Nick's Notes: August 4
Monday, August 4, 2008
Nick’s Notes: August 4, 2008
MEQUON, Wis. –
Notes from Monday afternoon
- For
the first time since arrival here at Concordia, the Rams were forced indoors
because of weather. The team practiced in the gymnasium (bring your green hat!)
in what amounts to a glorified walk through.
-
Scott Linehan said the team got a lot of work done even
under the conditions though obviously the contact was limited so as to keep the
players on their feet.
-
Because of the nature of the practice, there wasn’t much to
report though it appears the players who started returning to practice in the
morning would have been available in more extensive roles had the workout been
outdoors.
- The
schedule for tomorrow includes a practice at 9:40 AM that will run for about two hours. The team will
then eat lunch here before departing for the airport around 3 for a flight to
Nashville. The Rams and Titans will
practice twice on Wednesday, again on Thursday and the Rams will have a walk
through on Friday leading into Saturday night’s preseason opener.
-
That’s all for today. I’ll be
back in the morning with some notes from the practice before heading out to
Tennessee.
Notes from Monday's Morning practice
- The Rams got
back to work Monday morning with a high tempo practice with plenty of intensity.
- In fact, the
first fight of camp broke out early in the workout as defensive end Leonard
Little became heated with tight end Richard Owens. Little felt that Owens was
taking some liberties with his blocking style when asked to help and Little
shoved Owens into the ground. The brief skirmish was broken up quickly but
Little made it clear he was none too pleased with his counterpart.
- The Rams are
starting to get back to health in time for this week’s practice sessions with
the Tennessee Titans. Marques Hagans, Dan Kreider, Justin King and Chris Draft
worked back into the mix in varying capacities. Oshiomogho Atogwe and Mark
Setterstrom were also back in uniform but didn’t do much of anything in the
practice.
- Left tackle
Orlando Pace worked in more team drills than at any point during the camp and
continues to knock the rust off. He’ll be full go sooner than later though the
team wants to take its time with him.
- Brian Leonard
regularly looks like the best back on the field. He is running hard and is not
afraid of collisions. Clearly, this team needs Steven Jackson for success but
Leonard could play an integral role this season one way or the other.
- Brock Berlin
clearly got the memo that the competition for the third quarterback job is on
and poppin’. Berlin had the best practice I’ve ever seen from him in the
morning. He threw a gorgeous deep ball for a touchdown to Shaine Smith and had
pinpoint deliveries all over the field. That battle with Bruce Gradkowski for
the third spot is only going to get more interesting as the preseason slate
opens up.
- Marc Bulger
continues to show his receiving skills, catching a throwback from Dante Hall a
few days after grabbing one from fullback Russ Weil.
- The only four
players who actually missed the workout in its entirety were Jackson, receiver
Donnie Avery, cornerback Fakhir Brown, tight end Anthony Becht and defensive end
Victor Adeyanju.
- Speaking of
Brown, I’m told he’s drawing closer to a return though there’s no timetable.
He’s been doing some light weight work on his injured shoulder.
- The light is
coming on for Chris Long. Long is thinking less and reacting more. The easiest
way to know how he’s coming along? Defensive line coach Brian Baker isn’t
yelling at him as much.
- The Rams might
carry eight defensive linemen after all and if that’s the case, the battle will
be between ends Eric Moore and C.J. Ah You.
- That’s all for
the morning session. Be back with more after the afternoon workout.
