- Joined
- Jul 31, 2010
- Messages
- 8,874
Rams report: FanFest at Dome draws better than 15,000 fans
• By Joe Lyons
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_93149efd-0f6b-5378-8827-d5d1b153e1ee.html
The Rams put on another strong FanFest event Saturday afternoon, drawing 15,723 fans to the Edward Jones Dome.
Shifting from Rams Park in Earth City, the team went through a regular practice session and added a live scrimmage featuring some of the squad's younger players.
“This puts an exclamation point on a real good week of training camp practice,'' Rams coach Jeff Fisher said. “The players are always excited to come down for this event, particularly for the fan participation and the attendance.... I think the fans got to see a lot of good things today, as we did from a coaching standpoint.
“A lot of big plays down the field. If there's any question about Sam's ability to play the position, I think it was answered here, at least early in camp. Some great throws today.''
Bradford, who seems to have a little extra zip on the ball these days, on a long pass down the left side to Kenny Britt for a 65-yard touchdown in 11-on-11 and hooked up frequently with second-year wideout Stedman Bailey on Saturday.
Bailey, unfortunately, will not be available at the start of the season while serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy.
“Not only 'Sted', but all of the receivers are having a good camp,'' Fisher said. “'Sted' had a really good day; he knows how to get open and knows how to make plays.
“We're going to miss him, but he'll push right through camp and we'll get through his ordeal and right back into the lineup.''
Some other highlights from Saturday's FanFest:
• Warming up, Greg Zuerlein booted a 63-yard field goal that went through off the cross bar. Later, after coming up short on a 65-yarder, the crowd cheered for another try. But that, too, came up short.
• Rookie Tre Mason received the bulk of the work in the 'live' session to wrap up practice. The third-round draft choice has shown excellent quickness and cutback ability and should provide an excellent backfield complement to Zac Stacy.
• Aaron Hill, a free agent rookie linebacker from Lutheran St. Charles High and the University of Minnesota, had a memorable practice Saturday. In addition to picking off a pass for what would've been a touchdown to close out the two-minute drill, he was in position for at least a couple of sacks _ one during the linebackers' one-on-one drill with the running backs and another in the 'live' scrimmage.
RAM-BLINGS
List of players not practicing Saturday was longer than usual, no doubt to give them back-to-back days off before training camp resumes on Monday. That 3:30 p.m. practice will be free and open to the public.
Not taking part in the FanFest workout were linebacker James Laurinaitis, defensive end William Hayes, cornerback Janoris Jenkins, receiver Brian Quick, guard Rodger Saffold, center/guard Barrett Jones, cornerback Lamarcus Joyner, guard Brandon Washington, safety Christian Bryant, cornerback Jarrid Bryant, linebacker Johnny Millard, running back Trey Watts, fullback Kadeem Jones and linebacker Pat Schiller.
Defensive tackle Michael Brockers appeared to suffer a foot/ankle injury Saturday, but it didn't appear serious.
• NFL Network host Andrew Siciliano, the preseason television voice of the Rams, was on hand to get a look at the team Saturday. The Rams open the preseason Friday, taking on the New Orleans Saints in 7 p.m. game at the Edward Jones Dome.
