Quentin Lake thinks Rams' 2025 offense will be 'reminiscent of Greatest Show on Turf'
It'd be safe to say the Los Angeles Rams' offense underachieved in 2024. With Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp and Kyren Williams surrounding Matthew Stafford, it was supposed to be a big year on that side of the ball.
The Rams finished the year ranked 20th in points scored and 15th in total yards, a far cry from 2023 when they were eighth and seventh, respectively.
Advertisement
Heading into the 2025 season, a bounce-back is expected. Davante Adams joins Nacua to give the Rams a fantastic wide receiver duo, while Terrance Ferguson steps in at tight end to provide another pass-catching threat. Kupp isn't there anymore but Tutu Atwell, Nacua, Williams and Blake Corum are all still in the mix.
Quentin Lake has high expectations for that group, making a bold statement while on NFL Network recently. In raving about Adams and what he brings to the offense, Lake said the Rams could be reminiscent of the Greatest Show on Turf era when St. Louis led the league in scoring and yards three years in a row.
'He's a fantastic player. He's been doing it year in and year out, and you can kind of tell he's adding value not only what he does as a player, but as a mentor to the younger guys, too,' Lake said of Adams. 'Teaching these guys how to attack defensive leverages, what to do at the top of the routes. I still think he's one of the best route-runners in the NFL and there's a reason Sean McVay was very adamant about getting him. He just kind of unlocks things in the offense and obviously, we've got our future Hall of Famer Matthew Stafford over there. I expect big things because you got Puka on one end, Davante on the other, Tutu Atwell does a fantastic job, too. So we have all the weapons we need, and then Kyren in the backfield. It's going to be reminiscent of the Greatest Show on Turf. I hope we bring that back this year.'
As talented as the Rams are on paper, no one should expect them to replicate the production from that 1999-2001 era when everything looked so easy offensively. Nacua and Adams should put up big numbers and Atwell could be poised for a breakout as the No. 3 receiver, but the Greatest Show on Turf had three Hall of Famers at quarterback, running back and wide receiver in Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk and Isaac Bruce.
Advertisement
Torry Holt isn't a Hall of Famer (yet) but he's an all-time great who should be enshrined in Canton already.
Lake's confidence is admirable and encouraging, but he might need to take his expectations down just one notch.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams' Quentin Lake says LA offense will be like Greatest Show on Turf
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNN
20 minutes ago
- CNN
Betting site bans individual over heckling incident with Olympic champion sprinter Gabby Thomas
A sports bettor who heckled Olympic champion sprinter Gabby Thomas during a Grand Slam Track event in Philadelphia over the weekend has been banned by the betting site FanDuel Sportsbook. In a statement sent to The Associated Press on Wednesday, FanDuel wrote it 'condemns in the strongest terms abusive behavior directed towards athletes. Threatening or harassing athletes is unacceptable and has no place in sports. This customer is no longer able to wager with FanDuel.' Last weekend, Thomas finished fourth in a 100-meter race won by Melissa Jefferson-Wooden. The bettor wrote in a post on social media that he 'made Gabby lose by heckling her. And it made my parlay win.' He posted a picture of his parlay that had Jefferson-Wooden winning the 100. Thomas, the 200-meter champion at the Paris Games last summer, explained the heckling incident on X. She wrote: 'This grown man followed me around the track as I took pictures and signed autographs for fans (mostly children) shouting personal insults – anybody who enables him online is gross.' Grand Slam Track, a track league launched by Hall of Fame sprinter Michael Johnson this spring, wrote in a statement it was 'conducting a full investigation into the reprehensible behavior captured on video. 'We are working to identify the individual involved and will take appropriate action as necessary. We will implement additional safeguards to help prevent incidents like this in the future. Let us be clear, despicable behavior like this will not be tolerated.' ESPN first reported the bettor had been banned by FanDuel. The Grand Slam Track season wraps up with the fourth and final meet in Los Angeles on June 28-29. The Thomas incident is the latest in a string of stalking and abuse of female athletes. Frida Karlsson, a Swedish cross-country skiing world champion, recently brought her experience with stalking into public view when she went through a trial. A man in his 60s was given a suspended sentence and ordered to pay 40,000 kronor ($4,100) in damages after being convicted of stalking Karlsson for a year and four months, according to Swedish news agency TT. The man, according to the indictment, called Karlsson 207 times, left her voicemails and text messages and approached her, including outside her apartment. In February, police in the United Arab Emirates detained a man who caused British tennis player Emma Raducanu distress by exhibiting ' fixated behavior ' toward her at a tennis tournament. Raducanu had been approached by the man at the Dubai Championships where he left her a note, took her photograph and engaged in behavior that caused her distress, according to the government of Dubai's media office.
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Gulf Winds Foundation raises over $78,000 with Chip in Fore Charity golf tournament
Gulf Winds Foundation recently hosted its second annual charitable golf tournament, Chip in Fore Charity, at Stonebrook Golf Course in Pace. The day brought the credit union community together for a fun-filled experience of golfing, networking, and giving, raising over $78,000 for the Gulf Winds Foundation and its charitable activities. A full roster of teams competed in a classic four-player scramble featuring a $10,000 hole-in-one challenge and several on-course games. Among the participants, Clay Mallard, Billy Burch, Dale Wright, and Louie Roberson claimed the first-place title, followed by David Feliciano, Colby Scruggs and Kyle Mitchell in second place, and Tony Silva, Chris Munro, Jonathan Smith, and Bryon Cobb in third. Funds raised from the tournament will support Gulf Winds' annual scholarship program and several local non-profit partners including Manna Food Pantry, Council on Aging of West Florida, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida, Rally Foundation, and other organizations that create sustainable change in the region. Visit for details. Santa Rosa County Animal Services is hosting a Community Cats Day for Santa Rosa County residents June 5 at the Santa Rosa County Animal Shelter, 4451 Pine Forest Road in Milton. The shelter will only accept 45 stray/feral cats for free spaying and neutering. Participants must be Santa Rosa County residents and are required to show proof of residency in Santa Rosa County. Participants can bring up to three community cats per participant, first come, first served. Cats must be at least three months of age and over three pounds, outdoor, unowned, and free-roaming to be eligible for the program. In addition to neutering/spaying, cats will receive a rabies vaccination and ear tip. A tipped ear indicates that a community cat has been altered. Residents are responsible for trapping and transporting cats to and from the shelter. Cats must be dropped off at the shelter at 8 a.m. June 5 and picked up from 9 to 10 a.m. the following day after drop off. Cats must be secured in a humane trap that they can stand comfortably in and only one cat per trap. A limited number of traps are available to rent from SRCAS. Visit for details. Lighthouse Private Christian Academy recently announced the expansion of its Milton campus, made possible through the generosity of Mike Papantonio, a senior partner at Levin Papantonio law firm, and other community donors. The new building, located at 6225 Dixie Road, will accommodate middle and high school students, helping meet the overwhelming demand for quality Christian education in the area. Since its founding over two decades ago, LPCA has been committed to providing a Christ-centered education to students in need. The school's rapid growth in Milton, where enrollment quickly reached capacity, underscored the urgent need for expansion. Until now, LPCA has operated out of a leased church space, with limited room for growth. With the new building, the school will separate its K-5 students, who will remain at the church, and move its 6-12th grade students into a dedicated campus. LPCA campuses have always had a math and science focus. The new Milton campus will feature not only traditional academic programs but also a unique agricultural component. The school will leverage the property's five acres, blueberry fields, and greenhouses to provide students with hands-on learning experiences in both STEM and agricultural commerce. LPCA invites the community to celebrate this expansion and learn more about its mission to provide high-quality Christian education. For more information about enrollment, donations, or upcoming developments, visit For Escambia County District 5 resident Luverne Bonner, the dream of having a brand-new home to call her own once seemed out of reach. Now, that dream is a reality thanks to Escambia County assistance programs, which provided Bonner with a new home that she and her family can enjoy for years to come. After living in her previous home for over 25 years, Bonner said she experienced numerous issues with the house that became unmanageable and overwhelming, including electrical problems, major leaks, roof and flooring issues, and more. In need of help, she applied for the Escambia County Neighborhood and Human Services Department's Housing Demo and Replacement Program, which demolishes deteriorating houses and replaces them with brand-new houses for income-eligible residents in need. The program is funded through a grant from the State Housing Initiatives Partnership, or SHIP, program. Bonner said the new home is lifechanging for her, especially since she will now have a clean, safe space to host her children, grandchildren, and other family members. For information about eligibility requirements and assistance programs for Escambia County homeowners, contact the Neighborhood Enterprise Division at ned@ or 850-595-1642. Take part: To make a Causes submission, email giving@ Never miss a story: Subscribe to the Pensacola News Journal using the link at the bottom of the page under Stay Connected. This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Gulf Winds raises over $78K with Chip in Fore Charity golf tournament
New York Times
43 minutes ago
- New York Times
Bengals OTAs: First-stringers setting competitive tone tops trends so far
One moment stood out at the Bengals' OTA session on Tuesday as much as any in the traditionally forgettable practices that occur this time of year. In the middle of a 7-on-7 competition between offensive and defensive starters, cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt found himself lined up against tight end Mike Gesicki in the slot during a third-down drill. When Gesicki cut toward the sideline and Joe Burrow unloaded a pass in his direction, Taylor-Britt made his move. Advertisement The fourth-year corner exploded toward the ball, leapt in the air, snagged it, flipped to land an elbow in bounds and held on for the interception. He immediately erupted and started talking trash in the direction of Burrow and the offense, while tossing the ball up toward the sky to amplify the disrespect. JUICE 🧃#WhoDey x @CamTaylorBritt_ — Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) June 3, 2025 Seemingly before the ball even landed, Burrow took the next snap, looked off the safety and unloaded a bomb to Ja'Marr Chase who was sprinting five yards past cornerback DJ Turner down the sideline for what would have been a touchdown. Call this the ultimate 'Take That' go ball. The drill wasn't even designed for deep passes. Chase nearly ran into the defensive line participating in a different drill down the sideline, not thinking any deep routes were coming their way. No, this wasn't scripted. That's what made Burrow's reminder all the more exciting. 'You want Sheisty to come out,' Taylor-Britt said afterward. Joe Burrow goes DEEP to Ja'Marr Chase during 7-on-7 drills — James Rapien (@JamesRapien) June 3, 2025 With all due respect, there hasn't been much of this level of competitiveness and tenacity this time of year in Cincinnati. The Bengals rarely break out good-on-good — in fact, they never do ones versus ones in 11-on-11 — but even when they have, these types of moments have been few and far between. There hasn't been a philosophy shift in the offseason program, necessarily. That will be coming when training camp rolls around. Yet, the urgency and competitive levels of the last two weeks featured a notable uptick from the light work of previous seasons. What does it all mean? Not necessarily a game-changer in the big picture, but the seriousness of the proceedings is encouraging, specifically on defense. Advertisement If there was a group you'd expect to stay relatively humble after what happened last year, it would be the Bengals' defensive backs. Each of the five starters during OTAs was benched at some point last year except for safety Geno Stone, who took a pay cut. Yet, credit to new defensive coordinator Al Golden, because the young grouping of Taylor-Britt, Turner, Josh Newton and Jordan Battle have all shown up at different moments and rarely have been shy expressing their excitement. Taylor-Britt had the loudest moment Tuesday, but Newton also had a pass breakup, as did Turner, who enjoyed a productive session last Tuesday. There's more press-man coverage and versatility in where they line up. Taylor-Britt's interception is a great example. He was locked up with Gesicki in the slot. The Bengals are looking for an answer there after moving on from Mike Hilton and Taylor-Britt is being tested as part of the equation. Dax Hill, who played well during his first stint at outside corner last year, is recovering well from ACL surgery and still looks to be used all over, but there's a clear lean into letting these corners all test the waters at different spots to add to the number of answers Golden has during the season. For now, in terms of the confidence emanating from the group, it's working. The two players who enjoyed the biggest leaps last year were running back Chase Brown and wide receiver Andrei Iosivas, both second-year, former Day 3 picks. Brown developed into a premier back in the league and a primary weapon for the offense and Iosivas put a stranglehold on the third receiver spot alongside Chase and Tee Higgins, in conjunction with TE/WR Gesicki. Well, there's no sign of slowing down. More than 45 minutes after practice ended on Tuesday, there they were, the two just then coming off the field long after most had showered and moved on with their day. These were the same reports given when they sought out receiver coach Drew Lieberman last offseason and experienced huge gains on the field. Despite more competition around them, they have only solidified themselves as central figures in the offensive game plan, with Iosivas' size and athleticism really starting to shine in his second year working as both an inside and outside receiver. OTA starting lineups aren't typically worth even mentioning, but I will regarding the positional free-for-all happening at both guard spots. Third-round pick Dylan Fairchild and free agent signee Lucas Patrick currently hold the starting spots. There will be many more important mileposts in this competition that also involves Cody Ford, Jaxson Kirkland, Cordell Volson, Jalen Rivers, and really any player over 300 pounds who proves capable of playing the position. Yet, the messaging at the league meetings following the signing of Patrick and post-draft after selecting Fairchild in the third round was that these are the early favorites. Advertisement Those words were backed up by the actions of running with the first team right now. The depth of the pass catchers has improved this year, as noted before with the ascension and return of Iosivas and Gesicki. What's lining up to be among the most entertaining battles of training camp will be the chase for the fifth receiver spot behind the top four. The primary contestants for the spot are Jermaine Burton, Charlie Jones and Isaiah Williams. There have been eyes opened around the progress of Williams, a 24-year-old out of Illinois who played six games for Cincinnati last season after being claimed off waivers from Detroit on Nov. 8. His quickness has shown up and he could find an impact as a slot receiver on offense. Whoever wins the role will also likely land as the starting kickoff returner. All three took reps at the position last season. Jones has a punt and kickoff return for a touchdown to his name. Burton showed flashes in his opportunity, as did Williams. Burton's journey will be as much off the field as on it as he aims to leave a disastrous rookie year behind him and regain trust inside the building. So far, so good on that, but there's a long way to go. Jones needs to prove he can stay healthy. There's a good chance all three will see extended playing time in the preseason to see who carves out this important niche on the two-deep. (Photo of Ja'Marr Chase making a deep reception at OTAs: Sam Greene / Imagn Images)
