Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher – July 31, 2014
(On S Rodney McLeod’s camp so far and what he wants to see from him this season)
“It’s been, midseason on last year right through the final game and throughout the off-season and camp, nothing but improvement. He gets it, he feels good, he’s got a great feel for the defense. He and T.J. (McDonald) are really doing a good job communicating together, getting people lined up. The positions are interchangeable, so there’s flexibility there and then of course, you can’t say enough about his special teams contribution. He’s going to start at free safety, going to play on a couple teams and be productive for us.”
(On DE William Hayes, T Jake Long and C Scott Wells’s return to the field and how that feels)
“And Scott got some reps. It’s great to have William and Jake back there. They’ve been working hard. We’ve just got to ease them back into it, no issues today so we’ll get some more reps tomorrow but it’s good to get them back in. They’re both excited. Good to have Jake’s presence in the offensive huddle again, so that’s encouraging. We’re close. Two came back today, we’ve got a couple guys who are just a day or two away but we’re in good shape right now.”
(On LB James Laurinatis’s ankle)
“Yeah, I don’t know anything about it right now. He got stepped on we’re going to check it out.”
(On Maurice Alexander’s progress so far)
“Moe’s doing well. Moe had a little setback right at the end of OTA’s. We had to scope him, so he was a little bit behind but he used the time very well to get back in shape. He’s not had any setbacks. He’s doing a good job. He’s flashing on teams, showing things on teams and has a feel for what he’s doing. It’s a big pre-season for him I’m sure to get a lot of snaps.”
(On what’s impressed him the most about QB Sam Bradford)
“We are getting a lot more explosive plays. Sam’s throwing the ball real well. The balls going down the field on time to Kenny (Britt) and to (Brian) Quick and to Tavon (Austin) and Cookie (Jared Cook) and all the guys. But that’s the thing that’s been most impressive. Now, before you put the shoulder pads on there’s a lot of congestion in the pocket, but now the pocket’s starting to clean itself up because offense has pads on things are starting to even out a little bit, so we’re getting time to make those throws.”
(On if he’s still installing and if he still has a ways to go)
“Oh yeah, we’ve got a ways. This is the fifth practice and we’ll be installing probably through practice No. 12, 14. Then our approach, we’ll talk next week about our approach to preseason and how much you do and how much you play, those kind of things. We’ll probably be pretty basic in the preseason and continue installing you’ right through.”
(On Jake Long’s recovery from ACL injury)
“It’s hard to imagine, because back then as you guys know a meniscus (tear), you were casted from the waist down. Now you’re back in three weeks on a meniscus’ repair. Yeah it is, it’s remarkable what they’re doing. With what we have on our side, the medical attention, the capabilities in addition to the equipment and then you’ve got an athlete like Jake that can just push right through it. It’s hard to imagine immediately after surgery on an ACL your main concern is range of motion as opposed to years ago they just lock you down in a cast forever.”
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