The Los Angeles Rams will conduct their first practice of their 2019 training camp Saturday at UC Irvine with 17 of 22 starters returning from last year’s team, which reached Super Bowl LIII.
“I think the thing we’re most excited about is just getting back out on the field with our players,” coach Sean McVay said. “Seeing these guys around gives you an energy and an enthusiasm and you remember why you love coaching so much.”
The Rams announced on Friday that they had extended the contracts of McVay and general manager Les Snead through the 2023 season. Terms of the deals were not disclosed.
McVay has coached the Rams to NFC West titles in both of his seasons as coach and a 24-8 regular-season record.
Snead has been general manager since 2012.
The practice will be the first of seven open to the public. Fans seeking to attend and receive giveaways must register for free tickets at therams.com/training camp or on the Rams mobile app.
The practice will begin at 4 p.m. with gates to the field opening at 2:30 p.m.
A fan activation zone will open two hours before each practice open to the public. It will include a stage with entertainment, cheerleader performances, interviews, opportunities to take pictures and get autographs from former Ram player.
The NFC Championship Trophy will be on display. There will be a virtual reality showing of the new stadium in Inglewood the Rams are set to begin play at in 2020.
A Kid’s Zone will feature inflatables, a vertical jump station, plinko, face painting, balloon animals and a 50-yard football field.
A “Kickoff Festival” will be held at Saturday’s practice. Snead and chief operating officer Kevin Demoff will make remarks, the Rams cheerleaders will perform and there will be a guest disc jockey from KPWR-FM (105.9).
Defensive linemen will sign autographs following practice. Fans will receive schedule magnets while supplies last.
Sunday’s practice will be Vamos Rams Day, celebrating the Latino culture of the Los Angeles region. McVay will speak to fans, there will be performances by the Peruvian-inspired band La Chamba and Rams cheerleaders. Quarterbacks and tight ends will sign autographs after practice.
Fans will receive a Rams knit scarf giveaway while supplies last.
The other practices open to the public will be held July 29-30 and Aug. 2-4. The Aug. 3 practice will be a joint practice with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Practices through July 30 are set to begin at 4 p.m. The Aug. 2-4 practices are scheduled to start at 2 p.m.
Parking will be available in the Mesa Parking Structure, next to the Bren Events Center. Fans are encouraged to purchase parking passes in advance for the discounted rate of $13 per vehicle at parking.uci.edu/rams.
Parking purchased in-person on the day of practice is $16.
Vehicles with handicapped placards or license plates will be directed to designed reserved parking areas.
Fans may bring the following items to practice — hats, jackets, rain gear, sunglasses, sunscreen, binoculars, umbrellas, and strollers.
The following items will not be permitted at training camp — outside alcohol, outside food and beverage, coolers, glass containers, noise makers, loud radios, large signs or inappropriate attire.
Pets are not allowed, although service animals are permitted.
No weapons of any kind will be allowed, even in the case of people with concealed carry handgun permits.
Fans may bring cameras. Flash photography is not allowed. Video cameras are prohibited.
The Rams and Chargers will also conduct a joint practice Aug. 1 at the Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa. Fans may register for free tickets at chargers.com/camp or in person at the entrance to the complex. It is set to begin at 10 a.m.
The Rams training camp roster includes 33 new players — five veterans signed as free agents, eight draft choices and 20 undrafted rookies.
The Rams return nine of 11 starters on offense. Offensive linemen Brian Allen and Joe Noteboom are the new projected starters.
Guard Rodger Saffold signed with the Tennessee Titans after starting at least nine games for the Rams in all but one season since 2010.
The Rams declined the option on center John Sullivan’s contract making him an unrestricted free agent after being the starter the previous two seasons.
The Rams return eight of 11 starters on defense, adding linebacker Clay Matthews and safety Eric Weddle as free agents. They have made 12 Pro Bowl appearances in their 22 NFL seasons.
The Rams did not offer defensive end Ndamukong Suh a new contract after he started all 16 regular-season games in 2018.
Free safety Lamarcus Joyner signed with the Oakland Raiders after starting 27 of 32 games the past two seasons. Linebacker Mark Barron was released after starting at least 12 games each of the past four seasons.
“We feel good about who we have and where we are at,” quarterback Jared Goff said. “I think every year is different, every team is different, but we know we have a good group and a chance to do good things.”
>> Want to read more stories like this? Get our Free Daily Newsletters Here!
Follow us:
