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Gordon: So far, so good in Rams camp
By Jeff Gordon
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/colu...cle_2f8b265f-c91e-5875-ba4a-1b786f0c2594.html
The Rams spent their first full week of training camp blending rookies with veterans on the practice field.
Myriad minor injuries contributed to some of that shuffling, but coach Jeff Fisher is stressing player development again this summer. Several rookies will fill key roles this season and many young guys will provide depth.
How far this team goes will depend on how quickly the young players learn and grow.
"This game is not too big for any of our rookies," Fisher said after Saturday's session at the Edward Jones Dome. "They’ve all accepted their responsibilities very well. They’re practicing well and again we’re mixing them in with the veterans.
"We had a young period there at the end (Saturday), it was predominantly young players, but for the most part on the practice field the ‘rooks’ are mixing in with the ‘vets’ and doing just fine.”
Here is an overview of where the team stands heading toward its first preseason game:
QUARTERBACK
Sam Bradford is firing the ball all over the field, reminding folks why he was a top NFL Draft pick. His comeback from knee injury is going about as well as possible. All that extra weight room work allowed him to add even more zip on this throws.
It will be interesting to see if this improvement translates into performance this season, which could define his career for better or worse.
Veteran back-up Shaun Hill is a much better passer than Kellen Clemens, so the Rams should be able to keep the full offensive playbook if Bradford gets hurt again.
Rookie Garrett Gilbert is getting every chance to stick around as a developmental player. He, too, can make most of the throws on the practice field. But what can do under duress during preseason action?
As for Austin Davis . . . well, Saturday's session wasn't pretty for him. He took a step back in the 2013 training camp and he hasn't taken a step forward this time around.
RUNNING BACK
With Daryl Richardson hobbled by a toe injury last season, the Rams ground game became the Zac Stacy Show. But rookie Tre Mason figures to be a major factor this season, as fans saw Saturday afternoon. That should create a better two-back tandem.
But how much damage can he do between the tackles? Richardson -- who was miscast as the lead back to start last season -- struggled on inside runs last season even before he got hurt. Mason did plenty of north-sound running at Auburn, but he also had some massive holes behind Greg Robinson and Co.
Richardson's departure created one more opportunity for Isaiah Pead, who has been relegated to special teams duty in his first two NFL seasons. Then there are Benny Cunningham, a poor man's Mason, and handyman Chase Reynolds.
Those three could compete for two spots in preseason play.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Bradford's connection with Stedman Bailey has been strong throughout training camp. They played a lot of pitch and catch against Saturday afternoon.
"He knows how to get open and knows how to make the plays," Fisher observed. So it is a shame Bailey will miss the first four games of the season while serving a NFL suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs.
In his absence, reclamation project Kenny Britt could be Bradford's go-to guy. Saturday they hooked up on a home-run ball that excited the crowd at the Dome. Britt is showing no ill-effects from previous injuries and he is providing some desperately needed leadership to the passing game.
Tavon Austin's greatest value could be on crossing patterns where can use his quickness to get open and then turn the play up field. As fans saw Saturday, Austin will get some hand-offs in the Brian Schottenheimer offense as well as many crowd-pleasing wide receiver screen passes.
But can he get separation on deep passes down the field? Or will he continue doing his damage by trying to turn little passes into big plays?
Brian Quick has been noticeable when healthy in camp, but he was among the inactive players Saturday. Maybe, just maybe, he is finally ready to factor into the passing game. Like Britt, he could benefit from Bailey's absence during the season's first month.
Chris Givens is still fast and Austin Pettis is still a decent possession receiver. Both have been with Bradford for a while now. Both are overdue to become difference makers. But both have been second-teamers this summer.
TIGHT ENDS
Jared Cook still adds freakish physical skills to the passing game. And he still has some work to do, as Saturday's session underscores. Can he run every pass route with conviction? Can he catch everything thrown within his considerable range?
Lance Kendricks had a tough 2013 season, missing time with a broken finger and losing prominence due to Cook's presence in the offense. He caught five passes in the season finale, reminding that he could still be key weapon. He has the best all-around skill set among the Rams at this position.
The Cory Harkey Package remains in the offense, as we saw Saturday. The man can block and he usually catches what comes to him -- although he is seldom far downfield when the ball arrives.
Former Colts fringe player Justice Cunningham looks like a possible developmental player. He is a big, big man. Also keep an eye on Alex Bayer, who has stood out in Saturday's blocking drills.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Jake Long seems right on schedule to return to his left tackle post after suffering a catastrophic knee injury last season. But like a lot of these players, he is missing time during training camp team drills.
The group seems largely set: Long at left tackle, rookie Greg Robinson at left guard, Scott Wells at center, Rodger Saffold at right guard and Joe Barksdale at right tackle. Free agent David Joseph looks like a terrific free agent addition at guard and Barrett Jones should offer quality center/guard depth after his redshirt year.
With Robinson and Saffold able to play guard and tackle, the Rams should have admirable flexibility to deal with injuries.
Beyond that, the Rams have some raw rookies battling players (Tim Barnes, Mike Person and Brandon Washington) with some limited NFL experience.
DEFENSIVE LINE
This unit is much deeper than the offensive line. That showed Saturday as the defensive tackles and ends had lots of fun in pass rushing/pass blocking drills. Their physical ability, combined with a renewed emphasis on blitzing, allowed them to penetrate again and again.
During one stretch, poor Austin Davis would have been sacked six times in a row had tackling the quarterback been allowed.
Rookie defensive tackle Aaron Donald is a very hard man to block. Several teams will regret passing on this young man.
His presence could make defensive tackle Michael Brockers an even greater force. Brockers aggravated an ankle injury in Saturday's session, but he was able to walk off the field without help.
The playing rotation is largely set for this season, so most of the media attention will focus on rookie defensive end Michael Sam's bid to land one of the final spots. He will get his chance to make plays (or not) in preseason play.
LINEBACKERS
With the D-line capable of overwhelming many O-lines, this could have a lot of fun this season. Gregg Williams' blitz calls will also create big play opportunities.
OLB Alec Ogletree could be a game-wrecker in this scheme and MLB James Laurinaitis (currently shelved by an ankle sprain) could make more plays at the point of attack. Run-stopper Jon-Lon Dunbar could also benefit from a better line push.
The guy to watch is Ray-Ray Armstrong, a terrific athlete Williams may deploy in special packages. Among the long shots, rookie Aaron Hill was by far the most visible linebacker Saturday.
SECONDARY
This is a tough group to figure due to its collective youth and the various minor injuries costing players practice time.
Starting cornerback Trumaine Johnson has missed work in camp. Starting cornerback Janoris Jenkins was on the sidelines Saturday, as was rookie Lamarcus Joyner -- the likely nickel back this season.
Fourth cornerback Brandon McGee could establish himself with a strong preseason, since his competition is coming from a small army of rookie hopefuls. Mizzou fans will be pulling for rookie E.J. Gaines during the preseason action.
Rookie Maurice Alexander looks like a good bet to fit in behind safeties T.J. McDonald and Rodney McLeod, but the lack of experience at the back end of this defense leaves experts wondering about a potential veteran addition later this summer.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Greg Zuerlein failed to convert a couple of field goals from 65 yards Saturday, leaving the balls short and to the right. But he didn't rattle one home from 63 yards earlier in the session.
The Rams could have an elite kicking game if they can find some players capable of blocking in the return game WITHOUT TAKING PENALTIES. The Rams failed miserably in that area last season
By Jeff Gordon
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/colu...cle_2f8b265f-c91e-5875-ba4a-1b786f0c2594.html
The Rams spent their first full week of training camp blending rookies with veterans on the practice field.
Myriad minor injuries contributed to some of that shuffling, but coach Jeff Fisher is stressing player development again this summer. Several rookies will fill key roles this season and many young guys will provide depth.
How far this team goes will depend on how quickly the young players learn and grow.
"This game is not too big for any of our rookies," Fisher said after Saturday's session at the Edward Jones Dome. "They’ve all accepted their responsibilities very well. They’re practicing well and again we’re mixing them in with the veterans.
"We had a young period there at the end (Saturday), it was predominantly young players, but for the most part on the practice field the ‘rooks’ are mixing in with the ‘vets’ and doing just fine.”
Here is an overview of where the team stands heading toward its first preseason game:
QUARTERBACK
Sam Bradford is firing the ball all over the field, reminding folks why he was a top NFL Draft pick. His comeback from knee injury is going about as well as possible. All that extra weight room work allowed him to add even more zip on this throws.
It will be interesting to see if this improvement translates into performance this season, which could define his career for better or worse.
Veteran back-up Shaun Hill is a much better passer than Kellen Clemens, so the Rams should be able to keep the full offensive playbook if Bradford gets hurt again.
Rookie Garrett Gilbert is getting every chance to stick around as a developmental player. He, too, can make most of the throws on the practice field. But what can do under duress during preseason action?
As for Austin Davis . . . well, Saturday's session wasn't pretty for him. He took a step back in the 2013 training camp and he hasn't taken a step forward this time around.
RUNNING BACK
With Daryl Richardson hobbled by a toe injury last season, the Rams ground game became the Zac Stacy Show. But rookie Tre Mason figures to be a major factor this season, as fans saw Saturday afternoon. That should create a better two-back tandem.
But how much damage can he do between the tackles? Richardson -- who was miscast as the lead back to start last season -- struggled on inside runs last season even before he got hurt. Mason did plenty of north-sound running at Auburn, but he also had some massive holes behind Greg Robinson and Co.
Richardson's departure created one more opportunity for Isaiah Pead, who has been relegated to special teams duty in his first two NFL seasons. Then there are Benny Cunningham, a poor man's Mason, and handyman Chase Reynolds.
Those three could compete for two spots in preseason play.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Bradford's connection with Stedman Bailey has been strong throughout training camp. They played a lot of pitch and catch against Saturday afternoon.
"He knows how to get open and knows how to make the plays," Fisher observed. So it is a shame Bailey will miss the first four games of the season while serving a NFL suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs.
In his absence, reclamation project Kenny Britt could be Bradford's go-to guy. Saturday they hooked up on a home-run ball that excited the crowd at the Dome. Britt is showing no ill-effects from previous injuries and he is providing some desperately needed leadership to the passing game.
Tavon Austin's greatest value could be on crossing patterns where can use his quickness to get open and then turn the play up field. As fans saw Saturday, Austin will get some hand-offs in the Brian Schottenheimer offense as well as many crowd-pleasing wide receiver screen passes.
But can he get separation on deep passes down the field? Or will he continue doing his damage by trying to turn little passes into big plays?
Brian Quick has been noticeable when healthy in camp, but he was among the inactive players Saturday. Maybe, just maybe, he is finally ready to factor into the passing game. Like Britt, he could benefit from Bailey's absence during the season's first month.
Chris Givens is still fast and Austin Pettis is still a decent possession receiver. Both have been with Bradford for a while now. Both are overdue to become difference makers. But both have been second-teamers this summer.
TIGHT ENDS
Jared Cook still adds freakish physical skills to the passing game. And he still has some work to do, as Saturday's session underscores. Can he run every pass route with conviction? Can he catch everything thrown within his considerable range?
Lance Kendricks had a tough 2013 season, missing time with a broken finger and losing prominence due to Cook's presence in the offense. He caught five passes in the season finale, reminding that he could still be key weapon. He has the best all-around skill set among the Rams at this position.
The Cory Harkey Package remains in the offense, as we saw Saturday. The man can block and he usually catches what comes to him -- although he is seldom far downfield when the ball arrives.
Former Colts fringe player Justice Cunningham looks like a possible developmental player. He is a big, big man. Also keep an eye on Alex Bayer, who has stood out in Saturday's blocking drills.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Jake Long seems right on schedule to return to his left tackle post after suffering a catastrophic knee injury last season. But like a lot of these players, he is missing time during training camp team drills.
The group seems largely set: Long at left tackle, rookie Greg Robinson at left guard, Scott Wells at center, Rodger Saffold at right guard and Joe Barksdale at right tackle. Free agent David Joseph looks like a terrific free agent addition at guard and Barrett Jones should offer quality center/guard depth after his redshirt year.
With Robinson and Saffold able to play guard and tackle, the Rams should have admirable flexibility to deal with injuries.
Beyond that, the Rams have some raw rookies battling players (Tim Barnes, Mike Person and Brandon Washington) with some limited NFL experience.
DEFENSIVE LINE
This unit is much deeper than the offensive line. That showed Saturday as the defensive tackles and ends had lots of fun in pass rushing/pass blocking drills. Their physical ability, combined with a renewed emphasis on blitzing, allowed them to penetrate again and again.
During one stretch, poor Austin Davis would have been sacked six times in a row had tackling the quarterback been allowed.
Rookie defensive tackle Aaron Donald is a very hard man to block. Several teams will regret passing on this young man.
His presence could make defensive tackle Michael Brockers an even greater force. Brockers aggravated an ankle injury in Saturday's session, but he was able to walk off the field without help.
The playing rotation is largely set for this season, so most of the media attention will focus on rookie defensive end Michael Sam's bid to land one of the final spots. He will get his chance to make plays (or not) in preseason play.
LINEBACKERS
With the D-line capable of overwhelming many O-lines, this could have a lot of fun this season. Gregg Williams' blitz calls will also create big play opportunities.
OLB Alec Ogletree could be a game-wrecker in this scheme and MLB James Laurinaitis (currently shelved by an ankle sprain) could make more plays at the point of attack. Run-stopper Jon-Lon Dunbar could also benefit from a better line push.
The guy to watch is Ray-Ray Armstrong, a terrific athlete Williams may deploy in special packages. Among the long shots, rookie Aaron Hill was by far the most visible linebacker Saturday.
SECONDARY
This is a tough group to figure due to its collective youth and the various minor injuries costing players practice time.
Starting cornerback Trumaine Johnson has missed work in camp. Starting cornerback Janoris Jenkins was on the sidelines Saturday, as was rookie Lamarcus Joyner -- the likely nickel back this season.
Fourth cornerback Brandon McGee could establish himself with a strong preseason, since his competition is coming from a small army of rookie hopefuls. Mizzou fans will be pulling for rookie E.J. Gaines during the preseason action.
Rookie Maurice Alexander looks like a good bet to fit in behind safeties T.J. McDonald and Rodney McLeod, but the lack of experience at the back end of this defense leaves experts wondering about a potential veteran addition later this summer.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Greg Zuerlein failed to convert a couple of field goals from 65 yards Saturday, leaving the balls short and to the right. But he didn't rattle one home from 63 yards earlier in the session.
The Rams could have an elite kicking game if they can find some players capable of blocking in the return game WITHOUT TAKING PENALTIES. The Rams failed miserably in that area last season
