Pace's shoulder suffers setback

[RamWraith]

By Bill Coats
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Friday, Aug. 22 2008
Despite coach Scott Linehan's initial insistence this week that Rams tackle
Orlando Pace was suffering only from soreness, it turns out the seven-time Pro
Bowler reinjured his right shoulder in Saturday night's preseason game.

"I did it when I was trying to make a tackle (after an interception). I landed
on it pretty hard," Pace said Thursday. "I didn't even think about it ... I
didn't even feel the swelling until Monday, when I came in and I couldn't raise
my arm too high. That was a little concern for me."

The good news, Pace stressed, is that neither the rotator cuff nor the labrum —
both torn in last year's season-opener — were damaged. "That's one positive
that came out of landing on it like that," he said. "At least you know the
structure of the shoulder is back."

Pace hadn't practiced since Saturday's game until Thursday. It's uncertain
whether he'll play Saturday night when the Rams meet the Baltimore Ravens in a
preseason contest at the Edward Jones Dome.

"We're going to see how it feels tomorrow," Pace said. "Hopefully the swelling
will go down a little bit and I'll be ready to go."

Pace didn't make it through the first half of the first game last season before
he was hurt. He underwent surgery Sept. 20, followed by intense and lengthy
rehabilitation. Linehan has been cautious with him during training camp, at
first holding him out of most drills, and later often alternating Pace and Adam
Goldberg during the most strenuous practice periods.

After being in for only three series in the preseason opener at Tennessee, Pace
— and the first-team offense — played the entire first half of the 7-6 victory
over San Diego last Saturday, a total of 39 snaps. It was the most live action
he'd experienced in almost two years.

Pace, 32, acknowledged earlier that he was struggling to regain confidence in
his shoulder. He said Thursday that the new problem didn't help matters.

"This kind of was a little setback to me, because I was getting into a pretty
good groove," he said. "We'll see how it plays out."

Pace also conceded that with the regular-season opener just over two weeks
away, the continuing shoulder difficulties are "a little frustrating."

"I'm just trying to be a key piece to this offense to help us win some games,"
he added. "Hopefully I can get back and be healthy and play at a high level."

[laram0]

Did I just read what I thought I read or am I having a terrible nightmare?

Someone please wake me up!!

[TekeRam]

It's just swelling and pain, but that doesn't bode well even if there is no structural damage. Just the fact that landing on it hard did that means that he is indeed fragile and I wouldn't bet on him starting all 16 now. Maybe the docs can tape his shoulder up real good? Put on some extra padding?

Orlando, you can't be chasing after guys like a linebacker anymore!

[general counsel]

The bottom line is that this is going to be touch and go and hold your breath all year. Its not just that he has to be healthy, he also has to play himself back into form.

ramming speed to all

general counsel

[Ramer]

Let's hope it's fine. We need Pace this year.

[Aussie Dave]

its just f'n great.
he will never get his confidence back fully.
therefore we really need to look to next years draft and get a future tackle.

[Dwight Frye]

Wonderful. I say we go ahead and get a left tackle now, just for insurance. As GC said, it's gonna be touch and go all year. I really don't think we should be moving linemen around. I hear Barron's MUCH better on the right side. W/ Setterstrom gone, our depth is already hurting. Besides, aren't Greco, Schuening and Fry listed as depth on the right side? I'm sure they're capable of moving around, but I say if a tackle comes available during roster cuts, we snap him up, just in case ... and we should all pray big O holds up.

[Wolf]

I think Pace can be healthy if Marc Bulger doesn't throw interceptions. =]

[RamOfDenmark]

So, a left tackle in the first round next year?

It doesn't sound good, how will he ever survive 50 or 60 snaps every week for the rest of the year? My confidence in Pace is severely shaken.

[Mooselini]

So, a left tackle in the first round next year?

It doesn't sound good, how will he ever survive 50 or 60 snaps every week for the rest of the year? My confidence in Pace is severely shaken.

Couldn't agree more. We need one now, Pace's injuries are getting annoying. He's a top LT, but can't prove it because he doesn't play any more. This hurts the team severly.

Good post RamOfDenmark, we need a new LT. We either land a good one in the free agency as we did with Bell, or we draft a new one who is a top 10 choice in LT.

I hope Pace doesn't go down. If the Rams need to, keep him on the bench. We need him, and if he gets hurt this weekend, before the Philly game, we're going to look into a lot of change along the line.

[supachump]

I hate to say it, but Pace has become damaged goods. We definitely need to find a replacement in the draft next year.

[Wolf]

Who are some veteran tackles free agent wise? Luke P. and Shane O. come to mind.

[general counsel]

We would have gone offensive tackle this year if jake long wasnt gone. IF we have another crappy season, i think offensive tackle may well be our first priority in the draft.

ramming speed to all

general counsel

[Wolf]

You know a tackle I'd like us to have? Vernon Carey from Miami Dolphins. I think he has one year left...so maybe he'd be a free agent pick up.

[laram0]

Wonderful. I say we go ahead and get a left tackle now, just for insurance. As GC said, it's gonna be touch and go all year. I really don't think we should be moving linemen around. I hear Barron's MUCH better on the right side. W/ Setterstrom gone, our depth is already hurting. Besides, aren't Greco, Schuening and Fry listed as depth on the right side? I'm sure they're capable of moving around, but I say if a tackle comes available during roster cuts, we snap him up, just in case ... and we should all pray big O holds up.

According to YAHOO a guy by the name of Julius Wilson is listed as Orlando Pace's back-up on the preseason depth chart.