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Local products Spruce, Hill reunite at Rams practice
By Joe Curley of the Ventura County Star
[www.vcstar.com]
Nelson Spruce and Troy Hill first lined up across from each other in high school, when St. Bonaventure faced Westlake in the 2009 CIF-Southern Section Northern Division semifinal.
"I remember in high school ... I hadn't played a corner that level," Spruce said of Hill. "I remember going up against him and thinking, 'This is a real corner.' I'll always remember that."
The receiver and cornerback met again in college, when Spruce's Colorado team faced Hill's Oregon team in Pac-12 Conference play.
"I just remember lining up across from him and thinking, 'I remember this kid from high school,' " Spruce said. "He's a solid player."
There they were across from each other again this week, during the Los Angeles Rams offseason camp at the River Ridge Fields in Oxnard.
"I know he's a good player," Hill said of Spruce. "I'm glad to have him on the team. I know we're going to keep fighting. We're in the same position. We're both fighting to make the team.
Spruce was signed as an undrafted free agent in April. Hill was claimed off waivers from the New England Patriots in December.
"All we can really do is stay focused, keep working and help make each other better," Hill said. "He got me there in one-on-one's today."
Interestingly enough, the field has been the only time two local products have been able to make contact with each other so far.
"I haven't really gotten a chance to talk to him," Spruce said. "I plan on it. The offense and the defense are so separated. It's hard to get a minute with him."
That first catch in Tuesday's opening OTA session was important for Spruce.
"It's kind of like when you're getting ready for a game and you're a little bit nervous, that first hit snaps you out of it," Spruce said. "Getting that first catch, even way back in the first practice, being able to make a play, it's like, 'I can do this. It's football.' It calms you down a little bit."
On the end of many of rookie quarterback Jared Goff's passes with the second and third string, Spruce had a strong first week.
"Right now, especially just starting out ... you feel like you're going to be taking the biggest steps because you're so new to everything," Spruce said. "As receivers, we're talking about getting a little bit better every day.
"The more I'm out here, the more comfortable I'm feeling. That was a really good first week. I'm feeling good."
Conversely, Hill spends his evenings going over his mistakes in his head.
"It's been a grind," Hill said. "I remember the things that I did bad so I can get better on them, some of the plays and my technique that I didn't do. That's what I try to remember, so I don't make the same mistake twice."
'FAN DAY' MOOTED
Offseason training programs aren't typically open to the public. But the Rams' first OTAs back in Los Angeles in 21 years, when they are making their new home in Ventura County, aren't exactly typical.
The city of Oxnard had requested a "fan day" so that local Rams fans could have an experience similar to what local Cowboy fans enjoy during training camp at River Ridge.
Rams executive vice president Kevin Demoff said Friday the team was willing to host an open practice, but it wasn't going to work under current conditions.
The city is no longer is able to use the 20-acre parcel at Vineyard Avenue and Ventura Road that previously provided parking, bleachers and concessions during Cowboys camps.
"We were willing to do it during OTAs, but you couldn't park and since you couldn't park, you had to limit it to like 700 people," Demoff said. "Our concern was: how do we control it? If you're going to say you're open, you're open."
A handful of spectators watched part of Friday's practice through the chain-link fence on the fields' border with River Ridge Golf Club, but security was summoned when they began recording practice with cellphones.
KEENUM RESTS
Nick Foles still hasn't arrived and Case Keenum had the day off Friday.
With neither of the two quarterbacks who started games for the Rams last season available, Sean Mannion, a second-year player from Oregon State, took the snaps with the first-team offense.
Tavon Austin, the Rams top receiver, also had the day off. As a result, rookie Pharoh Cooper, the fourth-round draft pick from South Carolina, moved into the first-team huddle.
By Joe Curley of the Ventura County Star
[www.vcstar.com]
Nelson Spruce and Troy Hill first lined up across from each other in high school, when St. Bonaventure faced Westlake in the 2009 CIF-Southern Section Northern Division semifinal.
"I remember in high school ... I hadn't played a corner that level," Spruce said of Hill. "I remember going up against him and thinking, 'This is a real corner.' I'll always remember that."
The receiver and cornerback met again in college, when Spruce's Colorado team faced Hill's Oregon team in Pac-12 Conference play.
"I just remember lining up across from him and thinking, 'I remember this kid from high school,' " Spruce said. "He's a solid player."
There they were across from each other again this week, during the Los Angeles Rams offseason camp at the River Ridge Fields in Oxnard.
"I know he's a good player," Hill said of Spruce. "I'm glad to have him on the team. I know we're going to keep fighting. We're in the same position. We're both fighting to make the team.
Spruce was signed as an undrafted free agent in April. Hill was claimed off waivers from the New England Patriots in December.
"All we can really do is stay focused, keep working and help make each other better," Hill said. "He got me there in one-on-one's today."
Interestingly enough, the field has been the only time two local products have been able to make contact with each other so far.
"I haven't really gotten a chance to talk to him," Spruce said. "I plan on it. The offense and the defense are so separated. It's hard to get a minute with him."
That first catch in Tuesday's opening OTA session was important for Spruce.
"It's kind of like when you're getting ready for a game and you're a little bit nervous, that first hit snaps you out of it," Spruce said. "Getting that first catch, even way back in the first practice, being able to make a play, it's like, 'I can do this. It's football.' It calms you down a little bit."
On the end of many of rookie quarterback Jared Goff's passes with the second and third string, Spruce had a strong first week.
"Right now, especially just starting out ... you feel like you're going to be taking the biggest steps because you're so new to everything," Spruce said. "As receivers, we're talking about getting a little bit better every day.
"The more I'm out here, the more comfortable I'm feeling. That was a really good first week. I'm feeling good."
Conversely, Hill spends his evenings going over his mistakes in his head.
"It's been a grind," Hill said. "I remember the things that I did bad so I can get better on them, some of the plays and my technique that I didn't do. That's what I try to remember, so I don't make the same mistake twice."
'FAN DAY' MOOTED
Offseason training programs aren't typically open to the public. But the Rams' first OTAs back in Los Angeles in 21 years, when they are making their new home in Ventura County, aren't exactly typical.
The city of Oxnard had requested a "fan day" so that local Rams fans could have an experience similar to what local Cowboy fans enjoy during training camp at River Ridge.
Rams executive vice president Kevin Demoff said Friday the team was willing to host an open practice, but it wasn't going to work under current conditions.
The city is no longer is able to use the 20-acre parcel at Vineyard Avenue and Ventura Road that previously provided parking, bleachers and concessions during Cowboys camps.
"We were willing to do it during OTAs, but you couldn't park and since you couldn't park, you had to limit it to like 700 people," Demoff said. "Our concern was: how do we control it? If you're going to say you're open, you're open."
A handful of spectators watched part of Friday's practice through the chain-link fence on the fields' border with River Ridge Golf Club, but security was summoned when they began recording practice with cellphones.
KEENUM RESTS
Nick Foles still hasn't arrived and Case Keenum had the day off Friday.
With neither of the two quarterbacks who started games for the Rams last season available, Sean Mannion, a second-year player from Oregon State, took the snaps with the first-team offense.
Tavon Austin, the Rams top receiver, also had the day off. As a result, rookie Pharoh Cooper, the fourth-round draft pick from South Carolina, moved into the first-team huddle.
