Countdown to Camp #5: The Sean McVay Era

Countdown to Camp #4: Mouths to feed

Countdown to Camp #3: Defensive dominance

Countdown to Camp #2: Jared Goff’s time to shine

TST’s own Brandon Bate in late March:

It remains to be seen whether or not these offseason moves will ultimately pan out. If you’re a long-time Rams’ fan, then you’re certainly accustomed to big-named players hopping aboard only to fizzle out when it mattered most. ... Regardless, the moves the Rams have made aren’t a mere attempt to “move the needle”, or to maintain their current status as NFC West Champions. These moves are being made in an effort to hoist the Lombardi in early 2019. With all 16 games left to be played this season, Rams’ fans can rest assured that this regime is not like that from years prior. Winning is of the utmost importance. And 2018 isn’t being viewed as a season to improve — but as a year to capitalize.

And the Professor “go rams” in mid-May:

The Rams can’t sit on their remarkable turnaround from last year. The offseason moves are proof positive that the team is in Super Bowl or bust mode. Last year, McVay’s job was to convince a young team that they could win games. This year, he has to get them through a year that they know they should win games. I’m obviously excited for 2018 and I’m ready for some Rams football. It’s time. Angelenos have been waiting for an NFL Championship since 1951. We’re ready.

The Los Angeles Rams head into training camp starting today with higher expectations than at any time in more than a decade. This is the first camp to be held under the awareness that the Rams are legitimate postseason contenders.

This is going to be different. And challenging.

But it’s the kind of challenge you want.

This is not the challenge of trying to get fans, media, players and coaches to believe. We don’t need to believe. We already know. But the knowledge, the awareness, the reality of the quality of this team only matters insofar as Head Coach Sean McVay, the rest of the coaching staff and the roster are able to put it into existence on the football field. That effort begins today. And it begins with the knowledge that this season won’t be determined by regular season achievements. This season will be defined by the Rams’ performance in January.

January starts now.