AP

Von Miller lands with Rams after Broncos trade

Nov 3, 2021, 5:16 AM | Updated: 5:21 pm

Los Angeles Rams outside linebacker Von Miller fields questions after NFL football practice Wednesd...

Los Angeles Rams outside linebacker Von Miller fields questions after NFL football practice Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021, in Thousand Oaks, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)


              Los Angeles Rams outside linebacker Von Miller fields questions after NFL football practice Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021, in Thousand Oaks, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
            
              Los Angeles Rams outside linebacker Von Miller runs on the field during NFL football practice Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021, in Thousand Oaks, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
            
              Los Angeles Rams outside linebacker Von Miller runs drills during NFL football practice Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021, in Thousand Oaks, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
            
              Los Angeles Rams outside linebacker Von Miller (40) works with teammates during NFL football practice Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021, in Thousand Oaks, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
            
              Los Angeles Rams outside linebacker Von Miller, right, walks on the field with coach Sean McVay during NFL football practice Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021, in Thousand Oaks, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
            
              Los Angeles Rams outside linebacker Von Miller fields questions after NFL football practice Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021, in Thousand Oaks, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
            
              Los Angeles Rams outside linebacker Von Miller fields questions after NFL football practice Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021, in Thousand Oaks, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) — Von Miller spent Monday in a sentimental daze after the Denver Broncos traded him. He went down into the memorabilia-packed basement of his Colorado home and tearfully contemplated his departure from the only NFL team he had ever known.

By the time Miller boarded a plane Tuesday for the West Coast, the pass-rushing star’s eyes were dry — and his vision of the future was increasingly clear.

“I went to sleep 4-4 and woke up 7-1,” Miller said with a grin.

Miller participated in his first workout with the Los Angeles Rams on Wednesday, the blue numerals on his bone-colored No. 40 jersey peeling off because of their hasty adhesion.

Miller is already acquainted with Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey from Pro Bowls and offseason gatherings. He feels his overall comfort level rising by the hour as he embraces the opportunity given to him when the Broncos shipped out the face of their franchise for two high draft picks.

The Rams already were a Super Bowl contender, and this former Super Bowl MVP is eager to make the trip with them.

“I’ve been wearing blue and orange forever, (so) everything just looks weird, but it feels extremely right,” Miller said. “Feels right to be here. Feels like this is the right thing for me. (No.) 40 looks weird, but it feels right. Being here with all these guys, it’s really a dream come true, man. (Denver) definitely did me right by sending me to such a legendary franchise with a legendary team.”

Miller and Donald are two of the greatest pass rushers of their generation, and they’ll team up for at least the rest of this season in a partnership with the potential to reconfigure the NFC race. While the Rams have taken statistical steps back after fielding the league’s best defense last season, sending Miller after quarterbacks alongside Donald and Leonard Floyd adds new dimensions to a unit that already leads the NFL with 25 sacks.

“I feel like it frees us all up,” Miller said. “They’ll try to figure out creative ways to triple-team and double-team, but it can’t possibly be that effective. We’ve got great coaches. We’ve got great guys playing on this team, and we’ll be able to figure it out. … You hear stories of the Fearsome Foursome, you hear stories of this legendary defense, and we want to recreate that. They’ve been playing great defense all year. I just want to add some of the things that I do best.”

Miller is likely to take it easy in practice this week after missing the Broncos’ game last weekend due to an ankle injury. Although he has “some lingering issues,” he intends to play Sunday night against AFC-leading Tennessee (6-2) at SoFi Stadium.

Miller still hasn’t seen the Rams’ palatial new home because he didn’t travel to the Broncos’ game against the Chargers last season while injured.

“I’ve heard stories on how incredible it is, and how the Super Bowl is going to be there this year,” Miller said. “Hopefully that will be us playing there.”

The rest of the Rams already felt the Super Bowl was a reachable goal for their current core, but Miller’s arrival underlined the urgency of this season. Miller will be an unrestricted free agent next spring, although the Rams have already spoken with his 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 through 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 adding him to a defense that’s already got a bunch of playmakers has the possibility of being something real special. … We’ll do everything we can to pull him along as quickly as we possibly can, and I know once he’s out there, he’s going to be big value for us.”

NOTES: Stafford was among several Rams who didn’t participate in a short, light practice Wednesday. The quarterback has a stiff back, but he says he’ll play Sunday. … WR Robert Woods sat out with a foot injury, and WR Cooper Kupp sat out to rest. Coach Sean McVay expects both to play. … LT Andrew Whitworth also rested, and his availability isn’t certain after missing last week’s game.

___

More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

AP

Associated Press

Ex-Packer Guion gets 1 year for domestic violence assault

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Former Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Letroy Guion was sentenced to one year in jail after pleading no contest in a domestic violence assault at his home last fall. Brown County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Walsh also ordered Guion on Tuesday to serve three years’ probation and complete a domestic […]

1 year ago

Joe Jarzynka...

Associated Press

Durant eager for Suns debut vs. Hornets after knee injury

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Kevin Durant has been through quite a bit during his 15-year NBA career — but joining a new team midway through the season is a new one for the 13-time All-Star. The 34-year-old Durant doesn’t seem all that worried. Durant makes his highly anticipated Phoenix Suns debut on Wednesday night against […]

1 year ago

FILE - Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores stands on the sideline during the second half of an N...

Associated Press

Judge: NFL coach can press discrimination claims in court

NEW YORK (AP) — NFL Coach Brian Flores can pursue some of his discrimination claims against the league and its teams in court rather than through arbitration, a judge ruled Wednesday. The written decision by Judge Valerie Caproni in Manhattan was issued months after lawyers for the league tried to get the lawsuit moved to […]

1 year ago

Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Alex Stalock cools off in the first period during an NHL hockey game ...

Associated Press

Kane trade reinforces hard reality of Blackhawks rebuild

CHICAGO (AP) — After days of speculation, the harsh reality of the Chicago Blackhawks’ situation was reinforced by one move in a flurry of transactions ahead of the NHL trade deadline. Showtime is over, at least in Chicago, and a seemingly bright future is, well, way off in the distance. The reverberations of Chicago’s decision […]

1 year ago

FILE -  Yves Jean-Bart, president of the Haitian Football Federation, wearing a protective face mas...

Associated Press

Disgraced ex-Haitian soccer president announces he’s back

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti’s former soccer federation president whose lifetime ban from sport over sexual abuse allegations was overturned last month announced Wednesday that he is reclaiming his position. Yves Jean-Bart’s defiant announcement could lead to a standoff with FIFA, which already has appointed an emergency management committee to lead the Haitian Football Association […]

1 year ago

FILE - Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers walks off the field after an NFL football game against the ...

Associated Press

Rodgers says decision on future will come ‘soon enough’

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers says he will make a decision on his future “soon enough” as the four-time MVP quarterback ponders whether to play next season and if his future remains with the Green Bay Packers. Rodgers, 39, discussed his future while speaking on an episode of the “Aubrey Marcus Podcast” that […]

1 year ago

Von Miller lands with Rams after Broncos trade