Rams plan for training camp in St. Louis area

[RamWraith]

Tuesday, Mar. 31 2009
When the Rams informed officials at Concordia University Wisconsin a few weeks
ago that they would not return to Mequon, Wis., for training camp, they said
the team would train in the St. Louis area.

That was a pretty strong hint that camp would not be held at Rams Park. Team
sources have told the Post-Dispatch that the Rams are considering training at
Lindenwood University and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and that
camp probably will be held at one of those two St. Louis area colleges this
summer.

Lindenwood, in St. Charles, is only about 10 minutes from the team's year-round
practice facility at Rams Park in Earth City. During the days of the St. Louis
Cardinals, it once played host to training camp for the Big Red.

At the NFL owners' meetings last week, Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said only
that the team had not quite decided on a training camp site and did not provide
additional details. But an announcement is expected soon and could come this
week.

PRESEASON SCHEDULE

The NFL announced the preseason schedules for all 32 teams Monday, and the Rams
will see some new faces in terms of opponents. They play the New York Jets for
the first time ever in exhibition play, opening the 2009 preseason with a game
at the Meadowlands, where Spagnuolo spent the past two seasons as defensive
coordinator for the New York Giants. The precise date hasn't been set, but the
game will be played Aug. 13, 14 or 15.

Next comes a home game with Atlanta in Week 2 of the preseason, followed by a
road game at Cincinnati in Week 3. The Rams have played the Falcons and Bengals
only once apiece previously in preseason play. Like the Jets game, precise
dates have yet to be determined.

The Rams close out preseason play at the Edward Jones Dome with a familiar foe,
Kansas City, in the almost-annual Governor's Cup game. That date has been set —
it's Thursday, Sept. 3.

BAJEMA SIGNS

The Rams added a blocking specialist at tight end Monday, signing Billy Bajema
to a three-year free-agent deal. Contract details weren't immediately
available. Bajema, 26, spent his first four NFL seasons with the San Francisco
*****.

He started 11 games last season, all as part of multiple tight end sets where
he was paired with usual starter Vernon Davis. In St. Louis, Bajema replaces
Anthony Becht, who was released by the Rams on March 12 and later signed with
the Arizona Cardinals.

PACE VISITS CHICAGO

Former Rams left tackle Orlando Pace is making his second free-agent trip since
being released two weeks ago. He was in Chicago on Monday visiting the Bears.

Earlier this month, Pace visited Baltimore and received a contract offer from
the Ravens. Pace and his agent, Kennard McGuire, have made it clear that Pace
will take his time in choosing a new club.

MINICAMP CLOSED

In a surprising development, Spagnuolo has closed all but 20 minutes of his
first minicamp to the media. The Rams will practice twice Thursday, twice
Friday and once Saturday at Rams Park. Only the first 20 minutes of practice
Thursday afternoon will be open to the media. This marks the first time
minicamp practices have been closed to reporters since the Rams franchise moved
to St. Louis in 1995.

[AvengerRam]

In a surprising development, Spagnuolo has closed all but 20 minutes of his first minicamp to the media. The Rams will practice twice Thursday, twice Friday and once Saturday at Rams Park. Only the first 20 minutes of practice

Thursday afternoon will be open to the media. This marks the first time
minicamp practices have been closed to reporters since the Rams franchise moved to St. Louis in 1995.

Bernie to commence whining about this in 5... 4... 3... 2...

[txramsfan]

Naw, Bernie's nose is so far up the baseball Cardinals right now if LaRussa turned to the left too fast it'd break.

I'm glad Spags is closing practice. Doesn't sound like a good sign for the players though. They may not hear what they want to hear.

[KoaKoi]

Naw, Bernie's nose is so far up the baseball Cardinals right now if LaRussa turned to the left too fast it'd break.

I'm glad Spags is closing practice. Doesn't sound like a good sign for the players though. They may not hear what they want to hear.

TOUGH! I don't hear what I'd like to hear from my boss half the time either. Especially if work productivity is at 12.5% (2-14). But if my check is in the mail, i go to work and don't complain. And if guys do start complaining... then Spag's just found the ones that don't fit the 4 pillars... cheers to a new culture!

[PeoriaRam]

Naw, Bernie's nose is so far up the baseball Cardinals right now if LaRussa turned to the left too fast it'd break.

I'm glad Spags is closing practice. Doesn't sound like a good sign for the players though. They may not hear what they want to hear.

They may not like what they are hearing, but I bet we will.

[woody1351]

if i were the rams i would come back to macomb.

[Warner4prez]

Kind of a bummer. I would have gladly made the drive to WI.