The St. Louis Rams finished their annual scrimmage today under an oppressive sun that reportedly melted M&Ms in the hands of children. It was, by all accounts, an affair that reflected a week of practice and no organized team activities during the spring. For almost an hour and half, the various formations of the Rams' offense and defense ran through game-situation drills, emulating everything from action between the 20s to goal line work.
Brick Top, @lannyosu and other Rams fans were on the scene, and will be providing some details a little later. If you were there as well, be sure to share your thoughts in the FanPosts for other fans to read (I'm thinking in particular of our rather sizable Southern California contingent). In the meantime, a few quick notes from fans on the scene.
- Danny Amendola and Sam Bradford picked up where they left off last year. The scrappiest athlete in St. Louis (and that's saying something) caught pass after pass, sometimes working as Bradford's safety valve. I suspect Danny will see plenty of opportunities to catch the ball this year.
- Red zone drills went great for the offense, scoring 4 TDs.
- Lance Kendricks blocked, carried and caught the ball. I know it's ridiculously early, but it's hard not to think that the second-round pick doesn't figure heavily into the plans this year.
- Seventh-round pick Jabarra Williams played well in coverage, even coming up with an INT. It's not at all unheard of for seventh-round linebackers to make this team.
- Bradley Fletcher had an interception.
- A.J. Feeley looked rusty.
- Mardy Gilyard made a nice grab to convert a third down with the second team offense.
- Mike Sims-Walker pleased fans as well, working against Al Harris who dropped a certain pick six.
- Ron Bartell sat out as a precaution with a sore thigh. Also out the sidelines today Donnie Avery, Danario Alexander, Jermelle Cudjo, Michael Hoomanawanui, Marquis Johnson, Fendi Onobun, Greg Salas and Eugene Sims.
- Spagnuolo told the media afterwards that he was pleased with the offense, even though by most accounts they were a little rusty out of the gate.
Hat tip the 10,000 or so fans who made it out to Lindenwood today. That's a big jump in numbers from last year's 8,000 attendees. Don't put too much weight on individual performances just yet. Training camp started last Saturday.
Hat tip again to all of the fans who kept us updated from the event, you can find them on this list. I know some of the other Rams blogs are going to have write ups on the scrimmage, and we'll be sure to link out to those when available.