Is 2022 training camp crucial for LA Rams Coach Eric Henderson?

Bridge out

So what lies in store for the LA Rams defensive front around the bend? Well, the roster is in a bit of a log jam. You see, try as they might just to keep players on the roster, those contracts expire. And for the LA Rams at the end of the 2022 NFL season, the team faces the expired contracts of four defensive linemen:

• Name                                Posn    Yrs  Gms    Tkls    Sacks     FA Status

1. A’Shawn Robinson        DL           6    17        67       2.0           UFA
2. Greg Gaines                    NT           3     17        55       4.5           UFA
3. Marquise Copeland       DL           2       9        10        0.0         ERFA
4. Michael Hoecht              DL           1     17          7        0.0         ERFA

That’s a pretty significant hit to the Rams team. And if the Rams were looking at the average Fair Market Value to re-sign all four players on a per-year basis? The Rams are likely looking at investing $20 million per year into the four defensive linemen to re-sign them all for 2023 and beyond.

That may not be possible. The Rams want to rework the contracts for DL Aaron Donald and Cooper Kupp, and then re-sign WR Odell Beckham Jr. Of course, there are the gyrations and kicking the can down the road to free up cap space, hopeful that future years’ revenue growth will supply the money to pay players.

Big things take care of themselves

That is not a concern for Eric Henderson. He is aware of the financial limitations of the LA Rams roster. But he is more about taking care of the little things, and the big things take care of themselves. That is why he has a smile on his face, why he laughs aloud, and why he never lowers the bar for anyone.

You may think that to be counterproductive. But in reality, this is the way things get done. Coach Henny elevates the level of play of the players. He doesn’t lower the bar to get players on the field. In the end, the LA Rams defensive line is consistently among the best in the NFL because Henny believes that they can be, and refuses to let them onto the field until each player has earned his trust.

Tough love? Try tough business. The NFL is not for the undecided or the faint of heart. It is a grueling, highly demanding professional sport that requires the utmost dedication. All Coach Henderson is apply the rules of the game in such a way that undrafted rookies have as much chance of success as Day 1 rookies.

Will this 2022 training camp be crucial for LA Rams Coach Eric Henderson and the future of the Rams’ defensive line? No more crucial than any season. That is the beauty of #DAWGWORK.