Bulger throws Monday, will try again Wednesday - The Rams Nation Forums

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.
Please be aware we use cookies and similar technologies to help our site work, to understand how it is used, and to personalise content and advertising. It helps us continue to provide access to our content for free. By clicking "Register" and filling in the registration form, you agree to allow cookies to be placed. This site is for All Rams fans, the world over. Please register now, for free, and benefit for new features that only come with being a registered member of the Rams Nation

Rams QB Bulger Back At Practice After Injury

by r8rh8rmike

Rams QB Bulger back at practice after injury

EARTH CITY, Mo. (AP)�Rams quarterback Marc Bulger took the first step Sunday toward returning to the playing field.

Bulger, out since Aug. 17 after fracturing the pinky on his throwing hand, threw 21 passes in a side session at the morning practice. Coach Steve Spagnuolo didn�t watch the session, but said offensive coordinator Dick Curl was pleased with the performance.

�The plan is to see what it feels like tomorrow morning, after having had the 21 throws,� Spagnuolo said. �Then go from there.�

Spagnuolo also was noncommittal regarding Bulger�s status for the final preseason game Thursday against the Kansas City Chiefs. He has already missed the past two games.

�It all depends on where he is,� Spagnuolo said. �You�d like to build for Thursday, but if he�s not ready to we�re not going to.�

Bulger, who only speaks to the media on Wednesdays, didn�t take any snaps during Sunday�s session and is on target to start the opening game on Sept. 13 at Seattle. He fractured his pinky after taking a snap from center Jason Brown. X-rays were negative for a break and the injury didn�t require Bulger to wear a cast.

�He said it felt OK, but that�s all we had planned on doing just to see where he was,� Spagnuolo said.
- Channel: RAMS NATION TALK
-08-30-2009, 03:06 PM
St. Louis Rams Offense Back Together

by r8rh8rmike

St. Louis Rams offense back together

BY JIM THOMAS [email protected]

09/10/2009

Quarterback Marc Bulger took snaps under center for the first time in 3� weeks. Rookie Jason Smith has been officially named the starting right tackle.

So for the first time since the start of training camp, the entire Rams offense � starters and key contributors � was in place and on the field Wednesday.

"We had a comment in the huddle today," tight end Randy McMichael said after practice. "It was like, 'Wow, we're all together again, finally, after a long layoff.' "

Just in time for opening day in Seattle.

"It was almost like: We're back," wide receiver Derek Stanley said. "It feels good. I think we've got big things coming up this year. Everybody's working hard, paying attention to the little things. Everybody's got that desire to win."

Smith's "promotion" was no great surprise. It had become increasingly obvious over the past week or so that the No. 2 overall draft pick from Baylor would open the regular season in the lineup.

"Obviously, it's a privilege to be able to say I'm going to (start) for the St. Louis Rams," Smith said. "The main thing is just proving myself and just being part of a great offensive line."

There was more uncertainty about Bulger and the broken little finger on his throwing hand. Bulger has thrown the ball well lately, but the final test was taking snaps under center. By all accounts, he passed that test Wednesday in practice.

"It went well, and I think we're where we want to be," Bulger said.

Although listed as limited participation on the team's official injury report, Bulger said he took part in every drill in practice. However, he didn't take 100 percent of the snaps in every drill.

"But it wasn't because of discomfort," Bulger said. "It was to keep Kyle (Boller) going. I was happy with the amount of reps I took."

So no discomfort?

"I wouldn't say no discomfort," Bulger said. "But it was bearable, and it's not going to affect whether I can get the ball (from center), which is a good thing."

Bulger confessed to some anxiety about taking his first snaps since the one from center Jason Brown on Aug. 17 resulted in the broken finger.

"Sure. I definitely lost some sleep over it," Bulger said. "You kind of worry that that first snap isn't going to go how you want it. You don't want to let your teammates down."

But 20 minutes into taking snaps during practice, Bulger said he felt confident again. "It was good to be back out practicing," he said.

From his, uh, end of things, Brown said everything went well...
- Channel: RAMS NATION TALK
-09-10-2009, 03:11 PM
Injuries Add Up For Rams

by r8rh8rmike

Injuries add up for Rams

BY JIM THOMAS
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
10/08/2009

Coach Steve Spagnuolo entered the week hoping for a little luck on the injury front.

"We do have to get healthy," he said Monday. "We've got some guys that are banged up. We need to get some guys back."

Instead, things went the other way Wednesday at Rams Park. Both starting wide receivers, Donnie Avery and Keenan Burton, couldn't finish practice because of what Spagnuolo termed sore hamstrings. Backup safety Anthony Smith, who spent most of the San Francisco game with the starting defense following Craig Dahl's concussion, couldn't finish practice because of an Achilles tendon problem.

All told, the Rams' official injury report had seven players listed as limited participation. Six are potential starters Sunday when the unbeaten Minnesota Vikings visit the Edward Jones Dome.

"We got a little more dinged today," Spagnuolo said following Wednesday's practice. "It's that time of the year in the NFL. Guys are going to be sore. They've just got to fight through 'em, and our guys are doing that."

To cut down on wear and tear, the Rams weren't in full pads Wednesday, usually the one day of the week where most teams work in full gear during the regular season.

Among the walking wounded, cornerback Ron Bartell (thigh) and Dahl appear the most ready to play Sunday ... just in time for Brett Favre.

"It feels 10 times better � the week off really helped," said Bartell, who missed his first game since high school Sunday against San Francisco because of his thigh injury. "I feel like with the next four or five days, I'll make enough progress to play. I have every intention of playing and starting Sunday, and helping us win. So barring no setbacks, I'll be playing."

Dahl, the starter at strong safety until James Butler (knee) returns in a week or so, suffered his concussion in the first quarter against the *****. "On a tackle I had made, I got hit in the side of the head by the running back," Dahl said. "I came up fine, but just a little disoriented. Could tell things weren't right. I stayed in the rest of the series and then came out."

But Dahl passed the "baseline" memory and cognitive skills test Tuesday, a necessary first step for players returning from concussions. If he gets through the practice week without any post-concussion symptoms, he will be back in the lineup against Minnesota.

Things aren't as clear cut at quarterback, where Marc Bulger is trying to work his way back to game readiness after suffering a bruised rotator cuff Sept. 27 against Green Bay.

Last week, Bulger had test results sent to noted orthopedic surgeon James Andrews for a second opinion on his injured right shoulder....
- Channel: RAMS NATION TALK
-10-08-2009, 09:05 AM
Bulgers Back - Kind Of

by Alec22

Bulger takes direct snaps in practice for first time since breaking pinkie
Associated Press

ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis Rams quarterback Marc Bulger is taking direct snaps for the first time since breaking his right pinkie.

Bulger missed the last three preseason games after being injured in practice. In recent workouts, he had been working only out of the shotgun.

Bulger said last week he'd be ready for the opener Sunday at Seattle, and added he wouldn't use his injury as an excuse. The pinkie was taped for Wednesday's workout.

Bulger took several snaps from center Jason Brown off to the side before the team session began. New coach Steve Spagnuolo is closing practices after the first half-hour this week.
- Channel: RAMS NATION TALK
-09-09-2009, 12:54 PM
Bulger Says Arm Is Strong/Other Camp Notes

by r8rh8rmike

NOTEBOOK: Bulger says arm is strong
BY JIM THOMAS
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
08/12/2009

Nearly two weeks into training camp it's not unusual for players to get "camp legs." Or quarterbacks to get "camp arm."

But Rams quarterback Marc Bulger reports no arm fatigue heading into Friday's preseason opener against the New York Jets.

"They've been keeping a 'quote' pitch count for me," Bulger said Tuesday. "I've only been in the 60s or 70s (in throws) for practices, which has been great for me. I've thrown a lot more, I think, in the past."

The Rams have had more two-a-day practices this camp than in the past. So although Bulger is throwing less each practice, the Rams have had more practices. Even so, Bulger says his arm "hasn't gotten sore yet. It feels fresh, so I think they've done a great job with that."

LIFE WITHOUT AVERY

Bulger said the missed practice time with Donnie Avery hurts more than the preseason games the wide receiver will miss with his fractured foot.

"The (missed) reps with him is definitely going to affect us," Bulger said. "It's not a good thing when you have young guys like that in a new offense � and we're trying to get our timing down � and he's going to miss this time."

As for the rest of the wide receiver corps, Bulger said, "There's a lot of competition. Guys are flying around. I think their legs are getting a little bit tired. But Coach has cut back a bit, so we're starting to get those (legs) back. But it's been a grind installing the whole offense."

NO DOUBTING THOMAS

Although progress has been relatively slow, coach Steve Spagnuolo still feels defensive tackle Hollis Thomas can round himself into playing shape in time for the regular-season opener.

"He's coming around," Spagnuolo said. "We need to knock his weight down a little bit. Him and I have talked. He's working hard at it. I do think he is still a little rusty. I know he's not the player that (he was) when we were together back in Philadelphia, but I still think he's a good football player, and I think he'll get there."

STANLEY STEAMER

In terms of catches, wide receiver Derek Stanley may have had his most productive practice of camp Tuesday morning. He's continuing to round into form following knee surgery last winter. But as Spagnuolo sees it, Stanley's progress has as much to do with working on the finer points of the game as anything physical.

"Derek is becoming a detail guy, which we felt he had to do. And I think the details are paying off," Spagnuolo said. "He's catching the ball well; he holds it a lot better now. He's a talent. We've just got to get him out there in games and see what happens."

Spagnuolo...
- Channel: RAMS NATION TALK
-08-12-2009, 11:07 AM

Working...

X