Setting up the Colts game

Practice Report 8/27: Preparing for Indianapolis

Myles Simmons

http://www.stlouisrams.com/news-and-events/article-practicereport/Practice-Report-827-Preparing-for-Indianapolis/c490c593-0334-45c2-8241-0a3a14090db1

The Rams continued their work in preparation for the third preseason game against the Colts on Thursday afternoon. Head coach Jeff Fisher said after the session that while yesterday’s practice was focused on physicality and the run game, today’s was more about agility and quickness.

“It’s great work,” Fisher said. “We tried to get some time between yesterday’s physical practice and then today, and today was more of a speed practice and it was good. We didn’t have any issues.”

The third exhibition contest is traditionally the so-called “dress rehearsal” for teams around the league. While Fisher does not necessarily adhere to that philosophy, the head coach said Thursday the team has been doing a bit more preparation for Indianapolis.

“We’re going to allow them to look at the opponent, spend a little more time preparing them,” Fisher said. “That doesn’t mean to say that we’re going to put a lot of new things in. We’re going to play. But we’ll just kind of get them a better feel for it.”

It’s probably fair to expect the starters to play more in this game than they have so far in the preseason. Fisher said earlier this week that there is a chance they could play to halftime, but it depends on the number of snaps the units get.

“It’s so hard to measure because if you’re defense gives up a 10-play drive and it lasts for six or seven minutes, then you’re cutting reps away from your offense,” Fisher said. “It’s all about time as they kind of relate to reps. I don’t think it’s necessary for us right now to go through halftime and come back. Most of our guys have done that before.”

If there are players who may have their on-field time substantially increased, they could come along the offensive line. Fisher has said throughout camp that he’s been pleased with the work from Rob Havenstein and Jamon Brown at right tackle and right guard, respectively. And Fisher said today that they may get some extra snaps in order to more adequately prepare for Week 1.

“You’ll see JB and Rob play a little bit more. We need to get them some more live reps,” Fisher said. “But, again, I keep going back to the Dallas experience. Those were extra reps. But I think you’ll probably see them play most of the first half this week.”

Additionally, with Rodger Saffold temporarily sidelined with a shoulder injury, Demetrius Rhaney has been working at left guard. Rhaney has been one of the three players in competition to start at center, and according to Fisher, the Tennessee State product has done well shifting one slot to the left.

“The guard position, in his defense, is a little easier,” Fisher said. “There are a lot of things that go on with the center spot, and he’s handling that very well. But at the guard position, you just line up and play. And he’s done a good job there for us.”

Though the offensive line is not all settled just yet, Fisher said this time in practice presents good opportunities for players to get snaps where there may not be time to do so in the regular season.

“The expectation is that Rodger will be back,” Fisher said. “We’re moving people around so guys are getting a lot of valuable experience, especially Garrett [Reynolds]. Garrett is playing guard, playing tackle and all that. And same with Demetrius playing guard and center. So that’s really valuable experience for them.”

A LITTLE LUCK

It’s no secret that Andrew Luck is on the fast track to becoming an elite quarterback in the NFL. And while the Rams aren’t sure how much he’ll be in the game this week, Fisher said the quarterback will provide a good test for however many snaps he plays.

“He’s got a tremendously strong arm, quick release, sees the field, and then he’s mobile,” Fisher said. “He buys time in the pocket, scrambles around, and is really accurate on the run. He’s the complete package.”

But he’s not the only player who makes the Colts’ offense so effective.

“This week we have a great opponent in Indy who can light up a scoreboard in a heartbeat,” defensive end Robert Quinn said. “I think guys know we have a challenge within ourselves. And they’ve got Frank Gore back there, so we know how he runs. They have a talented team. We just need to put our pieces together and play how we know we can.”

CUT DAYS ARE COMING

Finally, following the third preseason game, the Rams will have to reduce their current roster from 90 players to 75 by Sept. 1. Fisher acknowledged how it’s a difficult time for many, but he makes the effort to be as empathetic as possible with the process.

“I will talk to every single player. I’ve always done that,” Fisher said. “It’s difficult. It’s never easy, especially when you go to 75 because you’re trying to project what you’re going to do in the fourth preseason game. But we’ll get through the process.”

With many returning players, Fisher said he has an idea for the majority of spots for the 53-man roster. But there are still jobs to be earned over the next couple weeks, which the young players understand.

“We’ve had discussions with them with respect to how important the third preseason game is, and that we have some tough decision to make,” Fisher said. “Then we make our decisions and you go ahead and tell them the same thing in the fourth preseason game.”

b]Strauss: Same old vanilla flavor from Fisher[/b]

Joe Strauss

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/joe-strauss/strauss-same-old-vanilla-flavor-from-fisher/article_7a639dda-875f-5798-9b96-4ebb42c4b1c9.html

With apologies to the transcendent but vastly underrated poet Robert Matthew Van Winkle, if it’s August then Jeff Fisher’s offense can best be described as “Ice Ice Baby.”

“Yo, 4th-and-three, let’s kick it.” Two weeks into the exhibition season and the Rams’ first-team offense has yet to crack the end zone.

For many teams this would raise anxiety levels only slightly.

For a team breaking in a new quarterback behind a renovated offensive line, this moves the needle like a Geiger counter atop a Bridgeton landfill.

“Ice, ice, baby.”

The Rams have been outscored 45-17 by the Oakland Raiders and Tennessee Titans. Quarterback Nick Foles has attempted 12 passes, completed six and had one intercepted for a touchdown. Outscored 29-3 before halftime, Mayflower’s Team hasn’t exactly stoked ratings outside Earth City. This is either a sign of an approaching apocalypse or no more significant than Thursday giving way to Friday.

In his fourth season as the Rams’ lead ice cream man, Fisher’s flavor of the month for August is always vanilla.

Not French vanilla. Not Vanilla Dream. And certainly not Tutti Frutti.

So far the No. 1 offense has rushed for 40 yards on 14 carries — roughly three yards and a cloud of bust. But first-rounder Todd Gurley still wears the yellow beanie. The Rams’ feature-back-in-waiting is not to be touched during drills and is unlikely to run from scrimmage until well into September. Veteran left guard Rodger Saffold missed last weekend’s tilt with a sprained right shoulder and remains questionable for Saturday against Indianapolis. Saffold’s absence leaves two rookie starters, three auditioning centers, a second-year left tackle and redshirt Demetrius Rhaney, who has never appeared in a regular-season NFL game.

If this concerns Fisher, he masks it with a poker face.

“To me, it’s our ability to run the football,” Fisher said, noting Wednesday’s practice with pads was committed primarily to the running game. “We’re continuing to improve in our offense, and that’s a big part of our offense. I’m not terribly concerned with where we are right now because of the quality of work we’ve had in practice.”

Fisher liked the way his travel-weary team practiced against the Dallas Cowboys last week in Oxnard before laying an egg in Music City.

Some in camp theorize the Oakland Raiders used Week 1 to ambush a team that embarrassed them 52-0 at Edward Jones Dome last regular season. Others remind that the Rams have so far refused to game plan but will change that this Saturday. Fisher was seen calling plays for the scout offense Thursday evening; the task usually falls to a coordinator.

Still, one gets the strong vibe that another loss won’t ruin Fisher’s Sunday.

“I don’t know what the stats are, but the Colts went five or six years in a row going 0-for-the-preseason and won the division every year,” he said.

Well, the Rams haven’t won their division or enjoyed a winning season since 2003. Typical rules may not apply.

Week 3 is supposedly about playing the starters at least a half, running some more intricate pass plays and reacting more nimbly to what the opposing defense presents.

In other words, Tre Mason should get more than 2.5 carries, Tavon Austin should make at least his second reception of camp and Jared Cook could be asked to make more than one token catch of three yards.

“You do a little more in Game 3,” Fisher said. “We’re just going to increase the number of reps for the starters and go from there. Some guys don’t need those reps. Some guys you need to protect. Some guys have had enough in their careers that they know what they need to do.”

The Rams gained 688 yards without a rushing touchdown in their two make-believe games. Opponents have mustered 696 yards, though quarterbacks have hung a 109.0 passer rating on a defense yet to record a sack. (Chris Long missed Oakland. Michael Brockers missed Tennessee.) The Raiders and Titans averaged 3.6 yards per rush. If the offense is cause for a red flag, the rush defense barely has been yellow.

Again, Fisher prefers his shots vanilla with a bland chaser.

“It’s about coming out of a game with balance,” said Fisher, whose preference is a 60-40 mix of run-pass. This won’t make highlight reels but in a perfect world it would shorten games so that a younger, less explosive, defense-first team might hold on or steal it at the end.

Fisher’s chief regret in three seasons here was deviating from his tried-and-true, ground-and-pound formula early in 2014. He allowed offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer four weeks to unsuccessfully spread the field before interceding. Last season the Rams lost Sam Bradford to a repeat knee injury in a Week 3 exhibition. The Rams have employed a backup quarterback in 25 consecutive starts, making then unique within the league.

“We got a little off course with that offense (in 2014). We regrouped and recommitted to the run,” Fisher said of a season that finished 7-9. “Last year we were still a little stunned with the loss of Sam when we opened.”

Of course, there is much more and louder background noise than in Fisher’s first three seasons. Relocation talk abounds. The Rams committed a first-round draft pick to a rusher who may not influence their season until Week 4. Fans hoping for sizzle likely will have to satisfy themselves with meat and potatoes following this month’s vanilla extract.

One man’s patience could be tedium to a half-filled stadium. One man’s poetry is just another man’s noise.

Rams-Colts: Five Things to Watch

Norm Sanders

http://www.bnd.com/sports/nfl/st-louis-rams/article32670546.html#storylink=cpy

The St. Louis Rams play their preseason home opener at 7 p.m. Saturday against the Indianapolis Colts at the Edward Jones Dome. Here are five key areas to watch as the home fans get their first live look at coach Jeff Fisher’s squad (7 p.m. kickoff; TV: Fox Channel 2; Radio: WXOS-FM 101.1):

1. Many coaches use the third preseason game as something of a dress rehearsal to unveil a little more of their offense and push some of their starters into the second quarter. Will Fisher follow the plan?

It’s doubtful. He likes to keep everything close to the vest and throughout the preseason has kept things on offense about as spicy as cold oatmeal and a glass of water. I would think the Rams may show a little more than they have, but don’t be too sure. It would be good to see a little more production from new quarterback Nick Foles, who has completed 6-of-12 passes for 87 yards and no TDs with one interception.

2. How are the training camp battles going? Has anyone done enough to push themselves up the depth chart?

Based on game production I’d say backup quarterback Case Keenum (19-for-33 in the preseason for 247 yards and one touchdown) has been impressive. He started games with the Houston Texans last season and was with the Rams briefly, and seems to have an edge on another veteran competing for the backup job, Austin Davis. In fairness, Davis hasn’t gotten much work with the first or second offensive units. There doesn’t seem to be much room at running back, receiver or the defensive line outside of the proven performers. That being said, there’s always hot competition for that final handful of roster spots when teams make the cut to get down to the 53-man roster.

3. With running back Todd Gurley cleared to return to active practice duty from ACL surgery rehab — he still won’t play in a preseason game — what type of impact could he have on the Rams this season?

The Rams didn’t draft the former Georgia star 10th overall to sit on the bench. Once he’s healthy and comfortable with the offense, expect to see the team ease him into things before giving him the full-time No. 1 job. One of the most impressive running backs in camp has been Trey Watts, an elusive speedburner who has to sit out the first four games of the season because he violated the NFL substance abuse policy. Isaiah Pead, coming off knee surgery, is another option.

4. One of the most-watched aspects of camp has been the development of the rookies on the offensive line and the battle at center. Where do things stand now?

There is no question that the Rams are starting high draft picks Rob Havenstein at right tackle and Jamon Brown at right guard. Barrett Jones remains the top option at center, apparently, over Tim Barnes. The third center in that battle, Demetrius Rhaney, has seen time at left guard during recent practices while Rodger Saffold (shoulder) has been out. Another rookie draft pick, Cody Wichmann, is expected to see his first action of the preseason after missing time with a calf injury.

5. Chris Givens caught an 80-yard TD pass from Case Keenum in the loss to Tennessee last Sunday. Could he still have an impact role in this offense?

It’s possible. Givens leads the Rams with five catches for 116 yards in the preseason. He and Tavon Austin are the quickest receivers and Rams’ fans remember Givens’ rookie season when he made an array of catches of 50 yards or more. However, Givens caught only 11 passes last season for 159 yards, including a 47-yard TD pass. That team lost emerging wideout Brian Quick to a shoulder injury and Givens didn’t step up then. This might be another good opportunity

Rams vs. Colts: 5 things to watch

Jim Thomas

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/rams-vs-colts-things-to-watch/article_fac48bd3-9786-5566-a218-385d5304926a.html

DAVIS’ LAST STAND?

It has become clear that Case Keenum is the QB of choice for the backup job behind Nick Foles. Austin Davis, who started eight games for the Rams last season, winning three, looks like the odd man out. Davis has played only two series so far — one in each preseason game behind the third-team line. Looks like the handwriting’s on the wall.

ON GUARD

Demetrius Rhaney started last week at center; it looks like he’ll start at left guard against the Colts with Rodger Saffold still sidelined by a shoulder injury. Rhaney had some rough moments vs. Tennessee but caught the coaches’ eyes with a strong performances in Oxnard, Calif., vs. the Cowboys. He played more guard than center in college.

CORNER MARKET

Janoris Jenkins, Trumaine Johnson, Lamarcus Joyner and Marcus Roberson are entrenched as the top four cornerbacks. But with E.J. Gaines out for the year, the battle is on for a fifth and possibly sixth cornerback spot on the 53-man roster. With Brandon McGee out with a foot injury, Imoan Claiborne could have the inside track.

OFFENSE, ANYONE?

In six preseason series, Foles and the first-team offense have managed a mere five first downs, 113 yards, and one measly field goal. Young offensive line notwithstanding, it’s time to get something going. The Rams have done some rudimentary game-planning and watched some film on Indianapolis; maybe that will help.

QUICK RETURNS

The starters on both sides of the ball could play the entire first half tonight. How much WR Brian Quick is on the field remains to be seen, but he should be out there. He was cleared for full-go practice this week and is expected to play his first game of any kind since suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in Game 7 last season vs. Kansas City.

Joe Lyons

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/ram-notes-rookie-qb-mannion-makes-the-most-of-limited/article_f0bdb168-b15c-5dc1-8e38-bee25b70b92c.html

NOT LOOKING BACK

The last time the Rams faced the Colts was on Nov. 10, 2013, as the visiting club stunned playoff-bound Indianapolis 38-8 at Lucas Oil Stadium. In that game, the Rams quickly quieted the big crowd by building a 28-0 halftime lead and were up 38-0 before Indianapolis scored.

That game marked the coming out party for Tavon Austin. The No. 8 overall pick in that year’s draft, Austin finished the day with 314 total yards and three touchdowns.

With the Rams already up 14-0 early in the second quarter, he grabbed a bouncing punt near his goal line and returned it 98 yards down the right sideline for his first score. Later in the quarter, he blew by the Colts’ defense along the left sideline to haul in a 57-yard scoring pass from Kellen Clemens.

Just after halftime, he caught a Clemens pass over the middle and outran the Indy defense for an 81-yard touchdown that stretched the Rams’ lead to 35-0.

In that game, Austin returned four punts for 145 yards, one kickoff for 27, had one carry for 4 and caught two passes for 138.

“It was definitely a huge day for me and thankful for everything that went my way that day,’’ said Austin, now in his third NFL season. “But I can’t get that game back. It’s a great memory, but at this point, it really doesn’t mean a thing.’’

Austin, who stands 5 feet 8 and weighs 176 pounds, is expecting big things this season.

“I worked hard in the offseason and I’m anxious to see that work pay off,’’ the 24-year-old said. “I won’t say things are easier, but the game has definitely slowed down. I’m mentally stronger now and I have a better feel for the playbook. I want to play smart and focus on making plays.’’

In an 18-3 loss to Oakland to open the preseason, Austin caught a short pass from Nick Foles on the second play of the opening drive and turned it into a 35-yard gain. It helped set up a Greg Zuerlein field goal.

Last weekend, in a 27-14 loss in Tennessee, Austin was targeted twice but did not have a catch.

“We’ve got some work to do, trying to develop some offensive chemistry,’’ Austin said. “But I’m confident it’ll come.’’

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/rams-notes-rookie-qb-mannion-makes-the-most-of-limited/article_f0bdb168-b15c-5dc1-8e38-bee25b70b92c.html

NOT LOOKING BACK

The last time the Rams faced the Colts was on Nov. 10, 2013, as the visiting club stunned playoff-bound Indianapolis 38-8 at Lucas Oil Stadium. In that game, the Rams quickly quieted the big crowd by building a 28-0 halftime lead and were up 38-0 before Indianapolis scored.

That game marked the coming out party for Tavon Austin. The No. 8 overall pick in that year’s draft, Austin finished the day with 314 total yards and three touchdowns.

With the Rams already up 14-0 early in the second quarter, he grabbed a bouncing punt near his goal line and returned it 98 yards down the right sideline for his first score. Later in the quarter, he blew by the Colts’ defense along the left sideline to haul in a 57-yard scoring pass from Kellen Clemens.

Just after halftime, he caught a Clemens pass over the middle and outran the Indy defense for an 81-yard touchdown that stretched the Rams’ lead to 35-0.

In that game, Austin returned four punts for 145 yards, one kickoff for 27, had one carry for 4 and caught two passes for 138.

“It was definitely a huge day for me and thankful for everything that went my way that day,’’ said Austin, now in his third NFL season. “But I can’t get that game back. It’s a great memory, but at this point, it really doesn’t mean a thing.’’

Austin, who stands 5 feet 8 and weighs 176 pounds, is expecting big things this season.

“I worked hard in the offseason and I’m anxious to see that work pay off,’’ the 24-year-old said. “I won’t say things are easier, but the game has definitely slowed down. I’m mentally stronger now and I have a better feel for the playbook. I want to play smart and focus on making plays.’’

In an 18-3 loss to Oakland to open the preseason, Austin caught a short pass from Nick Foles on the second play of the opening drive and turned it into a 35-yard gain. It helped set up a Greg Zuerlein field goal.

Last weekend, in a 27-14 loss in Tennessee, Austin was targeted twice but did not have a catch.

“We’ve got some work to do, trying to develop some offensive chemistry,’’ Austin said. “But I’m confident it’ll come.’’