Last day to apply for L.A. Rams Community Improvement Project

Courtesy of the Los Angeles Rams

Courtesy of the Los Angeles Rams

Today is the final day for local non-profit organizations to apply for the Los Angeles Rams Community Improvement Project, which will fund the development of a selected proposal in June.

Members of the Rams organization will assist in the construction of the project, which has most often involved building playgrounds for schools, libraries, and children’s centers. Last year, the team refurbished a football field for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater St. Louis.

Rams RB Benny Cunningham announces return in Snapchat post

Benny Cunningham/Snapchat

Benny Cunningham/Snapchat

Benny Cunningham announced in a Snapchat post on Thursday that he will be returning to the Los Angeles Rams, allowing the franchise to maintain depth behind star tailback Todd Gurley.

Cunningham, who as a restricted free agent was tendered with a low-level qualifying offer, posted a picture of his contract, superimposed with the words “#LA LETS DO THIS.” (The image was first noted by @wynnde13 and posted by Turf Show Times.) By signing his tender, the 5-foot-10, 210-pound back will net himself $1.671 million.

Since going undrafted out of Middle Tennessee State in 2013, the Nashville native has rushed for 647 yards in the last three seasons and returned 73 kickoffs for 1,976 yards. He ranked fifth in the NFL in 2015 with 714 kick return yards. He took a visit with the New England Patriots in early March, but the Rams had already set up a locker for him when they moved into their temporary Oxnard practice facility this week.

While the Rams are set in the backfield with Gurley, the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year, the status of backup running back Tre Mason remains unclear. Mason is due to appear in court on April 11 after being arrested on misdemeanor driving and marijuana possession charges. Head coach Jeff Fisher said last month that he expects Mason to be present for the team’s offseason program, which begins April 18.

L.A. Rams to open preseason at Coliseum against Dallas Cowboys

Fans during cheer as the St. Louis Rams practice with the Dallas Cowboys at River Ridge Playing Fields in Oxnard, CA, Monday, August 17, 2015. (Hans Gutknecht/Staff)

Fans during cheer as the St. Louis Rams practice with the Dallas Cowboys at River Ridge Playing Fields in Oxnard, CA, Monday, August 17, 2015. (Hans Gutknecht/Staff)

The Los Angeles Rams will return to the Coliseum on August 13, and they’ll do it in front of a national audience.

The NFL released the preseason schedule on Thursday, and the Rams will start the slate with a primetime matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. The two teams will kick off at 5 p.m. PT on ESPN.

“We are excited to open the preseason on a national stage here in Los Angeles,” Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher said. “This is a historic year and we can’t wait to get in front of the fans for the first time at the Coliseum.”

Their Week 1 meeting will mark the first time the teams have played one another in the preseason since 2012. The Rams last hosted Dallas in California in 1983 in Anaheim.

 

The Rams will then host the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2 (Aug. 18-22), then take to the road against the Broncos and the Vikings. They will travel to Denver in Week 3 (Aug. 25-28) and to Minnesota in Week 4 (Sept. 1-2).

Dates for the regular-season schedule are expected to be released sometime in mid-April. In addition home and road games against NFC West rivals in the Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, and Seattle Seahawks, the Rams will visit the New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots, New York Jets, and Detroit Lions.

In their first season back in Los Angeles, the franchise will host the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Buffalo Bills, and Miami Dolphins. The Rams are also the designated home team in an Oct. 23 game against the New York Giants in London’s Twickenham Stadium.

 

Rams tight end Cory Harkey wins new truck at Lakers game

Cory Harkey’s multi-sport background paid off in a big way on Wednesday night.

The Los Angeles Rams tight end won a new Toyota Tacoma truck during halftime of the Lakers’ 91-81 loss to the Clippers at Staples Center, earning his prize through a skills challenge. Obviously, the 25-year-old had a bit of an edge over the rest of the field.

In addition to his 27 career receptions for 215 yards and three touchdowns, Harkey once starred at Chino Hills High in both football and basketball, averaging 16.8 points and 10.0 rebounds as a senior. He focused on one sport at UCLA, where he started 37 games as a blocking tight end.

The 6-foot-4, 259-pound Harkey is also the son of former major league pitcher Mike Harkey, who is currently the bullpen coach for the New York Yankees. The younger Harkey joined the Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2012, but signed a three-year contract last month worth up to $5.7 million, with $2.5 million guaranteed.

PHOTOS: L.A. Rams move into their Oxnard practice facility

L.A. Rams strength coach Rock Gullickson, left, talks with assistant strength coach J. Aggabao in the team’s new weight room at the Residence Inn in Oxnard, Monday, April 4, 2016. (Photo by Michael Owen Baker)

» The Rams have arrived in Oxnard, but plenty more moves lay ahead this summer.
» Offensive lineman Rodger Saffold said the relocation process was “bittersweet,” but also held “so much possibility.”