Rams News Recap: June 8

[RamBill]

Kenny Britt Welcomes Fresh Start with Rams –PD
If anyone ever needed a fresh start, it’s new Rams wide receiver Kenny Britt. His five star-crossed seasons in Tennessee were a mix of off-field issues, injuries and flashes of big-play potential.

Fun and Shenanigans Rule the Night During Rams Celebrity Softball Game
Make no mistake, this was not a softball game for softball players. Sunday evening’s Jeff Fisher Celebrity Softball Game at GCS Ballpark was comprised of professional football players attempting to play softball with spontaneous modifications to traditional softball rules.

Fantasy Football Today: Rams 2014 Preview

Sam Bradford Doing More Than Expected at Rams’ OTAs –PFT
So many NFL players recovering from injuries in recent years have boasted that they’re “ahead of schedule” that it sometimes seems like it’s time to change the schedule.

Tonight’s the Night for Fisher & Friends Charity Softball –PD
For the third consecutive year, Rams coach Jeff Fisher is hosting the Fisher & Friends Celebrity Softball Game at GCS Ballpark in Sauget, Ill.

Barrett Jones Healthy and Ready to Compete –Wagoner
As fourth round picks go, St. Louis Rams offensive lineman Barrett Jones brought with him one of the most impressive college résumés you’re ever going to find.

Bradford looking Good in OTA’s –Softli
Sam Bradford quickly understood the hard road he faced after tearing his ACL in the fourth quarter of the Rams’ game vs. the Carolina Panthers last October.

What Must Michael Sam Do to Make the Rams Roster?

Kenny Britt on Fresh Start with Rams “It’s everything to me.” –Video

Jim Thomas Rams Chat Highlights: June 6

 

[RamBill]

Morning Ram-blings: The Williams Effect
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/9087/morning-ram-blings-the-williams-effect-2

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Before the NFL draft and free agency, the St. Louis Rams made what could turn out to be the most important addition of the offseason, hiring Gregg Williams as defensive coordinator.

Late last week, ESPN NFL Insider Mike Sando took a look at some newly-hired coordinators around the league and their potential impact Insider on their new teams.

Sando spoke to an offensive coordinator about what Williams could do for the defense in his first season in St. Louis. The answer should provide plenty of hope for the Rams and their fans.

"Gregg Williams is a nightmare coaching with St. Louis because they have a great front," the coordinator told Sando. "He has multiple packages. It will not be just those guys sitting in a straight 4-3. They will be kicking them and moving them. Now they also have an inside rusher with the kid they drafted."

As the Rams continue through organized team activities, Williams can regularly be seen buzzing around the practice field and putting his imprint on the defense. The emphasis on takeaways is perhaps most evident as Williams pushes his defenders to go after the ball regardless of circumstance.

There's still much for the defense to learn from Williams in the offseason and he has more to learn about how to best deploy his new players, but to compete in the NFC West division Williams' impact must be felt sooner than later.

I.C.Y.M.I.

A roundup of the weekend's Rams stories appearing on ESPN.com. ... Saturday's Ram-blings previewed the Jeff Fisher softball game. ... From there, we sought your help on finding the top three plays in Rams history. ... We finished the weekend with a look at second-year offensive lineman Barrett Jones' return to health.

Elsewhere:

In his weekly mailbag, John Clayton hits on a variety of topics around the league.

At stltoday.com, Jim Thomas returned for his weekly chat.

Joe Lyons explores Mason Brodine's move from defensive end to tight end.

At 101sports.com, Sam Bradford discussed OTAs with the Fast Lane.

Tony Softli writes that the Rams have raised their intensity level in the early OTAs.