LOS ANGELES — Going into his 10th season with the Rams, Tyler Higbee sees something different in the tight end room this training camp.
Back in full action after not being able to run at this time last summer, Higbee is surrounded by what he describes as the deepest group he’s been a part in his decade in Los Angeles.
Colby Parkinson is back for a second season and has seemed comfortable in his role in the passing game at camp. Davis Allen is moving better after dealing with back spasms a year ago, continuing to grow as a run blocker while making some plays as a pass catcher. And Terrance Ferguson was the team’s second-round pick and is doing some of the things that made him successful at Oregon, finding soft spots in zone coverage and converting third downs.
It’s a crowded group, but there’s a strong possibility the Rams keep all four on their 53-man roster. There’s a belief in the organization that keeping Allen and Ferguson in the rotation can keep Higbee (32) and Parkinson (26) fresh and effective deeper into the season.
And with that depth, Higbee expressed a hope to see more 12- and 13-personnel formations this season.
“This is probably one of the deepest rooms I’ve been a part of, so it’s exciting,” Higbee said. “If we can make defenses, throw some extra looks, make them work a little bit harder on their game plan during the week.”
Shuffling the deck on OL
The Rams entered camp with a set group for the first-team offensive line, but open questions about who would fill the backup roles.
With left tackle Alaric Jackson (blood clots) still limited to non-contact drills, the Rams have rotated their veteran summer acquisitions D.J. Humphries and David Quessenberry at left tackle. But Humphries has received the majority of the work and has instilled a confidence in the coaching staff.
“Any time you have a guy that’s played as much football as he has, the one thing you do know as they’re learning offense is that Sundays aren’t going to be too big for them,” offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said. “It’s not like getting a rookie or trading for a second-year guy. This guy’s played a lot of good football. He’s fit right in with the guys. He’s jelling with the guys in terms of just in the locker room, which is big. There’s no doubt he’s proven.”
If Humphries is penciled in as the likely third tackle on the roster, that would leave Quessenberry competing with third-year tackle Warren McClendon for a fourth spot.
The interior of the second-string offensive line has seen a bigger rotation, partly due to bumps and bruises among the group. Second-year linemen Beaux Limmer, Dylan McMahon and Justin Dedich have rotated between center and guard, though Dedich handled that responsibility Thursday as Limmer was limited with an elbow injury and McMahon was out with an ankle issue.
K.T. Leveston has also been part of the second-team guard rotation, while undrafted rookies Willie Lampkin IV and Ben Dooley have seen a few opportunities, too.
“I think what [OL coach] Ryan Wendell does a really good job of is mixing and matching guys,” McVay said. “I think being able to give these guys a big-picture understanding and then the value that they do have if you’re not solidified as a starter is how do you get a jersey on game day where you can play multiple positions that adds value to that sixth, seventh and eighth offensive linemen for us.”
More versatility
The cross training has extended to the Rams’ secondary, too, as it usually does for a defense that likes moving its defensive backs around.
Quentin Lake played largely at star corner to open camp, but has moved back to safety more this week as he continues to do whatever is asked of him, even in a contract year.
“At the end of the day, I want to be as versatile as I can. Nothing has really changed from last year,” Lake said. “We’re still early in camp. So, the whole defense and all that stuff … we’re kind of making areas of emphasis for the day but nothing too much has changed. I know I’m happy where I’m at right now.”
Second-year safety Jaylen McCollough is another player who has moved around, specifically dropping down to dime linebacker in some packages.
While the Rams are bullish on offseason linebacker addition Nate Landman, his area of strength lies in run defense, not coverage. So without a natural successor to the departed Christian Rozeboom at the spot, McCollough has picked up on dime linebacker, a spot that he filled frequently as a rookie, too.
“He’s so valuable. He’s so versatile. He can play safety or the dime linebacker,” McVay said. “When we played Seattle last year, the first game, he was playing linebacker on early and normal down and distances and taking on guards when they’re easily climbing to him uncovered.”
Second-year strides
One player who has turned heads early in camp is second-year defensive tackle Tyler Davis. The former sixth-round pick saw his role increase steadily as the season progressed and he’s carried that momentum into this training camp.
“The way that he plays on the inside of his toes, the way that he strikes blocks. It’s everything that you want,” defensive tackle Kobie Turner said. “That guy shows up day in and day out, and he’s consistent. You know exactly what you’re going to get.”
Another jump
No one has questioned quarterback Stetson Bennett IV’s work ethic, but rather if he would get another opportunity with Matthew Stafford and Jimmy Garoppolo ahead of him. But the third-year QB has taken advantage of Stafford missing the start of camp with back soreness and made the most of his second-team reps.
Bennett looks much more decisive in his third camp. He is working through his reads quickly and making his throws on time and in rhythm. And the coaching staff has been impressed with his command of the huddle. Now it’ll be up to Bennett to use his opportunities in the preseason to force the Rams into keeping three quarterbacks on the active roster for a second straight year.
“He’s in such a good place mentally. When you are in such a good place mentally, you can now allow your physical abilities to take hold,” LaFleur said. “Ultimately it was on Stetson to get to where he wants to be and I think he’s right where he should be. I’m super excited to watch him through August, particularly in those preseason games.”
One of Bennett’s favorite targets at camp has been receiver Xavier Smith, who has shown he has the potential to be more than a punt returner for the Rams. He’s continued to show flashes in jet sweeps, but is also showing improvement getting vertical in the route tree and as a run blocker, sealing off outside linebacker Brennan Jackson – who outweighs Smith by close to 90 pounds – on a run Thursday.
“He has a violence about him when he has the ball in his hand, whether it be in the return game or on offense,” LaFleur said. “He’s another guy that you just root for because one, he’s got a good skill set. Two, he’s tough. He’s always got a great demeanor about himself, great smile on his face and really attacks this. He loves this game.”
Injury report
Safety Kam Curl will be evaluated on a week-to-week basis after his ankle was stepped on Tuesday, McVay said Thursday, noting the Rams felt like they avoided a worse-case scenario with this injury.
Cornerback Emmanuel Forbes (hamstring pull) is expected to miss one to two weeks, McVay said Thursday.