RAMS CAMP '09: 5 things to watch

[MauiRam]

RAMS CAMP '09: 5 things to watch
By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
07/26/2009

1.) Where's Spags?

Teams take on the personality of their head coach. And Steve Spagnuolo, above, will imprint his personality on this team moreso than ever during two-a-days. What will he be like during camp? Screamer or cheerleader? Hands-on or alert observer? Will he spend most of the time with the defense, his past area of expertise? Or move around all over the field?

2.) Tempo, tempo, tempo MORE RAMS

The best teams move quickly on the practice field, whether it's in and out of the huddle or from drill to drill. The teams that practice fast seem to play fast, with a minimum of standing around. It's also a good conditioning tool. But with 80 players on the practice field, many newcomers, and lots of youngsters, will this be possible at Camp Spags?

3.) Contact time

Teams aren't allowed to wear full pads during the spring minicamps and OTAs. That all changes in training camp. It will be interesting to see how many full-padded practices the Rams have during two-a-days. All-out tackling almost never takes place in today's NFL training camps, but there will be plenty of collisions. Just how physical will Spagnuolo's first camp be?

4.) In the trenches

Over the past two offseasons, the Rams have invested lots of money and draft picks on linemen, from defensive end Chris Long, to offensive tackle Jason Smith, above, to free-agent pickups Jason Brown at center and Jacob Bell at guard. One of the best ways to gauge line play in late July and early August is the one-on-one pass-blocking drills in full pads.

5.) Another new offense

QB Marc Bulger, above, has gone through several offenses, offensive coordinators and quarterback coaches since joining the Rams for good in 2001. This time around, he will learn the West Coast scheme under new coordinator Pat Shurmur and new QB coach Dick Curl. Even with all the spring work, will Bulger look smooth on the practice field in camp or confused?

Of course he'll look smooth Jimmy .. you're kidding right?

[CaliGirlRamsFan]

RAMS CAMP '09: 5 things to watch
By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
07/26/2009

1.) Where's Spags?

Teams take on the personality of their head coach. And Steve Spagnuolo, above, will imprint his personality on this team moreso than ever during two-a-days. What will he be like during camp? Screamer or cheerleader? Hands-on or alert observer? Will he spend most of the time with the defense, his past area of expertise? Or move around all over the field?All of the above. That is how spags works.

2.) Tempo, tempo, tempo MORE RAMS

The best teams move quickly on the practice field, whether it's in and out of the huddle or from drill to drill. The teams that practice fast seem to play fast, with a minimum of standing around. It's also a good conditioning tool. But with 80 players on the practice field, many newcomers, and lots of youngsters, will this be possible at Camp Spags? YEP!

3.) Contact time

Teams aren't allowed to wear full pads during the spring minicamps and OTAs. That all changes in training camp. It will be interesting to see how many full-padded practices the Rams have during two-a-days. All-out tackling almost never takes place in today's NFL training camps, but there will be plenty of collisions. Just how physical will Spagnuolo's first camp be? Full pads, both practices. That's my thought anyways. Gotta get that 4th quarter drop and roll improved.

4.) In the trenches

Over the past two offseasons, the Rams have invested lots of money and draft picks on linemen, from defensive end Chris Long, to offensive tackle Jason Smith, above, to free-agent pickups Jason Brown at center and Jacob Bell at guard. One of the best ways to gauge line play in late July and early August is the one-on-one pass-blocking drills in full pads.

5.) Another new offense

QB Marc Bulger, above, has gone through several offenses, offensive coordinators and quarterback coaches since joining the Rams for good in 2001. This time around, he will learn the West Coast scheme under new coordinator Pat Shurmur and new QB coach Dick Curl. Even with all the spring work, will Bulger look smooth on the practice field in camp or confused? I believe smooth. Mark studies hard, with a great back up system, I think he will do great. Look who he was under last year.

Of course he'll look smooth Jimmy .. you're kidding right?

Hate me or love me, that is my take.