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znModeratorhttp://theramshuddle.com/topic/video-jeff-fisher-were-going-to-be-run-oriented/
(On T Rodger Saffold leaving practice early)
“Yeah, we’re going to check him out, but the word I got is things are settling down. He’ll be alright.”August 2, 2014 at 8:23 am in reply to: Fisher, Schottenheimer, Williams (Aug 1) – vids & transcripts #3069znModeratorFISHER
SCHOTTENHEIMER
WILLIAMS
–Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher – August 1, 2014
(On what he hopes to get of the scrimmage and set up for tomorrow)
“First off, it’s an experience with fans. It’s an opportunity for them to come down, go inside watch practice,
get close, enjoy the two or three hours of the stuff we have to set up. From a football standpoint, it’s another practice. We’re going to do some live work. We’re in full pads. We’ll finish with, I don’t want to say rookies, but there will be some other younger players in a live tackling scrimmage. But for the most part, we’re continuing with our installation. We’re doing a lot of drills, the two minute, one–on-ones all kinds of different drills out there. Those who haven’t been able to come to the training camp get to see what we do at training camp, we just happen to be moving indoors.”(On if he uses this scrimmage to do an introductory of what a game day is like)
“No, but it is good for the young guys that haven’t been there-the draft class and we have players that have not played there before. So it’s good to find out where your locker is and how you come in and off the field and where we warm up and do those kinds of things instead of have it be a first time experience for them next weekend.”(On how the running game looks right now and how much he is going to rely on it)
“Well we’re going to be a runaway football team. But, it’s hard to gage where it is right now. We’ll have a better idea once we get into preseason. We’re getting all kinds of different looks out of our defense, there’s times there’s spaces, there’s times their not. You practice in pads, but they have in their mind protect each other. And so you’re not finishing, you’re not cutting on the backside, you’re not doing those kinds of things, so we’ll have a better idea in a couple weeks.”(On how CB Brandon McGee has been so far in training camp)
“Well he’s playing outside at corner. He’s getting some nickel shots and of course he picked up where he’s left off on ‘teams.’ Battling through a little sore ankle which was good to see him come back today and he’s got a good chance to play quite a bit this preseason.”(On T Rodger Saffold leaving practice early)
“Yeah, we’re going to check him out, but the word I got is things are settling down. He’ll be alright.”Rams Offensive Coordinator Brian Schottenheimer – August 1, 2014
(On how the offense has progressed since OTAs)
“Doing great, really, really excited. You can see they came back ready to work. You can see they came back they knew what we were trying to get done. The retentions have been great. We’re playing fast. So all in all, so far so good, doing well.”(On if about half of the offense has been installed)
“Yeah probably. Yeah a little bit more than that maybe, but for us again, it’s a review we talk about that all the time. We kind of review by day, but everything’s in when we get to these move periods and stuff. Everything’s kind of in and the guys have done a good job all across the board.”(On how QB Sam Bradford has performed so far)
“Looks good, looks really good. Throwing the ball well, had some great throws today. That shouldn’t surprise anybody, obviously he’s a very talented, gifted passer. Thrilled he’s ahead of schedule, feels great, looks great, so I’m excited about it.”(On what facing the Rams defense does for the offense especially
when it’s the 1s vs. the 1s)
“Well, again obviously they give us a lot of trouble just in terms of the multiple looks they’re going to give us. They’ve got a lot of things that you have to prepare for, which is good and we troubleshoot our protections and stuff. Certainly it’s good work across the board. We feel great with where we are and it’s fun to compete against those guys.”(On what to expect out of the running game this season)
“The running game looks good. Obviously that’s the way we’re built. We’ve always been built that way. Last year, earlier in the year some things got away from us but the shift to the running game is nothing new. That’s what we’re going to be based on—play great defense, run the football, our play-action game comes off of that. Running game looks good. Got a really good young stable of backs. I don’t think I’ve ever been around a group of three, four, five guys with this much ability. So the competition, across the board at every spot, but certainly that’s one that jumps out at you.”(On how RB Tre Mason looks)
“He’s doing a really good job. Most importantly, mentally he’s done a great job, picking it up. We ask a lot of our backs in protection, in some of things we do even in the passing game. Done a really good job. Coming from a situation where he didn’t do a lot of that in college, he’s done a great job.”(On how it is to see the first string offensive together for some reps and the movement of players amongst the positions on the line)
“Sure. Well, that’s the big thing. We’re going to move guys around. Again, we’re trying to create competition, putting (OL) Greg (Robinson) in different spots, (OL) Rodger (Saffold) in different spots. But, it was nice to look out there today and see those five guys. They’ve been working hard. The communication now is so much easier for them. We make adjustments, they make adjustments, make calls. That just comes from playing together and Greg’s done a good job of picking it up. He gets some help in there between (OT) Jake (Long) and (C) Scott (Wells) from time to time. He’s done a nice job picking it up.”(On Robinson playing between Jake Long and Scott Wells)
“As long as he can listen, he’ll be in good shape.”(On if Robinson is a good listener)
“He is a good listener, yes he is. If they told him to jump offsides he’d probably jump offsides.”(On if the older guys told Robinson to jump offsides Friday)
“Yeah, he did that today. Maybe they did, maybe we’ll grade those other guys down. He’s doing a really good job. You’ve seen him grow the last couple practices. It’s tough, especially again, we’re talking about with some of the looks we’re going to see from the defense each and every day but he’s done a really good job for us.”(On if he’s looking for anything in particular at FanFest)
“No, I don’t think so. Again, I always like to see the live scrimmage at the end. Again, I don’t know how many of the vets will get that. It’s usually a lot of the younger guys. We just want to keep building. We’ve put three really good practices, today, our last couple days together, so build on that. Again, we’re just kind of going through the building blocks of what we can be. We’re a way bigger team on the perimeter. That helps, gives Sam some big targets. We’re extremely fast, and you’re seeing the ball pushed down the field. Guys are making plays, so continue to do that. Again the scrimmage, it’ll be fun to see these guys play real football.”(On if WR Kenny Britt is helping WR Brian Quick’s progress)
“Yeah, well I think Brian Quick’s probably had the best spring and training camp of any of the receivers. I think Brian Quick is playing his tail off right now, but yes, you put Kenny in there and Kenny’s obviously got the experience, got the size. But again, just the thing about Kenny is he brings his energy every day and that helps the group. We got guys that love to play and compete. When you get (WR) Sted (Stedman Bailey) and (WR) Tave (Tavon Austin) and (WR) Quickie (Brian Quick), Kenny in the huddle with (TE Jared) Cook and those guys, it’s fun. There’s a lot of energy. They have a lot of passion for the game. It’s been fun to watch those guys kind of get excited for the other guy when they make the play.”(On if Britt has calmed down)
“He has not, no I don’t think so. He loves football and I think his abs look a little bit better. I think so and he’s got that shirt, the half shirt that he likes to wear out here, but he’s doing a good job. He’s showing off.”(On TE Jared Cook’s consistency)
“Well, last year I think the biggest thing with him is he had a few drops. This year, playing really fast. Just creating separation, playing physical. You even notice it in the running game. He’s getting up underneath people, he’s driving, driving his feet, getting movement. Again having a good camp, but again if he catches a few more balls last year, again I think he’s not going to be satisfied but he would’ve felt better about the year. But again a guy we expect to have a huge year for us.”Rams Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams – August 1, 2014R
(On how the defense has progressed)
“They’ve taken another step, and the reason they’ve taken another step is because the verbiage and the language is starting to become a little bit more memory based. They have some familiarity there. It’s been fun to see them come back in really good shape, and it’s fun to see them adapt to (Head Coach) Jeff’s (Fisher) schedules. Jeff’s done a really good job of setting the schedule for recovery, setting the schedule for a lot of reps. Now we’re getting a lot more reps than we got in OTAs because we were under such time constraints and everything that you have to do in the offseason. We’ve taken some steps. It’s still a process, and they’ve done a very good job.”(On how far along his knowledge is regarding the best way to use his personnel)
“Improving, but it’s not there yet. It’s improving. One of the things, in the spring, I let the assistant coaches set all the depth charts. Obviously they set them the way I like them to set. I let them. I didn’t have any discussion with them. But as soon as we got back here, I spent the entire time, while all the players were away, I was here every day. I was here Saturday, Sunday, Fourth of July, going back through and getting ahead of a lot of things. Watching films and studying people that I don’t have time to study once the season starts. But the big thing, I went back and re-watched every single practice, every single drill. I’m a lot more familiar with these guys, but until the pads came on, that was the next step. And until we play a preseason game, that’ll be the next step. It’s ever changing. It’s moving on, but I’m getting a lot more familiar with them.”(On if he missed the fireworks on the Fourth of July)
“I didn’t even watch any fireworks. How about that? I was hanging out here, and the week right before we started camp I went back to my little hometown and had a great week with my foundation for kids. We had record attendance and we set record profits. It was a good week, so I had to come back to camp to rest.”(On how long his foundation has been doing their golf tournament)
“It was the 10 year anniversary of it. We went over $1 million given back to those kids a few years ago, but we’re on record pace to give them the second million a lot faster than we did the first million. It was really good. It’s always going to be my hometown, and I’m a sucker for kids. I’ve always been a sucker for kids. There are people in that hometown that took up for me and helped me a lot of the ways and mentored me. It’s important to go back and give back. I love the fact that I’ve had the opportunity to give back a lot here in St. Louis. I’ve spoken a lot here locally to a lot of different groups and stuff and gotten out and met a lot of people here. But I can’t tell you – and again, it’s not something I’m just saying just to appease people – I’m happy as all get out to be back in Missouri. I’m happy to be here, familiar in the Midwest and everything. The fact that I’m that close to the kids that are in Excelsior Springs helps me a lot, but the kids here, too. It’s been a good summer.”(On the reception he receives when he speaks publically)
“It’s been very good, very well received. They’ve known of me a lot of different ways, a lot of different times. It’s fun to see a lot of my old high school coaches, a lot of the guys that I coached against and with in high school. I’ve had my college coaches, they were down here a few days ago. It’s been a big reunion for me to get around all these people that I’ve been around when I was growing up. The fact that they get a chance to come in here and see how they do things here with a young team, there’s a lot of similarities going on here. They’ve enjoyed that process and they’ve enjoyed the fact that we’ve gotten back together again.”(On if the Rams are expecting him to ‘work some magic’ with the defense)
“I tell the players all the time, and I’ll tell you guys: there’s not going to be any magic dust. There’s not going to be any Lebron James magic dust. That’s not going to happen. What’s going to happen is these players are going to play aggressively. They’re playing for somebody and with somebody that’s on the same page as them. Nobody’s going to hold them back. We’re going to go and we’re going to play aggressive. If you want to make sure that you always have a fail-safe excuse about making a mistake, make it aggressively. That’s been the fun part of seeing them all of the sudden be so robotic. They’re a talented group of players, but I want them to play instinctively. I want the coaches to coach instinctively. Jeff’s allowing that to happen, and I’m happy that he’s allowing that to happen because that’s the way I’ve always been.”(On if the personnel he has here will allow him to be creative)
“A lot more freedom with the respect of doing the same attacking things with less people. When I say that, all the stops I’ve had on the way, I’ve never been afraid to bring lots of people, but we can still do some of the same things and bring less people. Our secondary is doing a really good job, taking the next step, growing with the ways we want to have them play. And with this front, this is the best front I’ve had a chance to be a part of. Not only the first front, it’s the second front. Not only the second front, it’s the third front. They’re coached by who I think is one of the best d-line coaches in the league, and I’ve been blessed to have a lot of really good d-line coaches. Here again, they grasp the game the way Mike Waufle wants it done. That’s also a big part of taking the next step, Mike Waufle and I getting on the same page. He has and we have.”(On what he wants to see in the scrimmage Saturday)
“We’re on an installation phase. (Offensive Coordinator) Brian Schottenheimer and I are hooked up together, working together on Day 1, Day 2, Day 3 and taking the step to make sure that we’re getting the things installed that we have to have in at the first part of the season, for the first month of the season. Making sure we have all those things done. We’re not really worrying about any scouting reports or any of those things. We’re just trying to take the next step of getting everything done now so it’s familiar under stress when the season starts.”(On what advice he gives young players who are fighting for roster spots)
“We are young. That’s fantastic. We’re going to pick the 53 best players. The 53 best players when we start the season are who we’re going to march with. This is a production-based business, and it’s a great game, but it’s a production business. The people who are out here giving us a chance to produce at a higher level, we’re challenged in the NFC West. We’re challenged in every single game in the National Football League. There are no homecoming games. Everybody, every game is a tough game, but in our division, it’s a tough division. So the fact that these young guys, they’re all young really on our side of the ball, and really the whole team, the 53 best guys will get a shot to go into war when we start the season.”(On DT Michael Brockers)
“I think he’s got a lot of growth. I don’t know if you guys have seen how lean he is since he’s come back. It’s amazing how much faster, quicker, how much he hasn’t lost any power at all. He’s leaner. He has tremendous growth. I think he’s just scratched the surface. He has really, really picked up the way Mike Waufle wants things done and as it grows with the way I want things done. I think you’re going to see another step in him. I really do. I’m excited about him.”(On how the young secondary is progressing)
“They’re taking the next step. Again, in the practice settings right now, we haven’t seen the live bullets. We’re doing a lot of things from protection mannerisms and they’re having to do the daily installation so there’s not a lot of freedom for them to play like they’re going to play in a game setting. So the next step for them is playing in a preseason game so now we can see them adapt and improvise and use the tools that we’ve provided them. When we get ready to start each day, we give them a set group of parameters that we want them to use that day so they get on film so they’re starting to build confidence and we’re starting to teach them. They’re taking the right steps and they’ve done a lot of really, really good things. But until we get into the live competition so that we can see them handle the heat of a real game and see that they can tackle in space, that’s going to be the next step.”August 2, 2014 at 2:06 am in reply to: JT/Wagoner tweets from practice + Wagoner article on practice, 07/31 #3067znModeratorincluding a TD from Bradford to Bailey early on.
This seems to have a nice ring
Here’s to you saying that a lot this season.
August 1, 2014 at 9:40 pm in reply to: La Canfora, Wagoner, Thomas twitter reports from Rams practice #3050znModeratorgathered by RamBill
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Jim Thomas @jthom1
Despite one end zone drop in traffic, TE Lance Kendricks had a very good day catching the football.
Mizzou’s E.J. Gaines picked off a Garrett Gilbert pass during 11-on-11. W/Rams down at CB, Gaines got 2nd-team and even a few 1st-team reps.
Trumaine Johnson had a couple of big plays Friday: A red zone INT of a Bradford pass intended for Tavon Austin. . . .And showing, good closing speed, a breakup new midfield of what looked like a sure completion to Austin.
Rookie DE prospect Ethan Westbrooks got his first 11-on-11 work in training camp and looked quick around the edge. He’s coming off hamstring
LT Jake Long and C Scott Wells increased their workload with the starting offensive line.
Not practicing Friday for Rams: DB Lamarcus Joyner, CB Janoris Jenkins, S Christian Bryant, CB Jarrid Bryant, FB Kadeem Jones, LB Johnny Millard, C/G Barrett Jones. OG Davin Joseph left early.
LT Rodger Saffold left late in practice; injury unknown. But didn’t appear serious.
MLB James Laurinaitis, who is as durable as they come, missed Friday’s practice with a minor ankle sprain.
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Nick Wagoner @nwagoner
CB Janoris Jenkins did not practice today. Injury unknown but he watched workout on the sidelines.
As expected, LB James Laurinaitis didn’t participate after getting stepped on last night. Jo-Lonn Dunbar filled in at MLB in his absence.
On the other side of the injury coin, more work in team drills for OT Jake Long, C Scott Wells and DE William Hayes today as they come back.
For what it’s worth, Brockers was limping off and Saffold’s appeared to be more of a hand/wrist ailment. We’ll know more tomorrow.
Brockers went through post-practice stretch and didn’t appear to have any serious issues either.
A couple of injury scares today: DT Michael Brockers, OL Rodger Saffold both hobbled off. Fisher said he didn’t think Saffold issue serious.
Rams off the practice field Friday night. Relatively light practice with no pads in advance of tomorrow’s fully padded scrimmage.
znModeratorWagoner Camp Report: Day 7
http://theramshuddle.com/topic/reporters-at-camp-wagone-1-so-far/
Defensive tackle Michael Brockers and guard Rodger Saffold suffered injuries within a span of a few plays on a red-zone drill. Brockers appeared to hurt his foot or ankle; Saffold’s injury looked to be more of a hand or wrist issue. After the practice, coach Jeff Fisher said Saffold’s injury didn’t seem serious and Brockers’ ailment didn’t look to be, either. He went through stretching drills with the team. It’s possible the Rams will hold both players out for a bit after they’re evaluated closer, but at first glance, it doesn’t look like either will miss serious time.
Jim Thomas @jthom1 · 49m
LT Jake Long and C Scott Wells increased their workload with the starting offensive line.
Jim Thomas @jthom1 · 59m
LT Rodger Saffold left late in practice; injury unknown. But didn’t appear serious.
znModeratorWagoner Camp Report: Day 7
http://theramshuddle.com/topic/reporters-at-camp-wagone-1-so-far/
Defensive tackle Michael Brockers and guard Rodger Saffold suffered injuries within a span of a few plays on a red-zone drill. Brockers appeared to hurt his foot or ankle; Saffold’s injury looked to be more of a hand or wrist issue. After the practice, coach Jeff Fisher said Saffold’s injury didn’t seem serious and Brockers’ ailment didn’t look to be, either. He went through stretching drills with the team. It’s possible the Rams will hold both players out for a bit after they’re evaluated closer, but at first glance, it doesn’t look like either will miss serious time.
znModeratorRams OT Jake Long addressed the media following his first day taking reps after tearing his ACL late last season. (2:28)
Watch Jake Long Interview
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If you listen to this, he’s not worried about the knee. He’s more concentrated on getting his timing and technique back and shaking off rust.
znModeratorYes, your interpretation is what he meant,
but I’m saying i bet the dont call them
in the playoffs cause thats just how pro sports iz –Ah. I see. Somehow, you made me misread you. I apologize for letting you make me misread you.
znModeratorSaw it. Went with Margo the Spouse and 1 daughter plus our kind of adoptive daughter. (Dani is my daughter’s friend. Her single disabled bipolar mom threw her out of the house a few years ago before Dani finished high school, so we took her in. She has her own apartment now but is family.)
The 3 girls LOVED it. Just loved it. And Margo didn’t think she would.
I really liked it. It really is done well and is a lot of fun.
znModerator“…as explained by veteran referee Ed Hochuli, NFL officials are planning to emphasize defensive holding and illegal contact this season. Hochuli said that early in the year, when defensive backs haven’t yet learned how strictly the officials are going to call the penalties, the flags will fly frequently…”
The key here, is ‘early in the year’
they’ll call penalties.I’ll be surprised if it happens
in the playoffs.w
vI think he meant they will HAVE TO early in the year until players catch on and then after that they won’t have to call as many.
I didn’t take him as saying they would just stop calling it as much.
znModeratorWells had missed the end of OTAs with an illness
“All along, we had this schedule planned out since the surgery, and we’ve been following it,” Long said. “As long as we don’t have any setbacks, we’re gonna keep progressing and getting better.”
That schedule calls for Long to make his preseason debut in Game 2 or 3 of exhibition play.
It’s been Long’s way of staying involved and keeping up with the offense as he recovers from offseason surgery to repair a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee. But Thursday night, Long took the next step and then the next step after that and the one after that until he was crouched in his usual position taking reps with the top offense.
It was the first reps he’s taken in a team drill of any sort since suffering the injury against Tampa Bay back on Dec. 22 of last year.
What once seemed like an overly optimistic estimation for Long’s return appears to be getting closer to an accurate one with each passing day.
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A lot to like here.
.
znModeratorJust a few sample articles on how line versatility is the new thing.
.
Offensive Line Learning To Play More Versatile In Training Camp
by Sam Kweon
Last year, there were a bunch of injuries that occurred in the front five for the San Diego Chargers. In fact, the true starters barely even started together all season!
This is why versatility is very important. And offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris knows it.
He is having DJ Fluker and Chris Watt playing LT and LG while King Dunlap and Chad Rinehart are lining up on the other side of the line in training camp.
The players (and coach) spoke on how the transition was going (per Chargers.com).
“The first day we swapped sides was a little rough, but the second day was even better. It goes to show you to just take coaching,” said D.J. Fluker
“When you can play all positions you understand the entire scheme…(they) are going to be a certain way (and) whether you’re playing guard or playing tackle or playing center,” head coach Mike McCoy said. “We’re making all the same calls but you’re doing it from a different position. You’ve got to understand……. ‘What is your role in this play?’ I think everyone understood that last year on this football team and there’s a lot of guys who hadn’t played a lot of snaps in those positions but because of the work they did get during camp, it helped them in the long run.”
Another benefit to being well versed in all sides and positions is the preparation it gives players for unexpected yet inescapable injuries.
“It’s been really good for our group to kind of switch positions and different situations,” said Chris Watt. “It really prepares us for a game situation if someone were to go down and one of us had to move across to the other side of the ball. It just gets us prepared for that.”
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Scouting the Broncos: Offensive line versatility
http://www.itsalloverfatman.com/broncos/entry/scouting-the-broncos-offensive-line-versatility
Something that came from the coaches is that everyone on the OL has to learn all the line positions. I find that approach to be one of Denver’s strengths – it’s smart football. They also use that approach with the linebacking corps. There will be some multi-positional linemen winning starting jobs this year. They have a lot of them.
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Playing guard helps Taylor Lewan transition to NFL
John Glennon
An athletic 6-foot-7, 309-pounder with 34-inch arms, Taylor Lewan is clearly an NFL offensive tackle — not a guard.
But chances are the longer he practices at guard — which he’s doing now while starter Andy Levitre recovers from an appendectomy — the better Lewan will be at tackle when he eventually returns to his natural position.
Lewan’s cross-training is helping him develop quicker reaction times, allowing him to broaden his knowledge of the offensive line’s responsibilities, and giving him the kind of first-team reps that he would not have been getting at tackle.
“It helps him everywhere — understanding the speed of the game, technique, and how physical it can be,” Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt said. “He’s a big athletic guy and it’s good to see him get a lot of reps for us.”
znModeratorExpect more defensive holding, illegal contact flags this year
Michael David Smith
August 1, 2014NFL rules have already done plenty to favor the passing game, but this year may be the biggest passing season yet.
That’s because, as explained by veteran referee Ed Hochuli, NFL officials are planning to emphasize defensive holding and illegal contact this season. Hochuli said that early in the year, when defensive backs haven’t yet learned how strictly the officials are going to call the penalties, the flags will fly frequently.
“I would expect there may be more fouls called in the first preseason game and the first regular-season game,” Hochuli told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “The big one is holding. We’ve also tightened up the rule on illegal contact. We’ve always given a little leeway on that.
Opposing offenses complained last season that the Super Bowl champion Seahawks were grabbing and holding and not getting flagged for it. This year the Seahawks may have to adjust their style. And offenses across the league may put up even bigger numbers than ever before.
znModeratorI can still watch them on www (.)ifeed2all (.)eu. WARNING: Don’t go there if you don’t know what you’re doing.
If you want me to, I can write up another post on how to do it. It’s kinda complicated and a little dangerous if people don’t have firewalls and anti-v running. That would be the only reason I’m hesitant. I don’t want anyone’s pc to get a adware/malware program on it.
if you’re up for that, it would be helpful. If you’re not, everyone would understand.
July 31, 2014 at 10:13 pm in reply to: JT/Wagoner tweets from practice + Wagoner article on practice, 07/31 #2981znModerator. They didn’t get a ton of work, but there were at least a few reps in which the Rams had their projected starting offensive line of (from left to right) Long, Greg Robinson, Wells, Rodger Saffold and Joe Barksdale together for the first time in this camp.
Long and Wells only took a handful of reps but there were a few moments with the projected starting OL together for first time in camp.
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Worth noting.
znModerator
znModeratorI don’t really buy in to the “they need to make the playoffs this year” hype.
Yeah I don’t either.
First, I think Fisher has 5 years. (Which really means 4 because he will want an extension.)
2nd, I don’t think there’s a “reach this pinnacle or die” mentality. As long as this is clearly a good team heading the right direction, I think there’s leeway with the record, depending on the circumstances.
znModeratorSoftli is as informative and interesting as any audio report we’ve gotten on this camp so far.
Interesting on Laurinaitis, for example.
He upholds what we’ve heard about Quick.
Stacy got quicker.
Plenty more.
znModeratorSouth County Girl
I went to two of the three opening weekend practices. Nobody heckled MSam. In fact, just the opposite. He was cheered when he made a good play.
He draws no attention to himself and is not a distraction. Sam appears to be accepted. Several times I saw him talking to teammates, or a coach, when he wasn’t practicing.
There is no drama with this kid. He just wants to play football and he should be left alone to do so.
znModeratorTony Softli joined Kevin Wheeler to talk about the Rams training camp, Gregg Williams presence, Michael Sam’s weight loss, the Wide Receiver competition, and more notes from Earth City.
July 31, 2014 at 4:00 pm in reply to: NFL Nation: 4 Downs- NFC West Beat Writers Predictions/ESPN #2948znModeratorWe will rally around Sam Bradford and we will play good football.
But the very way you put that implies Clemens gets injured.
Or. Something. I think.
July 31, 2014 at 3:08 pm in reply to: July 30 camp report follow-ups + 1 belated (& fun) report #2943znModeratorKnowBody
This is a spirited team, as spirited as I have ever seen..
It is also one of the best practices I have seen Bradford have
The connection with Quick, Britt, and Cook is looking good
It will open up our running game… right now, Quick and Britt were overwhelming our DB’s with domination, minus Janoris Jenkins, yesterday…
Joyner has the fire for life and football that Rams players must have to be part of the team.. his interception was a gimmie, but I can still tell that there is something special inside of him
Gaines got burned by Quick, and Bailey, but other than that, I thought he had a solid day… he is looking better than McGee in my worthless opinion…
Chris Givens went out of his way yesterday to say that he is more than just a go deep one dimensional wide out… he was breaking them all off, and catching the ball with confidence and grace
The big play to Britt over McGee might have been the best catch I have ever experienced in person… his ability reminds me of Danario Alexander… I still miss DA, oh well, he lives on in Quick, I know this for a fact, because in DA’s last camp, he and Quick connected in some way, because Alexander is an amazing individual, and that is what you have to be… I love when you go up and catch the ball with the great force of domination, but I also want you to respect this Earth, and all the life that inhabits it. And I digress, back to football; during the aforementioned play of glory, I was not watching downfield until the pass was thrown, quite beautifully spiraled by Bradford, I must say, you see, I was watching Robinsion push his opponent three to four yards up field, creating that illustrious pocket that creates wins, magicallyTiming, we have a defensive back drill that incorporates (Blank)
Our defense is looking very rhythmical, organized, and chaotic…
Philip Steward just likes to attack…
Don’t sleep on Kendall Langford..Or anyone on this swarming defense of diabolical intentions, they will annihilate you from any angle
This is the type of defense that will give any QB trouble, including Bradford.. so practicing against this ritualistically will prove quite worthwhile I do believe
When I say ritualistically, I mean, that is the only way you can get good at anything, is by doing it the same way many times over successfully, without the fear of failure, because it is sure as Sun, the mistakes will come.. how can you push through your mistakes, will you turn away in fear and run? Janoris Jenkins doesn’t… he is unlike tye hill in this way
Offensive player of yesterday: Sam Bradford
Defensive player of yesterday: Janoris Jenkins#21 was the only one that I didn’t see get burned badly by either Quick or Britt
Tavon Austin is dangerous in the passing game.. I don’t care for the quick outs to him, as they never seem to work, netting us in the vicinity of 3-4 yards, if we are lucky, all the while our dynamic playmaker gets hit hard by some random man with size and strength… we need to use him cutting to the middle of the field in the passing game, then work the post corner, which he can run also… he and Bailey work well together in space and time.. surprise… notThis is a true team
I know it’s a business, and it’s all corrupt as hell, but the men who play on this team, play it with the kind of attitude that I look at life with, just to dominate it all as one, together we can make it better, and ascend to where we know we belong… but to do we must also choose to dominate with Love, because there is really no other choice
It was a great practice.. they call it entertainment, I call it the-experiencing-of-no-problems-or-cares other than the Team-Art that was happening on the field
Rest assured, this team dominates as One
Williams teaching timing well
Robinson is very versatile for only being a first year player.. after the combine everyone knew he was a freak, but what we didn’t know was how smart the guy was, and whether or not he was playing the game for the right reasons, i know that he is both of the latter two now… Saffold hurt the team with a false start, but i did not see Robinson jump yesterday. Sam is working the count very effectively, keeping the defense a little unnerved, but they still get to him quite a bit..
Sam showed an explosive bull rush that collapsed the pocked on the qb a few times, which is not surprising to me as a Mizzou fan.. his natural move is outside, where he uses his lean, handwork of domination, and quickness to get there in time.. he looked better against the run today as well… i am only keying in on him because he was an all conference player for my beloved college team, MiZ-Zou…haha, Bradford had to wear a Tigers jersey because of Danario, man do i miss having the opportunity of watching him play the game.. oh well, there are more important things than football, this i know, after nearly ruining my life in 2011, after having my hopes crushed
anything can happen, but it is looking good, my beloved brethren of Horns!
the length of this is shorter than the one i wrote yesterday, luckily it was deleted when i hit submit, otherwise, i could have never shared this
thank you to all who love this team and share this team with anyone ![/quote]
znModeratorOne more.
.Brian Quick – WR – Rams from Rotoworld
The Rams have been “very encouraged” by the play of third-year WR Brian Quick through the opening week of training camp. Phil Savage, the Senior Bowl director and former Browns GM, visited Rams camp Tuesday and came away impressed with Quick. Rams coaches believe the production is finally matching Quick’s raw speed-size combo. Quick is getting a ton of first-team reps, along with Kenny Britt, and appears to be putting his game together. Quick (6’3/218) has 4.50 wheels and was drawing Terrell Owens comps when the Rams took him 33rd overall in 2012.
Source: Phil Savage on TwitterznModerator
RamBill
Rams coach Jeff Fisher on what trash-talking receiver Kenny Britt brings to the team. Fisher also talks about Brian Quick learning to go full speed at all times.
http://www.rams-news.com/jeff-fisher-on-kenny-britts-trash-talk-thats-just-how-he-is-video-2/
znModeratorPasquerelli says that in the era of the cap and free agency, the average NFL OL changes 1.75 starters per year. That’s at least 3 every 2 years.
Given that, you can no longer HAVE OL continuity like they did in the 70s and 80s. No more world where season after season you had Smith Harrah and Slater.
You can keep 1 or 2 key guys across several years. Not all 5. It’s impossible…unless you want to break your cap. In general, 50% of a team’s cap goes to 8-9 players. You can’t afford to have 5 linemen among those 8-9.
So that means that the onus falls on coaching. As we know, one of the things Boudreau stresses is flexibility. During the season, you need to be able to count on some guys who can move. So for example, Long goes out, Saffold moves to LOT.
If teams changeat least 3 OL starters every 2 years, that looks like it means that in 2016, chances are, Long, Barksdale, and Wells won’t be there.
I think the theory is that if you build your line to BE flexible in the first place, it lessens the impact of things like that. Robinson for example will play guard, then replace Barksdale, and then replace Long. He can’t BE a guard forever like Harrah was, because that won’t be taking best advantage of the talent.
While it’s true they had more continuity on OLs from the 80s on back to the start of the NFL, it’s also true that they didn’t know how to coach flexibility the way Boudreau does. They didn’t need to so they didn’t learn.
Another thing is constant OL acquisition–you need bodies that are always being coached up. I know that sounds like it’s obvious but there’s a special imperative here–lines turn over and over, and yet as we all know all too well, line play is crucial to this or any team’s development (Demoff once called OL injuries the Rams “achilles heel.”) And not just acquire them, but acquire them by every means possible at once, with a lot of energy put in on each approach. There’s drafting both higher and lower (Saffold, Jones, Robinson), free agency (Wells, Long, Joseph), veteran cuts and waiver wire guys (Barksdale, and we have no idea who else), UDFAs (Barnes).
…
znModeratorI don’t really agree with some things in this article. Just putting it out there.
—
Stephen A. Smith Suspension Exposes ESPN’s Bigger Problem
By Brian Lowry
https://tv.yahoo.com/news/stephen-smith-suspension-exposes-espn-bigger-problem-013417782.html
ESPN has a problem. It wants to be in the thick of things, to be part of every major debate pertaining to sports. But its commentators and analysts – rooted as they are in trade deadlines and X’s and O’s – can be loose cannons, occasionally getting in over their heads when pressed to address topics that go beyond their areas of expertise.
Stephen A. Smith – suspended for his remarks about domestic violence pertaining to the NFL’s questionable action regarding Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice – is just the latest to engender controversy in one of these scenarios.
First, Smith awkwardly suggested that women can play a role in provoking situations of domestic violence. Then he began apologizing and seeking to clarify those remarks via Twitter. Then he went on air and apologized some more. And then ESPN still opted to discipline him.
But the channel can’t really have it both ways. If the goal is to be provocative – and those participating in these free-for-alls are, inevitably, encouraged to be colorful and bicker – it only stands to reason people are occasionally going to say questionable or offensive things, especially when tackling hot-button political issues.
At this point, it’s hard to keep track of all the flare-ups. There was basketball analyst Chris Broussard expressing his faith-based disapproval of homosexuality in relation to Jason Collins becoming the NBA’s first openly gay player. Rob Parker was suspended for questioning quarterback Robert Griffin III’s “blackness.” Mike Ditka called Jonathan Martin a “baby,” saying he wouldn’t want to coach him, for the bullying accusations that resulted in the NFL acting against Miami Dolphins teammate Richie Incognito. Elsewhere, another former coach, Tony Dungy, created headaches for NBC Sports with his comments about Michael Sam.
And so it goes. Athletes are people, after all, and thus the stories about them can be as ugly and troubling as anything humanity can dredge up. But a channel that obsesses so relentlessly over what city LeBron James calls home is often ill-equipped to do a quick pivot and deal with matters that touch on harassment (workplace or sexual), gay rights or race.
ESPN has taken some steps to bolster its journalistic bona fides, from hiring Keith Olbermann – who, love him or hate him, has a background in covering news that goes well beyond the playing field – to columnist Jason Whitlock. For the most part, though, the network is too often left relying on whoever’s available to cover the story of the moment – a prisoner, like virtually everyone else, of the vagaries of the 24-hour news cycle.
Corporate justice is never dispensed with complete uniformity in these instances, and one can argue till the cows come home about who made comments that merited a suspension and who didn’t.
The bottom line, though, is that if ESPN continues to cover the breadth of sports in all its messy, complicated glory – and expects to do so by featuring people who spend most of their time preoccupied with the minutia of the game – well, let’s just say the PR department should keep several versions of a boilerplate apology on file, just in case.
znModeratorI think this will be the best Ram Defense we’ve seen
since the 70s.w
vI expect a lot. I am not sure I’m willing to go that far. But, I also want you to be right, not me.
.
July 30, 2014 at 3:32 pm in reply to: Gordon, Wagoner…Rams who could improve this year, even Quinn #2877znModerator
RamBillBe warned: Quinn believes he can improve
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/10024/be-warned-quinn-believes-he-can-improve
EARTH CITY, Mo. — Forget for a moment the freakish athleticism. Put aside the elite speed. Don’t acknowledge the explosive ability to transition from quickness to power.
All of those things combine to form the pass rushing terror that is St. Louis Rams defensive end Robert Quinn.
Now consider Quinn just turned 24 in May and members of his coaching staff still believe him to be something of a pass rushing neophyte.
“It’s scary for offensive tackles, not scary for us,” Rams coach Jeff Fisher said. “He’s got a great future ahead of him.”
Quinn’s past and present are none too shabby in their own right. Now entering his fourth season, Quinn’s breakout 2013 caught on as fast as he bends the edge around helpless offensive tackles. By the time Quinn was through destroying offensive game plans, he had 57 tackles, 19 sacks, seven forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Quinn earned first-team All-Pro honors and made his first trip to the Pro Bowl. In about a year, he’s not only landed on various top players lists but found himself near the top. Grantland’s Bill Barnwell ranked Quinn as the seventh-most valuable player in the league in his trade value rankings. ESPN’s Mike Sando and Mel Kiper Jr. placed Quinn second on their list of the 25 best players under 25 years old.
But the scary part of Quinn’s age isn’t the number itself so much as the potential for continued growth that accompanies it.
Put simply, Quinn can and will get better. For proof, one needs only to see his growth as a run defender in 2013. While his pass rushing abilities have never been a question mark, his struggles against the run often resulted in a rotation which took him out of the mix on obvious running downs.
Quinn clearly improved in that regard in 2013, coming up with 26 run stuffs (solo tackles on plays considered an offensive failure) according to Pro Football Focus.
That’s also the area of his game Quinn still sees in need of most improvement. Quinn spent his offseason working on a little bit of everything. He says he added strength and made it a point to work on increasing leverage and hand usage.
“(I want to) be more stout in the run,” Quinn said. “I’m a smaller end so they might attack me a little more, so I constantly want to push myself to be the best complete player I can be and try to take any weakness out of my game.”
While Quinn’s ability to stop the run is important, let’s be real here, it’s his ability to get after quarterbacks that will earn him a mega payday. For the record, the Rams have him under control for less than $10 million total over the next two seasons, but don’t be surprised if the Rams start extension talks with him next offseason.
When that time comes, however, there’s a very real chance Quinn will have done nothing but increase his standing as the league’s best 4-3 defensive end.
Quinn’s speed off the edge and agility to bend around tackles is so jarring that he often beats offensive tackles by simply running around them. But there are ways he can better use his hands to disengage blockers, and he’d like to add more counter moves to his arsenal.
Sack King
A breakdown of Robert Quinn’s 19 sacks in the St. Louis Rams’ 2013 season.
Sacks by quarter
First 6
Second 6
Third 2
Fourth 5
Sacks by point differential
Tied games 4
Rams trailing by 0-9 points 5
Rams trailing by 10+ points 1
Rams leading by 0-9 points 2
Rams leading by 10+ points 7“Pass rushing is an art and you can get better at it,” Fisher said. “You can anticipate, you can get better with counter moves, get better on each opponent. He’s taking a lot of time, studying, and I think he knows how to approach each opponent week in and week out, he understands the system very well. One would think he’d probably have better numbers than he did last year.”
Improving upon 2013 will be tough but if he can do it, Quinn has a chance to approach Michael Strahan’s season sack record of 22.5.
One way that could be possible is for the Rams to more consistently build a lead in games. Nine of Quinn’s sacks came with the Rams leading and four more came in tied games in 2013.
On the rare occasions when the Rams held a double-digit advantage, Quinn was at his best. Six of his final eight sacks came with the Rams leading by at least 10.
And though Quinn figures to draw more attention from blockers, the Rams have plenty of other linemen more than capable of generating pressure and a defensive coordinator in Gregg Williams who can create it with blitzes if necessary.
Fellow end William Hayes, who is part of that defensive line depth, doesn’t believe additional attention will affect Quinn. He’s just too much to handle.
“Rob’s not just cool with what he had last year,” Hayes said. “Rob wants to be the best. Rob’s the best football player I’ve ever seen in my life. I’m saying at any position. He does stuff I’ve never seen. He’s special.”
In discussing his goals for 2014, Quinn has played coy. He offered a resounding “maybe” when first asked if he was targeting Strahan’s record. After asking if he could plead the fifth when asked again, Quinn acknowledged that it’s at least crossed his mind.
“I’m sure any D-lineman or anybody coming for sacks wants to take down that record but you’ve got to go one sack at a time,” Quinn said. “I’ve got a lot of work to do to better myself.”
For those who stand in his way, it’s a terrifying idea. What makes it worse is that it’s true.
znModeratorabout the 3-3-5 nickel [or “30 nickel”]… The thing that the 30 Nickel provides, is the presence of BOTH the extra DB to counter the 3 WR sets, but also the extra LB to handle the potential for the running game.
If I remember correctly that’s a defense the Patz used against the Rams in their superbowl. They basically just took out a linebacker and played a DB. Of course it’s different in the 4/3 where what you do is sit a DL and play a DB.
Another advantage of the 30 nickel is that you can pass rush a linebacker. That lets you rush 4 and drop 7, but the offense doesn’t know who the 4th pass rusher will be (since of course it could be any one of the 3 linebackers).
znModeratorStephen A. Smith Suspension Exposes ESPN’s Bigger Problem
By Brian Lowry
https://tv.yahoo.com/news/stephen-smith-suspension-exposes-espn-bigger-problem-013417782.html
ESPN has a problem. It wants to be in the thick of things, to be part of every major debate pertaining to sports. But its commentators and analysts – rooted as they are in trade deadlines and X’s and O’s – can be loose cannons, occasionally getting in over their heads when pressed to address topics that go beyond their areas of expertise.
Stephen A. Smith – suspended for his remarks about domestic violence pertaining to the NFL’s questionable action regarding Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice – is just the latest to engender controversy in one of these scenarios.
First, Smith awkwardly suggested that women can play a role in provoking situations of domestic violence. Then he began apologizing and seeking to clarify those remarks via Twitter. Then he went on air and apologized some more. And then ESPN still opted to discipline him.
But the channel can’t really have it both ways. If the goal is to be provocative – and those participating in these free-for-alls are, inevitably, encouraged to be colorful and bicker – it only stands to reason people are occasionally going to say questionable or offensive things, especially when tackling hot-button political issues.
At this point, it’s hard to keep track of all the flare-ups. There was basketball analyst Chris Broussard expressing his faith-based disapproval of homosexuality in relation to Jason Collins becoming the NBA’s first openly gay player. Rob Parker was suspended for questioning quarterback Robert Griffin III’s “blackness.” Mike Ditka called Jonathan Martin a “baby,” saying he wouldn’t want to coach him, for the bullying accusations that resulted in the NFL acting against Miami Dolphins teammate Richie Incognito. Elsewhere, another former coach, Tony Dungy, created headaches for NBC Sports with his comments about Michael Sam.
And so it goes. Athletes are people, after all, and thus the stories about them can be as ugly and troubling as anything humanity can dredge up. But a channel that obsesses so relentlessly over what city LeBron James calls home is often ill-equipped to do a quick pivot and deal with matters that touch on harassment (workplace or sexual), gay rights or race.
ESPN has taken some steps to bolster its journalistic bona fides, from hiring Keith Olbermann – who, love him or hate him, has a background in covering news that goes well beyond the playing field – to columnist Jason Whitlock. For the most part, though, the network is too often left relying on whoever’s available to cover the story of the moment – a prisoner, like virtually everyone else, of the vagaries of the 24-hour news cycle.
Corporate justice is never dispensed with complete uniformity in these instances, and one can argue till the cows come home about who made comments that merited a suspension and who didn’t.
The bottom line, though, is that if ESPN continues to cover the breadth of sports in all its messy, complicated glory – and expects to do so by featuring people who spend most of their time preoccupied with the minutia of the game – well, let’s just say the PR department should keep several versions of a boilerplate apology on file, just in case.
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