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Practice Report 9/16: Mason's Back in Business
By Myles Simmons
View: http://www.stlouisrams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Practice-Report-916-Masons-Back-in-Business/476fa2a1-eb10-4015-b3d9-8310af5e777d
While the Rams won their Week 1 contest, they did so without starting running back Tre Mason. Head coach Jeff Fisher said the Auburn product had a good workout prior to kickoff, bit it wasn’t worth further risking Mason’s health to play him.
“I wasn’t 100 percent -- I’m not going to lie -- but I was pretty close,” Mason said on Wednesday. “I felt like it was a smart decision to sit out so I don’t miss more time.”
Even though it may have been the best choice for the future, Mason said it didn’t necessarily feel great in the moment.
“I think that was my first game that I’ve ever missed [due to injury] in my career and so that really hurt me,” Mason said. “But I’m glad we came out victorious as a team, and we are looking forward to next week.”
Now Mason has been back on the practice field and he’s feeling healthy. On Wednesday’s injury report, Mason was listed as a full participant in the session.
“I’m out there watching over it and making sure I don’t redo it,” Mason said of his hamstring. “But right now I feel good and ready to roll.”
And for Mason, waiting to play has made a difference. The running back said it’s especially important in a sport like football to take all the time you can in order to recovery from an injury.
Given that, Mason said he’s been spending plenty of time in the cold tub. He likend the way he maintains his body to the way one would maintain an expensive Italian sports car.
“I treat my body like a Lamborghini,” Mason said with a smile. “I feel like if I’m at a race, as soon as the race is over you have to go right back into the pit stop.
“I’m tuning up the engine right now -- get a good oil change, new tires, put a little nitrous in there,” he continued with a laugh.
Mason’s imminent return will help restore the depth at his position group. And with talented players like Mason, Benny Cunningham, Isaiah Pead, and Todd Gurley, there’s some friendly competition within the room. But Mason said the players all know each strong performance benefits the team.
“We look at each other like brothers. If everyone is doing well then that means we’re doing well as a team and as a unit,” Mason said. “We’re pretty confident in whoever’s back there.”
So far this week, Fisher has yet to rule out Gurley for Sunday’s contest and Mason said he’s looking forward to seeing what the rookie can do.
“He’s going to be a big help,” Mason said.
And Mason can’t wait to be contributing on the field himself once again.
“My main thing is I just feel like I want to be a playmaker,” Mason said. “I feel like I am and when the ball is in my hands, I just try to make something happen -- make something positive for this team happen.”
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Defensive tackle Aaron Donald and wide receiver Tavon Austin accomplished a first for the franchise as they were both named an NFC Player of the Week. Donald was Defensive Player of the Week for his 2.0-sack performance against Seattle -- in which he also tallied three tackles for loss, according to the press box stats. Austin was named Special Teams Player of the Week for his 75-yard punt return touchdown.
Prior to Wednesday, no two Rams had ever been named Player of the Week for their performances in the same game.
“They’re both very deserving of it, in my opinion,” Fisher said. “I thought Aaron played as good a game since he’s been here. Then Tavon’s return was one of the difference makers in the game. So it was good to get some attention from the league.”
While it’s Donald’s first Player of the Week honor, it’s Austin’s third. He most recently won the award for his performance at Washington last year on Dec. 7, in which he tallied 143 punt return yards -- including a 78-yard touchdown.
“It means a lot to me,” Austin said. “For me, it means a lot more for my team. My punt return team does an excellent job. My hat goes off to them. If it weren’t for them, there wouldn’t be all of this, so I give all my praise to them every single day. I did make the play but at the end of the day, if it weren’t for them it wouldn’t happen.”
Austin said those kinds of returns result from strong work during the practice week.
“We finish all the way to the end zone at practice, and to see it happen on Sundays -- it just makes us feel good that all the hard work we’re put in is really paying off,” Austin said.
As for Donald, it seems like this could be the first of many Player of the Week awards. Fisher said the defensive tackle’s ability to play every situation makes him so effective.
“He’s got that art of penetration where he can be very disruptive, both in the passing game and the run game,” Fisher said.
STOPPING BY FOR A VISIT
Former Rams head coach Dick Vermeil and general manager Charley Armey both stopped by Rams Park to visit practice on Wednesday.
“When Coach comes into town, he always makes a point to stop by and say hi,” Fisher said. “He’s welcome here all the time. It’s good to get caught up with him.”
Our own Dani Klupenger got a chance to catch up with both Vermeil and Armey, and you can watch their one-on-ones in the videos below.
By Myles Simmons
View: http://www.stlouisrams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Practice-Report-916-Masons-Back-in-Business/476fa2a1-eb10-4015-b3d9-8310af5e777d
While the Rams won their Week 1 contest, they did so without starting running back Tre Mason. Head coach Jeff Fisher said the Auburn product had a good workout prior to kickoff, bit it wasn’t worth further risking Mason’s health to play him.
“I wasn’t 100 percent -- I’m not going to lie -- but I was pretty close,” Mason said on Wednesday. “I felt like it was a smart decision to sit out so I don’t miss more time.”
Even though it may have been the best choice for the future, Mason said it didn’t necessarily feel great in the moment.
“I think that was my first game that I’ve ever missed [due to injury] in my career and so that really hurt me,” Mason said. “But I’m glad we came out victorious as a team, and we are looking forward to next week.”
Now Mason has been back on the practice field and he’s feeling healthy. On Wednesday’s injury report, Mason was listed as a full participant in the session.
“I’m out there watching over it and making sure I don’t redo it,” Mason said of his hamstring. “But right now I feel good and ready to roll.”
And for Mason, waiting to play has made a difference. The running back said it’s especially important in a sport like football to take all the time you can in order to recovery from an injury.
Given that, Mason said he’s been spending plenty of time in the cold tub. He likend the way he maintains his body to the way one would maintain an expensive Italian sports car.
“I treat my body like a Lamborghini,” Mason said with a smile. “I feel like if I’m at a race, as soon as the race is over you have to go right back into the pit stop.
“I’m tuning up the engine right now -- get a good oil change, new tires, put a little nitrous in there,” he continued with a laugh.
Mason’s imminent return will help restore the depth at his position group. And with talented players like Mason, Benny Cunningham, Isaiah Pead, and Todd Gurley, there’s some friendly competition within the room. But Mason said the players all know each strong performance benefits the team.
“We look at each other like brothers. If everyone is doing well then that means we’re doing well as a team and as a unit,” Mason said. “We’re pretty confident in whoever’s back there.”
So far this week, Fisher has yet to rule out Gurley for Sunday’s contest and Mason said he’s looking forward to seeing what the rookie can do.
“He’s going to be a big help,” Mason said.
And Mason can’t wait to be contributing on the field himself once again.
“My main thing is I just feel like I want to be a playmaker,” Mason said. “I feel like I am and when the ball is in my hands, I just try to make something happen -- make something positive for this team happen.”
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Defensive tackle Aaron Donald and wide receiver Tavon Austin accomplished a first for the franchise as they were both named an NFC Player of the Week. Donald was Defensive Player of the Week for his 2.0-sack performance against Seattle -- in which he also tallied three tackles for loss, according to the press box stats. Austin was named Special Teams Player of the Week for his 75-yard punt return touchdown.
Prior to Wednesday, no two Rams had ever been named Player of the Week for their performances in the same game.
“They’re both very deserving of it, in my opinion,” Fisher said. “I thought Aaron played as good a game since he’s been here. Then Tavon’s return was one of the difference makers in the game. So it was good to get some attention from the league.”
While it’s Donald’s first Player of the Week honor, it’s Austin’s third. He most recently won the award for his performance at Washington last year on Dec. 7, in which he tallied 143 punt return yards -- including a 78-yard touchdown.
“It means a lot to me,” Austin said. “For me, it means a lot more for my team. My punt return team does an excellent job. My hat goes off to them. If it weren’t for them, there wouldn’t be all of this, so I give all my praise to them every single day. I did make the play but at the end of the day, if it weren’t for them it wouldn’t happen.”
Austin said those kinds of returns result from strong work during the practice week.
“We finish all the way to the end zone at practice, and to see it happen on Sundays -- it just makes us feel good that all the hard work we’re put in is really paying off,” Austin said.
As for Donald, it seems like this could be the first of many Player of the Week awards. Fisher said the defensive tackle’s ability to play every situation makes him so effective.
“He’s got that art of penetration where he can be very disruptive, both in the passing game and the run game,” Fisher said.
STOPPING BY FOR A VISIT
Former Rams head coach Dick Vermeil and general manager Charley Armey both stopped by Rams Park to visit practice on Wednesday.
“When Coach comes into town, he always makes a point to stop by and say hi,” Fisher said. “He’s welcome here all the time. It’s good to get caught up with him.”
Our own Dani Klupenger got a chance to catch up with both Vermeil and Armey, and you can watch their one-on-ones in the videos below.
