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Rams report: Special teams practice produces spirited competition
• By Joe Lyons
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_e665dc54-1559-5018-9133-7b5c44c7d04c.html
The Rams held their first practice in pads Monday morning, going through a short, entertaining and spirited special teams workout.
For a lot of young players, special teams is the first step toward earning a spot in the NFL, so with the majority of the 90-man roster looking to impress coaches, the competition Monday was fierce.
“We told our rookies when they came in, in the special teams meeting, that our top three, four, five highest graded players the last two years have all been rookies from a core special team's standpoint, so the door is open,'' coach Jeff Fisher said after Sunday night's workout. “Some guys have left that were playing special teams (last year), so there are some spots available.''
Added special teams coordinator John Fassel: “It's a great way to evaluate guys.''
Practice wrapped up with a one-on-one drill that produces some great matchups.
A year ago, in that same 20-yard drill, undrafted free agent linebacker Daren Bates opened some eyes when he dominated veteran Josh Hull. Bates went on to a stellar season that included a special teams touchdown in the Rams' victory over the Texans in Houston.
Monday's highlights included a clash and some heated words between second-year linebacker Ray Ray Armstrong and free agent linebacker Lawrence Wilson. Like Bates, Armstrong came on to become a core special teams guy last year and led the squad with 12 special teams tackles.
Fassel said rookie Michael Sam, the seventh-round draft choice from Mizzou, showed promise in blocking drills and is quicker since dropping a few pounds since OTAs. The coach also praised rookie Lamarcus Joyner, who more than held his own in a double-team against second-year players Brandon McGee and Stedman Bailey.
RAM-BLINGS
The Rams will hold their first full-squad workout in pads on Tuesday. The practice, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 3:30 p.m.
• Potential special-team contributors who were unable to practice due to injury included safety Christian Bryant, linebacker Johnny Millard and fullback Kadeem Jones.
• By Joe Lyons
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_e665dc54-1559-5018-9133-7b5c44c7d04c.html
The Rams held their first practice in pads Monday morning, going through a short, entertaining and spirited special teams workout.
For a lot of young players, special teams is the first step toward earning a spot in the NFL, so with the majority of the 90-man roster looking to impress coaches, the competition Monday was fierce.
“We told our rookies when they came in, in the special teams meeting, that our top three, four, five highest graded players the last two years have all been rookies from a core special team's standpoint, so the door is open,'' coach Jeff Fisher said after Sunday night's workout. “Some guys have left that were playing special teams (last year), so there are some spots available.''
Added special teams coordinator John Fassel: “It's a great way to evaluate guys.''
Practice wrapped up with a one-on-one drill that produces some great matchups.
A year ago, in that same 20-yard drill, undrafted free agent linebacker Daren Bates opened some eyes when he dominated veteran Josh Hull. Bates went on to a stellar season that included a special teams touchdown in the Rams' victory over the Texans in Houston.
Monday's highlights included a clash and some heated words between second-year linebacker Ray Ray Armstrong and free agent linebacker Lawrence Wilson. Like Bates, Armstrong came on to become a core special teams guy last year and led the squad with 12 special teams tackles.
Fassel said rookie Michael Sam, the seventh-round draft choice from Mizzou, showed promise in blocking drills and is quicker since dropping a few pounds since OTAs. The coach also praised rookie Lamarcus Joyner, who more than held his own in a double-team against second-year players Brandon McGee and Stedman Bailey.
RAM-BLINGS
The Rams will hold their first full-squad workout in pads on Tuesday. The practice, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 3:30 p.m.
• Potential special-team contributors who were unable to practice due to injury included safety Christian Bryant, linebacker Johnny Millard and fullback Kadeem Jones.
