Despite his role as defensive backs coach, Rams assistant Aubrey Pleasant has spent some time on the offensive sideline during training camp this year.
Partly, it’s to get a different perspective on his cornerbacks. To watch their eyes to better understand how they are processing each play. But as the team’s assistant head coach, Pleasant also uses this as an opportunity to bond with the side of the ball he spends less time coaching.
“I think it’s allowing me to take the relationships that I really spend time with off the field to really grow on the field,” Pleasant said this week. “Anytime you see a defensive coach celebrate with an offensive player, it just really overemphasizes the approach of ’we’ here at the Los Angeles Rams.”
In Saturday’s preseason game against the Chargers, Pleasant will again take that inclusive approach, serving as the Rams’ head coach for the evening. It’s a role he served last preseason, too, as head coach Sean McVay gives Pleasant a platform to work toward his career goals both in August but during the season, too.
“Coach McVay gives me the opportunity to really impact both the offense and the defensive side of the field,” Pleasant said. “And he says it’s been earned, which I’m very, very thankful for. Anytime you can see the game from offense and defense and then my role is to try to be more involved with special teams as well because I know when sitting in that role, everyone’s looking at you in the best manner possible.”
Here are three more items to pay attention to when the Rams face the Chargers at SoFi Stadium:
Team undrafted?
The Rams have a history of turning undrafted free agents into rookie contributors. That path was harder to picture entering this training camp given the depth of the Rams’ roster, but a couple of guys are pushing for a roster spot at the end of the preseason.
North Carolina offensive lineman Willie Lampkin went undrafted because he doesn’t have typical NFL size at 5-foot-11 and 290 pounds. But in the preseason opener, he made a pretty compelling case that he belongs with four pancake blocks. And with fellow interior lineman Dylan McMahon sidelined with an ankle injury, Lampkin is making a strong bid to make the 53-man roster.
“Sometimes obviously the attributes don’t get you drafted, if you will, but it doesn’t matter. You’ve just got to land,” offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said. “We like what we’ve seen from him. I thought he had a really good game. I thought he got better as the game went on.”
Lampkin was part of the second unit on the offensive line last weekend, so we’ll get a good idea of his progress based on how he is utilized against the Chargers.
Another interesting case will be linebacker Shaun Dolac. The Buffalo product played 48 snaps and made four tackles, including two stops in the running game. While Omar Speights, Nate Landman and Chris Paul Jr. are pretty secure as the top three at linebacker, the fourth spot at the position could still be up for grabs.
Rising rookies
Running back Jarquez Hunter and receiver Konata Mumpfield provided the biggest offensive highlights for the Rams in Thursday’s joint practice with the New Orleans Saints. Hunter showcased his breakaway speed, while Mumpfield made leaping catches on back-to-back plays that electrified the starting offense watching from the sidelines.
Both have had good moments throughout camp, but neither stood out in the preseason opener. Hunter rushed 11 times for 41 yards, while Mumpfield reeled in two of five targets for 24 yards. Now can they put together some of their practice magic when the tackling goes live at SoFi? That’ll give us a better idea of their chances to contribute as rookies.
Roster thief
Heading into camp, fourth running back Ronnie Rivers had an advantage in the competition for a roster spot because of his importance on the Rams’ special teams. But last weekend played out poorly for the veteran. Rookie Cody Schrader ate up Rivers’ special teams role, and Rivers injured his ribs, sidelining him for the last week of practices.
And Schrader didn’t just flash on special teams. He played only nine snaps on offense, but rushed five times for 59 yards, including a 25-yarder. Another strong showing against the Chargers and Schrader could wrap up a roster spot.