Los Angeles Rams: Don’t look for many starters in the preseason

If history is any indication, don’t look for Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay to play many starters in the preseason.

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay looks to have the kind of problems a lot of NFL coaches wouldn’t mind having. With so many stars at key positions, the decision of who to play or not looms large for LA.

Bottom line, is it’s about keeping front line players healthy for the grind that will be the 2018 regular season.

Fans should not expect to see much of players like Jared Goff or Todd Gurley on offense, or aging lineman like John Sullivan and Andrew Whitworth.

Smart?
Probably.

But the debate as to how much starters should play or not is one that McVay is clearly struggling with entering his second season with the Rams.

"“I’m really having a tough time – and we’ve talked about this as a staff – at how do you balance the dynamic between getting those preseason reps, and then, what the risk that potential could come from if something happens.”"

It’s a fair point, and one not lost on only the head coach.

Gurley, the 2017 OPOY is all in on skipping the preseason, though sitting for all four games seems unlikely. At some point, especially in games two and three of this exhibition season, you’d expect to see starters for at least a few series.

"“Oh, for me? definitely wouldn’t want to play in it. But like I said, it is what it is. It’s football – you go out there, you play ball.”"

Gurley is one player the Rams will want to keep fresh for the regular season. Being the primary cog in the Los Angeles offensive machine, he’s one player who will see minimal time if you read between the lines of what McVay is saying.

Count Goff in that equation as well.

The upside is the opportunity to see what the depth chart yields at those two positions.

That’s not a bad thing.

Whatever approach McVay ultimately takes, the bounty of riches on the 2018 Rams roster affords him the opportunity to get the backups some quality reps.

Making the exhibition season something fans should keep an eye on.