— Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay took his team across the country in an effort to escape the typically mundane NFL training camp practice that’s all too commonplace in August.
He got exactly what he wanted Monday during a two-hour joint session with the Baltimore Ravens.
“It was a good first day Customized Pittsburgh Steelers Jerseys ,” McVay said. “Guys practiced smart, we were able to get a lot out of it.”
It was hot. It was humid. There was hard hitting.
And not a single scuffle.
“That was definitely the message,” McVay said. “We don’t need any of that, especially because some of the things that can happen injury-wise. We always talk about what the intent of practice is out here, and it’s to get better and go against another really good football team.”
The Rams and Ravens got all the benefits of competition, with less risk of injury because tackling was not allowed.
“I felt like the two teams cooperated very well,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “Quite a bit of physicality and just a good, strong football practice.”
The teams will do it again Tuesday, then take a break on Wednesday before getting together for a preseason game on Thursday night.
A joint practice provides a welcome relief for players who are tired of banging helmets or throwing passes against their teammates during the dog days of summer.
“It’s tough really, what to make of it, but I think it is a good test,” Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco said. “You get used to going up against your defense, seeing what they do every day Authentic Josh Sitton Jersey , so it’s good to see something else.”
McVay knew he was in for something different when he got his first glimpse of the Ravens recently expanded training facility.
“I love it. It’s really impressive,” he said. “You feel like you’re pulling up to a country club.”
Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti poured plenty of money into the complex, and he was on hand Monday to watch the practice. So was Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, who wore shorts but made the mistake of pairing that with a black shirt under a sizzling sun in 90 degree temperatures.
“It’s definitely sticky,” McVay said. “You feel the difference coming out here. We get spoiled in that California weather where there’s no humidity, but I think it’s great work for us. The fields are in great condition; today was a good day for us all.”
After both teams dressed, the Rams and Ravens warmed up on adjacent fields before pairing off — Rams offense vs. Ravens defense, Baltimore offense vs. Los Angeles defense.
Special teams got some work, too.
It was so comprehensive, that McVay may change the way he uses his personnel on Thursday night.
Asked if quarterback Jared Goff would see action, the coach replied, “There’s a good chance a handful of guys, if we feel like we get the work that we want Hayden Hurst Color Rush Jersey , will sit out on Thursday. That’s a big part of being able to get good work in here and kind of limit the risk of injuries.”
Defensive end Aaron Donald remained a no-show at camp, and McVay said there was no progress on the holdout.
“I don’t think anything is going to change with that in the near future,” McVay said. “I’ve had a little bit of dialogue with Aaron, and we’re hopeful to get something done. But things remain the same.”
Ravens guard Marshal Yanda, however, practiced for the first time since last September, going through individual drills over the first section of practice. He missed the last 14 games of the 2017 season with a fractured ankle and sat out the early part of training camp following shoulder surgery.
When the Detroit Pistons hired Stan Van Gundy in 2014, owner Tom Gores called it the most important decision his organization had made.
Van Gundy didn’t make it to the end of his five-year contract, and now the Pistons need a plan for a future without him. Multiple plans, perhaps.
Van Gundy’s ouster leaves Detroit with no coach and a leadership void in the front office. That’s what happens when a team entrusts one person with so much authority, then decides to move in a different direction. If healthy, the Pistons may have the talent to reach the playoffs next season, but the franchise’s long-term strategy is the more pressing question.
The team announced Monday that Van Gundy wouldn’t be back as coach or president of basketball operations. There was no news conference – just a release in which Detroit said it would begin the search for a new head of basketball operations and a new coach. Gores spoke highly of Van Gundy while saying the team needed a change to reach the next level.
”I have nothing but respect and love for Stan. I think he is a great coach and a great man Derwin James Youth Jersey , and his presence and leadership helped move this franchise forward,” Gores said. ”Although we did not get the success both of us wanted, his efforts and leadership have put the franchise in better shape today than when he came on board.”
The Pistons made the playoffs under Van Gundy in 2016, the first time they’d done that in seven years, but had a difficult time building on that. Gores took over as owner in 2011, and this is now his second big attempt to reshape the team’s future on the court. Here are a few things to watch:
TELLEM’S INFLUENCE
Former agent Arn Tellem, now a vice chairman with the Pistons, was brought in by Gores in 2015. He is credited with playing a major role in the team’s move back to downtown Detroit this past season. Tellem has worked on the business side of the organization while Van Gundy headed basketball operations, but Tellem certainly has enough experience with enough facets of the NBA that he could be someone for Gores to lean on during the transition.
SPLITTING RESPONSIBILITIES?
Gores said last month he still saw value in one person having coaching and front office authority, but the setup the Pistons had with Van Gundy is rare in the NBA. For example, Doc Rivers used to have dual roles with the Los Angeles Clippers, but last offseason, Lawrence Frank took over responsibility for basketball operations Joe Thomas Jersey , leaving Rivers to focus on coaching. Some of Van Gundy’s harshest critics have cited the team’s decisions in the draft and free agency, so Detroit may not be eager to give the next coach too much control over the front office.
THE ROSTER
After acquiring Blake Griffin in a blockbuster deal in late January, the Pistons still weren’t able to make the postseason. A December injury to point guard Reggie Jackson was a major culprit, and it’s easy to imagine the team improving if Griffin, Jackson and Andre Drummond are all in the lineup for a full season. The Pistons, however, took on a big contract with Griffin, and dealt a protected first-round pick to the Clippers in that trade. Barring another major deal, it may not be easy for them to upgrade the roster in the immediate future.
FAMILIAR NAME
With the Detroit front office in a state of flux, Chauncey Billups is the subject of some speculation. Billups, a popular member of the Pistons’ 2004 NBA title-winning team, had discussions with the Cleveland Cavaliers last offseason but did not join their front office. Perhaps there is a better fit for him in Detroit.
—
.
He got exactly what he wanted Monday during a two-hour joint session with the Baltimore Ravens.
“It was a good first day Customized Pittsburgh Steelers Jerseys ,” McVay said. “Guys practiced smart, we were able to get a lot out of it.”
It was hot. It was humid. There was hard hitting.
And not a single scuffle.
“That was definitely the message,” McVay said. “We don’t need any of that, especially because some of the things that can happen injury-wise. We always talk about what the intent of practice is out here, and it’s to get better and go against another really good football team.”
The Rams and Ravens got all the benefits of competition, with less risk of injury because tackling was not allowed.
“I felt like the two teams cooperated very well,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “Quite a bit of physicality and just a good, strong football practice.”
The teams will do it again Tuesday, then take a break on Wednesday before getting together for a preseason game on Thursday night.
A joint practice provides a welcome relief for players who are tired of banging helmets or throwing passes against their teammates during the dog days of summer.
“It’s tough really, what to make of it, but I think it is a good test,” Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco said. “You get used to going up against your defense, seeing what they do every day Authentic Josh Sitton Jersey , so it’s good to see something else.”
McVay knew he was in for something different when he got his first glimpse of the Ravens recently expanded training facility.
“I love it. It’s really impressive,” he said. “You feel like you’re pulling up to a country club.”
Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti poured plenty of money into the complex, and he was on hand Monday to watch the practice. So was Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, who wore shorts but made the mistake of pairing that with a black shirt under a sizzling sun in 90 degree temperatures.
“It’s definitely sticky,” McVay said. “You feel the difference coming out here. We get spoiled in that California weather where there’s no humidity, but I think it’s great work for us. The fields are in great condition; today was a good day for us all.”
After both teams dressed, the Rams and Ravens warmed up on adjacent fields before pairing off — Rams offense vs. Ravens defense, Baltimore offense vs. Los Angeles defense.
Special teams got some work, too.
It was so comprehensive, that McVay may change the way he uses his personnel on Thursday night.
Asked if quarterback Jared Goff would see action, the coach replied, “There’s a good chance a handful of guys, if we feel like we get the work that we want Hayden Hurst Color Rush Jersey , will sit out on Thursday. That’s a big part of being able to get good work in here and kind of limit the risk of injuries.”
Defensive end Aaron Donald remained a no-show at camp, and McVay said there was no progress on the holdout.
“I don’t think anything is going to change with that in the near future,” McVay said. “I’ve had a little bit of dialogue with Aaron, and we’re hopeful to get something done. But things remain the same.”
Ravens guard Marshal Yanda, however, practiced for the first time since last September, going through individual drills over the first section of practice. He missed the last 14 games of the 2017 season with a fractured ankle and sat out the early part of training camp following shoulder surgery.
When the Detroit Pistons hired Stan Van Gundy in 2014, owner Tom Gores called it the most important decision his organization had made.
Van Gundy didn’t make it to the end of his five-year contract, and now the Pistons need a plan for a future without him. Multiple plans, perhaps.
Van Gundy’s ouster leaves Detroit with no coach and a leadership void in the front office. That’s what happens when a team entrusts one person with so much authority, then decides to move in a different direction. If healthy, the Pistons may have the talent to reach the playoffs next season, but the franchise’s long-term strategy is the more pressing question.
The team announced Monday that Van Gundy wouldn’t be back as coach or president of basketball operations. There was no news conference – just a release in which Detroit said it would begin the search for a new head of basketball operations and a new coach. Gores spoke highly of Van Gundy while saying the team needed a change to reach the next level.
”I have nothing but respect and love for Stan. I think he is a great coach and a great man Derwin James Youth Jersey , and his presence and leadership helped move this franchise forward,” Gores said. ”Although we did not get the success both of us wanted, his efforts and leadership have put the franchise in better shape today than when he came on board.”
The Pistons made the playoffs under Van Gundy in 2016, the first time they’d done that in seven years, but had a difficult time building on that. Gores took over as owner in 2011, and this is now his second big attempt to reshape the team’s future on the court. Here are a few things to watch:
TELLEM’S INFLUENCE
Former agent Arn Tellem, now a vice chairman with the Pistons, was brought in by Gores in 2015. He is credited with playing a major role in the team’s move back to downtown Detroit this past season. Tellem has worked on the business side of the organization while Van Gundy headed basketball operations, but Tellem certainly has enough experience with enough facets of the NBA that he could be someone for Gores to lean on during the transition.
SPLITTING RESPONSIBILITIES?
Gores said last month he still saw value in one person having coaching and front office authority, but the setup the Pistons had with Van Gundy is rare in the NBA. For example, Doc Rivers used to have dual roles with the Los Angeles Clippers, but last offseason, Lawrence Frank took over responsibility for basketball operations Joe Thomas Jersey , leaving Rivers to focus on coaching. Some of Van Gundy’s harshest critics have cited the team’s decisions in the draft and free agency, so Detroit may not be eager to give the next coach too much control over the front office.
THE ROSTER
After acquiring Blake Griffin in a blockbuster deal in late January, the Pistons still weren’t able to make the postseason. A December injury to point guard Reggie Jackson was a major culprit, and it’s easy to imagine the team improving if Griffin, Jackson and Andre Drummond are all in the lineup for a full season. The Pistons, however, took on a big contract with Griffin, and dealt a protected first-round pick to the Clippers in that trade. Barring another major deal, it may not be easy for them to upgrade the roster in the immediate future.
FAMILIAR NAME
With the Detroit front office in a state of flux, Chauncey Billups is the subject of some speculation. Billups, a popular member of the Pistons’ 2004 NBA title-winning team, had discussions with the Cleveland Cavaliers last offseason but did not join their front office. Perhaps there is a better fit for him in Detroit.
—
.
