Rams set to turn it up in scrimmage
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/20098/rams-set-to-turn-it-up-in-scrimmage
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- For the first time under coach Jeff Fisher, the St. Louis Rams will be taking their training camp show to nearby Lindenwood University for the team's annual scrimmage.
Before Fisher arrived in 2012, the Rams had made a tradition of having a practice under the lights at Lindenwood. It offered fans a chance to come out on a weekend evening and see their team up close in an intimate setting.
But the Rams decided to expand on the idea in recent years, holding their annual fan fest at the Edward Jones Dome to accommodate more people. This year, it's back to Lindenwood with the scrimmage set for Friday night at 6 p.m. ET.
"We’re going to go over to Lindenwood, which I think the guys are excited about," Fisher said. "Just like a little change of venue and a little more intimate place. We’re going to have a good practice. It’s similar to what we’ve done in the past down at the dome on Saturday. So far so good, we’re getting a lot of work done.”
The term scrimmage is technically being used loosely in this regard. There have been times in years past where the Rams would allow for some live tackling later in the scrimmage for the players near the bottom of the roster. The starters and primary backups generally stick to "thud" tempo where there will be shoulder pad collisions but no actual tackling to the ground.
That seems to be the plan again this year, with perhaps a dozen or so plays at full speed.
“We’ve traditionally finished with a 10- to 12-play live rookie scrimmage," Fisher said. "The biggest challenge in camp is to adjust from day to day, week to week based on numbers and things like that. But we’re going to get good, quality work. We’re going to compete early in the one-on-one situations. We will have some passing situations in two minute, run period. It’s going to be an important practice for us, for everybody.”
It'll also offer a nice change of pace for a team that has been particularly feisty in practice recently. A change of venue might not be as appealing as a change of opponent would be, but it's at least something a little different for all involved.
“I went by there (Wednesday) and took a tour and it’s a great stadium," Fisher said. "It’s intimate. It’s in great shape, so I think the guys will like it. Even though we’re starting at five o’clock, the lights will be on. You put the lights on Friday night, it’s a little different for them.”
