5 possible surprises from LA Rams training camp

While information about the LA Rams training camp continues to trickle out, here are five surprises that could be waiting to debut in the regular season

The LA Rams are starting to have the look and feel of a team in preparation for the 2020 NFL season.  In some ways, it feels very normal and natural to be writing that down. In other ways, it all feels so very surreal. The path to the 2020 NFL Season is one we’ve never traveled before, nor is it likely to be one we navigate again.  So it is in that background that I’ll discuss some surprises in store for fans of the LA Rams this season.

The Rams ran aground of the ability of other teams to “catch up” last season.  Whether it was the fact that the team’s talent had dropped off, the coaching staff became complacent, or a blend of both, the effect was disappointing. Defenses no longer guessed what the Rams were going to do either on defense or offense.  That changes in 2020.

Innovations and improvisations

We’ve discussed the new defensive strategy of deception and misdirection. That’s not likely to be limited to the defense alone. Almost immediately after the 2019 season, HC Sean McVay rushed to augment the offensive playbook by hiring  OC Kevin O’Connell. After all, it was McVay who was once the offensive coordinator for Washington’s very mobile quarterback Robert Griffin III. That background of innovating offensive plays to feature unique talents is still there.

That puts everything on the table in terms of offense. Meanwhile, the new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley knows that the LA Rams defense will only be as effective as All-Pro Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey. So he has a great deal of incentive to use them both in new ways.  What’s it all mean? Well, some fun surprises, that’s what.  Here are five surprises that could appear in 2020: