The Los Angeles Rams loaded up on experience on the defensive line and in the secondary with a series of audacious offseason acquisitions through trades and free-agent signings.
At linebacker Manny Ramirez Jersey , however, the Rams are trending in the opposite direction.
The youth movement becomes even more evident during offseason practices.
Third-year linebacker Cory Littleton is calling plays for the first time after moving inside. Second-year outside linebacker Samson Ebukam was paired with rookie defensive end Justin Lawler to form the main pass rush tandem during a team period Tuesday, with rookies Trevon Young, John Franklin-Myers and Brian Womac seeing significant action behind them.
It is a trade-off that seems to be working for head coach Sean McVay.
"We've really put them in some tough situations with how we've practiced, so it requires a lot of thinking on the move, some of the adjustments and things, especially just based on what the offense is presenting And I think they have handled it well, and I think we'll have a better feel towards the end of the offseason program and them going into training camp," McVay said.
The Rams traded inside linebacker Alec Ogletree and edge rusher Robert Quinn during the offseason Authentic Logan Woodside Jersey , and outside linebacker Connor Barwin remains a free agent. Ogletree led the team in tackles last season, and Quinn and Barwin combined for 13.5 of the Rams' 48 sacks.
In the hopes of filling some of those gaps, the Rams used four of their 11 picks on linebackers to add depth inside and outside. Special teams contributors Littleton and Bryce Hager will take on larger roles in the middle, and players from McVay's first draft class in 2017 such as Ebukam and Ejuan Price are being asked to further ramp up their development in pressuring opposing quarterbacks.
That inexperience could be what limits the potential for a defense that added defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh and cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters, but Littleton expects the linebackers to respond to the challenge.
"We're all still developing, but by the time the season comes I feel we'll all be ready and we can all show that we have more to offer than people might think," said Littleton, who is getting the first chance to replace Ogletree in the middle.
Suh is emphasizing the little details to his youthful teammates, but understand that they take time to be refined.
"As a young guy Authentic Justus Annunen Jersey , I remember you're like a chicken with your head cut off," Suh said. "Just try and take the basic things, and then elaborate on them each and every day."
Fellow veteran lineman Michael Brockers is stressing relentless effort on every play. Suh puts a priority on communication.
For Littleton, the challenge to communicate is literal. He has never had to relay defensive signals before, and Littleton acknowledged that requirement of his new position is at odds with his reserved nature.
"I'm not the most vocal person, but I do my best," Littleton said. "Speak a little louder, hope everyone can hear me."
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鈥?The public entity that oversees the Oakland Raiders’ proposed stadium in Las Vegas on Thursday gave its blessing to a plan that by law the team had to come up with to ensure the greatest possible participation by the local community in the design, construction and operation of the facility.The Las Vegas Stadium Authority board does not have to approve the plan Broncos Su'a Cravens Jersey , but the team involved the panel in discussions over the document that for months has been the subject of debate at public meetings during which members of the community suggested 鈥?and at times demanded 鈥?that certain objectives be included. Unlike the tense discussion over a previous draft, the final version pleased the board.“I think some significant progress has been made there,” board chairman Steve Hill said during the meeting. “I certainly think (it) comports with the law and the intent of the Legislature.”Under the plan, minority and female workers would carry out at least 38 percent of construction work hours and 55 percent of operation hours on event days. The team would be required to provide quarterly reports on the hiring goals to an oversight committee during the construction of the project. The committee has not yet being appointed.The Raiders want to kick off the 2020 season at the 65,000-seat domed stadium across the freeway from the Las Vegas Strip. The team held a glitzy groundbreaking ceremony a month ago.Guests of hotels and other lodging facilities in the Las Vegas area are contributing $750 million to the project through a room tax increase. The Raiders and the NFL are expected to contribute $500 million to the project, while the team has also secured a $600 million loan from Bank of America for construction.As required by the law that allowed for the room tax hike, the plan calls for 15 percent of the construction work to be subcontracted to local small businesses. The plan does not include a specific goal for the participation of women- and minority-owned businesses, but it includes strategies meant to encourage their participation in the project. Team representatives balked at a request from the board last meeting to include such numerical target.Similar documents used in other stadium deals have also included hiring guidelines. In Minnesota, the state set a goal in 2012 for 32 percent of construction workers at U.S. Bank Stadium to be minorities and 6 percent women. The Vikings’ project surpassed the goal with 37 percent minority hiring and 9 percent women.In Inglewood Youth New York Giants Jerseys , California, the City Council in 2015 approved an agreement for the construction of the Rams and Chargers stadium requiring that no less than 18 percent of the funds awarded for construction-related contracts and subcontracts go to minority and disadvantaged businesses.The board and the Raiders face a February deadline to reach a number of crucial agreements for the $1.9 billion project. On the list is an agreement that would allow the football team of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, to use the stadium.After the meeting, Raiders president Marc Badain declined to identify the sticking points remaining on the joint-use agreement, but said “there aren’t many.” The Board of Regents must approve the agreement.“It was a long negotiation. It’s still ongoing, but we’ve made a lot of progress and there’s a very good relationship between the parties,” Badain said..