Rams News Recap: Aug. 6

[RamBill]

Rams Could Make the Jump and Start Two Rookies on the Offensive Line
The transition from college star to NFL starter is never easy, even for a guy as big as 6-foot-8, 321-pound rookie tackle Rob Havenstein.

Rams Ready for Annual Scrimmage; Feistiness at Practice Boils Over
While they still won’t be hitting someone in a different uniform, the St. Louis Rams will take a break from a week of training camp with their annual team scrimmage Friday.

Practice Report 8/6: High Defensive Expectations
The Rams completed their sixth training camp practice on Thursday and with the high expectations for this year’s defense, veteran linebacker James Laurinaitis likes the unit’s direction thus far.

Rams return to Friday Night Lights –PD
There is no Fan Fest at the Edward Jones Dome this year to highlight the second week of training camp. But there will be Friday Night Lights at Lindenwood University.

Rams notes: In top shape, Ogletree poised for big season –PD
Following a stellar rookie season in 2013, Rams linebacker Alec Ogletree reported to training camp a year ago in less than peak physical condition.

Feisty Rams mix it up at Thursday night practice –Wagoner
The St. Louis Rams are not yet a full week into training camp but the time to hit someone else has already arrived. Or so it would seem from the events of the team’s practice Thursday night.

Andrew Siciliano Sits Down with Robert Quinn and Aaron Donald –Video

Jeff Fisher: “We are getting some results” –Video

Rams Camp Practice Report: Day 6 –Video

Jim Fadler’s Rams Practice Twitter Summary: August 6

How should Rams use Tavon Austin? –Video

Les Snead: Todd Gurley is ‘Ready to Roll’ –Video

Rams DE Robert Quinn Aiming to Get Back to Great –Wagoner
To hear St. Louis Rams defensive end Robert Quinn tell it, his 2014 season was a borderline disappointment.

Rams Tackle Rob Havenstein Still Adjusting to NFL Speed –Wagoner
To anyone paying attention, it’s abundantly clear that St. Louis Rams rookie Rob Havenstein is the team’s starting right tackle. From the day he arrived, he’s taken all of the repetitions with the first-team offense at the position.

Rams Confident Nick Foles Will be Fine Under Center –Wagoner
Before new St. Louis Rams quarterback Nick Foles can worry about actually running the plays in a new offense far different from the one he ran with the Philadelphia Eagles, he must first get reacclimated to one of the most basic jobs of an NFL quarterback: taking snaps under center.

Gordon’s Tipsheet: This Must be Tavon Time for Rams
Brian Schottenheimer can’t take the fall for Tavon Austin any more. The former Rams offensive coordinator is at the University of Georgia now, facing a whole different sort of professional pressure.

Has Tavon Austin’s Time to Break Out Arrived? –Wagoner
To this point in his still young career, St. Louis Rams receiver Tavon Austin has fallen well short of meeting the expectations that came when the team traded up to No. 8 overall to draft him in 2013.

Simplification is the Game This Time for Rams CB Lamarcus Joyner
As Lamarcus Joyner enters his second year as a defensive back for the St. Louis Rams, he’s understandably hoping to make more of a name for himself with on-field production.

Rams Notebook: Rookie Laskey will Not Shy from Contact –PD
Early this week, when the Rams put on pads for the first time, there was a noticeable bump in intensity on the practice field in Earth City.

Foles Fitting in With Rams –Video

Can Nick Foles help the Rams Close the gap in Close Games? –Audio

Tavon Austin Lack of success: “Scheme or We overrated the player?” –Audio

Can Nick Foles Experience Help the Development of Tavon Austin? –Audio

Don Banks Talks Rams Training Camp –Audio

Steve Wyche Talks Rams Training Camp –Audio

Rodger Saffold Predicts Rams Will Bring “Explosions All Over the Field” –Audio

 

[RamBill]

St. Louis mayor says stadium proposal a 'good deal'
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-ra...louis-mayor-says-stadium-proposal-a-good-deal

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- On the heels of St. Louis Circuit Judge Thomas Frawley ruling earlier this week that no public vote would be needed to use city bonds on a proposed new NFL stadium, the city's mayor is now speaking out in support of the project.

St. Louis mayor Francis Slay spoke to stltoday.com Wednesday and made it clear where he stands on the project.

“Having an NFL team in a city is really, I think, a huge amenity,” Slay told the Post-Dispatch. “It’s one of the things that make living in a big city fun.”

Perhaps most notable, Slay told the paper that he would not call for a public vote on the proposed north riverfront stadium nor would he push for an appeal of Frawley's ruling.

In the interview, Slay is honest about not knowing how the financial particulars break down and many would argue that there isn't a definitive financial windfall from building a new stadium. But Slay points to city pride and esteem as reasons for wanting a stadium to get done and a team to stay in the city.

Of course, having the city's mayor supporting the stadium efforts is a good thing for Missouri Governor Jay Nixon and his task force. But it's also not going to guarantee anything in terms of the Rams' future in St. Louis.

For that decision will fall into the hands of the league's 32 owners at some point this fall. In the meantime, if Slay, Nixon, Dave Peacock, Bob Blitz and the rest of those working diligently to get a stadium plan in place are able to get the puzzle put together, the better chances those owners will stand by their side.

I.C.Y.M.I.

A roundup of Thursday's St. Louis Rams stories appearing on ESPN.com. ... In the Ram-blings, we opened the day with a look at the need for receiver Tavon Austin to step up in 2015. ... End Robert Quinn wasn't satisfied with a good 2014 and wants to get back to great in 2015. ... Rookie tackle Rob Havenstein is having problems adjusting to the speed of the NFL but is confident he'll catch up. ... Quarterback Nick Foles has had no issues taking snaps under center so far in camp. ... We wrapped up the day with notes, quotes and anecdotes from Thursday's practice.

Elsewhere:

Thursday's look around all 32 NFL training camps.

More contract talk and squabbling from the Seattle Seahawks, this time from end Michael Bennett.

101sports.com examines cornerback Lamarcus Joyner as he enters his second NFL season.

Also at stltoday.com, Jeff Gordon has a look at Austin's development.

Jim Thomas writes that quarterback Austin Davis is in a familiar place by being on the bubble.