LOS ANGELES – Adjusted contract in place, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is ready to shift the focus to training camp and preparation for the upcoming season.
"I'm just happy to be where I am," Stafford said after Wednesday's practice. "Happy to be out here playing football. Love doing it, love doing it with this group and just excited about the year to come, to be honest with you. And that's all that matters to me."
Stafford looked sharp in his first training camp practice, picking up where he left off in his connections with wide receivers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, as well as some completions to Demarcus Robinson.
All four of the Rams' leading receivers from last season are back, and Stafford appreciates having that continuity.
"In any (position) room it's huge, right? In any part of a team, I think it's a great thing," Stafford said. "It's one thing to have continuity, it's another thing to have continuity with a bunch of really good players. That's a plus, too. So, excited to have all those guys back. Like I said, man, they're pushing each other, they're pushing our team, and that's what makes them great."
Wednesday's practice ended with Stafford throwing an impressive touchdown pass during redzone drills to second-year tight end Davis Allen, who made an equally impressive grab with the way he maintained possession for the score.
"It's been great watching Davis mature and come into his own," Stafford said. "I thought he did a really nice job in his role last year, and is excited to come out here and work again. And Parkinson the same, right? Always liked his game from afar, and it's been really fun to get to work with him. He did a great job of being available in the spring for us and getting some work, and then ready to go once training camp starts."
Beyond reuniting with his targets in the passing game, Wednesday also marked another step in working with Steve Avila as Avila gets back into the groove of playing center. Stafford said Avila "has done a great job."
"He did a great job all spring. I think he's going to continue to own it, right? It's not something that night and day, you come in and you play guard, and then you try to move to center, and it's going to be like this," Stafford said, snapping his fingers for effect. "Hey, it's a process. But man, is he picking it up? Is he owning it? Absolutely. I'm excited. And obviously the physical talent is through the roof. So, excited to work with him, and he's been great so far."
