They have been part of the Los Angeles Rams for only three months, and they have yet to play a game.
But as the team concluded a mandatory minicamp Wednesday, it is clear that defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh, new cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib, and receiver Brandin Cooks already have made an imprint on a team billed as a Super Bowl contender.
Teammates and coaches said each of the four made his presence felt — on the field and in the locker room — during offseason workouts, organized-team activities and the minicamp.
The star acquisitions on defense fit the independent mold that defensive coordinator Wade Phillips desires.
“I like personalities because they are independent enough to do things on their own, and they have shown they are independent enough to be great players, too. You don’t want a player who does everything you say. You want guys that have some initiative,” Phillips said.
Suh concurred.
“I like to follow rules but also improvise,” said Suh, a five-time Pro Bowl selection who has a reputation for sometimes engaging in overly aggressive play. “Finding ways, I call it ways to cheat within the system. And being successful. Understanding your total defense, where guys fit in.
“We all have one common goal, which is wanting to win and be successful. No matter how strong somebody’s personality is or not, it’s about as long as you have the same goal all meshing to where you want to be.”
Suh, 31, signed a one-year, $14 million contract with the Rams after earning nearly $60 million during three seasons with the Miami Dolphins.
“Ndamukong has so much power … he just holds guys off with one arm, those kinds of things, real easily,” Phillips said.
Suh has enjoyed learning from Phillips, whom he described as a “fun-loving grandfather” type with impressive knowledge and experience. Phillips has coached numerous Hall of Famers, including the late Reggie White. Suh does not miss opportunities to mine Phillips’ memory.
“Talking today just about Reggie White, some of the things that he did, some of the things that he sees that I can do potentially emulating him,” Suh said. “So I think there’s an opportunity to just continue to learn from the wealth of knowledge he has.”
Tackle Aaron Donald, the reigning NFL defensive player of the year, stayed away from workouts because of a contract dispute, preventing Rams coaches from assessing how Donald and Suh might work together.
Neither Phillips nor Suh said Donald’s absence would adversely affect the Rams or how the linemen meld.
“I don’t stay all night every night” worrying, Phillips deadpanned, adding: “It’s the business part of it. We feel like it will happen sooner or later — hopefully sooner.
“But he didn’t come till later last year and he did OK.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
