THOUSAND OAKS — Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey first spoke about himself after being asked if there’s more urgency this week after the team dropped to a disappointing 3-4 record. That’s when Ramsey, the team captain, realized he can speak for the team.
“There’s always urgency with me,” Ramsey said. “I don’t like losing. We lose, there’s always urgency for me. … I’m never at like 50 percent, like I’m always at 100. That’s how I always feel. So, I hope I’m able to lead the other guys and they feel the same way. I hope the team has the same mindset, too.”
The Rams don’t want Ramsey to change how he leads even after the TV cameras caught him having an animated discussion on the sideline with rookie cornerback Derion Kendrick during last week’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Ramsey doesn’t mind if outsiders call it arguing because that’s what it looked like. For him, it was a passionate brainstorming session to make in-game corrections after the defense allowed a big play on the field.
Kendrick felt comfortable enough as a first-year player to match the star cornerback’s energy while also taking it as a learning lesson. Those are examples of why Ramsey’s leadership style works and why he was voted by his teammates as one of six team captains.
“It depends on how you’re wired,” Kendrick said of Ramsey’s straightforward leadership. “That’s what I’m used to, getting things across, instead of just hiding things. That’s really what makes it worse.”
Ramsey is a fiery competitor, and he has admitted that his emotions can get the best of him at times on the field, but that passion also leads to constant urgency and that’s what the Rams might need to turn their season around, beginning Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“Everybody leads in their different ways,” Ramsey said. “I never came into this building and be a fake and been somebody else, not be who I am. So, they voted me a team captain because of who I am, so I stay true to that. I don’t come in here and try to be somebody I’m not. Sometimes I get angry and I’m going to show it, and sometimes I’m going to snap and I’m going to show it, and showing love.”
LOOMING RB DECISIONS
Rams coach Sean McVay said he hasn’t decided whether running backs Cam Akers and Kyren Williams will play Sunday against the Buccaneers.
McVay wants to make sure they’re physically ready after the two running backs had lengthy periods away from the field for very different reasons.
Akers returned to practice Thursday, three weeks after being sent home for “in-house” reasons that McVay has kept private. The team failed to trade Akers before the NFL trade deadline and the two sides agreed to attempt to make it work for the remainder of the season.
“We felt like the best thing moving forward was to be able to try to get him back here, get him going,” McVay said. “We’re a better team when he ends up being the guy that we know. Felt good about our discussion.
“Sometimes you gotta be able to work through things and have good conversations. We want to be able to keep that stuff in-house, but ultimately, the most important thing for us is he’s back. He had a good day of work yesterday, has a good look in his eye and it’s good to be able to have Cam back here with us.”
Williams, the Rams’ fifth-round selection this year, was designated for return from injured reserve last week and has missed the past six games because of an ankle injury. The Rams still have another week in their 21-day deadline to decide whether to place Williams on the active 53-man roster.
Another deciding factor in Akers and Williams playing is how McVay wants to set his game-day lineup with the running backs. The Rams already have Darrell Henderson, Malcolm Brown and Ronnie Rivers on the active roster.
Related Articles
Rams RB Cam Akers given second chance, back at practice
RB Cam Akers speaks with Rams about possible return to team
Rams coach Sean McVay remembers his grandfather, former 49ers GM John McVay
Kenny Washington’s 92-yard run is only part of his legacy
Rams review: Cooper Kupp expected to play Sunday, despite ankle swelling
Initially, the team had high hopes for a running back trio of Henderson, Akers and Williams, but the Rams have failed to find consistency with their rushing attack this season. The Rams are averaging 68.4 rushing yards per game, the second-worst mark in the NFL, but above the Buccaneers, who are averaging 61.9.
“Really, just seeing how he feels physically, and just looking at the ability to digest everything,” McVay said of Akers.
KUPP SET TO PLAY
Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp will play against the Buccaneers, according to McVay.
The All-Pro wideout has been dealing with a swollen right ankle, an injury Kupp sustained during the final plays of last week’s loss against the 49ers.
Wide receiver Van Jefferson (knee) and center Brian Allen (knee) were listed as “questionable” on the final injury report, but McVay said he expects both players to play Sunday.
Jake Hummel, a linebacker and special teams contributor, was ruled out for Sunday because of a hip injury.