Fisher on many things

Fisher isn’t worried about LA factor

By Jim Thomas

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/fisher-isn-t-worried-about-la-factor/article_e36f124b-6114-5c24-b562-e0d3be0f38b0.html

With all the talk about a potential move to Los Angeles, it wouldn’t have been a shock to find an LA real estate guide on the desk of Jeff Fisher’s second-floor office at Rams Park.

Instead, there was a copy of a book titled “Resilience” sitting there. Fisher has needed plenty of that in his first three years coaching the “St. Louis” Rams. And more resilience will be needed as the team’s potential move to Los Angeles comes to a head during the upcoming season.

With the veterans reporting Wednesday and the start of training camp Friday, Fisher plans to discuss the LA situation with the squad over the next few days.

“I went through this before,” Fisher said, referencing the move of the Houston Oilers to Tennessee nearly 20 years ago. “I went through it for three years. The important thing for the players to realize is it’s all out of our control.

“I don’t have any answers. I’ve not asked any questions. We’re playing here (in St. Louis). And we’ve got a good football team. When and if things change, then I’ll let them know. But I’m not concerned, and I’m not gonna get caught up with it.

“I have a great relationship with Stan (Kroenke). And if the time comes when I want to know what’s going with Stan, I’ll ask. I haven’t asked because it doesn’t affect us right now.”

Like just about any NFL coach would say at this time of year, Fisher’s concern is on the opener Sept. 13 against Seattle. Initial indications are that ticket sales are lagging, more so because of the potential move than the fact that the Rams haven’t had a winning record since 2003.

When it comes to the level of fan support at the Edward Jones Dome, Fisher is simply hoping for the best.

“What we’re hoping for is they’ll see the improvement in this team, and they’ll come watch us,” he said. “Because this a good football team. This team’s a lot better. This team is much, much further along than we were when we got here. So we’re gonna compete and we’re gonna win games.

“The fans get to make their own choices. But I’m not concerned. I feel like the Rams fans and the support here in town has been extraordinary. And I wouldn’t see any reason why they wouldn’t want to come out and watch us play.”

On the heels of his third consecutive losing season, Fisher is 20-27-1 with the Rams, including a 6-10 mark last season. He has brought the league’s worst franchise to the fringes of respectability, but a winning record, much less a playoff berth, remains elusive.

“I don’t feel any pressure whatsoever,” Fisher said. “We’re just building this team and we’re getting better. And the wins are gonna increase. From the big-picture standpoint, the issue that we had really from the time I got here through last season was just the instability at the quarterback spot.”

Fisher said he has great confidence in new quarterback Nick Foles, acquired from Philadelphia in the Sam Bradford trade. He feels a defense that flirted with elite status over the second half of the 2014 season will be better. He has a talented special teams unit. And better overall talent and depth on the roster.

He feels the team is closing the gap in the NFC West.

“We have a completely different team than we had three years ago, and that’s exciting,” Fisher said.

He realizes the offensive line is a question mark because of its youth and inexperience but likes the talent level up front.

At running back, he’s encouraged with the progress from knee surgery made by first-round draft pick Todd Gurley of Georgia. Gurley passed his conditioning test Tuesday and begins training camp on the active roster.

“We’re really encouraged from what he’s done,” Fisher said. “But he’s not there yet. It’s gonna take some more time. But we felt like it would be best for him to be able to practice on a limited basis as opposed to not practicing.”

So beginning Friday, Gurley is expected to get some individual work and maybe some 7-on-7 work as well. He’ll take part in walk-throughs.

“But he’s still a ways away,” Fisher said. “He’s not ready to play in a game yet.”

So Tre Mason probably will carry most of the load in the early season. On the offensive line, rookie Cody Wichmann begins camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list because of a calf injury. He’s expected to miss the first week to 10 days of camp. Otherwise the Rams are in good shape, health-wise.

Starting left tackle Greg Robinson (toe) and starting left guard Rodger Saffold (shoulder) are both cleared and ready to go following offseason surgery. So is wide receiver Brian Quick (shoulder).

“I don’t know if (Quick’s) gonna play early in the preseason, but he’ll play,” Fisher said.

On defense, not only are all 11 starters back, but so are almost all of the top backups.

“In addition to that we’ve added Nick (Fairley) and Akeem (Ayers),” Fisher said, referring to free-agent pickups at defensive tackle and linebacker, respectively.

Fisher said he’s never had a team where all 11 starters returned on defense.

“And we’ve created competition at some positions,” he said.

In the secondary alone, E.J. Gaines and Trumaine Johnson will battle for a starting cornerback spot, Gaines and Lamarcus Joyner will compete for nickel back duties, while Marcus Roberson and Brandon McGee compete for the fifth corner/special teams role.

“I’m eagerly awaiting to see where Brandon McGee is, because he’s been dealing with a foot injury,” Fisher said. “He’s 100 percent right now.”