THOUSAND OAKS Darnell Savage Jr. Jersey , Calif. (AP) — build a rapport with quarterback Jared Goff last season as a rookie when starter John Sullivan would be held out of practice early in the week to rest and recuperate.Allen was again snapping the ball to Goff during the first day of organized team activities Monday. In his second season, however, Allen will not have to make way for Sullivan.“We had a lot of time to play together last year Monday through Thursday, and then John took over on the weekends. But now it’s a full-time gig for me,” Allen said.How Allen settles into his new position could determine whether the Rams reach the Super Bowl for the second consecutive season. It is the biggest change on an offensive line that has been a marvel of health and consistent play during the previous two seasons under coach Sean McVay. Sullivan started 35 of a possible 36 games during the regular season and playoffs during that span.The Rams chose not to exercise a team option in March to bring back the 33-year-old Sullivan for a third season and instead put into action a succession plan that started when they selected Allen in the fourth round of the 2018 draft.Allen got a “redshirt year” last season to learn from the veteran lineman and work with Goff, all without the pressure of having to play a critical role for the eventual NFC champions.Offensive line coach Aaron Kromer also had Allen learning to play guard to give the position group more flexibility. Such practice was particularly helpful in helping Allen learn blocking schemes in McVay’s offense.“It really forces you to know it better and know what everyone is doing,” Allen said. “As a center that’s kind of your job, but to have that, it just makes you stay on top of it a little bit better.”Allen believes that experience will give him the best opportunity to succeed in the NFL, and he is immensely grateful to Sullivan for the part he played in that development.“It’s sad not having him here,” Allen said. “I’m just kind of out here sometimes thinking what would he do here, what would he say to me here, stuff like that. He was a great mentor for me and I couldn’t thank that guy enough.”Allen wasn’t the only young Rams player to benefit from what Sullivan could offer on and off the field. Goff credits Sullivan’s vast understanding and recognition of opposing defenses for playing a part in his improvement over the past two seasons.Without the trustworthy Sullivan there to change protections at the line of scrimmage, Goff and Allen are working to build a more collaborative approach to making calls in hopes of overcoming the lack of experience.“With Brian, there is some of me and him working together a little bit more and trying to solve problems at the same time at the line where I could lean on John so heavily,” Goff said. “I expect Brian to get there, but he’s just in his first full year of actually playing.”The plan is to show Allen as many different defensive alignments as possible over the next few months to make sure he is on the same page with Goff Elgton Jenkins Jersey , but McVay understands there are limits to what a coach can do in creating the relationship between a center and quarterback. The early signs are promising, McVay said, pointing to how Goff is talking to Allen.“I think he and Brian are really getting comfortable with one another, and you can hear it,” McVay said. “Their communication after periods, a certain sets of plays, whatever it is, their dialogue is ongoing and that’s the most important thing.”Thanks to the support system put in place last year, Allen is confident he will be ready to start on Sundays later this year.“Excited for the opportunity and this is what I’ve been working for my whole life,” Allen said. “It’s here.”NOTES: RB Todd Gurley, DE Dante Fowler, CB Aqib Talib and CB Marcus Peters did not attend the workout. McVay said all four players communicated their plans with the Rams and none of the absences were unexpected. Fowler could join the team later this week, McVay said. TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — The Arizona Cardinals‘ rookies took the practice field for the first time on Friday, and all eyes were on quarterback Kyler Murray.Murray, the top overall pick last month in the NFL draft, sported a white tie-on headband as he threw over the outstretched arms of coach Kliff Kingsbury and looped on-target fade-route passes to receivers during the 25-minute window in which practice was open to media.Afterward Jace Sternberger Jersey , he was walking somewhat gingerly.“My feet hurt,” Murray said. “It’s been a long time since I put cleats on.”As it turned out, Murray had to wear new cleats while he waits for his custom footwear to get to him. Still, he completed his first team practice with his new teammates and NFL newbie Kingsbury.Murray has familiarity with Kingsbury’s wide-open offense, which plays to his athleticism and the systems in which he’s played in high school and college. Murray said that showed right away.“Obviously, it’s only Day 1, but I can already feel the rhythm going. Hopefully we can keep this thing going and do something great,” Murray said. “I was pretty comfortable, surprisingly comfortable as far as communication and stuff like that. It’s pretty similar. I think that’s helped me out a lot.”Kingsbury said Murray “can really throw it” and has “got a presence about himself, so I liked how he operated.” Kingsbury focused much of his attention on Murray in the first practice.“It’s always been hands-on for me. I’m going to be involved in coaching the quarterbacks as long as I’m a coach,” Kingsbury said. “I do think there’s a comfort level there.”Arizona signed the 21-year-old Heisman Trophy winner to a four-year contract Thursday worth about $35 million, with a team option for a fifth year. The contract includes a signing bonus of more than $23 million.“It’s obviously a great day for me and my family,” Murray said about signing the contract.Big money aside, Murray said he feels like another rookie learning an NFL system along with everyone else on the field for the three-day mini-camp this weekend at Cardinals headquarters.“I really just feel like a normal guy,” Murray said. “We’re all here to work hard and get better.”Cornerback Byron Murphy, the Cardinals’ first second-round draft choice, said Murray is a good guy Dexter Williams Jersey , a great leader, and that he looks forward to seeing his teammate make plays.Wide receiver KeeSean Johnson, a sixth-round pick, said Murray showed leadership in the huddle from the very start of practice. And he was impressed with Murray’s arm.“Great balls coming in real nice,” Johnson said.Murray admitted he didn’t initially believe that Cardinals general manager Steve Keim made him the team’s starting quarterback for the regular-season opener in September. But when Keim told him in person, it was real.As for the shoes, Kingsbury had to answer a question regarding his level of concern for his high-profile quarterback’s foot soreness.“I think he’ll be all right,” Kingsbury said. “I guess the cleats he wanted didn’t get delivered. But we’ll try to get those here tomorrow.”NOTES: Kingsbury said he isn’t sure veteran CB Patrick Peterson will report to the team for veteran offseason workouts later this month, which are voluntary. Peterson appeared unhappy with the team in social media posts last month, but the Cardinals have indicated they don’t intend to trade the eight-time Pro Bowler. …The Cardinals signed the remaining five members of their 2019 draft class that hadn’t done so on Thursday. WR Andy Isabella (second round), WR Hakeem Butler (fourth round), S Deionte Thompson (fifth round), OL Lamont Gaillard (sixth round) and DL Michael Dogbe (seventh round) signed Friday. … Twenty-eight players on the roster for the weekend minicamp are listed as tryouts.