Between 2000 and 2009, no one in the NFL caught more passes or recorded more yards receiving than former Rams wide receiver Torry Holt. With 920 career receptions for 13,382 yards and 74 touchdowns, Holt clearly knows a thing or two about being a successful wideout.
And so when Holt says he likes what he's seen from Los Angeles' two 2017 draftees at his position, that carries weight.
Holt was around the Rams' facility last week during the club's legends reunion, and had the opportunity to watch practice film and chat with some of the players. With 11 years of playing experience, Holt had plenty to share.
"I was talking to Cooper Kupp and Josh Reynolds, when they were playing in college it was natural, it was comfortable, it was instinctive," Holt said. "Well, how can you get to that quickly as a rookie? You've got to know the playbook, you've got to be out on the football field, you've got to be healthy. And you've got to keep your mouth closed and do what you're told as a rookie."
Former Rams players reunited at the Los Angeles Rams facility for a day of mentoring and reconnecting. Photos by Ric Tapia.
"And we talked a lot about patience and trust in the process," Holt added. "Trusting your coaches. Getting familiar or getting as comfortable as you can as a rookie with the playbook, with your contract situation, with your living arrangements. Making sure that is in tact as quickly as possible so you can get to some normalcy — and that's playing the game and doing it naturally."
Holt was able to make that kind of smooth transition his rookie year in 1999, making 52 receptions for 788 yards and six touchdowns, helping the Rams win Super Bowl XXXIV.
So what did Holt think of Kupp and Reynolds' practice film?
"I saw some attention to detail," Holt said. "They — so far — have got a pretty good understanding of what's asked of them on the offensive side of the ball."
Overall, Holt seems to feel the two rookies are set up for success. But they'll have to work at it in order to make it happen.
"With the way [head coach Sean] McVay puts in the offense, the way they talk offensive philosophy, Todd Gurley and the way he works, Tavon [Austin] and the way he works — there's veteran guys that they can lean [on] and see what the example should be every single day," Holt said.
