"You look at those guys and how they go about their business day in, day out — they approach it the same, they attack it the same. So you kind of feed off their energy of how to be a pro," Brown said. "Whenever we're out on the field, I go to Whit, he's able to give me different things — maybe fix this, kind of turn this a little smidge. He's able to give me things that he sees and that's helped him have success. And I think that's just all across the board for everybody."

"Jamon's a young, talented guy," Whitworth said this week. "He's going to be a good football player for this organization. Looking forward to watching him grow, too."

Being a center, communication is a significant part of Sullivan's job description. And according to Brown, the way Sullivan makes calls at the line has made him better.

"He's decisive," Brown said. "And that, I think, allows the people around him to be more confident and just be more confident in themselves. It's, 'OK, if I make a decision, I'm going to go with it.'"

The Rams' moves to improve their defense have had consequences for Brown, too. Playing right tackle, Brown often squares off with veteran outside linebacker Connor Barwin when he pass rushes.

"Going against Connor has been huge to me because he's such a pro. He's been doing it for a while," Brown said. "And he allows me to be able to work at thing that I'm going to have to do in the game — I'm going to need in the games. And there's no better look than a guy like that. I couldn't ask for anything more than that.

"And yeah, there's times where he gets the best of me. But, you know, I'm a competitor," Brown continued. "So I come right back and I'm not afraid to step back at the plate and get ready to take another swing."

It's a baseball metaphor, but it's the way Brown has gone about his entire NFL career so far. When he's had his opportunities, Brown doesn't often appear to make the same mistake twice. During the offseason program, McVay complimented Brown's willingness and ability to be coached. And so when Brown names what he'd like to improve about his game before the end of camp, there's a sense he'll be able to realize his goals.

"Just working hand in hand with my hands and my feet. Just making sure if I'm punching, I keep my feet moving. Or of my feet or moving, I've got to make sure I'm using my hands. So just kind of making sure they go together and I'm not doing one more than I'm doing the other," Brown said. "I think that's what will make me be really successful."