Rams
OT Bobby Evans
DT Greg Gaines
CB David Long
TE Johnny Mundt
LB Ogbonnia Okoronkwo
C Coleman Shelton
WR Nsimba Webster
Panthers
DT Vernon Butler
OG Brandon Greene
QB Will Grier
LB Bruce Irvin
LB Jordan Kunaszyk
OT Greg Little
WR Brandon Zylstra
The Rams and punter Johnny Hekker have agreed to terms on a one-year, $4.25 million contract extension, which includes $3 million in guarantees, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports via Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.
Hekker is now under contract with the team through the 2023 season and has $18.75 million remaining on his deal.
Hekker is a four-time Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection. He has appeared in 112 games and averages 47 yards per punt.
A former high school quarterback, Hekker’s arm has been utilized on several trick plays throughout his seven-season career. He has completed 11 of 19 passes for 156 yards and a touchdown.
He also has stepped in as a kicker. Last season, after kicker Greg Zuerlein suffered a groin injury during pregame warmups in Week 2, Hekker kicked a 20-yard field goal and an extra point in a 34-0 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
Hekker’s deal comes only days after the Rams signed quarterback Jared Goff to a four-year, $134 million extension, with a record-breaking $110 million in guarantees, and tight end Tyler Higbee signed a four-year extension worth $31 million over his five remaining seasons.
It’s that time of the year when national pundits start to look ahead and pick records for teams around the league, as well as pick the winners of the divisions.
Sporting News is out with their 2019 predictions, and they have their picks in for the NFC West.
To the surprise of no one they have the Rams winning the division with a mark of 11-5, and then the Hawks and 49ers both at 8-8, and last are the Cards who they say will end the year at a tough 3-13.
Here’s the complete rundown of who Sporting News likes along with the Super Bowl teams.
The future home for both the Rams and the Chargers is coming along, and Associated Press reports that the first sponsor for the stadium has been decided upon, as American Airlines has invested a lot of dough to be a founding partner.
Here’s the report from AP:
The LA Stadium and Entertainment District at Hollywood Park announced that American Airlines will be a founding partner. The airline will be the naming rights partner for American Airlines Plaza, which will be a 2½-acre, two-level open-air space that will serve as the main entrance into the 70,000-seat stadium and 6,000-seat performance venue.
The announcement took place Tuesday in front of the stadium, which is 75 percent complete and slated to open next July.
“Anytime you get to this point in the project you are having these sorts of announcements,” said Jason Gannon, the managing director for the LA Stadium and Entertainment District. “It is also a moment when you can see how the stadium and vision is being put together.”
The nearly $5 billion complex — which sits on 298 acres in Inglewood, is being built by Rams owner Stan Kroenke. It will also include retail and office space as well as apartments.
Former NFL running back Steven Jackson was happy to rejoin the league with a one-day contract to officially retire with the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams but was not so happy with the summons to submit to a drug test according to Jared Schwartz of the New York Post.
“Dear NFL can you tell Mr. Lombardo that I signed a one day contract,” Jackson said. “I will not be reporting today for my random drug test screening. Thanks in advance #retirement life.”
While Jackson has kept himself in great shape and looks like he could play tomorrow, the reality is that he is a 36-year-old whose last NFL action was a short stint with the New England Patriots, capping off an illustrious 12-year career.
All players are required to submit to a once-a-year drug test sometime between 4/20 and early August-and apparently that includes players who only join the roster for a day so they can ceremoniously retire with their original team and have no interest in actually playing. While this is set up by an independent administrator rather than the league office, it doesn’t seem like it should take a Rhodes Scholar to differentiate between actual players and guys like Jackson.
Possibly another issue to bring up for the new CBA.
The 2018 Los Angeles Rams season was the franchise’s 81st in the National Football League, their 82nd overall, their 52nd in the Greater Los Angeles Area and their second under head coach Sean McVay.
A week before Rams veterans report for training camp, we’ve got another Todd Gurley “update” to pass along, Kevin Patra of NFL.com reports.
The offseason story that has shrouded the NFC champions in a haze of uncertainty won’t go away. To underscore the point, even comedians are asking about the knee of the All-Pro running back.
Joining Jimmy Kimmel Live Thursday night, Rams coach Sean McVay was queried by the titular host regarding Gurley’s health.
McVay replied that the RB is “good.”
“I think he’s feeling great,” the coach said. “I think, you know, one of the things about Todd is (he’s a) great competitor. I think he’s earned the right to be able to have the plan that we had this offseason. Can’t wait to get him back going. I know he’s ready to go and it’s going to be fun for the Rams this year.”
Gurley didn’t participate in team drills during offseason workouts this spring, spending most of his time working out with his personal trainer as he shed weight and tried to lessen the grind on the troubled knee that knocked the end of his 2018 campaign off-tilt.
Following his modus operandi, McVay consistently spoke positive about Gurley’s condition, his availability for the season, and dismissed any concerns about curtailing his workload.
Monday was a day that many gaming fans wait for each year, the day that the most popular sports series of all-time puts out their player rankings.
That game of course is Madden football, and this year Madden 20 is once again going to be a game played by millions who are into the NFL and video games.
One aspect of the game is player rankings, and the top Rams player on the list was Aaron Donald who came in with a ranking of 99.
Todd Gurley II sits at a 97, and tackle Andrew Whitworth comes in with a mark of 93.
Check out all the Rams Rankings by clicking HERE.
September 8th, 2019 
Matt Loede 
Posted in 
