This offseason is a big one for the Los Angeles Rams, as it is not only their first in Los Angeles where expectations will be higher, but it is also a bit of a ‘changing of the guard’ type of offseason, as veterans Chris Long, James Laurinaitis and Jared Cook were all recently released in favor of younger players.
With the draft right around the corner, a whole new crop of rookies will soon be in the organization, and there must be time for them to get integrated and familiar with the team’s concepts before training camp begins.
The way to do that is organized team practice activities (OTA’s) and Minicamp, and we now know when those will take place. The NFL has announced the 2016 offseason schedule, via SB Nation:
First Day: April 18
Phase One: April 18-May 1
Phase Two: May 2-22
Phase Three: May 23-June 19
OTAs: May 31, June 1, June 3, June 7-8, June 10
Mandatory Minicamp: June 14-16
The NFL also defined what each phase consists of, as Phase One is just physical rehab and strength and conditioning, Phase Two marks the beginning of non-contact on-field drills and Phase Three marks the beginning of OTA’s, where 7-on-7, 9-on-9 and 11-on-11 drills are allowed, but still without contact.
Many of these workouts are what the players make of them, as there is very limited coach instruction. For the Rams, who have seemingly been just out of playoff contention for years, these workouts will be crucial in them finally getting over the hump.
