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Rams report: Saffold will start ahead of Robinson at left guard
• By Joe Lyons
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_3c490c87-5dc0-5c1a-9d19-6a864c99dded.html
Following practice Wednesday at Rams Park, coach Jeff Fisher confirmed what many suspected: that Rodger Saffold will start ahead of Greg Robinson, the No. 2 overall pick in May's draft, when the Rams take on the Minnesota Vikings to open the season noon Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome.
“We made the decision for the opener that we're better off going with experience,'' Fisher said. “Doesn't necessarily mean (Robinson) won't play in the game, but we're going to go with guys who have a lot of snaps under their belts.''
That means a veteran line of Jake Long at left tackle, Saffold at left guard, Scott Wells at center, Davin Joseph at right guard and Joe Barksdale at right tackle.
“I feel good about the guys we're going to play with,'' Fisher said. “They've been practicing together now for a couple of weeks and so I have no concern there. And I feel good about our depth as well.''
And Robinson?
“He's doing a good job,'' the coach said. “He's playing guard, he's playing tackle. He's doing both in practice, he's done it all through preseason and he's gotten better each week.''
When asked if learning two positions has hurt the 21-year-old Robinson, Fisher answered emphatically.
“Nothing hurts him at all. It does not hurt him at all,'' Fisher said. “I was told that Orlando Pace, the first player taken in the draft, didn't play until Week 5. There's no issue here, (Robinson) is going to be an outstanding player.
“Our focus right now is to put the guys on the field we think can give us the best chance to win right now.''
Pace, by the way, didn't sign with the Rams until after a three-week contract holdout.
Robinson, who starred at Auburn, started three of the Rams' four preseason contests.
RAM-BLINGS
The first injury report of the season included four players who were limited T Jake Long (knee), DE William Hayes (chest), Jo-Lonn Dunbar (shoulder) and DE Eugene Sims (knee). Two other players, CB Trumaine Johnson (knee) and center Barrett Jones (back), did not participate and are still weeks away from playing.
For the Vikings, LB Brandon Watts (knee), LB Michael Mauti (foot) and fullback Zach Line (ankle) did not participate and T Mike Harris (shoulder) was limited. CB Jabari Price (shoulder) and WR Rodney Smith (neck) were full participants at practice.
• Austin Pettis switched from No. 18 to No. 12 during Wednesday's practice as a show of support for fellow receiver Stedman Bailey, who is serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
• The Rams have made a change on the practice squad, waiving safety Matt Daniels and adding tight end Brad Smelley. Daniels, a third-year pro from Duke, had both his 2012 and 2013 seasons ended by injuries and was slowed in camp with a concussion. Smelley, an Alabama product, was with the Rams for just a few days last year and was added to the camp roster on Aug. 11. He had four catches for 46 yards during the preseason.
• Defensive lineman Ethan Westbrooks, the undrafted free agent from West Texas A&M who won a spot on the 53-man roster by finishing among the team leaders with 12 tackles and two sacks in the preseason, has switched from No. 62 to No. 93.
• By Joe Lyons
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_3c490c87-5dc0-5c1a-9d19-6a864c99dded.html
Following practice Wednesday at Rams Park, coach Jeff Fisher confirmed what many suspected: that Rodger Saffold will start ahead of Greg Robinson, the No. 2 overall pick in May's draft, when the Rams take on the Minnesota Vikings to open the season noon Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome.
“We made the decision for the opener that we're better off going with experience,'' Fisher said. “Doesn't necessarily mean (Robinson) won't play in the game, but we're going to go with guys who have a lot of snaps under their belts.''
That means a veteran line of Jake Long at left tackle, Saffold at left guard, Scott Wells at center, Davin Joseph at right guard and Joe Barksdale at right tackle.
“I feel good about the guys we're going to play with,'' Fisher said. “They've been practicing together now for a couple of weeks and so I have no concern there. And I feel good about our depth as well.''
And Robinson?
“He's doing a good job,'' the coach said. “He's playing guard, he's playing tackle. He's doing both in practice, he's done it all through preseason and he's gotten better each week.''
When asked if learning two positions has hurt the 21-year-old Robinson, Fisher answered emphatically.
“Nothing hurts him at all. It does not hurt him at all,'' Fisher said. “I was told that Orlando Pace, the first player taken in the draft, didn't play until Week 5. There's no issue here, (Robinson) is going to be an outstanding player.
“Our focus right now is to put the guys on the field we think can give us the best chance to win right now.''
Pace, by the way, didn't sign with the Rams until after a three-week contract holdout.
Robinson, who starred at Auburn, started three of the Rams' four preseason contests.
RAM-BLINGS
The first injury report of the season included four players who were limited T Jake Long (knee), DE William Hayes (chest), Jo-Lonn Dunbar (shoulder) and DE Eugene Sims (knee). Two other players, CB Trumaine Johnson (knee) and center Barrett Jones (back), did not participate and are still weeks away from playing.
For the Vikings, LB Brandon Watts (knee), LB Michael Mauti (foot) and fullback Zach Line (ankle) did not participate and T Mike Harris (shoulder) was limited. CB Jabari Price (shoulder) and WR Rodney Smith (neck) were full participants at practice.
• Austin Pettis switched from No. 18 to No. 12 during Wednesday's practice as a show of support for fellow receiver Stedman Bailey, who is serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
• The Rams have made a change on the practice squad, waiving safety Matt Daniels and adding tight end Brad Smelley. Daniels, a third-year pro from Duke, had both his 2012 and 2013 seasons ended by injuries and was slowed in camp with a concussion. Smelley, an Alabama product, was with the Rams for just a few days last year and was added to the camp roster on Aug. 11. He had four catches for 46 yards during the preseason.
• Defensive lineman Ethan Westbrooks, the undrafted free agent from West Texas A&M who won a spot on the 53-man roster by finishing among the team leaders with 12 tackles and two sacks in the preseason, has switched from No. 62 to No. 93.
