LA Rams Elbowgate: Why Rams aren’t worried. Why fans are.

II: Why LA Rams are not worried

While the concern level rises significantly from Stafford to the LA Rams organization, it is still not at a point where the team is altering the options. This is a matter where the team is relying heavily upon the medical staff, sports medicine staff, and data analytics. The Rams are, as a matter of track record, one of the more generous in terms of load management to more seasoned veterans.

That is one of the reasons why veterans appreciate the Rams organization. The team allows the focus for veterans to remain on the football field on game day, and not relentless training and practice over and over. Look at offensive left tackle Andrew Whitworth, whose 16-year career as a starting left tackle included his final five seasons with the Rams. He knew his body, and he was prepared to play. But he had off days in practice where he was allowed to give his body desperately needed rest.

As long as Matthew Stafford can make his throws, the team is relatively not impacted. And the entire organization: From the coaching staff to the sports medicine department all the way to the front office executives believes that that team can manage Stafford’s workload over a 17-game regular season and even perhaps over a four-game postseason schedule to keep his arm in good shape.

The team does not play starters in preseason games. So the challenge of getting into ‘game-ready’ form is delayed by a month for the starting quarterback. And with the embedded rest periods of the BYE week and the mini-byes that occur between a Thursday Night contest to the following Sunday event, the team believes that they can keep Stafford’s throwing arm rested enough to last through Super Bowl LVII.