Coach Bradford works out his team

The NFL lockout has prohibited coaches from running normal OTAs with their players this offseason, but the Rams have the next best thing: Coach Sam Bradford. Bradford got a playbook during the couple of days the lockout was lifted last month and spent his downtime mastering the thing.

With Bradford, James Laurinaitis and Ron Bartell taking the lead, the Rams' offseason activities have evolved from practices and workouts scattered around the country to full-blown practices at Lindenwood University this week, with as many as 35 players in attendance. The wide receivers got partial playbooks while the lockout was lifted, and Coach Bradford has been installing the offense. Danario Alexander says Bradford already knows the playbook like the back of his hand.

You know, when I argued for drafting Ndamukong Suh in 2009, nobody told me Bradford was going to turn into Peyton Manning. OK, Matt Ryan, at least. Sam's proving to be a smart, smart QB and an excellent leader. And let's not sell Bartell or Laurinaitis short on the leadership side - there was plenty of concern there'd be a leadership vacuum on D after OJ Atogwe signed with the Redskins. They've filled it right up, despite the lockout.

The Rams aren't unique in that they've been able to get players together for workouts, and they're not immune from problems the lockout is going to cause. But by God they're doing everything they can to prevent the lockout from being a problem. These days of truly voluntary practices are only going to help this team this season. They're the picture of team unity and they've got a leg up on installing the new offense even without having Josh McDaniels there to guide them.

That whole "Four Pillars" thing? Looks like it's paying off.

(It also can't hurt a bit that the Rams are getting help from two former players making coaching cameos. Torry Holt has been coaching up the receivers, and Corey Chavous has been working with the DBs. Chavous had his flaws here as a player but no one ever questioned his leadership skills, and he was called "another coach on the field" by many. Whoever's putting these practices together is doing a heck of a job.)

Another news item from this week's practices: Rams teammates say Donnie Avery looks great and is back to full speed. Avery can be an ideal WR for the new system if the light comes on for him. Let's hope this week is the first step toward the switch. These workouts give him opportunities to work with Bradford and learn the offense that free agent Mark Clayton doesn't have, and chemistry with Bradford appears to be Avery's biggest shortcoming in comparison to Clayton.

(On a more frustrating note: one of the very few of the wide receivers NOT to show up this week? Mardy Gilyard. Not like he needs all the extra work he can get or anything. Good luck in the UFL, bud.)

-$$$-