Sean McVay is known to be a head coach who boasts a remarkable memory, but he will quickly need to forget about the Los Angeles Rams' performance in last year's Super Bowl. Adjusting and evolving have been important for McVay's ascension in the coaching ranks and this season won't be any different.

As training camps are underway, the Rams have their sights set on getting back to where they were in 2018. Of course, they are hoping for better results than the embarrassing 13-3 loss they suffered against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 53.

Nonetheless, the Rams roster is oozing with talent again this year and they are among the teams who are expected to be near the top of contention in 2019. The journey to Super Bowl 54 begins in the preseason with teams seeing some of the new faces that were brought in.

For the Rams, they mainly focused on improving their defense by signing veterans like Eric Weddle and Clay Matthews. Those guys will be crucial to the Rams producing fruitful results on the defensive side of the ball.

Los Angeles' preseason schedule begins with them taking on the Oakland Raiders. Here are three areas of focus for the Rams entering their preseason opener.

3. The Nose Tackle Position

Last season, the Rams signed Ndamukong Suh to pair him alongside Aaron Donald on the defensive line. The idea of those two together was tantalizing for the Rams coaching staff and front office.

However, the idea seemed great on paper but the experiment of Suh as the nose tackle was a hit and a miss for the Rams. As a result, the Rams allowed Suh to walk in free agency, knowing they'd need to find a true nose tackle in the trenches.

In this year's draft, the Rams drafted Greg Gaines with the 134th overall pick in the fourth round. Gaines went to Washington where he was a stout run defender and he has the ability to rush the passer. Joseph-Day may have the edge in rushing the passer though.

In training camp, the Rams have had Gaines competing with Sebastian Joseph-Day for the starting nose tackle spot. Against the Raiders on Saturday, we'll get a better understanding of where each guy is in the first week of preseason.

2. The Run Defense

To go along with the nose tackle position, the Rams will want to focus on improving their run defense from a season ago. In 2018, Los Angeles ranked 23rd in the NFL when it came to stopping the run.

This season, by drafting Gaines, the Rams are hoping to slow down opposing rushing attacks with more success. The inside linebackers and edge defenders will also be crucial in how the Rams defend the run.

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Aside from Gaines, Micah Kiser is a new face on the defense who is hoping to become a large part of Wade Phillips' defensive schemes. He will figure to slide into the defense next to Cory Littleton.

Along with Kiser, the Rams could use rookie Taylor Rapp in certain situations. Rapp may have the safety position listed next to his name but he will be used as a defensive weapon of sorts. In college at Washington, Rapp showed upside as a run defender.

Against the Raiders this weekend, the Rams will need to show their improved ability to immobilize opposing team's rushing attacks. It may be preseason but it would be nice to see what they are practicing materialize onto the field.

1. The Running Back Position

We all know the story with Todd Gurley and his knee as we've heard about it all offseason. Therefore, there will be no Gurley slander or concerns in this article as everyone has already heard it all.

We will talk about Gurley's backups though. Heading into the first preseason game, the Rams will deploy Malcolm Brown, Darrell Henderson, John Kelly, and Justin Davis.

McVay doesn't concern himself with playing starters so it's safe to say we won't see any of Gurley in the preseason. That gives the other guys plenty of opportunities to get some reps and more acclimated into the offense.

That is true for Henderson more so than the others as he enters his rookie campaign in 2019. Henderson is expected to become another valuable weapon in McVay's complex system.

Los Angeles will likely decide to run the ball more than usual in Week 1 of the preseason with the lack of starters and to get done with the game as soon as possible.