2014 Rams Training Camp Notes

[tnerb57]

Don't typically watch preseason, but looking forward to seeing how the Rams look.

 

[jacobarch]

im dvr'ing it. i can't wait i aint doing shit on friday night

 

[Vitamike]

Rams Camp Report: Day 9



ST. LOUIS -- A daily review of the hot topics coming out of St. Louis Rams training camp:

• Now THAT was a football practice. There's no doubt the Rams want to be an aggressive, physical team unafraid to hit opponents in the mouth. At Monday's workout, they weren't afraid to hit one another in the mouth, either. In what was the most physical practice of this training camp, the Rams got after it all afternoon with shoulder pads on and run game drills aplenty. The defining moment came when receiver Austin Pettis felt like cornerback Lamarcus Joyner was a little too over the top in his pursuit of the ball after a play and threw it at Joyner. Joyner wasn't pleased with that response and went after Pettis. Before they were separated, both players threw punches and most of the team intervened to pull them apart. It wasn't the only moment of the day where the feisty Joyner got under someone's skin. A handful of plays before the skirmish, Joyner got tangled with receiver Kenny Britt and ended up with Britt's helmet in his hands. Britt later repaid the favor with a crushing downfield block. Joyner might be small but it's quite clear he doesn't back down.

• As for the run-game work, the Rams emphasized that in today's practice. They did a period of run-blocking only drills early in the practice and made it a point to do even more during the team portion. They didn't tackle but there was plenty of "thud" tempo. That might not do it justice but think of these thuds as the kind that used to show up on the old Batman TV show where the word is in all caps with 18 exclamation points behind it. Starting running back Zac Stacy brought the hammer repeatedly, dropping his shoulder into safety Rodney McLeod multiple times and doing the same to linebacker Ray Ray Armstrong. Tight end Cory Harkey did the same after a couple of catches, including one that drew some not-fit-for-print words from Armstrong.

• A couple of others who showed up when the contact increased: tight end Justice Cunningham and safety Maurice Alexander. After Alexander came up with a run stuff in one period, defensive coordinator Gregg Williams could be heard yelling "Look who finally showed up." Cunningham came with some big blocks during run plays in team as well, drawing praise from his offensive teammates and coaches.

• The walking wounded list is still extensive but none of the injuries appear serious. Among the key names not practicing were linebacker James Laurinaitis, defensive tackles Michael Brockers and Kendall Langford, wide receiver Brian Quick, cornerbacks Janoris Jenkins and Brandon McGee and offensive lineman Barrett Jones. Laurinaitis, Brockers and McGee are battling ankle issues and Saffold has a stinger. One player who did practice was safety Christian Bryant. He's been stuck on the non-football injury list since his arrival and Monday's workout was his first with the Rams.

• The Rams return to practice Tuesday with the workout scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET. That practice is the only one left this week open to the public at Rams Park.

 

[Red_Chaos]

The walking wounded list is still extensive but none of the injuries appear serious. Among the key names not practicing were linebacker James Laurinaitis, defensive tackles Michael Brockers and Kendall Langford, wide receiver Brian Quick, cornerbacks Janoris Jenkins and Brandon McGee and offensive lineman Barrett Jones. Laurinaitis, Brockers and McGee are battling ankle issues and Saffold has a stinger. One player who did practice was safety Christian Bryant. He's been stuck on the non-football injury list since his arrival and Monday's workout was his first with the Rams.

U_U i do not like this so early in the season when we play in such a difficult division

 

[Vitamike]

Rams Camp Report: Day 11



EARTH CITY, Mo. -- A daily review of the hot topics coming out of St. Louis Rams training camp

• Wednesday's practice was a special teams only workout with no pads, which also meant very little excitement or activity. On the bright side, running back Zac Stacy did go through the practice after limping off during Tuesday's practice. The injury didn't seem serious at the time and it appears there is nothing to it as he was back to go through special teams drills Wednesday. Stacy said after the practice that he's feeling good and though he's unsure if he'll play in the preseason opener, made it clear he's ready to go if called upon.

• In the absence of pads, the Rams didn't have their usual contact drills and one-on-ones near the end of the practice like they usually do. Defensive end Michael Sam is still getting a lot of work as a blocker on the respective return units and that appears to be his best shot to make the roster. I'd be surprised if Sam didn't get a lot of work on both special teams and defense against the Saints on Friday night.

• Punter Johnny Hekker is unfazed by the lack of attention that came with the punt team's record-setting performance in 2013 and told me after he spent the morning booming punts that he's looking to get better in 2014. In addition to breaking the record again, Hekker offered left directional punting as an area he'd like to improve going into the season. There are other personal goals he has in store but he preferred to keep those to himself.

• It's hard to take roll in special teams practices because you never know exactly who is and isn't supposed to be there. But there were a few sideline observers who have been missing practice all week. Running back Trey Watts and fullback Kadeem Jones were among those watching from the sideline.

• Although there wasn't much happening on the field Wednesday, there were some special visitors to the practice. Super Bowl XXXIV winners Torry Holt, Andy McCollum, Grant Wistrom and D'Marco Farr took in the practice. Farr is a regular at practice in his role as the team's radio color analyst. But Holt dropped by in advance of resuming his color analyst duties for the Rams' preseason games. McCollum and Wistrom were just stopping by to visit. The quartet took the opportunity to catch up. They'll get another chance later this year when the Rams celebrate the 15th anniversary of that championship season before the Monday night game against San Francisco on Oct. 13.

• The Rams are entering final preparations for the preseason opener Friday night against New Orleans. They'll have their usual day before game walk-through Thursday before Friday's game.