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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Davante Adams-Puka Nacua combo is already reaping benefits for the Rams
As Davante Adams began his first Rams training camp, star receiver Puka Nacua tried to be cool, calm and collected. Nacua, a third-year pro, was eager to put aside his seniority with the Rams. The ascending star wanted to step back and allow Adams — a three-time All-Pro — to lead the way and go first in receiver drills. But when he approached Adams, Nacua's nerves apparently shone through. 'He was saying it almost like he'd been wanting to say it for a long time,' said Adams, who signed with the Rams in March, 'but he didn't really know how to say that.' The situation demanded it, Nacua said. 'There is a respect for him to come in saying, 'I don't want to push you out of the way or take your spot and be like, Oh, I should be up there No. 1,'' Nacua said. 'But it's something that I have a huge amount of respect for his game.' The request also came with a not-so-hidden bonus. 'When I was in the front, I'm trying to sprint as fast as I can so I can turn around and watch him,' Nacua said, laughing. 'So, I was like, 'Hey, I think it'll make my job a little bit easier if you just go first.' ... There's nothing better than seeing him with my own two eyes.' Adams, 32, has been wowing teammates, coaches and fans with skills honed during 11 NFL seasons. The 6-foot 1, 215-pound Adams has amassed 1,000 yards receiving in a season seven times, including the last six in a row. The Rams pursued Adams to replace Cooper Kupp, who was released three days after they agreed to terms with Adams. The two-year deal includes $25 million in guarantees, according to Adams, who has played for the Green Bay Packers, Las Vegas Raiders and New York Jets, said during offseason workouts that he felt rejuvenated with the Rams and their 'college-type camaraderie.' He has enjoyed the way coach Sean McVay — 'the mastermind,' Adams said — has conducted camp. 'Well, the 'masterminds' because it's a lot of people involved,' Adams said, 'but it's just been fun. 'The best part for me is just getting to know the guys and hanging out with them every day.' It did not take long for Adams to make an impression with his new teammates. In April, on the first day of offseason workouts, receivers coach Eric Yarber stood before his assembled charges and gave them an impassioned speech. 'I want to get this out of the way,' Yarber began. 'All you guys who were here last year, you learned from Cooper Kupp, one of the best slots ever. 'And now you're about to learn from a future Hall of Famer. You better pick his brain as much as you can while he's here because I'm going to do the same thing.' Adams thanked Yarber for the welcome, and then delivered a message. 'He said, 'You guys are going to learn a lot from me, but don't think that I can't learn anything from ya'll,'' second-year receiver Jordan Whittington said. 'He made that very clear.' Adams is part of a receiver corps that includes Nacua, Whittington, veteran Tutu Atwell — who signed a one-year $10-million contract — Xavier Smith and rookie Konata Mumpfield. Veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford has yet to practice during training because of a back issue. But Stafford said in Maui at the end of offseason workouts that Adams was a 'seamless fit' for the offense. With Stafford sidelined, Adams has worked mainly with veteran backup Jimmy Garoppolo. The two were teammates with the Raiders in 2023. 'He brought over the same swagger he had in Las Vegas, man,' Garoppolo said 'He's a confident dude.' Read more: 'Call the police.' Jared Verse left inspired by his Aaron Donald workout trauma Yarber is in his ninth season on McVay's staff. During his tenure, he coached Kupp, Nacua, Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods and DeSean Jackson, among others. Adams brings experience and a one-of-a-kind skill set. 'He's a bigger receiver that has the feet of a little man,' Yarber said. 'I mean, he's cat-quick, he's got great change of direction, great catch radius and a great feel for the game.' What separates Adams from other receivers is his ability to separate from defensive backs and create space. At the line of scrimmage and while running routes against complex coverages. 'Separation is a big thing that I wanted to work on, and now I've got one of the ultimate separators ever,' Whittington said. 'So having him in the film room sharing that type of information and then just watching him go out there and dominate, it's truly a blessing.' Nacua feels the same. Adams said he dispenses advice to Nacua when appropriate. 'I'm not a walking wise man where I'm just trying to drop little trinkets on him all day, but it's more whenever it comes up,' Adams said of dissecting double-coverage and other schemes. 'That part is actually like some of the most enjoyable parts of this thing for me, the cerebral game.' Adams' influence on Nacua has been obvious to McVay. During a team meeting, the ninth-year coach complimented Nacua on a play, and then asked what he was thinking while running his route. Nacua referenced Adams and a tip he had offered. 'When you have guys that are doing that for each other, that's special stuff,' McVay said, adding, 'when you have teammates that are pushing one another, when there's that mutual respect that exists and that appropriate humility, a lot of good things can follow.' The Rams hope so. If Stafford is physically sound, a passing attack featuring Adams and Nacua could help make the Rams a Super Bowl contender. Adams acknowledged that while all that glitters is not gold, the Rams' foundation under McVay and their personnel and mindset give them an opportunity to be a championship-caliber team. 'This is looking pretty golden over here,' he said. Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Davante Adams is unsure how badly he'd want to have 2,000 yards with the Rams this year
Davante Adams has put up some big numbers in his career, topping out at 1,553 yards in 16 games with the Packers in 2021. He was a first-team All-Pro that year, catching 123 passes with 11 touchdowns, as well. It's rare for a player to even approach 2,000 yards in a season like Cooper Kupp did with the Rams that same year when he had 1,947 yards in 17 games, but Adams thinks it's doable. He believes it'd be realistic for him to have 2,000 yards this year in Los Angeles, saying on "Up and Adams" that it wouldn't be "that crazy." He was recently talking to Tutu Atwell about his goals and while he thinks he could go for 2,000, he doesn't know how badly he wants to get there. Not because he doesn't want to strive for greatness, but he realizes that if he has that many yards, it may not be a good sign for the offense as a whole. 'It's a very general goal,' Adams said. 'Not like a specific number but it's more about just the way I wanna do it. I said yeah, I feel like I could get 2K. I feel like that really wouldn't be that crazy, but I said I don't know how much I wanna have 2K on this team.' The Rams are loaded with playmakers on offense, from Adams and Puka Nacua to Tutu Atwell and Kyren Williams. This isn't a scheme that needs to force-feed one player, which is why Adams feels the way he does about potentially reaching 2,000 yards. It'd probably be an even better sign for Los Angeles if Adams and Nacua both go over 1,200 yards and the passing game is more evenly distributed across the board. 'If I need to get 2K, I think we're ready for that,' he said. 'But I don't think it'll be that type of season. But I'm ready for every ball that comes my way.' This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams' Davante Adams doesn't know if he'd want to have 2,000 yards
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Davante Adams shares how badly he wants to win: 'Only thing that drives me at this point'
'I'm really focused on that, especially having some ups and downs over these last few years' Davante Adams has racked up 11,844 receiving yards, scored 103 touchdowns and caught 957 passes in his career. He's made six Pro Bowls, been selected as an All-Pro three times and earned over $141 million during his 11 years in the NFL. One thing that's missing from his remarkable list of accolades and accomplishments is a Super Bowl ring. Though he's made the playoffs six times in his career, he's never won a championship. He hopes that changes in Los Angeles now that he's a member of the Rams. At this stage of his career, Adams isn't focused on stats or money. He just wants to win. 'I mean, that's the only thing that drives me at this point,' Adams said on Inside Rams Camp this weekend. 'It's not about the money or the statistics. All of that stuff takes care of itself. Whether I'm focused on the money or not, the check is going to be there. But whether I'm focused on winning or not, that doesn't automatically come. I'm really focused on that, especially having some ups and downs over these last few years. I'm just excited to get back on the page where we just continue to climb and ascend and win. That makes football a lot more fun.' Adams played for the Raiders and Jets in the last three years after eight years of winning consistently with the Packers. The best record his team has had since 2022 is 8-9, which was two years ago with the Raiders. Even that wasn't close to what Adams was used to in Green Bay. He signed with the Rams this offseason because he saw a winning team that was close to reaching the NFC title game just last season. He saw a veteran quarterback in Matthew Stafford, another star receiver in Puka Nacua and a defense that was dominating at the end of the season. There's no question the Rams are legitimate Super Bowl contenders and perhaps they'll be the team that gets Adams the elusive ring. They have the pieces to win it all, especially with the All-Pro receiver providing a boost on offense.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Matthew Stafford update: How long will Rams QB be out?
The defending NFC West champion Los Angeles Rams invested resources this offseason to ensure they have one of the top offenses in the league. Los Angeles retained left tackle Alaric Jackson and signed three-time first-team All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams. The Rams continued that investment in the 2025 NFL Draft by selecting tight end Terrance Ferguson in Round 2 and running back Jarquez Hunter in Round 4. Training camp began on July 23 for the defending division champions. They're preparing for what could be a close battle in the NFC West once again. 'Never doing that again': Rams' Jared Verse tested the legendary Aaron Donald There's one key piece that's not on the field, though: quarterback Matthew Stafford. The 37-year-old is entering his fifth year with the Rams but has missed training camp so far with back soreness. Los Angeles coach Sean McVay said Stafford will not return to practice this week as previously hoped. McVay said they're taking a week-to-week approach to his recovery. 'We've got a good plan in place,' McVay said. 'We are going to still take some more time with him, though. Nothing that's changed in terms of the setback. I probably spoke a little bit too soon, but the ultimate goal is [Week 1 game against] Houston and being mindful of that. So we'll take it a week at a time with him." Stafford didn't participate but was in attendance at training camp this weekend. Pittsburgh's new roommates: Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf, who could transform Steelers How long will Stafford be out? There's no clear timetable for Stafford's return to the field at training camp as the Rams are taking this week-to-week approach. McVay reiterated that there's no "reason for concern" as to why Stafford won't be practicing. Los Angeles' preseason games start Aug. 9 against the Dallas Cowboys, but it was unlikely Stafford would play in that matchup even if fully healthy. McVay will likely provide more updates in the coming days and into next week about Stafford's availability. Stafford missed just one game in 2024, the regular season finale against Seattle, to rest ahead of the playoffs. In 16 games (all starts), Stafford completed 340 of 517 passes for 3,762 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions. The Rams went 10-7 during the regular season and advanced as far as the divisional round of the NFC playoffs, where they lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, 28-22. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How long is Matthew Stafford out? Latest on Rams QB
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Matthew Stafford update: How long will Rams QB be out?
The defending NFC West champion Los Angeles Rams invested resources this offseason to ensure they have one of the top offenses in the league. Los Angeles retained left tackle Alaric Jackson and signed three-time first-team All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams. The Rams continued that investment in the 2025 NFL Draft by selecting tight end Terrance Ferguson in Round 2 and running back Jarquez Hunter in Round 4. Training camp began on July 23 for the defending division champions. They're preparing for what could be a close battle in the NFC West once again. 'Never doing that again': Rams' Jared Verse tested the legendary Aaron Donald There's one key piece that's not on the field, though: quarterback Matthew Stafford. The 37-year-old is entering his fifth year with the Rams but has missed training camp so far with back soreness. Los Angeles coach Sean McVay said Stafford will not return to practice this week as previously hoped. McVay said they're taking a week-to-week approach to his recovery. 'We've got a good plan in place,' McVay said. 'We are going to still take some more time with him, though. Nothing that's changed in terms of the setback. I probably spoke a little bit too soon, but the ultimate goal is [Week 1 game against] Houston and being mindful of that. So we'll take it a week at a time with him." Stafford didn't participate but was in attendance at training camp this weekend. Pittsburgh's new roommates: Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf, who could transform Steelers How long will Stafford be out? There's no clear timetable for Stafford's return to the field at training camp as the Rams are taking this week-to-week approach. McVay reiterated that there's no "reason for concern" as to why Stafford won't be practicing. Los Angeles' preseason games start Aug. 9 against the Dallas Cowboys, but it was unlikely Stafford would play in that matchup even if fully healthy. McVay will likely provide more updates in the coming days and into next week about Stafford's availability. Stafford missed just one game in 2024, the regular season finale against Seattle, to rest ahead of the playoffs. In 16 games (all starts), Stafford completed 340 of 517 passes for 3,762 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions. The Rams went 10-7 during the regular season and advanced as far as the divisional round of the NFC playoffs, where they lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, 28-22. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How long is Matthew Stafford out? Latest on Rams QB
