By Bill Coats
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Thursday, May. 15 2008
Seven-time Pro Bowler Torry Holt wasn't inclined to grant fellow wide receiver
Donnie Avery, the Rams' second-round pick in last month's draft, much latitude
during minicamp this past weekend. "He came to me a couple of times, shouting
at me," Avery reported.
Asked his early impressions of Avery, Holt said tersely, "Right now, I don't
have any impressions of Donnie Avery. ... Hopefully, during training camp he'll
show me something."
It's not that Holt is unhappy with Avery; he just wants to let him know that he
has to prove himself before he can run with the big dogs. Which is fine with
Avery. "I like that," he said. "When other people are strict on me, it brings
the best out of me."
After spending the 33rd overall selection on Avery, the Rams are counting on
getting his best. That starts with his running ability: He can zip 40 yards in
4.29 seconds, giving the Rams a much-needed downfield threat.
The added speed makes "a big difference," quarterback
Marc Bulger said. "We can
put him inside against some nickel defensive backs or some linebackers. But at
the same time, he's going to have to ... do some other things, because if they
know every time he comes in that we're going deep, they have answers for that."
The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Avery proved at the University of Houston that he
offers more than a sprinter's package, especially during a senior season in
which he piled up 91 catches, a Conference USA-record 1,456 yards and seven
touchdowns.
"He's not just a pure track guy," said Billy Devaney, the Rams' vice president
of player personnel. "This guy is a legitimate wide receiver also."
Houston had won a total of eight games in the four seasons before coach Art
Briles arrived in 2003. Avery, a Houston native, turned down offers from more
prominent football programs to stay at home.
Briles "told me we'd do some special things," Avery said. The Cougars went 3-8
in Avery's freshman year, then compiled a 24-15 mark over the next three
seasons, concluding each with a bowl appearance.
Briles, who left Houston for Baylor after the 2007 season, ran a wide-open,
pass-heavy offense that allowed Avery and his fellow wideouts almost free rein.
In fact, Briles didn't even have a playbook; schemes were drawn up in the
meeting room, then transferred to the playing field.
In stark contrast, Avery was seen lugging offensive coordinator Al Saunders'
massive playbook around Rams Park. It's the size of a large metropolitan area's
phone book.
"They're throwing a lot at me; in meetings, everything sounds foreign," Avery
said. "But you've got to understand that language so you can be on the right
page."
Trent Green, brought in as a free agent to back up Bulger, likened Avery's
challenge to that faced last year by Dolphins teammate Ted Ginn Jr., also a
rookie wide receiver. "That was his thing, too, his speed," Green said. "And I
think initially he wasn't able to show that because he was thinking so much. As
the season developed, he got more comfortable. ...
"This is a multi-set, multi-movement, multi-play offense, and the volume is
tremendous. So, in order to utilize that speed the way (Avery) should, he's
going to have to really spend time in the playbook and get as many mental reps
as he can."
The Rams obviously believe he can adapt. They passed up more heralded
prospects, such as Michigan State's Devin Thomas and California's DeSean
Jackson, to make Avery the first wideout taken in the draft.
That move was labeled a "reach" by some pundits, a notion that Avery shrugged
off. "I don't listen what the experts say; it's what the Rams say," he said. "I
knew I had the talent to be the first wide receiver picked, and they picked me."
Avery, 23, also has to deal with the perception by some that he was chosen to
be Isaac Bruce's replacement. It doesn't help that the last time the Rams had
the 33rd selection in the draft was 1994, when they took Bruce out of Memphis
State.
The popular Bruce, 35, was released Feb. 28 after 14 seasons with the team. He
signed with rival San Francisco two days later, taking with him 942 receptions
and 14,109 yards. He ranks among the top six in NFL history in both categories.
"I followed (Bruce) when I was in middle school and high school, and Torry
Holt, too," Avery said. Still, he isn't allowing circumstances or comparisons
to heap pressure on him. "Naw," he said. "I've just got to come in and do my
thing."
And perhaps win over Holt in the process.
RAMBLINGS
The Rams have begun to tweak their roster in the wake of minicamp last weekend.
Three undrafted rookies have been released: Louisiana-Lafayette defensive end
Rodney Hardeway, Virginia Tech wide receiver Josh Hyman and Kansas fullback
Brandon McAnderson.
Also, wideout Shaine Smith has been re-signed as a free agent. Smith, 6-2 and
189 pounds, was in training camp with the Rams last summer as an undrafted
rookie out of Hofstra. He caught one pass for 12 yards in the preseason before
being cut Aug. 31.
Smith was signed to the New York Jets' practice squad Dec. 5 and released April
25.
for our Brother Randy. Keep fighting all the way Big Man!
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