2007 Rams Preseason Thread

[thrill]

It's almost that time kids! Time for Sunday afternoon slates to be cleared! Time for thrill to dust off his sportsbook.com membership! Time for frantic visits to the waiver wire every Tuesday and the roster editor every Saturday night!

It's in the air! Can you feel it?

Maybe this will get you in the mood:

http://www.stltoday.com/blogs/sports-ar ... dimension/

Cornerback Tye Hill has noticed that quarterback Marc Bulger is a content man – and an even more accurate passer – after receiving a six-year contract extension.
“He’s on the money with those passes right now,” Hill said. “That 22 (million dollars in guaranteed money) must have made him feel a whole lot better.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports ... enDocument

Brash as it might have sounded at the time, rookie cornerback Tye Hill's declaration in training camp last year that he was giving himself just two seasons to make the Pro Bowl looks considerably less dubious now.

Hill, the Rams' first-round draft choice in 2006, caught coach Scott Linehan's eye early in this year's camp and continues to turn in strong performances on the practice fields at Rams Park.

"What Tye is starting to do is be more consistent," Linehan said. "That gives him an edge that he probably didn't know he had as a rookie. You can see a much more confident player. ... I think he's ready to take his game to a new level."

http://www.stltoday.com/blogs/sports-ar ... -his-side/

Mike Rumph first met Steven Jackson in October 2004 at about midfield in San Francisco. It was a rude introduction.

Rumph, then playing cornerback for the 49ers, tried to arm-tackle Jackson, who was steaming upfield. Rumph needed two operations to repair the damage and missed the last 12 games of the season.

“I remember that play; I see it in my sleep,” Rumph told reporters later. “I remember thinking at the time, ‘Why am I doing this?’ But I stuck out my arm to try to trip him. When I was running off the field, I didn’t even want to look at it, because I knew it was bent pretty bad.”

Now, they’re teammates. Rumph, signed in the offseason as a free agent, said he hadn’t brought up the broken-arm issue with Jackson.

“It’s in the past,” Rumph said. “That’s part of football. But it is good to be on his team.”

>>The battle for the No. 1 center spot between Andy McCollum and Brett Romberg is as spirited as expected. They two are splitting reps with the first team.

>>Conversely, Claude Terrell has mounted little challenge to Mark Setterstrom at left guard. Barring injury, that job is Setterstrom’s.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports ... enDocument

"I Believe" is the Rams' marketing slogan for the second consecutive year. And make no mistake: Jackson believes. He believes his breakout 2006 season was no fluke. He believes he can continue to be the workhorse of the Rams' running game. He believes he can top his impressive production of a year ago, when he led the NFL with 2,334 yards from scrimmage.

And no, Jackson hasn't backed down from his stated goal of 2,500 yards from scrimmage — a figure that would eclipse Marshall Faulk's NFL record of 2,429 set with the Rams in 1999.

When asked what he could do for an encore in 2007 after that monster 2006 campaign, the answer came out as direct as a Jackson run up the middle on third and 1: "Twenty-five hundred total — total yards from scrimmage," Jackson said.

[Tambourine Man]

Good idea, thrill. I'm going into football mode myself.

Here's a nice article about Brian Leonard.

ST. LOUIS — If St. Louis rookie running back Brian Leonard ever needs a favor, he knows where to turn.

While finishing a stellar college career at Rutgers University, Leonard became acquainted with actor James Gandolfini, a Rutgers graduate who attends three or four games a year.

“I saw him a bunch of times,” Leonard said. “He even came out to our (dormitory) and said hello. He’s really into Rutgers football.”

Gandolfini, better known for his role as Tony Soprano, may soon be into St. Louis Rams football, as well.

Leonard, the Rams’ second-round draft choice this spring, has been impressive during the first week of training camp. He sparkled as a member of the second team during a workout Wednesday afternoon, so much so that he was promoted to the first team for several plays during 11-on-11 drills.

Leonard’s hustle and intensity have caught the eye of coach Scott Linehan, who considers him a jack-of-all trades.

The 6-foot-1, 226-pound Leonard ran for 2,779 yards and caught 207 passes in his four years at Rutgers. He is considered a solid blocker and Linehan has used him on special teams in practice. Listed as the No. 2 fullback and No. 2 running back on the current depth chart, Leonard will likely see plenty of action in preseason play.

“He wears a lot of hats and he wears them well,” Linehan said. “He can run the ball downhill, he can block, he’s a great pass protector on third down, and he has excellent hands.”

Leonard, the 52nd overall pick in the NFL draft, knows it is his versatility that will get him time on the field. With Steven Jackson entrenched as the No. 1 running back and Madison Hedgecock holding down the fullback spot, Leonard could play a key role spelling both regulars.

“I can do a little bit of everything,” Leonard said. “I think the coaches are seeing that.”

Leonard shrugged and said it doesn’t matter when asked which position he would prefer to play.

“Honestly, I just want to get out on the field,” he said. “Fullback or running back, I’ll be happy at either.”

Leonard made a diving catch Wednesday and broke a 15-yard run up the middle during drills.

So far he has adapted well to the speed of the NFL game. He says he has received a lot of help from Jackson, who has been serving as a mentor.

“Steven has always been there for me,” Leonard said. “I’m always learning things.”

Leonard exploded onto the college scene in 2003, when he was named Big East Conference Freshman of The Year after leading the Scarlet Knights with 880 yards rushing. He was moved to the more traditional fullback role by his senior season and helped in the resurgence of the Rutgers program.

Now, Leonard feels he is ready to make an impact at a higher level.

“All he needs right now is experience and that will come,” Linehan said. “(So far) he’s been outstanding.”

Link

[GatewaySnayke]

Since the Cards are in shambles, I cannot wait.

I must've missed when they signed Mike Rumph though.

[Tambourine Man]

Since the Cards are in shambles, I cannot wait.

I must've missed when they signed Mike Rumph though.

From all the reports I've read, Rumph may as well be the first player cut. On the other hand, it sounds like Marques Hagans is killing in camp, but might be a victim of that deep wide receivers group. Looker's spot is secure because he's the holder for "Money."

[thrill]

Since the Cards are in shambles, I cannot wait.

I must've missed when they signed Mike Rumph though.

From all the reports I've read, Rumph may as well be the first player cut. On the other hand, it sounds like Marques Hagans is killing in camp, but might be a victim of that deep wide receivers group. Looker's spot is secure because he's the holder for "Money."

They already cut him. I just posted that blog because I like thinking about Steven Jackson breaking arms.

[MrCrowesGarden]

I was at the Holiday Inn in Earth City this past weekend for the Cards game. Didn't even realize the Rams were staying there, so when I saw them, it just made it even more of an incredible experience. I got to meet Pace, Holt, and Bruce. Drew Bennett even approached my family and started talking to us. I won't forget it.

[Cronos]

I've had the opportunity to be on the field at the dome for a couple of games the last few seasons(the Detroit game in '06, the '49er game in '04 where Bulger gets hurt) and it's an amazing experience. You get to meet and shake hands with a couple of the players like Fitz, etc. When you're on the field, you really get to experience how loud the place is. Don't believe the myth that it's quiet as a tomb in that dome; if you're on the field and the offense is rolling or the defense needs a big stop, it's beyond deafening. It's had me more excited and into football the last few seasons than ever before(even though the team hasn't been all that good).

Last year I expected a little improvement over '05, and there definitely were good signs. This year, with more improvement expected and a pretty soft schedule I believe that the Rams will be a playoff team, 10-6 record. Can't wait 'til preseason games get going.

[longhornbaseball]

This is the most excited I've been about the Rams since '03 and the first time I've ever been more excited about them than the Cardinals. This offense could be really special.

[GatewaySnayke]

There was a story in the P-D today about how the Rams' receivers (Holt, Bruce, Bennett, McMichael) + Jackson caught 365 passes last season. That's astounding. Marc Bulger is going to have a field day this year if his linecan give him protection.

[Radio_Bugtussle]

Don't believe the myth that it's quiet as a tomb in that dome; if you're on the field and the offense is rolling or the defense needs a big stop, it's beyond deafening. It's had me more excited and into football the last few seasons than ever before(even though the team hasn't been all that good).

Last year I expected a little improvement over '05, and there definitely were good signs. This year, with more improvement expected and a pretty soft schedule I believe that the Rams will be a playoff team, 10-6 record. Can't wait 'til preseason games get going.

Getting on the field is a rare experience. I wish more people could get a taste of that. It's astonishing how fast those guys are-- and how hard the hits are. I saw (and heard) the hit on Kevin Curtis at the end of the Chiefs game from across the field. I was amazed that he walked off under his own power. (There were seven or eight birds circling his head like in the cartoons though)

BTW, as loud as the Ed can be at field , it pales in comparison to Arrowhead. They can make your ears bleed over there.

I was at Rams Camp Friday. Classy move by the Rams to let the fans inside to watch the afternoon workout.

I liked what I saw of the DL's during the individual work. If the D-line steps up, this should be a playoff team. Leonard Little was the only guy worth a lick last season. It would appear that they got him some help.

I also liked what I saw of Orland Pace. He's dropped some weight and seems quicker than he was.