Punter Cowan turns 2013 workout into opportunity/PD

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RamBill

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Punter Cowan turns 2013 workout into opportunity
• By Joe Lyons

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_13e28be7-6748-5683-9cd9-2f57142fb74b.html

In an effort to prepare then-rookie Tavon Austin for receiving punts from Arizona Cardinals left-footed punter Dave Zastudil last season, the Rams brought in lefty Bobby Cowan for a workout.

He made enough of an impression to be signed by the Rams as a free agent.

“The workout last year probably helped. Plus, I had a pretty good showing at a kicking combine that (Rams special teams coordinator John Fassel) saw,’’ said Cowan following Tuesday’s OTA at Rams Park. “This is a great opportunity for me and I’m just trying to do everything I can to get better and learn as much as I can.’’

Cowan, 24, starred at the University of Idaho, where he averaged 44.7 yards on 259 punts as a four-year starter. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Oakland Raiders but was released before last summer’s OTAs.

“All you can do is keep training and trying to fine-tune,’’ the 6-foot-4, 219-pound Cowan said. “As a specialist, you never know when the next chance will arise, so you always have to be ready. It’s important to get good film out there that can lead to a chance, either here or somewhere else.’’

Cowan is realistic about his chances with the Rams, who return third-year pro Johnny Hekker at punter. A year ago, Hekker earned a trip to the Pro Bowl after breaking the league record for net punting average (44.2).

“Johnny’s a great punter who’s coming off an All-Pro season,’’ Cowan said. “He’s doing a lot of things right and I’m trying to model my game that same way. The guys here have been great and I’ve really enjoyed working with ‘Bones,’ (Fassel) too.”

ROOKIE meet and greet

The 11-man Rams rookie draft class — Greg Robinson, Aaron Donald, Larmarcus Joyner, Tre Mason, Maurice Alexander (Eureka High), E.J. Gaines (Missouri), Garrett Gilbert, Mitchell Van Dyk, Christian Bryant, Michael Sam (Missouri) and Demetrius Rhaney — will join Rams executive vice president of football operations and chief operating officer Kevin Demoff, the Rams cheerleaders and Rampage for a meet-and-greet event tonight from 6 to 8 at Ballpark Village.

TRAINING CAMP SCHEDULE

Rams training camp will feature 13 open practices at Rams Park in Earth City as well as an open scrimmage at the Edward Jones Dome.

Rookies will report on July 21, with the remainder of the squad expected July 24. The first public practice will begin at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, July 25. The scrimmage at the Dome is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 2, at 12:30 p.m.

Autograph sessions with select players will follow each practice and the scrimmage.

In preseason action, the Rams will host New Orleans at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 8 and the Green Bay Packers at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16. They will play at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23 in Cleveland and at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 28, in Miami.

The regular season opens Sept. 7 against the visiting Minnesota Vikings.

Following is a listing off traning camp practices open to the public:

Friday, July 25, 3:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 26, 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, July 27, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, July 29, 3:30 p.m.

Friday, August 1, 3:30 p.m.

Saturday, August 2, scrimmage 12:30 p.m. at Edward Jones Dome

Monday, August 4, 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday, August 5, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, August 7, 3:30 p.m.

Monday, August 11, 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday, August 12, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, August 14, 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday, August 19, 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, August 20, 3:30 p.m.

HAIRY SITUATION

Receiver T.J. Moe, who starred at Fort Zumwalt West High and the University of Missouri, is sporting long hair these days.

“I hurt my Achilles last year (while in OTAs with the New England Patriots) and haven’t cut it since,’’ he explained. “First, I was on the couch and didn’t feel like it. Then, I kept coming up with deadlines like ‘I’ll cut it when I can run again’ or ‘I’ll cut it when I’m back at full speed,’ but I just haven’t cut it.’’

Any new deadline?

“You know what, the last time I had long hair like this was in eighth grade,’’ Moe said. “The hair got in my eyes while I was playing sports and the next day, I cut it all off. I’m guessing that’s what’ll happen again this time.’’

RAM-BLINGS

• The team is down to its final two OTAs — Thursday and Friday — before taking some time off before training camp.

• A sizable group of players sat out Tuesday’s workout, including left tackle Jake Long, center Scott Wells, running back Chase Reynolds, wide receiver Jamaine Sherman, defensive ends William Hayes and Sammy Brown, defensive tackles Michael Brockers and Kendall Langford, linebacker Ray Ray Armstrong, cornerback Trumaine Johnson, safeties Matt Daniels, Maurice Alexander (Eureka) and Christian Bryant. In addition, receiver Kenny Britt and cornerback Darren Woodard left the field early with team trainers.
 

moklerman

Warner-phile
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Oct 8, 2011
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Jeez, is it the dog days of the offseason or what? I'm reading an article about a backup punter. :eek:
 

-X-

Medium-sized Lebowski
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The Dude
Is there such a thing as having less than a zero percent chance of making the team?