The Rams toughest opponent may be themselves iron sharpens iron

The most important football the Los Angeles Rams will play this summer won’t be in a joint scrimmage, televised preseason game, or their ‘Battle of LA’ against the Chargers at SoFi Stadium. It will happen on anonymous practice fields beneath the heavy Southern California sun, when Matthew Stafford breaks the huddle, steps to the line of scrimmage and begins scanning all of the elite talent his team now has on the other side of the ball. Where is two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year winner Myles Garrett lined up?Is All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie pressed outside?Where is two-time Super Bowl champion Jaylen Watson lurking?Stafford will ask himself these questions before the snap and decide if he can get the ball to All-Pro wide receivers Puka Nacua or Davante Adams before Garrett or others turns the pocket into rubble.  California's top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.Please provide a valid email.

By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Never miss a story “Luckily, I don’t have to block him,” Stafford joked when asked about facing Garrett in practice.That task belongs to the Rams offensive line that will spend the entirety of training camp trying to contain one of the best pass rushers in NFL history, oh and by the way, another one might come out of retirement and join him.There’s worse ways to prepare for Sundays. The Rams already had the top rated offense in the NFL last season.

Now, with Stafford coming off an MVP campaign and surrounded by Nacua, Adams, Kyren Williams, and a sturdy offensive front, Los Angeles will spend every single practice testing itself against a new-look defense built to pressure the quarterback and punish mistakes. Garrett is the headliner, but he’s hardly alone. McDuffie gives the secondary a shutdown corner capable of matching any elite wide receiver stride for stride.Watson brings experience a...