Rams QB Stafford Leading New Faces In LA
When the Los Angeles Rams kickoff the 2022 season, the faces on the sideline will look much different than in years past due to the departures of veterans such as cornerback Jalen Ramsey but don’t expect quarterback Matthew Stafford to change how he leads.
“You know, I’m going to continue to be myself and lead the way that I know how, as I know those other guys will as well,” Stafford told USA Today Sports. “It is really fun being around all this youth, all these guys that bring a bunch of energy... As far as my role, I feel like as the quarterback, you’re always the leader of the team and just doing everything I can to try to get us going in the right direction.”
Overall, the Rams currently have 37 roster spots held by rookies. Still, they also hold captains that have seen the highest highs on each side of the ball in former Offensive Player of The Year, wide receiver Cooper Kupp and three-time Defensive Player of The Year winner, defensive tackle Aaron Donald.
Injuries struck the reigning Super Bowl champs last season, preventing the favorites from repeating and winning a consecutive championship.
Stafford was limited to a mere nine games in which he threw for 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Kupp was also limited to nine games causing his reception yards to plummet by over 1,100 yards and dropping his touchdown total to fall from 16 to six.
Meanwhile, Donald played the fewest games of his career (11) and saw his five-year streak of eclipsing double-digit sacks on the season be broken, as he only managed five while active.
A healthy season from the veterans could elevate the Rams roster back into contenders, especially if their rookies perform well and rejuvenate the energy of captains such as Stafford into performing back at the top of their respective games.
Although the Super Bowl expectations that fans carried into 2022 aren’t as prominent entering 2023 following a disappointing case of Super Bowl hangover coupled with injuries, under the mentorship of L.A. veterans such as Stafford, the team could get back into the playoffs as soon as this season if everyone can remain healthy.
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