Chillar is happy to put up big numbers quietly

[RamWraith]

Rams Notes:
By Bill Coats
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Saturday, Aug. 04 2007

A corner of his father's 7-Eleven store in Carlsbad, Calif., is a shrine of
sorts to Brandon Chillar. Photos and displays feature the Rams' third-year
linebacker out of UCLA.

Ever the wise businessman, Ram Chillar (yes, that's his given first name) also
is happy to sell you a No. 54 jersey or other Rams memorabilia.

And that's about as celebrated as Brandon Chillar cares to be. He prefers to
yield center stage to others. "I just want to go out there and do my job," said
Chillar, 24. "I don't need the limelight, but I'd like to be respected."

That's not a problem at Rams Park, where Chillar, the team's third-round draft
choice in 2004, receives high marks from the coaches and his teammates. Last
year in his first full season as a starter, Chillar amassed 77 tackles —
fourth-highest total on the team — and two sacks even though he usually exited
for an extra defensive back on passing downs.

Chillar plays on the strong side — called the SAM — where the tight end lines
up. "It's kind of a quiet position," Chillar said. "But if I have a breakdown,
it's going to be a big play."

Will Witherspoon mans the middle, with Pisa Tinoisamoa on the weak side.

Leaving the field during a drive is "a little bit" frustrating, Chillar
acknowledged. "You want to be on the field for every play, but when you have
guys like Will and Pisa that are taking care of business, it's OK."

Coach Scott Linehan called Chillar "assignment-perfect. He's very reliable ...
and very underrated." Linehan noted that Chillar has improved his coverage
skills and enhanced his versatility.

"He's doing some things for us on third down, playing some other positions,"
Linehan said. "What he's shown is that he's not just a SAM; he's versatile,
like Will and Pisa."

The Rams have added personnel to the defense, including free-agent linebacker
Chris Draft. But Chillar said there's another reason he believes the defense is
on the upswing after finishing 23rd in the 32-team league in 2006.

Noting that coordinator Jim Haslett's scheme is "pretty complicated," Chillar
added: "The first year in a system, you're running around and trying to learn
everything. Now we know everything and we're trying to get better at the little
things. ...

"Obviously the first year, you're going to have some ups and downs. But
everybody's got a good hold of it now."

TALKING POINTS

Four NFL officials, headed by referee Walt Anderson, are in town to go over
rules changes and points of emphasis with the coaches and players. It has
become an annual training camp ritual.

Anderson and his colleagues — head linesman Phil McKinnely, side judge Rick
Patterson and back judge Bob Waggoner — will be on the field for today's
scrimmage. The scrimmage starts at 10 a.m. and is open to the public, free of
charge.

COMFORT ZONE

In a Rams Park first, fans were invited to watch Friday's practice indoors.
About 500 filed in for the two-hour workout.

Linehan decided to move inside for two reasons: the weather (at 3 p.m., the
temperature was 93 degrees, and the heat index was 97); and wear and tear on
the outdoor fields.

"I thought it was going to be kind of tight, but it really wasn't
uncomfortable," Linehan said. "I thought everyone handled themselves very well."

RAM-BLINGS

With linebackers Draft (throat) and Jon Alston (concussion) back at practice,
the injury list numbers just four: wideout Lamart Barrett (shoulder), tight end
Joe Klopfenstein (hamstring), linebacker Tim McGarigle (hamstring) and tackle
Ken Shackleford (knee). ... Tight end Dominique Byrd, whose roster spot seemed
imperiled at the start of camp, has turned in consistently strong performances.

[Torry Holt]

Chillar is not the best player on our defense but it seems he is improving slowly but constantly. He is only 24 and can become a solid starter on our team. Defense also need stability to be good, and we just need to add players intelligently when we are opportunities like Draft, Hall...

[bruce4life]

byrd will not be released this year watch... you dont trade up for a player, if you dont think he has potential to be great... byrd can be a stud in this league, he just has to keep his legal woes behind him

[MauiRam]

byrd will not be released this year watch... you dont trade up for a player, if you dont think he has potential to be great... byrd can be a stud in this league, he just has to keep his legal woes behind him

Very good point ... I had forgotten we traded up to get him. Lets hope he can keep his head screwed on straight ...

[BigDaddyPace]

i dont like chiller at all. To many broken tackles.