The Los Angeles Rams have ushered in some significant changes to both their roster and coaching staff this offseason.
Of course, the restrictions placed in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic are hardly ideal for a team that is trying to get its players and coaches properly acquainted with the new approach. The limitations from the virtual offseason program have undoubtedly stunted the process.
Fortunately, there is plenty of optimism regarding a return to normalcy in the coming weeks. Head coach Sean McVay is admittedly anxious to get started, despite some of the new restrictions that may be involved.
McVay discussed the prospect of having to deal with the new safety protocols once training camp rolls around, via Stu Jackson of the team’s official website:
“We kind of have a model that we will operate off of,” McVay said on a video conference with reporters Tuesday afternoon. “A lot of it will be predicated on, what will be the parameters around that?”
McVay added that the team will make the necessary adjustments as the league provides more clarity in the coming weeks:
“When we do get back on the field, we’ll probably have to onboard these guys in a smart way, where you can’t just jump into it like what we would like to as coaches, just getting excited,” McVay said. “So there will be a progressive build. We’ll be ready to handle if we’re able to do anything, if we’ve got to accelerate our training camp.”
Teams have had to take unprecedented action in order to prepare for the rigors of the 2020 NFL season. McVay’s comments indicate that they are still seemingly trying to prepare on the fly as the NFL continues to come up with the proper safety protocol.
Although the situation is hardly ideal for a team that has endured as much turnover as the Rams have following a disappointing 2019 campaign, it’s good to see they are prepared for all circumstances. Getting players up to speed with a new system and primed for an elevated role comes with its own set of challenges outside of the restrictions from the ongoing pandemic though.
Los Angeles is now more than halfway through of the virtual period of their nine-week offseason program. Although it remains to be seen if they will be allowed to return top on-field activities in three weeks, McVay is still clearly adamant about taking the necessary precautions.
Fortunately, California Governor Gavin Newsom’s declaration of pro sports potentially making its return in that first week of June without any spectators provides some much-needed optimism.
