St. Louis Rams training camp, 8/12, notes

by Ryan Van Bibber on Aug 12, 2011 5:42 PM CDT in 2011 St. Louis Rams Training Camp

With just an hour of practice before the rain drove the team inside and the fans to the parking lot, I didn't get too much of the St. Louis Rams on the field today. The Rams practiced in the PJs today, as Dick Vermiel used to call the shorts and practice jersey combo. A few thoughts on today's practice and today's headlines below.

We talked plenty about the skill set that made Austin Pettis the Rams third-round pick this year; good hands, ability to work in traffic and make the tough catches. He caught a beauty today, jumping into the air and fighting through double coverage to make the grab. Temper your expectations for a rookie that still has to make the jump from the Mountain West to the NFL, but Pettis has a real future in the NFL.

Reports of Brandon Gibson's solid camp effort so far are 100 percent accurate. He glides into his routes and can get himself into position with a flash. I saw him run a deep crossing route and work his way open on one play today, and was very impressed, even though the ball went elsewhere (Bradford wasn't throwing it).

Jerious Norwood will be fun to watch. Mark it down.

By far the most enjoyable part of practice was connecting face-to-face with Brick Top and Will from Rams Herd. I've been doing this for a long time and have "met" a lot of people. Nothing beats the real thing though, and I want to make sure we get some events together for our online community of Rams fans in this season.

My thoughts on the news of the day...

Tough break to lose David Vobora. It was mostly a cap move, but Vobora was a guy from the previous regime. On the flip side, the Rams seem to be high on Josh Hull, who will start in place of James Laurinaitis tomorrow night.
Mardy Gilyard missed practice with migraines. I just don't see this guy making the team.
I'm anxious to watch Taylor Potts get some reps tomorrow night.
Very few cornerback are going to get a whole lot of reps tomorrow night with Mikail Baker, Ron Bartell, Marquis Johnson and Al Harris unavailable. Good opportunity for guys like UDFA Dionte Dinkins. Hard not to imagine the Rams adding another corner before it's all said and done.

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I would probably have migraines too if I was trying to learn McD's system

But yeah that’s just one more set back for Gilyard. Probably won’t play tomorrow’s pre season game then?

Two things about me will never change. I will always root for the Rams, and I will always root against the Niners.

by DuhhhRams! on Aug 12, 2011 5:46 PM CDT reply actions

i just get the feeling that marty gilyard just doesnt want to be in st. louis. he gives me that impression.

by Mark Jaramillo on Aug 12, 2011 6:11 PM CDT up reply actions

My impression is STL doesn't want him either. Wasted draft pick.

by RamChop on Aug 12, 2011 7:14 PM CDT up reply actions

I can see

Sims-Walker and Gibson at 1 and 2
And Amendola in the slot.
And Pettis the fourth receiver in the chart.

Im pretty comfortable with that. Id still like to see Clayton or Avery in there though..

by Rickrock on Aug 12, 2011 5:53 PM CDT reply actions

+1

I wouldn’t mind this and its liking more and more like this is gonna happen

Sam Bradford to Austin Pettis
Kinda has a ring to it

by RG31 on Aug 12, 2011 5:55 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

WITHOUT

CLAYTON WE ARE LOOKING AT A LOSING SEASON

by jswirb on Aug 13, 2011 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions

Brandon Gibson is surprising the heck out of me from these reports. He just wasn't that impressive last season.

by RamChop on Aug 12, 2011 7:16 PM CDT reply actions

I thought he started to come on in the second half of the season

Especially after he blew that crucial third down conversion by dancing around too much. It seemed like things began to “click” for him.

by kswiss on Aug 13, 2011 5:37 PM CDT up reply actions

What of Avery??? Is he gonna be another wasted pick despite his speed?

by RamChop on Aug 12, 2011 7:17 PM CDT reply actions

looks that way

Sam Bradford to Austin Pettis
Kinda has a ring to it

by RG31 on Aug 12, 2011 7:19 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

called

that 2 weeks ago…everyone said i was negative …dx gone also

by jswirb on Aug 13, 2011 1:46 PM CDT up reply actions

Can't

Remember if van is the only one that has been putting it. But Austin played in the WAC not the mountain west. Boise st doesn’t move to MWC till this year. But anyways can’t believe I’m actually excited to see a pre season game.

Rams Running Wild!

by FresnoRam80 on Aug 12, 2011 8:01 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

Why is everyone dogging Avery?

We can’t have 5 possession receivers (Gibson, Amendola, Pettis, Salas, MSW) and no burners – MSW maybe is a stretch but still not lightnig fast.

Someone posted a montage of Avery before his injury last year and it was pretty compelling – the guy was sick! I watched every single game last year and no one made the moves he did – and Avery did it with Bulger throwing lobs, no less.

I, for one, hope Avery can get healthy and make the roster, as Sam and Sjax need someone to keep the defenses honest on the deep ball and open up the box Our present ‘top’ 11 receivers are looking much-improved, but are not likely to break-off 45 and 50 yard catches that Avery is capable of doing. He (or DX) is a weapon we really need as part of the arsenal this year as everything else looks very well in-place and ready to fire.

Time to shock Philly!.

by JacobyShepard on Aug 12, 2011 9:57 PM CDT reply actions

And time to find out about all the speculation about our WR's

We haven’t seen Avery in a long time-is his skill set better or worst than the other guys? We are a crowd that believes in performance-no longer grabbing guys off the street anymore. We are better than that.

by Ram newbee on Aug 12, 2011 10:19 PM CDT up reply actions

we

we are crowded with rookis and highly unproven players …we need clayton back…the only good thing is shurmer is out of stste

by jswirb on Aug 13, 2011 1:48 PM CDT up reply actions

" Shurmur "

STEVEN JACKSON is the #1 Ram

Go RAMs !!!

by VETT on Aug 13, 2011 5:59 PM CDT up reply actions

Agreed, it seems like people forget what Avery has to offer. He was our #1 before he got hurt last year… Lets atleast let him play some preseason before we call him a wasted pick. DX also played very well when he was in last year, ask denver or the 49ers if he s any good. I know injuries are a big part of why people doubt them but this is the NFL very few players make it without a injury. I think with them stretchin the field the offense would be at its most dangerous

by Faulker 28 on Aug 12, 2011 10:20 PM CDT up reply actions

true

give them through the preseason then uts yes or no

by jswirb on Aug 13, 2011 2:20 PM CDT up reply actions

I’m a little cautious on Gibson – love to hear he’s crushing it in preseason, but I can’t forget last year (can’t recall the game – but we lost) when he blew up two chances to grab a 1st down on 3rd, but shimmied instead of lunging for the 1st. Can’t teach instinct – that is what spooks me on Gibson as a starter.

by JacobyShepard on Aug 12, 2011 11:03 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

I remember that same exact play...

It was around mid-season, maybe a little earlier, and I remember yelling at the tv wondering what the hell he was thinking. I have to be honest though, that Gibby kind of won me over with his play towards the end of the season. He learned how to create more separation and he played a lot smarter, not making the same mistake that hurt us on two drives in that game. He obviously watched the tape and worked on it. There’s no doubt he learned a lot from all extra game time he earned last year, and he clearly worked his ass off this offseason knowing that coming into camp there would be starting WR positions up for grabs. It’s true that you can’t teach instinct, but with enough practice, good habits and smart play become second-nature, and I think that’s the kind of player he is. It’s also noteworthy to mention that his progress hasn’t been slowed by injury like most of our non-rookie WRs.

by jreg88 on Aug 13, 2011 2:20 AM CDT up reply actions

Very well-put. Hopefully they all light it up tonight

by JacobyShepard on Aug 13, 2011 5:16 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

AVERY AND DX

GIVE THEM AS MANY TOSSES AS POSSIBLE THEN AFTER GAME 2 …EITHER THEY STAY OR GO

by jswirb on Aug 13, 2011 1:59 PM CDT up reply actions

Pettis played in the WAC

Boise moved to the Mountain West This Year, with Nevada Wolfpack and Fresno St Bulldogs to follow next year.

And I’d imagine that most of the sure starters should sit out this game and give the guys fighting for spots to play. Man, I know it’s preseason but it feels good that the day’s finally here.

"SJAX" - The extra strength cleaner that fights off that Stubborn, Stingy Defense

by moy on Aug 13, 2011 1:18 PM CDT reply actions

Our guys gotta be happy to hit someone that's not in a Ram uni-

Whiners are trying to get the NFL to let their QB wear a Red Jersey-

by Ram newbee on Aug 13, 2011 1:40 PM CDT reply actions

if we

fail this year it will because of receiving Corp….WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED

by jswirb on Aug 13, 2011 1:57 PM CDT reply actions

Who died & left U, in charge???????????

STEVEN JACKSON is the #1 Ram

Go RAMs !!!

by VETT on Aug 13, 2011 6:15 PM CDT up reply actions

we

we need to run the ball more and take the pressure off the receivers

by jswirb on Aug 13, 2011 2:01 PM CDT reply actions

dude u are anni

Sam Bradford to Austin Pettis
Kinda has a ring to it

by RG31 on Aug 13, 2011 2:02 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

annoying i mean

How many times do u have to say the same Danny thing on every fuckin post?!

Sam Bradford to Austin Pettis
Kinda has a ring to it

by RG31 on Aug 13, 2011 2:03 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

what is anni

by jswirb on Aug 13, 2011 2:03 PM CDT reply actions

annoying i meant

And damn not Danny, stupid auto correct

Sam Bradford to Austin Pettis
Kinda has a ring to it

by RG31 on Aug 13, 2011 2:05 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

ok

first game eagles they are weak up the middle on defense and LB —i think we need to run the ball as much as possible your thoughts…..a valid question

by jswirb on Aug 13, 2011 2:06 PM CDT reply actions

i think your right

But I think we should do that every game to set up the play action pass and deep throws.

Sam Bradford to Austin Pettis
Kinda has a ring to it

by RG31 on Aug 13, 2011 2:07 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

thank

you i..feel we need a 50-50 mix to be successfull everyone here seems so enamered by the passing game…i hardly ever see anything about our running game

by jswirb on Aug 13, 2011 2:10 PM CDT reply actions

i say sometimes pass more than run

To open it up for sjax for the big gains

Sam Bradford to Austin Pettis
Kinda has a ring to it

by RG31 on Aug 13, 2011 2:12 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

yes

but no more than a 60-40 mix- it worked for marino and fouts back in the day but its ultimately your undoing

by jswirb on Aug 13, 2011 2:22 PM CDT reply actions

yea when sjax does retire

This team will be a pass happy team a guarantee it.

Sam Bradford to Austin Pettis
Kinda has a ring to it

by RG31 on Aug 13, 2011 2:27 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

gotta

run the only victory in the pre season game is the team that escapes them without an injury …I HATE HATE HATE THEM and don’t like to even watch them ….keep the sched at 16 …2 preseason games….and more practice time the first 2 weeks of preseason….bye all

by jswirb on Aug 13, 2011 2:26 PM CDT reply actions