Looking forward to Fisher's relative candor

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Mike Sando
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An established head coach can feel more comfortable speaking his mind.

That could be one underrated benefit to Jeff Fisher's hiring in St. Louis this offseason.

Fisher is entering his 20th season as an NFL head coach. He has served for years on the NFL's competition committee. He's confident in his approach and comfortable in the role.

Former Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo, a first-timer in the role, was often guarded in his public comments. Fisher isn't exactly Rex Ryan, but he should be freer with his observations.

I appreciated Fisher's comments Wednesday after several of his rookies missed practice to attend mandatory NFL orientation sessions in California. Those sessions do cover matters of import, but players also avail themselves to photographers for companies producing trading cards.

"It's a photo thing and the cards and those kinds of things," Fisher told reporters. "Really great timing."

Great timing, indeed. The Rams convened for the second day of organized team activities this week. Receiver Brian Quick, receiver Chris Givens and running back Isaiah Pead attended the rookie orientation instead. Other rookies could not participate in OTAs under rules requiring them to wait until their colleges hold graduation.

While players' careers will not hinge on a couple missed OTA practices scheduled for mid-May, every offseason practice carries additional value under a labor agreement with stricter limits on minicamps. The Rams, with a new head coach, do benefit from additional practice time this offseason.