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Palardy auditions, not only for the Rams
• By Joe Lyons
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_60872f7b-9ace-5cb3-895f-6c5cb6e6b6f6.html
Michael Palardy had a pretty good idea what he was getting into when he signed in January as a free agent with the Rams.
“As much as anything else, I see it as a learning opportunity,’’ the 23-year-old punter and kicker said following a recent training camp session at Rams Park in Earth City. “I liked the idea of working with coach (Jeff) Fisher and (special teams coordinator John Fassel) and I was excited about working with Johnny, Greg and Jake.’’
That would be the Rams’ incumbent specialists — punter Johnny Hekker, kicker Greg Zuerlein and long-snapper Jake McQuaide.
“They’re great guys who’ve welcomed me, made me feel comfortable and helped me with whatever I’ve needed since I’ve been here,’’ Palardy said. “Guys in their position tend to be pretty territorial, but they’ve been nothing but helpful. I’ve learned a lot in my time here and hopefully that will continue.’’
While he continues to compete and knows anything can happen, Palardy understands his odds of sticking with the Rams are slim. After all, Hekker, a two-time All-Pro, has established himself as one of the top punters in the NFL and earned a Pro Bowl invitation following the 2014 season. Zuerlein is similarly entrenched after connecting on 98.9 percent of his extra-point attempts and 82 percent of his field-goal tries over his three NFL seasons.
“I’m here to do the best I can, to work and improve and hopefully catch somebody’s eye,’’ said Palardy, who starred at the University of Tennessee. “In my position, it’s about working hard every day and trying to make a favorable impression. If I can do a good job here, maybe show a little something if and when I get a chance in the preseason, maybe somebody else who’s looking for a kicker or a punter will take notice. And I’d have to think a few positive words from the coaches on this staff, as highly regarded as they are, could go a long way.’’
At Tennessee, Palardy spent four years as a punter, kicker and kickoff specialist. As a senior, he averaged 44.5 yards on 63 punts, with 18 inside the 10-yard line and 33 inside the 20. He also converted 14 of 17 field-goal tries and 34 of 35 extra-point attempts that season.
He is second on the Vols’ career list with a punting average of 42.9 yards, and third in field-goal percentage after making 37 of 50 (84).
“I don’t want to limit my options, but if I had my choice, I’d like to find a team that could use me as a punter and on kickoffs,’’ he said. “But again, I’m willing to do whatever the coaches ask me to do. I’m just looking to catch a break, get an opportunity to show what I can do and hopefully take advantage of the opportunity.’’
After finishing at Tennessee, Palardy had a tryout with the New York Jets and was in camp with the Oakland Raiders a year ago. He was cut after undergoing an appendectomy and later spent some time on Oakland’s practice squad.
“Let’s face it, there are only so many specialists’ jobs in the NFL,’’ he said, noting that the career NFL life span of kickers is much longer than that at other positions. “A lot of guys have to go through three or four camps before they get a real shot and some, no matter how hard they work, never get that opportunity. All I can do is keep working at it while trying to fine-tune my skills because ... a lot of what happens in my career is up to somebody else.’’
RAM-BLINGS
Following Sunday’s workout in the sauna-like humidity at Rams Park, the team is down to its final two open-to-the-public workouts in Earth City. Monday’s practice begins at 3:30 p.m., Tuesday’s at 5:30 p.m.• After an off day Wednesday, the Rams will travel Thursday before opening their exhibition schedule Friday night against the Raiders in Oakland.The remainder of the summer slate: Sunday, Aug. 23 at Tennessee (7 p.m.); Saturday, Aug. 29 at home against Indianapolis (7 p.m.); Thursday, Sept. 3 at home against Kansas City (7 p.m.).
• Sunday’s workout, which drew a crowd of 1,263, was highlighted by a pair of interceptions from undrafted rookie cornerback Imoan Claiborne, who sat out Saturday’s special teams workout.
Sitting out Sunday were defensive end Chris Long, safety Maurice Alexander, cornerbacks Brandon McGee and E.J. Gaines, linebacker Korey Toomer, guard Cody Wichmann and running back Tre Mason.
Defensive tackle Michael Brockers also missed the workout; he became a father, his first, and it’s a girl.
Reserve tight end Brad Smelley left practice early because of what appeared to be a hand injury.
• A pair of area sports legends — Isaac Bruce and Jackie Joyner-Kersee — visited Rams camp Sunday. The two have worked together for Mercy Sports Medicine. It was Joyner-Kersee’s first Rams practice.
Also visiting Sunday were former Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery and a pair of former Rams scouts — Russ Lande and Matt Littlefield. Both are scouting in the Canadian Football League; Lande is with the Montreal Alouettes and Littlefield works for the Toronto Argonauts.
National reporters at camp Sunday were Kevin Clark of the Wall Street Journal and ESPN injury analyst Stephania Bell.
• By Joe Lyons
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_60872f7b-9ace-5cb3-895f-6c5cb6e6b6f6.html
Michael Palardy had a pretty good idea what he was getting into when he signed in January as a free agent with the Rams.
“As much as anything else, I see it as a learning opportunity,’’ the 23-year-old punter and kicker said following a recent training camp session at Rams Park in Earth City. “I liked the idea of working with coach (Jeff) Fisher and (special teams coordinator John Fassel) and I was excited about working with Johnny, Greg and Jake.’’
That would be the Rams’ incumbent specialists — punter Johnny Hekker, kicker Greg Zuerlein and long-snapper Jake McQuaide.
“They’re great guys who’ve welcomed me, made me feel comfortable and helped me with whatever I’ve needed since I’ve been here,’’ Palardy said. “Guys in their position tend to be pretty territorial, but they’ve been nothing but helpful. I’ve learned a lot in my time here and hopefully that will continue.’’
While he continues to compete and knows anything can happen, Palardy understands his odds of sticking with the Rams are slim. After all, Hekker, a two-time All-Pro, has established himself as one of the top punters in the NFL and earned a Pro Bowl invitation following the 2014 season. Zuerlein is similarly entrenched after connecting on 98.9 percent of his extra-point attempts and 82 percent of his field-goal tries over his three NFL seasons.
“I’m here to do the best I can, to work and improve and hopefully catch somebody’s eye,’’ said Palardy, who starred at the University of Tennessee. “In my position, it’s about working hard every day and trying to make a favorable impression. If I can do a good job here, maybe show a little something if and when I get a chance in the preseason, maybe somebody else who’s looking for a kicker or a punter will take notice. And I’d have to think a few positive words from the coaches on this staff, as highly regarded as they are, could go a long way.’’
At Tennessee, Palardy spent four years as a punter, kicker and kickoff specialist. As a senior, he averaged 44.5 yards on 63 punts, with 18 inside the 10-yard line and 33 inside the 20. He also converted 14 of 17 field-goal tries and 34 of 35 extra-point attempts that season.
He is second on the Vols’ career list with a punting average of 42.9 yards, and third in field-goal percentage after making 37 of 50 (84).
“I don’t want to limit my options, but if I had my choice, I’d like to find a team that could use me as a punter and on kickoffs,’’ he said. “But again, I’m willing to do whatever the coaches ask me to do. I’m just looking to catch a break, get an opportunity to show what I can do and hopefully take advantage of the opportunity.’’
After finishing at Tennessee, Palardy had a tryout with the New York Jets and was in camp with the Oakland Raiders a year ago. He was cut after undergoing an appendectomy and later spent some time on Oakland’s practice squad.
“Let’s face it, there are only so many specialists’ jobs in the NFL,’’ he said, noting that the career NFL life span of kickers is much longer than that at other positions. “A lot of guys have to go through three or four camps before they get a real shot and some, no matter how hard they work, never get that opportunity. All I can do is keep working at it while trying to fine-tune my skills because ... a lot of what happens in my career is up to somebody else.’’
RAM-BLINGS
Following Sunday’s workout in the sauna-like humidity at Rams Park, the team is down to its final two open-to-the-public workouts in Earth City. Monday’s practice begins at 3:30 p.m., Tuesday’s at 5:30 p.m.• After an off day Wednesday, the Rams will travel Thursday before opening their exhibition schedule Friday night against the Raiders in Oakland.The remainder of the summer slate: Sunday, Aug. 23 at Tennessee (7 p.m.); Saturday, Aug. 29 at home against Indianapolis (7 p.m.); Thursday, Sept. 3 at home against Kansas City (7 p.m.).
• Sunday’s workout, which drew a crowd of 1,263, was highlighted by a pair of interceptions from undrafted rookie cornerback Imoan Claiborne, who sat out Saturday’s special teams workout.
Sitting out Sunday were defensive end Chris Long, safety Maurice Alexander, cornerbacks Brandon McGee and E.J. Gaines, linebacker Korey Toomer, guard Cody Wichmann and running back Tre Mason.
Defensive tackle Michael Brockers also missed the workout; he became a father, his first, and it’s a girl.
Reserve tight end Brad Smelley left practice early because of what appeared to be a hand injury.
• A pair of area sports legends — Isaac Bruce and Jackie Joyner-Kersee — visited Rams camp Sunday. The two have worked together for Mercy Sports Medicine. It was Joyner-Kersee’s first Rams practice.
Also visiting Sunday were former Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery and a pair of former Rams scouts — Russ Lande and Matt Littlefield. Both are scouting in the Canadian Football League; Lande is with the Montreal Alouettes and Littlefield works for the Toronto Argonauts.
National reporters at camp Sunday were Kevin Clark of the Wall Street Journal and ESPN injury analyst Stephania Bell.
