HBO ‘Hard Knocks’ 2016: Best Rams Storylines, Moments, Reaction for Episode 2
Tuesday’s episode of Hard Knocks featured the first preseason game in Los Angles since the 1994 season, a player who didn’t believe in dinosaurs and robot-like machines that played football.
In other words, it was just another week of training camp for the Los Angeles Rams.
The episode started with open practice in front of the Los Angeles fans, and the players noticed they weren’t in St. Louis anymore with an impressive turnout. Head coach Jeff Fisher praised his team’s play in the scrimmage in clear preparation for that first preseason contest of the year.
While the showdown with the Dallas Cowboys was heavily featured, viewers first got to know defensive end William Hayes in one of the entertaining segments of the episode.
He apparently believes mermaids exist, and Fisher even said Hayes was excited to move to Los Angeles because he would be closer to them on the West Coast. As if the mermaid belief wasn’t enough, Hayes apparently believes dinosaurs never existed, as the NFL shared:
New England Patriots defensive end (and former St. Louis Ram) Chris Long weighed in on Hayes’ dinosaur beliefs:
The dinosaur reveal wasn’t the only lighthearted moment during Hard Knocks‘ second episode of the season. It showed various players cruising around UC Irvine’s campus in various vehicles, such as golf carts and bicycles. It wasn’t all smooth sailing, though, as NFL Films shared:
Back on the field, defensive lineman Ian Seau was profiled as a rookie with high upside. He is Junior Seau’s nephew and appeared to have some of the same defensive instincts and speed off the edge that his Hall of Fame uncle did.
Seau may have talent, but he didn’t turn as many heads as the remote-controlled robots that emulated players on the practice field. The players enjoyed themselves using them to scare their teammates (including wide receiver Tavon Austin). NFL Films showed the machines in action:
After playing with and against the robots, the players embraced their inner Olympians with some training in the pool. Andrew Siciliano of NFL Network said: “Hayes doesn’t believe in dinosaurs, but he believes in speedos. That’s a problem.”
The limited clothing was not confined to the pool, as center Eric Kush and guard Rodger Saffold embraced “fat arm Friday,” as NFL Films passed along:
All the entertaining moments of the episode led up to the Rams’ first preseason game in front of their new home fans on Saturday against the Dallas Cowboys.
While the Rams thrilled a crowd of 89,140, per the Associated Press, with a 28-24 victory, it wasn’t exactly a warm welcome back to Southern California when Lucky Whitehead ran the opening kickoff back 101 yards for a Dallas touchdown.
Notable names such as Tony Romo, Ezekiel Elliott and Todd Gurley didn’t play, but Dak Prescott impressed for Dallas with 139 passing yards, 13 rushing yards and two touchdown tosses. He led the Cowboys to a quick 14-0 lead.
No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff came off the bench behind Case Keenum and struggled to find consistency under center. He finished 4-of-9 for 38 yards and an interception, and the Associated Press said he didn’t return in the second half because of a stiff shoulder.
Fortunately for the Rams, third-stringer Sean Mannion made up for Goff’s struggles by throwing three touchdowns in the second half and leading the home team to the comeback victory.
The defense did its part as well with a shutout in the second half, and Seau even notched a sack during the win.
Wide receiver Nelson Spruce also turned in a solid performance with a game-high 51 receiving yards and a touchdown catch. The team noticed his outing on Twitter:
If the Rams can parlay that win into regular-season success, the 2016 campaign will be known for more than just their first back in Los Angeles.
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