cap space of any team in the league, according to NFLPA numbers. The team will have to find the space needed to accommodate Donald’s impending deal, though the year one cap hit could potentially be pretty negligible depending on how the contract is structured. Hekker’s contract restructure is one way for the Rams to get the space needed so they can take care of the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Todd Gurley Throws Out First Pitch for Los Angeles Dodgers
Rams RB Todd Gurley was invited to throw out the first pitch at Dodger Stadium. Click here to watch the highlight video of Gurley’s night at Dodger Stadium
Described by many as a self-starter and a problem solver, Salim is a standout student with a 99% attendance rate and serves as president for the Associated Student Body and as the Chair of the School Site Council, which is typically a position held by a parent. In her time as a student at LA Senior High, she has supported community activities such as campus cleanup and has been a member of the varsity track team. With a knack for helping others, it’s of no surprise that Salim wants to make a career of helping others as she aspires to be a nurse following her college graduation.
As a Special Education teacher, Ms. Egerton has a passion for her students and is dedicated to ensuring they all succeed. At the age of 11, she decided her fate would lead her to become a teacher and she eventually developed a desire to mentor students with disabilities. In her time at LA Senior High, Ms. Egerton has supported the school on its transition to full inclusion for students with disabilities securing a $25,000 grant to assist programs that transition special needs students into traditional classroom environments.
“I think it’s one of the most rewarding jobs in education because you’re dealing with children who are struggling or are maybe already behind and you’re taking them to a level that they maybe never thought they could be,” said Egerton. “Even with the most challenging students, just getting through to them is the part that I really enjoy and that’s why I do it…It’s the students, that’s the reason I come to work every day.”
“Emma, I would like to say thank you for everything you have done in this community,” said Easley. “Continue to be great. You don’t know how special you are to everyone in this community and in this world. So please, continue to be great. And thank you so much for leading Emma and many other students, Ms. Egerton.”
This was the third LAUSD Student & Teacher of the Month initiative this year. Other notable community representatives in attendance were LAUSD’s Board District 1 Representative Patrice McKenzie, LAUSD’s Local District West Superintendent Cheryl Hildreth and KCAL-9 News Anchor Juan Fernandez.
For more information about the Rams community outreach programs, please visit therams.com/community.
Rams 2018 Preseason Schedule Announced
Playing the AFC West during the regular season, Los Angeles doubled up with only one Pacific time zone team for its preseason slate. The Rams will travel to Baltimore to face the Ravens in Week 1, square off against the Raiders at the Coliseum in Week 2, take on the Texans in Los Angeles for Week 3, then finish the preseason slate against the Saints in Louisiana.
Los Angeles will also face Oakland and New Orleans during the regular season. Last year, the Rams only faced one preseason opponent in the regular season in the Cowboys.
All games may be seen on KCBS and Univision/UniMas, and may be heard across the Rams Radio Network on ESPN LA 710 AM plus the simulcast on 93.1 JACK FM.
Week 1 - at Ravens
Los Angeles will make a cross-country trip for the first week of the preseason, taking on a Ravens team that finished 9-7 in 2017.
The Rams and Ravens have played six regular-season games since Baltimore’s inception in 1996. The two teams last met in 2015 in Maryland, which the Ravens won 16-13. The two franchises will play in the regular season once again in 2019, with Baltimore making its first trip to Los Angeles.
Week 2 - vs. Raiders
This will be the second year in a row Los Angeles will take on Oakland in Week 2 of the preseason — this time in L.A. This will mark the first time since 1979 that the Rams have played the Raiders as the home team at the L.A. Coliseum. The Rams and Raiders last played a regular-season game at the Coliseum in November of 1994, with the Raiders as the home team.
Last year, the Rams defeated the Raiders 24-21 at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in the second week of preseason play. Quarterback Sean Mannion hit wide receiver Josh Reynolds with a 20-yard touchdown pass with just 1:16 left in the fourth quarter to take the lead.
Week 3 - vs. Texans
Houston will make the trek to Southern California for the third exhibition contest — often thought of as the most important of the preseason.
The Rams and Texans have faced one another only four times in the regular season since Houston’s first season in 2002. Los Angeles beat the Texans 33-7 at the Coliseum last season, with wide receiver Robert Woods catching a memorable 94-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter.
Week 4 - at Saints
Los Angeles will have another cross-country flight for the final preseason contest, when the club will take on New Orleans.
This will be the first of (at least) two visits to the Big Easy the Rams will make in 2018, as the club will take on the Saints in New Orleans during the regular season. It will also mark the third consecutive year L.A. has played the Saints.
As former division rivals, the Saints and Rams have a rich regular-season history, with the Rams holding a 41-32 record. Los Angeles beat New Orleans 26-20 at the Coliseum in 2017, with quarterback Jared Goff just missing a career high with 354 yards passing. Running back Todd Gurley also picked up 128 yards from scrimmage in the victory.
To secure your season tickets for 2018 click HERE.
Watch Episode 3 of Rams Original Series "Behind the Grind"
Watch Episode 3 of Rams Original Series "Behind the Grind"
Episode 3 of new Rams original series "Behind the Grind" features the introduction of new Rams DT Ndamukong Suh, a visit to Aaron Donald's home in Pittsburgh and a look into John Johnson III's offseason workouts.
Episode 3 of new Rams original series "Behind the Grind" is available now on Facebook Watch. "Hard Work Pays Off" features the introduction of new Rams DT Ndamukong Suh, a visit to Aaron Donald's home in Pittsburgh and a look into John Johnson III's offseason workouts.
"Behind the Grind" airs exclusively on Facebook Watch biweekly on Thursdays at 9 pm ET/6 pm PT. Each episode of "Behind the Grind" showcases 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 full episodes 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.
Ravens, Rams to hold joint practices this summer
According to multiple reports, the Ravens and Rams have agreed to hold joint practices this summer before they play a preseason game in Baltimore on August 9. It will be the first preseason game for the Rams while the Ravens will be playing in the Hall of Fame Game against the Bears in the league’s first exhibition game of the summer.
Crabtree and Talib were both ejected from a game between the Raiders and Broncos last season after a fight that started when Talib, who was then with Denver, tore a chain off Crabtree’s neck while Crabtree was blocking him. It was the second straight year that the two players had scuffles that involved Talib yanking Crabtree’s chain and it resulted in two-game suspensions for both players that were reduced to one game following appeals.
Given what’s gone on in the past between the two players, Crabtree might want to keep his chain in his locker rather than around his neck for those workouts.
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.
