LA Rams News: Coach Bonamego finding returners at training camp

LA Rams News: The return game is critical for the Rams’ success in 2020. So who are the players trying out for a role in training camp?

The LA Rams return game holds some of the differing roles that need to be resolved quickly in training camp. The Rams made it a point to quickly part ways with projected starting returners Jojo Natson and Greg Dortch. That essentially wiped the slate clean for the team to conduction open tryouts for those roles this season.

When we posed the question to therams.com reporter J.B. Long, we didn’t get a response on social media.  But he followed up today with the Rams Day 2 in pads training camp streaming video. Long mentioned several players observed in the kick return game today: RB Darrell Henderson, RB John Kelly, and CB David Long Jr.

Punt returners?

Names mentioned for the punt return role included veteran returner Nsimba Webster. But Long, as well as former NFL star RB Maurice Drew Jones, indicated that the Rams will likely consider an existing player for the return role, rather than a return “specialist”

That’s right out of ST Coordinator John Bonamego’s playbook and fits our expectations. After all, the Rams carried eight wide receivers in 2019, but two of those were in reality return specialists. If the Rams carry seven WRs this year on the 53-man roster, the group will like have two slots available for Trishton Jackson, Earnest Edwards, JJ Koski, and, Easop Winston. With their talent, the other two would likely be signed to the team’s practice squad.

Roster spots, particularly in 2020, are precious.  The Rams, like all NFL teams, will be well served to have extra layers of coverage on the roster this year.  That means that wide receivers or running backs, or even defensive backs, who can absorb snaps on a rotational basis have extra value for the team’s special teams’ play.