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Smith Still Experiencing Problems; Karney Looks Good To Go

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  • #1

    Smith Still Experiencing Problems; Karney Looks Good To Go

    12.10.2009 4:26 pm
    Smith still experiencing symptoms; Karney looks good to go
    By Jim Thomas
    St. Louis Post-Dispatch


    St. Louis Rams offensive tackle Jason Smith didn’t even watch practice Thursday, staying off his feet until the final minutes of the team’s indoor workout at Rams Park.

    “We just decided to go a different way,” coach Steve Spagnuolo said. “I’m trying to get him through a few days where he doesn’t have any, I’m going to say, symptoms. So we thought rather than put him on his feet out there _ we’re trying to get him back. Moving around seems to give him some issues.”

    Spagnuolo didn’t detail Smith’s symptoms, except to say, “He’s not right yet.”

    Smith will miss his third consecutive game Sunday because of a concussion.

    * The outlook is good for fullback Mike Karney. Although officially listed as limited on the Rams’ injury report, Karney got a lot of work Thursday. After missing two games with a torn ligament in his neck, Karney is expected to play against Tennessee.

    When asked how Karney looked Thursday, Spagnuolo said: “Good. Real good. We were trying to keep him out of some of the short-yardage, goal line (work) with pads on. But that’s not Mike. He jumped in there and got a couple (repetitions). He’s OK.”

    * Don’t get too excited Keith Null fans, but Null got a lot of work with the starting offense Thursday. Kyle Boller has been slowed by a thigh injury, and the Rams’ limited Boller’s reps Thursday to help get him healthier. Boller still is expected to start Sunday at quarterback.

    * As has become routine for three weeks now, Steven Jackson did not practice Thursday, resting his back injury.

    * LB James Laurinaitis (shoulder), DT Darell Scott (neck), and WR Donnie Avery (shoulder) all were limited participation, but all are expected to play against the Titans.

    * WR Brandon Gibson tweaked his ankle during practice, but got it wrapped and returned.

    * After sitting out Wednesday’s practice with what Spagnuolo called a stomach illness, RB Kenneth Darby was back in action Thursday.
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Smith Still Experiencing Problems; Karney Looks Good To Go

    Don’t get too excited Keith Null fans, but Null got a lot of work with the starting offense Thursday. Kyle Boller has been slowed by a thigh injury, and the Rams’ limited Boller’s reps Thursday to help get him healthier. Boller still is expected to start Sunday at quarterback.
    Starting Boller is one thing, keeping him in the game is another. He's been taking a beating and is one good shot from becoming a spectator. It would not surprise me at all to see Null against Tennessee.

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    • r8rh8rmike
      Jackson, Smith Remain On Sideline During Practice/Null Gets Reps With First Team
      by r8rh8rmike
      12.09.2009 3:30 pm
      Jackson, Smith remain on sideline during practice
      By Bill Coats
      St. Louis Post-Dispatch


      The newest St. Louis Rams, safety Clinton Hart and quarterback Mike Reilly were on the practice field Wednesday. But again, running back Steven Jackson and tackle Jason Smith were not.

      Jackson hasn’t practiced in more than two weeks because of a sore back. Smith has been out since suffering a concussion Nov. 22 vs. the Cardinals. Smith met with an independent neurological consultant Tuesday and underwent an MRI exam, which showed no further issues. He still must pass him follow-up neuro exam and be cleared by the independent consultant and the team doctors before getting back on the field.

      Notes & quotes:

      *WR Donnie Avery (shoulder), QB Kyle Boller (thigh), FB Mike Karney (neck), LB James Laurinaitis (shoulder) and DT Darell Scott (neck) got in limited work.

      *Avery wore a shoulder harness to start practice but took it off because it was bothering him. “I’ve just got to get used to it,” he said.

      *With Boller a bit gimpy, backup QB Keith Null took more reps than unusal with the first unit. “They hear his voice, he gets under center with the starting group. All of that’s going to be a foundation or an investment for him, no question,” coach Steve Spagnuolo explained.

      *Justin King got most of the snaps with the starters at CB, but Spagnuolo said Quincy Butler will share those duties Sunday at Tennessee.

      *This weeks captains are T/G Adam Goldberg (offense), DT Clifton Ryan (defense) and S David Roach (special teams).
      -12-09-2009, 11:06 PM
    • r8rh8rmike
      Kyle Boller Still Has Soreness In Thigh
      by r8rh8rmike
      Kyle Boller still has soreness in thigh
      By Bill Coats
      ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
      12/12/2009

      Perhaps the Rams were fortunate that kickoff for Sunday's game at Tennessee was moved back to 3:05 p.m. under the NFL flex-scheduling program. Quarterback Kyle Boller apparently will need as much time as possible to heal his sore thigh.

      "I feel all right," Boller said after seeing limited action at practice Friday. "We still have 48 hours till the game. ... I'm not going to jeopardize the team if I'm not ready. I just feel like the progress I've made since yesterday is good. ... I don't think it should be a problem."

      Boller was hurt last Sunday in the 17-9 loss at Chicago. He went through a full practice Wednesday but woke up sore Thursday. "It set him back a little bit," coach Steve Spagnuolo said. "We're trying not to go backward."

      Spagnuolo decreased Boller's reps significantly Thursday and Friday. Backing off with Boller meant ramping up with rookie Keith Null, who moved up to No. 2 when starter Marc Bulger was injured three weeks ago. Null, who had been running the scout-team offense, got his most extensive work with the first team all season.

      "It's definitely good to get in, call our plays, run our plays and get some experience; it helps a ton," said Null, a sixth-round draft pick from NCAA Division II West Texas A&M. "It's one thing to watch and say the play while you're standing back, and it's another thing to actually get in the huddle, call it and then run that play."

      Even if Boller starts vs. the Titans, as is fully expected, another shot to his leg could shove Null into his first regular-season action. "I have to be ready for anything," he said. "Being the backup, now you're only one play away."

      Null, who played in a spread offense in college, has made considerable progress since the spring, Spagnuolo reported.

      "He looks more comfortable, I guess is the best way to say it," Spagnuolo said. "I can remember back in (organized team activities) when taking a snap was a little bit different for him. So he's come a long way."

      SMITH OUT AGAIN

      Rookie Jason Smith, still experiencing the effects of a concussion, has been ruled out of a third consecutive game. Veteran Adam Goldberg will start again at right tackle.

      Running back Steven Jackson (back) participated in a handful of plays in the early "install" period, then sat out the rest of practice. For the third Friday in a row, he was listed as questionable on the injury report.

      Fullback Mike Karney (neck) and defensive tackle LaJuan Ramsey (wrist) also were questionable. Probables were Boller, wide receivers Donnie Avery (shoulder) and Brandon Gibson (ankle), linebacker James Laurinaitis (shoulder)...
      -12-12-2009, 11:34 AM
    • r8rh8rmike
      With Boller Gimpy, "Excited" Null Gets More Work
      by r8rh8rmike
      12.11.2009 2:29 pm
      With Boller gimpy, “excited” Null gets more work
      By Bill Coats
      St. Louis Post-Dispatch


      Heading into his third Sunday as the St. Louis Rams’ backup quarterback, rookie Keith Null acknowledged his excitement. “It is exciting as the No. 2, being prepared, getting some reps in practice and have a little confidence as you go in,” said Null, who has been No. 3 behind Marc Bulger and Kyle Boller most of the season.

      Bulger (leg) will miss his third game in a row when the Rams take on the Titans in Nashville (kickoff is at 3:05 p.m.). Boller is expected to start again, although the sore thigh that he’s been nursing this week has added a bit of suspense to the situation.

      After a full practice Wednesday, Boller was sore Thursday. So his reps Thursday and today were decreased, and Null’s were increased. Coach Steve Spagnuolo said after practice today that Boller should be ready to go.

      “It’s a little bit better today, but not as good as we really want it to be,” Spagnuolo said. “We’ve got 48 hours, so we’ll see. I don’t want to look in a crystal ball. You’ve got to play with two legs, can’t play with one.”

      Of course, Null doesn’t want to play at Boller’s expense. But he said he’d love to see some action, perhaps late in a game. “I think any time you can get in as a backup and get some experience, it’s definitely beneficial,” he said. “I would take that opportunity, for sure.”

      Notes & quotes:

      *RB Steven Jackson (back) participated in several plays during the early “install” period at practice but didn’t do anything else on the field.

      *T Jason Smith (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday’s game.

      *These players were limited today: Boller, WR Brandon Gibson (ankle), LB James Laurinaitis (shoulder), DT Darell Scott (neck), WR Donnie Avery (shoulder) and FB Mike Karney (neck).

      *Asked how the Rams hoped to contain Titans RB Chris Johnson, the NFL’s leading rusher, Spagnuolo quipped, “Oh, man . . . get 12 guys on the field?”
      -12-11-2009, 04:42 PM
    • Nick
      Jason Smith still feeling effects of concussion
      by Nick
      Jason Smith still feeling effects of concussion
      Steve Korte
      12/7/2009
      Belleville News-Democrat

      Rookie right tackle Jason Smith still hasn’t recovered from the concussion that he sustained on Nov. 22.

      Smith failed to pass his baseline test again on Monday. He’ll see independent consultant, which now mandated by the NFL under the league’s concussion policy, on Tuesday.

      “A lot of concern,’’ Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said of Smith’s concussion. “Anybody we have in the program here who had a concussion is always a concern. A hard one to figure out. I do know all of the sudden they can be OK.’’

      Other injury news from Spagnuolo's press briefing on Monday:

      -- QB Marc Bulger will have an MRI on Friday to see how much the fracture in his shinbone has healed. Spagnuolo said Bulger still is on crutches.

      -- WR Donnie Avery had an MRI on Monday after having a subluxation of his shoulder. The results weren’t known.

      Avery was able to return to action against the Bears.

      “He did go back in with a brace and kind of gutted it out,’’ Spagnuolo said. “Hopefully, that’s a sign that he’ll be able to bounce back this week.’’

      -- Quarterback Kyle Boller is bothered by a thigh injury.

      -- FB Mike Karney will have another X-ray on his neck. Spagnuolo said he was hoping that Karney, who has missed two games, would be able to return to action this week.

      -- Rookie DT Dorell Scott had an MRI on his neck.

      -- LB David Vobora might get an X-ray on his hand.
      -12-07-2009, 05:39 PM
    • r8rh8rmike
      Spagnuolo Keeps Quarterback Mystery Going
      by r8rh8rmike
      12.28.2009 5:10 pm
      Spagnuolo keeps quarterback mystery going
      By Bill Coats
      St. Louis Post-Dispatch


      Early indications are that another week of quarterback intrigue is in the forecast for Rams Park. St. Louis Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo refused to tip his hand last week, even though it seemed obvious that rookie Keith Null would start at Arizona after getting the lion’s share of first-team work in practice. Null, of course, did wind up starting ahead of veteran Kyle Boller.

      On Monday, Spagnuolo again refused to offer any hints on who might be running the offense in Sunday’s season finale vs. the *****.

      “I don’t have a comment on that either way,” he said. “I get to go through the tape all through the morning, and then I usually try to take a look at it again.” Spagnuolo added that said he planned to consult with offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur and quarterbacks coach Dick Curl, “and then we’ll decide how to proceed on Wednesday.”

      Notes & quotes:

      *G Mark Setterstrom probably will need surgery for the torn triceps he suffered Sunday. Rookie Roger Allen is expected to start at LG vs. Frisco.

      *LB Paris Lenon has a fractured little toe but hasn’t been ruled out of Sunday’s game.

      *WR Donnie Avery has a mild strain in his thigh.

      *LB James Laurinaitis has some bursa inflammation in his left knee but should be able to play Sunday.

      *DE Leonard Little, who has missed two games with a knee infection, could get back on the field this week.

      *RBs Kenneth Darby and Chris Ogbonnaya produced 110 yards of offense standing in for Steven Jackson, who has been playing with a herniated disc in his back but couldn’t go against the Cardinals. “I thought both of them showed flashes,” Spagnuolo said. “I thought Kenny came out of the gate running pretty good. I especially liked the (19-yard) catch Chris made in the two-minute drill, over the middle. I thought those guys did some good things. Both of them blocked well.”

      *Jackson said he plans to play Sunday against the *****. “I’ll leave that up to Steven. I trust him, I trusted him yesterday,” Spagnuolo said. “That’s his competitive nature. Every day with the injury he has, sometimes it changes. But I’m hopeful.”

      *Don’t even entertain the notion of the Rams going out with a whimper Sunday, Spagnuolo cautioned. “It’s the last one, and we’re going to play it to win it,” he said
      -12-29-2009, 07:21 PM
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