Up tempo: Music enlivens practice

[RamWraith]

By Bill Coats
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Saturday, Dec. 01 2007

Coach Scott Linehan had a surprise for his players when they reported for
practice Friday. He decided to pump up the volume at Rams Park.

With an assist from video director Larry Clerico, Linehan put together a
playlist and had music blaring over the loudspeakers at the inside practice
facility.

Included were selections from Murphy Lee, Nickelback, Lil Jon and the East Side
Boyz as well as 3 Doors Down.

“How’d you like that?” running back Steven Jackson asked with a big smile.
Jackson has been clamoring for a livelier music program on game days at the
Edward Jones Dome.

Linehan insisted that he wasn’t necessarily trying to appease Jackson.

“You try to change things up, change the routine somewhat,” he said. “We want
to be very focused, but we want to be loose as well. You just try something new
when you’re looking for answers.”

It might not help much Sunday, when the Atlanta Falcons come to town. But the
tunes did add a bit of pizzazz to the workout, rookie defensive tackle Clifton
Ryan noted.

“It got us pumped up,” he said, “and we had a great practice.”

Added punter Donnie Jones: “It was energizing. Any time you get good music, it
kind of gets everybody going. It was a nice little surprise. Hopefully we’ll
continue it.”

No promises were made, but football coaches are notoriously superstitious. So a
victory Sunday might mean more music next Friday.

“It really did lift a lot of guys,” center Brett Romberg said. “People were
having fun dancing around.”

Still, it wasn’t Romberg’s first choice in music genre.

“I can listen to it, but it won’t exactly get me to where I want to be,” he
said. “I’m a heavy (metal) dude: Killswitch Engage, Five Finger Death Punch.
You know, some of that good Sunday music.”

Center Andy McCollum, at 37 the oldest player on the team, wasn’t sure what he
was hearing when Lee started rapping.

“I was asking the guys; I thought that was MC Hammer or something,” he said. “I
like the old classic rock.”

[r8rh8rmike]

I guess if the players can't get it during a game, they might as well get it during practice. I may be wrong or the players might just be acting diplomatic, but it sounds like there is some more Linehan appreciation going on here.

[Rambos]

but it sounds like there is some more Linehan appreciation going on here

As long as the players are happy, I guess all is good at 2-9

[UtterBlitz]

Alright, the players are expanding their musical palate.

I guess this means Linehan is a great coach with fabulous ideas to pump up the team. Yeah for the Linehan supporters.

[r8rh8rmike]

I guess this means Linehan is a great coach with fabulous ideas to pump up the team. Yeah for the Linehan supporters.

I hope that's an attempt at humor.

[RamsFanSam]

I'm not sure I'd call that crap music.

Since I was a nightclub DJ at Foxy's for so many years, I can tell you that what seemed to get both the crowd and the 'entertainers' pumped were artists like Guns 'n' Roses, Coal Chamber, Motley Crue, Rage Against The Machine, Skynrd, etc.

What I'd like to hear on game day at the dome when our opponents enter the field is "March Funebre" by Candlemass...a nice, evil sounding Death Metal version of Chopin's "Funeral March". Something like that would set the mood for me...

[UtterBlitz]

VA Tech has a tradition of playing Enter Sandman by Metallica as the players enter the field. The crowd is wild. Jumping up and down, standing through the whole game. Way different than professional football where everyone is sitting and worrying about what they are going to eat or drink.

I wonder what is the norm for practice for other teams. Do they play music?

[Varg6]

Kind of a lame article...But hey if it works for the players and if Linehan is trying to save his job, I guess he'll do anything. Good luck..

[AlphaRam]

(AP) It isn't as if St. Louis Rams head coach Scott Linehan hasn't seen his share of trouble this season. Guaranteed a losing record for the season and dozens of injuries have Linehan scratching his head.. How could things get worse? On Saturday, a summons to court was delivered to Rams Park with Linehan's name as the defendent in a lawsuit. Filed by the RIAA, Linehan is accused of illegaling downloading music from the internet to play during a recent Rams practice.

"Do You Really Want To Hurt Me?", "Man, I Feel Like A Woman" and "Lola" were songs listed on the 12 page lawsuit. Linehan declined comment other than telling reporters 'just beat it!"

[Ram Dragoon]

Why not, what the hell....Linehans adjustments on the o-line haven't worked; so why not try music to inspire.

having served myself and having had honor guard duty, marshall music made for snappier turnout in marching and salute....the reverse was when the band played some lame piece or played it badly. Yes leadership issues or lack there of, are part of the Rams 2-9 record, but also to be fair the team itself just doesnt seem motivated. With S. Jackson it ought to have been a good year for him since all the o-line has to do is block down hill and beat up a defense--not exactly what has occurred noticing opposing defense don't seem worn down in the 4th quarter:\

[Keenum]

Anything to try to change the atmosphere.

[Tony Soprano]

.
Uhh, we have a Big Problem.

Now, it's the Music?

It sounds like my 12 yr old explaining why he can't get up for School in the morning and keeps missing the Bus. I can't sleep without a TV in my Room.

Good Luck with that, is all I have to say.

I play Music while these Rams play too - IF I COULD TURN BACK TIME, by Cher!

[RamsFan16]

Hope it was my man Marilyn Manson. I love his music and him as a person.

If thats the case it'll atleaset put a killing mood into the offense and raise the Defenses intensity.

*Prays it was Marilyn Manson mixed in*

[Fat Pang]

I love this .

Even when Linehan does something that is obviously in-tune with the players wishes, there are people who like to assume its because he's recognising some in-built flaw in his coaching regime or that the players aren't actually telling the truth when they say they're 'pumped up' by it.

Here's a line from a different song.........

"You were talking like it was the end of the world"

Mood hoovers..........................:x

[AvengerRam]

I guess if the players can't get it during a game, they might as well get it during practice. I may be wrong or the players might just be acting diplomatic, but it sounds like there is some more Linehan appreciation going on here.

Do you used those happy pills, or are you just trying to sell them?