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Rams notes: Team reunites rookie offensive linemen
Rams rookie guard Jamon Brown, a third-round draft pick from Louisville, spent most of training camp on the right side and then started the first five games of the regular season at left guard.
Now, with veteran Garrett Reynolds stepping in to take the place of Rodger Saffold, who’s done for the season with a shoulder injury, Brown appears to be moving back to the right side.
“It’s not too bad,” the 22-year-old said following Wednesday’s practice at Rams Park. “I take it all the way back to college, where I played both sides, left and right tackle. Here, it’s pretty much the same. Now it’s just a matter of mastering the technique on the right side.
“The left side, you’re used to a certain play being on the front side and now, on the same play, you’re on the back side. It can get confusing at times, but I feel like I do a pretty good job with it.”
In the end, Brown said, it’s the coaches’ decision.
“Whether he wants me to play on the left or the right, it doesn’t matter,” the 6-foot-4, 323-pound Brown said. “I have a job to do and I’m going to do it on either side.”
With fellow rookie Todd Gurley leading the way, the Rams ran for 164 yards in a 24-22 win in Arizona and followed up with 191 rushing yards in a 24-10 loss at Green Bay. Brown feels that’s a sign of things to come for the Rams and their youthful offensive line.
On Sunday, Gurley and the Rams will face Cleveland and a rushing defense that has allowed a league-worst 149.8 yards per game on the ground.
“I’m very confident in our line,’ he said. “I think we’ve progressed a lot, coming from OTA’s into training camp and now into the season. I think we’ve made huge strides and we will continue to get better week in and week out.
“Obviously, there are still things we can do better and we’re constantly trying to work on those things.”
Brown is excited to be working alongside of second-round draft pick Rob Havenstein, but ...
“It doesn’t skip a beat because I’ve worked with everybody in our room,” he said. “I just have to make sure I do my job and I’m sure everybody else will do theirs. We gotta continue to do what we do. It’s not really about their defense, it’s about us. And as long as we keep that mindset, we’re going to be fine.”
ALEXANDER IS BACK
Maurice Alexander, a reserve safety and special teams player, is back at practice after missing two games with a groin injury. He was hurt early in the Pittsburgh game on Sept. 27.“I’m feeling good, nice to be 100 (percent) again,” the second-year pro from Eureka High said. “When I first got hurt, I was hoping to get back quicker but the docs and trainers — they obviously know more than I do — they told me it’d be even longer than it’s been.“It was definitely frustrating because I felt good and felt faster than ever. An injury like that, you really have to be patient because if you push it too much, try to come back too soon, there’s always a chance you can re-injure it and be out even longer.
“But I’m back to where I was before and I’m looking forward to getting out there again on Sunday.”
RAMS IN THE COMMUNITY
The Rams will take part in a pair of charity events:
• Two-time Pro Bowl punter Johnny Hekker will punt off the roof of SSM Health St. Clare Hospital in Fenton Thursday at 9 a.m. as part of the SSM Kick Cancer Rooftacular. Hekker, kicker Greg Zuerlein and long snapper Jake McQuaide are co-chairs of the fund-raising program, which supports the needs of cancer patients throughout the community.
• In partnership with the United Way of Greater St. Louis, Rams players Benny Cunningham, Bradley Marquez, Marcus Roberson and Doug Worthington will join the team’s cheerleaders, Rampage and staff in hosting a Play 60 event Thursday from 3:30-5 p.m. at the O’Fallon Park YMCA.
RAM-BLINGS
For a team coming off a bye week, the Rams’ first injury report of the week was surprisingly extensive.Sitting out Wednesday’s workout at Rams Park were the expected injured players — linebacker Alex Ogletree (broken leg), defensive end Chris Long (knee) and tight end Lance Kendricks (finger) — but also included running back Tre Mason (ankle), wide receiver Tavon Austin (hamstring) and defensive end Robert Quinn (knee). Cornerback Janoris Jenkins (concussion) was limited.And the Browns’ list is even longer. Defensive backs Joe Haden (concussion/finger) and Tashaun Gipson (ankle) did not practice and neither did linebacker Craig Robertson (ankle) and tight end Rob Housler (hamstring). Veteran offensive lineman Joe Thomas and defensive linemen Randy Starks were given the day off to rest.
The following Cleveland players were limited on Wednesday _ tight end Gary Barnidge (ankle), linebacker Tank Carder (shoulder), defensive lineman John Hughes III (knee), wide receiver Marlon Moore (hamstring) and defensive lineman Danny Shelton (knee).
Back-up quarterback Johnny Manziel (right elbow) was a full participant in Wednesday’s workout.
• The Rams unofficial depth chart lists ex-safety Mark Barron as a starter at linebacker. Barron, who started the Green Bay game, was acquired from Tampa Bay at the trade deadline last year and is listed at 6 feet 2 and 213 pounds.
