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Observations from Rams' eighth OTA
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/9386/observations-from-rams-eighth-ota
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- The St. Louis Rams are coming down the home stretch of their offseason program with just a pair of organized team activities after Tuesday's practice.
As always, it should be noted that much of what happens in these organized team activities should be taken with a grain of salt (especially for the linemen). The players are not in pads and contact must be extremely limited. It's best not to get too excited or too down on anything that happens.
Ogletree's day: Linebacker Alec Ogletree is coming off a strong finish to his rookie season in which he unseated James Laurinaitis as the team's leading tackler and showed a knack for making big, splashy plays. Much is expected from Ogletree in Year 2 after he seemed to get his feet under him in the second part of last season.
On Tuesday, Ogletree was all over the place in the practice on his way to a couple of interceptions and some other good work in seven-on-seven and team drills. On one play in seven-on-seven, Ogletree ran down the seam with tight end Lance Kendricks and jumped in front of a throw from quarterback Sam Bradford for an interception. He followed by reading a short pass to the flat correctly and jumping on a route, producing what would have been a short gain.
Quick's progress: Receiver Brian Quick had a good day, jumping out early with a good route down the seam for about a 20-yard touchdown from Bradford. He even got his share of work with the first team offense.
Quick is entering his third season, and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer spoke glowingly of the young wideout after practice.
"Probably the most improved player I've seen is Brian Quick," Schottenheimer said. "He's doing a great job. Another guy that we're giving an opportunity to, he's competing for playing time and he's made the most of his opportunities. He started today, again just moving guys around in and out of the lineup trying to create competition, and he's stepped up and made a lot of big plays for us."
Sitting it out: The list of Rams not participating in practice grew larger Tuesday even as the practice rolled on. Receiver Jamaine Sherman, cornerback Trumaine Johnson, safeties Christian Bryant, Maurice Alexander and Matt Daniels, running back Chase Reynolds, linebacker Ray Ray Armstrong, end Sammy Brown, center Scott Wells, left tackle Jake Long, defensive tackle Michael Brockers, end William Hayes and defensive tackle Kendall Langford did not practice.
Armstrong, Wells and Langford are new additions to the list, though their reasons for not practicing are unknown. Armstrong did have a wrap on his right leg and Wells was not present.
Before the practice ended, two more joined the list. Receiver Kenny Britt walked gingerly to a golf cart with an athletic trainer, and cornerback Darren Woodard also walked off before the session was over.
Pead
Pead's place: Running back Isaiah Pead has been lost in the shuffle a bit since the Rams found their top two backs in Zac Stacy and Benny Cunningham, and then added Tre Mason in the third round of this year's draft. Midway through last season, Pead took a role on special teams and apparently excelled in the role to the point where the Rams view him as one of their most valuable contributors there.
In looking at his role for this season, special teams again figure to be a big part of the plan. Special teams coach John Fassel raved about Pead's work in that area after Tuesday's practice.
"Last year he really committed to special teams and not only was a contributor, he was a high impact guy for us," Fassel said. "I think a lot of people are going to see a lot of growth out of that guy, not only on [special] teams, and I can't speak for offense but I just imagine with his maturity, his work ethic, his ability, I would imagine he's going to have a fantastic preseason."
Pead did plenty of work on coverage units and proved to be a solid contributor as Fassel alluded to, but it's possible his role could expand. Fassel said the Rams would like to take some of the kick return duties off receiver Tavon Austin's plate and mentioned Pead as a possibility.
As for doing some work on offense, Pead has been getting some snaps there. He made a nice catch on a wheel route from Bradford during team drills in what would have gone for a long gain in a game.
What's next: The final OTA open to the media is set for Thursday afternoon and the Rams will conclude offseason business Friday before returning for training camp in July.
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/9386/observations-from-rams-eighth-ota
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- The St. Louis Rams are coming down the home stretch of their offseason program with just a pair of organized team activities after Tuesday's practice.
As always, it should be noted that much of what happens in these organized team activities should be taken with a grain of salt (especially for the linemen). The players are not in pads and contact must be extremely limited. It's best not to get too excited or too down on anything that happens.
Ogletree's day: Linebacker Alec Ogletree is coming off a strong finish to his rookie season in which he unseated James Laurinaitis as the team's leading tackler and showed a knack for making big, splashy plays. Much is expected from Ogletree in Year 2 after he seemed to get his feet under him in the second part of last season.
On Tuesday, Ogletree was all over the place in the practice on his way to a couple of interceptions and some other good work in seven-on-seven and team drills. On one play in seven-on-seven, Ogletree ran down the seam with tight end Lance Kendricks and jumped in front of a throw from quarterback Sam Bradford for an interception. He followed by reading a short pass to the flat correctly and jumping on a route, producing what would have been a short gain.
Quick's progress: Receiver Brian Quick had a good day, jumping out early with a good route down the seam for about a 20-yard touchdown from Bradford. He even got his share of work with the first team offense.
Quick is entering his third season, and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer spoke glowingly of the young wideout after practice.
"Probably the most improved player I've seen is Brian Quick," Schottenheimer said. "He's doing a great job. Another guy that we're giving an opportunity to, he's competing for playing time and he's made the most of his opportunities. He started today, again just moving guys around in and out of the lineup trying to create competition, and he's stepped up and made a lot of big plays for us."
Sitting it out: The list of Rams not participating in practice grew larger Tuesday even as the practice rolled on. Receiver Jamaine Sherman, cornerback Trumaine Johnson, safeties Christian Bryant, Maurice Alexander and Matt Daniels, running back Chase Reynolds, linebacker Ray Ray Armstrong, end Sammy Brown, center Scott Wells, left tackle Jake Long, defensive tackle Michael Brockers, end William Hayes and defensive tackle Kendall Langford did not practice.
Armstrong, Wells and Langford are new additions to the list, though their reasons for not practicing are unknown. Armstrong did have a wrap on his right leg and Wells was not present.
Before the practice ended, two more joined the list. Receiver Kenny Britt walked gingerly to a golf cart with an athletic trainer, and cornerback Darren Woodard also walked off before the session was over.
Pead
Pead's place: Running back Isaiah Pead has been lost in the shuffle a bit since the Rams found their top two backs in Zac Stacy and Benny Cunningham, and then added Tre Mason in the third round of this year's draft. Midway through last season, Pead took a role on special teams and apparently excelled in the role to the point where the Rams view him as one of their most valuable contributors there.
In looking at his role for this season, special teams again figure to be a big part of the plan. Special teams coach John Fassel raved about Pead's work in that area after Tuesday's practice.
"Last year he really committed to special teams and not only was a contributor, he was a high impact guy for us," Fassel said. "I think a lot of people are going to see a lot of growth out of that guy, not only on [special] teams, and I can't speak for offense but I just imagine with his maturity, his work ethic, his ability, I would imagine he's going to have a fantastic preseason."
Pead did plenty of work on coverage units and proved to be a solid contributor as Fassel alluded to, but it's possible his role could expand. Fassel said the Rams would like to take some of the kick return duties off receiver Tavon Austin's plate and mentioned Pead as a possibility.
As for doing some work on offense, Pead has been getting some snaps there. He made a nice catch on a wheel route from Bradford during team drills in what would have gone for a long gain in a game.
What's next: The final OTA open to the media is set for Thursday afternoon and the Rams will conclude offseason business Friday before returning for training camp in July.
