With training camp getting underway, Los Angeles Rams rookies are relishing in the challenges that come with transitioning to the NFL.
Unlike last year, they will have the benefit of a full offseason after already completing the early portion of their workouts. Cornerback Robert Rochelle is among the new faces looking to take advantage.
The Rams generated plenty of Super Bowl hype with their moves this offseason. Incoming rookies will need to they are already capable of making an impact if they hope to garner some playing time.
For now, Rochelle is focused on getting the new system down pat before anything, via Stu Jackson of the team’s official website:
“Right now, I’m learning the defense as a whole, just to be prepared for anything that will come. Just trying to get all the positions down, know what the calls are and be able to communicate with everybody on the field, to put myself in position (so that) if I have to play anywhere else, I’ll be ready.”
The Rams underwent some significant changes on the defensive side of the ball this offseason. Not only did they lose two key members of the secondary in free agency between John Johnson III and Troy Hill, but they are also dealing with the departure of coordinator Brandon Staley.
This spurred L.A. to invest some early draft capital on bringing in young talent like Rochell. Despite playing at little-known Central Arkansas, he caught the team’s attention with his prototypical size and speed.
The rookie is big for a modern-day corner at 6-foot-2, 195-pounds. He is certainly not lacking in explosiveness after running a 4.39 40-yard dash and posting a 43-inch vertical at his pro day.
Rochell could not find himself in a better situation joining a team that finished the 2020 campaign as the No. 1-ranked defense in the league. Not only that, but he is now part of a secondary that is led by superstar Jalen Ramsey, who is widely considered the best cornerback in the game today.
Rochell even revealed that Ramsey is the player that he models his game after the most. Getting to learn from him firsthand on a daily basis should certainly help pay some dividends for his development.
The Rams managed to alleviate some of the turnover this offseason by bringing back cornerback Darious Williams as the starter across from Ramsey. Meanwhile, Rochell will likely have a chance to compete for an integral role in the rotation as soon as he gets the scheme down.
