Lasting Impressions! Desjuan Johnson leaves his mark at LMU
By Kenneth Miller, Publisher
Rams fan enjoy the last practice of training camp at LMU on August 3. (KENNETH MILLER/PHOTO)
Just hours after closing their first training camp chapter at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, the Rams fans, the administrators and LMU in general left such a lasting impression that will make any future destination difficult to beat.
“Loyola Marymount was excellent and we hope we will be back next year. We will be moving to Woodland Hills, but not quite yet. In the meantime I will probably go back to Cal Lutheran, with no window at all and I am going to love every second of it,” said Rams head coach Sean McVay following the practice. He credited the Rams support staff for doing an amazing job to make sure the players have everything they need to get ready for the upcoming NFL season.
The accommodations of college dorms in a quiet atmosphere that also brought with it pristine weather conditions as a slight ocean breeze offered simmering optimism although a rash of injuries clouded preseason.
On the playing field there was enough star power in quarterback Matthew Stafford ironing out a few wrinkles and testing hands of players who were barely in middle school when he began a career that hopefully has one more Super Bowl in it.
One of those youngins, defensive end Desjuan Johnson brought the ominous distinction of 2023 Mr. Irrelevant into his second camp, the first without first ballot Hall of Famer Aaron Donald who has since retired.
During one of scrimmage sets, Johnson picked off a pass that brought the packed house to its feet at Sullivan Field.
Rams Head Coach Sean McVay (KENNETH MILLER/PHOTO)
“It was a great play by Des. We ended up having a simulated pressure, he was looping for contain right there, tips it up and ends up kinda bobbling about 15 times towards the other end zone, but it’s a great play. I think he’s done a great job. (Defensive Line/Run Game Coordinator) Giff Smith and (Assistant Defensive Line Coach) AC Carter, excellent coaches that have really help Des tale some steps in the right direction, he’s always been a guy who’s had some twitch and upper body explosiveness and I think he’s starting to understand how to be a complete player in both the run and when we get into some of those opportunities to rush the passer. I’ve been pleased with Des.,” McVay explained to South Bay Black Journal.
At presstime Johnson sat third on the Rams depth chart, but with plays like the one he made during the conclusion of the two week LMU Training Camp, he would become quite relevant on the defensive line that lasting impression will go a long way towards his future.
The Rams are one of four NFL teams that host training camps in Southern California with the New Orleans Saints at the University of Irvine, the Las Vegas Raiders at the Chargers old stomping grounds in Costa Mesa and the Chargers at their new location in El Segundo.
HAPPY TRAILS– Rams say goodbye to LMU, for now. (KENNETH MILLER/PHOTO)
McVay’s outfit had no room for rest, as the following days would feature joint practices with the Chargers and Saints.
For now, anything except Woodland Hills where the turf has already been completed and the temperatures are well above 100, is a breeze before the team host the Dallas Cowboys at SoFi Stadium in the preseason opener August 11.
