Head Coach Scott Linehan
July 26, 2008

(Open Remarks)
“It is great weather for training (camp), this is nice. We got a lot of things in and we have made a lot of progress. It is going to (tough) for the offense early in camp and we want perfection but it is good to see that we are playing consistent throughout. I believe by the middle of today’s practice, Donnie Avery’s (contract) was done and that is good to get that in and out of the way. He will be here this afternoon catching up and getting a little extra reps. But other than that, we are in our routine and we are going to start pushing our guys. We know fatigue will be a factor but I think we are in pretty good shape.”

(On Donnie Avery’s depth chart situation)
“I don’t know. I figured he would be in sooner rather than later. But he is close by and he will be here soon.” 

(On Fakhir Brown injury situation)
“We just did a precautionary MRI because it was fairly sore this morning. It was sore enough where we could get an MRI and we haven’t gotten anything back yet.”

(On RB Antonio Pittman’s reps in practice)
“You have to utilize that opportunity as an asset for your team because those guys can use the work. We have a pretty good idea of what Steven (Jackson) is capable of doing, and there is quite a bit unknown about our younger backs. I think it’s a great opportunity for him and the other guys to move up the ladder and get reps with the other groups.

(On the damage of WR Donnie Avery missing two practices)
“The damage is minimal, but you don’t want to miss any practices or any reps. Like I said, I would have been surprised if it had gone past today. We somewhat planned for it when he didn’t make the trip, but it will be good to get him back out here and we will catch him up on his reps. I believe (President of Football Operations) Jay Zygmunt said he was down the road, I think he caught a flight up here yesterday, so he should be here soon.”

(On OL Orlando Pace’s presence at training camp)
“There is luck involved in this game and Orlando (Pace) has had some bad luck the last two years, but generally luck doesn’t stay bad. I think he has really worked hard to get himself into as good of shape as he has been in a long time. You can not worry all day about injuries and things happening to guys, but you just have to think positive and know you have brighter days ahead."

(On what OL Orlando Pace means to the offense)
“Left tackles are hard to come by and he is one of the best of all time. I think it’s hard to come by guys like that and you miss them when they are gone. You can’t really replace them. I think the biggest thing is that it is uplifting for a team to have him in there. He has really worked himself into the position to stay healthy this year and I am not really focused on what happened in the past. I’m just focused on what we are going to do from here on out. ”

(On RB Steven Jackson’s contract updates)
“Nothing, nothing that I know of."

(On RB Brian Leonard’s position at full back)
“He is a hybrid. He is playing really split time right now. Because Steven (Jackson) is not here, he is playing a little bit more at half back. We will utilize him at full back a number of plays to get his snaps and reps in there. There will be times when he is at full back and there will be times when he is at tight end. We want to get him on the field.”

Quarterback Marc Bulger
July 26, 2008

(On lining up behind the starting Offensive Line)
“It’s good to have ‘Big O’ (T Orlando Pace) especially out there. I don’t know (G) Jacob (Bell) too well yet, the way he plays. But, having ‘Big O’ (T Orlando Pace) back is definitely a relief. I had six straight years with him and then the last two I haven’t, I think he is excited to be out here too.”

(On if each training camp he has been to has been unique)
“They are a lot different, but at the same time they are the same. Every year you are going to deal with different issues, injuries or contracts, or where you are at, or a new coaching staff. Every year is different. Obviously this year it’s been the fact that we have never been here before. We’re trying to find our way around, but I think we are finally getting into camp mode and once you get into camp mode, they are all pretty much the same.”

(On how far along he is in learning the offense)
“You can never be completely comfortable. I’m definitely caught up more than I was spring week, we did put a lot of time into the quarterbacks at that time, from March on. And now, I am playing more than I have played before, so that helps a lot, even though it didn’t show today. Things are clicking a lot quicker, the second practice and I think I am ahead of where I would be if we had not in all the time.”

(On his eagerness for RB Steven Jackson to arrive)
“We are all eager. His issues are you unique, every situation is unique. There is no right guy, wrong guy. I think we will get him in here sooner rather than later.”

(On how RB Steven Jackson’s late arrival to camp compares to his from last year)
“Mine was just a logistical thing with my agent getting in, and there was no practice missed. But, like I said, I think (RB) Steven (Jackson) wants to be here, I know (President of Football Operations) Jay (Zigmunt) wants him to be here. All the players want him to be here. It’s just a matter of when I think. I know he is working hard and we are excited to get him here.”

(On his excitement about the new offense)
“Right now we’re on the second day in, so we’re only on our second installation and the way (Offensive Coordinator) Al (Saunders) installs it is by protection. Each protection you can release more guys and put in more things, so right now we are pretty generic. It’s tough for us not to get frustrated our second practice, but as we build, and we get (WR) Donnie (Avery) in here and (RB) Steven (Jackson) gets in here, and we can get five guys out, it will get a lot more exciting. Right now, it’s just a little bit of growing pains, but there is a lot of good stuff on the horizon.”

(On being a more vocal leader)
“Each year you kind of earn that. I didn’t play particularly well last year. It was a little tougher earlier in my career because there was (RB) Marshall (Faulk) in the huddle and (WR) Isaac (Bruce) and (WR) Torry (Holt) and (T) Orlando (Pace), and all of those guys. What was I going to do? I don’t care if I am a quarterback or not, they were the leaders. Now some of those guys are gone and it’s my job to step it up more and when I’m gone it’s going to be someone else’s job to step it up. “

(On being a subtle leader)
“If someone keeps repeating the same mistake, I don’t have a problem saying something, and the coaches get on him. We all make mistakes, I’d rather go over and talk to him and get it corrected. I need those guys, I don’t need them stabbing me in the back. “

(On being comfortable in his role as a leader)
“I am more now I think. Like I said, it was tough before when (WR) Isaac (Bruce) would run a wrong route, what am I going to do? I’d say something and he’d give you the Isaac look, so I kind of kept my mouth shut. I think now with some of the younger guys and even some of the older guys, they respect me now, because they think I have a better grasp of the offense than anyone in there. I have been in it for such a long time, and with knowledge you can have that confidence. As long as I know what I’m doing, and I tell them the correct thing, I think they will start to lean on me more.”

(On the similarities and differences between Offensive Coordinator Al Saunders and Former Rams Offensive Coordinator and Head Coach Mike Martz’ coaching styles)
“A lot of the language is the same as well as the basic concepts and the attack mode. The differences are that everybody has a different personality. Obviously (Offensive Coordinator) Al (Saunders) and Mike (Martz) are different. I learned all of my football from Mike and I loved that. I love (Al) to death, so I think both of the coaches are great and I am just glad we have Al on our side.”

(On if Al Saunders will be aggressive when calling the offense)
“I think he will be. I think he’s going to wait to find his guys. Right now I think he has to learn his personnel and learn more about me and what I do well. He can’t just come in and start doing things that Mike was doing because he doesn’t know what I do well. I think Mike had a better feel. Torry (Holt), Isaac (Bruce) and Marshall (Faulk) knew what they were doing. Once Al figures out what everyone can do, he’s going to get a grasp on what they do best.”

(On the number of injuries that himself and the team sustained last season)
“It was difficult. Like I said in spring, I don’t want to harp on last year. I learned a lot. It was like a big kick in the butt. Everything had been great in my career up until then. I think I learned a lot from that. I think our team learned a lot from that as well as our coaches.”

(On if WR Torry Holt is similar or different this year)
“I think he’s the same in meetings and the way he carries himself is the same. Obviously, he had a few knee issues, so he is being a little more careful with that now. When you watch him on film, I think guys that are a little later in their career – I’m getting there – can get away with some physical things because of their knowledge. The NFL, and you never get it when you are younger, is more mental than physical. His technique is better than any receiver in the league and his physical abilities are still unbelievable. I saw him in their yesterday dunking and running up and down the court for a half hour before practice. He still has it. I don’t want to say he doesn’t, but his technique and the way he plays the game is better than any (defensive back) we play this year.”

(On Al Saunders’ impact on the offense with respect to motivation)
“We want to keep me upright this year, but it is not just on the (offensive) line, it is on me to get rid of the ball and know my reads and get through my progressions. For instance, today I didn’t it a couple of times and Al was on me in a second. I think it will become ingrained in me to say we are going to finish it. I think you see guys catching the ball and running down the field as a convoy. The guys are just a lot more enthusiastic and Al is not going to settle for any other standard.”

(On having training camp at Concordia University Wisconsin)
“We needed a change. It would be nice to be in St. Louis. If we were 12-4 last year, I’m sure we would be again. At 3-13, you have to change something. It is nice. They are definitely going to be some issues, but the weather is great. I know we are supposed to get a little bit of rain, but the field turf and the staff up here have been great.”

(On the difference in schedule this year at camp as opposed to last year)
“It is a little bit of a walk, but at the same time, you can collect your thoughts in between meetings or going to meals. Sometimes at (Russell Training Center) you come from a meeting and have 10 minutes to get onto the field. Here, they give you a little more time. Not that you milk it, but you can relax a bit and think about practice. I kind of like the 10 to 15 minutes between things to go from meeting mode to practice mode or vice versa.”

(On the reception of the fans this year)
“There aren’t too many cheers. Maybe there were a few scouts in there or something, but even when we were coming in there was a basketball camp full of kids giving us thumbs up, about half of them were giving us thumbs down. It’s great, though. It’s good for them to see a different experience. I’m sure they will be out there early next week, up in wherever they are, to see Brett (Favre) if he comes back.”

(On the new young receivers Donnie Avery and Keenan Burton)
“He did. He is playing well. He has a lot to learn and that there is a lot more to playing in the NFL than running fast and straight, but he is coming out with a great attitude and he’s playing fast. He has that juice that we need and he wants to learn. He doesn’t have any arrogance to him or over-confidence. I think he wants to learn and it is good to see that out of a young guy. Donnie was the same way in the spring so I am really excited about that.”

(On why he is not using a bike to get around like most teammates)
“I did it all summer, so I retired my bike for the summer but I have a car, so I drive and park it down here in the morning and drive it home at night. It feels like I am going to work.”

(On his golf appearance in the spring)
“I can’t sit here and make excuses, but I did not have one practice swing and they were Coach (Scott) Linehan’s clubs. I came in third this year at my club championship at Oakmont so I am proud about that. I was playing well, but what am I going to do after I showed you guys. I promised in the spring. I had not played at all. Al was happy about that. I had played one time before that. The guys rode me… believe me.”

(On the vertical passing game)
“It will be. We worked on it a lot. We hit a couple but we are still not there. Like I said before, Al wants to see what we can do well. If we are not hitting those, he is not going to call them. It is up to us to prove we can hit them. We hit some yesterday, so we will get a couple more tries, but we just need to get our guys to know that there will not be short stuff. We have to run and our receivers have to know that we are going to make them go get the ball. It’s not going to be a guessing game. It’s going to be back shoulder or outside. They are going to go get the ball. Don’t slow down and if it is overthrown, it is overthrown, but it is not going to be this guessing back shoulder or inside-outside stuff. We go 100 miles an hour every play. It is as simple as that.”

WR Torry Holt
July 26, 2008

(On what he did during the off season)
“I took the time to rest. I worked out a lot to get ready for the new season. For my health the biggest and most beneficial part of the off season is rest.”

(On how he keeps track of his health during the season)
“I continue to keep an eye on my reps and talk with Coach (Al) Saunders and Coach (Henry) Ellard and continue to monitor things. They let me take however many reps I want to take and I want to take as many as I can because the more I get the better I feel during the game and get a better gauge on how I feel as the season goes on. I thank them for allowing me to judge it and pick my spots and make sure I get my workouts in.”

“They basically leave it up to me, but we have dialogue everyday to let them know how I feel. Mainly I am lifting and icing when I have to. I don’t have to ice as much as I did last season, which is great. My flexibility is back. I did a lot of yoga, stretching, pool work and just working my tail off to get things turned around.”

(On his work ethic)
“It’s hard for the (coaches) to keep me away from the reps. Sometimes they have to pull me back and say they have somebody for this play. I have to work smarter and give myself time to heal, but at the same time I want to feel the offense and be ready for the main game on Sunday. I have to continue to talk to myself and say just pull back and relax; this is a long camp and continue to work myself in slowly.”

“Sometimes I’m like ‘Yeah’ and sometimes I’m like ‘No’ and sometimes I’m like (whatever). I’ve just got to do what I’ve got to do. But for the most part I am learning to listen to myself a lot more these days.”

(On what it feels like being back in the old offense)
“It feels good. Al (Saunders) is a terrific teacher. He is a tremendous motivator and demands excellence. I think the guys are feeling it and we are getting better offensively and defensively and will continue to do so as camp goes. It’s a vertical game, its fast; the tempo is good so it is exciting. I think everybody on the offensive side is enjoying it right now.”

(On the differences between Coach Al Saunder’s and Mike Martz’s offenses)
“There are not a lot of differences. There are some small wrinkles as far as play calling and some terminology, but the same vertical concept with crossing plays, screens, downhill running and outside running, but all of those things are about the tempo and getting to the line of scrimmage, knowing your assignment, dominating the line of scrimmage and then letting the play makers do their thing. In regards to that, the offense is the same, but terminology is different.”

(On what his motivation is as he begins the season)
“Well year 10, this is my 10th year.  So all year, once I started getting in football my goal was to get to ten years in the National Football League.  This is my 10th season.  It is a very, very important year for me.  That has been the motivating factor.  My thing was I wanted to get, when I came into the National Football League, I wanted to get ten years of consistency. I have this year to kind of complete that, and then I’ll go from there.  That’s the motivation of my 10th season.  You know how it is.  You get in 10 (seasons) and get into (your) thirties and plus, then some people say you don’t have it anymore and you start losing a step.  And rightfully so.  I want to come out and say for my 10th year in the National Football League that I came out and played well.”

(On not having WR Isaac Bruce in camp)
“You know it’s different.  But I guess I’ve vented that frustration, and I’ve moved on.  I’m happy for Isaac.  I’ve seen him over the offseason and talked we talked a little bit.  So now I moved on to 2008 Rams. So now as myself and Drew (Bennet), Dante (Hall), Dane (Looker), (Donnie) Avery, and (Keenan) Burton and those guys.  That’s the new, cool receivers here.  That’s what we are going to work with.  I wish Isaac well.  I wish he was here, but I have to work with the guys that we have.  And we are going to go out and try give it the best that we got.”

(On WR Isaac Bruce’s frustration)
“No man, Isaac is cool.  Isaac is humble and business like.  He’s a pro.  I told him handle his business and I’ll handle mine. That was pretty much what he said.”

(On his comments about his desire to play for the Carolina Panters)
“I said that then, and I’m done with that.  I’m not going to discuss that anymore.  It’s about the 2008 Rams and getting ourselves in a position to win some games.  I don’t care if we win four games.  It is one better than we did last year.  But obviously we want to win more games then that and get ourselves in the playoffs with the opportunity to compete in the Super Bowl.”

“I’m done with that I’m a Ram in 2008 and hopefully in 2009.  That’s what we are going to be.”

(On the team’s potential to reach the playoffs)
“It’s early but guys are talking and thinking playoffs.  Thinking NFC West Championship and Super Bowl.  That’s good and that’s inspiring.  Now we just have to take that fold and put it into action.  So if we can stay along those lines and work at it everyday, I think we have a real good shot at doing something.”

(On RB Steven Jackson)
“Getting 39 in here and getting healthy, it’s going to be big.  But Steven (Jackson) is the guy.  He is our horse.  And like I told him; we will go as for as he take us.  I’m sure that I’m going to jump on his shoulders and ride him for a little bit.  I’m hoping he will get here real soon.  I know business is business.  I wish him well.  I hope to see him soon, because once he gets back in, its on.”

T Orlando Pace
July 26, 2008

(On his quick return to practice)
“I knew they were going to work me in slow so this is what I expected. Coach (Linehan) and I talked about it and decided at camp they were just going to work me in. Right now its limited reps and team stuff.”

“I am not doing one-on-one practice. I am getting used to tackling and hitting again; just getting my body ready.”

(On how close he is to feeling ready to play)
“I feel good, but you never know until you take that one shot. It was good to get out here and do a lot of running and individual work. My shoulder feels fine. It is a little sore today, but everything is a little sore.”

(On if he worries about the shot that injured him last year)
“It was tough and I know will not do that again. It was one of those things where it was time to go when it was time to go. The tough thing about practicing now is mentally being willing to throw my arm in the play without thinking twice.”

(On worrying about potential injuries)
“I don’t worry about that. Last year was a difficult year for me that I want to put behind me. I want to come out and play, train hard, try to recover and rehabilitate well.”

(On what keeps him coming back each year)
“I want to be able to walk off the field on my own terms and not with a doctor by my side. That is one of the things that I want to finish out my career doing.”

(On the Hall of Fame)
“No, that is for other people. I just go out and play and whatever happens, happens, but that is a goal of mine and something I look forward to.”

(On if he gauges how many more years he wants to play)
“I think everybody gauges after training camp. That is something that crosses your mind, especially with injuries. But as long as I am healthy and playing at a high level I will be around.”

(On how he will be worked in to practice each day)
“They told me to just let them know how I feel. Right now I am doing a couple team activities and things like that. Depending on how I feel; i’m sure we will pick it up in the next week or so.”

(On traditionally giving a rookie DL an introduction to the league – Chris Long)

“Let me see. We’ve battled a little bit, but he is going to be good and I’m not going to throw him under the bus or anything like that, but we will have some battles here I’m sure in the next couple weeks.”

(On his roommate WR Torry Holt)
“Yeah, Torry (Holt) he’s funny because we are kind of complete opposites. He stays up and has perfect energy, but I’m trying to get some rest. But we have a good time and just laugh and joke, so its not too bad.”

“No, he kind of knows that when the lights are out and the door is shut there is no music or something like that, so he’s cool.”

(On being with the team for so long)
“I guess we are next up in line. We kind of joke about that because it happens so quick – the turnover on the team and things like that - so you see guys that you played with that aren’t here anymore. We are the old guys of the team now.” 

(On being determined to get back in the playoffs or Pro Bowl)
“That’s it. It was funny from sitting back at home and watching the playoffs, it brings you back to how exciting the playoffs are and making that run. That is one of the things that drive us, the lower you get the more you just want to win. It’s not about money, it’s not about Pro Bowls and that type thing. You just want to win. There’s nothing like playing in the playoffs and then playing in the Super Bowl. That’s the most exciting feeling that I have felt since I have been in the league.”

“It’s important and that’s a goal. Every time you want to be the best at what you do. I’ve been working that way so if it happens, it happens, i’ll be excited. That’s one of the things that I work for.”

(On if he thinks the Rams will make it back to the Super Bowl)
“I think so, I mean, who knows. Nobody thought the Giants couldn’t make it last year. We need to stay healthy and continue to gel together and that’s what training camp is for and as long as we stay healthy and work hard I think we have a great opportunity.”

(On Coach Linehan)
“I think naturally his progression as a coach is going to get better with every year and understanding players and managing the team. I think he will be better than he’s ever been. I think he has done a great job so far.”

(On Steven Jackson)
“That’s a tough one. This is a business and I think Steven understands that, the Rams understand that. I wish the best for him. We love him and can’t wait until he gets in.” 

(On what he did when he was late to camp in the past)
“I was kind of bored and worked out, watched T.V. and looked out to see what is going on at other training camps. Hopefully it won’t be a long process and he will get here when he can.”

“I’m sure he is not dreading this even though the weather is beautiful here.”

(On what he did in his namesake town, Orlando, Fla.)
“They have a pretty good trainer down there and someone to come check on my rehab and make sure I’m doing the right thing so the organization and everybody can feel comfortable so they sent me down there. It was perfect, it worked out well, he is a great trainer and I feel great.”

“Yeah, that’s where I stayed in the offseason.”

(On whether or not he thinks he has been forgotten about in the league after not playing)
“I don’t think so. I think that one thing they do is that if I continue to play well you can show that you’re back and teams will naturally take notice because everyone’s status has fallen and that type of thing and it has only been a couple of years and I  have been around for awhile so I am not worried about that.”