Between an MVP quarterback throwing him the ball and an All-Pro cornerback covering him on those passes, receiver Davante Adams appreciates how much the L.A. Rams have upgraded training camp practices this year. Adams has Matthew Stafford and Trent McDuffie helping him get better every day as the Rams prepare for the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1, so maybe it’s never too late for an “old receiver” to learn new tricks.
“Iron sharpens iron,” said Adams about facing McDuffie in camp.
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The Rams had Adams, Sean McVay, and Nate Landman available to the media after Sunday’s practices. Here is some of what they had to say.
Myles Garrett has missed the last four practices, so of course that was the first topic of conversation that McVay had to address. He doesn’t sound worried about it.
The recently acquired superstar “is dealing with a little soreness in his lower half,” according to McVay. The Rams are “erring on the side of being smart” with Garrett and “there’s no reason for concern,” which is a much more comforting endorsement than what fans were hearing from McVay last year as it pertained to Stafford’s back.
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This could be a nothingburger, but after the reporting debacle at their last training camp, I’m confident the coach won’t be assuming anything this time around.
After some coach speak about how the team is having great “back and forth”, with both sides of the ball pushing each other, I found it interesting he mentioned, again, how impressed he is with Stetson Bennett.
“I think Stetson Bennett has really capitalized on a lot of reps that he didn’t get last year….To be able to run the one offense the way he has, I’ve been pleased.”
It seems to me that Bennett is QB2 for the foreseeable future.
Landman was the first player I’ve seen in these pressers who seemed a little less enthused about the trade for Garrett. Or does he just miss Jared Verse?
“You don’t lose the human element, I do love Jared Verse. I’ve got some shared experience with him.”
This was right after calling Garrett, “One of one.”
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He is truly excited about this year and by what the new players bring to the table and spoke about the synergy of the defense.
“There’s no egos on this team. Just people who love football, that want to play football and do what’s best for the team.”
When he spoke about defensive coordinator Chris Shula, he said he teaches all the players all of the roles for different plays. No guessing where a CB or Edge is going to be.
“Not solely focusing on our job, but on how the defense works as a whole.”
Personally, Landman is looking to improve as a leader on the field as well.
“You’re always looking to improve. Nobody’s perfect in this game. Nobody’s above coaching, and so I’m looking forward to taking that new step, more confident in the calls, more confident defense, and my ability, and the guys around me, building trust and just focusing on doing my job.”
Davante Adams
Adams was asked if it’s a bonus having Stafford participating in this year’s camp, and he gave an emphatic yes. He thought it affected their performance last season.
“(Stafford and I) are getting a whole different start than we had last year.”
Adams is also excited to be able to go against McDuffie, one of the best corners in the league, day after day.
“I don’t know if I’ll get a better look than what I get from Trent out there…it’s the epitome of iron sharpens iron”
Adams is the third or fourth speaker I’ve heard in this year’s pressers giving a shout-out to Jordan Whittington, a receiver now getting reps at fullback.
“J Whit is like the most fired up dude about playing fullback.”
Finally, Adams talked about how Stafford consoled him on the flight home after losing the NFC Championship game to the Seahawks, saying that the quarterback was hopeful that he could help the receiver finally get the Super Bowl he’s been waiting for his whole career.
Matthew turned around and said, ‘I’m sorry man I wanted that for you so bad.” Not for him but for me.
That’s the type of teammate you like to have in your corner, both in January and in August.
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