By Brett Grassmuck

Staff Writer

NASHVILLE , Tenn. – Rams tackle Adam Goldberg had his hands full on day one of the Rams scrimmage against the Tennessee Titans as he squared off against Titans’ Pro Bowl defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch.

Goldberg did have to read the scouting report to know what type of player he was up against.

“You don’t really need a scouting report on a player with a reputation like that,” Goldberg said. “He’s an elite player in the league, a Pro Bowl player. His scouting report is years of film and Pro Bowl tapes.”

Goldberg had a handle on Vanden Bosch during team drills and stuffed him on several occasions in one-on-one pass blocking drills against the Titans’ defensive line.

“That’s my job, right?” Goldberg deadpanned. “It felt good, but blocking anybody in this league feels good. That’s what you get paid to do. It doesn’t matter who your competition is, that’s your job, and that’s what’s expected of you.”

Goldberg might be modest, but his teammates know he has their back. During one of the ‘skirmishes’ between the Rams and Titans, Goldberg was right in the mix helping out his guys.

“Things get heated,” Goldberg said. “It’s hot out there. Everybody’s trying to protect their own guys. So it was nothing serious, friendly competition.”

Goldberg has turned in a solid training camp so far. He has been the beneficiary of many reps with the first-team offense, giving left tackle Orlando Pace a breather while he gets his shoulder back to 100 percent.

Goldberg was Pace’s initial replacement after the starting left tackle went down in week one last season. Goldberg was added to the injured reserve list after suffering a knee injury against the Cowboys in week four, but the tackle worked his way back to 100 percent in the offseason.

“It’s the best I’ve felt since I was a rookie,” Goldberg said. “I feel great.”

Goldberg was reunited with a familiar face this offseason when the Rams hired offensive line coach Steve Loney. Goldberg began his NFL career in Minnesota when Loney was the Vikings’ offensive line coach.

“It’s a really positive influence,” Goldberg said. “He’s an outstanding coach, not only x’s and o’s and football wise, but he’ll make you a better person and a better player. He’s a great influence to be around. He’s always lifting you up.”

Goldberg and the Rams first unit are coming together really well, moving the ball efficiently against the Titans’ defense. The offensive line was solid in pass protection and opened several holes for running backs Antonio Pittman, Brian Leonard, Lance Ball and Travis Minor.

“It feels like we’re jelling no matter who gets plugged in (on the offensive line),” Goldberg said. “Our offensive line is playing really well. I think that’s a testament to how well we’re coached. Our communication is great. Everybody knows what to do and what’s expected of us.”

LECKEY STANDS STRONG: With two of the Rams offensive linemen still banged up, center Nick Leckey took snaps with the first unit and had a good day working against the Titans’ first-team defense.

Where Leckey stood out most was in one-on-one pass blocking drills. Working against the Titans’ starters, Leckey shut down nearly every defender that tried to get by him.

“Nick is just one of those guys we can always count on,” Rams coach Scott Linehan said. “If (Mark) Setterstrom is out, we move Richie (Incognito) to guard and (Brett) Romberg’s hand hurts, Nick steps in and takes all the reps and never says a word. He really relishes that role and knows that is his role so we can always count on him.”

Leckey enters his fifth year in the NFL, second with the Rams. The Rams signed him in October of last year to help back up the offensive line following a multitude of injuries.

Leckey was a sixth-round draft pick (167^th overall) by Arizona in 2004. He spent his first three years with the Cardinals before signing with the Rams.

INJURY REPORT: Romberg, who had returned to full practice earlier this week, was limited Wednesday against the Titans with a sore hand.

“He’s got a little problem,” Linehan said. “It’s not broken but he has got some swelling and things there in that wrist/thumb area. It’s not really so much snapping as it is using your hands and grabbing that’s really bothering him. But it’s not really anything that will keep him out very long.”

Linebacker Chris Draft sat out some of Wednesday’s morning practice when his back tightened up again, but was back on the field full-go in the afternoon. Will Witherspoon suffered a bruised shoulder in the afternoon practice. Draft took snaps at middle linebacker with Quinton Culberson taking the first-team reps on the outside. Linehan does not believe the injury to be serious.

Safety Oshiomogho Atogwe (hamstring) was limited in practice earlier in the week, but sat out both practices on Wednesday.

Wide receiver Donnie Avery (pelvic bone), cornerback Fakhir Brown (shoulder), tight end Anthony Becht (hamstring) and defensive end Victor Adeyanju (finger) did not practice Wednesday.