The Los Angeles Rams loaded up on experience on the defensive line and in the secondary with a series of audacious offseason acquisitions through trades and free-agent signings.

At linebacker http://www.dallascowboysteamonline.com/zack-martin-jersey , however, the Rams are trending in the opposite direction.

The youth movement becomes even more evident during offseason practices.

Third-year linebacker Cory Littleton is calling plays for the first time after moving inside. Second-year outside linebacker Samson Ebukam was paired with rookie defensive end Justin Lawler to form the main pass rush tandem during a team period Tuesday, with rookies Trevon Young, John Franklin-Myers and Brian Womac seeing significant action behind them.

It is a trade-off that seems to be working for head coach Sean McVay.

"We've really put them in some tough situations with how we've practiced, so it requires a lot of thinking on the move, some of the adjustments and things, especially just based on what the offense is presenting And I think they have handled it well, and I think we'll have a better feel towards the end of the offseason program and them going into training camp," McVay said.

The Rams traded inside linebacker Alec Ogletree and edge rusher Robert Quinn during the offseason, and outside linebacker Connor Barwin remains a free agent. Ogletree led the team in tackles last season, and Quinn and Barwin combined for 13.5 of the Rams' 48 sacks.

In the hopes of filling some of those gaps Steven Stamkos Jersey , the Rams used four of their 11 picks on linebackers to add depth inside and outside. Special teams contributors Littleton and Bryce Hager will take on larger roles in the middle, and players from McVay's first draft class in 2017 such as Ebukam and Ejuan Price are being asked to further ramp up their development in pressuring opposing quarterbacks.

That inexperience could be what limits the potential for a defense that added defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh and cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters, but Littleton expects the linebackers to respond to the challenge.

"We're all still developing, but by the time the season comes I feel we'll all be ready and we can all show that we have more to offer than people might think," said Littleton, who is getting the first chance to replace Ogletree in the middle.

Suh is emphasizing the little details to his youthful teammates, but understand that they take time to be refined.

"As a young guy, I remember you're like a chicken with your head cut off," Suh said. "Just try and take the basic things, and then elaborate on them each and every day."

Fellow veteran lineman Michael Brockers is stressing relentless effort on every play. Suh puts a priority on communication.

For Littleton, the challenge to communicate is literal. He has never had to relay defensive signals before Jeff Carter Jersey , and Littleton acknowledged that requirement of his new position is at odds with his reserved nature.

"I'm not the most vocal person, but I do my best," Littleton said. "Speak a little louder, hope everyone can hear me."

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An 0-4 start put the Los Angeles Chargers in a hole too deep to escape last season.

Coach Anthony Lynn wants his new team to spend September building instead of digging.

The first few weeks of this season are particularly important to Lynn and the Chargers, a popular pick to win the AFC West and to earn their franchise's second postseason appearance since 2009.

The Bolts went 9-3 after their dismal start to their relocation season, but it wasn't enough to make the playoffs. Lynn seems confident his veteran players learned the importance of early season urgency from last year's setbacks.

"We'll see how we start, but hopefully we start faster than we did last year," Lynn said Monday after the Chargers began preparations for Sunday's home opener against Kansas City.

The Chargers weren't exactly terrible to begin last season: Three of those four losses were by seven total points, and the Chargers were undone twice by missed field goals in the final seconds. But they didn't match the level of play they hit frequently later in the year , when the NFL's top passing offense and an aggressive defense combined to turn the Bolts into one of the NFL's best teams.

"You can't take wins and losses from last season," Lynn said. "I wish you could Authentic Kevin White Jersey , but you can't. But you can certainly bring the culture over, and I like the attitude of the players."

The Chargers also feel they've got a reliable kicker after last season's missteps. The team that cycled through four kickers last season is going with Caleb Sturgis, who was the champion Philadelphia Eagles' kicker at the start of last season before getting hurt and missing the bulk of the year.

The Chargers also appear to be getting healthy after several regulars were slowed by injuries during the preseason.

Defensive end Joey Bosa, receiver Tyrell Williams, rookie defensive tackle Justin Jones and cornerbacks Casey Hayward and Trevor Williams all participated in the Bolts' first practice of the week Monday. Bosa and Hayward, two of their most important defensive players, are expected to be ready to play Sunday.

"My only concern is a boxer needs so many sparring rounds before you go fight, and these guys have been out," Lynn said. "So getting them caught up and back in the fold is my only concern."

Tight end Antonio Gates was in the locker room after signing a one-year deal to return for his 16th season with the Chargers, but he won't return to practice until Wednesday. Lynn is waiting to evaluate the 38-year-old star's readiness before he determines Gates' role this weekend.

"I just want to see his conditioning," Lynn said. "I don't want to put him in a position where he goes out there and hurts himself Womens Joe Mixon Jersey , and that sets us back four or five weeks. I just don't see us doing that. But Antonio, he's a pro. He'll let me know how he feels at the end of the week and about how his pitch count can be, and we'll talk about it."

Kansas City will be a particular challenge right away for the Chargers, who were beaten soundly twice by the AFC West champions last year. Kansas City essentially sewed up the division with a 30-13 home victory over Los Angeles on Dec. 16 鈥?the Chargers' only loss in seven games to close the season.

Nearly every playmaker from last season's team is back, and they all remember how it felt to be playing catch-up all season long.

"We definitely want to get it going from the start this year, and not wait to get to where we need to go," running back Melvin Gordon said recently. "We've got to be ready."
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