The Los Angeles Rams took the team to Oxnard, CA, for the first of two joint practices this preseason. For the Rams, these sessions are vastly important, as they are the only time head coach Sean McVay releases the reins and allows his team to compete aggressively (although tackling is a slightly more aggressive version of the thud tackling done at training camp).
While the teams ran vanilla versions of their schemes, this offered the first glimpses into what the 2025 Rams will be.
Here are my takeaways from the Rams — Cowboys joint practice:
Rams — Cowboys Joint Practice Takeaways
Jared Verse, Edge
No one was more excited to take on someone in pads than Jared Verse was, and it showed. He also had the benefit of going up against Cowboys backup tackle Nate Thomas. But he had a productive day and flashed in run defense as well.
I made a gentleman’s bet among a few Rams beat reporters of how long it would take before Verse caused a fracas, with the subtext of when, not if. While the practice continued without a major event derailing. Verse was his normal, chippy self, which rubbed some of the Cowboys the wrong way. There were two incidents involving pushing and shoving with Verse at the center of it. But cooler heads prevailed.
Run Defense Looking (Mostly) Improved
The Rams’ run defense was what stopped them in their tracks in the playoffs. Adding Poona Ford looks to have already paid off. Interior runs were going nowhere fast. But on several plays the Cowboys offense was able to get to the edge faster than the Rams linebackers, creating a few explosive run plays.
It should be pointed out that presumptive starting LB, Nate Landman, was on the sideline in street clothes, while Troy Reeder took his place.
The Grain of Salt: The Cowboys’ running back room is far from an elite unit. Earlier this year, Pro Football Focus ranked them as the worst in the NFL.
Starting Defensive Backs Shine, Backups Get Lots Of Reps
Kam Curl and Emmanuel Forbes were also in street clothes, which meant an increased rep shares for Cobie Durant and Jaylen McCollough.
Several starters came up with big plays. Darious Williams deflected two intermediate out routes. Kam Kinchens and Quentin Lake delivered two of the day’s standout moments.
Kinchens set the tone with a highlight-reel hit on Jalen Tolbert, closing fast after a bubble screen and flattening the Cowboys receiver in the flat.
Lake’s effort might have topped it. Tracking George Pickens to the back of the end zone, he matched the receiver stride for stride before perfectly timing his leap to snatch the ball away. Touchdown? Not even close. Whether Lake managed to get both feet in bounds is debatable, but the play itself — pure anticipation, athleticism, and finish — was undeniable. Lake is in the final year of his rookie deal an has now collected 4 turnovers this preseason.
Ahkello Witherspoon was often given the difficult task of covering CeeDee Lamb, who often got the better of the veteran.