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Rams notes: Safety Davis continues making progress
• By Joe Lyons
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_2c0140a7-5664-56a4-918e-71636efe3f29.html
Cody Davis, in his third season with the Rams, turned in the defensive play of the night in Thursday’s 24-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs at the Edward Jones Dome.
Late in the first quarter, safety Davis stepped in front of rookie receiver Chris Conley on a short pass to the left and returned the interception 24 yards to give the Rams their only lead of the game at 14-7.
“He got me. I didn’t even see him come down,’’ said Chiefs quarterback Chase Daniel, the former Mizzou standout. “I thought it was a 10-yard completion to Chris and all of a sudden that dude was going the other way.’’
It was the first professional interception for Davis, who picked off six passes as a four-year starter at Texas Tech. He had three picks as a senior, including an 88-yarder he returned for a touchdown early in a 58-10 rout of Texas State.
“It felt great’’ Thursday, the 26-year-old Davis said. “I’ve been making them in practice a little bit, so to see it translate into a game feels really good. It was a Cover 3, just rolling down and saw a three-step drop and the quarterback kind of turned his shoulder that way and I made my break. Luckily, I guessed right.’’
Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2013, Davis has made steady progress during his time with the Rams, playing in 27 games, mainly on special teams, over the last two seasons. He made six special-teams tackles as a rookie and contributed 10 stops and a fumble recovery a year ago.
In recent weeks, he has come up with a number of interceptions on the practice field.
“I think those are a result of experience,’’ he said. “Every day, I try to work hard to get better, to improve my craft, and it’s paying off. That first year, there’s just so much to learn; you’re not only learning your position, you’re trying to learn the whole defense.
“But now, after a couple of years in the system, I just have a better feel for what we’re trying to do and the guys around me.’’
Davis also credited the aggressive style promoted by defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.
“He teaches us to trust our instincts and go get the ball, and that’s what I’m trying to do,’’ the 6-foot-1, 206-pound Davis said.
Davis’ spot on the roster should be secure, but he definitely knows the uneasiness that comes with cutdown days in the NFL. Teams must cut from 75 to 53 by Saturday at 3 p.m.
“As time goes on, I think you just learn to deal with it better,’’ he said after a practice at Rams Park this week. “My first year, one of the best things I learned was not to stress about things that you can’t control because all you’re doing is wasting time and energy. Each day, my goal is go out and work hard and try to make the most of my ability. Beyond that, it’s in God’s hands.’’
BRUCE GALA
The Isaac Bruce Foundation will host its annual Gridiron Gala on Friday, Sept. 25 at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch. This year, the focus is on celebrating the foundation’s commitment to the city of St. Louis and will feature area sports legends Ozzie Smith, Jackie Joyner Kersee and Brett Hull. (And, of course, Bruce.)
Each attendee will receive a limited edition print autographed by Bruce. Established in 2006, the foundation reaches out to youth and teaches them the importance of a healthy lifestyle with an emphasis on education.
The event will feature food, drink and music by Nikko Smith, plus live and silent auctions featuring memorabilia, trips and experiences. Tickets are available starting at $80, with all donations tax deductible. For more information visit www.isaacbruce.org.
RAM-BLINGS
The NFL cut deadline is Saturday, but a few teams started announcing their cuts on Friday. The Rams won’t announce their roster moves until the deadline, but the Post-Dispatch’s Jim Thomas learned that guard Brandon Washington, a third-year pro who’s been with the team and played in just one regular-season game since 2012, has been told he’s being released.
In Thursday’s loss to the Chiefs, Washington was on the field for 51 offensive snaps, tying him with rookie guard Cody Wichmann for the team lead. Defensive tackle Louis Trinca-Pasat, an undrafted free agent from the University of Iowa, paced the Rams’ defense, taking 67 defensive snaps. Rookie linebackers Bryce Hager and Cameron Lynch were next with 62 and 60, respectively.
• Defensive back Craig Dahl, a ninth-year pro who started games at safety for the Rams from 2009 through 2012, was cut by the San Francisco 49ers. Cornerback Quinton Pointer, who was with the Rams in 2012 and 2013, was released by the Baltimore Ravens; the Ravens also cut defensive back-turned-receiver Tom Nelson, who played in college at Illinois State.
• By Joe Lyons
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_2c0140a7-5664-56a4-918e-71636efe3f29.html
Cody Davis, in his third season with the Rams, turned in the defensive play of the night in Thursday’s 24-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs at the Edward Jones Dome.
Late in the first quarter, safety Davis stepped in front of rookie receiver Chris Conley on a short pass to the left and returned the interception 24 yards to give the Rams their only lead of the game at 14-7.
“He got me. I didn’t even see him come down,’’ said Chiefs quarterback Chase Daniel, the former Mizzou standout. “I thought it was a 10-yard completion to Chris and all of a sudden that dude was going the other way.’’
It was the first professional interception for Davis, who picked off six passes as a four-year starter at Texas Tech. He had three picks as a senior, including an 88-yarder he returned for a touchdown early in a 58-10 rout of Texas State.
“It felt great’’ Thursday, the 26-year-old Davis said. “I’ve been making them in practice a little bit, so to see it translate into a game feels really good. It was a Cover 3, just rolling down and saw a three-step drop and the quarterback kind of turned his shoulder that way and I made my break. Luckily, I guessed right.’’
Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2013, Davis has made steady progress during his time with the Rams, playing in 27 games, mainly on special teams, over the last two seasons. He made six special-teams tackles as a rookie and contributed 10 stops and a fumble recovery a year ago.
In recent weeks, he has come up with a number of interceptions on the practice field.
“I think those are a result of experience,’’ he said. “Every day, I try to work hard to get better, to improve my craft, and it’s paying off. That first year, there’s just so much to learn; you’re not only learning your position, you’re trying to learn the whole defense.
“But now, after a couple of years in the system, I just have a better feel for what we’re trying to do and the guys around me.’’
Davis also credited the aggressive style promoted by defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.
“He teaches us to trust our instincts and go get the ball, and that’s what I’m trying to do,’’ the 6-foot-1, 206-pound Davis said.
Davis’ spot on the roster should be secure, but he definitely knows the uneasiness that comes with cutdown days in the NFL. Teams must cut from 75 to 53 by Saturday at 3 p.m.
“As time goes on, I think you just learn to deal with it better,’’ he said after a practice at Rams Park this week. “My first year, one of the best things I learned was not to stress about things that you can’t control because all you’re doing is wasting time and energy. Each day, my goal is go out and work hard and try to make the most of my ability. Beyond that, it’s in God’s hands.’’
BRUCE GALA
The Isaac Bruce Foundation will host its annual Gridiron Gala on Friday, Sept. 25 at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch. This year, the focus is on celebrating the foundation’s commitment to the city of St. Louis and will feature area sports legends Ozzie Smith, Jackie Joyner Kersee and Brett Hull. (And, of course, Bruce.)
Each attendee will receive a limited edition print autographed by Bruce. Established in 2006, the foundation reaches out to youth and teaches them the importance of a healthy lifestyle with an emphasis on education.
The event will feature food, drink and music by Nikko Smith, plus live and silent auctions featuring memorabilia, trips and experiences. Tickets are available starting at $80, with all donations tax deductible. For more information visit www.isaacbruce.org.
RAM-BLINGS
The NFL cut deadline is Saturday, but a few teams started announcing their cuts on Friday. The Rams won’t announce their roster moves until the deadline, but the Post-Dispatch’s Jim Thomas learned that guard Brandon Washington, a third-year pro who’s been with the team and played in just one regular-season game since 2012, has been told he’s being released.
In Thursday’s loss to the Chiefs, Washington was on the field for 51 offensive snaps, tying him with rookie guard Cody Wichmann for the team lead. Defensive tackle Louis Trinca-Pasat, an undrafted free agent from the University of Iowa, paced the Rams’ defense, taking 67 defensive snaps. Rookie linebackers Bryce Hager and Cameron Lynch were next with 62 and 60, respectively.
• Defensive back Craig Dahl, a ninth-year pro who started games at safety for the Rams from 2009 through 2012, was cut by the San Francisco 49ers. Cornerback Quinton Pointer, who was with the Rams in 2012 and 2013, was released by the Baltimore Ravens; the Ravens also cut defensive back-turned-receiver Tom Nelson, who played in college at Illinois State.