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Avery and Robinson are healthy, which is good news for Rams
By Jim Rodenbush
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Donnie Avery is healthy. Laurent Robinson is healthy. And while the 2010 season opener is more than three months away, this could be potentially great news for the St. Louis Rams offense.
Both wide receivers are at 100 percent entering the second week of organized team activities at Rams Park. For Avery, that meant bouncing back from a series of nagging injuries that plagued him throughout 2009. For Robinson, it meant a full recovery from a fractured leg and ankle sprain that ended his 2009 season after only three games.
Together, the pair represent arguably the team’s best down-field receiving threats. In fact, they recorded the Rams’ two longest catches in ’09: Avery with a 50-yard reception against Indianapolis, and Robinson with a 45-yard grab in the season opener at Seattle.
“We can both take it deep,” Avery said following practice Monday. “So, that’ll be a plus.”
Though Avery played all 16 games last season, he was bothered by a laundry list of injuries. His most serious injury came in the preseason, when he suffered a stress fracture in his left foot. He returned in time for the season opener, but then experienced problems with his ribs, hamstring, hip and shoulder.
This offseason, Avery started a weight lifting program and changed his diet. As a result, he has added around 15 pounds of muscle and gotten rid of the nagging pain.
“It’s about playing healthy,” he said. “Staying on the field, staying in the weight room, working with the trainer. Just staying healthy. Healthy is happy for me.
“I feel a lot better now. I absolutely feel the difference.”
Avery had 47 receptions for 589 yards and five touchdowns in 2009. Avery, who will be 26 next month, is entering his third NFL season and second under coach Steve Spagnuolo and offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur. He described himself as “more comfortable” because of his familiarity with the team’s offense.
“It’s a different approach mentally,” he said. “You know what you’re going to get game day. You know what opens up, and how to get open during the season. You know what kind of coverages teams play against this type of offense.”
Avery hopes to double his touchdown total in 2010 and said he looks forward to being a deep threat once again.
“My first year, we exploited (that),” he said. “This year, I feel like we’re going to get back to it.”
As for Robinson, he was among the Rams’ best receivers during the early part of last season. He recorded 13 catches for 167 yards and a touchdown before he suffered his injury Sept. 27 against Green Bay.
“It was extremely frustrating,” he said. “A part of me felt like I let the team down. It was a rough season, just watching it and not being able to participate with my teammates. It was frustrating, sitting back and watching it on TV.”
Robinson, 25, came to the Rams by way of a trade with Atlanta before the ’09 season. Entering his fourth season, he said he is eager to make up for the lost time.
“My expectations are high,” he said. “I’m ready to go out there and do everything I can do to help this team win. When the opportunity presents itself, I’m going to make it happen.”
Just like Avery, Robinson sees himself as a deep threat for the Rams.
"Those are the kind of plays we're working on right now," he said. "If we keep making them every day in practice, they'll show up in the games. You can't just flip a switch on training camp. You have to start right now and be consistent."
Robinson is one of 11 wide receivers currently listed on the Rams' roster. As of now, that means a large number of players are battling for just a few spots.
"I'm excited," Robinson said. "This is what we live for, competition. We're all going to compete amongst the receivers. We're all excited about it. It's an open competition. Just go out there and make plays and let the personnel do what they have to do."
NOTES: Wide receiver Keenan Burton (knee) participated in team drills Monday. … The Rams made five roster cuts before practice, releasing defensive tackle Chris Bradwell, linebacker Simoni Lawrence, wide receivers Nick Moore and Rod Owens, and fullback Kennedy Tinsley. Their roster is now at 91 players.
By Jim Rodenbush
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Donnie Avery is healthy. Laurent Robinson is healthy. And while the 2010 season opener is more than three months away, this could be potentially great news for the St. Louis Rams offense.
Both wide receivers are at 100 percent entering the second week of organized team activities at Rams Park. For Avery, that meant bouncing back from a series of nagging injuries that plagued him throughout 2009. For Robinson, it meant a full recovery from a fractured leg and ankle sprain that ended his 2009 season after only three games.
Together, the pair represent arguably the team’s best down-field receiving threats. In fact, they recorded the Rams’ two longest catches in ’09: Avery with a 50-yard reception against Indianapolis, and Robinson with a 45-yard grab in the season opener at Seattle.
“We can both take it deep,” Avery said following practice Monday. “So, that’ll be a plus.”
Though Avery played all 16 games last season, he was bothered by a laundry list of injuries. His most serious injury came in the preseason, when he suffered a stress fracture in his left foot. He returned in time for the season opener, but then experienced problems with his ribs, hamstring, hip and shoulder.
This offseason, Avery started a weight lifting program and changed his diet. As a result, he has added around 15 pounds of muscle and gotten rid of the nagging pain.
“It’s about playing healthy,” he said. “Staying on the field, staying in the weight room, working with the trainer. Just staying healthy. Healthy is happy for me.
“I feel a lot better now. I absolutely feel the difference.”
Avery had 47 receptions for 589 yards and five touchdowns in 2009. Avery, who will be 26 next month, is entering his third NFL season and second under coach Steve Spagnuolo and offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur. He described himself as “more comfortable” because of his familiarity with the team’s offense.
“It’s a different approach mentally,” he said. “You know what you’re going to get game day. You know what opens up, and how to get open during the season. You know what kind of coverages teams play against this type of offense.”
Avery hopes to double his touchdown total in 2010 and said he looks forward to being a deep threat once again.
“My first year, we exploited (that),” he said. “This year, I feel like we’re going to get back to it.”
As for Robinson, he was among the Rams’ best receivers during the early part of last season. He recorded 13 catches for 167 yards and a touchdown before he suffered his injury Sept. 27 against Green Bay.
“It was extremely frustrating,” he said. “A part of me felt like I let the team down. It was a rough season, just watching it and not being able to participate with my teammates. It was frustrating, sitting back and watching it on TV.”
Robinson, 25, came to the Rams by way of a trade with Atlanta before the ’09 season. Entering his fourth season, he said he is eager to make up for the lost time.
“My expectations are high,” he said. “I’m ready to go out there and do everything I can do to help this team win. When the opportunity presents itself, I’m going to make it happen.”
Just like Avery, Robinson sees himself as a deep threat for the Rams.
"Those are the kind of plays we're working on right now," he said. "If we keep making them every day in practice, they'll show up in the games. You can't just flip a switch on training camp. You have to start right now and be consistent."
Robinson is one of 11 wide receivers currently listed on the Rams' roster. As of now, that means a large number of players are battling for just a few spots.
"I'm excited," Robinson said. "This is what we live for, competition. We're all going to compete amongst the receivers. We're all excited about it. It's an open competition. Just go out there and make plays and let the personnel do what they have to do."
NOTES: Wide receiver Keenan Burton (knee) participated in team drills Monday. … The Rams made five roster cuts before practice, releasing defensive tackle Chris Bradwell, linebacker Simoni Lawrence, wide receivers Nick Moore and Rod Owens, and fullback Kennedy Tinsley. Their roster is now at 91 players.
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