NAPA, Calif. — In the lead up to the first preseason game of the summer, the Rams and Raiders are having a pair of joint practices. With action on two separate fields, here are 10 notes from the session, focusing specifically on the Rams' offense.
1) After going through individual drills on separate fields, the Rams and Raiders came together for 7-on-7 work. Los Angeles' offense mainly stuck with short to intermediate routes, with the ball barely hitting the ground from quarterback Jared Goff to the wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs.
2) The offense looked sharp throughout the day, starting with 11-on-11. After head coach Sean McVay said the Rams looked sluggish to begin Saturday's session with the Chargers, L.A. got things going with a few completions — including an intermediate, play-action pass from Goff to wide receiver Brandin Cooks on the left side. No. 16 threw a strike to No. 12 for what would've been a first down on 2nd-and-short.
3) After the second-team offense got a series, the ones were back and executed a strong play. Goff faked a handoff to both a wide receiver on a jet sweep, then the running back in the backfield, had time, and fired to a wide open Cooper Kupp down the left sideline. Goff hit Kupp in stride, allowing the wide receiver to run for what likely would've been a long touchdown.
4) In punt return drills, wide receiver JoJo Natson found himself with good blocking for a return up the right seam. The return specialist likely would've gotten up the field for 15 to 20 yards given the way everything was set up well.
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)
5) Back in 11-on-11 drills, Los Angeles' offense set up in the red zone for some more plays. On one, the Rams ran a reverse with Goff handing off to Kupp, who then surreptitiously gave it to fellow WR Robert Woods. The USC product then went down a wide open path on the left side of the field for about a 15-yard touchdown. It was a particularly nice play for the offense.
6) In the same 11-on-11 period, Goff hit Woods in the front-right corner of the end zone with an out-cutting route for a touchdown. Goff's ball placement was solid, leading Woods to the sideline. And the wideout dragged his feet in bounds to ensure the catch was good — capping a strong segment of practice for the first-team offense.
7) In a later period, Goff kept a play alive by keeping his feet active in the pocket, then rolled to his right and found tight end Gerald Everett in the back of the end zone for an off-schedule touchdown. The connection between Goff and Everett continues to build as the club readies for the 2019 season.
8) During another 11-on-11 segment with the offense closer to midfield, center Brian Allen pulled around to the right on a lead block for running back Todd Gurley. Allen popped Raiders safety Karl Joseph, proving Gurley the needed space to get up the field.
9) Safety Lamarcus Joyner spent his first five years in the league with the Rams, and the now-Raiders nickel corner batted down a pass to wide receiver Brandin Cooks on the right side. After, the former teammates embraced and exchanged "good stuff" pleasantries before heading back to their respective huddles.
10) Finally, on a 3rd-and-10 play, the Rams' offensive line along with running back Todd Gurley picked up a blitz well, giving Goff time to find Woods past the sticks with an intermediate route on the left side. Head coach Sean McVay was fired up about the play, giving low fives to Gurley and members of the OL for the protection.
