Rams news, 8/31

Not much today. Donnie Avery was officially IR'ed yesterday. The Rams still have a move to make to get to the 75-man roster limit, which right now is probably to IR Phil Trautwein.

Update: It's official: Trautwein has been waived/injured. He'll go on the Rams' IR if he clears waivers.

The trade with Washington yesterday was a little weird. Actually, it was two trades. The Rams got Dennis Morris for a conditional pick and the Redskins got Hall Davis for a conditional pick. The Morris deal is widely being seen as the death knell for Mike Karney's Rams tenure, though Morris has barely ever been on an NFL field, while Karney is an experienced fullback with whom Steven Jackson reportedly gets along really well. Michael Hoomanawanui does seem to show he can handle the job, though, so maybe people are reading the tea leaves.

The game Thursday night with Baltimore is nowhere close to a sellout and will not air live on local TV. It'll go on at 10:30 on KTVI.

Steven Jackson went 10th in my first fantasy league draft last night. Because that's where I took him. Got another draft next week.

No changes to the injury list I know of other than Avery (and Trautwein) dropping off it to the IR.

Kurt's dancing competition

Of course the first thing I'd post on a football blog today is a Dancing With the Stars update. It's this kind of focus that keeps me, um...

So here are Kurt Warner's competitors for the upcoming Dancing season, in which he's under pressure to uphold the front-runner status most of the past NFL participants have held:

Michael Bolton, Margaret Cho (UGH), Bristol Palin, Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino, David Hasselhoff, Audrina Patridge, Florence Henderson, Jennifer Grey, Kyle Massey, Rick Fox and Brandy (Norwood).

Thoughts:
- Since their biggest career accomplishment to date is getting pregnant, I'd expect Bristol Palin to have similar "success" to Kate Gosselin. She'll be annoying, suck at dancing and last three weeks longer than she should because of sympathy votes.
- I won't complain about "The Situation"'s extra 15 minutes of fame, because it could have been worse. They could have picked "Snooki". Seriously, is that girl supposed to be sexy? She's 4'6" and orange! She's an Oompa-Loompa!
- Is it awesome, or creepy, that there are two contestants that have slept with Greg Brady? Who do you think he's rooting for?
- NOBODY PUTS BABY IN A CORNER!
- Shouldn't Brandy pretty much clean up on this group? Hasn't she danced (and sung) for a living since she was about 15? Wouldn't she seem to have a pretty big competitive advantage?

The NFL experience is one thing, but Kurt looks like a middle-of-the-pack runner in this group. His immobility as a QB certainly makes you wonder if this is the right forum for his talents. Heck, he didn't even use to Bob-n-Weave! Maybe Jimmy Johnson should have gone on this show and Kurt should have gone to Survivor:Nicaragua. Good luck anyway.

Rams acquire fullback/H-back, I have no idea why

Update: The Rams have traded 2010 fifth-round pick DE Hall Davis to the Redskins for sixth-round pick FB Dennis Morris. They still have one player to cut (or IR Phil Trautwein) for tomorrow's 75-man roster limit. Given their weaknesses at every OTHER position on the roster, and the good depth they've shown at TE and FB so far this preseason, I can make no sense whatsoever of this move. Mike Shanahan flatout said in the Washington Post that Morris wasn't going to make the team. That's nice. We give up a fifth-rounder for a sixth-rounder who was going to get cut anyway at a position we don't need.

Morris has a great college resume but still was only drafted in the 6th round this year, #174 overall. He had a breakout season last year for Louisiana Tech, with 38 catches for 623 yards and 12 TDs, the most TDs in the nation by a tight end. He was also 4th in the nation in TE receiving yards. He was first-team all-WAC and third-team All-America. He's 6'2" 253, which sounds like a fullback's build. He is said "not to have impressed" in Redskins training camp. I'll say. He has no stats so far this preseason and was inactive for their second preseason game against Baltimore. He was in fact drafted by the Redskins to be a fullback.

Morris was NFLDraftScout's 13th ranked fullback for the 2010 draft, a great route-runner with great hands and agility for his size, though his lack of height and lack of bulk to be an in-line blocker are concerns. Fun fact: Dennis made ESPN SportsCenter's "Top 10 Plays" twice last year.

Still don't know why the hell the Rams made the move.

Photo: Louisiana Tech University

Rams news, 8/30

(from local reports)

* Rams cut 3: the first victims of the cutdown to 75 at Rams Park were CB Marcus Brown, OT Joe Gibbs and FB Jamie McCoy. I didn't expect McCoy to be one of the early cuts; I thought he'd have a chance at the practice squad. The Rams have two more moves to make by tomorrow; one will be to IR Donnie Avery, and it looks like the other will be to IR Phil Trautwein (see below).

* Injury update: A.J. Feeley has already been ruled out for Thursday night's preseason finale against Baltimore. Daniel Fells also sounds doubtful. Kevin Payne played Thursday night, but from the looks of things, probably shouldn't have. He had a rough game and came out of practice yesterday with continuing knee issues. James Hall was a surprise scratch Thursday night and remains out with a hip flexor problem. Phil Trautwein has a torn ligament in his knee, which will keep him out 6 to 8 weeks and could land him on the IR. Victor Adeyanju and Marquis Johnson were both inactive Thursday. I'm still looking for reports that either has returned to the practice field. Darcy Johnson left the game with an ankle injury but is apparently OK. On the good side, Mardy Gilyard was able to play Thursday night.

And of course, Donnie Avery blew his knee late in the second quarter Thursday night and is done for the season. He will have reconstructive surgery in a couple of weeks.

* Injury list: Victor Adeyanju (lih, knee); Donnie Avery (torn ACL, out for season); James Butler (knee); A.J. Feeley (elbow, thumb); Daniel Fells (hyperextended knee); John Greco (pectoreal); James Hall (hip flexor); Marquis Johnson (lih, shoulder); Kevin Payne (knee); George Selvie (leg); Phil Trautwein (knee); David Vobora (hamstring).

* Player rotations: Sam Bradford will start Thursday night against the Ravens. Still awaiting word on how long he'll be in the game. Steve Spagnuolo is framing the game as much more of a chance for Keith Null and Thaddeus Lewis to compete for the QB3 spot. There are conflicting reports on who's getting the first chance at Avery's starting position between Gilyard and Danny Amendola. Since he's not the rookie of the two, I'd assume Amendola has the edge for now, making Gilyard the slot receiver, where he ought to be comfortable; I think he played a lot of it at Cincinnati.

Rams news, 8/26

Just what I was afraid of: now that camp is closed, if it hadn't been for the change in team ownership yesterday, there'd be little to report today.

Today's schedule: The Rams play the Patriots tonight at 6:30. I have no idea when RamView will be out. Noon tomorrow is my goal.

Injury list: almost no news from Rams Park yesterday means little change to the list:
Victor Adeyanju (knee); James Butler (knee); A.J. Feeley (elbow, thumb); Daniel Fells (hyperextended knee); Mardy Gilyard (sick); John Greco (pectoreal); Marquis Johnson (shoulder); Kevin Payne (lih, knee); George Selvie (leg); Phil Trautwein (knee); David Vobora (hamstring).

Particularly annoying not knowing Trautwein's status. Feeley expects to return for the Rams' next practice, which will be Saturday.

* Not that this is news, but Bryan Burwell can be a boob, as seen in this morning's article in which he offers light attendance at the Rams' final open practice as some kind of shocking sign of an indifferent fan base.

You do know the practice was at 2:30 in the afternoon on a Tuesday, right? You get to meander around there as part of your job. 99.999999999% of the rest of us don't.

Otherwise, Burwell's article is fine. Now that Stan Kroenke is an NFL owner (with power), I don't trust him any farther than I can throw him, either. Until there are definitive, legally-irrevocable steps taken towards a new stadium, hell yes, this team could be on the move again in the next decade.

Kroenke approved unanimously

NFL.com

Also, the Rosenblooms remain minority owners for the time being; Kroenke has not yet taken 100% control of the team. His stake is 70% and he is buying the rest at a later date.

Kroenke has until 2014 to transfer control of his Denver teams so he is compliant with the NFL's cross-ownership by-laws.

Also, Shahid Khan is a good guy. His statement after yesterday's vote:

"I have nothing but best wishes for Stan Kroenke as the new controlling owner of the St. Louis Rams. I have gotten to know Stan very well this year, I admire his success and I am certain he will be an excellent owner for the Rams, the National Football League and the St. Louis community. I'll always appreciate the trust Chip Rosenbloom and Lucia Rodriguez put in me, and I thank Commissioner Roger Goodell and team owners for their professional approach in everything related to the sale process. This adventure didn't turn out the way I had hoped, but it was otherwise a worthwhile experience in every respect and I'll always be a fan of the St. Louis Rams."

Rams news, 8/25

* Injury list: Training camp may have picked up stakes for 2010, but the parade of injuries will not go away so easily, as backup tackle Phil Trautwein was carted off with a knee injury last night. MRI pending. A cart ride out of a game is usually a bad, bad thing, but it seems a more precautionary move in training camp. Ron Bartell was carted off earlier in camp and was back on the field in a couple of weeks. Hopefully Trautwein has just a minor sprain.

Going to be harder and harder to confirm injuries now that camp is over, but here's what I've got for the list: Victor Adeyanju (knee); James Butler (knee); A.J. Feeley (elbow, thumb); Daniel Fells (hyperextended knee); Mardy Gilyard (sick); John Greco (pectoreal); Marquis Johnson (shoulder); Kevin Payne (lih, knee); George Selvie (leg); Phil Trautwein (knee); David Vobora (hamstring).

Keenan Burton is back in camp and practiced yesterday. Jerome Murphy's confirmed back in practice; he picked off Sam Bradford yesterday. Gilyard has been out sick two straight days and is the other addition besides Trautwein. Victor Adeyanju remains out with a knee issue.

Update: Brandon McRae participated in practice yesterday, confirmed by a fan report.

I get the bad feeling I won't know to take players off the list any more until they actually appear in a game, which is going to render this list kind of useless.

* Roster move: Dominic Douglas was waived injured and replaced on the roster by linebacker Devin Bishop. Yet another Cal defensive player? He goes 6'1", 239 and had 2 tackles in Denver's first preseason game against Cincinnati. He was cut prior to their second game so the Broncos could sign D.J. Williams' brother.

A less than charitable scouting report from NBCSports.com:
"Bishop started 9-of-25 games at Cal and finished his college career with a measly 2.5 sacks and 69 tackles. He never belonged in an NFL camp."

You also know you don't have a good chance at the pros out of college when you're not even named in the PFW Draft Guide, which lists 41 ILBs, or CDSDraft's player database, and they had a scouting report on Jermelle Cudjo.

Quick comparison: Bishop's Pro Day numbers vs. Josh Hull's Combine numbers:
40-yard dash: Bishop 4.81, Hull 4.91.
Bench press: Bishop 20, Hull 25.
Vertical jump: Bishop 30.5, Hull 32.5.
3-cone: Bishop 7.16, Hull 6.86.
20-yard shuttle: Bishop 4.26, Hull 4.07.

Besides his other unfavorable stats, Bishop also failed to force a turnover or even recover a fumble in his time at Cal. He failed to win the starting job at WLB there but had nine starts at MLB, at least, that's where I assume he played. He won the team's Most Courageous Player award, though, which says something for him. His brother Desmond is currently a Packers LB; their father played in the USFL. Devin is an American studies major who doesn't shape up to be much more than 4th-string MLB for the Rams. He'll probably spend about a week on the roster and be one of the five cuts the Rams have to make by next Tuesday to get down to 75.

* NFL owners all vote on Stan Kroenke's ownership bid for the Rams today. There's still a mishmash of reports out there on how this is going to go. Some say he's just becoming majority owner at 60% or 70% of the team; others say he's acquiring the full-blown 100%. All indicate his Denver teams will be transferred to family members.

"Hey, Josh. Look what Santa left behind for you."

"Aww, Dad! You shouldn't have! The Denver Nuggets!"

The NFL finance committee's recommendation was unanimous; I am eager to see if the full league vote is the same. I am eager to see how a certain string-tied owner of a team that failed miserably on the field here previously votes (though it's probably his son exercising the team's vote anyway). Said owner has voted NO on all St. Louis' football efforts since taking his team out of town with the promise he would do everything he could to help the city get another team.

No, I haven't forgotten.

* Around the league: Happened to see that David Roach was picked up by Detroit. They do love to grab up the Rams' waived players quickly. Update: And Brooks Foster may be appearing soon on an HBO channel near you; he was claimed by the Jets. Also, the owners vote today on whether to extend the regular season to 18 games, eliminating 2 preseason games, a proposal that'll have to be agreed to by the players if there ever is another CBA. I'm in the apparently 1% of fans against an 18-game season. The NFL's going to join the other major sports in having a season that just drags on too long. I assume training camp would start in mid-August and the Super Bowl would probably be played, when, President's Day weekend? An 18-game season also makes division play less and less relevant.

photos - StLouisRams.com, Cal athletics site

All systems go for Kroenke

The NFL Finance Committee has voted unanimously in favor of Stan Kroenke's bid to take over ownership of the Rams. The rest of the owners vote on the bid tomorrow, which should be a fait accompli given the committee's recommendation. Then again, this is ownership of a St. Louis football team we're talking about. Don't count on anything from the NFL where St. Louis is concerned unless you have it in writing and fifteen lawyers witnessed it.

Once Kroenke becomes the official owner, we'll then be able to clear up what percentage of the team he'll actually own, and what the heck he's doing (if anything) with his other sports holdings. As an NFL owner, he'll also get access to Jerry Jones' plastic surgeon and Al Davis' stash of crazy pills.

Rookie free agent profile: Danario Alexander, WR, Missouri

Danario Alexander, 6'5" 221
WR, Missouri

Rankings: 25th-ranked wide receiver by Pro Football Weekly. Six drafted wide receivers were ranked behind him. Graded as a 7th-round prospect with a better-than-average chance to make an NFL roster.
Scouts Inc. ranked him a late-round, "diamond-in-the-rough" prospect. 27th-ranked WR.
NFLDraftScout ranked him 46th at WR, 396th player overall.

Biography/Honors: Mizzou's all-time receiving yards leader with 2,778.
2009: Second-team All-America. First-team All-Big 12. 113 receptions for 1,781 yards (15.8 ypc), 14 TD. All three of those stats were single-season school receiving records. Led nation in receiving yards.
2008: 26 receptions for 329 yards (12.7 ypc), 5 TD.
2007: 37 receptions for 417 yards (11.3 ypc), 2 TD.
2006: 15 receptions for 251 yards (16.7 ypc), 1 TD.

Major: not listed.

Injuries:
2010: Injured left knee during Senior Bowl week. Had surgery in February to fix a cartilage defect. This was a separate issue from his ACL surgeries.
2008: Doctors had to go back into his left knee again in the spring after discovery that the original ACL graft had re-torn. Missed the first two games and was never really 100% the entire season.
2007: Missed three-plus games due to a wrist injury that required surgery. Tore ACL in left knee in Big 12 Championship Game, requiring surgery, and missed the Cotton Bowl.

Note: Alexander indicated at a press conference yesterday that his left knee has been operated on four times, though there's only media accounts for three that I could find.

Pro Day stats: Alexander reported a 4.4 40, 4.12 20-yard shuttle and 41.5" vertical leap at an open Pro Day in Houston at the end of July. February's knee surgery kept him out of the NFL Combine and any college pro days. Jacoby Ford was the only WR at the Combine to break 4.4. 41.5" would have tied the best vertical leap by a WR. His shuttle run would have been among the top times.

Positives: Would be one of the tallest receivers in the NFL. Smooth player with big frame that helps him get separation. Excellent size and body length. Finds soft spots in the zone well. Good concentration, catches well over his head and doesn't drop many. Strong hands. Adequate speed. Good jump-ball and red-zone threat, excellent leaper. Not afraid to go over the middle and does his best work over the middle. Can overpower defenders for YAC. Good field vision. High character player, mentally and physically tough. Very good blocker. Can develop into a possession receiver and red-zone threat for a WCO.

Negatives: Left knee has been operated on FOUR times, for sure two ACL re-constructions. Has little burst. Looked very uncomfortable against press coverage Senior Bowl week. Used to the clean breaks off the line he got playing in Mizzou's spread system. Looked stiff and wasn't physical enough to beat the jam. Also had a number of dropped passes that week and had difficulty with passes that weren't right to him. Takes too long to get up to top speed and in and out of breaks. Will struggle against tight man coverage in the pros. Fights the ball some, too frequently lets it get into his body, too frequently double-catches it. Has to improve route-running; telegraphs his moves. Won't outrun anybody for YAC. Won't make defenders miss.

Compares to: PFW says Marcus Monk, a 7th-round draft pick of the Bears two years ago. I would have said Malcom Floyd of the Chargers. (Did you know Malcom Floyd has a brother named Malcolm?)

Fun facts: Danario's nickname in high school was "Dust Mite," though he got it when he was a 105-pound freshman defensive back. He didn't crack the 6-foot-tall mark until his junior year. Danario's bad injury luck runs in the family. His brother Ali, also a wide receiver, broke his ankle at the start of his senior year of high school. OK, maybe that's not so much a "fun" fact. But did you know Malcom Floyd has a brother named Malcolm?

RamView: The Rams are trying to manage and downplay Alexander's expectations right off the bat, an effort I hope works. There is a ton of buzz around him locally because he played at Mizzou and is a big receiver coming off a highly-successful college season, and the Rams clearly need receivers. But. Alexander is obviously a huge injury risk. Also. While his Senior Bowl week injury woes are well-known, his struggles during practices there aren't. His draft stock was falling even before his most recent knee injury. He clearly has a lot of adjusting to do to attune to the pro game, and it's fair to say he won't do it in time for the home opener. This is where I wish the Rams coaching staff still had Charlie Baggett, who is terrific at developing big receivers. The good news, though, and why Alexander is still a savvy pick-up for the Rams: they'll have a year to get him up to speed, which I expect him to spend on the practice squad. If it took this long for the NFL just to sign Alexander for a training camp, none of the teams are going to risk the full-time roster spot it would take to steal him off the Rams' PS. I fear that St. Louis fans think they've got a 2010 starter in Alexander, as opposed to a 2010 practice-squad player. He's a fine signing, but for 2011.

Sources: Pro Football Weekly 2010 Draft Preview, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, University of Missouri athletics site, rotoworld.com, Columbia (Mo.) Examiner, FFToolbox.com, Scouts Inc., bleacherreport.com, Columbia Missourian, CNNSI.com, Pro Football Talk

Camp news, 8/24

(from local reports)

Today's schedule: the final practice before the Rams break training camp is today at 2:30. I assume it will run until 4:30.

Your new starting QB: Sam Bradford, though due to the schedule more than anything. The quick turnaround to the game Thursday in New England doesn't leave enough time for A.J. Feeley's injuries from the Cleveland game to heal up. I'm looking very forward to a REAL chance to see what the #1 pick's got. Good luck to Sam, and please turn him loose, coaching staff. They're reportedly scripting his first 15 plays, so we'll see how much they trust him.

My guess for those 15 scripted plays:
1. Handoff Jackson, middle
2. Handoff Jackson, right
3. Handoff Jackson, middle
4. Handoff Jackson, right
5. Handoff Jackson, middle
6. Handoff Jackson, left
7. Bubble screen to Jackson
8. Handoff Jackson, middle
9. 4-yard flare route to primary Fells, rest of receivers run 2-yard comebacks
10. Handoff Jackson, middle
11. Handoff Jackson, middle
12. Handoff Jackson, middle
13. Handoff Karney, middle
14. Handoff Ogbonnaya, middle
15. Smoke route to Avery

Injury list: Victor Adeyanju (lih, knee); Keenan Burton (family emergency); James Butler (knee); Dominic Douglas (hamstring); A.J. Feeley (elbow, thumb); Daniel Fells (hyperextended knee); John Greco (pectoreal); Marquis Johnson (shoulder); Brandon McRae (ankle); Jerome Murphy (lih, ankle); Kevin Payne (lih, knee); George Selvie (leg); David Vobora (hamstring).

I'll look for confirmation on the lih's; they're all three probably back on the field. Burton and Vobora are additions from yesterday. Mardy Gilyard was out yesterday due to illness.

Look for Douglas to be one of the roster moves the Rams make to get to the 75-man roster limit by August 31.

Around the league: Saw that the Redskins IR'ed Mike Furrey for the season due to a concussion. Thoughts and prayers for him and his family; Burton as well for his family emergency.

More to add when there's more to add. This will be the last camp news post, which I hope to transition now into a daily Rams news post, but that's very subject to the flow of news coming out and the time I'll have to wrestle it into a decent post.

Camp news, 8/23

(from local reports)

Today's schedule: one practice, from 2:30 - 4:30. Tomorrow's practice, the last one of camp, is also at 2:30.

Roster moves: The Rams signed Mizzou WR Danario Alexander last night; I'll try to get a RFA profile for him up this evening. IF Alexander's knees hold up, he could be a heck of a signing. Good luck to him; the Rams need all the WRs they can get, since Saturday night, they appeared to have none. Maybe Danny Amendola.

The team's expectations are just a little on the low side for Alexander, though. Billy Devaney says "If he [Alexander] can contribute some time this year - great." This year? The way this WR corps looked Saturday night, Jason Alexander could contribute this year. Another tell that the Rams may not rush Alexander along is who they cut to make way for him: Brooks Foster, who spent last year on I.R. Kind of makes you think they're just going to stash Alexander somewhere this year, whether I.R. or practice squad.

Injury updates: A.J. Feeley's the most notable one right now, with elbow and thumb injuries suffered in that UNCALLED late hit by Browns LB Chris Gocong Saturday night. His x-rays were negative, and he says he expects to start Thursday night against New England. The rest of Rams Nation seems pretty sure Sam Bradford will get the start. Guess we'll see. Dominic Douglas, Victor Adeyanju, Marquis Johnson and Daniel Fells incurred injuries during the game that were enough to slot them to day-to-day status.

Josh Brown's obviously off the list, having kicked 4 FGs Saturday night, though I'd be willing to put him back on it for a tired leg. Kevin Dockery and Justin King are expected to practice today and also come off the list. Jerome Murphy and Kevin Payne also have a chance to return to practice today, so the list will be updated as news filters out.

Injury list: Victor Adeyanju (ankle/knee); James Butler (knee); Dominic Douglas (hamstring); A.J. Feeley (elbow, thumb); Daniel Fells (hyperextended knee); John Greco (pectoreal); Marquis Johnson (shoulder); Brandon McRae (ankle); Jerome Murphy (ankle); Kevin Payne (knee); George Selvie (leg).

Anyone else starting to forget that Greco's even on the roster? How 'bout Butler?

Rookie free agent profile: Thaddeus Lewis, QB, Duke

Thaddeus Lewis, 6'0.5" 215

QB, Duke

Rankings: 21st-ranked QB by Pro Football Weekly, ahead of two QBs who were drafted. Graded out as a free agent and as a player who should make an NFL training camp.

26th-ranked QB by NFLDraftScout, 461st player overall.

20th-ranked QB by Draft Countdown.

Ranked by Consensus Draft Services (CDSDraft.com) as a 7th-round pick.

Biography/Honors: Duke career passing TDs and passing yards record holder. One of only two QBs in ACC history to finish career with more than 10,000 passing yards. (Philip Rivers is the other). Four-year starter.

2009: 2nd-team all-ACC. Davey O'Brien Award finalist (1 of 5). 274-449 (61%), 3,330 yards, 20 TD, 8 INT.

2008: 2nd-team all-ACC. 224-361 (62%), 2,171 yards, 15 TDs, 6 INT, 2 rushing TD. Set school record of 206 consecutive passes without an INT.

2007: ACC All-Academic Team. 199-360 (55.3%), 2,430 yards, 21 TDs, 10 INT. Threw for 428 yards and 4 TDs, and also ran for a TD, vs. Navy.

2006: 180-340 (52.9%), 2,134 yards, 11 TDs, 16 INT. Set Duke freshman record for passing yards. Threw for 305 yards vs. Wake Forest in his first collegiate start.

Major: sociology.

Injuries:

2009: Played through nagging ankle and hamstring injuries.

2008: Missed one game due to left ankle sprain.

2006: concussion.

Combine stats:

4.84 40-yard dash

28" vertical

Positives: Four-year starter, two under David Cutcliffe, who coached Peyton Manning in college. Moves well in pocket and shows good pocket awareness. Scrambling threat even without top-line speed. Throws well and is mechanically sound while on the move. Has quick release. Good accuracy on medium routes. Throws short/medium passes with zip. Nice touch on seam passes. Leads receivers well. Reads defenses well. Keeps his eyes downfield when the pocket collapses. Knows when to check down. Makes good decisions. Doesn't force throws. Experienced, coachable, durable, dual-threat QB.

Negatives: Technique, technique, technique. Throws all with his arms, doesn't step into his throws, doesn't snap his hips. Inaccurate and inconsistent on his short throws because he's lazy on his technique. Often throws too hard and too wide. Just average arm strength, accuracy and athleticism. Inconsistent accuracy on deep throws. More an aimer than a thrower. Has to gather himself for deep throws, and they hang. Has to prove he can make all the throws, especially deep outs, which he didn't really throw at Duke. Takes too many sacks. Short.

Compares to: Chase Daniel.

Fun facts: Thaddeus owns or shares 48 passing records at Duke. He was a two-time all-Dade County player in high school but was barely even recruited by the nearby University of Miami. Ken Dorsey is the only QB in Hurricanes history with better collegiate passing numbers than Lewis.

RamView: Bringing in one of the leading passers in the NCAA without using a draft pick was a mini-coup for the Rams. And after a decade of otherwise-excellent QBs who were statues in the pocket, it's good to see them finding QBs who can move. Lewis has shown good enough playing ability and coachability to be able to push Keith Null at QB3, but hasn't really done it, and observers note his continued accuracy problems with short passes. He's not without pluses, but Lewis is probably going to need an injury in front of him to stick on the Rams roster into September.

Sources: Pro Football Weekly 2010 Draft Guide, Wikipedia, About.com, WTCD-TV (Raleigh-Durham), Duke University athletics site, NFLDraftScout, CDSDraft.com, Sporting News, FFToolBox.com, NFLDraftBible, Miami Herald

Photo: ESPN.com

Rookie free agent profile: Keith Toston, RB, Oklahoma State

Keith Toston, 6'0" 213
RB, Oklahoma State

Rankings: 18th-ranked running back by Pro Football Weekly, ahead of two drafted RBs. Projected as a 7th-round pick and as having a better-than-average chance to make an NFL roster.
26th-ranked RB by NFLDraftScout, 347th player overall.
25th-ranked by Draft Countdown, with a "late round / FA" grade.

Biography/Honors:
2009: All-Big 12 first team. 1,218 yards on 227 carries (5.4 ypc) with 11 TDs, 25-261 receiving with 1 TD, in 13 games. 25 carries for 206 yards and 3 TDs against Iowa State. 30 carries for 172, 2 catches for 45, 2 TDs against Colorado.
2008: 686 yards on 102 carries (6.7 ypc) with 9 TDs. 8-68 receiving.
2007: 190 yards on 38 carries (5.0 ypc), 8-92 receiving, 1 TD in 11 games. Had only 7 carries in a 7-game span because of fumbling problems.
2006: 631 yards on 106 carries (6.0 ypc) with 6 TDs, 10-92 receiving with 2 TDs in 12 games, starting one.

Major: economics.

Injuries:
2008: Sprained left knee in fall practices. Did not finish one game due to stomach problem.
2007: Tore left ACL returning a kickoff, requiring season-ending surgery.

Combine/Pro Day stats:
4.70 40-yard dash (slow) at Combine; improved to 4.60 at pro day.
4.44 short shuttle at pro day
7.28 3-cone at pro day
32" vertical at Combine
8'11" broad jump at Combine (low)
22 bench presses at Combine (average)

Positives: Aggressive, hard-charging runner. Rarely taken down by first tackler and won't be arm-tackled. Physical between the tackles, runs hard and churns his legs. Terrific balance. Great patience and vision. Very agile and can pick his way through trash at the line. Good explosiveness; very quick first step. Gets to second level quickly. Runs at a good angle and doesn't take huge hits. Low center of gravity makes him hard to knock over. Has exceptional feet for his size and great lateral quickness. Has a spin move and a decent stiffarm. Catches passes downfield and protects the ball well. Willing blocker. Doesn't make negative plays; lost only 12 combined yards in 227 carries last year. Determined player with good football smarts.

Negatives: Just an average athlete who needed a lot of injuries in front of him to become a starter. There's the risk he's a one-year wonder. Tight-hipped. Doesn't sink his hips well and takes long strides, which gives him poor change-of-direction. Poor straight-line speed. Needs to get stronger and become a more physical blocker. Inconsistent at letting his blocks develop. Has had fumbling problems.

Compares to: Sammy Morris.

Fun facts: Keith's grandfather Elmo Birdow played pro football with the Richmond Rebels of the Continental Football League in the sixties. That league produced future NFL successes like Coy Bacon, Kenny Stabler, Otis Sistrunk and Bill Walsh. Keith's not just a running and receiving weapon; he threw a TD pass in the 2010 Cotton Bowl, OSU's only score against Ole Miss.

RamView: Pierre Thomas, Fred Jackson and Ahmad Bradshaw are plenty of proof that it doesn't take a high draft pick for a team to yield a top running back. The Rams front office certainly adheres to the idea - the team ended 2009 criminally thin at RB behind Steven Jackson, yet didn't address the issue in 2010 veteran free agency or the draft. They lucked out that the Big 12's first-team all-conference running back wasn't drafted, and now Keith Toston's here with as good a chance to become RB2 as anybody. Just like OkState, there's pretty much a void he can step into just by playing well and staying healthy. If he shows quality inside running and pass-catching out of the backfield, he's probably the team's 2nd-best back. Great opportunity for him, and another good free agent pickup by the team.

Sources: Pro Football Weekly 2010 Draft Guide, StLouisRams.com, Pro Football Talk, RookieDraft.com, Philadelphia Inquirer, FFToolbox.com, DraftCountdown.com (Scott Wright), boosterclubCFL.com, Wikipedia

Getty Images photo

Camp news, 8/20

(from local reports)

THE RAMS HAVE MADE IT THROUGH TWO CONSECUTIVE PRACTICES WITHOUT ANY NEW INJURIES. A new team record!

Expected to play Saturday night: Ron Bartell, Bradley Fletcher, and the actual starting offensive line, which I think has gotten to practice together a whole three or four times now. Jason Smith at RT, Jacob Bell at LG. Steven Jackson may get some carries. Josh Brown may do the kicking, but that's still up in the air.

Updates:
* Brown resumed kicking in practice yesterday but didn't attempt anything beyond 35 yards.
* Mardy Gilyard will play tomorrow night.
* The Belleville News-Democrat reported that George Selvie's leg injury is a muscle strain. Hooray for Old Media!

QB rotation Saturday night is expected to be similar to last week's. Feeley starts, Bradford gets the 2nd quarter and likely a series in the 3rd.

Camp news, 8/19

Schedule: one practice today, 8:15 - 10:30, and only two practices open to the public left now that Steve Spagnuolo has canceled two-a-days: 2:30 - 4:30 Monday and (updated) 2:30 - 4:00 Tuesday.

And, of course, the Rams play the Browns at 6:30 Saturday night. Steven Jackson is supposed to see some action in that game, and the starting offensive line is expected to play the first half-plus once again. No word just yet on the QB rotation, or the kicker situation. More than likely, Shaun Suisham will be back for that duty Saturday night.

Jackson, btw, now claims the team was "sluggish and tired, still beat up from training camp" when they lost miserably to Seattle to open last season. So he's happy Spagnuolo canceled last night's team meetings (as the result of a punt-fielding contest between the coordinators) and the rest of two-a-days.


Injury update: NO NEW INJURIES? THE TEAM GOT THROUGH AN ENTIRE PRACTICE WITHOUT ANYONE GETTING HURT?!?

(Ode to Joy)

The list: Josh Brown (hip); James Butler (knee); Kevin Dockery (hip); John Greco (pectoreal); Justin King (calf); Brandon McRae (ankle); Jerome Murphy (ankle); Kevin Payne (knee); George Selvie (leg).

Disappointing lack of local reporting on Selvie's leg injury. Should be known by now what's up there.

Update: The players I had in injured-last-I heard status were all back at practice yesterday as spotted in photos: Victor Adeyanju, Keenan Burton, Dominic Douglas, Kenneth Sims.

Camp news, 8/18

(from local media reports)

Today's schedule: single practice, 1:30 - 4:00. Odd time, and odd length, but that's what's on the schedule.

Roach clipped: In a bit of a surprise, safety David Roach was cut yesterday in favor of rookie free agent safety Brett Johnson of Cal. Johnson is already on his third team this year, after the Bills and Eggles. And, yes, that would be another free agent profile for my to-do list.

Injury update: Despite the abject panic of SOME people, Rodger Saffold didn't miss a thing yesterday after getting fallen on and slightly injured Monday night. Jacob Bell is back at left guard, so for the FIRST time this summer, the planned opening day offensive line got to practice together as a unit. You have about three weeks to "jell", men.

The list: Victor Adeyanju (knee); Josh Brown (hip); Keenan Burton (knee); James Butler (knee); Kevin Dockery (hip); Dominic Douglas (lih, shoulder); John Greco (pectoreal); Justin King (calf); Brandon McRae (ankle); Jerome Murphy (ankle); Kevin Payne (knee); George Selvie (leg); Kenneth Sims (hamstring).

Selvie and Payne are new injuries from yesterday. Selvie's leg has bothered him for a couple of weeks and he's getting it x-rayed today. Given this team's injury luck, you just know it's a stress fracture.

Craig Dahl was briefly on the list but didn't miss anything yesterday, so off he goes.

Fight club: The inevitable training camp fracases got into full swing yesterday with Gary Gibson taking on Hank Fraley. Steven Jackson mixed it up with Gibson later, and Chris Long and Billy Bajema may still have a beef, as they say. Methinks Gibson got just a little too feisty; Steve Spagnuolo sat him out of the second practice. Probably has something to do with getting in a shoving match with 95% of the team's offensive production.

Rookie free agent profile: Jermelle Cudjo, DT, Central Oklahoma

Jermelle Cudjo 6'2" 293

DT, Central Oklahoma

Ratings: 56th-ranked defensive tackle by Pro Football Weekly. Free agent grade. Rated as a player who could make an NFL training camp but would likely need time in a developmental league.

69th-ranked DT by NFLDraftScout.

Consensus Draft Services ranked Cudjo in the 6th round - undrafted free agent range.

Biography/Honors: Four-year starter.

Guess what all-star game Cudjo played in in 2010. That's right, THE CACTUS BOWL. He had four tackles, a sack and a forced fumble in the game.

2009: 58 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks.

2008: 60 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks.

2007: 47 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks.

2006: 33 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, starting all 11 games. Also had 0.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and SIX blocked kicks, three in one game vs. Southwestern Oklahoma State.

2005: Redshirted.

Major: general studies.

Injuries: none reported, though no one gets out of Rams training camp alive!

Pro Day Stats: (yes, Central Oklahoma actually hosted a Pro Day)

(Darell Scott's 2009 Combine figures for comparison in parentheses)

5.1 40-yard dash (4.92)

30-inch vertical (30.5)

8'8" broad jump (8'11")

4.58 short shuttle (4.84)

7.42 3-cone drill (8.28)

24 bench presses (29)

Positives: Mostly a 4-3 three-technique. Has enough size and a good enough work ethic to merit a look in the pros. Played well against the top D-II linemen. Intense competitor who was hard to contain at his level of competition. Pretty good run stopper and pocket penetrator. Has a knack for blocking kicks.

Negatives: Needs to improve quickness and strength. Needs to work on pass rush moves. May have problems holding his ground against NFL guards. Slightly overaged with limited upside.

Compares to: LaJuan Ramsey.

Fun Facts: Anybody can play in a BCS bowl; Jermelle has played in a Cactus Bowl and an Oil Bowl (a Texas-Oklahoma high school all-star game). The Cactus Bowl, btw, was played in Fargo, ND from 1994 to 2000 and was called the Snow Bowl. Fortunately, Fargo, yes, Fargo, has a domed stadium.

RamView: If you're a former Lone Star Conference player with kick-blocking skills, Uncle Ram Wants You. A little undersized but with a good motor, this DT with a small-school background and a last name out of Steven King should be easy to root for. If only it were that easy for him to make the team. Though he's flashed in camp and in the first preseason game, he's not going to beat out Cliff Ryan or Spagnuolo-favorite veterans Fred Robbins or Gary Gibson. So it's between him and Darell Scott, also a tough hill to climb, or hope Spagnuolo keeps 5 DTs on the roster (and doesn't count James Hall as one of them). Hopefully, Cudjo gets a chance to knock some people around on special teams and open some eyes. He could be a good practice squad stash in the event of d-line injuries, but I'm not sure about much more than that, though coaches and fans all love players who hustle.

Sources: Pro Football Weekly 2010 Draft Guide, StLouisRams.com, University of Central Oklahoma, NFL.com, NFLDraftScout.com, Wikipedia, Consensus Draft Services (CDSDraft.com)

Photo: University of Central Oklahoma

Camp news, 8/17

(from media reports)

Today's schedule: Unless they shut down training camp until the beginning of the season because the team's not going to survive it, two practices today: 8:15 - 10:30 this morning and 5:00 - 7:00 tonight.

New to the injury list: ROGER SAFFOLD (back). Somebody fell on him in practice yesterday. Your new starting LT is apparently Phil Trautwein. Is this team EVER going to get anything other than THE WORST INJURY LUCK POSSIBLE? The team does not sound worried about Saffold's injury, at the moment. Update: In fact, he's practicing this morning. So, never mind. Then again, it's with braces on both knees now. I thought he hurt his back...

Also hurt yesterday: Victor Adeyanju (knee), and Keenan Burton sat it out with swelling in his knee.

Update: sitting out today: Oh great: George Selvie with a leg injury. Also Kevin Payne with a knee problem.

Back on the field: C.J. Ah You, Bradley Fletcher, Brandon Gibson and Mardy Gilyard are all at least participating in drills.

Updated list: Adeyanju (knee); Jacob Bell (very close to returning, oblique); Josh Brown (hip); Burton (knee); James Butler (knee); Kevin Dockery (hip); John Greco (pectoreal); Justin King (calf); Brandon McRae (ankle); Jerome Murphy (ankle); Kenneth Sims (hamstring). Status unknown: Craig Dahl (knee), Dominic Douglas (shoulder). Update: Bell saw limited action today.

Transactions: The Rams re-acquired DB Marcus Brown, who was on the practice squad here part of last season. Shaun Suisham was released to make room for Brown but has a very good chance of returning to the roster to kick in Cleveland Saturday night.

Max-Sam-izing: Sam Bradford is now splitting first- and second-string reps evenly with A.J. Feeley.

Around the league: Aaron Schobel announced his retirement yesterday, and apparently had been leaning that way for a while now, explaining the lack of interest around the league in a DE who had 10 sacks last season. Adewale Ogunleye, still unsigned, worked out for New England a couple of weeks ago.

And, of course, ESPN got it completely wrong with Brian Westbrook, who signed with the 49ers late yesterday afternoon.

More to add when there's more to add.

Nice work, ESPN

Brian Westbrook has chosen to take his talents to the Castro District, NOT St. Louis, as John Clayton began reporting this past weekend. And just like LeBron did to go to South Beach, he took less money to do it. The Rams had offered more.

That's been some great work by ESPN this summer, huh? The Rams are signing T.O.! No, they're not. The Rams are signing Westbrook! No, they're not.

What good is ESPN any more? Especially when a moron blogger from Illinois farm country can get an NFL story more right then a senior writer with 30-plus years experience who's turned into little more than a rumormonger hoping to get lucky every now and then. (Remember when he said the Rams were interested in Plaxico Burress?)

I'd take anything I hear on ESPN about the Rams with a John-Clayton's-forehead-sized grain of salt from now on.

Exciting news for Kenneth Darby, though.

Camp news, 8/16

(from local media reports)

Today's schedule: single practice from 2:30 - 4:30.

Injury list: Expected to return to practice this week: C.J. Ah You (hamstring); Jacob Bell (oblique); Bradley Fletcher (knee); Brandon Gibson (hamstring); Mardy Gilyard (arm/wrist). Welcome back.

Still out: Josh Brown (hip); James Butler (knee); John Greco (pectoreal); Justin King (calf); Eugene Sims (hamstring).

Joining the list: Jerome Murphy and Brandon McRae sprained ankles Saturday night and will miss 1-2 weeks. Craig Dahl (knee), Kevin Dockery (hip pointer) and Dominic Douglas (shoulder) are all day-to-day with injuries from the game.

Off the list because they played Saturday night: Hank Fraley, Marquis Johnson (unfortunately), Ryan McKee, Kevin Payne.

Just happy to still be alive: Sam Bradford.

The Mini-Decision: Brian Westbrook is expected to announce today where he's going to play this season. Any answer is fine with me other than "I'm taking my talents to South Beach."

Around the league: Torry Holt was IRed yesterday by the Patriots due to a knee injury. You know, if this turns out to be it for Torry, it would be possible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame to induct him, Isaac Bruce, Kurt Warner and Orlando Pace all in the same class. C'mon, let's make it a party.

Heh, Pace will probably hold out anyway.

Westbrook to Rams?

And now for some classic third-hand blogging...

Mike Sando (ESPN.com) tweeted today that John Clayton (ESPN) says that Brian Westbrook is "likely" to sign with the Rams Monday. This is a mild surprise (to me) because San Francisco figured to be an interested bidder for Westbrook after Glen Coffee's shocking retirement announcement earlier this week.

If the Rams do come up with Westbrook, though, and he's healthy, (MAJOR IF), wow, would they have themselves a fine third-down type back and credible RB who can take the load if Jackson goes down.

Unless you take this as a sign that there are sudden doubts about Jackson's back, which I don't, this ranks as exciting news for everybody at Rams Park. Not named Kenneth Darby.

Camp news, 8/13

(from local media reports)

Today's schedule: no practices are scheduled until Monday that are open to the public. There is a whole practice game, though, tomorrow night at the Dome vs. the Vikings. Naturally, I'll be all over that.

Here's the kicker: The team quit screwing around and signed Shaun Suisham to kick until Josh Brown comes back from a hip injury. TE Eric Butler was released. I know I had Suisham on my list of kicking prospects yesterday, but I'm surprised such a veteran kicker is coming on for a supposed 1- or 2-week stint. At a minimum, he's probably the best guy out there to have around in case Brown has any kind of setback. Meanwhile, Butler was reportedly on the shelf the last week with a shoulder problem but no one in the local media bothered to report it until he was cut. Nice. Thanks for that. Well, he's off the injured list now.

Injury list: Kenneth Darby has returned to practice. Cliff Ryan indeed missed limited time yesterday. Jason Smith is likely to play tomorrow night now, which had not been expected. Positive development. Ron Bartell and Bradley Fletcher are not likely for this week but should play next week. The list: C.J. Ah You (lih, hamstring); Jacob Bell (oblique); Josh Brown (hip); James Butler (knee); Bradley Fletcher (knee); Hank Fraley (lih, knee); Brandon Gibson (lih, hamstring); Mardy Gilyard (arm/wrist); John Greco (pectoreal); Marquis Johnson (knee); Justin King (calf); Ryan McKee (lih, back); Kevin Payne (lih, quad); Eugene Sims (lih, hamstring). Good to see this list is finally getting a little under control.

Interesting stuff I learned from the NFL transactions page

Not about anyone or anything in particular...

* DOOZER is back in the NFL! He was signed by the Jagwires last Sunday. Leger Douzable has already been cut three times this summer, by the Rams, Lions and Bills. At least he's racking up some frequent-flyer miles.

* Speaking of ex-Bills, they've cut Aaron Schobel, who would be a significant pickup for a certain team I know that almost absolutely lacks pass rush. He'll be 33 in a couple of weeks, but he had 10 sacks last year. James Hall's had 11, and Chris Long's had 9, the last TWO years. (Hall is 33-and-a-half, btw.) Adewale Ogunleye's still available, too, if anybody with a certain team I know would be interested in improving their pass rush. At all.

* Jevon Snead didn't even make it into August in the NFL. Tampa cut him last month. Talk about a player who fell in a hurry. If he had come out as a junior, draftniks were talking about him as a top-10 pick. Lesson: Always advise your kid to go pro if it's a legitimate option for him. Staying in school cost Snead millions of dollars. And it's not like he was staying at Northwestern; he stayed at Ole Miss.

* Here's a shock: Joe Klopfenstein out for the season in Buffalo. I'm going to ask for Scott Linehan's advice before every fantasy football draft pick I make this year, and then avoid that guy like the plague, because he's guaranteed to be hurt all the time if Linehan likes him. Seriously, Klopfenstein? Brian Leonard? Adam Carriker? Tye Hill? Mark Setterstrom? How many Linehan picks ever even stayed on the field? And though 2008 was a Billy Devaney draft, Donnie Avery? Keenan Burton? Getting drafted by Linehan is a curse of almost-certain doom.

* July 19th will go down in history as the date Eddie Kennison reluctantly hung up his spikes. Fast Eddie even signed a 1-day contract with Kansas City so he could retire as a Chief. What, their time together was that special? I'm sure that was a tearful event. My favorite part was when the Chiefs representative tried to hand Eddie the microphone, but hit him in the chest with it and it fell to the ground. (If only.)

* Hollis Thomas, briefly a Ram last year before going to Carolina, where Panther radio announcers described him in their all-white home uniform one game as looking like "a 300-pound bag of flour wearing shoes," got an EIGHT-game suspension this season for violating the league policy on performance-enhancing drugs. Of all the people - Hollis Thomas? I figured his idea of PEDs were Whoppers, Twinkies and KFC Double-Downs.

* Some where-are-they-nows:

- former Rams training camp o-lineman Donovan Raiola, now in Tampa.

- Marques Hagans, Linehan's lame attempt to develop a "Slash"-type player, was cut in

Washington.

- Brannon Condren, briefly in camp and the Rams practice squad last year, cut by the Jets.

- Cord Parks was picked up by the Seahawks after being cut by the Vikings. He'll be a CB.

- Mike Furrey signed with the Redskins and is giving WR a go again. I assume he was cut in

Cleveland; he spent some time on the Raiders roster after that.

- Randy McMichael's been with the Chargers for some time now. Well, behind Antonio Gates,

he doesn't figure to see that many passes to drop.

Phew, that'll be about enough of that.

Doozer logo from closinglogos.com

Camp news, 8/12

(from local media reports)

Today's schedule: one practice, 2:00 - 4:00. Practice will not be open to the public again until the 16th (Monday). Preseason game 1 vs. the Vikings starts Saturday night at 7:00 at the Edward Jones Dome.

Update: today's practice wasn't open to the public, either. It was moved inside due to the ridiculous St. Louis heat.

Injuries: thankfully, not much new to report. Ron Bartell is participating in 11-on-11 again so he is coming off the list, though I doubt he'll play Saturday night. Cliff Ryan left yesterday morning's practice with a slight calf injury but may not miss any time with it.

The list: C.J. Ah You (hamstring); Jacob Bell (oblique); Josh Brown (hip); James Butler (knee); Kenneth Darby (hamstring); Bradley Fletcher (lih, knee); Hank Fraley (knee, close to full-go); Brandon Gibson (lih, hamstring); Mardy Gilyard (arm/wrist); John Greco (pectoreal); Marquis Johnson (lih, knee); Justin King (calf); Ryan McKee (lih, back); Kevin Payne (lih, quad); Eugene Sims (hamstring).

(Heh, I've been calling Eugene Sims "Kenneth" all week. Sorry.)

Again, "lih" means "last I heard"; I'm using it to tag players who have been reported injured by "real" reporters and drop off of the injury lists of "real" reporters with no confirmation that they've actually returned to the field.

Ain't that a kick: At this moment, because Josh Brown's hurt, the kicker or kickers Saturday night are still scheduled to be Jordan Kent and Laurent Robinson or Daniel Fells. Steve Spagnuolo needs to quit being a damn idiot about this and get an actual kicker in camp. You're not going to get a good feel for your kickoff coverage with a sixth-string wide receiver kicking knuckleballs. And as for Robinson and Fells, remember what happened the time Jose Canseco tried pitching? With the injury history of those two, I predict the opening kickoff Saturday night will start with one of them going down like they've been shot.

Quit being stupid, Coach. Surely the team can afford to be without Joe Gibbs or Tim Mattran for a couple of days. There are plenty of kickers, um, kicking around out there. All you need is NFL.com's transaction page and Google to unearth some prospects, most of whom were cut earlier this summer:

* Delbert Alvarado (Cowboys, they'll love him, he's another U of South Florida guy), Connor Hughes (also Cowboys, apparently they can find kickers), Justin Medlock (Lions), Shaun Suisham (everybody), Piotr Czech (Steelers, not Chelsea), Sam Swank (they'll love him, ex-Giant). And as for rookies, Leigh Tiffin of Alabama appears to be available; he was PFW's top-rated kicker this past draft, though the Browns have already cut him this year. Mike Salerno of Northern Illinois was in the Bears' rookie camp; you can call him Saturday morning and he can drive down in time for the game! I don't even care if none of these guys can hit the broad side of a barn attempting field goals. I'm just looking for somebody who can kick off.

I would go after Czech because he's supposed to have a really good leg, but whoever the Rams sign, just sign somebody who actually kicks for a living. Quit being stupid.

* New color man: Far be it from local TV coverage to keep the same color man in the booth two years in a row. Aeneas Williams will get a turn this year starting Saturday night. He follows Trent Green, Roland Williams, D'Marco Farr, Rickey Proehl and Jackie Slater. Farr did do it for two seasons. I assume Martin Kilcoyne's still handling play-by-play, and at the rate they're going through former GSOE Rams, he'll be doing it alongside Nate Hobgood-Chittick in a couple of years. Also, pray that Ed Hochuli isn't doing any of our preseason games. I don't need Kilcoyne man-crushing on the referee for three hours.

Photo: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Camp news, 8/11

(from local media reports)

This just in from 101.1 ESPN: tonight's practice has been canceled.

Today's schedule: two practices, 8:15 - 10:30 a.m. and 6:15 - 8:00 p.m. Stormy weather sent most of yesterday's afternoon practice inside.

Injuries: Don't look now, but there are actually players coming off the injury list! James Hall and Fred Robbins have returned to action. Keith Toston and Na'il Diggs are also full practice participants. In fact, Diggs blasted Toston's helmet off on one play yesterday, and Toston bounced right back up (CBS Sports Rapid Report). And Ron Bartell (!) and Hank Fraley are apparently close to returning to full-go status. Update: Darell Scott, too, as of Wednesday afternoon.

I pulled Jason Smith off the list, and he has been taking reps as the starter at right tackle, but Steve Spagnuolo continues to describe his status as day-to-day, with not much of a chance of playing in Saturday night's game. Huh.

Update: Cliff Ryan had a mild calf injury Wednesday afternoon but may not even miss the night practice.

The list: (now alphabetized!) C.J. Ah You (hamstring); Ron Bartell (ankle, close to full-go); Jacob Bell (oblique); Josh Brown (hip); James Butler (knee); Kenneth Darby (hamstring); Bradley Fletcher (knee); Hank Fraley (knee, close to full-go); Brandon Gibson (hamstring); Mardy Gilyard (arm/wrist); John Greco (pectoreal); Marquis Johnson (lih, knee); Justin King (calf); Ryan McKee (lih, back); Kevin Payne (lih, quad); Eugene Sims (hamstring).

QB rotation Saturday: Per a Jim Thomas chat yesterday: A.J. Feeley the first two series, then Sam Bradford for the rest of the first half and possibly into the 3rd quarter.

Kicks and twists: Laurent Robinson joined Jordan Kent as provisional kicker until the Rams sign a real one to fill in for Josh Brown. At least, I think they're going to.

And Pat Shurmur has broken out the trick plays. The Rams ran some Wildcat yesterday, though I'm sure they're like every other team that has copied the idea from the Dolphins (though it's not like Miami invented it) and given it their own different name. Probably the "Mad Cow" or something.

The NFL's TV policy is still stupid: Saturday night's game against the Vikings will likely have to be shown on delay (KTVI-2, 10:30 p.m.) because it's not going to come close to selling out. That's right, preseason games can't air live on local TV unless they sell out.

You know, if these morons are really planning to allow some kind of labor action to happen that's going to f*ck the 2011 season anyway, the least they could do is bring their TV policy into the late-20th century while they're at it. The TV contract is where NFL teams have made the most money since before most of today's players were in diapers, can we un-clench a little where blackouts are concerned? The blackout policy ceased to be in step with its original intent long ago, let alone current economic reality (i.e., when nobody can afford tickets, there are going to be a hell of a lot of blackouts around the league).

Furthermore, the blackout policy is another competitive disadvantage for a rebuilding team like the Rams. It disincentivizes fans from buying tickets. Why plunk $80 on a team that went 1-15 last year when I can stay home and watch the Cowboys play the Packers? Not that I would do that, but it's a very economically logical decision.

Make TV blackouts extinct now, Roger Goodell. They've been obsolete for decades.

Rookie free agent preview: Jamie McCoy, FB, Texas A&M

Jamie McCoy, 6'3" 242

FB, Texas A&M

Ratings: 29th-ranked tight end by Pro Football Weekly, free agent-grade. Rated as a player who should make an NFL training camp.

12th-ranked fullback by NFLDraftScout, 478th player overall. Free agent-grade.

Also ranked 12th at fullback by Scout.com. Priority free-agent grade. Didn't show enough potential to warrant a draft grade but is worthy of a shot to compete during training camp.

Biography/Honors:

2009: Second-team all-Big 12. 35 catches for 367 yards and 2 TD, 11 carries for 80 yards in 12 starts.

2008: Converted to TE/H-back. 43 catches for 500 yards and 5 TD.

2007: Worked at WR. No stats.

2006: played 3 games at QB. (McCoy was an option QB in high school.) 6 rushes for 68 yards and a TD.

Major: Agricultural leadership and development.

Injuries: none reported.

Pro Day stats:

4.56 40-yard dash

7.11 3-cone drill

23 bench presses

9'10" broad jump

35" vertical leap

McCoy's 40 time would have been 2nd-best among TEs at the Combine behind Dorin Dickerson.

He would have ranked among the top performers in the other drills.

Positives: Excellent athlete, versatile football player (played TE, WR, QB and special teams at A&M) and natural H-back. Good football smarts, knows what everybody's doing on a given play. Good at reading defenses and picking up blitzers. Has size, speed and athleticism to excel as a fullback. Doesn't shy from contact. Physical inside runner with good burst and vision. Stays low, explodes into defenders, runs well after contact. Could succeed as a short-yardage / goal-line specialist. Quick off the snap. TE experience in college should make him a good receiver. A&M called him a dangerous pass-catching threat. Can make the difficult catch over the middle. Has soft hands, catches away from his body and has speed to challenge defenders in the open. Competer with an intriguing skill set. Multiple analysts thought he would be a draft day steal and folks who follow the A&M program were very high on his pro prospects.

Negatives: Needs work at blocking. Needs to improve strength and stamina. A project with little experience at his pro position, or with the physical nature of the position. Size and skills-wise, he's caught in that no-man's land between fullback and tight end.

Compares to: Kris Wilson of the Chiefs.

Fun facts: Iowa State won't miss the McCoy brothers when they're out of school. Jamie and his younger brother Terrence, a wide receiver, combined for 13 catches, 177 yards and 2 TDs in a 49-35 Texas A&M win over the Cyclones two years ago. Jamie McCoy's a more common name than you might think: Memphis has a sophomore offensive lineman named Jamie McCoy. UNLV has a soccer player named Jamie McCoy. Women's soccer.

RamView: Jamie McCoy seems to be the player the NFL invented the practice squad for, an excellent athlete who needs seasoning to grow into a position. RamView was fine with Mike Karney's performance last season, but a lot of people, seemingly including the Rams, expected more from the fullback position, especially in the passing game. McCoy has credibility as a receiver but needs time to get the feel of the pro game as a blocker, though he has good history already at an important part of that game, picking up blitzers. If the Rams can stash him on the practice squad, beef him up a little and get him up to par as a blocker, they may have a player ready-made to step in when Karney's contract runs out. Another nice free-agent pickup for the Rams, and a project pick RamView understands, for a change.

Sources: Pro Football Weekly 2010 Draft Guide, StLouisRams.com, Texas A&M, Memphis and UNLV athletic sites, ESPN.com, 1stDownScouting, NFLDraftScout, SBNation, Philadelphia Inquirer, AggieSports.com, NFL.com

Associated Press photo

Rookie free agent preview: Darian Stewart, SS, South Carolina

Darian Stewart, 5'11" 216

SS, South Carolina

Rankings: 7th-ranked strong safety by Pro Football Weekly and 123rd-ranked player overall. Had a mid-fourth-round grade. Rated as a better-than-average chance of making an NFL roster.

NFLDraftScout ranked him 7th at SS, 187th overall and projected him as a 6th-rounder.

Scout.com ranked him 11th at safety and projected him as a 4th-rounder.

Biography/honors: Three-year starter.

2009: 58 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 3 pass break-ups, 1 forced fumble in 13 starts at strong safety.

2008: 64 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 8 pass break-ups, 2 forced fumbles, 2 sacks in 13 starts at "spur".

2007: 68 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 7 pass break-ups, 2 INTs, 2 forced fumbles in 12 games at free safety, with 10 starts.

2006: 7 tackles as a reserve and special teams player in 12 games. No starts.

Major: retailing. From this interview, I'll assume that's with an emphasis on fashion merchandising. USC has a College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management.

Injuries:

2009: Battled stingers all season.

2008: Minor foot injury before season started; did not miss a game.

2007: Didn't start in one game because of a sprained knee.

Combine/Pro Day Stats:

4.55 40 (Combine, worse than average time)

4.18 short shuttle (Pro day)

6.89 3-cone drill (Pro day)

12 bench presses (Combine, near the bottom)

37" vertical leap (Combine, middle of the pack)

10'2" broad jump (Combine, middle of the pack)

Positives: Versatile, played multiple positions on defense and played special teams. Physical hitter, excellent tackler, excellent in pass coverage. Could be a standout special teams player. Good bulk and arm length allows him to re-route receivers effectively. Covers short passes very well and can stay with backs or slot receivers. Doesn't give up those swing passes to the fullback the Rams have always given up for 15 yards on 3rd-and-12. Closes on the ball fast. Good straight-line speed. Aggressive run supporter, but is disciplined in his assignments and takes good angles. Blew up a couple of Dexter McCluster crazy runs simply by being where he was supposed to be. Has surprisingly quick feet and good range in pursuit. Solid reactor who can jump a route. Competer who plays to the whistle. "Spur" back at South Carolina had to be strong enough to defend the run and fast enough to cover TEs and slot receivers.

Negatives: Doesn't intercept a lot of passes (which means he will fit in with the Rams secondary PERFECTLY), and his stats seemed to decline every year. Probably best-suited to play in the box: he lacks great agility and quickness, might be a liability in man coverage and doesn't have great ball skills. Doesn't always come down with catchable interceptions; isn't great at coming down with ball in traffic. Lacks ideal height or sideline-to-sideline burst. Only finished 12 bench presses at the Combine. Will sometimes shoulder-block ballcarriers instead of wrapping up. A tweener who isn't a possibility to convert to corner; he's even said the corner position is not for him.

Compares to: Al Afalava of the Bears.

Fun Facts: Stewart's a fashion hound who says his favorite stores are urban stores like... Dillard's. DILLARD'S? He calls himself a big-time shoe fanatic and a good soul food cook. He went to the same high school as Texans DT Amobi Okoye and actress Kim Dickens, which I have to mention because she was in Deadwood, which was awesome.

RamView: Darian Stewart's one of those guys you look up the Monday after the draft and wonder how the heck he wasn't picked. He's got a lot of qualities a lot of NFL teams could use. Hence the mid-round draft projections by many anaylsts. But he's doomed with the "in-the-box safety" tag, and the correspondingly dismal draft prospects that came with it. He comes to a Rams team where safety is a rare position of depth, and has been injured most of camp, a handicap a player auditioning as a physical safety cannot afford. Good value pickup by the Rams' front office, but unless Stewart can get fit quickly and beat out someone like David Roach on special teams, his chances are going to be tough.

Sources: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Pro Football Weekly 2010 Draft Guide, The State (Columbia, SC), Wikipedia, NFLDraftScout.com, University of South Carolina, IMG Academies, YouTube, NFL.com, ESPN.com

Photo from IMGAcademies.com