5 key points fans can learn from the Rams performance in preseason Game 2

(5) - How different will preseason play-calling be under Coach Pleasant?

The national sports media seems giddy over the fact that Rams HC Sean McVay is sitting in the coach's booth and giving the gametime responsibilities to his assistant head coach, Aubrey Pleasant. From a strategic perspective, this move strengthens the likelihood that the coaching staff will be subject to more poaching by other NFL teams at the end of the 2024 NFL season. That could mean more compensatory picks for the team, a benefit that this football team will never decline.

But in the confines of a vanilla offense and defense, just how different will the game play-calling be under Aubrey Pleasant?

That's a curious question. Since Coach Pleasant comes from the defensive side of the football, my first instinct is to believe that he will try to ground and pound the football in this one. More rushing means game clock management, and a much better scenario for the defense. But then, there is the realization that he works with the secondary. As such, he understands the impact of a skillfull passing game. And he is fully versed in the talent in this team's receiver room.

So, as it turns out, we don't know. And we won't know until we see how the offense handles the football for the first few possessions. The suspense is building already.

(4) - Who picks off the first pass in Rams secondary?

There was not shortage of turnovers in Game 1 of the NFL preseason. The problem was, the Dallas Cowboys defense was making all of the interceptions. For Rams new DC Chris Shula, he has to hope that changes in Game 2. Despite not playing true starters in preseason, there is a surplus of talent in this team's secondary, and that should translate into an interception at some point.

So, who, and when?

My first inclination is to turn to rookie DB Kamren Kinchens. Kinchens is the backbone of this preseason secondary. Not only does he have an impressive background in ball-hawking skills, but he is all over the place in terms of reading routes and being in the right place at the right time.

But a player who was rather impressive was undrafted rookie cornerback Cam Lampkins. Not only did Lampkins allow just two of five targets to find their mark, but he did get a hand in there and broke up one pass. And if he can get a hand on the football, he can pick off the pass.

Perhaps Elias Neal, the undrafted rookie ILB out of Marshall, can be the first to pick off a pass for the Rams defense. He appeared to be very impressive in Game 1, and an interception would merely add to his strong performance.

Of course, anyone on the football field COULD make an interception. Chargers QB Easton Stick is certainly vulnerable to throwing them. Let's hope that task gets checked off at least once in this one.