LA Rams: 5 players whose stock is on the rise after OTAs
By Bret Stuter
The LA Rams have held their first wave of organized team activities, and the first reports are expectedly optimistic. After all, it’s an almost sure thing that the word out of camp will highlight the positives, even if the overall experience was not all on the plus side. Still, the Rams rookies are no different than any other NFL rookies in the sense that no rookie arrives at the NFL and looks the part of Pro Bowler in shorts and sneakers.
Even second-year players or veterans who are promoted from the ranks of reserve players into starting roles get a grace period where their early performances in OTAs are viewed within the proper framework. This is early for any type for any full-fledged analysis, and in many cases, is simply the first encounters of coaches and players.
The objectives for the initial Organized Team Activities (OTAs) are to run through the installation of new offensive and defensive plays, refresh the basic data of players, renew or tweak any nutritional, exercise, or conditioning regiments, revisit the team’s plans for using that player in the upcoming season.
For younger players, this period also includes a host of introductions of basic routines that will become the foundation of their NFL future with that organization. Some players adjust and adapt quite quickly, while others take more time to process the overwhelming influx of new everything into their lives. Regardless of the pace, players all share the sole objective of contributing to the team, earning a spot on the roster, improving each day, and enjoying a long and lauded NFL career.