NFL reader Q&A: Cooper Kupp's manufacturing, Chargers' defensive line, Rams program and a lot more

Have the Rams and Chargers done enough to fill depth roles and make improvements to their weak places? Will we see a repeat of Cooper Kupp’s MVP production? Issues have been flippantly edited for clarity and size.

Why do so a lot of gamers have a phenomenal history-breaking 12 months but then the following calendar year have a significantly less-than-stellar general performance? Is Cooper Kupp destined to be another stat or can he appear close to a further awesome yr?

Nimish Patel, Santa Monica

Gary Klein: The phrase “phenomenal” explains most of the motive. To do some thing extraordinary or outstanding is complicated. To do it much more than once …

But except he’s hurt, never count on Cooper Kupp to working experience a big drop in production.

He will almost undoubtedly remain quarterback Matthew Stafford’s beloved concentrate on. And the addition of proficient receiver Allen Robinson could possibly open some new avenues of possibility for Kupp.

Will Kupp once more lead the NFL in catches, yards getting and landing catches?

Hard to predict. No participant has ever completed that two many years in a row. If Kupp repeats, that would rank as phenomenal.

Do the Chargers finally have a decent inside defensive line? Each and every year we listen to that both via the draft or totally free company, they cured the difficulty. Did they finally get it right?

Tom Richards, Delray Seashore, Fla.

Jeff Miller: They appear a lot much better to open up this year, substantially further and with much more impactful players. But, you know how this goes, we’ll see when the games essentially get started. One particular factor to think about is Jerry Tillery’s status. Past calendar year, he played almost 74% of the defensive snaps, fourth most on the group. As long as everyone’s nutritious, Tillery possible will perform noticeably considerably less this 12 months mainly because of the improved depth. The genuine reply to this concern won’t be recognised right until the unavoidable injuries strike and the D-line is stressed a bit.

I believe that the reigning Super Bowl champions get the most difficult schedule. How will that effect the Rams’ chance to repeat?

Bob Oh, Sylmar

Klein: There is a reason no crew has repeated as Super Bowl champion given that the 2004 period, and the agenda the defending winner performs most likely is one of the variables.

But try to remember: Because of the NFL’s competitive stability, and the unpredictability of accidents and other difficulties, what looks tricky in the spring when the schedule comes out, and in September when the season begins, is not often how it plays out.

For illustration, previous period the Rams performed a late-time video game from the Baltimore Ravens. When the routine arrived out, that seemed like a tough matchup towards quarterback Lamar Jackson. But by the time the Rams performed at Baltimore, Jackson was sidelined for the reason that of an personal injury.

This period, the Rams have what appears to be to be a tricky NFC West matchup on the highway from the Arizona Cardinals. But Cardinals star receiver DeAndre Hopkins is suspended for the 1st 6 games, so he will not participate in in that match from the Rams.

The issue is, there are a lot of variables that will decide just how difficult the schedule really was. We will not know that till the close of the time.

What style of trade price would Bryce Perkins command? Or do you believe groups will simply call the bluff and wait around for a launch? With bodies in fact needed at other positions, carrying 3 QBs this year seems wasteful.

George Metalsky, Redondo Seaside

Klein: UPDATE: Perkins, for the second season in a row, created the first roster that was announced Tuesday.

Perkins’ résumé consists of preseason performances, so a different group is not probable to offer you anything but a late-round draft choose if they were being interested in introducing him to the roster.

The a lot more possible circumstance would have been to hold out for his release. But the Rams, for the 2nd 12 months in a row, did not want to danger exposing him to waivers. My perception is the Rams will inevitably transfer him to the exercise squad the place he can continue on to contend to possibly transfer forward of John Wolford.

And the Rams do the math just before they make these selections. It is not regarded as wasteful mainly because, with the capability to guard and move exercise squad players to the roster, teams are actually dealing with approximately 70 players, not 53.

Is the Chargers’ defensive depth improved? The next team looked overmatched versus the Saints.

George Morton, San Diego

Miller: The Chargers begun five and it's possible 6 fellas from New Orleans who will not be on the staff to open up the season. So there is that. There’s also the truth the Saints began the activity with several of their starters, together with quarterback Jameis Winston and managing back Alvin Kamara. The shorter remedy is, certainly, the Chargers’ defensive depth is a lot enhanced, particularly up front in which they experienced so a lot of concerns final time. They’re also substantially further in the middle.

There is a small turnaround in the initially two online games for the Chargers. How are they planning to regulate staying ready to compete in these critical video games?

George Morton, San Diego

Miller: The worst portion about the agenda for the Chargers is all those initially two video games are AFC West contests. The opener from the Raiders figures to be incredibly psychological following the teams’ 7 days 18 match very last yr in Las Vegas. Turning about to immediately perform the Chiefs in KC will be particularly tricky. They’ll start out restoration from the Raider activity right away after it finishes right before even leaving SoFi Stadium. The methods in concerning will be mostly at walkthrough rate. The NFL did not do the Chargers any favors to open the year.