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znModerator2015 St. Louis Rams Training Camp: The Camp Experience
By misone
Aug 7, 2015http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2015/8/7/9114891/2015-st-louis-rams-training-camp-news-updates
So I made a really random last min trip to Rams park yesterday. Here’s a few things that I noticed while there.
1.Gurley is definitely not ready. He still looks stiff when he runs.
2. Greg Robinson is going to have a hell of a season run blocking. He literally was throwing guys like rag dolls during the inside run period, and that included Robert Quinn.
3.The hype on Janoris Jenkins is real. He definitely looks locked in. It makes sense why they want to sign him now, because if this carries over into the season he’s going to get more expansive.
4. Stedman Bailey was uncover-able. He was abusing everyone in the secondary..and no one came close to stopping him.
5. Jamon Brown is going to have a better rookie year than Rob Havenstein
6. Jared Cook is focused, and made a lot of freak catches. He’s also in ridiculously good shape, like he rededicated himself this off-season.
7. Alec Ogletree is going to the pro bowl. It’s that simple. Michael Brockers will be an alternate.
8. Rodney McLeod has completely taken away the deep middle.
9.Chris givens can’t run routes still. He was the cause of two picks.
10.All of the QBs looked erratic when throwing deep. Except when throwing to Britt. He had about 4-5 highlight reel catches today..all 30+ yards diving with someone all over him. A couple of under throws was mixed in.
Tre Mason wasn’t practicing so I saw a lot of Isaiah Pead and Trey Watts. I’ll just say this, lets hope we don’t have to turn either of them. They looked rough today, specifically in blitz pick up.
Random Moment:
At one point Dani Klupenger came over and asked about doing a Q&A with her. Usually I’d be all for it but, I was actually blown away by how cute she was in person and instead of answering I just stared like a 12-year old boy.
Caution Beware:
Demetrius Rhaney is physical, but he is far from ready to contribute. He was beaten silly a couple times in one on ones. Tim Barnes was beaten pretty bad in one instance as well. in fact, the interior D-Line absolutely dominated the inside run period. This either means the interior D-Line is just that good – which is likely the case – or the center, whoever it will be, is going to struggle. I tend to believe it’s the latter considering that a good lineman is likely to at least slow the guy down at least once.
August 7, 2015 at 9:20 pm in reply to: Rams have signed Nick Foles to a two-year contract extension #28325znModeratorIan Rapoport @RapSheet
Foles gets just under $14M guaranteed. Pretty strong.
August 7, 2015 at 9:12 pm in reply to: Rams have signed Nick Foles to a two-year contract extension #28322znModeratorIan Rapoport @RapSheet
What does the Nick Foles deal mean? If he becomes a star or leads the team to huge success, he can redo his deal quicker. Win-win.
Jason La Canfora @JasonLaCanfora
Source familiar with the full Nick Foles contract indicated it featured lots of “creativity” by both sides. Makes sense under circumstances
August 7, 2015 at 9:04 pm in reply to: Rams have signed Nick Foles to a two-year contract extension #28317znModeratorThen what is the salary cap hit each year, but 16 million is a good a short cut figure as any.
Jist to clarify-atize,
the mantra is that until Wilson, the avg. deal for a starting qb up for his 2nd contract was 18 M, with 16 M being the low end (Dalton) and 20+ M being the high end (Flacco).
If Foles is signed for 2016/17 at 16+ or so a year, then, he could have given an early extension discount. Cause with a good year, he could have been looking at 18 M or so a year.
August 7, 2015 at 8:54 pm in reply to: Rams have signed Nick Foles to a two-year contract extension #28313znModeratorOr it could mean all 3 years combined = 36 M. If so, the avg. for 2016 and 2017 is near the 16 M which is the low end for what starting qbs get in their 2nd contracts.
August 7, 2015 at 8:51 pm in reply to: Rams have signed Nick Foles to a two-year contract extension #28310znModeratorValue of the deal is more than $12m per year.
That depends on whether they mean 12 M for 3 years starting with 2015, or 12 M for the 2 new years.
Cause if it includes 2015, then that’s 31 M for 2016 and 2017 combined.
So more than likely, it just means that 2016 & 2017 = a total at least 24 M.
That depends on whether they mean 12 M for 3 years starting with 2015, or 12 M for the 2 new years.
znModeratorJim Fadler @jimiramsboy
Special teams practice they are in full pads . No Long or Mason
My youngest son Michael got Bradford’s autograph his rookie year here….never would have guessed how it would turn out
Coach Fassel always seems extremely prepared and pays a lot of attention to detail. Malcolm Brown and Jacob Hagen look good
Unit drills now running backs and DBacks in front of me
Maurice Alexander not practicing
I have tweeted about Montell Garner a UDFA before, looked good in special teams drills has a good back pedal hair slow flipping his hips
Match up drills double rushers vs 2 Olinemen this time. Havenstein misses a brush block
New number 8 looks slow out of his break and then drops it
Gurley and a trainer running on the side during drills
Steven Baker ain’t gonna make the 53
Isiah Battle getting a lot of reps today for the first time. Boudreau slowing down the pace and doing a lot of teaching
DLine doing a loop and stunt forcing the rookie Oline to be disciplined. The last rep Havenstein did a great job
But then William Hayes destroys Havenstein two snaps in a row.Jamon throws Fairley to the ground after one bad rep
Rhaney who is my favorite got pushed back by Brockers with one arm. Quinn with 94 today goes all out twice vs GRob
GRob stopped him both times
Britt is not practicing either but very stylish
Mannion to Bradley Marquez on the other gets the most applause of the day but he follow with a pick 11 on 11 time
Rhaney with the 1s and Bailey catches the first pass. Cook well covered catches the secon
They have refs working this scrimmage. Britt is talking up a storm on the sideline
Despite the yellow don’t hit me on his helmet Quick gets hit and drops the ball. Austin Davis and Chase in now
Case Keenum Tebowesque again
Mannion calls an audible…yes the rookie did…and hits a slant to Slavin
Back to the 1’s and a false start to begin the drive. Foles tries to fit it in over double coverage to Cook. Bennie at RB
Garrett Reynolds gets pulled from the drill for another false start. Bubble screen to Tavon. Kendricks holds on
As could be expected running game to the left looks more in synch…not so much to the right
Running lanes to the eighth develop early and close down by the time the back hits it….need to stay with their blocks longer
Offense not showing as many motions and shifts as I have seen this week. Bradley Marquez out of Texas Tech has a chance
Bayer takes umbrage to Barron plowing him over and a near fight ensues
Chase Reynolds with a TD had to thump my non believing son on the arm
Goal line situations and Reynolds notched two
Trey Watts with the best run of camp off a 2 TE set broke to the outside right and scored
Greg the Leg kicking on the other end to a gaggle of kids nails a 58 yarder
Rams try a tackle eligible play to Barrett Jones with predictable results. Austin Davis threads one into Bailey
More special teams work now with the kicking game
And from 64 out Zuerlein is dead on
Rams showing more shotgun tonight early in the count. Kendricks having by far his best day of camp
Just got a chance to see the effect of playing Tavon on the outside … Had a chance to spin without a crowd
GRob got a false start and then Foles looks himself into a tipped pick by Jenkins
Givens takes a screen all the way. Without Sasser who will bump him off the squad ?
Maybe Bradley Marquez who hooks up with Keenum for the longest pass of the day a TD of about 70 yards
Bailey in the slot when they go trips. Austin stays on the outside
I don’t think Britt has shut up once and now it looks like he is helping call plays
Ayers looks so good blitzing a 255 lb linebacker that can blitz is impossible to block with a back
Two minute drill with Austin Davis to Harkey
Austin Davis gets away with a horrible decision and then Ferguson runs the wrong route
Rookie 11 on 11 and Jacob Hagen the highlight so far Battle is on the left
Malcolm Brown not a very convincing #39 #FauxSJ39
Jacob Hagen with another big hit…I have a personal issue that I was just texted about and will have to cut it short. See you all Sunday
August 7, 2015 at 5:29 pm in reply to: A public list of Tweets from Rams Park & Lindenwood (running thread) #28283znModeratorThey tweet now from Lindenwood. (Yes I got that line from Shakespeare.)
Here’s the link:
https://twitter.com/hashtag/RamsCamp?src=hash
.
St. Louis Rams @STLouisRamsThe boys at Rams Broadcasting Network have @NFoles_9 mic’d up tonight. Stay tuned. #RamsCamp
August 7, 2015 at 5:23 pm in reply to: A public list of Tweets from Rams Park & Lindenwood (running thread) #28281znModeratorThey tweet now from Lindenwood. (Yes I got that line from Shakespeare.)
Here’s the link:
znModeratorsacram
Just saw on team stream that Gaines foot injury could be serious, and he is seeking a second opinion, per Chris Trapasso of NFL.com
I’m thinking, the fact that he is seeking a second opinion is definitely not a good sign…ugh!! banghead
znModerator12intheBox
Camp report 8.6.15
The player of the day was Isaiah Pead and the runner up was Brad Smelley. Not what you expected to hear? Not what I expected to see – but both had days. Smelley just got a lot of targets and caught what came his way including a beautiful one handed sideline grab where he had to fully extend his left arm just to get a paw on the ball and then reeled it in. Pead was flashing more so with his route running – most noticeably one coming out of the backfield where he faked Ogletree out of his jock creating about 3 full yards of seperation (although the pass still didn’t go his way). With what I saw from Pead, it wouldn’t surprise me to see him as the new 3rd down back this year. This team is stacked at RB.
Tre Mason not practicing up left the 1s with a committee of Bam Bam, Pead, and Chase Reynolds while Watts ran mostly w the 2s.
Speaking of Chase Reynolds, he and Harkey were the first guys out there. Foles and Mannion were soon after playing catch again – and again – if they didn’t have numbers on I think most of you would look at the 2 warming up and gravitate towards Mannion.
Camp favorite Daniel Rodriguez came out early and took some punt returns catching some in trick fashion – but while I’m on him – a quick word. It’s just one persons opinion, but he isn’t likely at all to make the team. He is teeny. I love the story, and watching him, he clearly has the heart – but this final 53 man roster is going to be stacked – there is no room for a second Tavon Austin on the team – and that’s basically what you are looking at with him. After practice Mannion, Rodriguez, Gurley, and another WR who I didn’t recognize (no jersey at this point) stayed around and ran routes. Gurley next to Rodriguez looked like Rocky Balboa next to Thunderlips (for you Rocky III fans)
Anyway, back to practice. One thing I could see – and only because I was intent on focusing on him – was that Greg Robinson had a good practice. It’s pretty much him and Quinn on most reps and he looks really good. He was very physical with him and on one run I saw him just crush Quinn to the inside – it clearly caught Quinn off balance.
Overall though, in the limited action I have seen – the offense runs better to the right than they do the left. It’s hard to say why but that’s what I’ve seen.
Up the middle? Not so good. In the 11 on 11 they ran these 4 plays in succession:
Run up the middle – stuffed by Brockers.
Run up the middle – stuffed by Donald.
Play action pass – short completion to Harkey
Run up the middle – eaten up by Donald 2 yards into the backfield.
As Coach O said, let’s hope what we are seeing here is that our defense is just elite. And that may be the case. Aaron Donald continues to just wow me.
In the drills on the near field, there was some fire w the D Lineman. Hard to explain the drill but 5 guys lined up side by side – they would fire their feet and then belly to the ground and back up 2-3 times to gas them and then the coach would point in a direction and they would all sprint over to the sidelines where 3 balls would be on the ground. 3 balls for 5 guys to fight over. good drill.
Linebackers worked on wrapping up again. Ogletree sure looked athletic out there – but it wasn’t full go.
With the DBs it was the Jenkins show again. He is the first to do every drill they do and Tru is second. Every last time.
They had some change of direction drills – short 4-5 yard bursts then a change of direction – sometimes 90 degrees and sometimes almost 180. It was the kind of drill that really separated the contenders from the pretenders – and you could see the difference between corners and safeties. Jenkins and Tru looked great and Joyner had a really nice looking rep in this drill as well. One guy who seemed to not have as good of body control in this drill was Imoan Claiborne – but I did only see the one rep for him.
Got a good look at Nick Fairley – not doing anything – just a good look at him and he looked very trim (for him). He didn’t flash much that I saw – but other than seeing Aaron Donald running loose in the backfield, it’s hard to appreciate the interior from the distances that we had to deal with.
Chris Long looked full of energy – if he was hobbled, I couldn’t tell.
At one point the DBs had these visors on their helmets – they appeared to be meant as blinders of some sort. They ran 2 different one on one coverage drills wearing them – but I never figured out what the point was. If anyone knows – I’m curious.
In the passing offense, there is Jared Cook and then there is everyone else. Cook gets thrown to all the time.
Foles needs to get the ball out early to have success. The longer he holds it, the worse things go. When he double clutches it, when he pulls it down and scrambles – his accuracy and his decision making seem to suffer. Jenkins picked him off in 11v11 on a play he tried to extend. McCleod also had a pick on a deep sideline route that was intended for Bailey who never got close to it (defensive holding?)
Justice Cunningham had a good practice – he caught a few and was physical out there but I didn’t like the way he walked back to the huddle – he looks like he is really sore. You can’t see it in live action (which is good) but he seemed to be hurting.
A few more fights this practice, both very short lived. Brockers at the center of one and Will Hayes involved in the other.
Havenstein had a nice practice in pass protection – the tackles are about all you can see from that distance for O line play – but he looked solid.
Quick had some moments – watching him climb up to catch the high ones is fun. I saw him drop one – but he came down with most of them – one for a TD over Joyner who had no chance with the size mismatch.
Tavon ran what looked like a bad route that led to a Joyner INT. Didnt see much else from TA.
Harkey made a nice catch on a sideline route and then later had one fall off his hands deeper down the field. There is a lot of action in the flats in this offense.
In 11v11 I saw Quinn stuff a run with just his right arm while he was being blocked. Shortly after that, G Rob sealed him inside leading to a Tre Watts run to the left side for a big gain.
Chris Givens had a drop – only time I wrote down his number. I kept writing down 87 who was catching pass after pass and kept being surprised it was Brad Smelley.
Britt had a red zone TD catch up top.
Joyner made a big hit on Pead after a nice long run – the kind of hit that is probably frowned on by coaches in practice.
Forcing myself to watch the O lineman drills – the best footwork I saw came from Brown and Rhainey – it wasn’t much of a drill – but you can see the athleticism. Wang was flaccid in this drill.
Gurley did some sprinting and looked like he is ready for Canton just running at 90% in a straight line.
They ran some plays coming off of our own goal line – and used the team to yell and scream and create a hostile crowd. The defense won a safety in this scenario – but the only reason unknown that is because a few players threw up the signal. I couldn’t see the play. McCleods INT came in this scenario.
They then flipped it and the offense ran some red zone. Cook, Cook, Cook.
Ogletree had a nice goal line hit to save a TD. Even in the red zone – or maybe especially in the red zone – when Foles holds the ball too long, things go badly.It appears the red zone passing plan is Cook, Kendricks, Quick, and Britt. Players under 6’2 need not apply.
Mannion, for as good as he looks, isn’t getting many reps at all. They are giving Keenum every chance to win a job. The sooner they turn the 2s over to Mannion, the better.
I still didn’t get a good look at Battle, I still want to see more interior OL play, and I can’t wait for the scrimmage tonight.
znModeratorKrakauer also gets discussed in this thread: http://theramshuddle.com/topic/book-corner/
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This reply was modified 10 years, 9 months ago by
zn.
znModeratorAldon Smith arrested on DUI, vandalism and hit and run charges
By Louis Bien
Aug 7, 2015
http://www.sbnation.com/2015/8/7/9115947/aldon-smith-arrest-49ers
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith has been arrested again, according to reports. He was booked into Santa Clara County jail on $26,000 bail Thursday evening and is still in custody. The Santa Clara Police Department announced Friday morning that Smith was arrested on DUI, vandalism and hit and run charges. A press release is expected later.
Smith has had several run-ins with law in the past. According to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee, he has been arrested five times since 2012. In 2013, he turned himself in to authorities on felony gun charges stemming from a house party gone wrong. When he turned himself in, he was on a voluntary leave of absence from the team for another DUI arrest. In 2014, he was arrested after making a false bomb threat at LAX airport.
Smith was suspended nine games during the 2014 season for violations of the NFL’s personal conduct and substance abuse policies. He returned in Week 11 and recorded 15 tackles and two sacks in seven games. Smith may be subject to further punishment, depending on the nature of his most recent arrest.
Should the 49ers decide to release Smith, he would stand to lose a lot of money. He is currently on a one year contract worth $9.754 million that was restructured during the offseason to convert his pay into a series of non-guaranteed roster bonuses and a smaller base salary. The restructuring was essentially a bet Smith made on himself that he would stay out of trouble.
This past Tuesday, 49ers general manager Trent Baalke expressed interest in re-signing Smith.
“Aldon’s like any young player, he’s growing up, he’s maturing,” Baalke said. “You see that with a lot of these guys. Some of them get themselves in a few more situations that you wish they didn’t. If you asked them, I think they’d say the same thing. Really pleased with the way he’s handled things, the way he’s working both personally and professionally.”
Smith’s arrest continues a tumultuous offseason for the 49ers. Since letting go of head coach Jim Harbaugh at the end of the 2014 season, the team has seen linebackers Patrick Willis and Chris Borland, defensive end Justin Smith and offensive tackle Anthony Davis all retire. Other long-time standbys like running back Frank Gore and offensive guard Mike Iupati left for other teams.
Smith has been a bright spot on the football field for San Francisco. Since being selected No. 7 overall in the 2011 NFL Draft, he was named a Pro Bowler and a first-team All-Pro, and become the fastest player in NFL history to record 30 sacks by doing in 27 games. His 19.5 sacks in 2012 were a 49ers single season record. Since then, he has 10.5 sacks in 18 games across two seasons.
We’ll continue to update as more details arise.
znModeratorThe most interesting aspect of Brockers’ fray into martial arts is his teacher. It’s none other than Dallas Cowboys Hall of Fame defensive tackle Randy White.
Maybe this is going to pay off.
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znModeratorfrom off the net
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LMU93
From what I saw…
Practice run extremely well and very scheduled. No down time..
Foles communicates well, plays with energy, always talking with teammates.
Brown and Havenstein look like they belong. Pass protection will probably be an issue early on and they’re going to have to game plan for that- extra protection, QB rollouts, dump offs and passes in the flat, short crossing patterns. But Brown especially seems to be holding his own.
Robinson is growing into an NFL body and progressing nicely.
The backup OL don’t look good at all against the Rams elite DL. But then a lot of teams starting OLs won’t either..
Ethan Westbrooks looks better. Could give the Rams a legit 8 DL. I couldn’t tell what # Ifedi was.
Pead is working hard to make an impression. I still don’t think he makes it but the guy’s trying.
Gurley moves well and the work in individual drills and walk throughs will allow him to be catching up less later when his workload increases.
The defense is just ready to go… I really hope EJ Gaines isn’t down for a long time. So first it was his knee was stepped on. Then it’s his ankle. Now it’s possible plantar fasciatis?…
znModeratorI wonder about Givens, $1,542,000.
I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Givins becomes an ex-Ram by Sept.
August 7, 2015 at 9:49 am in reply to: interview vids: Cook Kendricks Donald Quinn Brown Hayes McCleod Long Tru Sted #28248znModeratorOne-On-One with William Hayes
“This Is the Best Team I’ve Ever Been On”
Watch reporter Dani Klupenger interview defensive lineman William Hayes after Thursday’s Training Camp workout.
znModeratorRams notes: In top shape, Ogletree poised for big season
By Joe Lyons
Following a stellar rookie season in 2013, Rams linebacker Alec Ogletree reported to training camp a year ago in less than peak physical condition.
“I wasn’t totally out of shape,’’ he said after chuckling a bit. “But I was definitely heavier than I am now. I guess I learned from that first year how important it is to take care of your body to prepare for each season. I stayed here and did a lot of training.
“I wanted to drop a little weight and get in better shape, so that I can fly around and make plays. I’m ready to go.’’
A late first-round draft pick, Ogletree has led the Rams in tackles in each of his first two NFL seasons, finishing with 155 total tackles in 2013 and 169 a year ago. A starter in all 32 games over those two seasons, the 6-foot-2, 245-pounder from the University of Georgia also has three interceptions, one of which he returned for a 98-yard touchdown, 18 pass defenses, 11 forced fumbles and 1 ½ sacks.
But Ogletree admits there’s something missing.
“More wins,’’ he said. “It’s about the team and doing whatever it takes to get the job done. I always like to set personal goals, but most of those are tied to team success. We’re excited about this team and this season. We know that if we can start winning more, everything else will take care of itself.’’
Entering his third NFL season, the 23-year-old Ogletree would appear to be poised for the proverbial breakout season. But his focus, as always, is on steady improvement.
“Things are definitely slowing down for me out there,’’ he said. “I’m comfortable in the defense and have a pretty good idea what the coaches want and expect of me. I want to work hard every day and hopefully carry that into the games on Sunday.
“With this defense, it’s definitely going to be a fun year. We feel like we have a chance to be one of the best in the league. At least that’s what we’re working toward.’’
KICKERS LOVE SOCCER
Over the summer, punter Johnny Hekker and kicker Greg Zuerlein visited with St. Louis FC goalkeeper Mark Pais. The Rams’ duo also took in a game and spent some time with the STLFC super fans, the Saint Louligans.
“I had a great time,’’ Hekker said following a recent workout at Rams Park. Park. “That’s an amazing team. St. Louis soccer is very prevalent, has a big following here. Having a soccer team here is great for the community. They’re just working hard and trying to grind out some wins this season, which is fun to see for an expansion team.’’
Pais, a former Ladue High standout who also played at St. Louis University, took on the Rams in a punting contest and a penalty-kick shootout that was part of a YouTube video.
Hekker said he played soccer in a church league with his brothers and with his dad as coach until the fifth grade.
Soccer “definitely made my transition into kicking seamless,’’ he said. “The mechanics are different, but it definitely helped.’’
And Hekker’s impression of the Saint Louligans?
“They’re fanatics, which is awesome to see in the soccer world,’’ he said. “They’re a special breed of people, so they’re fun to hang out with, for sure.’’
STLFC hosts Montreal FC Saturday at the Soccer Park in Fenton. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
RAM-BLINGS
Things got a little feisty toward the end of the team’s second full day in pads. Tight end Jared Cook took exception following a hard hit by Ogletree after running back Chase Reynolds made a catch on a crossing route. It was one of three minor scuffles.
“We’re not entirely live – we’re not going to the ground – but up front, it’s much easier to evaluate your offensive and defensive linemen with the pads on,’’ Rams coach Jeff Fisher said. “So yeah, we’re getting some results. I’m pleased with it.’’Asked about the feisty play, the coach said: “You just don’t want someone getting caught off guard. They need to be able to protect each other. There were little things that they got worked out.’’
Thursday evening’s practice drew a crowd of 955.
Second-year running back Tre Mason, the team’s leading rusher in 2014, left practice early Thursday due to hamstring tightness.
Not practicing were defensive tackle Doug Worthington and linebacker Korey Toomer, who’s wearing a boot with a high ankle sprain.
Cornerback E.J. Gaines is seeing foot/ankle specialist Dr. James Anderson in North Carolina. The team is concerned Gaines may have plantar fascia issues.
Safety Mark Barron (knee) continues to work his way back. On Thursday, he took some reps during 11-on-11.
• Another player on the mend, No. 10 overall draft pick Todd Gurley, spent time working on pass patterns after practice with fellow rookies Sean Mannion, Daniel Rodriguez, Tyler Slavin and Bradley Marquez. The group was working with first-year offensive assistant Jeff Garcia.
• The Rams will hold a scrimmage Friday beginning at 5 p.m. at Lindenwood University in St. Charles. The workout is free and open to the public.
• Three Cardinals on the disabled list – first baseman Matt Adams, center fielder Jon Jay and reliever Jordan Walden – took in Thursday’s workout at Rams Park.
• Also visiting were legendary NFL offensive line coach Jim Hanifan, Michael Brockers’ agent, Scott Casterline, and NFL Hall of Fame defensive tackle Randy White. A nine-time All-Pro and the co-MVP of the 1978 Super Bowl with the Dallas Cowboys, White worked with Brockers during the offseason.
August 7, 2015 at 3:06 am in reply to: interview vids: Cook Kendricks Donald Quinn Brown Hayes McCleod Long Tru Sted #28244znModeratorOne-On-One with Jamon Brown
Watch reporter Dani Klupenger interview offensive lineman Jamon Brown after Thursday’s Training Camp workout. Brown even sings Happy Birthday to teammate Tre Mason.
August 7, 2015 at 2:39 am in reply to: Fisher, 8/6 … transcript; & vid of interview with Siciliano #28241znModeratorSiciliano sits down with Jeff Fisher
http://www.nfl.com/videos/st-louis-rams/0ap3000000507500/Siciliano-sits-down-with-Jeff-Fisher
August 7, 2015 at 1:19 am in reply to: interview vids: Cook Kendricks Donald Quinn Brown Hayes McCleod Long Tru Sted #28238znModeratorSiciliano with Robert Quinn and Aaron Donald
NFL Media’s Andrew Siciliano sits down with St. Louis Rams defensive linemen Robert Quinn and Aaron Donald.
znModeratorPractice Report 8/6: High Defensive Expectations
Austin Lankford
The Rams completed their sixth training camp practice on Thursday and with the high expectations for this year’s defense, veteran linebacker James Laurinaitis likes the unit’s direction thus far.
“I’ve seen some really good things and I think today we saw a lot of guys trying to compete,” Laurinaitis said. “I think it’s a great thing for us and I think higher expectations forces higher accountability. Last year we had huge expectations and we came out of the gate slow like we have the last few years.”
The veteran linebacker added the defense talks about the slow starts every day and what can be done to improve in that regard this year.
“We know that all 11 players have to be on the same page to play great team defense,” Laurinaitis said. “To be where we want and where we expect — and that’s a top five defense — we have to go out there and really start putting what’s on paper onto the field. To be honest, that’s the big difference in a defense like Seattle who is up there over and over. They do it week in and week out. They’re consistent and we have to figure out how to be consistent.”
Consistency has been a big theme for the defense this offseason and many players have noted Gregg Williams’ return for a second season to be a key component.
“It’s really nice to have the same coordinator,” Laurinaitis said. “It allows you to play fast and the nice thing is we are correcting are little things. We aren’t installing a new defense that guys have never heard before. We’re installing the same stuff from OTAs and stuff we ran last year. It’s the first time in a while where we are able to do that.”
Laurinaitis is also impressed with the talent and depth St. Louis has assembled on defense, specifically noting the number of reliable safeties and corners on the team. He said Williams does a tremendous job of installing multiple packages to fully utilize the unit’s talent.
Head coach Jeff Fisher is also pleased with the overall progress of the team through six practices and is noticing specific improvements from last year.
“We haven’t played anybody else yet and I am not going to put a lot of stake in the first preseason game, but I am pleased with where we are,” Fisher said. “What’s interesting is our on the field practice full-speed penalties are way down compared to where we were last year. … And the discipline of things down the field like the contact, the holding, and the hands to the face — all those are things that we emphasize and that’s encouraging to me and that will carry over.”
The Rams’ next practice is set to take place at Lindenwood University, which Fisher said will be similar to what the team has done at the Edward Jones Dome in years past. Fisher said the practice traditionally ends in a 10 to 12 play rookie scrimmage.
“We will be in full pads,” Laurinaitis said. “And aside from the special teams practices, it’s where a lot of young guys can make a name. It’s a big opportunity for these kids and it’s their first chance to show who can tackle well, who’s not afraid to get hit, and who can take a hit.”
“I think the guys are excited about the change of venue and a little more intimate place,” Fisher said. “We went by there yesterday and took a tour and it’s a great stadium and it’s in great shape. Even though we are starting at five, the lights will be on. And when you put the lights on Friday night, it’s always a little different.”
ROOKIE OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Fisher also said on Tuesday that he’s pleased with the progression of rookies Rob Havenstein and Jamon Brown.
“You can look at right tackle and the right guard right now and they look like they’ve been here for a while,” Fisher said. “It’s good to have that feeling inside that you have confidence in both Rob and Jamon that they can line up and play and it shows with the pads on that they’re doing it.”
For more on the rookie OLs, keep a look out for a feature on Havenstein and Brown and how they have the potential to grow together for years to come.
znModeratorDR RAM
OK, I just watched the NFLN coverage. I just want to throw a few things out there that I saw:
Everyone looks to be in shape.
Practice is run very efficiently.
In one on one drills, Brockers, and Donald look almost unblockable. Westbrooks looks more powerful this year. Sims looks a little thicker, like he does every year, steady improvement.
From the offensive side of the drill, each player got two reps, and almost to a man, they got beat one, and they won one.
Bond went against Trinca-Pasat from the ORG spot. Bond won the 1st rep, where Trinca-Pasat tried an inside move, but Bond’s feet are slow. Trinca-Pasat won the 2nd rep with a rip move to the outside. Trinca-Pasat and Bond both looked meh, IMO.
Brockers up next against Barnes. Brockers with a swim move, looked like he was in water and flew past Barnes on the first rep. On the nest rep, Barnes got his hands on Brockers early, and won the rep, with Brockers going to Barnes’ left. Note: Brockers jumped a few times during this portion of practice, he was trying to read the snap count.
Next up was Wang vs. A, Donald. Ummm, not pretty. Donald bull rushed, and pushed Wang back, way, way back, as the cheerleaders used to say. Wang in the dirt, you get it. 2nd rep: Donald abused Wang, and bulled him, then cut to the inside, like lightening fast. This matchup wasn’t fair, and Donald would have sacked any QB on the team. They gave Wang another chance, and this time Donald, easily beats him to the outside. Don’t see Wang hanging around long. Pun intended.
#63? vs. Battle. #63 looks quick, and uses a rip move to go outside of Battle, for the win. Next rep, #63 fakes outside, and Battle, retreats quickly, #63 makes a hard move inside, and Battle grabs one of his shoulder pads with one hand, and tosses him down. Could have gone either way, if it was in the fray. Rhyme not intended. Battle has pretty quick feet, and he needs some technique work, but he has the body, and quickness to be that swing OT that we need. He’s not ready, yet.
That was it for that drill that they showed, horn sounds. 11 on 11:
All starters, this is a better gauge of where the OL are, because one on one’s always favor the defense. First rep, every OL wins, except Kendricks who absolutely looks lost. T.J. McDonald, lined up straight over him, blitzes, and flies in. Benny picks him up, so Foles can make the throw, and by this time, Brockers had walked Jones back to Foles. It was a 7 step drop, and Foles threw on time. It was incomplete, they didn’t show it, but it was Foles only option, Brockers was there. Jenkins busted up the pass to K. Britt. Except for Jones, all the other OL did a great job. G.Rob, J. Brown, and R. Saffold, all held at the LOS. Havenstein, dealing with a blitzing OLB Ayers, picked him up nicely.
Next play. Inside give to Benny C. Saffold (pulling right) and B. Jones got tripped up, Jones on ass, Brockers blew it up. Play looks like it was supposed to go to the 4 hole. Havenstein, and Kendricks seal the outside effectively on C. Long. G Rob, seals the backside…Quinn. J. Brown single handedly stymied his man at the LOS, Brockers, wow. Harkey, from FB position kicks out on T.J. who is on the LOS, again, and Ayers, also there makes the play, no gain. Note: There was a hole on the backside that runner may have seen who has great vision, patience. But, Benny ran where the hole, should have been. I think Hark, missed the block, but the D is giving a lot of different looks.
Next. Looks like same play, but now Harkey lined up offset on the left side at FB. Foles, under Center again, drops back, and fakes hand-off to Benny. Harkey takes a quick release into the left flat and is wide open for a short gain, then T.J. wraps him up on the sideline. Only one OL block had to be made, and G. Rob, rocked Dunbar for the outside seal. Looks like Jones and Brown may have had a little miscommunication error, and Brocker swam though almost untouched. Irrelevant, because it was a quick hitting play. Ayers came again from the outside, lined up wide of Long.
Next. Hayes humps offside, but they let the play run. 3 step drop to Quick, who high pointed the ball, on a 12 yard gain. Like a mini comeback fade. His split was pretty tight on the right. Hard to comment on OL on this play. Joyner on the tight coverage, and Alexander coming quickly, actually makes some contact, with the yellow doily, helmeted Quick.
Next. 2 WR split wide, offset right Harkey at FB, and Pead at RB. This time J. Brown’s job on Donald, who comes hard through the gap, but Brown, showing great lateral quickness, pushes Donald past the play. Looks like a potential big gainer, until Hayes sheds Havenstein, to fill the hole. I’d give Pead 3 yards, but he hit it hard, and kept running, after the play. Alexander there on the very quick fill. Tru and Pead have words after the play, because Pead kept trucking, and rammed Tru.
Same formation. Cook the TE on the right takes a hard release down the seam. OL does a pretty good job on the P/A, same as before, oppo, with Harkey running to the right flat. Open again. About a 7 yard gain. Jones got knocked back pretty good by, I think, Donald, he ends up on ass. Hayes tries to bull haven, but Haven is able to re-set and stave him off.
Next. Same formation, but offside FB to left. Pead with carry, and he hits it pretty hard to the 1 or 3 hole, and it’s pretty well blocked. Nobody on the D gets penetration. Would have been about a 5 yard gain. Pead, again, fights and keeps running. There was a small seam, where he may have broke, had he seen it. Tough to tell. Saffold just drove his guy 5 yards down the field…a DT couldn’t catch the number, and G. Robinson got to the 2nd level, and just murdered a LB, with little effort, on a seal. Nice looking run play.
Switched to backups, and I’m too sore to go on. Maybe, I can do the rest tomorrow. Pausing tape.
IMO, the OL looks pretty good. We might have something in the future. We ran simple stuff in that first go though. Different looks from the same formation. Center, was weakest of the group. Though of the two really bad reps for Jones in team, one, he got tripped up a little bit, and on the 2nd, couldn’t handle, probably Donald. Not many can. He had some good reps too. I’d like him to play more stout, no doubt.
Defense lines up all over, lots of different looks.
znModeratorBig Game
First off beautiful evening and nice big crowd out at camp. First time giving a report this season but I have been to several practices. Now this is from notes I took while watching so bare with me.
Brian Quick looks good caught just about everything thrown his way. Jenkins had a pick on Foles and continues to shine in coverage. Although I don’t like all the gambles or misplays he may have at times. I do think he will play very well this year and get that contract extension.
Greg Williams continues to bring pressure from all over but despite this Foles looked better. Foles did make a bad pass to Tavon that was picked by Jenkins due to the pressure the defense brought.
Pead continues to show he wants to be on this team nice runs and catches out the backfield
Looks like the offense wanted to work on passes to the flat with either the full back or running back. Kendricks looked a little better he did have a couple drops during drills but made a nice grab in 11 on 11
To me the quick crossing route will be a staple in our offense come the regular season. It seems to be ran at ever practice
Havenstein and Brown will be just fine guys are really progressing. Aaron Donald is still unblockable. Brad Smelly the TE impressed me today a lot of good catches in drills and 11 on 11
I like what I see in Mannion he stands tall in the pocket goes thru his progressions and makes good throws. He could be the future if developed .
Foles played a little shotgun which helped keep the pressure off him resulting in some nice accurate throws.
Benny Cunningham came to play today had some nice runs. The O line can really run block. Running game will nice saw holes for Cunningham, Pead, Watts, and Reynolds.
Joyner laid a huge hit on Pead after quick toss left in which Pead gained big yards. Drew ohs and ahhhhs from the crowd and teammates
In drills QB’s worked on roll out passes to Cook in the corner of the end zone. Also worked on quick slants in the redzone with Quick and Cook and Kendricks.
Gurley did reps on the side and also some running you can tell he is ready to be let loose. Bailey, Givens, and Cunningham worked on catching kickoffs
Mannion seems to be close to Foles always asking questions
Nice touch towards the end of practice offense went against defense as if it was backed up on the 10 yard while the backups screamed and made noise as if they where the crowd During that Jenkins got beat by Bailey along the sideline for what would have been a huge gain but Jenkins grabs Bailey
Well that’s just some of what I saw and took notes on. If anybody else was there please add or comment on anything I may have missed.
August 6, 2015 at 10:16 pm in reply to: Fisher, 8/6 … transcript; & vid of interview with Siciliano #28227znModeratorWhat’s interesting is that our on the field practice, full-speed penalties are way down compared to where we were last year. And that’s a point of emphasis for us. So, we’re not having the false start things, the frequency of them that we’ve had over the years.
That’s interesting.
.
znModeratorJim Thomas @jthom1
The concern w/Gaines is that he might have plantar fascia issues.
Heel Pain & Football
http://www.heel-that-pain.com/articles/plantar_fasciitis_football.php
Many things can slow down your game, but heel pain can definitely bring it to a stop. The most common form of heel pain in football players is known as Plantar Fasciitis (pronounced PLAN-tar fashee-EYE-tiss). It occurs when the long, flat ligament on the bottom of the foot (Plantar Fascia) stretches irregularly and develops small tears that cause the ligament to become inflamed. The pain is described as being dull aching or sharp and can be reproduced by flexing the toes upwards (dorsiflexion) and tensing the fascia.
Although the fascia is invested with countless sturdy ‘cables’ of connective tissue called collagen fibers, it is certainly not immune to injury. In fact, about 5 to 10 per cent of all athletic injuries are inflammations of the fascia, an incidence rate that in the United States would produce about a million cases of plantar fasciitis per year, just among football players. Basketball players, tennis players, volleyballer’s, step-aerobics participants, and dancers are also prone to plantar problems, as are non-athletic people who spend a lot of time on their feet or suddenly become active after a long period of lethargy. A recent study found that over 50 per cent of people who suffer from plantar fasciitis are on their feet nearly all day.
Plantar Fasciitis usually develops gradually. Heel pain may only occur when taking the first steps after getting out of bed or when taking the first steps after sitting for a long period of time. If the plantar fascia ligament is not rested, the inflammation and heel pain will get worse. Other conditions or aggravating factors, such as the repetitive stress of walking, standing, running, or jumping, will contribute to the inflammation and pain. In some cases, the inflamed ligament may not heal because many people who have plantar fasciitis do not completely stop the aggravating activity.
In athletes, a number of factors are associated with development of plantar fasciitis. These factors can lead the athlete to change his or her gait (the way the feet strike the ground), which can cause symptoms and injury.
znModeratorThe thing I noticed the most was Brockers. He is a Monster.
Yeah this may be Brockers’s year. I think last year they changed his role, so he started as one thing and switched to another. Now he begins in the NT role and that’s not going to change, so he is being set up to break through finally.
znModeratorNow, as for stats … I dunno. They are affected by so many things. Being behind on the scoreboard. The effectiveness of the running game. Whether the passes are successful or not. Stats on a matter like this are an important part of the puzzle, but, in my view, not definitive unless they’re accompanied by in-depth looks at the variables that make up the overall pattern.
As for me, I feel pretty sure of what I saw.
Here’s why we need stats though. Because I feel just as sure of what I saw. What I saw was that the Rams offense, with Bradford, threw long at a fairly decent clip. I say this with all due respect, of course. But we just see this one entirely differently.
The numbers tell us this wasn’t simply because of being behind, or any of that. It was a regular and featured part of their game. I say the numbers tell us that because the stats I use are comparative. They look at percentages and then compare those with other qbs. Eventually comparisons like that even things out.
That’s the point of comparing percentages with other qbs. Every qb faces the same things—they are behind sometimes, etc. etc. etc–so all of that evens out eventually. And, because of that research, to me, I confirmed what it was I was seeing–that they threw 31+ yarders at a healthy clip. Not like the top 5-6 long ball passers, but just under that. 4.9% of attempts is actually a pretty hefty number. You rarely see more than that and rarely see it get beyond the high end of 5%. (Last year Newton reached 6.7% but that’s unusual. He also wasn’t very accurate with it.)
And in fact, word out of Philadelphia is, they wanted Bradford for his combination of a quick release and long ball accuracy. Kelly apparently thought Foles missed on too many plays like that.
The problem was, who to throw long TO. And they used everyone. Amendola in 2012, for example, has a higher YPR than any year for him before or since. That’s because, lacking options,they set up some long passes to him (one that stands out is the 80 yarder against SF that got called back because of penalty). When Givens was new and they could get away with using him (before teams figured him out), they used Givens. Etc.
In 2014—in terms of setting them up to go downfield using medium and medium deep passes, that was FOR Bradford. They finally had receivers in 2014 who could maximize that. Every camp observer saw them feature it. We saw it in the pre-season games when Bradford did play. Bradford was born for that stuff and what we did see he excelled at it. That was a regular motif in camp reports.
As I said, I always thought they avoided these medium range lasers before 2014 because they didn’t have receivers for it. Not Givens, Quick was too green, not Amendola, Pettis, or Gibson—it took (IMO) Britt and a matured Quick to set these up (though I think Bailey can do it too).
Back to 31+ yarders. There is only one period where they didn’t use the long ball much and it was the 1st 4 games of 2013. But that changed. When they brought in Stacy and went back to a play action offense, the long ball re-appeared. Meanwhile it was there in 2012. It was a core part of their offense…the Fisher/Schott thing was to set up big plays, and that included long passes.
Now it could be that Bradford — in the 1st three quarters — held back, but then to me, that was the offense. Not him specifically, but him in that offense. He could have, in other words, held back when he wasn’t sure of a receiver, and still thrown his fair share of 31+ yarders.
So we just see entirely different things on this one.
Though it’s about Bradford, which is history. That’s the same as discussing/debating Bulger at this point.
znModeratorfrom off the net
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Sacramento Ram
at some point JL55 yells at Williams “explain it better, then”
znModeratorfrom off the net
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DR RAM
NFL Network is already starting to talk about Rams, live right now peeps.
They think GR has the size and athleticism to be the next Walter Jones, and that early reports are that he’s killing it at camp.
There’s a lot of discussion about the pieces stockpiled, Tavon, how to use him, Foles, about his fit. Dukes, thinks Rams are a 10 win team. Heath, said he’s never seen a player of Tavon’s size ever succeed in the NFL, in his time.
Talking about Rams defense, being one of the top defenses. Dukes, likes Ogletree coming on. Evans, talking Long missed time last year, coming back. Said Fisher is a good coach, and William’s defense will hunt you. Dukes, talking about Brockers having great camp, and Fairly a good addition. He thinks Westbrooks would be a starter on other teams. Evan’s says Failrly. when focused has great instincts, and can be dominant.
About Donald. He’s wreaking havoc, reminds him of Warren Sapp…Dukes. Tough matchup, great first step, strong, athletic. Evan’s compares him to John Randle, body type, burst.
Just paraphrasing people, not a great typist. Trying to add to members who may not have NFL Network. I won’t be able to live once it starts, since, I will be trying to keep up with live tweets.
Dukes thinks both Mason, and Gurley splitting carries, so that they total about 30 a game. Gurley with the edge in carries, once he’s healthy. They like the Rams, backs.
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GM Les Snead talks live from #RamsCamp. WATCH: http://t.co/15IPrcPKxL pic.twitter.com/CFRx9afu2N
— St. Louis Rams (@STLouisRams) August 7, 2015
Demarco saying the Rams defense can’t be middle of the pack, have to have a quick start.
Snead just said Robinson at 315 now, and he did his conditioning test, which fell under RB time.
Snead talking about how bad Quick’s injury was, and how hard he’s worked to come back. Lots of screaming in trainer’s room, breaking up scar tissue, etc.
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