2012-2016- The Fisher Era

Training Camp 2016: L.A. Rams name QB Case Keenum starter

Goff making passes at Rams training camp (Credit: AP)

Los Angeles Rams head coach Jeff Fisher made perhaps the most important personnel decision as the team entered its fourth and fifth day of camp. While most of the starters on offense, defense and special teams have been named, a few positions, including cornerback and wide receiver continue to have open competition. Here is what happened on day five of Rams’ training camp:

The starting quarterback battle appears to have been decided

Despite being picked No. 1 in the draft back in April, Fisher has made Jared Goff his second string quarterback, at least at this point through training camp. Fisher announced that Case Keenum is going to be the starting quarterback on August 4, albeit in a subtle tone. “[Keenum] made some really good throws. I mean some really good throws throughout practice. That’s what you expect of out your starter,” Fisher said. According to Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports, Goff is working with the second team exclusively heading into the fifth day of camp.

Jared Goff struggled at times in Day 5 of training camp

Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times noted on Day 5 of training camp that Goff was making mistakes when facing four defensive backs, nearly throwing several interceptions. Klein stated that the day after practicing with full pads , his workload intensity was not the same when practicing without pads.

Kenny Britt hopes to contribute more to the Rams at wide receiver this season

Sidelined with shoulder and knee surgeries this offseason, wide receiver Kenny Britt is hoping to be a significant part of the Rams offense. “He’s an instinctive, smart football player who doesn’t make mistakes,” Coach Fisher said of Britt. The Rams hope that Britt can improve on his 36 catches and three touchdown performance in 2015. The coaching staff has him paired up with Case Keenum, who on Day 5 threw five successful catches to Britt.

Mike Thomas takes advantage of Pharoh Cooper’s quad injury

Sixth round draft pick Mike Thomas is now taking most of the snaps with Pharoh Cooper being unable to participate in drills for a second consecutive day with an injury to his quadriceps. Thomas is really excited about the progress he has made over these past few months adjusting speed at an NFL level. “[I’m] just relaxing more, not really over-thinking things, just relaxing and calming down,” Thomas said. He also talked to the L.A. Times about being a little too eager to complete his routes. “Like on my first day back. … I was moving so fast that the ball was, like, shaking. I just told myself, ‘Yo, calm down, just be you’ and that’s what I think I’m doing good at.”

The battle for the second cornerback starting position continues

With Trumaine Johnson expected to be one of the starting cornerbacks, Lamarcus Joyner, E.J. Gaines, and free agent pickup Coty Sensabaugh are going to be battling for the other starting CB spot. Gary Klein of the L.A. Times believes that E.J gaines, who started 15 games at the position in 2014, has the inside track to win the starting job. Regardless, due to the Rams’ defensive schemes, all three players are expected to get some playing time. Gaines has been battling a foot injury, which may limit his playing time early this season.

Sources: Gary Klein, LA Times, Myles Simmons, Rams Insider, Ryan Wilson, CBSsports.com, Pro-football-Reference.com

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