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By BRAD KEITH
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.yourstephenvilletx.com/sports/pro/article_0b64689c-daae-11e2-a048-001a4bcf887a.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.yourstephenvilletx.com/sport ... f887a.html</a>
St. Louis Rams safety Cody Davis, a 2008 Stephenville High School graduate, labeled his first NFL experience in organized team activities as both "eye-opening" and "exciting."
It's an eye-opening experience because you're surrounded by so much talent, and it's humbling just to be a part of it all," Davis said. "And it's exciting. It's the NFL and we're all just trying to make it."
Davis, who joined the Rams as an undrafted free agent out of Texas Tech, is one of a slew of young safeties competing for precious few roster spots. The Rams held 10 OTA's from May 21-June 14, and begin training camp July 25.
St. Louis parted ways with veteran starters Quintin Mikell and Craig Dahl in the offseason, and had no safeties with more than four years experience until signing eight-year veteran Matt Giordano last week.
The roster moves combined with a soft tissue injury to Darian Stewart gave Davis the opportunity to work with the second-team defense.
"That's a good spot for me, going with the twos now," said Davis. "I hope I made a positive impression and can carry it over to training camp. The coaches work with you and coach you up, but they don't really give you any indication where you stand on the depth chart."
One of the highlights Davis enjoyed most from his rookie OTA experience was matching up with fifth-year veteran tight end Jared Cook, who had 93 receptions for 1,292 yards and seven touchdowns the last two seasons for the Tennessee Titans.
[hilite]"I was going 1 on 1 with (Cook), and I got a pass breakup and defended him well on another one," Davis said. "He didn't catch any on me. It was exciting to go against a veteran of his caliber and get positive results."[/hilite]
Davis has appreciation and respect for Rams coaches from head coach Jeff Fisher on down.
"Everybody has their own NFL experience, and I feel truly blessed to have the coaching staff that is here. Coach Fisher sets the tone for the whole organization. He goes about his business in a cool, calm and collected manner and really sets the standard," Davis said. "He's a players' coach. He knows what's good for us and is always looking out for us. The coaches are on top of every detail, but it's not a screaming in your face business around here at all."
Every prospect hopes to hear their named called in the NFL Draft, but Davis was able to choose his team immediately following the draft's conclusion.
"Only time will tell," when asked if that was a blessing in disguise. "It was definitely bittersweet because I didn't get drafted, but this opportunity here, drafted or not, is probably the best opportunity I could have gone for."
Davis says he's headed home to Texas for a break before training camp.
"I've been in the hotel for four weeks now and the walls are starting to close in on me. It will be good to get back to Texas and see family," Davis said. "I'm going to keep myself in playing shape, but other than that get my mind off football for a little bit and be fresh and ready for training camp."
That's when the competition for roster spots will really heat up.
"I'm just trying to make the team. Whatever it takes," Davis said. "As long as that happens it doesn't matter where you came from or if you were drafted."
Follow Brad Keith on Twiter @etsports​
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St. Louis Rams safety Cody Davis, a 2008 Stephenville High School graduate, labeled his first NFL experience in organized team activities as both "eye-opening" and "exciting."
It's an eye-opening experience because you're surrounded by so much talent, and it's humbling just to be a part of it all," Davis said. "And it's exciting. It's the NFL and we're all just trying to make it."
Davis, who joined the Rams as an undrafted free agent out of Texas Tech, is one of a slew of young safeties competing for precious few roster spots. The Rams held 10 OTA's from May 21-June 14, and begin training camp July 25.
St. Louis parted ways with veteran starters Quintin Mikell and Craig Dahl in the offseason, and had no safeties with more than four years experience until signing eight-year veteran Matt Giordano last week.
The roster moves combined with a soft tissue injury to Darian Stewart gave Davis the opportunity to work with the second-team defense.
"That's a good spot for me, going with the twos now," said Davis. "I hope I made a positive impression and can carry it over to training camp. The coaches work with you and coach you up, but they don't really give you any indication where you stand on the depth chart."
One of the highlights Davis enjoyed most from his rookie OTA experience was matching up with fifth-year veteran tight end Jared Cook, who had 93 receptions for 1,292 yards and seven touchdowns the last two seasons for the Tennessee Titans.
[hilite]"I was going 1 on 1 with (Cook), and I got a pass breakup and defended him well on another one," Davis said. "He didn't catch any on me. It was exciting to go against a veteran of his caliber and get positive results."[/hilite]
Davis has appreciation and respect for Rams coaches from head coach Jeff Fisher on down.
"Everybody has their own NFL experience, and I feel truly blessed to have the coaching staff that is here. Coach Fisher sets the tone for the whole organization. He goes about his business in a cool, calm and collected manner and really sets the standard," Davis said. "He's a players' coach. He knows what's good for us and is always looking out for us. The coaches are on top of every detail, but it's not a screaming in your face business around here at all."
Every prospect hopes to hear their named called in the NFL Draft, but Davis was able to choose his team immediately following the draft's conclusion.
"Only time will tell," when asked if that was a blessing in disguise. "It was definitely bittersweet because I didn't get drafted, but this opportunity here, drafted or not, is probably the best opportunity I could have gone for."
Davis says he's headed home to Texas for a break before training camp.
"I've been in the hotel for four weeks now and the walls are starting to close in on me. It will be good to get back to Texas and see family," Davis said. "I'm going to keep myself in playing shape, but other than that get my mind off football for a little bit and be fresh and ready for training camp."
That's when the competition for roster spots will really heat up.
"I'm just trying to make the team. Whatever it takes," Davis said. "As long as that happens it doesn't matter where you came from or if you were drafted."
Follow Brad Keith on Twiter @etsports​
