Rams News Recap: July 29

[RamBill]

Hayes Close to Return After Offseason in Body Shop –PD
Let’s hope William Hayes got a volume discount, because he’s recovering from not one, not two, but three offseason operations.

Rams Notebook: Rookie Sam Continues to Make Progress –PD
Rams rookie defensive end Michael Sam continues to work toward earning a spot on the 53-man roster.

Rams Practice Recap: Joyner Makes a Statement –St.LouisRams.com
The Rams sported shoulder pads as a 90-man roster for the first time today in front of a crowd of over 1,000 dedicated fans at Rams Park in Earth City, Mo.

Rams Report: First full-squad day in Pads Results in Big Plays –PD
The Rams went through their first full-squad padded workout _ helmets, shoulder pads and shorts _ Tuesday afternoon before 1,678 fans at Rams Park in Earth City. And coach Jeff Fisher liked what he saw.

Rams Camp Report: Day 5 –Wagoner
The Rams put the shoulder pads on for the first time in this training camp Tuesday afternoon and it resulted in a little bit more of an even playing field.

Rams’ Offensive Line in Better Position to Combat Injury –Stalter
The Rams have durability issues along their offensive line. Pauses until reader picks himself off the ground.

Jim Fadler’s Day 5 Training Camp Report: July 29

Jeff Fisher Post Practice Press Conference Transcript: July 29

Coach O’s Rams Training Camp Report: July 29

Jeff Fisher: “They loved the practice” –Video

Twitter Reports of Rams Training Camp Practice: July 29

Rookie Joyner Impressing in Training Camp –Latsch
You can add Rams special teams coordinator John Fassel and wide receiver Kenny Britt to the growing list of fans of rookie cornerback Lamarcus Joyner early in training camp.

What to Watch as Rams Put on the Pads –Wagoner
The St. Louis Rams have made it through the collectively bargained opening days of training camp. Now the real football can begin.

Warner on Bradford: Time to Take the Next Step –PD
As an unheralded, undrafted player fresh out of the Arena Football League in 1998, Kurt Warner faced a different kind of pressure than current Rams quarterback Sam Bradford.

Morning Ram-blings: Dangerous Defense –Wagoner
It’s no secret to those that follow the St. Louis Rams or those around the team on a regular basis that they have the talent in place to become a dominant defense.

Remember Rams C Barrett Jones? He’s Bigger, Stronger and Ready to Compete –Balzer
It was a long year for Rams center Barrett Jones, but one he realized he would have to endure before being able to show the team’s coaches what he can do.

Rams WR Tavon Austin on NFL AM –Video

Tavon Austin Talks 2014 Season –Video

One-on-One with Rams Kicker Greg Zuerlein –Video

One-on-One with Rams LB Ray Ray Armstrong –Video

 

[RamBill]

Morning Ram-blings: Bad contract team
By Nick Wagoner

http://www.rams-news.com/one-on-one-with-rams-rb-zac-stacy-video/

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Late last week, Grantland's Bill Barnwell posted his annual "All Bad Contracts" team. In other words, the names of the players he believes are the most overpaid.

Earlier this week, I posted the link in these Ram-blings but wanted to take a moment to examine the piece a bit closer. For those who missed it, here's Barnwell's list for 2014.

Conspicuous in their absence are the St. Louis Rams, a team that during the 2013 season could have qualified at least a handful of players for the list, including then-injured quarterback Sam Bradford and injured cornerback Cortland Finnegan.

Despite a mention of Bradford, Barnwell opted for Baltimore's Joe Flacco. Here's what he had to say:

As bad as the Bradford deal is, at least the Rams can get out of it after this season and save significant money ($13 million) in the process. Flacco is surely the better quarterback of the two, but Baltimore is stuck in this deal for years to come.


It doesn't need to be said or written here that the Rams are hoping to use this season to determine whether Bradford's contract or a new one will be on next year's books. The fact that the Rams don't have anyone on Barnwell's team speaks to solid cap management and the "pay as you go" approach which allows them to get out from the bad deals they've made in the past.

Of course, it also speaks to some poor decisions by other teams but that's a story for a different day.

I.C.Y.M.I.

A roundup of the Rams stories appearing on ESPN.com Tuesday. ... In the Ram-blings, we took a spin around the coverage of the team starting with a look at the ever-growing buzz about the defense. ... Next, we got some thoughts from Kurt Warner on quarterback Sam Bradford. ... From there, I offered a few things I'll be watching as padded practices begin. ... In this quick video, I offered a preview of the Rams in fantasy football terms. ... Finally, we wrapped up a busy day with the camp report from Day 5.

Elsewhere:

An ESPN panel is counting down the top moments in "Monday Night Football" history. Tuesday offered one that Rams fans won't enjoy much.

The fines are piling up for Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch. Terry Blount writes it really doesn't matter much in the grand scheme.

At stltoday.com, Jim Thomas takes a peek at the Rams' special teams.

Thomas also participated in his weekly chat.

Joe Lyons examines how punter Johnny Hekker is hoping to build on a breakout season.

At 101sports.com, Randy Karraker takes a look at five things he's taken away from the early days of training camp.