The Los Angeles Rams and Las Vegas Raiders spent the week in joint practices ahead of their preseason bout on Saturday, meaning Aaron Donald and the Rams defense got an up-close look at an old foe of theirs in Raiders new quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
Garoppolo and the Rams defense battled many times when the quarterback was at the helm of the San Francisco 49ers offense for the 2019, 2021 and 2022 seasons. Garoppolo went 8-0 against the Rams during the regular season, but lost his lone playoff battle against them when the Rams went on to win Super Bowl LVI in 2022.
Now a member of the Raiders, Garoppolo can do a bit of reflecting on his playing relationship with the Rams. Specifically Donald, the leader of the Rams defense in each one of those matchups and perhaps one of the most difficult defensive players to gameplan for in NFL history.
Garoppolo spoke about what Donald represents for the Rams and the type of player he is.
“AD, he’s a special talent, man,” Garoppolo said. “Going against him twice a year these last couple of years, I’ve seen it firsthand. We had to plan for him. The dude is all-world man, he really is. He doesn’t get enough credit for it, I think, but a hell of a player.”
Donald certainly has the accolades to match Garoppolo’s description. Nine Pro Bowl selections in nine seasons, to go along with seven All-Pro selections, three Defensive Player of the Year awards and a Super Bowl championship. He is one of the greatest defensive players of all time.
And yet, Garoppolo still argues that Donald may not get enough credit for what he does. Donald has accrued all these accolades while being routinely double- and sometimes triple-teamed off the line of scrimmage. He has been the focal point of the Rams defense for nine years and continues to produce despite the attention.
He’s at a stage in his career now where it’s possible he is no longer in the DPOY conversation. But he can’t be ruled out yet, as last year’s abrupt end due to injury could make for a stronger Donald in 2023.
Cam Akers and Maxx Crosby exchange punches
As Garoppolo pays his respects to Donald, the Rams and Raiders have had some less than peaceful moments in their week of joint practices. Rams running back Cam Akers and Raiders defensive lineman Maxx Crosby had words and punches for one another during one of their practices this week.
