July 29, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams assistant head coach Dave McGinnis looks on during training camp at ContinuityX Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-US PRESSWIRE

We’ve heard plenty from head coach Jeff Fisher over the last few weeks, so let’s take a look at what a couple of the other coaches had to say on Wednesday. Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and assistant head coach Dave McGinnis met with the media to discuss their early opinions and views on what they have seen so far in Rams camp.

Schottenheimer

(On what he wants to get out of the offense in the first preseason game)
“We’re looking forward just to seeing the schemes that we’re going to run, how it fits with our players. We want to see the guys actually go hit somebody else, but we’re looking for execution. It’s going to be good to hit somebody else. We’re about almost 75 percent of the way through the installation. Obviously, we won’t use it all, show it all, but we want to see these guys play together. There will be different combinations of people and hopefully we’ll have some success.”

(On if he has a No. 1 wide receiver)
“It really doesn’t matter. I think we have a couple guys that we’re going to put in spots to make plays. Somebody asked me about that. I’ve been other places where you have a so-called No. 1 receiver and it’s easy to double that guy. We’re looking for a bunch of weapons. They’re hard to find when you put them in different spots all over the field. That way, we can take advantage of matchups. But we’re very, very pleased with where we are. A lot of the young guys are coming along. I think you see a guy like Brian Quick picking it up now. For him, third, fourth time he’s starting to get it. Chris Givens is showing up and then of course the veterans, they’re still a little bit ahead because they have a little bit more of the system than the ‘rooks’ do.”

(On the percentage of carries that RB Steven Jackson will get)
“I don’t think it has anything to do with Steven’s age at all. I think what we want to do is we want to try to get a number of people involved. Obviously, Steven is the bell cow, we know that. I think if you look at (Head Coach) Jeff’s (Fisher) history and our history with New York what we were able to do is you have a bell cow, a feature back that he’s the main guy, but you spell him some.  What that allows you to do is obviously you have backs that change the pace of the plays and run different plays. But what you see is you see that featured bell cow back get stronger. Thomas Jones in his first year I think he had 1400 yards. Leon Washington had about 500. Then we brought LT (LaDainian Tomlinson) in two years ago to help Shonn Green. Having multiple backs is really important. I know Jeff had a couple guys put up big numbers a couple of years ago. We’re excited that we have a full stable of backs.”

McGinnis

(On how the defense looks approaching the first preseason game)
“We’re really looking forward to this. I mean, this is stepping up into the next phase and stage of what we need to get. This football team is ready to play somebody else. We need to test ourselves against somebody else. I think that what we’ve done, the way that (Head Coach) Jeff (Fisher) has brought this football team along, the phase that we’re in, getting ready to play somebody else, it’s coming exactly at the right time. We feel like we’re making progress, but again your progress is measured incrementally and we need to measure it against somebody else.”

(On if he thinks the defensive line has a chance to be special)
“Here’s the thing, I think that our defensive line is working towards that. They’ve got a wonderful coach in Mike Waufle. I’ve been around this league a long time. I know good from not good – he’s good. The guys that he’s got to work with, they’ve bought whole heart and soul into what he’s about and so they’ve got an opportunity to work to be good. But again, as I said, I grew up in a catholic school being taught by the nuns and we learned not to canonize any saints very early, I promise you.”

(On competition at the outside linebacker position)
“Absolutely, and that’s going to be a very fluid situation. I think as we progress throughout this preseason you’re going to see different combinations there. Again, (MLB) James (Laurinaitis) clearly is the cornerstone that we are building around there, but we need to get the various combinations in because during the season, I mean you’ve got to be able, especially at the linebacker spot in this defense, they’ve got to be able to play all three spots. Now James is our ‘mike’ backer, but the other guys have to be able to fill in, play very well, and we need to give them a chance to learn those positions, too. So we’ll be using some different combinations as we go.”

(On if he envisions CB Janoris Jenkins being out there in Week 1 against Detroit)
“Absolutely. Janoris Jenkins continues to impress out here, but Janoris Jenkins loves football and he works at it. (Secondary coach) Chuck Cecil and (assistant secondary coach) Brandon Fisher are doing a tremendous job with him, getting him up to speed on what we’re doing, but he’s a very, very willing pupil and I’ve got no problems with Janoris Jenkins being on the field, believe me.”

Darren Sproles – Once again, I like to start it off with my number one choice. Sproles would be a perfect fit here for several reasons: First, he is small and quick, a perfect compliment to SJ39. Second, he is an excellent receiver out of the backfield, which is exactly what we need. Third, he should be reasonably priced and he isn’t the kind of back that needs a ton of touches in a game. Finally, he is exceptional in the return game, which means he gives us a boost in more than one position. I’ve already heard Sproles’ name mentioned in connection with the Rams, so keep a close watch on him in the coming months.

Leon Washington – I admit that the chances of taking Washington out of Seattle are slim, but I would love to have him here in St. Louis. We should have gotten him last offseason, but that’s a different story. Washington is a game-breaking talent in the return game, and he can be effective out of the backfield when given the chance.

Pierre Thomas – Thomas really fell off the map this season thanks to some injury troubles, but that could be a blessing in disguise for a team like St. Louis. The Saints are rich at the running back position with Chris Ivory and Reggie Bush, so they don’t need to keep Thomas in the fold. He has proven to be capable of being a top guy when healthy, and a limited workload behind Jackson could spell a rejuvenation for the former Fighting Illini back.

Ahmad Bradshaw – We know Spags loves ex-Giants, and New York was frustrated by his lack of ball-security this season. I think he would be a nice fit here despite those problems because of the talent he brings to the table, but I doubt he gets out of New York.

Sunday is finally here, and to be honest I haven’t been this excited for an NFL football game in a long time. Seeing the Rams playing on national TV for a chance to go to he playoffs is way more than I ever imagined for this team, and I for one have no problem getting greedy and expecting a win tonight, so let’s take a look at my keys to the game.

QB Carousel – Everyone expects Charlie Whitehurst to start under center for Seattle tonight, and while I’m not usually one to jump on the conspiracy theory bandwagon, I can’t help but shake the feeling that the Seahawks are sandbagging. Matt Hasselbeck practiced Friday, and I wouldn’t be shocked in the slightest if he started. I would much rather see Whitehurst as their QB, obviously, but it’s not like Hasselbeck automatically makes them a better team than the Rams. Either way, our D-line has to get after whoever is under center, and I like our chances if we do that.

Stop The Run – The quarterback situation in Seattle is an issue, but they do have a pretty serviceable running game. We have to be able to stop Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett. I don’t think they will beat us through the air, but they are good enough to use the play-action to attack our secondary in single coverage. If they Rams close the door on defense early, they can take control of the game.

Early Lead – Playing off that last point, getting an early lead is huge. If we force Seattle to battle back using the pass, I think we will be fine. Their receivers aren’t anything to write home about, and neither is their quarterback. Making a below-average team one-dimensional, especially when defense is your strength, plays right into your hands.

The 12th Man – There’s no doubt that Seattle fans are some of the loudest in the NFL, and I’m sure they will be rocking. Taking the air out of that stadium is of vital importance, especially with a rookie quarterback under center. I’m not convinced that the confidence level in Seattle is super high right now, so I think the fans will throw in the towel early if we give them a reason to do so.

Special Teams – If there’s one thing that scares me about this Seattle team, it’s their return game. Leon Washington is the real deal, and we cannot let him get going. If the Rams do lose this game, I have a feeling this is the area we will be pointing to afterward.

No prediction again this week, but I’m excited and nervous and every other emotion there is. It will be fun, so enjoy it Rams fans.