IRVINE, CA — Rams wide receivers had an incredible day in front of a packed field full of fans on a very bright and warm Saturday afternoon on the campus of UC Irvine. Having a quarterback of Matthew Stafford under center is set to produce dividends for the Rams, not only due to the talent and the strength of his arm or the high football IQ to lead the team towards their goal of a Super Bowl title. Another main reason besides the defense is the depth at wide receiver featuring the talents of Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, Van Jefferson and DeSean Jackson.
Woods and Jackson are bound not only as teammates but growing up in the same city, miles apart that launched their respective football careers. Woods attended Serra High School and later USC, and Jackson attended Long Beach Poly High School and later Cal-Berkley. Both players weren’t drafted to their home teams due in large part to Southern California losing the Rams and Raiders in 1994. Amazing how things come full circle as Woods was traded from the Buffalo Bills to the Rams after the 2016 season, and Jackson signed with the Rams earlier this year.
Ironically these two were connected in their high school days as far as being on their respective radar through Woods’ cousin.
“My cousin, Alex Watson, played receiver with him at Long Beach Poly,” Woods explained. “I was probably in middle school going up to Long Beach (Vets) Stadium watching the DeSean Jackson. So, met him then. Always watched him on YouTube – all his Cal highlights – watching him with the Eagles and then just him being from L.A. I always followed him in the league. Then him coming to this team it’s kind of like a big brother, little brother experience just from watching him from high school and being able to play with him here.”
“We both come from Los Angeles area, inner city – played familiar, Pop Warner ball, high school, college – he stayed here, I went to Cal,” Jackson said. “So, yeah I’ve definitely been keeping my eye on him for a long time. He has been doing a great job representing Los Angeles. It’s a brotherhood coming from the inner city of Los Angeles and obviously playing for – growing up, we didn’t really have a team for the Rams to be back in Los Angeles is great.”
The expectations for this 2021 Rams team are higher than California sales tax. The impact of having not only a having three wide receivers on a squad that is destine to fly around the ball this season, but adding a fourth in Jackson that has the experience and leadership components to balance out the core and aid them to higher heights.
“His leadership, him being able to come out here and stretch our offense, stretch it vertical and even teach our young guys, even myself, just some of his things, his skills and just picking his brain on how to be a vertical threat.”
When one thinks of this type of brotherly connect, you can hear the Kanye West song “Big Brother” blasting in the background. What better way to cap off a season by playing for the prestigious Super Bowl title in your own home stadium in your own town.
