NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Los Angeles Rams: 5 Key questions prior to training camp

By Greg Archuleta

May 22, 2017; Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) throws a pass as quarterbacks coach Greg Olson watches during organized team activities at Cal Lutheran University. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
May 22, 2017; Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) throws a pass as quarterbacks coach Greg Olson watches during organized team activities at Cal Lutheran University. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 5
Next

The Los Angeles Rams offseason must take positive shape early for team to be competitive in 2017

The Los Angeles Rams offseason already is filled with intrigue, the latest example being cornerback Trumaine Johnson’s no-show at the team’s OTAs on Tuesday. Rams fans are expecting significant strides from a franchise that, entering the 2016 season, was considered just a notch below playoff-caliber.

Despite last season’s free fall from the perennial 7-9 teams under former coach Jeff Fisher, the belief has been that Los Angeles does have some talent on which new head coach Sean McVay can build.

But for McVay to successfully navigate the Rams offseason into 2017, the organization needs to answer some key concerns by the start of training camp in July.

Sep 20, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins running back Matt Jones (31) is tackled by St. Louis Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson (22) during the first half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 20, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins running back Matt Jones (31) is tackled by St. Louis Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson (22) during the first half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Can They trust Trumaine Johnson to be their lock-down cornerback?

After skipping what McVay stressed as a “voluntary” practice session on Tuesday, the short answer is “no.”

“It’s a situation where I continue to remind people that it is voluntary. We’re not sure where Trumaine was today, but it is voluntary,”  McVay said after practice, according to TheRams.com. “I’m sure we’ll find out specifically because he’s done a great job this offseason communicating and being here every day. I’m sure we’ll find out a little bit more moving forward.”

That Johnson missed the session isn’t the issue. He didn’t do a great job communicating and being “here” a day earlier, and that’s the problem facing McVay.

It’s all well and good if Johnson is looking for a long-term deal, but it isn’t as if the Rams have mistreated him. After 2017, he will have earned almost $30.7 million, according to Sportrac.com. And he isn’t even considered one of the league’s elite CBs.

With the Rams also trying to negotiate a new deal with All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald, Johnson’s absence could be a leverage ploy to earn a long-term deal.

The Rams can’t give in and give Johnson a generous long-term contract at the expense of re-signing Donald. If Johnson doesn’t understand that and get in line quickly, the Rams should look forward to the end of 2017 when they no longer owe Johnson a dime.

Home/Los Angeles Rams