Rams News Recap: August 21

[RamBill]

Brandon Washington Battles to Get Back to Practice Field –PD
Rams guard Brandon Washington readily admits he is not a good patient.

Laurinaitis Practicing, But Still Iffy For Browns –PD
The Rams wrapped up their first post-training camp workout Thursday and went through some of their final preparations for Saturday night’s preseason game against the Browns in Cleveland.

Rams Report: Team Prepares for Browns In First Post-Camp Practice –PD
The Rams wrapped up their first post-training camp workout Thursday and went through some of their final preparations for Saturday night’s preseason game against the Browns in Cleveland.

Practice Recap: Prepping for Cleveland –St.LouisRams.com
The Rams endured the heat in their first post-training camp practice of 2014 at Rams Park on Thursday.

St. Louis Rams Thursday Practice Report –Wagoner
With the “official” end of training camp coming and going Wednesday, the Rams practiced without any eyes other than media watching Thursday afternoon.

Michael Brockers Expecting to Play Against Browns –Wagoner
Although the final decision will fall in the hands of St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher, defensive tackle Michael Brockers leaves little doubt about what he’s expecting Saturday night against the Cleveland Browns.

Rams Post Practice Twitter Summary: Aug. 21

Rams Coach Jeff Fisher: “We’re looking for improvement” –Video

Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher Press Conference Transcript: Aug. 21

Third Annual Rams Training Camp Dizzy Bat Race –Video

Mike Tannebaum On Why He Likes the Rams WR’s –Radio Interview

St. Louis Rams 2014 Opening Video

Gordo On the Rams: Who’s Hot, Who’s Not
Assessing the Rams as training camp breaks

Gordon’s Tipsheet: Rams Rank Last in NFL Team Value
Poor Stan Kroenke. His Rams are the least valuable team in the NFL according to the latest Forbes Magazine study, worth just $930 million.

Rams Day 17 Camp Report –Latsch
The Rams officially closed out training camp on Wednesday afternoon with a hot and humid practice session highlighted by the attendance of two area football teams from McCluer and McCluer North high schools.

James Laurinaitis Moves Closer to Return –Wagoner
Watching a St. Louis Rams game, preseason or otherwise, without the presence of linebacker James Laurinaitis is a little bit strange.

Morning Ram-blings: Breakout Players –Wagoner
In Wednesday’s Ram-blings, we discussed linebacker Alec Ogletree and how his success in 2014 could help make or break the St. Louis Rams’ season.

Rams Safety T.J. McDonald: “We want to play physical” –Video

Rams DT Michael Brockers on Returning to Practice –Radio Interview

Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher Post Practice Press Conference Transcript: Aug. 20

Jim Thomas Previews the Rams vs. Browns Game –Video

 

[RamBill]

Morning Ram-blings: NFC Best ... ever?
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/10773/morning-ram-blings-nfc-best-ever

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- It's no secret that the NFC West has emerged as the toughest division in the NFL over the past couple of years.

In the cyclical world of the NFL, a group that once went by the nickname "NFC Worst" is now being dubbed the "NFC Best." Eventually, the tide will shift again and it will revert back to landing somewhere in the middle of the pack and on and on it goes.

But for now, the St. Louis Rams, Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers form the toughest quartet in football. On Thursday, our friends from Football Outsiders offered a piece on Insider wondering whether the NFC West could be the best division ever Insider.

There's plenty to chew on in the piece but one thing I wanted to point out is the argument discussing the strength of the West from top to bottom. It's easy to see Seattle and San Francisco and label the division as tough, but it's realistic to think that Arizona and St. Louis would be favorites in a few other divisions around the league.

As for the Rams, Football Outsiders believe what many will agree with: the Rams chances of making a leap this year will hinge heavily on the performance of quarterback Sam Bradford.

I.C.Y.M.I.

A roundup of Thursday's Rams stories appearing on ESPN.com. ... In the Ram-blings, we took a look at Mike Sando's list of 50 players who could be poised for a breakout. ... Next, we discussed the Rams' move to designate running back Isaiah Pead as waived/injured. ... From there, we heard from linebacker James Laurinaitis, who is close to returning from an ankle injury. ... Defensive tackle Michael Brockers, meanwhile, is even closer and looks like he's ready to go this weekend. ... Offensive tackle Jake Long checked in at No. 63 on the #NFLRank list of the top 100 offensive players in the league. ... Finally, we wrapped up the team's 18th preseason practice with a quick report on the day's activities.

Elsewhere:

Thursday's edition of #NFLRank takes us through Nos. 70-61 on offense and defense.

A great read from Tommy Tomlinson on former NFL quarterback Jared Lorenzen.

At stltoday.com, Jeff Gordon looks at who is trending up and who is trending down for the Rams.

Gordon also explored the Forbes' ranking of the Rams as the NFL's least valuable team.

Jim Thomas offers his take on the Ferguson-area high schools visiting Rams Park.

At 101sports.com, Kevin Wheeler discusses the development of the Rams' secondary.