Signings help make for brighter camp mood

[RamWraith]

Rams Notes:
By Bill Coats
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Saturday, Jul. 28 2007

The Rams kicked off preparations for Scott Linehan's second season as head
coach under dark clouds. Still, with quarterback Marc Bulger getting a six-year
contract extension and first-round draft pick Adam Carriker signing a five-year
deal, the mood was neon-bright.

Not only was Linehan relieved after a worrisome, sleepless night to have his
roster locked down, but he also was in a far more comfortable mode than he was
in July 2006.

"I was laughing with a couple of coaches about where all of us are compared to
a year ago at this time," Linehan said after the first of two training camp
workouts Friday at Rams Park. "It's much different. There was much more
attention to the ... details of what they're doing out there on the field
instead of where they're doing them."

Linehan and his newly assembled staff spent much of the early part of camp last
year hustling to complete the installation of their schemes. That included
drilling players in such basics as where they were to line up in various
situations.

Those days are long gone. The morning practice ran a crisp two hours in front
of 751 spectators, and Linehan was especially pleased that the mental work done
during the spring appeared to have stuck.

"I think their retention is great," he said. "We've got a lot of carryover from
a year ago. But it's a new year, and we'll see. We aren't where we need to be
to do much damage yet, but it's a good first step."

FIRST CASUALTY

Linebacker Chris Draft, an offseason pickup, was the first camp casualty. He
left the morning practice after about 15 minutes and appeared to be suffering
from the effects of asthma.

Once Draft was taken to a hospital, it was determined that he had a throat
infection. He spent the night at the hospital and was receiving antibiotics.

BOW WOW!

A luxury car? A fancy boat? A glitzy mansion?

Nope. When asked what he planned for his first purchase, the suddenly wealthy
Carriker said: "I want to buy a dog. My wife wants to adopt one, and whenever
she finds one she likes, we're going to get it."

HILL CLIMBING

Second-year cornerback Tye Hill, who sat out the June minicamp because of a
staph infection on his left leg, returned to action with a vengeance. He made
several strong plays in coverage and caught Linehan's eye.

"Tye looked why we drafted him in the first round last year. I think he's ready
to take his game to a new level," Linehan said. "He's going to be getting a lot
of one-on-one matchups against (opponents') best (wide receivers), and ... we
think he feels pretty confident in that role."

BREAK TIME

Five starters underwent surgery either during the '06 season or soon
thereafter, and all were full-go Friday. That group comprises defensive end
James Hall (shoulder), wide receiver Torry Holt (knee), center Andy McCollum
(knee), tackle Orlando Pace (triceps) and linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa (shoulder).

Linehan plans to give several veterans — mentioning McCollum, Pace, Holt, Isaac
Bruce, La'Roi Glover and Leonard Little — occasional breaks during camp.

"We'll rotate some of the older guys, as far as reps," he said, then quipped,
"There's a cutoff: If you're 32 or older, you get special treatment."

Holt and Pace might not have appreciated that remark. Both are 31.

RAM-BLINGS

Undrafted rookie Kevin McLee, a linebacker from West Virginia, reported to
practice Friday morning. He missed Thursday's team meeting because of the death
of his father. ... Today's single practice begins at 3 p.m. and is open to the
public.

[HUbison]

Undrafted rookie Kevin McLee, a linebacker from West Virginia, reported to
practice Friday morning. He missed Thursday's team meeting because of the death
of his father.

That's a horrible loss no matter what one's station in life. However, for this kid, whose sole attention should be on maximizing his chance (albeit slim) at fulfilling a life-long dream, to now face the death of his father...........just doesn't seem fair in the least.

[general counsel]

can you imagine reporting to training camp the morning after that kind of personal calamity. i have no idea if the kid can play, but you cant show a higher level of commitment than that.

ramming speed to all

general counsel