Don’t count out the St. Louis Rams, new center Brown warns
Don’t tell Rams center Jason Brown that just because the Rams have been mired at the bottom of the NFC West the past two years they can’t soar to the top this season. After all, Brown has seen it before.
He was with the Ravens in 2007, when they were 5-11 and finished last in the AFC North. Then last season, with a new coach (John Harbaugh) and a rookie quarterback (Joe Flacco), the Ravens went 11-5 and made the playoffs.
The Rams also have a new coach in Steve Spagnuolo, and Brown, an offseason pickup, senses a winning atmosphere building at Rams Park.
“In Baltimore you had some big-name guys, Ray Lewis, Bart Scott, Todd Heap, we had Jamaal Lewis there, ‘Prime Time’ Deion Sanders his last year in the league. And it’s very different” here, Brown said Thursday at minicamp. “I feel more of a sense of humility here. Don’t get me wrong, we have a team filled with talent, but we’re hungry. There’s a ton of humility and (we’re) definitely buying into the new coaching staff. And that’s where a lot of the enthusiasm has started with Coach ‘Spags’ coming in.
“When I had my free-agent visit here, I could just feel the enthusiasm. It starts with the head coach and then him bringing in a great group of assistant coaches. Then he brought in myself and some other guys in free agency and then the rest of the younger guys, a great rookie class and just building it with a foundation of work ethic, discipline and knowing that we’re going to come together and we’re going to achieve our accomplishments as a team.”
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Notes & quotes:
*Quinton Culberson took some reps at weakside LB. He’s been used mostly on the strongside during his two seasons with the Rams.
*Rookie CB Bradley Fletcher and safety Craig Dahl had interceptions in team drills.
*Spagnuolo again had referees on the field, looking for infractions.
*QB Kyle Boller’s right arm is a gun. Obviously he’s fully recovered from the shoulder surgery he had last September.
*Nate Jones took a few reps with the first unit in multi-WR sets.
*RB Steven Jackson reports that he’s “much stronger” after working with new strength coach Rock Gullickson.
*Under new defensive coordinator Ken Flajole, the CBs will “press” the WRs at the line of scrimmage more often. That, in turn, will benefit the safeties, Oshiomogho Atogwe pointed out. ““It takes a little bit of the speed out of it, allowing us to expand our vision and kind of feel things more than if the receivers are right up in your face,” he explained.
*Minicamp continues with two more practices Friday.
All for now . . .
Good to hear about Kyle Boller’s shoulder. Shortly after he arrived, he quietly slipped into the media’s background - which is not a bad thing for someone wanting to start over with a new team. However, I think he has the potential to take over the starting QB job - and really impress people - should Marc Bulger falter this season (and I really don’t know what to anticipate from Bulger anymore). I think before the season end’s, Boller will be the Rams’ QB - and will have earned it by performance.
Lets go Bradley Fletcher!! My prediction…. ROOKIE of the YEAR!!
I still love that we have a strentgh coach named Rock.
I THINK WE SHOULD START KYLE OVER BULGER. GOOD TO HEAR OUR CB’S ARE CATCHING THE INT’S CAUSE WE ARE THE BEST AT DROPPING THEM. ANOTHER THING I THINK ELLIS FROM THE COWBOYS WOULD BE A GOOD PICKUP SINCE WE PASSED ON CURRY AND WE DON’T HAVE A LOT OF SIZE AT THE LB SPOT. I SEEN THAT SOMEONE PICKED UP COREY IVY I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO SEE HIM BACK HERE.
Knine, I’m not sure if Greg Ellis would fit in our system. He is a converted defensive end and more of a 3-4 OLB. We have a 4-3 based defense.
Three unsigned free agents that I’d like to see the Rams go after - if cap allows:
Terrell Suggs
DeShaun Foster
Antonio Bryant
Are these three all asking for the moon - any shot at signing one or more?
Thanks
Uh-oh! Looks like I’m inclined tojoin the, “Hey, LET’S SIGN…,(!)” CLUB!
I didn’t know Terell Suggs, was available. Anyone have info?
suggs and bryant were franchised by baltimore and tampa bay respectively. foster is available. i would like to see slb washington and wr porter added to the mix!
exciting time of year for rams’ fans! we’re tied for 1st!!
suggs would rock! but larambunc, get real with porter. the guy cant catch a cold. spags is on the right track. our D will be way better clearly. i think the est is up for grabs & no reason we cant’t take it. i’d like to see a veteran wr on the team. we should have kept holt!! $2million is nothing. let’s get marvin harrison or someone with more than a year of experience. go rams!!!!
Wow, you got quite a center in Jason Brown. I was so sad to see him leave, but as good of a pick up as he was, unfortunately I can’t say the same thing about Kyle Boller. I love watching him throw the deep ball because he has quite an arm, but I have to admit I cringe everytime he holds the ball. He can take a hit…boy can he! Having Steelers continually attacking him, gotta give him credit for getting back up, but expect many…many…INTs and overthrown balls.