Rams seeking to preserve championship pedigree with simple solution

How can the Los Angeles Rams preserve the integrity of their 2021 Super Bowl team as age and adversity work in unison to rob the roster of veteran leadership? After all, time gnaws at older players until the sport's raw physicality forces them to give way to younger, less experienced replacements.

LA may have stumbled upon a unique and effective solution. In fact, it's so simple that other teams may quickly seek to replicate it - if, that is, they have former players willing to return as positional coaches. Fortunately, the Rams have two who check the boxes:

Assistant WR coach Robert Woods

Former Rams receiver Robert Woods, affectionately known as Bobby Trees, was a mentor for Cooper Kupp. A 12-year veteran, Woods played for four different teams. His best years, and lone Super Bowl ring, happened in Horns. He put up 8,233 receiving yards, 38 touchdowns, and caught over 60 percent of passes thrown his way.

Woods was the prototypical receiver of head coach Sean McVay's offense, Woods willingly blocked, ran crisp routes, and was an ideal teammate. He is also an ideal coach for this young roster. He knows the value of discipline, training, and coachability.

As LA continues to load up on new players, many have only heard of Woods. Now, they will have the chance to learn from him as they attempt to make their mark in the NFL.

Assistant offensive line coach Brian Allen

Who can say whether Coach Allen will be as effective as hoped? But he arrives with two undeniable assets. First, he has the authority of coaching as a former player. He is more than X's and O's on a whiteboard. He's played.

Second, Allen brings authenticity. He was not a superhuman All-Pro. He had to dig down deep just to suit up every day. He fought through pain, tears, blood, and sweat.

Allen can help current Rams players navigate adversity up and down the depth chart. During his five-year career he was both a starter and a backup. He was the Super Bowl squad's starting center.

He knows what works and doesn't work in terms of game preparation. And after battling back from a yearlong hiatus due to injury, he knows how to keep everyone focused in a positive direction.

As time passes, fewer and fewer players who claimed victory in Super Bowl LVI remain on the roster. Quarterback Matthew Stafford and tight end Tyler Higbee are the sole surviving representatives. By hiring former players as coaches, LA can retain that legacy, leadership, and love for the game for many years to come.

As always, thanks for reading.

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