Freethinker
Hall of Famer
2023 LA Rams Preview
The Rams have consistently been one of the most "White friendly" teams since Sean McVay has been the head coach. Despite star receiver Cooper Kupp starting the season on IR, they remain a good team for our athletes. Let's see exactly how good:
Total White Athletes on Roster (Starters in bold)
20 Whites total, with 8 starters. Grade: C
QB - Matthew Stafford, Brett Rypien
WR - Copper Kupp, Ben Skowronek, Austin Trammell
TE - Tyler Higbee, Davis Allen
T - Rob Havenstein, Zach Thomas
G - Brian Allen
C - Coleman Shelton
DL - Jonah Williams,
OLB - Michael Hoecht, Zach VanValkenburg
ILB - Christian Rozeboom, Jake Hummel, Troy Reeder
K - Brett Maher
P - Ethan Evans
LS - Alex Ward
IR - Stetson Bennett (QB), Hunter Long (TE)
PS - AJ Arcuri (OL), Logan Bruss (OL), Mike McAllister (OL), Miller Forristall (TE), Nikola Kalinic (TE)
So this team remains amongst the cream of the crop. 19 or 20 Whites with good depth on the PS to ensure that number stays the same, or even improves if some of the sumos could be displaced. I was going to initially give a C- as I feel a C should be reserved for teams getting closer to the 50% number. However, Kupp is among the best receiver in football and they have so many other fun guys to follow at a wide variety of positions that it feels like a Caste-busting squad.
Matt Stafford is returning from a lost season of injury and after 2 games appears to be just fine. Even without Kupp, he's thrown for over 600 yards already. He's been honing in on rookie Puka Nucua, who could be seen as a Caste Buster by some, at a ridiculous rate that should be critiqued. However, Stafford should have a strong starting 3 with Kupp, Nucua and Atwell in the slot to assist his success this year. Speaking of WR Cooper Kupp, when healthy he is in a league of his own. He's only 1 year removed from leading the NFL in catches, yards and TDs (coming up just shy of Calvin Johnson's single season yardage record). Hopefully in week 5 Kupp comes back healthy and strong and starts putting up the dominate performances we know and love. 4th string receiver Ben Skowronek started a number of games last year. He played just fine and is a tall receiving target, who blocks really well. Still only 26, it seems he has been displaced by Nucua but I wonder why he can't take reps from Van Jefferson who looks so mediocre. The other WR is Austin Trammell, who mostly worked on the PS last year. Not sure if he'd be 5th or 6th on the depth but he was returning kickoffs so hopefully that gives him a leg up to keep his spot when Kupp returns. Starting TE Higbee is going into his 8th season. He's a reliable target who's good for 500-700 yards a year. I thought he'd get increased targets with Kupp out, but it doesn't appear so. Looking at the line, it dropped from 4/5 White to only 2/5 due to that lack of depth I mentioned last year. So far Stafford has avoided being sacked alot, but I overall see a few liabilities on the line. Perhaps the 3 lineman on the PS can be called upon at some point.
On defense, they have a fair amount of our guys for this day and age. 3 starters, which also seems to be a high water mark that a number of teams have hit this year. The Rams should also be given extra credit for giving UDFAs opportunities as all 3 starters have come into the league that way. OLB Michael Hoecht has shown a good ability to rush the QB in limited doses. In year 3, look for him to build off of his 4.5 sacks last year and put up sneaky good numbers. Christian Rozeboom was allowed to elevate into the ILB spot left void by Bobby Wagner. The former SDST Jackrabbit has been perfectly solid so far. Surprise starter Jonah Williams enters his 3rd year and serves as a 3-4 DE or 4-3 DT. He reminds me of a poor man's Zach Allen and seems to be a very active tackler for the position. Jake Hummel and veteran Troy Reeder are capable backups in the middle. Reeder, who I always felt was underrated and should be starting, returns to the team where he had success. VanValkenburg elevates to a backup roll and is yet another Iowa alumni from their excellent defenses.
The expectations for the Rams are very low this year, but based on a road win against a solid Seattle team and a somewhat close loss to a very good San Fran team I'd say they could compete for a playoff spot. We'll certainly be rooting for many of their players along the way.
Edit: Cooper Kupp's return
The Rams have consistently been one of the most "White friendly" teams since Sean McVay has been the head coach. Despite star receiver Cooper Kupp starting the season on IR, they remain a good team for our athletes. Let's see exactly how good:
Total White Athletes on Roster (Starters in bold)
20 Whites total, with 8 starters. Grade: C
QB - Matthew Stafford, Brett Rypien
WR - Copper Kupp, Ben Skowronek, Austin Trammell
TE - Tyler Higbee, Davis Allen
T - Rob Havenstein, Zach Thomas
G - Brian Allen
C - Coleman Shelton
DL - Jonah Williams,
OLB - Michael Hoecht, Zach VanValkenburg
ILB - Christian Rozeboom, Jake Hummel, Troy Reeder
K - Brett Maher
P - Ethan Evans
LS - Alex Ward
IR - Stetson Bennett (QB), Hunter Long (TE)
PS - AJ Arcuri (OL), Logan Bruss (OL), Mike McAllister (OL), Miller Forristall (TE), Nikola Kalinic (TE)
So this team remains amongst the cream of the crop. 19 or 20 Whites with good depth on the PS to ensure that number stays the same, or even improves if some of the sumos could be displaced. I was going to initially give a C- as I feel a C should be reserved for teams getting closer to the 50% number. However, Kupp is among the best receiver in football and they have so many other fun guys to follow at a wide variety of positions that it feels like a Caste-busting squad.
Matt Stafford is returning from a lost season of injury and after 2 games appears to be just fine. Even without Kupp, he's thrown for over 600 yards already. He's been honing in on rookie Puka Nucua, who could be seen as a Caste Buster by some, at a ridiculous rate that should be critiqued. However, Stafford should have a strong starting 3 with Kupp, Nucua and Atwell in the slot to assist his success this year. Speaking of WR Cooper Kupp, when healthy he is in a league of his own. He's only 1 year removed from leading the NFL in catches, yards and TDs (coming up just shy of Calvin Johnson's single season yardage record). Hopefully in week 5 Kupp comes back healthy and strong and starts putting up the dominate performances we know and love. 4th string receiver Ben Skowronek started a number of games last year. He played just fine and is a tall receiving target, who blocks really well. Still only 26, it seems he has been displaced by Nucua but I wonder why he can't take reps from Van Jefferson who looks so mediocre. The other WR is Austin Trammell, who mostly worked on the PS last year. Not sure if he'd be 5th or 6th on the depth but he was returning kickoffs so hopefully that gives him a leg up to keep his spot when Kupp returns. Starting TE Higbee is going into his 8th season. He's a reliable target who's good for 500-700 yards a year. I thought he'd get increased targets with Kupp out, but it doesn't appear so. Looking at the line, it dropped from 4/5 White to only 2/5 due to that lack of depth I mentioned last year. So far Stafford has avoided being sacked alot, but I overall see a few liabilities on the line. Perhaps the 3 lineman on the PS can be called upon at some point.
On defense, they have a fair amount of our guys for this day and age. 3 starters, which also seems to be a high water mark that a number of teams have hit this year. The Rams should also be given extra credit for giving UDFAs opportunities as all 3 starters have come into the league that way. OLB Michael Hoecht has shown a good ability to rush the QB in limited doses. In year 3, look for him to build off of his 4.5 sacks last year and put up sneaky good numbers. Christian Rozeboom was allowed to elevate into the ILB spot left void by Bobby Wagner. The former SDST Jackrabbit has been perfectly solid so far. Surprise starter Jonah Williams enters his 3rd year and serves as a 3-4 DE or 4-3 DT. He reminds me of a poor man's Zach Allen and seems to be a very active tackler for the position. Jake Hummel and veteran Troy Reeder are capable backups in the middle. Reeder, who I always felt was underrated and should be starting, returns to the team where he had success. VanValkenburg elevates to a backup roll and is yet another Iowa alumni from their excellent defenses.
The expectations for the Rams are very low this year, but based on a road win against a solid Seattle team and a somewhat close loss to a very good San Fran team I'd say they could compete for a playoff spot. We'll certainly be rooting for many of their players along the way.
Edit: Cooper Kupp's return
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