5 Hot topics for Rams camp

Jul 25, 2014; Earth City, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams offensive tackle Greg Robinson (79) and Rams center Demetrius Rhaney (65) during training camp at Rams Park. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

The St. Louis Rams put on pads for the first time during training camp today when they started the week with a special teams practice. As is Rams tradition, the first padded practice is always exclusively special teams. Head coach Jeff Fisher puts a heavy emphasis on special teams play and sets aside time each camp to focus on just that. However, the first practice to include the offensive and defensive players in pads will begin tomorrow, and St. Louis has a few items they need to address.

1. The battle for the starting center role

This may be the most important position battle in all of camp for 2015. The center position is the most important along the offensive line and the Rams are currently in a three horse race to determine the starter. Demetrius Rhaney, Barrett Jones and Tim Barnes. All three have taken their turns practicing with the first-team, but it seems Rhaney has taken to things a bit better than the others in the beginning stages of camp. Rhaney was a seventh-round pick by St. Louis in 2014, but spent all of last season on injured reserve. Jones has one more year of experience than Rhaney and has seen action in 13 games, including ten last year. However, he has not earned any time as a starter. Barnes has the most experience of the three and played in 14 games last year. He is also the only one of the three with any experience as a starter. Prior to camp, Barnes seemed to be the favorite to win the starting job, but Fisher seems content on letting all three play this competition out and decide based upon play.

Next: Who starts across from Janoris Jenkins?