The Los Angeles Rams finally got their first taste of real competition during their joint practice session with the Dallas Cowboys.
It came as no surprise to see tempers flaring between both sides throughout different portions of the practice. Defensive tackle Aaron Donald got into a scuffle with Cowboys guard Connor Williams.
Meanwhile, Cowboys running back Tony Pollard and Rams linebacker Kenny Young also went at each other after the latter went to punch the ball out of Pollard’s arms once the play was over. Even if there were a couple of incidents, it seems head coach Sean McVay was pleased with how it turned out.
Despite a few fights, McVay does not think things got to out of hand in Oxnard, via Cameron DaSilva of USA Today:
“I was down there for that. That’s just kind of guys just talking,” McVay said of the Young-Pollard extracurriculars. “I didn’t think it got too much. I didn’t see the first one I just kind of got there late, so I didn’t think it affected our ability to get the work in that we wanted and that was the goal for today.”
McVay’s comments are certainly understandable considering the high level of competition going on in these joint practices. More importantly, there were no injuries suffered on either side and the teams were able to finish the practice in its entirety.
The Rams are set to kick off the preseason against the L.A. Chargers at SoFi Stadium on Saturday. McVay has already indicated that key starters will likely be sitting out of the entire preseason in order to avoid any unnecessary risks leading up to the 2021 NFL season.
As a result, players like Donald and Young took advantage of the opportunity to let out some of the angst out that has been building up during training camp. It appears McVay was even satisfied with the quality reps the Rams were getting on both sides of the ball.
After all, Donald had been making mincemeat of the Cowboys’ offensive line all day leading up to his tussle with Williams.
One of the biggest highlights of the day was quarterback Matthew Stafford connecting with wide receiver DeSean Jackson on a bomb downfield. After lacking a true deep threat during the 2020 campaign, fans are hoping that this will be a sign of what is to come.
