Challenges of a Long Road Trip

Practice Report 10/14: The Challenges of a Long Road Trip

Myles Simmons

http://www.therams.com/news-and-events/article-practicereport/Practice-Report-1014-The-Challenges-of-a-Long-Road-Trip/656300e7-19b4-4051-b8c9-02ea929191da

With the conclusion of Friday’s practice the Rams are now headed on the road for an extended trip — first to the eastern time zone, and then across the pond.

“It’s a challenge. It’s a two-step challenge,” Los Angeles head coach Jeff Fisher said this week. “First step is Detroit, second step is at London against a good football team with the Giants. We haven’t scratched the surface with the Giants right now. It’s all about Detroit.”

The Rams will play at 10 a.m. pacific for the first time this season on Sunday, which is a challenge the club has addressed during the week.

“The statistics over the last five years — they don’t reflect a great deal of success when the West Coast teams are playing the 1 o’clock games on the East Coast,” Fisher said. “Those are things you talk to them about. So, we adjust our schedules a little bit. Not that that can be an excuse, but hey, you know, the approach needs to be, and it is with us, is whenever they tell us show up and play, we’re going to play.”

To that end, L.A. held a few meetings earlier than usual this week, and also began Friday’s practice at 10:30.

“For example, we had a 9:15 a.m. team meeting [on Wednesday],” Fisher said. “Sunday, they’ll be starting pregame warm-ups at 9:15 a.m. [pacific], so, it’s different. When the wakeup call comes in the morning at the hotel at 5:00 a.m. and the pregame meal is at 6:00 a.m., there’s a mindset, there’s a focus, there’s a concentration. But again, you don’t want to spring it on them. You want to let them be prepared for it.”

According to quarterback Case Keenum, players are feeling ready for the early start.

“I think for me and I think for our guys, we’re of the mindset that no matter where we’re at, we’re going to show up and play,” Keenum said. “It doesn’t matter what time, what place, if there’s an hour rain delay, if it’s an early game, if it’s a late game, if it’s a night game, if it’s on grass, turf, if it’s indoors, outdoors, we’re going to show up and play.

“As far as the early game, I get up early every day,” Keenum added. “When the whistle blows, I don’t think anybody will be thinking about how early it is — it’ll be football.”