Steve Spagnuolo bounded off the practice fields Thursday morning full of energy after his first training-camp practice as the St. Louis Rams’ head coach. “Great day, a great day to be playing football,” Spagnuolo gushed. “I would imagine all the way around the country in this league, everybody’s fired-up to get going football-wise.”

About half the 80-man roster — rookies, quarterbacks and selected veterans — was on hand for the 1-hour 15-minute workout under sunny skies at Rams Park. Tackle Jason Smith, the team’s first-round draft pick, was not among them as his representatives continue to work on completing a contract with the Rams.

Quick observations:

*The players wore shorts and shells (light shoulder pads).

*WR/returner Derek Stanley took part in all the drills. Stanley was limited in the offseason program after undergoing end-of-season knee surgery.

*Although Marc Bulger and Kyle Boller were on hand, Brock Berlin and rookie Keith Null took nearly all the reps at QB in team drills.

*Rookie LB James Laurinaitis showed his enthusiasm early, taking down RB Chris Ogbonnaya during a drill that ostensibly was to include no tackling.

*DT Hollis Thomas was on the field with his new team, in his hometown. Thomas, signed Wednesday as a free-agent, is a Sumner High product.

*Spagnuolo moved around quite a bit between the units. “My eyes are everywhere,” he said.

*WR Sean Walker made a nice catch in traffic in the end zone during 7-on-7 work.

*S David Roach picked off a pass by Null, also in the end zone.

All for now . . . more following the afternoon practice.