Been there. Done that.
Year two is about getting back to the basics of football, and specifically building a winning culture designed to end more than a decade of losing that predates their return to L.A. It begins with a new head coach in the 31-year-old Sean McVay, a new We Not Me philosophy, a rebuilt offensive line led by All-Pro veteran left tackle Andrew Whitworth and a retooled receiving corps led by Robert Woods.
And it's about developing the would-be face of the franchise in second-year quarterback Jared Goff, whose disappointing rookie season can be traced more to development and a lack of help around him as it did his own struggles.
And for the Rams, continuing that process begins in training camp, where the hope the foundation of change and the road back to respectability will be laid.
TOP THREE TRAINING CAMP GOALS
--Get Jared Goff up and running. The Rams traded six draft picks to the Tennessee Titans to move from the 15th spot to the top of the 2016 draft to get Goff, but their failure to adequately develop him or build reliable infrastructure around him resulted in a disastrous rookie season. They've changed coaching, culture and added offensive line upgrades and perimeter and downfield weapons to help him. His progress this year could set the tone for the Rams' future in Los Angeles. The lack of it could mean being back on the hunt for a quarterback next draft.
--Develop an offensive line. The Rams have been awful up front the last two years in spite of investing numerous high picks in the position. But they hope to have turned the corner by adding veteran Andrew Whitworth at left tackle, adding a productive, stabilizing force on the left side and allowing for some positional change across the line. With Rodger Saffold now entrenched at left guard, John Sullivan at center and Rob Havenstein and Jamon Brown flip flopping from tackle to guard and guard to tackle, respectfully, the Rams have a chance to make serious improvements up front.
--Fixing Todd Gurley. After rushing for more than 1,100 yards with 10 touchdowns as a rookie, Gurley found very little running room behind an offensive line that ranked among the worst in the league and minimal help from the passing game. A new coach, a better offensive line and presumably a better Jared Goff in the passing game could create more room for Gurley to operate in in 2017. And perhaps a much-needed rebound season.
PROJECTED CAMP DEPTH CHART
QUARTERBACKS: Starter - Jared Goff. Backups - Sean Mannion, Dan Orlovsky.
RUNNING BACKS: Starter -- Todd Gurley. Backups - Malcom Brown, Lance Dunbar, Aaron Green, FB Zach Laskey, FB Sam Rogers.
TIGHT ENDS: Starters - Tyler Higbee, Cory Harkey. Backups - Gerald Everett, Temarrick Hemingway, Tyler Wilson.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters -- Robert Woods, Tavon Austin, Cooper Kupp. Backups - Mike Thomas, Nelson Spruce, Josh Reynolds, Pharoh Cooper, Josh McRoberts, Bradley Marquez.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters - LT Andrew Whitworth, LG Rodger Saffold, C John Sullivan, RG Rob Havenstein, RT Jamon Brown. Backups - C Jake Eldrenkamp, T/G Andrew Donnal, G Cody Wichmann, Pace Murphy, T Darrell Williams.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters - DLE Ethan Westbrooks, DT Michael Brockers, DRE Aaron Donald. Backups - DT Dominique Easley, DE Matt Longacre, DT Tanzel Smart, Louis Trinca-Pasat.
LINEBACKERS: Starters - WLB Robert Quinn, ILB Alec Ogletree, ILB Mark Barron, SLB Connor Barwin. Backups - Carlos Thompson, Ejuan Price, Morgan Fox, Samson Ebukam, Josh Forrest, Bryce Hager, Nicholas Grigsby, Cory Littleton.
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters - LCB Trumaine Johnson, RCB E.J. Gaines, FS Maurice Alexander, SS Lamarcus Joyner. Backups - CB Kayvon Webster, CB Nickell Robey-Coleman, CB Marqui Christian, CB Isaiah Johnson, CB Troy Hill, CB Blake Countess, CB Michael Jordan, SS Cody Davis, SS John Johnson.
SPECIAL TEAMS: K Greg Zuerlein, P Johnny Hekker, LS Jake McQuaide, KOR Tavon Austin, PR Tavon Austin.
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