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With minor renovations, Rams begin to build
By Jim Thomas
Of the Post-Dispatch
07/29/2004
MACOMB, Ill. - The foundation was laid a couple of months ago, during minicamps and the lighter practices known as OTAs, or organized team activity.
But with Wednesday's start of training camp, veteran safety Aeneas Williams provided this construction update: "We're now putting in the 2-by-4s, and starting to build a sturdy house."
Some of the outward swagger of past Rams teams is gone. But with a 61-27 record over the past five seasons - including four playoff berths, three division titles and two Super Bowl appearances - expectations remain high.
"In my opinion, this is as good a team as I've been on in my career - in terms of talent," defensive captain Tyoka Jackson said. "Now, the experience level is not what it was in 2001 (the Rams' most recent Super Bowl squad). But talent-wise, no question it's there."
By season's end, the Rams expect to build a mansion, not a shack. And coach Mike Martz already is tinkering with the blueprint. Most notable on Wednesday was the sight of Arlen Harris working almost exclusively at halfback.
"We think that's what he is, really," Martz said.
But what about those plans to switch Harris to fullback?
"We want him to learn fullback, because ultimately during the season, we'd like to use him as such - with he and Marshall (Faulk) in the backfield, just as another alternative in various personnel groupings," Martz said. "And if you teach him (fullback), in the event that something would happen to Joey Goodspeed, we know that he can go in there and survive and do well. But first and foremost we kind of look at him as a halfback."
This is true even though Harris reported at 226 pounds, about 15 pounds heavier than his playing weight as a rookie last season. An offseason of weight training and conditioning has made Harris faster, even in his bulked-up form.
"He really got our attention because he's got some real live ability in terms of reading and cutting and breaking tackles and all those things," Martz said.
The Rams also have moved defensive end Nick Burley to tight end.
By Jim Thomas
Of the Post-Dispatch
07/29/2004
MACOMB, Ill. - The foundation was laid a couple of months ago, during minicamps and the lighter practices known as OTAs, or organized team activity.
But with Wednesday's start of training camp, veteran safety Aeneas Williams provided this construction update: "We're now putting in the 2-by-4s, and starting to build a sturdy house."
Some of the outward swagger of past Rams teams is gone. But with a 61-27 record over the past five seasons - including four playoff berths, three division titles and two Super Bowl appearances - expectations remain high.
"In my opinion, this is as good a team as I've been on in my career - in terms of talent," defensive captain Tyoka Jackson said. "Now, the experience level is not what it was in 2001 (the Rams' most recent Super Bowl squad). But talent-wise, no question it's there."
By season's end, the Rams expect to build a mansion, not a shack. And coach Mike Martz already is tinkering with the blueprint. Most notable on Wednesday was the sight of Arlen Harris working almost exclusively at halfback.
"We think that's what he is, really," Martz said.
But what about those plans to switch Harris to fullback?
"We want him to learn fullback, because ultimately during the season, we'd like to use him as such - with he and Marshall (Faulk) in the backfield, just as another alternative in various personnel groupings," Martz said. "And if you teach him (fullback), in the event that something would happen to Joey Goodspeed, we know that he can go in there and survive and do well. But first and foremost we kind of look at him as a halfback."
This is true even though Harris reported at 226 pounds, about 15 pounds heavier than his playing weight as a rookie last season. An offseason of weight training and conditioning has made Harris faster, even in his bulked-up form.
"He really got our attention because he's got some real live ability in terms of reading and cutting and breaking tackles and all those things," Martz said.
The Rams also have moved defensive end Nick Burley to tight end.
Are you f---ing kidding me. Building? Rebuilding? Rennovation? coach Mike Martz already is tinkering with the blueprint. Most notable on Wednesday was the sight of Arlen Harris working almost exclusively at halfback. He drafts a HB in the 1st round, no FB FAs in sight, says Harris is new FB and Harris is working almost exclusively at halfback???!?!?
FB was such a weak spot since Hodgins is gone that the solution is to experiment with Gordon or Harris or Nead or whomever at the spot. Someone make up sMartz' mind for him please. Before he starts re-experimenting with the TE position. The Rams also have moved defensive end Nick Burley to tight end. Ooops, too late. Since the DE position is so firmly established sMartz might as well try converting unneeded position players into a new position - which has proven to be such an effective supplement to replacing people like Conwell, etc ...
Is training camp over yet?
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