LOS ANGELES RAMS (7-9)
OPEN CAMP: July 27 (rookies), July 29 (veterans), Irvine, California
LAST YEAR: Rams bade farewell to St. Louis with 12th consecutive non-winning season and 11th straight non-playoff season. While defense was solid and rookie running back Todd Gurley became star, they also fielded NFL's worst offense and worst passing game. Attendance sagged while losses mounted and relocation became increasingly probable. Rams announced plans to return to California in January.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: QB Jared Goff, CB Coty Sensabaugh, TE Tyler Higbee, WR Pharoh Cooper.
IMPORTANT LOSSES: CB Janoris Jenkins, DB Rodney MacLeod, LB James Laurinaitis, DLs Chris Long and Nick Fairley.
CAMP NEEDS: Aside from finding out whether Goff is ready to be immediate starter, Rams must identify and train replacements for defensive regulars lost to free agency and cost-cutting measures. Alec Ogletree taking over middle linebacker responsibilities of Laurinaitis, leading tackler in franchise history. E.J. Gaines or Sensabaugh should step up to take Jenkins' starting job.
EXPECTATIONS: Rams returning to Coliseum with tremendous amount of local excitement, and they signaled their desperation to win now by mortgaging chunk of future to draft Goff. Yet Los Angeles stuck in division with two of NFL's best teams, and league's worst offense probably can't be magically fixed by rookie quarterback and little else. Rams would love to end playoff drought during homecoming season, but they'll need some good breaks.
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