Rams answer lingering L.A. questions as move becomes ‘more and more real’

Ron Clements

Rams answer lingering L.A. questions as move becomes ‘more and more real’ image

Rams players are finally starting to get some answers about where they'll be over the next couple of years. 

The Rams held a team meeting Friday morning in the Los Angeles suburb of Manhattan Beach to provide updates on the team's move from St. Louis back to Los Angeles. 

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The team's executive vice president of football operations and COO Kevin Demoff, along with coach Jeff Fisher, informed the team they will hold organized team activities and minicamps at the Dallas Cowboys training camp facility in Oxnard, Calif.. The Rams are looking at "several different options" for a temporary/permanent facility in the Thousand Oaks area until the team's new stadium in Inglewood is completed in 2019. 

Once the Cowboys venture west for training camp, the Rams are considering UC-Irvine as a possible training camp site. 

"We discussed the logistics of this offseason," Fisher said during a Friday press conference. "The Cowboys have been very cooperative. 

"We've had a lot of extra things to do, but we're in good shape."

Fisher said owner Stan Kroenke wants to "do things right" with a focus on the players. Fisher also revealed Friday that cornerback Trumaine Johnson signed his one-year franchise tender. Fisher joked he would host potential free agents in Malibu. 

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Rams punter Johnny Hekker said Friday the move from St. Louis is “becoming more and more real.”

“We were able to get some good logistical information that's kind of been up in the air,” Hekker said. “We’re getting some clarity.”

Hekker said the Rams are “ready to leave their mark” on L.A., and the players are excited and antsy about knowing where they will be until their new Inglewood facility is ready.

"It's even better now that we're all on the same page and knowing what to expect as far as coming to OTAs and camp and going into the season," said Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, adding it will take some adjustment for a Pittsburgh guy who was living in the Midwest. "It's a little more relaxing."

What is disappointing for Donald is losing defensive team leaders Chris Long and James Laurinaitis, who were released last month along with tight end Jared Cook. Donald knows he'll have to be more of a vocal leader as the two-time Pro Bowler enters his third NFL season. 

The Rams will also enter 2016 with a new starting quarterback in Case Keenum, who took over for Nick Foles last year in Week 11.

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"I'm going to take advantage of it and put my best foot forward every day," said Keenum, who threw for 828 yards with four touchdowns and one interception in five starts last season. "I haven't been handed anything. Nothing's been handed to me. I've worked extremely hard for anything that comes my way.

"I want to be the leader this team needs me to be."

Some questions were answered Friday, but many remain for a team that hasn't made the playoffs since 2004.

Ron Clements