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Rams camp report: Day 1
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/9879/rams-camp-report-day-1
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- A daily review of the highlights from St. Louis Rams training camp:
Quarterback Sam Bradford has been cleared to be a full participant in this camp and took the repetitions with the first-team offense Friday afternoon. Coach Jeff Fisher indicated that Bradford can do everything and actually embarrassed a few players he didn't want to name in the team's conditioning test. According to Fisher, Bradford might not do everything in camp and the preseason but they aren't going to have any hesitation to use him and if they back him off it will be a decision made at the time because of soreness rather than a set schedule.
Fisher said the Rams still expect left tackle Jake Long to be ready to go for the season opener. What's interesting is the plan in the meantime. Fisher said the offensive line will rotate the linemen to different positions throughout camp to give everybody a look at a different spot. Rodger Saffold told me the Rams gave him a schedule that actually has what position he'll be playing when at various times during different practices. On Friday, it was a little bit of a surprise to see rookie Greg Robinson at left tackle rather than left guard. Robinson played some left tackle in the rookies-only portion of practice earlier this week but he's going to get a lot of opportunities to do both during this camp. For what it's worth, Saffold lined up at left guard with Robinson at left tackle and Davin Joseph at right guard. Tim Barnes took the reps with the first team at center and Joe Barksdale handled his usual spot at right tackle.
Speaking of center, Scott Wells did not participate in practice though he did light running on the side in the warmups and other parts of practice. With Wells not participating, Barnes handled the bulk of the reps in the middle with the first-team offense.
Joining Wells on the did-not-participate list: Long, defensive end William Hayes, safety Christian Bryant, fullback Kadeem Jones, linebacker Johnny Millard, defensive end Sammy Brown and defensive tackle Ethan Westbrooks.
As for the happenings on the practice field, it's more than fair to say the defense is ahead of the offense at this early stage. That should be no surprise as that's often the case, but it was tough sledding for most of the day with a few early exceptions in seven on seven when Bradford connected with tight end Lance Kendricks a couple of times. Once team drills began, though, life became even more difficult with the defensive line consistently wreaking havoc on Bradford. When Bradford did get a pass off, it usually came a beat or two after he would have been sacked in normal game speed. Bradford and receiver Stedman Bailey had a clear miscommunication on one deep ball early in practice that fell easily into the waiting hands of cornerback Brandon McGee for an interception. Bradford looked a bit rusty overall and lacked zip on some of his throws (perhaps because of the pressure) but he did move well. He said after practice he believes the added challenge from the top defense should only serve to make the offense better.
Working mostly with the second-team defense, rookie defensive tackle Aaron Donald continues to be a terror. He made life miserable for the second-team offensive line and quarterback Shaun Hill. Hard to tell what's going to be more difficult: keeping Donald off the field or trying to block him.
Quick roster note: the Rams signed defensive end Kourtnei Brown and released wide receiver Austin Franklin. Brown is wearing No. 93.
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/9879/rams-camp-report-day-1
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- A daily review of the highlights from St. Louis Rams training camp:
Quarterback Sam Bradford has been cleared to be a full participant in this camp and took the repetitions with the first-team offense Friday afternoon. Coach Jeff Fisher indicated that Bradford can do everything and actually embarrassed a few players he didn't want to name in the team's conditioning test. According to Fisher, Bradford might not do everything in camp and the preseason but they aren't going to have any hesitation to use him and if they back him off it will be a decision made at the time because of soreness rather than a set schedule.
Fisher said the Rams still expect left tackle Jake Long to be ready to go for the season opener. What's interesting is the plan in the meantime. Fisher said the offensive line will rotate the linemen to different positions throughout camp to give everybody a look at a different spot. Rodger Saffold told me the Rams gave him a schedule that actually has what position he'll be playing when at various times during different practices. On Friday, it was a little bit of a surprise to see rookie Greg Robinson at left tackle rather than left guard. Robinson played some left tackle in the rookies-only portion of practice earlier this week but he's going to get a lot of opportunities to do both during this camp. For what it's worth, Saffold lined up at left guard with Robinson at left tackle and Davin Joseph at right guard. Tim Barnes took the reps with the first team at center and Joe Barksdale handled his usual spot at right tackle.
Speaking of center, Scott Wells did not participate in practice though he did light running on the side in the warmups and other parts of practice. With Wells not participating, Barnes handled the bulk of the reps in the middle with the first-team offense.
Joining Wells on the did-not-participate list: Long, defensive end William Hayes, safety Christian Bryant, fullback Kadeem Jones, linebacker Johnny Millard, defensive end Sammy Brown and defensive tackle Ethan Westbrooks.
As for the happenings on the practice field, it's more than fair to say the defense is ahead of the offense at this early stage. That should be no surprise as that's often the case, but it was tough sledding for most of the day with a few early exceptions in seven on seven when Bradford connected with tight end Lance Kendricks a couple of times. Once team drills began, though, life became even more difficult with the defensive line consistently wreaking havoc on Bradford. When Bradford did get a pass off, it usually came a beat or two after he would have been sacked in normal game speed. Bradford and receiver Stedman Bailey had a clear miscommunication on one deep ball early in practice that fell easily into the waiting hands of cornerback Brandon McGee for an interception. Bradford looked a bit rusty overall and lacked zip on some of his throws (perhaps because of the pressure) but he did move well. He said after practice he believes the added challenge from the top defense should only serve to make the offense better.
Working mostly with the second-team defense, rookie defensive tackle Aaron Donald continues to be a terror. He made life miserable for the second-team offensive line and quarterback Shaun Hill. Hard to tell what's going to be more difficult: keeping Donald off the field or trying to block him.
Quick roster note: the Rams signed defensive end Kourtnei Brown and released wide receiver Austin Franklin. Brown is wearing No. 93.
