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Read the bold GC :-) Just a matter of time *LOL*
By Bill Coats
Of the Post-Dispatch
Wednesday, Sep. 08 2004
Just minutes into his second practice with the Rams, safety Zack Bronson
tumbled to the turf at Rams Park. And stayed there.
Bronson, who played the last seven seasons with San Francisco, was signed
Sunday as a free agent. He practiced Monday, and coach Mike Martz indicated
that Bronson could see significant action in Sunday's season opener against
Arizona.
Those plans blew up when Bronson's left ankle rolled over Wednesday. The extent
of the damage was undetermined, but Martz said it appeared to be "a pretty
significant" injury. Bronson definitely won't be available Sunday, a Rams
official said.
With Bronson and Travis Fisher (broken arm) out, and Jason Sehorn having failed
a physical exam Wednesday, the Rams are left with only seven defensive backs.
Cornerback Dwight Anderson, who worked with the second-team defense Wednesday,
could be brought up from the practice squad.
The Rams' league-mandated injury report, issued Wednesday afternoon, also
included wide receiver Torry Holt.
Holt, who led the NFL in catches and receiving yards last year, was a late
scratch for the final exhibition game last Thursday in Oakland because of back
spasms. He's practiced this week but is listed as "questionable," which under
league guidelines means there's only a 50-50 chance he'll play Sunday.
Cornerback DeJuan Groce (knee) also is questionable. Fisher and guard Tom
Nutten (toe) are out, and linebacker Trev Faulk (hamstring) and fullback Joey
Goodspeed (hamstring) are probable. Receiver Kevin Curtis, bothered for a
couple of weeks by shin splints, returned to practice Wednesday.
Changing places
The locker room at Rams Park has had the look of a busy airport terminal this
week, people bustling in and out at a hectic pace. Four new players showed up
Wednesday: Guards Darnell Alford and Blaine Saipaia, defensive end D.J.
Renteria, and linebacker Dedrick Roper.
Removed from the roster since Sunday, after final cut-downs, were guard/tackle
Andy King (released), running back Lamar Gordon (traded) and linebacker Tony
Newson (moved to the practice squad).
Martz said he'd never seen so much late movement.
"But there are significant reasons," he said. "Both of these offensive linemen
are young players that have the potential to have a future here. And we needed
somebody that ... can play linebacker, but should be one of your top two or
three special-teams players. And that's what we expect out of" Roper.
Renteria has been assigned to the practice squad. But Alford, Saipaia and Roper
will be active Sunday. Here's a quick look at each:
Alford, 27, was one of Kansas City's last cuts. The 6- foot-4,
334-pound Boston College product has played in five NFL games in four seasons.
Noting that the Chiefs run virtually the same offense as the Rams, Alford said:
"I should be able to get right in and get ready ... instead of (the Rams)
teaching the whole thing to somebody who'd never seen it before."
Saipaia, 26, was released Sunday by Oakland. He joined the Rams less
than a week after playing against them. "It's a little weird," he said, "but
it's just all part of the game."
He said that after being cut, "You just hope for the best and prepare for the
worst. Fortunately for me, something came up right away."
The 6-3, 310-pounder out of Colorado State has appeared in just one NFL game in
four years.
Roper, 23, is a 6-2, 245-pound rookie from Northwood University, an
NCAA Division II school in Midland, Mich. He had been assigned to Pittsburgh's
practice squad before the Rams claimed him off the waiver wire.
"I was actually dressed and ready to go out to practice and they told me my
contract was claimed," said Roper, who got plenty of work Wednesday in
special-teams drills. "This is definitely a blessing."
By Bill Coats
Of the Post-Dispatch
Wednesday, Sep. 08 2004
Just minutes into his second practice with the Rams, safety Zack Bronson
tumbled to the turf at Rams Park. And stayed there.
Bronson, who played the last seven seasons with San Francisco, was signed
Sunday as a free agent. He practiced Monday, and coach Mike Martz indicated
that Bronson could see significant action in Sunday's season opener against
Arizona.
Those plans blew up when Bronson's left ankle rolled over Wednesday. The extent
of the damage was undetermined, but Martz said it appeared to be "a pretty
significant" injury. Bronson definitely won't be available Sunday, a Rams
official said.
With Bronson and Travis Fisher (broken arm) out, and Jason Sehorn having failed
a physical exam Wednesday, the Rams are left with only seven defensive backs.
Cornerback Dwight Anderson, who worked with the second-team defense Wednesday,
could be brought up from the practice squad.
The Rams' league-mandated injury report, issued Wednesday afternoon, also
included wide receiver Torry Holt.
Holt, who led the NFL in catches and receiving yards last year, was a late
scratch for the final exhibition game last Thursday in Oakland because of back
spasms. He's practiced this week but is listed as "questionable," which under
league guidelines means there's only a 50-50 chance he'll play Sunday.
Cornerback DeJuan Groce (knee) also is questionable. Fisher and guard Tom
Nutten (toe) are out, and linebacker Trev Faulk (hamstring) and fullback Joey
Goodspeed (hamstring) are probable. Receiver Kevin Curtis, bothered for a
couple of weeks by shin splints, returned to practice Wednesday.
Changing places
The locker room at Rams Park has had the look of a busy airport terminal this
week, people bustling in and out at a hectic pace. Four new players showed up
Wednesday: Guards Darnell Alford and Blaine Saipaia, defensive end D.J.
Renteria, and linebacker Dedrick Roper.
Removed from the roster since Sunday, after final cut-downs, were guard/tackle
Andy King (released), running back Lamar Gordon (traded) and linebacker Tony
Newson (moved to the practice squad).
Martz said he'd never seen so much late movement.
"But there are significant reasons," he said. "Both of these offensive linemen
are young players that have the potential to have a future here. And we needed
somebody that ... can play linebacker, but should be one of your top two or
three special-teams players. And that's what we expect out of" Roper.
Renteria has been assigned to the practice squad. But Alford, Saipaia and Roper
will be active Sunday. Here's a quick look at each:
Alford, 27, was one of Kansas City's last cuts. The 6- foot-4,
334-pound Boston College product has played in five NFL games in four seasons.
Noting that the Chiefs run virtually the same offense as the Rams, Alford said:
"I should be able to get right in and get ready ... instead of (the Rams)
teaching the whole thing to somebody who'd never seen it before."
Saipaia, 26, was released Sunday by Oakland. He joined the Rams less
than a week after playing against them. "It's a little weird," he said, "but
it's just all part of the game."
He said that after being cut, "You just hope for the best and prepare for the
worst. Fortunately for me, something came up right away."
The 6-3, 310-pounder out of Colorado State has appeared in just one NFL game in
four years.
Roper, 23, is a 6-2, 245-pound rookie from Northwood University, an
NCAA Division II school in Midland, Mich. He had been assigned to Pittsburgh's
practice squad before the Rams claimed him off the waiver wire.
"I was actually dressed and ready to go out to practice and they told me my
contract was claimed," said Roper, who got plenty of work Wednesday in
special-teams drills. "This is definitely a blessing."
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