2 Rams Kams shine and other hidden crowd-pleasers from joint practice

Let's talk about the LA Rams joint practice with the Los Angeles Chargers.

What is it about bad news that causes all of us to stop, pause, and process what had and is taking place? Whether it's an automobile collision that attracts all the passers-by to rubber neck as they dive along their way, to the proliferation of police and fire department scanners that blare the latest crimes and fire outbreaks into our living spaces, we want to know the worst of what is happening in the world around us.

The first reports that surfaced about the LA Rams joint practice held with the Los Angeles Chargers did not tout the positives. It was a recap of the worst of plays, of player injuries, of mental mistakes and a lop-sided summary that left readers believing that the Chargers are far and away weeks ahead of the Rams in terms of preparedness and overall potential for the upcoming 2024 NFL season.

But do not allow yourself to fall into that trap.

There are many layers of competition that happen during the offseason. Initially, OTAs and mini camps are players competing against other players for their spot on the depth chart. As training camp practices take over, competition evolves into multiple tracks. For veterans, it's an opportunity to experiment, to see what does and does not work, and to resynch with the timing and roles for the upcoming season.

Younger players are competing to learn and demonstrate their fit and demonstrate their skill sets for the coaches. Even as they learn, they are being graded and assessed. Coaches want to see not just that a player can learn and perform to expectations, but how well they can perform in practices.