Brawl against Cowboys puzzles Rams
• By Joe Lyons
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_8e93487d-b1ae-5997-932d-33945da8d0e4.html
To be honest, Rams running back Tre Mason isn’t sure how the brawl against the Dallas Cowboys in Oxnard, Calif., started. The same is true for tackle Greg Robinson.
“There was so much going on, it was almost impossible to know who or what started it,’’ Robinson said following practice Thursday at Rams Park. “Guys on both sides were going hard and I guess things just got out of hand. Just happy nobody got hurt.’’
According to the account from the Post-Dispatch’s Jim Thomas, the first scrum was a result of Dallas’ Randy Gregory and then Jeff Heath taking down Mason — hard.
“I’m not really sure how it started,’’ Mason said. “Football’s a game of emotion, it’s a contact sport. Things happen.’’
Tempers flared and then, just when it appeared to be settling down, Robinson and Mason went after Gregory. There were a handful of scuffles before order was restored and the second day of the Rams’ stay in Oxnard was halted.
Mason and Robinson, both in their second NFL seasons, were college teammates at Auburn.
“Greg’s always had my back, on and off the field,’’ Mason said.
Robinson added: “That’s my brother. If he needs me, or any of my teammates need me, I’m there for them.’’
Despite the practice-ending brawls, Robinson and Mason feel the two days working against the Cowboys will benefit the Rams.
“The game against Oakland (last Friday’s 18-3 road loss to open the preseason) was an eye-opener for me,’’ Robinson said. “It felt good to play again, but it also showed me that I had some things to work on. And having those two days practicing against Dallas gave me an opportunity to get in some quality work against some good competition. Now hopefully I can take that and build on it Sunday against Tennessee.’’
Mason, who rushed for team-best 765 yards as a rookie a year ago, said that stop in Oxnard provided a welcome diversion for the Rams.
“You get tired of going against the same guys all the time,’’ he said. “We got a chance to go against another top team and got in some good work. Whatever else happened is behind us now. We’re moving on and working to get ready for the Titans.’’
In their second preseason game, the Rams will meet the Tennessee Titans at 7 p.m. Sunday in Nashville.
RAMS GIVE BACK
The Rams announced Thursday that they will provide $15,000 to the St. Louis Public Schools to fund a program to ensure certified athletic trainers are present at all of this season’s high school football games.
The certified athletic trainers who will provided by Athletico Physical Therapy, will deliver game day coverage through the 2015 campaign and will be assisted by athletic training students from St. Louis University. The Athletico trainers will also be covering weekly follow-up checks during the season and providing ImPACT baseline concussion tests.
“When we learned that SLPS didn’t have certified athletic trainer coverage at their high school games, we were committed to find a solution to that issue,’’ said Reggie Scott, the Rams director of sports medicine and performance. “While the game coverage was of paramount importance, it was also important to us that we provided necessary follow-up care as well. We’re extremely proud that we were able to create a unique partnership with Athletico and St. Louis University that will lead to a safer game for these student-athletes.’’
Martin Jenkins, the SLPS athletics director, said he was “humbled’’ by the Rams’ generosity.
“When I first heard from the Rams about the program, my first question was how much it cost, and they said absolutely nothing, I told them I was interested,’’ Jenkins said. “They’re going to do everything from ‘ouchies’ to emergencies to taping. It’s such a great thing for our school system because you look at the suburban districts and they have trainers readily available. We just didn’t have the funds for something like that.’’
In previous years, Jenkins said, coaches had to fill the athletic trainer’s role.
“We do have an emergency medical service on hand, but coaches were the nurses, the trainers, the everything,’’ Jenkins said. “But anything that happened before it became an emergency, it was the coaches who had to deal with it. So now the coaches can concentrate on the coaching aspect, leave the medical and feel safe that the young men are in good hands.
“This adds a level of safety, along with our helmet program, to make sure our kids are safe.’’
Rams coach Jeff Fisher added; “The (NFL) is all about player safety and improving in that area. The league has an initiative and we’re proud to be able to provide some help in that regard.’’
By the end of the 2015 season, the Rams will have contributed more than $80,000 to local and high school football efforts.
RAM-BLINGS
The Rams returned to Earth City for practice Thursday in preparation for Sunday’s game vs. the Titans.The defense enjoyed a big day Thursday, getting interceptions from Alec Ogletree, Jo-Lonn Dunbar and Lamarcus Joyner (off a tip by James Laurinaitis).
• Players not practicing on Thursday were G Rodger Saffold, DTs Michael Brockers and Doug Worthington, CBs Brandon McGee and E.J. Gaines, LBs Daren Bates (knee) and Korey Toomer and WR Isiah Ferguson,
RB Todd Gurley (knee) continues to do individual work. Another rookie, G Cody Wichmann (calf), continues to work his way back. TE Brad Smelley, who has been practicing with a heavily taped hand, left practice early and appeared to be limping slightly.
• Although he said Saffold (shoulder) is making progress, Fisher ruled Saffold out of Sunday’s game. Saffold later tweeted on his certified account: “I just want everyone to know that I’m OK and I’m just in no rush this preseason. Don’t worry I will be fighting for you all year!’’
• Employees and their families from team sponsor Anheuser-Busch were on hand to watch Thursday’s workout.
