What Rams’ Jared Verse took away from grueling Aaron Donald workout
LOS ANGELES — After one day working out with Rams legend Aaron Donald, training camp hasn’t seemed so bad to Jared Verse.
“I’ll do these every day of the week, two times a day,” Verse said Thursday. “No doubt about it. That workout was psychotic, I’ll never do one like that again.”
Verse made the mistake of challenging Donald to a workout during a June podcast appearance, a challenge that Donald quickly responded to on social media, inviting the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year to his house for an “old man retirement workout.”
The second-year outside linebacker recounted that day to reporters after the Rams’ second training camp practice on Thursday. He arrived at Donald’s house with plans for the rest of his day – trip to the sauna, watch some film.
Donald did not say hello to Verse when he arrived outside of a simple fist bump before ushering him into the house. He told Verse to stretch however he needed to, then they started a four-round cardio circuit with a climber, stationary bike, lunges and core work, before doing another core-only circuit.
“You do all that for four sets, you go through it and he goes, ‘Alright, you ready for the real workout?’ ” Verse recalled. “I’m like, ‘Bro, I’ve been here for 45 minutes, what are you talking about?’ “
That’s when they went into Donald’s weight room and began an upper-body circuit. Before Verse knew it, an hour and a half had passed.
“His wife came in laughing at me. I told her to call the police,” Verse said, insisting it was true. “She wouldn’t do it. I tried to lie and say my mom was at my house, and I had to go let her in. He told me to give my keys to like his management or assistant or something, they would let my mom in. So I wasn’t leaving.”
Verse’s plans for after the workout were soon forgotten as he sat on a bench huffing for air while Donald continued doing pushups next to him.
The second-year pass rusher has talked openly since he was drafted about wanting to reach a certain level of greatness. After seeing what the future Hall of Famer Donald does even after his playing career, Verse came away with a better understanding of the mindset that it takes to finish games.
“Think of the fourth quarter,” Verse said of Donald’s message. “Like, everyone’s good in the first or the second, third. But what about the fourth? That’s where you make your money. He kept saying these things loud and proud, he was talking like me. … It was insane to see like that’s the level it takes to be in the discussion for best defensive player ever, best player ever. So to know that’s the level that I need to reach on a consecutive basis, that’s what I’m striving for now.”
Notes
WR Davante Adams, right tackle Rob Havenstein and tight end Tyler Higbee received planned veteran rest days on Thursday, with the expectation that they will all practice on Friday and Saturday before the team’s off day on Sunday.
Thursday was a good day for running backs behind Kyren Williams on the depth chart. Second-year player Blake Corum showed his shiftiness, using cuts to extend his runs, turning one into a touchdown from about 40 yards out. And rookie fourth-round pick Jarquez Hunter’s combine speed translated to the field during 11-on-11s, bouncing one run outside for a 20-yard gain.
Third-year quarterback Stetson Bennett IV continued a strong start to camp. He was decisive, getting the ball out of his hand quickly or taking off and running when no one was open.