When training camp begins, teams don’t immediately put the pads on and go full speed. They ramp things up gradually, working their way back into a groove after having more than a month off since OTAs.
The Rams just wrapped up their first block of four practices at camp on Wednesday, all of them being padless practices. That will change soon, though. And Sean McVay can’t wait.
He’s looking forward to padded practices and ending the “pajama parties.”
“It was a good day. It’s a good first block,” McVay said after Wednesday’s practice. “It’ll be good to be able to put the pads on so no more pajama parties.”
The Rams have been doing 11-on-11 drills already but those look much different with pads on. They won’t be full-on tackling, of course, but defenders will be able to “thud” tackle ball carriers, linemen can be more physical, and defensive backs can play tighter to the receivers.
Puka Nacua is also looking forward to putting pads on, especially after taking a shot from Nate Landman on Wednesday.
“I think I’m still working it too,” Nacua said of whether he’s in the best shape. “We haven’t got pads on yet, so I think it’ll be interesting to see. I feel great right now, the body feels good. The excitement of just getting back into playing football, being around the guys, I think keeps this first block going. So I think the mental fortitude – we’ll see how well I can continue to take care of my body as we get the pads on. Landman hit me out there and I was like, ‘Yeah, you know, it’s the first time I’ve been hit in a while.’ It’s good to wake up the juices.”
McVay didn’t specify exactly when the Rams will put the pads on but it’s likely to be on Friday when they return after a day of on Thursday, kicking off the second block of four practices.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Sean McVay excited for Rams to put pads on: ‘No more pajama parties’
