  |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
 Nick's Notes: July 27
Sunday, July 27, 2008 Text Size Text Size Nick’s Notes: -
Before I get to the happenings of Sunday’s practice, I wanted to
make note of a happening in the NFL. Don’t worry; being in
-
Some of you might be wondering why that matters. Well, it’s pretty
simple. Hester held out from the first day of
-
Anyone see some parallels here? It’s funny how things can work out
when both sides present sensible, realistic options to each other. The Bears get
their star returner under contract and in camp and Hester gets his money.
Everybody wins. This sounds like a nice blueprint for running back Steven
Jackson to follow. And oh by the way,
-
On to the business that took place on the field Sunday. There was
one bright shining star on the offense Sunday and it was blatantly clear to
everyone. Tight end Randy McMichael is having fun again and he’s doing it at the
expense of the linebackers and safeties attempting to defend him. In one
sequence, McMichael caught three passes out of four plays. And at the beginning
of practice, McMichael snared a high pass, losing his helmet in the process. But
McMichael not only hauled in the pass, he also grabbed his helmet before it hit
the ground. Coach Scott Linehan said McMichael should get some sort of style
points for his efforts. Consider them granted. -
For the second day in a row, the two seventh round linebackers
were impressive. David Vobora has been all around solid in the first quartet of
practices and Chris Chamberlain made another interception on Sunday. The
pleasant surprise has been one of the undrafted free agents but it’s not the one
you might think. Marc Magro, the undrafted rookie from
-
If there’s one guy who wasn’t thrilled about the team’s drafting
of Chris Long it was formerly incumbent starter James Hall. Hall has been a
standout in the first few days of practice, showing off an impressive bull rush
in one on one drills. Hall isn’t willing to go quietly into the night while Long
takes his job. And the Rams are looking for different ways to use Hall,
including lining him up inside on occasion. Hall was hurt more often than people
realize in 2007 and struggled. But if nothing else, he put on the helmet and
pads every week. Healthy and motivated, Hall could be a difference maker in what
could be a suddenly deep defensive end position. -
Injuries have started to accumulate, some more pressing than
others. Of course, Fakhir Brown had the most serious issue with the slight tear
of the rotator cuff in his left shoulder. He’s out two to three weeks. Defensive
end C.J. Ah You has been battling some left calf issues and Victor Adeyanju has
been dealing with a tight hamstring. -
With those injuries starting to pile up some, look for the Rams to
bring in some depth, particularly at the cornerback spot. Linehan said the Rams
will be searching in the next few days for a potential addition to the
secondary. -
Quinton Culberson worked almost exclusively with the first team on
Sunday and continues to play well. The coaching staff is fond of Culberson and
if he keeps working like he has, he has a shot to unseat Chris Draft for the
starting spot on the strong side. -
Brett Romberg continues to handle the duty with the top offensive
line at center. Richie Incognito is working with the second line but he will get
his opportunity. Incognito struggled with the exchange in the early moments of
practice but has been solid since. Expect a rotation to begin there at some
point in the near future. -
Still nothing to report on
-
The Rams will keep three quarterbacks this year and though it
seemed like Bruce Gradkowski had a distinct advantage for the No. 3 quarterback
job, it isn’t shaping up that way. Gradkowski has a strong arm but hasn’t been
particularly accurate in the early stages of camp. Brock
|
|
