Each weekday, theRams.com will be taking a look around the internet for the top Rams headlines of the day. Here's a look at what's out there for Wednesday, Aug. 7 about your Los Angeles Rams.
DONALD PROJECTED TO REPEAT AS NFL'S SACKS LEADER
Using a mathematical framework, NFL Network Analytics Expert Cynthia Frelund projected who she believes will be the league leaders across 11 statistical categories for the 2019 season. Frelund's model forecasts Donald to repeat as the NFL's sack leader with 18 after posting an NFL-best 20.5 last year.
Here's what Frelund had to say:
Fun fact: Donald, who paced the NFL last season with 20.5 sacks, would be the first player to lead the NFL in sacks in consecutive seasons since Reggie White in 1987-88. That's great company, no? I use computer vision to track pressures (and specifically pressures that disrupt passes, a.k.a. defenders coming within 5 feet of an opposing quarterback in a way that influenced the pass), and Donald is able to enter that 5-foot halo about 0.5 seconds faster than the next fastest interior defender.
RAMS PREDICTED TO WIN LOS ANGELES' NEXT TITLE BY MAURICE JONES-DREW
A busy offseason for Los Angeles' NBA teams, coupled with the recent success and talent of its NFL teams, had NFL Network analysts wondering which of the urfo franchises would bring home the city's next professional sports title.
While the panel's answers varied, former All-Pro running back Maurice Jones-Drew gave the nod to the Rams.
Here's what Jones-Drew had to say:
Of these four teams, the Rams are in the best position to win a title and here's why: Les Snead and Sean McVay have only added to last year's talented roster -- signing Eric Weddle and Clay Matthews on defense -- and they get Cooper Kupp back from injury. The Rams got a taste of sweet success before falling short in Super Bowl LIII. Now, they know how to get there and what it takes to win it all.
The other three teams have a much tougher road to a championship. The Chargers, although they've vastly improved in recent years, are in one of the toughest divisions in the NFL. Plus, every AFC team must go through Tom Brady in the postseason, and we all know how that song usually ends ... Meanwhile, LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Lakers still have to go through the Warriors, who still have a big three without Kevin Durant. Same goes for the Clippers.
Check out the photos as the Rams travel to Napa to face the Raiders for two joint practices and the first preseason game of 2019.
Running back (30) Todd Gurley and Cornerback (21) Aqib Talib of the Los Angeles Rams arrive at the airport and enter the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Running back (30) Todd Gurley of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Safety (24) Taylor Rapp of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Defensive tackle (91) Greg Gaines of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Tight end (84) Romello Brooker of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Linebacker (51) Dakota Allen and Defensive tackle (93) Marquise Copeland of the Los Angeles Rams arrive at the airport and enter the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Running back (30) Todd Gurley and Cornerback (36) Dominique Hatfield of the Los Angeles Rams arrive at the airport and enter the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Running back (30) Todd Gurley and Cornerback (36) Dominique Hatfield of the Los Angeles Rams arrive at the airport and enter the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Tight end (81) Gerald Everett of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Running back (30) Todd Gurley and Cornerback (36) Dominique Hatfield of the Los Angeles Rams arrive at the airport and enter the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Safety (26) Marqui Christian of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Running back (30) Todd Gurley and Cornerback (36) Dominique Hatfield of the Los Angeles Rams arrive at the airport and enter the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Wide Receiver (15) Alex Bachman of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Tight end (48) Keenen Brown of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Running back (37) Matt Colburn of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Running back (42) John Kelly of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Tight end (48) Keenen Brown of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
XX of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Safety (39) Jake Gervase of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
XX of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Safety (43) John Johnson III of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Defensive end (97) Morgan Fox of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Wide Receiver (18) Cooper Kupp andTight end (89) Tyler Higbee of the Los Angeles Rams arrive at the airport and enter the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Wide Receiver (17) Robert Woods of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Wide Receiver (83) Josh Reynolds of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Linebacker (56) Dante Fowler Jr. of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Guard (64) Jamil Demby of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Running back (34) Malcolm Brown of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Wide Receiver (3) Jalen Greene of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Cornerback (21) Aqib Talib of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Players of the Los Angeles Rams arrive at the airport and enter the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Safety (32) Eric Weddle of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Wide Receiver (19) JoJo Natson of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Wide Receiver (83) Josh Reynolds of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Wide Receiver (12) Brandin Cooks of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Wide Receiver (19) JoJo Natson of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Defensive line (62) Bryant Jones of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Defensive line (62) Bryant Jones of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Punter (6) Johnny Hekker of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Center (55) Brian Allen of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Punter (6) Johnny Hekker of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Defensive line (62) Bryant Jones of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Defensive line (62) Bryant Jones of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Linebacker (52) Clay Matthews of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Quarterback (16) Jared Goff of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Quarterback (8) Brandon Allen of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Linebacker (54) Bryce Hager of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Wide Receiver (87) Austin Proehl of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Linebacker (49) Trevon Young of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Defensive tackle (69) Sebastian Joseph-Day of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Defensive tackle (69) Sebastian Joseph-Day of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Tackle (77) Andrew Whitworth of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Cornerback (23) Nickell Robey-Coleman of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Head coach Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Defensive tackle (69) Sebastian Joseph-Day and (16) Jared Goff of the Los Angeles Rams arrive at the airport and enters the plane to Oakland, Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
HEALTHY KUPP, DEVELOPMENT OF REYNOLDS GIVE RAMS 'FOUR-HEADED MONSTER' AT WIDE RECEIVER
Josh Reynolds' emergence during the 2018 season helped fill the void left by Cooper Kupp after Kupp's season-ending ACL injury against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 10.
Between the experience gained by Reynolds, Kupp showing he's returned to form in the preseason and the return of Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods, Los Angeles has a four-headed monster at wide receiver, according to ESPN's Lindsey Thiry:
Kupp's return is crucial as the Rams attempt to put a disappointing 13-3 loss to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII behind them. After Kupp's injury last season, coach Sean McVay's high-powered offense never appeared to recover, as Robert Woods moved into Kupp's role and Josh Reynolds was inserted on the outside.
Before his injury, Kupp was on pace to tally 1,000 receiving yards, but instead finished with 40 receptions for 566 yards and six touchdowns.
With Kupp's return, Woods dubbed the Rams' receivers a "four-headed monster," given Kupp's elusiveness inside, the development of Reynolds, and the return of sixth-year pro Brandin Cooks.
