Long's stock is going up

[RamWraith]

By Bill Coats
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Saturday, Sep. 06 2008
Exactly 132 days have come and gone since the Rams made University of Virginia
defensive end Chris Long the No. 2 overall selection in the NFL draft. Some 45
days have passed since Long signed a six-year, $56.5 million contract that
included $29 million in guaranteed funds.

On Sunday, Long expects to start paying dividends.

"I'm pretty even-keeled," Long said Friday, two days before the regular season
kicks off in Philadelphia. "I'll be excited when it's time to be excited, but
right now it's just time to work and study my stuff and relax and rest up."

Long, who will start on the right side, heads into the game on the heels of
what coach Scott Linehan called "his best week (of practice) since we've been
back here" from training camp in Mequon, Wis.

The 6-foot-3, 263-pound Long agreed with that assessment. "I think it's been my
best week, but I want every week to be my best week," he said. "Hopefully that
trend continues and I can keep improving my game."

Admittedly shaky early in camp, Long said he's advanced to the point where he's
"able to play faster and faster, more like the speed I want to play."

Long reported that his technique is sounder and his confidence is higher. "He's
worked his butt off," Linehan said. "I look for him to progress nicely as the
year goes on."

BROWN IS BACK

The first casualty of training camp was the last to recover. Cornerback Fakhir
Brown practiced without restrictions this week and is expected to see action
Sunday against the Eagles.

Brown suffered a partially torn rotator cuff and tendon damage in his left
shoulder in the team's first practice at Concordia University. Surgery wasn't
required, but the rehab was slow and painful.

Although he's still experiencing discomfort, Brown said he's "going to go with
it and just see how it feels. Hopefully I'll come out all right. ... If I don't
feel confident, I'll probably back off. That's all I can do."

Linehan noted that Brown "hasn't had a whole lot of contact, so that'll
certainly be something we've got to keep an eye on. But ... we're looking for
him to have a real solid game."

AVERY'S OUT

Rookie wideout Donnie Avery won't suit up for the opener. Avery, a second-round
draftee, sprained his right knee Aug. 28 in the preseason finale at Kansas City
and hasn't practiced since.

Brown, running back Brian Leonard (shoulder) and center Brett Romberg (hand)
were listed as probable on Friday's injury report.

LECKEY STEPS IN

With Romberg out since early in camp and Mark Setterstrom later suffering a
season-ending knee injury, the first-team center's job fell into Nick Leckey's
lap. Still, Linehan has stressed that Leckey earned that status with his
subsequent play.

"I think things have just clicked for me, as far as technique, hand placement,
all the little things you hear time and time again coaches talking about," said
Leckey, who came into camp just hoping to gain a roster spot.

Instead, he's about to make his 23rd start as he begins his fifth NFL season.

"That's how it goes sometimes," Leckey said. "It's like the times when you feel
you're the most secure is when you're not. ... It is a crazy 180."

RAM-BLINGS

As he starts his 10th season, wide receiver Torry Holt reports that his
troublesome knee held up well throughout the preseason. "I feel a lot better
than what I did last year at this time," he said Friday. ... The Eagles' Reggie
Brown is listed as doubtful with a hamstring injury. Fellow wideout Kevin
Curtis (sports hernia) already had been ruled ou

[Mooselini]

I'm looking forward to Chris Long playing this weekend. I hope he gets a sack and a few tackles. That would be fun to watch!

I'm excited to see a rejuvinated Holt play also. But I'm upset about Avery missing out. I hope this doesn't become a constant issue.

[badmoforamfan]

I'm with you Moose, but I really want to see Burton play. Just got a feeling he may turn out to be the better of the 2, but only time will tell.