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September 3, 2014 at 8:10 pm #5996
RamBillParticipantRams report: Saffold will start ahead of Robinson at left guard
• By Joe LyonsFollowing practice Wednesday at Rams Park, coach Jeff Fisher confirmed what many suspected: that Rodger Saffold will start ahead of Greg Robinson, the No. 2 overall pick in May’s draft, when the Rams take on the Minnesota Vikings to open the season noon Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome.
“We made the decision for the opener that we’re better off going with experience,” Fisher said. “Doesn’t necessarily mean (Robinson) won’t play in the game, but we’re going to go with guys who have a lot of snaps under their belts.”
That means a veteran line of Jake Long at left tackle, Saffold at left guard, Scott Wells at center, Davin Joseph at right guard and Joe Barksdale at right tackle.
“I feel good about the guys we’re going to play with,” Fisher said. “They’ve been practicing together now for a couple of weeks and so I have no concern there. And I feel good about our depth as well.”
And Robinson?
“He’s doing a good job,” the coach said. “He’s playing guard, he’s playing tackle. He’s doing both in practice, he’s done it all through preseason and he’s gotten better each week.”
When asked if learning two positions has hurt the 21-year-old Robinson, Fisher answered emphatically.
“Nothing hurts him at all. It does not hurt him at all,” Fisher said. “I was told that Orlando Pace, the first player taken in the draft, didn’t play until Week 5. There’s no issue here, (Robinson) is going to be an outstanding player.
“Our focus right now is to put the guys on the field we think can give us the best chance to win right now.”
Pace, by the way, didn’t sign with the Rams until after a three-week contract holdout.
Robinson, who starred at Auburn, started three of the Rams’ four preseason contests.
RAM-BLINGS
The first injury report of the season included four players who were limited T Jake Long (knee), DE William Hayes (chest), Jo-Lonn Dunbar (shoulder) and DE Eugene Sims (knee). Two other players, CB Trumaine Johnson (knee) and center Barrett Jones (back), did not participate and are still weeks away from playing.
For the Vikings, LB Brandon Watts (knee), LB Michael Mauti (foot) and fullback Zach Line (ankle) did not participate and T Mike Harris (shoulder) was limited. CB Jabari Price (shoulder) and WR Rodney Smith (neck) were full participants at practice.
• Austin Pettis switched from No. 18 to No. 12 during Wednesday’s practice as a show of support for fellow receiver Stedman Bailey, who is serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
• The Rams have made a change on the practice squad, waiving safety Matt Daniels and adding tight end Brad Smelley. Daniels, a third-year pro from Duke, had both his 2012 and 2013 seasons ended by injuries and was slowed in camp with a concussion. Smelley, an Alabama product, was with the Rams for just a few days last year and was added to the camp roster on Aug. 11. He had four catches for 46 yards during the preseason.
• Defensive lineman Ethan Westbrooks, the undrafted free agent from West Texas A&M who won a spot on the 53-man roster by finishing among the team leaders with 12 tackles and two sacks in the preseason, has switched from No. 62 to No. 93.
September 3, 2014 at 11:30 pm #6012
wvParticipantIt will be interesting to see how many
snaps Robinson gets in the game.
I dont really care who ‘starts’.w
vSeptember 4, 2014 at 2:19 am #6031RamBillParticipantRams notebook: Fisher confirms that Saffold will start over Robinson
• By Joe LyonsFollowing practice Wednesday at Rams Park, coach Jeff Fisher confirmed what many had suspected: that Rodger Saffold will start ahead of Greg Robinson, the No. 2 overall pick in May’s draft, when the Rams take on the Minnesota Vikings to open the season at noon Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome.
“We made the decision for the opener that we’re better off going with experience,’’ Fisher said. “Doesn’t necessarily mean (Robinson) won’t play in the game, but we’re going to go with guys who have a lot of snaps under their belts.’’
That means a veteran line of Jake Long at left tackle, Saffold at left guard, Scott Wells at center, Davin Joseph at right guard and Joe Barksdale at right tackle on Sunday.
“I feel good about the guys we’re going to play with,’’ Fisher said. “They’ve been practicing together now for a couple of weeks and so I have no concern there. And I feel good about our depth as well.’’
And Robinson?
“He’s doing a good job,’’ the coach said. “He’s playing guard, he’s playing tackle. He’s doing both in practice, he’s done it all through preseason and he’s gotten better each week.’’
When asked if learning two positions has hurt the 21-year-old Robinson, Fisher answered emphatically.
“Nothing hurts him at all. It does not hurt him at all,’’ Fisher said. “I was told that Orlando Pace, the first player taken in the draft, didn’t play until Week 5. There’s no issue here, (Robinson) is going to be an outstanding player.
“Our focus right now is to put the guys on the field we think can give us the best chance to win right now.’’
Pace, by the way, signed as a rookie with the Rams in 1997 after a three-week contract holdout.
The 6-foot-5 332-pound Robinson, who played in college at Auburn, started three of the Rams’ four preseason games.
KEENUM SETTLES IN
The newest Ram, quarterback Case Keenum, completed his second practice with the team Wednesday.
“It’s been kind of a whirlwind couple of days,’’ said Keenum, 26, who was claimed off waivers from the Houston Texans on Monday. “I’m excited to be here, to start learning the system and do my best to contribute to the team.
“Any system in this league is tough … but I’m excited to learn some new stuff. It’s like speaking another language and I’m trying to learn it as fast as I can.’’
A Texas native who enjoyed a record-setting career at the University of Houston, Keenum signed with the Texans as an undrafted free agent and spent the 2012 season on Houston’s practice squad. Last year, he made eight starts, making his debut the week after the Rams blasted the Texans 38-13 in Houston. He ended up completing 54.2 percent of his passes for 1,760 yards with nine touchdowns and six interceptions.
He was waived over the weekend after Houston picked up Ryan Mallett in a trade with New England.
“It hasn’t really set in yet, but I’m just trying to stay at it, got the grind going,’’ he said. “I’m excited to be in a new place, to be outside of Texas, to get out of my comfort zone and to grow a little bit.’’
Listed at 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, Keenum gets by on his smarts, leadership and quick release.
“Because of injury, Case got a lot of experience last year, started eight games,’’ Fisher said. “No, he didn’t win any of those games, but there were some really good things you saw out of a young player. We spent a lot of time evaluating those games and felt like he’d be a good option to come in and try to develop as a No. 3 or No. 2. We just wanted to get him in the mix; you want to get as many good players as you can.’’
SSM KICK CANCER
The Rams specialists — punter Johnny Hekker, kicker Greg Zuerlein and long snapper Jake McQuaide — are teaming with SSM Health Care Foundations in a new fund-raising program to support the needs of cancer patients in the region.
In addition, a new event to benefit SSM Kick Cancer — “RAM-OKE’’ — will be held Monday Sept. 22, at Four Seasons. Led by Hekker and linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar, the night will feature Rams players taking the microphone to belt out karaoke renditions of their favorite songs. Fans can support SSM Kick by making a pledge for every point kicked by the Rams in 2014 or buy tickets to RAM-OKE at SSMKickCancer.org.
RAM-BLINGS
The first injury report of the season included four players who were limited on Wednesday — T Jake Long (knee), DE William Hayes (chest), Jo-Lonn Dunbar (shoulder) and DE Eugene Sims (knee). Two other players, CB Trumaine Johnson (knee) and center Barrett Jones (back), did not participate and are still weeks away from playing. For the Vikings, LB Brandon Watts (knee), LB Michael Mauti (foot) and fullback Zach Line (ankle) did not participate and T Mike Harris (shoulder) was limited. CB Jabari Price (shoulder) and WR Rodney Smith (neck) were full participants.
• Austin Pettis switched to No. 12 from No. 18 in Wednesday’s practice as a show of support for teammate Stedman Bailey, who is serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
• The Rams placed TE Brad Smelley on the practice squad in place of S Matt Daniels. Smelley was cut on Saturday after posting four catches for 46 yards in the preseason.
• Defensive lineman Ethan Westbrooks, the undrafted free agent from West Texas A&M who was among the team leaders with 12 tackles in the preseason, has switched to No. 93 from No. 62.
September 4, 2014 at 1:25 pm #6055RamBillParticipantRams rookie Robinson relegated to bench
By Nick Wagonerhttp://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/11294/rams-rookie-robinson-relegated-to-bench
EARTH CITY, Mo. — For the better part of the past three weeks, it’s become increasingly apparent that Greg Robinson, the No. 2 overall pick of the St. Louis Rams, was not going to be a Day 1 starter at any position on the offensive line.
In response to a question about Robinson’s progress, Rams coach Jeff Fisher confirmed what was already suspected late Wednesday afternoon.
“We made the decision that in the opener that we’re better off going with experience,” Fisher said. “Doesn’t mean to say that he won’t play in the game, but we’re going to go with guys that have a lot of snaps under their belt right now.”
And by that, Fisher means the Rams are going to go with Rodger Saffold at left guard and Davin Joseph at right guard. With Jake Long and Joe Barksdale penciled in at left and right tackle, respectively, that means Robinson’s role in Week 1 will be limited to playing in a swing role off the bench.
That move has been in the making since the third preseason game against the Cleveland Browns when the Rams opened the game with Robinson not in the starting lineup. That happened sooner than expected when Saffold left with an ankle injury.
Robinson spent the preseason and training camp playing left guard and left tackle, never settling into a position, which almost certainly made his transition to the league that much harder.
Fisher said Wednesday that’s not the case.
“Nothing hurts him at all,” Fisher said. “It does not hurt him at all. I was told Orlando Pace, first player in the draft didn’t play till Week 5. There’s no issue here. He’s going to be an outstanding player. Our focus right now is putting the guys on the field that we think gives us our best chance to win right now.”
What’s left unsaid there is that Pace was also a holdout in his rookie season and didn’t sign his contract until the day of the team’s final preseason game in 1997. He didn’t have the benefit of the full offseason program and first three weeks of training camp. Then again, he also wasn’t asked to play multiple positions when he did arrive.
Of course, none of that is to say that Robinson isn’t going to turn into a good player in the NFL. It was no secret he was going to need refinement upon entering the league from a run-oriented offense at Auburn in which he did little in the way of pass protection. Drafting beyond the scope of a player’s rookie season is fine, even logical, but the same can be said for putting that player in one spot and letting him develop so he can contribute right away.
To this point, Robinson seems like a hard worker with the desire to be great. Whether he will be or not, nobody knows. But even if Fisher insists there’s nothing wrong, it’s more than fair for Rams fans to be disappointed that the No. 2 overall pick in the draft isn’t in the starting lineup in Week 1.
September 5, 2014 at 2:00 am #6119RamBillParticipantStrauss: Rams critics stand tall as Robinson takes a seat
• Joe StraussOf the 256 players selected in May’s NFL draft, all but Jadeveon Clowney came off the board after the Rams grabbed Auburn tackle Greg Robinson. The Rams, who last experienced a winning season before golfer Phil Mickelson won a major, since have shifted Robinson to guard, where he won’t start Sunday’s season opener against the Minnesota Vikings.
This suggests any number of things:
• The Rams have quietly amassed untold wealth on the offensive line.
• Robinson’s pass-blocking skills remain rudimentary, inviting the dreaded description of “project.”
Media’s short-attention-span theater has moved beyond Michael Sam’s shower habits and Sam Bradford’s left knee to Robinson’s failure to provide instant gratification, deeming it an indictment of a front-office gang that can’t shoot straight.
Four months ago, analysts fell over one another praising the Rams’ well-conceived draft. One national critic extolled general manager Les Snead for “killing it.”
Now, two days before playing their first game that counts, has time already arrived to kill the Rams?
Has a franchise long thirsting for success decided to spend the last drops in its canteen on washing its hands?
Sure, it looks bad. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it is bad.
Critics already have started comparing Robinson to Jason Smith, the Baylor tackle whom the previous Rams regime drafted second overall in 2009. Smith actually did start the opener his rookie season, then went on to become the preferred definition for draft “bust.”
Smith endured concussions but before that was suspected of marginal desire and trying to leave the Cardinals’ clubhouse clutching Albert Pujols’ game cap.
Robinson only stands accused of coming from a run-first college program with a narrow playbook. He remains a massive man rated a run-blocking road-grader.
Don’t misconstrue this as an apology for a franchise on the clock in several ways. Fan skepticism is warranted after years of bait-and-switch surprises. Bradford’s return from last year’s knee surgery became the hook for heightened expectations. Then, when the knee again buckled in the Rams’ third exhibition tilt, the sell shifted to Shaun Hill representing only a minor markdown within a run-first offense. Hill’s first pass Sunday will be his 17th in the last four seasons.
The issue regarding Robinson is that the Rams love to draft on potential while their market desires immediate gratification.
“He’s going to be an outstanding player,” coach Jeff Fisher said Wednesday afternoon. “Our focus right now is putting the guys on the field that we think give us the best chance to win right now.”
The Rams last year traded up for Tavon Austin then struggled to incorporate the smallish, elusive receiver into the offense.
This occurred after taking Brian Quick with a second-round selection in 2011. Quick’s rep has been one of a practice All-Pro who goes missing on Sundays. His third season is supposed to be different. The Rams have realized quick returns from defensive draftees but continue to urge patience with receivers Austin, Stedman Bailey, Quick and Chris Givens — all taken within the first 96 overall picks.
The Rams drafted Robinson because they preferred his ceiling over the short-term certainty of Texas A&M left tackle Jake Matthews, the No. 7 pick who starts Sunday for the Atlanta Falcons.
Of course, the Rams declined to go sexy by taking top-rated receiver Sammy Watkins or quarterback Johnny Manziel.
Robinson gets the expectation questions a lot. He answers politely, patiently. He acknowledges the “process” that has him at guard, where reads must be made more quickly than at tackle. A talent who established his reputation steam-rolling college opponents now learns a thicker playbook at a fresh position.
“The game’s much faster here. It’s the NFL. You expect that. But you still have to make adjustments,” Robinson says.
Offensive line coach Paul Boudreau refers to what Robinson sees now as “a blur.” Defenders are distinguished by uniform rather than stunts and twists. Boudreau rates Robinson’s talent as a given. Making accurate reads is the tougher challenge but one that will be mastered in time.
“He’s exactly the player we thought we were getting,” Boudreau said.
More nuanced issues exist. The left guard lines up next to Jake Long, who is coming off knee surgery. Rodger Saffold fits there for now. Veteran Davin Joseph signed to play right guard. Former waiver claim Joe Barksdale started 13 games at right tackle last season. At some point Robinson will move to that side.
Last season, the Rams started eight players from tackle to tackle. Only left guard Chris Williams appeared in all 16 games. Harvey Dahl started the first eight games at right guard before ruled inactive for seven of the last eight. Center Scott Wells started the first 12 games but finished the season on injured reserve. Long blew out his knee in the penultimate game. Saffold made two starts at right tackle, got hurt, returned against Indianapolis at right guard, moved back to right tackle at Arizona then finished the season replacing Long at left tackle. Shelley Smith made two starts seven games apart at right guard.
Safe to say, continuity wasn’t last season’s strong suit.
Needing 43 rushing yards to reach 1,000 for the season, rookie Zac Stacy managed 16 yards in 15 attempts behind an improvised line in Week 17 in Seattle.
That last year’s team won seven games — four following Bradford’s injury — remains a marvel. Boudreau has no desire that his fifth season as Rams offensive line coach go as his fourth — or his third.
Two years ago, right tackle Barry Richardson emerged as the lone Rams offensive lineman to start every game at the same spot. It was the sixth-round draft pick’s only season with the club.
Among 2012’s most enduring memories was Williams unexpectedly being pressed into service inside London’s Wembley Stadium six days after being picked up from the Chicago Bears. Glancing to his right, Dahl asked, “Who the hell are you?” The Rams employed seven line combinations during the 7-8-1 season.
An offensive line’s high mortality rate almost guarantees Robinson will appear sooner or later. All parties say he could see time Sunday. But force-feeding Robinson into the starting lineup to immediately validate a premium draft pick isn’t part of the plan.
Fisher didn’t seem to care much to talk about Robinson not starting when it rained on Wednesday’s post-practice parade.
One moment Fisher pointed out to a media herd that All-Pro tackle Orlando Pace did not start Week One his rookie season after the Rams made him the first overall pick of the 1997 draft. Moments later, standing about 20 yards away, Boudreau made precisely the same point to a breakaway scribe. Overlooked was the fact Pace held out for three weeks during his rookie camp.
The game is faster at this level, much faster. Still, there’s ample time to pass judgment on Robinson and the process that brought him here.
September 5, 2014 at 1:55 pm #6166
znModeratorStrauss: Rams critics stand tall as Robinson takes a seat
• Joe StraussSure, it looks bad. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it is bad.
I don’t even think it LOOKS bad.
I suppose that’s a matter of opinion.
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September 6, 2014 at 11:10 am #6245znModerator
Robinson battles through growing pains as Saffold shifts again• By Joe Lyons
Rams offensive lineman Greg Robinson has experienced some growing pains in preparation for his first NFL season. Or, as fourth-year pro Rodger Saffold calls it, “mental gymnastics.’’
“Physically, there’s no question he can handle it,’’ Saffold said. “But right now, he’s having a tough time with understanding the offense and the big picture of the defense. It’s something most guys go through. It takes time. It takes experience.
“He’s got the tools and he’s working hard. Believe me, once he gets it, he’ll be fine.’’
Even as the Rams selected Robinson, a 6-foot-5, 332-pound road-grader from Auburn, with the No. 2 overall draft pick in May, some critics viewed Texas A&M’s Jake Matthews as a better choice because of his bloodlines and experience in the pro-style game.
Matthews, the son of Hall of Fame lineman Bruce Matthews, went sixth overall to the Atlanta Falcons.
But the Rams’ choice of Robinson was not just about finding a starter for the season-opening game in 2014; it was about adding a player who can dominate for years to come.
And that’s why the Rams opted for Robinson, who provides a unique combination of size, skill and athletic ability.
Robinson, who will celebrate his 22nd birthday in October, worked at left tackle and left guard through training camp and started three of four preseason games. He’s had some issues with pass protection, which isn’t all that surprising when you consider that Auburn ran the ball 729 times while passing just 285 — that’s nearly 72 percent of the time — last year while advancing to the BCS title game.
Robinson was replaced by Saffold to start the third preseason game but still ended up leading the team in offensive snaps.
“They said I’ve been making too many mistakes and that the real bullets were about to start flying,’’ Robinson explained about not starting. “It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. I feel like I’m making progress and if I continue to keep getting better, I’ll be fine.
“When the opportunity presents itself, I pray I’ll be ready.’’
Fortunately the Rams don’t have to force-feed Robinson. As long as they’re healthy, the probable starting combination of Jake Long at left tackle, Saffold at left guard, Scott Wells at center, Davin Joseph at right guard and Joe Barksdale at right tackle is strong, talented and experienced.
“I’d feel a little better if the No. 1’s had gotten a little more game time together, but overall I like what we have here,’’ Rams offensive line coach Paul Boudreau said, noting the depth provided by Robinson, Tim Barnes, Mike Person and Barrett Jones. “Because of the injuries, we’ve been forced to use a bunch of different combinations, so now we don’t have to spend time cross-training them.
“But what I really like about this group is the way it communicates.’’
Saffold said communication within the line is crucial.
“You need to have a feel for each other, especially when you’re bouncing off blocks and trying to adjust to stunts,’’ he said. “Knowing how the guy on your right and your left is going to react makes all the difference in the world.’’
Saffold, 26, can relate to the struggles that Robinson is experiencing. Drafted with the initial pick of the second round in 2010, he started out at left tackle, shifted to right tackle and was ticketed for right guard this fall before being shifted again.
“I’ve got it all down now, except center. Please, no center,’’ he joked. “The move from tackle to guard was tricky because you’re using different footwork, different techniques. But between Jake and Scottie, we’ll be fine.’’
Saffold’s challenge has more to do with health than anything else. He played in all 16 games just once, as a rookie, and has lost time in previous seasons with shoulder, pectoral, knee and neck issues. This preseason, he was slowed by a shoulder stinger and then a sprained ankle.
“I can’t seem to catch a break. I’m just minding my own business, blocking, and — BAM — I get hit,’’ he said, referring to the ankle injury that forced an early exit from a preseason win in the Cleveland game. “But I came right back.’’
Ironically, it was a supposed injury that kept Saffold in St. Louis. In the offseason, he agreed to a five-year, $42.5 million deal with Oakland, only to have it voided when the Raiders said he failed the physical because of a torn labrum.
When the deal fell through, his agents made a quick call to the Rams, who were confident enough about Saffold’s health to come to an agreement on a five-year, $31.7 million contract.
The Rams stuck with Saffold and will do the same with Robinson, their projected left tackle of the future.
“We’ve asked a lot” of Robinson, Boudreau said. “He’s trying to learn two positions while also trying to figure out the NFL, the defenses, the terminology and the verbiage. The first couple of weeks, he was thinking too much, but now that he’s starting to settle in he’s able to just focus on playing the game.
“When he knows what to do and he’s doing it fast, he’s shown the ability to make some really freakish plays.’’
Robinson said the experience has been “up and down,’’ but he is trying to move forward.
“I’m not going to get down about anything,’’ he said. “It’s just a matter of mastering the techniques and developing that muscle memory. It’s all about knowing your alignment and your assignment.
“My focus is on learning every day and to just keep working to get better. I know if stick with it, I’ll eventually start playing football the way I know I can.’’
September 7, 2014 at 12:07 pm #6389
c1ramParticipantTo me Robinson on the bench just means the Rams have some talent, depth, and experience on the OL. Robinson’s meant for the longer haul and so starting game one means nothing? What? We’re suppose to start him by virtue of his draft position anyway?
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This reply was modified 10 years, 2 months ago by
c1ram.
September 7, 2014 at 12:24 pm #6396
InvaderRamModeratori think he should be starting by the start of the second half of this season.
or i’ll be worried.
September 7, 2014 at 12:41 pm #6404znModeratori think he should be starting by the start of the second half of this season.
or i’ll be worried.
Well I wouldn’t be worried even then, myself.
Either way, though, yeah, I expect he will be starting at some point this year.
They thought of this. Hence, Joseph.
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