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Linsay Strlilling
  • 3 months ago
Transcript
00:00...every preseason game to showcase his ability in front of 32 other operators, or 31 other teams.
00:05Brandon Aubrey, the all-pro kicker for the Cowboys, will get us started.
00:09The dynamic kickoff 2.0, our first look here in Englewood,
00:13as Jarquez Hunter, the rookie, and Cody Schrader are the backs for the Rams.
00:18And it is Hunter from his goal line in his Rams debut.
00:22Slicing across the 20, and is planted there.
00:25The 21-yard line is where he'll turn it over to Stetson Bennett as Marist Leofau gets the special teams tackle.
00:33You know, this kickoff return, I'm still trying to get used to it, J.B.
00:35As a running back and a returner, you want to see a crease.
00:39But the problem with it is there's not enough movement at the line of scrimmage.
00:44The guys are kind of stalk-blocking a little bit.
00:46We saw one yesterday by the Patriots.
00:49Not such a good one today.
00:51Bo Limmer is the center working with Bennett.
00:53Blake Corum, the single back, takes the first handoff, hits the pile, and drives ahead for one, maybe two.
01:00So Corum didn't get a lot of run last year, which is pretty common with how Sean McVay treats his rookie running backs.
01:06Kyron Williams barely got any carries in rookie season either.
01:09I think for Corum, there's an opportunity here to establish himself, however, as an alternative to Kyron Williams,
01:14who just got paid, perhaps adding a bit more of an explosive factor to this Rams backfield.
01:19Got the week 18 start here against Seattle at the end of last season.
01:23Three touches before fracturing his forearm and missing the playoffs.
01:27Bennett moves the pocket, and he has a completion to his tight end.
01:31Davis Allen, who's had a sensational camp.
01:34A catch good for a first down.
01:36What a throw here by Bennett, rolling to his left, being patient.
01:40You got De'Anne running down on top of you.
01:42You go through your first read.
01:43He's not there.
01:44You get to your tight end.
01:45Nice touch pass there over the linebacker, right to Davis Allen for a big game.
01:50And that's really what you want to see out of Bennett in this offense,
01:52just comfortable executing the Rams concepts, under center, play action, boot.
01:57Last year, you saw some of that in the preseason, just the accuracy throwing on the move.
02:02Bennett with a new set of downs in the shotgun.
02:04And Corum on his left hip.
02:06Flag flies at the snap as they get a hitch out to the man we've talked about off the top,
02:11the rookie out of Pittsburgh, Kanate Mumfield.
02:14We'll see if that catch will sting.
02:22Alex Moore, our referee today.
02:31Offside, offense number 81, five-yard penalty.
02:34We play first down.
02:35So, Renan Presley, another rookie receiver, undrafted, misaligned.
02:39And there is an injured player down on the 30 for the Cowboys.
02:49There's Presley, who had a prolific career in Stillwater.
02:53Played five years there and set a school record for catches.
02:56Timeout on the field for an injury at SoFi.
02:58Back to you upstairs.
03:13All right, Kurt, thank you very much.
03:14Peyton Turner was the injured Cowboy, was able to walk off under his own power.
03:19Rams behind the sticks after the penalty.
03:21Nifty run here by Corum, spinning off contact as he climbs up to the 37-yard line.
03:27You know, JB, one of the things that I noticed about Corum last year is he lacked a little bit of patience.
03:32You need to be more patient here.
03:34You see him press the line of scrimmage, get right behind that offensive line that's watching that defensive line down.
03:39You get a positive gain there on first down.
03:42MJD has shed some weight this summer, he said.
03:44205, 206 instead of 210 to 212 where he played last year.
03:48Yeah, it makes sense.
03:48The game is about speed now.
03:50I mean, when I was playing, it was more about bulk.
03:52Now it's about speed.
03:53They motioned to empty for second down and eight.
03:55First possession of the game belongs to Stetson Bennett and the Rams.
03:59Sets the laces.
04:00What a throw.
04:01Over the top and across midfield.
04:03A leaping grab by Xavier Smith.
04:06That's a nice job by Smith climbing the ladder there to go up and snag that.
04:10I thought Stetson did a lot of his best work in the last two preseasons out of empty.
04:13Good to see him standing in the pocket, waiting for the route to develop.
04:16And again, really nice catch by Smith who is primarily the Rams' punt returner,
04:21but is competing for that wide receiver four job.
04:22Yeah, no question.
04:23And this is the thing.
04:24Empty forces the defense to show their hand.
04:26You can't hide and disguise blitzes.
04:28It makes it easy for the quarterback.
04:30But you talk about a ball that he had to go up and get.
04:33I love that toughness.
04:35Drake scoops the motion man.
04:36Play fake.
04:37Boot out to the right side.
04:38Again to the flat.
04:39That's Davis Allen shaking the first cowboy.
04:42And he's inside the 45-yard line.
04:44A couple of targets for Davis Allen in his third year out of the Clemson
04:48on the first possession for the Rams.
04:49Yeah, Bennett again going to the tight end off of the boot.
04:52Davis Allen right now would be the tight end three with Terrence Ferguson,
04:57who is the Rams' second-round draft pick injured, missing this game.
05:01Very curious to see if any of these tight ends get more run.
05:03The Rams had the lowest amount of yards to tight ends in the entire NFL last year
05:07with Tyler Higby, of course, out with an injury.
05:09Saw Mike LaFleur there back as the Rams' offensive coordinator.
05:12They've really enjoyed that continuity.
05:15Hard play action here.
05:16Going vertical.
05:17Kanate just missed.
05:26He's someone that Stetson Bennett has developed a real rapport with over the last month.
05:31Well, it looks like there's a little miscommunication there
05:33as Bennett throws him to the post, to the near post.
05:37He's still running, keeping it high.
05:39And so, again, that's going to happen throughout a little bit.
05:41There's a little pressure.
05:42The Cowboys decide to bring a blitz.
05:44Coram steps up to try to take that on.
05:47Again, you gave the quarterback enough time.
05:49Those are the ones you want to see completed.
05:52Kanate off for this third down and six snap from the 44 of the Cowboys.
05:57Clicking through the progression and checking it down.
05:59Bennett could not hook up with Coram.
06:02And the Rams drive stalls across midfield.
06:06Yeah, that's just a little off target for Coram.
06:08It's interesting to see him get different kinds of exposure on this drive.
06:12Talked about him in pass protection earlier.
06:14They're getting a rep as a pass catcher.
06:16That's what you want to see in this game.
06:17Because if he's going to get on the field and stay on the field,
06:20he's going to have to do more than just rush.
06:21Listen, again, if you're going to play for the Rams,
06:24you've got to be able to pick up the blitz and catch the ball.
06:25Sean McVay is going to throw that ball at Matthew Stafford.
06:28As you see the offense on the field.
06:30For fourth down, they need six.
06:34Shotgun snaps.
06:35Stetson Bennett.
06:35Cowboys coming after them.
06:37He heaves down the left sideline.
06:39And...
06:40Caught!
06:43Xavier Smith reels it in!
06:46What a drive for Xavier Smith.
06:49Great job tracking that one down.
06:52Good focus through contact.
06:53Keep speeding inbounds.
06:55Stetson Bennett doing a good job of identifying the one-on-one
06:57and throwing him open.
07:00Battling Andrew Booth in coverage there.
07:02Good for 39 yards.
07:03Rams wanted to snap it quickly before the review.
07:10Kurt Sandoval talked about making plays and getting after
07:14as we take a look at this play.
07:16This is the kind of plays you want to make if you want to make this team.
07:19Great catch.
07:20One, two.
07:21That's easy.
07:23That's how they teach it right there, JB.
07:25One, two.
07:26Left, right.
07:27Great job dragging the toe.
07:29Awesome job of getting off press and then getting vertical.
07:31Xavier Smith, he's just a guy that understands what it takes
07:33to make this team year after year.
07:36Field will stand on fourth down.
07:38It's good for 39 yards.
07:39Look, great job keeping concentration,
07:43looking the ball all the way through, securing it,
07:45getting two feet down, and then surviving the ground.
07:48That's the key part about this.
07:50The ball doesn't touch the ground.
07:51It doesn't move.
07:55Xavier Smith broke in with his NFL debut last year,
07:58primarily as a return specialist.
08:01Showing what he's capable of in the receiving room as well.
08:04Blake Corham is the back as the Rams break the huddle
08:06for first and goal from the five with Stetson Bennett,
08:10working with two tight ends.
08:12Stoops the motion man.
08:14Corham slicing through traffic.
08:16He's down at the run.
08:18Troy Prye kept him out of the end zone for the Dallas Cowboys.
08:22You know, JB, this situation is called whose weight room is bigger.
08:30It's pretty much simple.
08:31You know what we're going to do.
08:32We're going to run the ball.
08:33It's on the end jar line.
08:34Can you hold up?
08:36Let's see what happens.
08:37And as explosive as the Rams passing attack could be last year,
08:40as efficient as the run game was,
08:41not the best red zone offense in the NFL.
08:4425th and red zone efficiency is something they really want to work on.
08:46Corham was a touchdown machine at Michigan.
08:50They could not get him in the end zone as a rookie in the NFL.
08:54He's offset left with Bennett.
08:56From the one, second and goal.
08:59Steps in.
09:01No game.
09:03Well played on the edge by the Cowboys.
09:06Peyton Turner, who was shaken up earlier on this possession,
09:09returning to the game.
09:11And Leo foul, combining on the tackle.
09:14You know, I love the read option down here.
09:17Forces the defense to play 11-on-11 football.
09:19But on this, I think Stetson Bennett, I get it.
09:21You want to carry it.
09:22But that's a touchdown if you hand that thing to the young fella.
09:26Stetson is athletic.
09:28But I would not describe him as a dual-threat quarterback,
09:30first and foremost.
09:3311th play of the game's opening drive.
09:36From the two.
09:37Back to Corham.
09:38And he's in for the first time.
09:41Blake Corham.
09:43Touchdown, L.A.
09:44Great blocking there from the interior of the Rams' offensive line.
09:47You saw Bo Limmer getting a great block reaching up there,
09:50who was the Rams' starter for much of the season last year.
09:52And a nice job by Corham, punching it in.
09:54You talk about the Rams' depth here.
09:56As Bo Limmer, you said it best.
09:58I mean, he gets up to the second level, and he's driving his guy.
10:01Once your linemen get to the end zone or the edge of the end zone,
10:05it makes it easier for a running back to find those creases and get through there.
10:09And Blake Corham gets skinny and then drives his feet and gets in the end zone.
10:12That fourth-down conversion through the air of 39 yards,
10:16the key to the scoring drive for Stetson Bennett,
10:18who connected on four of his six throws.
10:20Now, Joshua Cardy at the outset of his second season strikes the extra point.
10:27And the Rams, who were notoriously slow starters on offense in 2024,
10:32begin their preseason with a touchdown drive of 11 plays and 79 yards.
10:37And as we see here, Blake Corham gets right behind Davis Allen,
10:51who's caught in a couple passes as he comes back across the formation to get it.
10:55And that's what you do, young fella.
10:57Give your offensive lineman love.
10:58They don't get enough love here, all the hard work that they have to do.
11:02You know, Kyron Williams had five times the number of carries as Corham,
11:06who was the number two back last season.
11:08How do you see that distribution changing, if at all,
11:10moving forward with now another drafted back in the room?
11:13Well, I think, again, Sean McVay and this organization,
11:16they wanted to take some load off of Kyron Williams.
11:19But it's tough.
11:20Kyron's been a motor.
11:22I mean, he's been a guy that's, when he's gotten going,
11:24this Rams offense has taken some big leaps.
11:27It's also just Sean McVay's tendency.
11:29He gets one back, the majority of the carries.
11:32Kyron Williams had more snaps than any back in the NFL last year
11:34in terms of the share.
11:35But they keep drafting these backs.
11:37So you keep waiting for him to use them more.
11:39I know fantasy people go crazy about that.
11:41I'm one of them.
11:42But they just paid Kyron Williams.
11:45So you would think, naturally, well, they're going to use him a lot.
11:47But sometimes going with a committee approach can keep him fresh.
11:51Cardi kicks.
11:51This is Jalen Cropper on the return for the Cowboys.
11:55Crosses the 25 before he's decked at the 30.
11:58Big hit delivered by Mario Williams, a receiver,
12:01as a flag comes in late.
12:03Holding against Dallas is the indication.
12:05That hit reminds me of someone, J.B.
12:08Olden, receiving team, number 14, 10-yard penalty, first down.
12:13Shades of Omar Spates a year ago, perhaps.
12:16That's how you make this team.
12:18Physicality, effort, special teams, making plays like this on kickoff.
12:23If you want to make this Rams roster,
12:25they don't have many spots available on offense or defense.
12:28This is how you get on this team.
12:29He said that last year, and then Omar Spates played so well in the first two weeks.
12:34He didn't play week three, and then he became the Rams' starting linebacker.
12:37So for those who are watching and thinking, well, any of these guys play,
12:39there are opportunities to win spots on this starting lineup.
12:4225-year-old Joe Milton begins his second NFL season in a new uniform,
12:47stuck in the pocket.
12:49And through the hands of his intended target,
12:51this is the Schoonmaker, the tight end.
12:53All right.
12:53Joe Milton, who the Cowboys traded a fifth round before they got him back in a seventh
12:58from the Patriots, has a cannon.
13:00I'm going to be so disappointed if we don't see a 67-yard attempt from him.
13:04However, and you saw it there,
13:06sometimes a little bit too much speed on that fastball, Maurice.
13:09That's what he's got to work on.
13:11Yeah, you need to have some touch.
13:12If I'm five yards away from you, do not fire the ball to me.
13:17Take your hands off.
13:19Milton to the air again.
13:20That's a call on his tailback, and it hit a ram first.
13:23It was Eli Neal in coverage, setting up third down and long.
13:27And setting up our player interview, powered by your Southern California Toyota dealers.
13:32Visit Toyota.com to learn more.
13:34We make it easy.
13:35We are pleased to be joined by the newest Rams receiver, Devontae Adams,
13:40a three-time first-team All-Pro who already gave his work to these Cowboys in Oxnard on Tuesday.
13:45Devontae, welcome to SoFi Stadium and to the Rams.
13:47How are you?
13:48I'm good.
13:49Thanks.
13:49Appreciate you having me.
13:51Devontae, we were talking earlier about Matthew Stafford missing a lot of the summer program.
13:55How do you develop that chemistry with him if you don't have time to do reps?
14:01Sorry, something crazy just happened.
14:03Yeah, I know.
14:04Yeah, everybody's excited.
14:06I just missed out on it.
14:07But, I mean, there's a lot of different ways, obviously.
14:09You'd love to be able to have this time to be able to work on the field.
14:12But we're going to get there.
14:14So for now, we're just working in the classroom.
14:16Obviously, a lot of communication on the field.
14:19Him being able to watch some of my routes and, you know, just go through some of the stuff
14:22and be able to look at it from a different lens.
14:25I think we can still be productive.
14:26And there's a lot of positives we can still pull from it.
14:28So, a lot of conversations we're having to stay on the same page.
14:32Devontae, Maurice Jones, Drew here.
14:34You've been in this league so long.
14:37You, you're teaching and grooming a lot of these young receivers.
14:40What are some of the things you've seen from Puka Nakua?
14:42And where do you think he can get a lot better?
14:44Well, I think Puka, just the way he attacks it in general,
14:47is what's going to allow him to play a long time in this league
14:49and continue to be successful, you know, beyond what he's already done.
14:52So, I can come in and just allow him to just fine-tune on some of the details.
14:56I think, you know, he's still pretty raw.
15:00A lot of potential and doing a lot of great things.
15:02But, yeah, just my experience and the way that I look at things,
15:06is a little bit different.
15:07And I think I can kind of add that to his bag
15:10and just allow him to be a little bit more cerebral with the way he attacks it.
15:13And that will give him a little bit more of an edge, too.
15:15What about your impression of who he is and what he's all about from afar
15:18versus getting to know him over the last few months?
15:21Yeah, I mean, he's all about everything that I thought.
15:23But, I mean, similar to Sean, I mean, you get around him
15:26and it's just a whole different, you know, it's just another gear to it.
15:29You get around him and you just see just how selfless he is,
15:31how humble he is, what a good dude
15:33and just a good teammate that he is all around.
15:35And it's really fun to be around.
15:37So this is an opportunity, of course,
15:38for some of the younger wide receivers to compete for that fourth spot,
15:42maybe special teams.
15:43Can you tell us about some of the guys we're seeing out here?
15:45I'm sure you clapped and you saw Xavier Smith catch that ball down the left sideline.
15:49Yeah, X is one of the main ones, man.
15:50He's constantly making plays.
15:52Just this whole room is one of the hungriest rooms I've been a part of.
15:55And, you know, everybody's dying to compete, you know, continue to learn, try new things.
16:01And that's what this time of the year is for, to go out there and try and expand on your bag
16:07and just keep getting better.
16:09So I love X out there.
16:10I think Kanate has been doing a great job ever since he got here.
16:15But he's made some strides over the last few weeks.
16:17It's been really impressive.
16:18So, you know, Drake Stoops is another one that can go out here and make some plays.
16:24You know, we got a lot of guys.
16:26So we're excited to see them go out and keep dominating.
16:30This is more for off the field.
16:33I was at the training camp in the facility, excuse me, OTA's in the facility,
16:36and I ran into Ronnie Rivers, and he talked about beating you on the golf course.
16:40Is that true?
16:41And do we have a rematch coming back?
16:43Well, Ronnie and I, what he failed to mention was that we played like seven times,
16:47and he's beat me once.
16:48He beat me the last time we played, yeah.
16:49So if you go off the numbers, I got a little bit more, a better percentage.
16:53But I guess you're only as good as your last game when it comes to Ronnie.
16:56So we'll leave it to him on that one.
16:58Finally, Devontae, in terms of where you are physically,
17:00how you feel getting ready for your first season as a Ram,
17:02with the season less than a month away, what can you tell our audience?
17:05I feel great, man.
17:06I feel great.
17:07I'm with a good group here that is just going to allow me to be myself
17:11and, you know, just add on to what they've been doing for years around here.
17:14So feeling good, mentally good, and ready to go play some good ball.
17:19We're glad to have you, and thanks for some of your time today
17:20in preseason game number one.
17:22Yeah, thank you.
17:23All right, Devontae Adams with us from the sideline
17:26as the Rams' second possession is again across midfield.
17:29Third down and one from the 42 of Dallas.
17:34Hunter the tailback.
17:36Looking for that yard.
17:37Has to run through contact.
17:39In fact, it'll be close.
17:42Leofal's been tackling everything that moves for the Cowboys.
17:45The initial mark is shy of the line to game.
17:48Yeah, the Rams have had a couple of explosive runs on this drive,
17:51but Cowboys fans have got to be happy to see that,
17:53particularly from Leofal.
17:55Linebacking, the linebacker group was a real weakness in run defense last year.
17:58They've had injuries there.
18:00To me, that's a focal point for them this offseason.
18:02Can they improve on that front seven and stopping the run?
18:05What I like here for the Rams is the aggressiveness of going for it.
18:07Second time they've done that.
18:10Last time, from about this point, it was good for 39 yards.
18:14They'll put Stetson on the move.
18:15He can run for this, and a fresh set of downs
18:17as he cruises out of bounds inside the 40s.
18:20You heard me say he wasn't a dual threat quarterback
18:22in the red zone earlier and said, watch this.
18:26I will say he's no Lamar Jackson,
18:28but he has enough skill to get you five or six on a fourth down,
18:32which is huge.
18:33Again, he had a receiver wide open,
18:36decided not to do it to smart play.
18:37And that's the maturity and the growth of Stetson Bennett,
18:40who I thought his rookie or he'd have tried to fit that ball in.
18:44Yeah, I think that's what's so promising so far early on
18:47is just the lack of turnover-worthy throws
18:49because that's been what's plagued him thus far
18:50in the last two preseason's eight interceptions
18:52over the last two years.
18:56A rash of them against these Cowboys a year ago,
18:58and then the game-winning touchdown in the end.
19:00He steps up here.
19:01Throws on the move.
19:03And you won't see that often.
19:05Mumfield patting his chest after leaving that one on the turf.
19:09Yeah, that's on him hitting him in the numbers.
19:11It's a nice job by Stetson stepping up to find him in the muddy pocket.
19:15Again, Stetson is doing an awesome job of navigating the pocket.
19:19You want your young rookie receiver to be able to go and make that play for you
19:23because I think if Mumfield catches that,
19:25he's probably going to score if you saw his tape in Pittsburgh.
19:28His ability to run with the ball after catch is awesome.
19:31So you've got to just haul that one in.
19:33Sometimes the hardest catch is when you're by yourself.
19:35You've got to really hone in on the football.
19:38That's all the makings of another late-round steal
19:40at the receiver position for Sean McVay's Rams.
19:44Play fake heat.
19:46Bennett fading away.
19:47That's on target.
19:48Drake Stoops with another first down working against Kamon Hall
19:52in the secondary for Dallas.
19:54Again, really good ball placement leading Stoops to the left sideline there.
19:58I like what I've seen in terms of the accuracy from Bennett today.
20:02And he's moving.
20:03It's not like he's stationary.
20:04That's a tough throw drifting to your left
20:06as a right-handed quarterback to be able to put that ball outside.
20:10Normally you see that ball kind of fade inside for the receiver.
20:13Great ball placement.
20:14Great execution.
20:15Now 6 of 9 through the air, approaching 90 yards,
20:18passing through two drives for Stetson Bennett.
20:22Jarquez Hunt to the back.
20:25Back in space, Bennett.
20:27That's caught by Britton Covey.
20:30Might as well get it out of the way now.
20:32It's so strange to see number 10 in Royal and Soul
20:34and not say Cooper Cup.
20:36It's Covey coming over from the Eagles.
20:39So Covey is competing with Xavier Smith for that return job.
20:43He's only a couple years removed from being one of the best returners in the NFL with the Eagles.
20:47He was a pro bowler, led the league in yards per punt return.
20:50He was second, I believe.
20:52But Xavier had the great drive earlier,
20:55and they're both also competing for that wide receiver four job.
20:57Got half the chain, second and five.
21:01They feed Hunter, who's a self-described cowboy by nature.
21:07He's squatted over 600 pounds as a state champion power lifter.
21:12Can reportedly dunk in cowboy boots at 5'9".
21:15Not too dissimilar to our broadcast partner, Maurice Jones, too.
21:19Yeah, I don't know if I can dunk in cowboy boots,
21:21but that's a lot of weight on your back to squat.
21:24I can tell you that much right now, but you saw that.
21:26You saw that.
21:27He took contact, was able to keep going forward, drive through it,
21:31and that's what you saw at the University of Auburn.
21:33I can't wait to see him really get his full speed going and see what happens.
21:38We got Corham back in.
21:40Blake scored a two-yard touchdown to give the Rams this lead.
21:43Now on third down and three.
21:46Flag coming.
21:48Xavier Smith again making trouble in the Dallas secondary against Bell.
21:54He's got a little tripped up on him.
22:02That's interference.
22:03Defense, number 14.
22:05Ball is placed at the spot of the foul with an automatic first down.
22:09Rule number one.
22:11If it's a double move, grab him.
22:13Don't let him score.
22:14What a route there by Xavier Smith.
22:17Selling the out, getting vertical.
22:19Putting Bill in an awkward position.
22:21Bill does what every defensive coach is going to tell you.
22:23Don't give up the touchdown.
22:24Just grab him.
22:29Second drive for the Rams.
22:31In the preseason opener against the Cowboys.
22:34First and goal from the 10.
22:36Wide of the mark.
22:37Mark Redman from nearby Newport Beach was the target for Stetson Bennett.
22:42That would have been the rookie tight end out of Louisville.
22:49I think that's where you want to see the growth from Stetson Bennett is that guy's wide open in the NFL.
22:54Just put it right on his numbers and let him turn and get you three yards when you're down here in the tight red zone.
23:00So it's not second and 10, maybe second and six.
23:05Bennett, who enjoyed more work in this training camp than he had in his previous two combined.
23:11Work in the preseason for the third summer for the Rams.
23:13They spit it out to Smith.
23:16Needed a block there at the 10.
23:19Still going inside the 5.
23:22That's a nice job by Smith on the screen.
23:24Getting those yards after contact.
23:26Not the biggest guy.
23:27My mistake there, Nina.
23:29Mumpfield, beg your pardon.
23:30Oh, Mumpfield, pardon me.
23:30Credit for credit to Mumpfield.
23:31Getting those yards after contact.
23:34He's also not the biggest guy, so that's impressive to not have a negative play.
23:38That is what you saw at the University of Pittsburgh, though.
23:42Being able to catch a screen, take on a linebacker or a safety, and still find a way to get in the end zone.
23:47The Rams' screen game is something that they need to work on as well,
23:50as they weren't able to get big yards on it last year.
23:53Arm in the backfield.
23:54Stoops in motion.
23:56And goal from the four.
23:57They drill it straight ahead.
23:59Right back to Paynerts.
24:00Two drives.
24:02Two touchdowns for Blake Corum.
24:12Sean McVay's got to be really happy with the way this run game is dominating between the tackles
24:18against the Cowboys' defensive line.
24:20Really getting pushed from the interior, as you see there, getting north-south.
24:23And then a fantastic drive by Corum finding daylight in a really small hole.
24:27Yeah, these double teams are getting removed.
24:29And that's what you want.
24:30You're seeing two guys pick up one guy and put him in the end zone or move him off his spot.
24:34And then any time you're in the tight red or anywhere, when linemen are standing in the end zone,
24:39that's always a good thing for the offense.
24:40These two possessions have chewed up almost the entirety of the first frame, 13 plays, 64 yards there for the Rams.
24:50Cardi, again, makes it a 14-0 lead.
24:54Two touchdowns for the Rams, both courtesy of Blake Corum, the Cowboys without a first down so far.
25:01Fashua Cardi, the Rams' place kicker, tee one up.
25:04You also know that Ethan Evans is a touchback machine.
25:08The Rams only allowed 13 kick returns all of last season.
25:12Nina, you and I were speculating how interested will Sean McVay be conceding those extra five yards this year from the 30 to the 35.
25:21It's not nothing.
25:22They changed the rule to incentivize more teams to return, which is why they changed the kickoff in the first place.
25:27Last year, Sean McVay said, no, thank you.
25:30And the Rams allowed the second fewest kickoff returns in the league as a result.
25:34Perhaps this year, Maurice, because of the field position change, you might see them try to down it in the, I think they call it the dynamic, the setup zone or something like that, just to not have teams get the opportunity to start 35.
25:47You know, having a kicker that can kick the ball 100 yards if you wanted to, you're taking away that weapon, but placement in that situation is going to do a lot better for the Rams.
25:57I still say kick it out of the end zone, give it to the 35, let our D-line go to work.
26:02Joe Milton at the controls for the Cowboys.
26:04He started his day 0 for 3 as Dallas went 3 and out, put in the hands of Jalen Tolbert, who's wrapped up at the line of scrimmage.
26:13Sean Jolly making a play in space as you can look at Chris Shula arriving at his second season at the defensive coordinator.
26:21That's a really nice open field tackle by Jolly.
26:24Cornerback is not one of the Rams' deeper positions.
26:27In fact, it's a position they're also injured at this year.
26:29Emmanuel Forbes, they brought in as a backup, has been hurt.
26:32So there's real competition for the opportunity to crack the end of the roster.
26:37Dallas banged up at their running back spot.
26:39They've got Deuce Vaughn as their starter today.
26:41A flag at the snap.
26:43The screen tracked down from behind and planted at the 36 by Jack Heflin, a defensive tackle.
26:50It looks like they're going to have an illegal shift on the Cowboys.
26:55But what effort are we seeing?
26:57I mean, it seems like this defensive line, they're just playing with their hair on fire.
27:01You got D-linemen retracing back to the screen, making big time plays.
27:05Guys are hustling to the ball.
27:06That's what you're looking for if you're a Rams fan.
27:07Offense, two players moving at the same time.
27:10That penalty is declined, resulting in played third down.
27:14Ryan Schottenheimer hosted these Rams Tuesday in Oxnard in joint practices.
27:23Now wrapping up their stint in Southern California.
27:27Trailing two touchdowns with two minutes to go in the opening period.
27:31Milton, top of his drop, drives one middle.
27:34That's behind his intended target, Jonathan Mingo.
27:38The Cowboys traded a fourth-round pick to the Panthers for it last year's deadline.
27:42That is the concern with Joe Milton.
27:44He has his strong arm.
27:46Strong-arm quarterbacks tend to wait and try to fit the ball in at the last second
27:51instead of throwing that on time.
27:52If you throw that on time, that's a big-time catch and run.
27:55He waits a little bit, tries to fire, and ends up going behind his quarterback or his receiver.
28:00He's such an interesting prospect.
28:02The final game of the Patriots season, I thought he was really good against the Bills,
28:07ended up actually moving the Patriots down in the draft from the first overall spot to the fourth.
28:12So I think Patriots fans have mixed feelings about that game.
28:15But he is promising, and you can see why Dallas brought him in,
28:19because Dak Prescott is obviously the unquestioned starter,
28:22but this gives them a developmental prospect.
28:24Fair catch by Drake Studi.
28:26No question.
28:27And really that comes down to drafting well and drafting personalities,
28:30and that's what the Rams have done great.
28:32Physical personalities and guys that can play.
28:35Blake Corum through the right side as a flag comes in from the referee.
28:39He's looked more like he did as a Michigan Wolverine,
28:42manufacturing touchdowns in short yardage situations.
28:46He reached the hands, hands to the face, offense number 61.
28:51Five yard penalty, replay first down.
28:53AJ Arcuri helped pave the way for his most recent touchdown,
28:56gives us a chance to mention his name, committing that infraction.
29:00He's one of those players I talked about who's gotten a lot of run over the last couple of years because of injuries.
29:05Week one last year had to come in and play tackle.
29:08Obviously a very challenging matchup against Detroit.
29:11But again, all of that experience comes into play in a game like this,
29:14especially going up against most of Dallas backups.
29:16And you're talking about the competition aspect of it, right?
29:19There's so many pieces, only so many line that you can carry.
29:22So everyone here, they have the reps and the mental reps that they've gotten.
29:26Now you get the physical reps here in preseason again to see what you can do.
29:30Stetson Bennett in the shotgun.
29:32He's used six different receivers so far through two drives.
29:36On the delay.
29:38Cut to his right and through the contact Coram climbs back to the 10.
29:43Bruce Harmon with the tackle for Dallas.
29:46Help from Shamar James.
29:52I think one of the things they like about Coram is his similarity to Kyron Williams.
29:56They certainly have a type when it comes to drafting these backs.
29:59And as this Rams run game has evolved into a more downhill.
30:02You talked about the doubles earlier.
30:03Duo based.
30:04Some inside zone.
30:05Coram, I think as a slasher.
30:07In those gaps, they really like his fit in the existing offense.
30:10Bennett has time.
30:12Working the middle of the field.
30:13Drake Stoops with a leak being catch right at the chains.
30:16And that appears to be good for a first down in front of James.
30:19What a throw there by Stetson Bennett.
30:22The confidence to fire in there.
30:24And then Stoops to come back to the ball and get vertical to go catch it.
30:28And take a big hit by a linebacker.
30:30Again, look how clean that pocket is.
30:32I mean, it's no coincidence he's probably having his best preseason game ever on a day when I think the offensive line in front of him is blocking as best as they ever have.
30:40You know, offensive linemen are short running backs.
30:41I mean, we don't we don't get a lot of credit.
30:43But, you know, we do we do work well.
30:46We work hard.
30:48It will overcome that penalty at the tail end of this first quarter.
30:52New set of downs and a handoff for Coram who lost his feet and has to settle for a yard and a half.
30:58But a dream first quarter to begin the 2025 preseason for the reigning NFC West champions.
31:05Two possessions, two touchdowns.
31:07They lead the Cowboys by 14.
31:09Thanks in part to that fourth down conversion from Xavier Smith.
31:20In camp, conversing with Sean McVay there as fellow Georgia product Stetson Bennett goes back to work.
31:26And a boot around that pressure and throws it away to see third dance.
31:31A lot of concern around Stafford for obvious reasons.
31:35But I would argue as big of a storyline is the availability of the Rams left tackle.
31:39Allert Jackson, who I think the Rams announced I believe it was in July that he had a blood clots issue.
31:45It's very hard to project when he's gonna be back in the starting lineup.
31:48They do have veteran depth there.
31:49DJ Humphries, who's not playing today, could be in line to play if he doesn't.
31:53That Houston four-man rush, Maurice, is not the one you want to put in backups against.
31:58No question.
31:59And Allert has done an awesome job of taking away some of the top pass rushes in the NFL.
32:04You want him to go against that duo of guys in Houston.
32:07Third and long.
32:08Bennett retreats.
32:10Now has time to survey.
32:12Can't find a target.
32:13Needs eight.
32:15Nearly intercepted.
32:17And for the first time today, the Rams will have to punt.
32:20Buddy Johnson locked on Drake Stoops.
32:25You know, in seven on seven, they only give you four seconds.
32:28There's no rush, right?
32:30I was at my seventh alligator at this point.
32:33And we didn't use our blitz.
32:35So, Mina, you're exactly right.
32:36This offensive line is doing an amazing job of not only creating running lanes, but protecting Stetson Bennett.
32:42Giving him as much time in the pocket.
32:44I mean, do you remember when Cam Ward was playing Miami and he kind of back put on this flat foot?
32:48It looked like Stetson Bennett was doing a little bit of that back there on that play.
32:52Ethan Evans now to punt for the Rams.
32:54He was working at an all pro caliber clip in the back half of last season.
32:59He sends this one into orbit.
33:01Lands inside the five and checks up like a Devontae Adams sandwich.
33:06Tanner Engel down there to cover it.
33:11There is a flat.
33:18It looks like the gunner ran out of bounds without being touched.
33:22So, you're going to get, I don't know if that's a personal foul penalty, but it looks like that's going to be the penalty.
33:27Starting to kick.
33:28Kicking team player going out of bounds on his own.
33:30Five-yard penalty.
33:31We play fourth down.
33:34I don't wipe away a 67-yard punt from Evans.
33:37Yeah, that's a shame.
33:40That was a beautiful punt.
33:43This is the one thing that concerns me, though, JB.
33:46When your punter kicks it 67 yards down and your whole special teams runs down there,
33:51this second one, you better hope you kick it 80 because they're going to be a little gas running down there.
33:57I know the Rams players are in great shape, but it's hard to sprint 60, come back, and then do it again.
34:02Obviously, a huge part of the preseason is evaluating all these players and special teams.
34:06We'll say punt coverage in an area where the Rams improved dramatically last year.
34:10Second year for the special teams coordinator, Chase Blackburn.
34:13Previous year, they were on the NFL, but they have the return average.
34:17You saw some linear improvement.
34:19And a lot of the players who are a big part of that improvement are on the field tonight.
34:23That's well said, Mina.
34:24I think there was improvement year over year, and then within the season as well.
34:27They were far better in December and January than they were in September and October.
34:32Here we go again.
34:36Evans handles a low snap.
34:38No trouble getting it away.
34:40Tolbert retreating inside his 15.
34:44Jalen Tolbert up the numbers and to the sideline.
34:48There's another flag as he goes out of bounds before reaching the 40-yard line.
34:55Cody Schrader with the special teams tackle.
35:01And once again, our referee is Alex Moore.
35:06During the return, illegal block in the back.
35:09Receiving team.
35:1010-yard penalty from the spot on the foul.
35:12First down.
35:13To survive in advance there for the punt cover team for the Rams, MJB.
35:16To your previous point.
35:17It's funny.
35:18Is it from the spot of the foul or from where he caught the ball?
35:21I thought normally if you get a penalty on punt return, it's from where you catch the ball.
35:26I may be wrong.
35:27I didn't go to officiating school.
35:28But it looks like they're going to go from where the foul occurred.
35:31But again, what a punt there by Evans.
35:35And great job of getting that second win for that punt team to be able to get Tolbert down.
35:42Joe Milton back at the switch.
35:44He's 2 of 6 for only a yard so far.
35:47Phil Maffa, a rookie running back drafted in the seventh round, flips to his left hip.
35:52First down, new drive for Dallas.
35:54Quarterback keeper.
35:56Rams hit it early, but he sneaks up the sidelines about the 34.
36:00Tanner Ingle in pursuit there.
36:02That is the other thing that Joe Milton does extremely well in addition to having a cannon.
36:07He's a very good athlete at his size, and you saw it there on the keeper.
36:11Time now for our Coach Cam, powered by your Southern California Toyota dealers.
36:14Visit toyota.com to learn more.
36:16We make it easy.
36:17And Sean McVay, your Rams made it look easy in that first frame.
36:20What did you think of the first quarter of play?
36:22Yeah, I liked it.
36:23I thought it was two great drives by Stetson in the offense.
36:26I think Mike's doing a nice job being able to mix it.
36:28He's distributing the ball.
36:30I love the way we've started out defensively, and then it seems like the only time they
36:34end up moving the sticks is when I come on here with you guys.
36:37Sean, one thing we talked about was a lot of the offensive line depth getting reps over
36:42the last couple of years, especially last year because of all the injuries.
36:45Do you think you're seeing that experience play out tonight?
36:47I think so.
36:48You know, I think you're seeing guys in Justin Dietrich and Bo Limmer that played a lot of
36:51football.
36:52I thought David Westenberry was excellent at right tackle those first two series.
36:55So, no doubt about it, Mena.
36:56I think you're totally, I think that's exactly right.
37:00Sean, there's a lot of competition to make this roster.
37:03And it's because of the way you've drafted.
37:05What does that say to your scouting department and the coaches and how you guys kind of come
37:09together creating this environment?
37:11Yeah, I think it's great collaboration, Mo.
37:13And the thing is, is when you get a chance to be able to have some continuity going into
37:18year nine together, having a vision of what are the kinds of guys that have worked in our
37:22ecosystem?
37:23What are the types of things that we can learn from from maybe some mistakes we've made?
37:26But we've got high character people that are mentally and physically tough.
37:30They love football.
37:31And I think we've been able to hit on some, you know, some of the free agents we brought
37:34into.
37:35I couldn't be more pleased with what those guys have done up to this point.
37:38And like you mentioned, the last couple of draft classes, and then I feel really good
37:41about the six guys that we drafted.
37:43They still are writing their own story, but they're going to be factors for us.
37:46It's good.
37:47There's one right on cue.
37:48There he is.
37:49Josiah Stewart, welcome to L.A.
37:52Race to the quarterback between he and Hampton.
37:55Joe Caniglia does such a good job with that group.
37:57And Josiah has really made his presence felt.
37:59I love the way that G Money is mixing it up, too.
38:02Really applying pressure.
38:03Good job by us being able to play quarter, quarter, half there and be able to get home
38:07with a four-man rush is big.
38:09Sean, let's stay on Stewart.
38:11Michael Hoyt's gone.
38:12There's opportunity for him as the fifth pass rusher.
38:14What have you seen from him this summer?
38:15Yeah, he's done a great job, Mina.
38:17And he's a really smart, conscientious guy, plays with great leverage, great motor.
38:22And you can see he's just getting more and more comfortable, and it's awesome to be able
38:25to see him make a play like that.
38:27Second down and 28 after that sack.
38:29And, Sean, that outside linebacker group has become deep and competitive.
38:33You know, some of your more veteran guys like Hampton and Kier have not really given away
38:37in training camp.
38:38They've done great.
38:39You know, I think they're really showing.
38:40They're ready to take steps in the right direction.
38:42I think, you know, B.Y. and Verse do a great job leading that room.
38:45But you mentioned it.
38:46You know, it's Josiah Stewart.
38:47It's Nick Hampton.
38:48Brennan Jackson.
38:49Kier Thomas has had an outstanding camp and, you know, was a captain here tonight.
38:53And so there's going to be some hard decisions in a good way.
38:58But that's what you love about being able to still have some time to get some good evaluations
39:02and like where we're at.
39:04Speaking of decisions, obviously you guys paid Kyron Williams.
39:08Now we're working on that depth.
39:09Blake Corum has come out and done an awesome job in that first quarter.
39:12And then obviously Jarquez Hunter starting to run the ball a little bit.
39:15How is that back in those last couple of spots for running back starting to fill up for you?
39:19Yeah, they've done a great job.
39:20You mentioned those top three guys.
39:21You know, and then I think Ronnie is also a player that you can't sleep on.
39:24You know, Cody Schrader and Jordan Waters have done a great job.
39:27So Ron Gould leading the way.
39:29You know, I think running backs are great opportunities.
39:31Love the way we got out of the stack right there.
39:33Good job Mike Charles Woods being able to make that play from the star.
39:36Let's get off the grass here.
39:38What do you say? No penalties.
39:40Before we watch third and 27 how to go with Matthew this morning.
39:43It was great. He looked awesome.
39:44You know, he was able to activate all parts of the field.
39:46He looked strong. He looked sturdy.
39:48Got a bunch of different throws in and working with our guys.
39:51So it was a very good step in the right direction
39:54and looked like the guy that we're accustomed to seeing.
39:56All right, go ahead and call third and 27 from the 25 for a show.
40:00Yeah, you tell me what you like on your play call sheet
40:03if you're an offensive player here.
40:04Offensive play caller.
40:06Double chip.
40:08And vertical routes.
40:09Oh, they got the double move.
40:10We did not just give that up.
40:11Turn it, turn it, turn.
40:13Don't throw that.
40:15All right.
40:16Got to be able to get our vision back.
40:19Jonathan Ningo was the target.
40:21Sean Jolly recovering.
40:23All right.
40:24Let's see if Smith bounced back.
40:30Never fails, does it, Mike?
40:31Come on here.
40:35Maybe we'll pick it up.
40:36What do you think?
40:37I mean, it didn't look like he was that.
40:40Right.
40:41That involved me.
40:42You know, my eyes are biased, Sean.
40:44So, hey.
40:45Same here.
40:46I thought that was a great play on defense.
40:47What did you think, JB?
40:48You know, I was thinking about that Xavier Smith catch
40:50and how we were all in agreement that that call on the field should stand.
40:53Yeah.
40:54No, that was a great catch by him.
40:55And good job by Stetson being able to take a goal ball opportunity on fourth down.
41:00I'll get you right after this, Ron.
41:01All right.
41:02I appreciate you guys.
41:03Taking off.
41:04See you, Sean.
41:05Yep.
41:07All right.
41:16All right.
41:17Let's take another look at this.
41:20Oh.
41:21Yeah.
41:22He's early.
41:23There are two fouls.
41:24One against each team.
41:25Pass interference.
41:26Defense.
41:27Number 24.
41:28A foul against an official.
41:29That foul will be enforced from the seceding spot.
41:30After enforcement, it will be first and 25 for Los Angeles.
41:43I'm sorry.
41:44Correction.
41:45For Dallas.
41:46So, the pass interference is enforced first.
41:51Yes.
41:52And that gives Dallas a first down and then the personal foul backs them up.
41:55Yeah.
41:56Well, I didn't even see that part.
41:57Yeah.
41:58Where'd that come in at?
41:59Someone see something?
42:00Did you get any insight into the offender here?
42:03You know, there was an interference on the sideline.
42:06Oh.
42:07A cowboy not in uniform interfering with the linesman.
42:11I don't see that every day.
42:14Yeah, that's always tough.
42:15I mean, that's more of a health concern as officials.
42:17They're running down the sideline.
42:19We know they have coaches that get back coach to get guys away.
42:22Didn't have that when they were prepared for that one.
42:26So, Phil Moffa is the tailback here.
42:28And as Joe Milton steps under center.
42:30Long way to go, but it does have a new set of downs.
42:33Rams are all over that first down boot.
42:36Schoonmaker the target, and Josh Wallace plants him.
42:41Another flag solves.
42:43Wow.
42:45After the play, unsportsmanlike conduct.
42:51Defense, number 30.
42:5315-yard penalty with an automatic first down.
42:55Too much sauce there from Josh, who played 17 games as a rookie, including three starts.
43:04Yeah, I don't, I mean, we have to have some type of energy here.
43:07I get it.
43:08He didn't stand over him.
43:09He did.
43:10And that's what it was.
43:11Tiny, tiny bit of taunting.
43:12Yeah.
43:13Because I was going to say that the actual tackle right here, he suplexed him.
43:16But that, that was clean.
43:23Okay.
43:24So a couple of Rams penalties have gotten Dallas out of deep trouble and a chance to get on the ball.
43:29Nothing doing right side on that run.
43:31Sean Dolak, an unrafted linebacker, shining in his first summer in L.A.
43:36I have been waiting all night to talk about Sean Dolak because down there on the Rams sideline,
43:41everybody would not shut up about this kid.
43:44Um, you know, coming out of really nowhere, Buffalo, small soul, he did lead all of FBS,
43:49FBS, pardon me, in tackles.
43:51Undrafted player, but we saw an undrafted linebacker make the starting lineup last year.
43:58Second and ten after that run, stuck.
44:01Coming after Milton.
44:04Incomplete, it's third and ten.
44:07Screwmaker again, the target, Wallace and Kevich.
44:11Coming in hot.
44:12Seeing the touch that you need in the high red zone like this to give his receiver a chance to fight the ball.
44:19Well that, you know, that's Dolak in coverage who does a great job.
44:22The Cowboys try to send a little cheese.
44:24They have a running back in the, in the flat on a swing.
44:26They send, they're tightening up the seam with a post.
44:29And Dolak does a great job of playing high to low.
44:31Taking that tight end away before, and then rallying to the underneath.
44:36Quick set here, incomplete but a flat.
44:39Jolly competing against Mingo.
44:43Those two linked up on third and a mile to extend this drive several plays ago.
44:49Jolly read that too quick.
44:51Yeah.
44:52Pass interference.
44:53Defense, number 24.
44:54Spot foul with an automatic close down.
44:56Can I, can I, can I say one thing JB?
45:02Sometimes as a wide receiver, if you don't run your routes the right way, DB's jump on him.
45:09That should be a foul on the receiver more than the DB.
45:12As Jolly read that route and, on conversion to make a play on the ball.
45:17And Dallas did not have a first down when this drive began.
45:20Now they picked up four, including a couple critical ones by penalty.
45:24They'll run it with Mafa.
45:26To the 10.
45:28Sean Dolak tripped him up.
45:35Dolak who, Greg Williams, his position coach said during OTAs,
45:39it's not just a quick study, he could probably teach you the defense right now.
45:43That was back in the spring.
45:45Williams calling this defense for Dolak today.
45:49Taking the headset from Chris Shula.
45:57From the 10, second and fourth.
46:00Milton keeps and flips to the end zone incomplete with a marker down at the line of scrimmage.
46:06This is going against Dallas.
46:09Illegal formation, offense number 76 is not on the line of scrimmage.
46:14Five yard penalty, second down.
46:17You know, we talk a lot about Dolak coming from the University of Buffalo.
46:22I played with a guy that got drafted out of Buffalo one time by the name of Khalil Mack.
46:26And I tell you what, they have some guys here that can play.
46:30Dolak was that program's first consensus All-American with that prolific tackling that Mina referenced.
46:42Middle run with another penalty marker down.
46:44Mafa working for the end zone.
46:46If it stands its first and goal, it will not stand.
46:50Another procedural penalty against the Cowboys.
46:52In the big formation, off-field number 76 is not on the line of scrimmage.
46:56Five yard penalty, second down.
46:58Awesome Richards, an offensive lineman.
47:02That's something the NFL put in, was it last year, about getting that tackle on the ball a little bit more.
47:10You have to make sure, yes, you know you're going against some of those speed guys.
47:13You can't break the belt line of the center.
47:17And so, a lot of these tackles step back and they're back a little bit further in their stance.
47:22And they don't break that belt level of the center.
47:25The Jawan Taylor role, if you will.
47:28Oh, oh!
47:29Nearly intercepted.
47:31Charles Woods ran that route for the Cowboys.
47:37The Rams DBs are so sticky right now.
47:40Once again, getting there before the receiver, just couldn't get his hands around it.
47:43But that's a great job by Woods.
47:46And as we talked about with Milton, you see this.
47:49The receiver's broken out and run four or five steps at this point.
47:52Get the ball out quicker, right?
47:54I get it, you have a strong arm.
47:56But in the NFL, that strong arm doesn't matter if you're not throwing the ball on time.
48:02This will be the tenth rep of a penalty play drive.
48:05And the Cowboys will run it.
48:07And the Rams force them to kick a field goal.
48:09Crashing down to the 11, Phil Maffa.
48:12Dropped by Josh Wallace.
48:14And the kicking unit does come on for the Cowboys.
48:18Talked earlier about the arm strength and time that affects timing.
48:22Again, you really see in the red zone when things get tighter, how much less it affords you versus the ability to throw with anticipation and touch.
48:31No question, if you watched last night's game, the Browns versus the Panthers, you saw George Sanders, who doesn't have that strong of arm, have a ton of touch and timing and was able to fit the ball through some tight windows.
48:42There it goes.
48:44Cowboys have to run a tight end on late.
48:46That's Luke Schoonmaker.
48:47Four to snap it.
48:49With two.
48:51Obviously turning and retreating.
48:53Says, I got plenty of leg.
48:55Just take the penalty.
48:57Fourth down.
48:58This drive has been probably the sloppiest drive that we've seen with some penalties.
49:04But I think what's going to make the Cowboys fans and their organization upset is the legal procedures, the not on the ball, the things that you can control.
49:13I'm OK with the aggressive penalties of holding here or there as you're fighting to try to get across a guy's face.
49:19But having a guy run on late on PAT and things like that, those are things that you can control.
49:25Brandon Aubrey hit from 66 last preseason here at SoFi.
49:30A much more modest 35-yarder for the All-Pro.
49:35And the Cowboys are on the board.
49:388.04 to go in our opening half.
49:40A couple of Blake Corham touchdowns for the Los Angeles Rams and that field goal for Aubrey and the Cowboys.
49:49The Cowboys home to the Chargers and then a trip to face the Browns as they prepare for the season opener in the 2025 campaign right here in Inglewood at SoFi Stadium against the Houston Texans.
50:02Jarquez Hunter to the top of your screen there.
50:05Cody Schrader below him.
50:07A couple of running backs awaiting this kickoff from Brandon Aubrey after he connected on a 35-yard field goal to put the Cowboys on the board.
50:15It's an 11-play, 55-yard penalty-plagued possession for the Cowboys.
50:22A little chip off the tee here.
50:24We'll give Schrader a chance.
50:26He's at the 10.
50:27At the 20.
50:28And taken down well inside the 25-yard line by Maris Leufout, leading tackler for the Dallas Cowboys here today.
50:36Time now for the rookie spotlight, powered by Verizon 5G.
50:41And he's the only drafted rookie we're not going to see here today.
50:44Terrence Ferguson, who the Rams selected after trading back with the Falcons from 26-46.
50:50I mentioned earlier the Rams got very little production from their tight ends last year.
50:55Sean McVay has been promising to use more two tight end sets now.
50:59It feels like his entire Rams career.
51:01We'll see if that happens now that he's got Ferguson in the mix.
51:03All right, so he's got four of them as Blake Corum runs for a zero.
51:08Do you believe him then?
51:09I mean, the draft capital suggests that they should, and we know how much they like Tyler Higbee.
51:15I like Ferguson, though.
51:16I mean, to me, Maurice, he was just a really complete back at Oregon.
51:20He can block.
51:21He's got athleticism, great hands.
51:24Really love to see him get on the field early.
51:25Yeah, it reminds me a lot of Tyler Higbee.
51:27I know who was a receiver at Western Kentucky, kind of transformed the tight end.
51:31But his skill set, the way he's able to catch the ball, move his body, those type of things.
51:35And then again, you talk about the blocking aspect.
51:37I do expect to see a lot of 12 in some certain situations.
51:40Bennett stumbles coming away from center there.
51:43It will be third down and long.
51:47Ferguson, by the way, dealing with a groin injury, suffered toward the tail end of training camp.
51:54You know what else I love, JB?
51:56He expresses himself through art.
51:58He's the most tatted up dude I've ever seen.
52:00Like the whole left side, I think it's his left side.
52:02Ferguson?
52:03Yeah, he's tatted up.
52:04Interesting.
52:05Arms, legs, everything.
52:06Do your thing, young fella.
52:08Side by side with Davis Allen there.
52:11Well, we all felt the difference, didn't we, when Tyler Higbee came in deep last season in New York.
52:17Oh my goodness.
52:18From the 18, third down, 15.
52:21Underneath, and out of bounds.
52:24Xavier Smith run out by Darius Harris.
52:27And the Rams go three and out.
52:32It's interesting to see Bo Limmer, who Setson got tripped up on earlier, at guard.
52:37You mentioned earlier he filled in as the Rams center last year.
52:40They brought back Coleman Shelton for the comfort level with Matthew Stafford was important to them.
52:45But seeing them work in the guard makes me think that McVay really wants Limmer to be available to them on the inside as depth for both centers and the guard.
52:54Make the case that Bo Limmer saved their season last year.
52:57The Rams would be in a completely different place without him.
53:00Ethan Evans just sent that punt into a completely different place.
53:04It's going to hop into the end zone.
53:06Jalen Cropper did well to leave it alone.
53:12Sean McVay can't help but smile.
53:14Evans is cooking today.
53:15The two, his second from the four.
53:18Since here in the second quarter, Aubrey has answered with a 35-yard field goal.
53:22And now the Cowboys have third and four in the red zone.
53:28Huge opportunity here for Joe Milton.
53:30Tough early start.
53:31This is the best drive yet.
53:33Chance to cap it off.
53:34Third and four.
53:35Everything's on the table.
53:36Josiah Stewart, rookie edge rusher for the Los Angeles Rams.
53:43They attack his edge.
53:44A cut down right at the line to game.
53:46Valkerson with a nice play in space.
53:48Decking Tyler Neville.
53:50And they mark him short.
53:52They're going to go for it, right?
53:53Oh, yeah.
53:54Great play there, though.
53:56Safety coming down.
53:57He recognizes it.
53:58And you cut the tie-in down.
54:00Get him down before the first down.
54:02Make them snap it one more time.
54:04You just never know what may happen on any given play.
54:08All right.
54:09So, big Joe Milton's back there.
54:11Always a threat to keep.
54:15230-pound Phil Maffa behind him before the Rams stop it.
54:18Joe Milton and Tushpush.
54:22What a tease, Mina.
54:25We'll see on the other side.
54:27The defensive line.
54:28Let's see how he holds up here if they do end up sneaking Milton.
54:32And the Lockhorns with Brock Hoffman in Dallas center.
54:35Forth down less than the yard.
54:37The QB slips.
54:39It will depend on the spot.
54:41Rams think they take over on downs.
54:43Looks like a stop.
54:44I don't think he got it.
54:45I don't think so either.
54:46The ref on the right side of the offense says no.
54:52Let's see what they agree on.
54:54Okay.
54:55I'm in a trip.
54:56Virtual measurement time, perhaps.
54:57They put it down on the line of the game.
54:58It's going to be first.
54:59First down for the Cowboys.
55:00That's almost a challenge play there, to be honest, J.B.
55:16If you're in a game, he doesn't get close to it.
55:19Got a replay up inside the stadium.
55:24Did not convince McLeod.
55:28Or did it?
55:29Yeah, he's telling you to go and look at it.
55:34It will be 30 seconds.
55:36There's an old saying, compete to play, compete to stay.
55:39We got to compete on every play, coaches included.
55:42Where's the challenge flag?
55:45He slips.
55:46He falls down.
55:48He's down right there.
55:50He doesn't get it.
55:51Yeah.
55:52I don't see how they...
55:55A whole yard short.
55:57Nice preview with Hamilton, I think, getting the first touch on him, Nina.
56:00Yeah, I think Turf Monster a little more responsible now.
56:08But, yeah, I feel like the Rams are going to win this one.
56:12His knee was down before that second effort.
56:14I don't know if they let him challenge it.
56:18No.
56:19No.
56:20Guess not.
56:21Never mind.
56:22So, first down, and the Cowboys motioned to empty, sending Phil Motha out to the left of Joe Milton.
56:29And Milton flat-footed to the end zone and overshot for noise.
56:35Hate to be a broken record about this.
56:37We keep talking about the touch in the low red zone here when things get tight, especially when you're trying to hit that pylon.
56:44I mean, I teach a lot of young quarterbacks.
56:47And everyone wants to throw these deep balls on a line.
56:50On a line.
56:51As a receiver, it's hard to judge and see that.
56:54You have to put some air on it and throw it and put a little touch so I can run underneath it.
56:58But, there we saw that hard throw on a line.
57:00Overthrows as a receiver, a scoring touchdown.
57:04Former Patriot, now Cowboy.
57:07Finds his screen.
57:08Motha.
57:09Track down.
57:13Poo Paul got there with help from Tanner Engel.
57:15Chris Paul Jr., the 22-year-old rookie out of Ole Miss, prefers Poo, the nickname assigned by his mother.
57:22Tanner Engel covered a lot of ground from that meeting with Chris Paul for the tackle.
57:31What you do notice about these young guys for the Rams, they play fast, meaning that they understand where they're supposed to be.
57:37They have great knowledge and understanding of the defense, and they're attacking and playing with a reckless abandonment.
57:43Chris Paul point guard in attendance today, by the way, I'm told, at SoFi Stadium.
57:47You'll see Chris Paul Jr. play his first game at linebacker.
57:51Cowboys at third and six.
57:53Paul blows it up, and the Rams track it down.
57:56Jalen Crawford could not make the line to gain 30 seconds of rolling left in the half.
58:01Chris Shuler's got to be really happy with the tackling and pursuit on these screens.
58:05It feels like every time Dallas can be calling them, multiple Rams are converging on the ball carriers.
58:13Tackling live for the first time all season, all summer.
58:17They've been sharp, fourth and two.
58:19Ten seconds left.
58:20Cowboys have one timeout remaining.
58:26And Brian Schottenheimer will spend it there.
58:28What would you call him?
58:31Oh, play action pass.
58:33Every time.
58:34Schottenheimer's going to call for a field.
58:36We're not going to go for it, JB.
58:45This is your best play from the six-yard line.
58:50I want to try things if it's the preseason.
58:52I want to make sure I'm working on some things and see what we can do as coaches as well.
58:57As coaches as well, right?
58:58Your gigantic, fast quarterback.
59:00Keeping is going to be a big part of any game plan with him.
59:03Why not get a rep?
59:05Exactly.
59:10Rams got the first possession of this game.
59:12So the Cowboys trying to get two field goals in the second quarter
59:15and then begin the third with possession as well.
59:18This is a guy who doesn't need any reps.
59:20Aubrey already hit from 35.
59:23In midseason form from 25 to end the first half.
59:28Blake Horn with two rushing touchdowns for the Rams in the first.
59:33One from the two, another from the four, and then Aubrey with a pair of field goals.
59:37That's how we get to 14-6 at the end of our first half.
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