Training for success

I don't get to say Scott Linehan is doing something right very often, but after reading the Post-Dispatch's recent article on the changes the Rams are making in their training routine, there may still be reason to believe the coach still gets it.

Some of the team's new training techniques include bringing in a special speed trainer and a hand-to-hand combat trainer. First off, I thought most teams already had these trainers, so it's smart (and overdue) for the Rams to follow suit. See if these moves don't pay off in an improved pass rush next season.

They're also adding some special exercises to prevent injuries, which were epidemic last year on a team you'd have to argue was pretty poorly trained. They've added exercises designed to cut down on labrum and rotator cuff injuries, a must insurance policy for an offense that's relying heavily on Orlando Pace to bounce back from a couple of injury-filled seasons. (Ironically, now that he shows up for training camp on time, he's hurt frequently in the regular season.) And trying to cut down on high ankle sprains, they're adding a sand pit for running drills to strengthen ankles.

Excellent preventative, toughening, strengthening and technique-improving measures. Major credit to Linehan for innovating in the training program and using it to attack where the team has weaknesses. Linehan also deserves major credit for listening to his players, because the sand pit idea came from Brett Romberg, who ran in one at The U.

I'm not a fan of the impending training camp move, but Linehan is taking positive steps toward putting a fitter and more focused team on the field in 2008.