Rams News Recap: August 11

[RamBill]

Rams Notebook: Smelley Returns to Fill Roster Void at TE –PD
The newest Ram, tight end Brad Smelley, can only hope this season’s stay with the club will last a bit longer than last year’s.

Crowded House in Rams Backfield –PD
Last year at this time Zac Stacy said he felt like the proverbial chicken with his head cut off.

Gordon: Quit Blaming Bradford for Rams Draft Failures
Quarterback Sam Bradford has taken plenty of blame over the years as the Rams stacked up losing seasons on his watch. Some of it was more deserved than others.

If Rams Cut Michael Sam, His NFL Options Would Be Few (one?) –SportingNews.com
Michael Sam just made his NFL preseason debut with the St. Louis Rams. There’s still a good chance he won’t play in a regular-season game for them.

Rams Camp Report: Day 12 –Wagoner
A daily review of the hot topics coming out of St. Louis Rams training camp:

Pros and Cons of Rams’ Debut vs. Saints –Karraker
Things I liked, things I didn’t like about Friday’s pre-season opener for the Rams…

Rams Report: Fisher Closes Out Monday Practice with Wind Sprints –PD
The Rams began their on-field work for preseason game No. 2 on Monday, practicing before a crowd of 401 at Rams Park in Earth City.

Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher Post Practice Press Conference Transcript: Aug. 11

Rams Sign Tight End Brad Smelley –Latsch
The Rams have added tight end Brad Smelley to the roster on Monday to take the place of Mason Brodine, who was injured in the preseason opener against the Saints on Friday.

Setting Up Rams’ Preseason Week 2 –Wagoner
The St. Louis Rams went through their first game week last week, albeit a shortened week with a Friday night preseason opener against the New Orleans Saints.

E.J. Gaines Impressive Early in Preseason –Wagoner
For those that don’t closely follow Missouri football, cornerback E.J. Gaines will always be the “other” St. Louis Rams 2014 draft pick from the home state school.

St. Louis Rams’ Projected Roster: Aug. 11 –Wagoner

Morning Ram-blings: Bradford Going Deep –Wagoner
Over at Grantland.com, NFL writer Bill Barnwell completed his week looking at quarterbacks at a crossroads with a closer look at St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford.

Jim Thomas Talks Rams First Preseason Game –Radio Interview

Jim Fadler’s Rams Training Camp Twitter Coverage
Merril Hoge on Aaron Donald “he flashed on every play” –Radio Interview

Jim Thomas Rams Chat Highlights

Will Witherspoon 1 on 1 With Rams DE Chris Long –Radio Interview

One-on-One with Rams Special Teams Ace Chase Reynolds –Video

 

[RamBill]

Morning Ram-blings: Sam's chances
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/10412/morning-ram-blings-sams-chances

EARTH CITY, Mo. --It's ground we've already covered here plenty but it's always interesting to get additional perspective from others.

So it is that we begin this morning with a lengthy anecdote in Peter King's Monday Morning Quarterback in which he evaluates the chances of St. Louis Rams defensive end Michael Sam in his pursuit of a roster spot.

It's no secret that Sam is battling the likes of undrafted rookie Ethan Westbrooks for a potential ninth roster spot for a defensive lineman in this camp. It's also no secret that Sam's best route to the roster is likely through special teams.

King's piece takes a closer look at how Sam fits in there as well, including some details on where the Rams currently view him and how he's fit in the locker room.

Also worth noting from King's weekly tour of the league: a quote from general manager Les Snead in his quotes of the week.

I.C.Y.M.I.

A roundup of Monday's Rams stories appearing on ESPN.com. ... We opened the day with a new-look roster projection coming out of the preseason opener. ... In the Ram-blings, we began with Grantland's Bill Barnwell's look at quarterback Sam Bradford. ... Next, we set the table for this week as the Rams enter preseason Week 2. ... From there, it was a closer look at rookie cornerback E.J. Gaines, who has impressed early on. ... Next, we got some comments from coach Jeff Fisher on the tragedy in nearby Ferguson, Missouri. ... We closed the day with some thoughts and observations on the Rams' 12th training camp practice.

Elsewhere:

At 101sports.com, Randy Karraker gives his 10 takeaways from the preseason opener.

At stltoday.com, Jeff Gordon writes that nobody should blame Bradford for the Rams' issues with drafting talent to surround him.

Jim Thomas explores the ways Sam must improve to win a roster spot.

The latest from Rams rookie linebacker Aaron Hill's weekly diary.

The Associated Press offers its take on Gaines' progress.