Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Von Miller spent Monday in an emotional swoon after being traded by the Denver Broncos. He moved into the memorabilia-filled basement of his Colorado home and contemplated his departure from the only NFL team he had ever known.
By the time Miller boarded a plane to the West Coast on Tuesday, the running star had dry eyes and a clear vision of the future.
I slept 4-4 and woke up 7-1,” said Miller with a grin.
Miller attended his first workout with the Los Angeles Rams on Wednesday, the blue marks on his bone-colored No. 40 jersey peeling off because of his haste.
Miller is already familiar with Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey from Pro Bowls and off-season gatherings. He feels his overall comfort level rising by the hour as he embraces the opportunity given to him when the Broncos send out the face of their franchise for two high draft picks.
The Rams were already a Super Bowl contender, and this former Super Bowl MVP is looking forward to traveling with him.
I’ve worn blue and orange forever,[so]everything looks weird, but it feels so right,” Miller said. “It feels right to be here. Seems like the right thing to do to me. (No.) 40 sounds weird, but it feels right. Being here with all these people, it really is a dream come true, man. (Denver) definitely did me right by sending me to such a great franchise with a great team.
Miller and Donald are two of the greatest pass rushers of their generation, and they will team up for at least the rest of this season in partnership with the ability to reconfigure NFC races. While the Rams statistically step back after fielding the league’s best defense last season, sending Miller after quarterbacks with Donald and Leonard Floyd adds new dimensions to a unit that already leads the NFL with 25 sacks. does.
I feel like it liberates us all, Miller said. They’ll try to figure out creative ways to triple-team and double-team, but it might not be as effective. We have great coaches. We have great people playing on this team, and we’ve been able to figure that out. … you hear the stories of Fearsome Foursome, you hear the stories of this legendary defense, and we want to recreate it. He has been playing great defense throughout the year. I just want to add a few things that I do best.
Miller is likely to ease into practice this week after missing last weekend’s Broncos game due to an ankle injury. Although he has had some issues, he intends to play against AFC-leading Tennessee (6-2) at Sophie Stadium on Sunday night.
Miller still hasn’t seen the Rams’ palatial new home as he didn’t travel while he was injured in the Broncos’ game against the Chargers last season.
I’ve heard stories about how incredible it is, and how the Super Bowl will be this year, Miller said. Hopefully we’ll be playing there.
The rest of the Rams already felt the Super Bowl was an approachable goal for their current core, but Miller’s arrival underscored the urgency of this season. Miller will be an unrestricted free agent next spring, although the Rams have already spoken with their representation about the possibility of a longer stay in LA.
Matthew Stafford, the other major star who left his longtime NFL home for the Rams via a blockbuster trade this year, welcomed Miller to sunny Southern California.
I’ve been a fan of Von Miller for a long time, Stafford said. He’s a big-time player in this league, and joining him in a defense that already has a bunch of playmakers is likely to be something real special. …we’ll do everything we can to pull him in as soon as possible, and I know he’ll be of great value to us once he’s out there.
Notes: Stafford was among several rams who did not participate in a short, light exercise on Wednesday. The quarterback has a stiff back but says he will play on Sunday. … WR Robert Woods sat out with a leg injury, and WR Cooper Kupp sat outside to rest. Coach Sean McVay expects the two to play. … LT Andrew Whitworth also rested, and his availability is not certain after missing last week’s game.
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