St. Louis Rams Training Camp: Midweek Recap

The Rams are one week away from their first preseason game in Cleveland, which means training camp is going to get a lot more serious and a lot more interesting. The team practiced fully in pads on Monday, Fisher gave the team the day off on Tuesday, and they were back at it again on Wednesday. The team have had their ups and downs this week, but for the most part they are continuing to get better, preparing for the regular season.

Obviously with the pads on things slowed down quite a bit and got a little more physical. Isaiah Pead has been, surprisingly, one of the most physical thus far at camp. Pead had a few run ins with Alec Ogletree and  held nothing back on Janoris Jenkins in the open field. A little physicality could pay dividends for Pead in the running back competition. Zac Stacy enjoyed putting on the pads breaking for a nice few runs. Stacy also impressed the coaches in pass protection against the linebackers, which could give him a slight advantage in the running back competition.

When the Rams drafted T.J. McDonald they knew that he was possibly the hardest hitting safety in the draft, a myth he supported on Monday with one of biggest hit of the day on TE Cory Harkey. Schottenheimer also said that the defensive line has been making life difficult for the offense, which is really good for both sides. It shows that the defense is picking up right where they left off and the offense is having to practice and get better against some of the best. In other news,  Former Titans linebacker Keith Bullock stopped by and helped out on Wednesday. Fisher has compared Ogletree to Bullock before, so hopefully Bullock showed Ogletree a few things.

As previously mentioned, the team had the day off on Tuesday, but were back it on Wednesday, and Fisher was not impressed. Fisher said that the teams seemed a little bogged down in their return to the practice and that it definitely “was not their best.”

The other Rams rookie receiver, Stedman Bailey, impressed on Wednesday making some nice catches. Bailey has showed nice route running and seems to fit any role the team puts on him. Brian Quick also had a few good plays, beating DB Janoris Jenkins. Bradford pointed out in his press conference that Quick is starting to use his size and strength more which is a good sign in his development. Bradford also continues to point out that more of the playbook is being opened up and being used because the Rams now have the personnel to be able to use it more.

On the defensive side of the ball Cody Davis had his second interception in camp, which could get him some more opportunities in the safety competition.  T.J. McDonald continues to impress in coverage, and, at this point, appears to be a lock to start Day 1. McDonald also stirred up the first camp brawl when he hit Daryl Richardson pretty hard, making a few of the offensive lineman unhappy. Matt Conrath and Chris Williams decided to get involved, but guess who was there in McDonald’s defense; Cortland Finnegan. The guy doesn’t back down to any fight no matter how big his opponent may be. Undrafted free agent Ray Ray Armstrong made an interception on QB Kellen Clemons and has also made an impact on special teams.

The Rams have also made a few roster moves the last few days. The Rams made the first cuts in camp, releasing OL Kevin Saia and Braden Brown. The team then added OL Graham Pocic and WR Justin Veltung, who made a few nice plays in his first day. There are a few names on the injury list:  Matt Daniels, Jermelle Cudjo, Jabara Williams, Sammy Brown, Lance Kendricks, Nick Johnson, and the surprise wide receiver Andrew Helmick.  Overall, the Rams are pretty healthy.

The Rams will be back at it again later today and then again Friday in preparation for the scrimmage on Saturday. Make sure to stay tuned with us as we get you up to date with all the action. Until next time, Go Rams!