Three vie for No. 3 running back job

[RamWraith]

Rams Notes:
By Bill Coats
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Tuesday, Aug. 07 2007

A team's No. 3 running back doesn't generally get much work. The two players
who shared those duties for the Rams last year — Tony Fisher and Kay-Jay Harris
— combined for only nine carries.

Still, a roster spot comes with the job. And the competition for the assignment
behind starter Steven Jackson and backup Brian Leonard is picking up steam as
training camp continues at Rams Park.

The contenders are Harris, who joined the team in November after Fisher
suffered a season-ending knee-injury, veteran Travis Minor, a free-agent pickup
in the offseason, and Rich Alexis, who was signed off Jacksonville's practice
squad in December but didn't suit up for the Rams.

At this point, it's a tight race.

"They're going to get great opportunities to show what they can do in the next
four (exhibition) games," coach Scott Linehan said.

The 5-foot-10, 203-pound Minor, a seventh-year pro, has been steady in practice
and gained 5 yards in two carries in Saturday's scrimmage. Alexis, 6-0 and 234,
has displayed a nice combination of speed and strength. He carried once for 4
yards in the scrimmage.

Harris, 6-0 and 240, has one distinct advantage: He was impressive on special
teams in seven games last year, delivering several jarring blows while
collecting five tackles.

"It's all part of the evaluation," Linehan said. "If you excel on special
teams, its always going to be looked on favorably when it comes to making this
football team."

Harris, in fact, considers special teams his first priority.

"I love every bit of it," he said. "I like being the first man down the field
on kickoffs and going in there and trying to get that big hit. ... I'm a
running back; I don't get to tackle people much. So that's my chance to take
out the frustration of people always hitting me and go down there and blow
somebody up."

Harris, 28, has been used on all four units: punt, punt return, kick and kick
return.

"Everybody wants to be a starting running back, but I know that's not my role,"
he said. "If you can be on the field in any phase, that's what it's about.
Anything I can to do to be on the field and help this team achieve our goal,
I'm all for it."

INJURY UPDATE

Tight end Joe Klopfenstein returned to practice Monday after missing a week
because of a strained hamstring. Klopfenstein, who started all 16 games last
season as a rookie, said he was getting antsy on the sideline.

"Camp's so tough, it's hard to watch them practice without being out there with
them," he said. "You want to get out there and compete for playing time."

Klopfenstein's playing time figures to decrease with the addition of veteran
Randy McMichael, a free-agent acquisition.

Still, the Rams plan to use more two-tight end sets, plus Klopfenstein is
taking advantage by tapping into McMichael's experience.

"A guy like him who's been in the league six years, he knows a lot,"
Klopfenstein said. "So, every chance I get, I ask him everything."

— Wide receiver/returner Dante Hall, who is nursing a sore hamstring, did
limited work Monday. Linehan said Hall's availability for the preseason opener
Friday night in Minnesota would be a "game-time decision."

— Linebacker Tim McGarigle, who had been out with a hamstring injury, suited up
for the night practice. But Raonall Smith became the fourth linebacker to be
sidelined. Smith suffered a bruised shoulder in Saturday's scrimmage.

— Remaining on the injury list were wideout Lamart Barrett (shoulder) and
tackle Ken Shackleford (knee).

RAM-BLINGS

Rookie Clifton Ryan appears to have a firm hold on No. 2 spot at nose tackle,
behind first-round pick Adam Carriker. ... Rookie Jonathan Wade is gaining on
veteran Lenny Walls in the competition for the nickel back job.

[homer1969]

FIsher will probably get it.

[ramsplaya16]

FIsher will probably get it.

umm fisher isnt on the team anymore.....

[Nick]

I'm crossing my fingers for Kay-Jay, being that he's a Mountaineer. Plus I thought, as the article says, he showed some flash on special teams, though I believe he whiffed on a tackle that ended up being a return TD against Seattle. Either way, I think special teams play will be a deciding factor, because I doubt the #3 back sees much time between Jackson and Leonard.

[helorm341]

The number three back will probably see zero time unless Jackson or Leonard get hurt, I can't see any touches slipping through the fingers of both of them.

But I hope Minor gets the spot. Alex, Harris, Leonard and Jackson are all bruiser runners. Minor would be a nice change of pace back, if he ever gets an actual touch in the regular season.

[HUbison]

I understand the need for the vet scatback like Minor, but personally, I'm hoping for one of the bruisers (Harris or Alexis) to soften up lines when Jackson and Leonard are out.

[Keenum]

umm fisher isnt on the team anymore.....

lol. Took care of that prediction.