Rams likely to keep it simple against Saints/Wagoner

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RamBill

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Rams likely to keep it simple against Saints
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/10293/rams-likely-to-keep-it-simple-against-saints

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher isn't shy about revealing his plans for Friday night's preseason opener against New Orleans.

This week, Fisher made it clear the plan for the Saints is there really is no plan.

"We’re not planning," Fisher said. "We’re going to just do our stuff. I think that’s important in Game 1 to be able to adjust, let the players adjust, and they may take a look at some tape from last year on Friday, but beyond that we’re just going to keep installing."

The Rams are 11 practices and nearly two weeks into this year's training camp and still a ways away from actually game-planning for an opponent. While they will gradually build to do more things throughout the preseason, they won't do much planning for any opponent other than the Minnesota Vikings, the team they open the regular season against in September.

For now, the Rams are going through installation of the playbook on both sides of the ball. That mostly means an extended refresher on what the team did in the spring, but with more emphasis placed on working with the starters.

So when it comes to the preseason, especially the first game, don't expect to see much more than the fundamentals from the Rams, not that they're known for being a wild, creative group in the first place.

"Typically, what we do is we keep things somewhat basic the first couple and just let them play," Fisher said. "You don’t try to outscheme people. You understand that, hey we’re going to run and tackle and block and cover and do those kind of things."

That the Rams plan to be basic in the preseason opener shouldn't be a surprise since that has become common practice around the league. But the Rams do approach the rest of the preseason a little different. Instead of building toward a "dress rehearsal" in the third preseason game, Fisher likes a more gradual build which ends in playing his starters more in the fourth and final preseason game than most teams.

So, though quarterback Sam Bradford, left tackle Jake Long and center Scott Wells have essentially been ruled out for Friday, there are still three games for them to get work. Likewise, there is no need to push players like linebacker James Laurinaitis (ankle), tackle Michael Brockers (ankle) and cornerback Janoris Jenkins to return right away as they recover from minor injuries.

That will create plenty of opportunities for the rookies and backups who aren't getting as many reps in practice. It's a prime opportunity to begin making a case for a roster spot since the bulk of the work in practice goes toward getting the starters ready.

"I think it’s the same thing year after year in the first preseason game," Fisher said. "You want to play as many people as you can that are able to play. You don’t want to play your starters too much. You want to get them in a flow, but we’re not out there to outsmart anybody.

"It’s preseason game number one, everybody that’s capable of playing for the most part will play."
 

mr.stlouis

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As they should!!! Test the waters, play the youngsters, and call it a night.
 

RamBill

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  • #3
Rams vs. Saints – What to Watch
By D'Marco Farr

http://www.101sports.com/2014/08/07/four-things-watch-vs-new-orleans/

It’s doubtful that Rams starting quarterback Sam Bradford will play this Friday. Several other starters, like left tackle Jake Long and guard Rodger Saffold will probably grab some pine against the visiting New Orleans Saints, too.

It’s all good, actually, since St. Louis will be looking for depth more so than front-line player as the preseason schedule kicks off. The goal for every team right now is to get ready for the regular season. Barring any unforeseen setbacks, the Rams appear to be right on course.

Here are some of the main things to which I will be paying attention tomorrow night at the Edward Jones Dome:

1. Greg Robinson and Aaron Donald’s debut.

The massive Robinson, 6-foot-5 and every bit of 332 pounds, has had one heck of a year. He helped pave the way to the national championship game for the Auburn Tigers, then was selected second overall by the Rams in May’s draft. He’s still settling in to his new home at guard, and there’s a lot riding on his quick development at the position.

Defensive tackle Donald has wowed just about everyone in OTAs and training camp with his initial quickness and power off the football. He’s going to be a big problem for most interior offensive linemen – run or pass, regardless of what sort of protection scheme they employ. And remember that defensive ends Robert Quinn and Chris Long will out there with him, too.

Donald could turn out to be the best pick to come out of the trade with Washington.

2. QB Shaun Hill’s first game in a Rams uniform.

Hill has had plenty of success as a starter when playing against the Rams (4-0 in his career), tossing nine TDs to just three interceptions. This time, though, we actually have a chance to feel good about it after.

No one wants to see Hill take the field in the regular season, but coach Jeff Fisher must make sure the veteran is ready just in case something happens to Bradford (again). So far, Bradford’s surgically repaired knee has held up in training camp.

My guess is, No. 8 will play next week against Green Bay at home.


3. Gregg Williams’ defense.

The Rams finished outside the top 10 defensively in 2013. In fact, the unit took a slight step backwards statistically from the previous year. Williams succeeds Tim Walton as Rams defensive coordinator and brings his Buddy Ryan-esque, ultra-aggressive style to a young and talented core group of defenders.

Preseason game No. 1 may be a tad bit early to go all blitz-crazy, but it is Gregg Williams we are talking about. Weakside linebacker Alec Ogletree and safety T.J. McDonald will be huge factors for Williams in trying to turn the Rams from darkhorse contenders into actual challengers for the NFC West title.


4. Michael Sam.

The defensive end from Mizzou makes tangible history the very second he takes the field in regulation. Now almost every American has a favorite football player. I think that’s cool.

I’m reminded, of course, that Sam is competing for a roster spot, the same as any other seventh-rounder, and not trying singlehandedly to disprove decades of prejudice.

But this isn’t just a meaningless preseason game when you consider Sam’s story.