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09.24.2009 5:56 pm

Jason Smith aside, Rams in pretty good health

St. Louis Post-Dispatch
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Center Jason Brown (knee), offensive guard John Greco (wrist), safety Craig Dahl (hamstring), and safety David Roach (groin) all were upgraded to “full participation” status on the Rams’ official injury report Thursday.

It looks like Dahl, who showed aggression and tackling ability early in training camp before his injury, will make his regular-season debut for the Rams Sunday against Green Bay.

“He’s a very bright, intelligent kid,” defensive coordinator Ken Flajole said. “So he understands what we’re doing. . . .I think he feels like (the hamstring) it’s resolved. I guess you never really know until you get out and you turn it loose.”

Before the injury, Dahl was being used as a nickel linebacker with the first-team defense, giving the Rams a little more speed in their back seven on obvious passing downs.

Right tackle Jason Smith, who will miss a game or two with a sprained left knee, once again did not participate in practice.

* No more tape: QB Marc Bulger went from having his broken pinky finger taped to his ring finger, to having only the knuckle taped on the pinky. But on Thursday in practice, he did not have the finger taped at all.

* Two-way Parks: Practice squad cornerback Cord Parks has been switched to wide receiver. Parks is still getting a little work on defense in practice, but has been attending the wide receiver meetings during the day this week.

* Anthony Smith’s debut: Safety Anthony Smith, claimed off waivers from Green Bay over Labor Day weekend, says he will be activated for Sunday’s game against his old team, the Packers.

COORDINATOR’S CORNER

Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, defensive coordinator Ken Flajole, and special teams coordinator Tom McMahon, all met with the media Thursday after practice. Some excerpts:

* Shumur, on RB Steven Jackson’s workload:  “He needs to be the focus of this team and this offense. And we’re constantly going to make an effort to get him the football.”

* Flajole, on the play of CB Jonathan Wade: “Jonathan’s made strides. Now, I’m not ready to elect him into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but he’s gotten better and he works at it. As a coach, that’s really all you can ask for.”

* McMahon, on getting Danny Amendola ready for punt and kickoff returns Sunday: “As a returner, the biggest thing is going to be the terminology, and then how to set up the return and to set up the blocks for the guys that are trying to block for you. . . .He’s been able to come in here and identify the schemes (in the meeting room). Take the schemes back out onto the field.”

6 comments

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Terminology? Is anyone else on the special teams unit familiar with this word? We have had arguably the worst special teams units in the league for multiple years running. Just block people and run forward (as opposed to sideways).

— Joey Nips
10:53 pm September 24th, 2009

Yea, north and south would be a nice change.

— dave
12:26 am September 25th, 2009

Wade in the first 2 games has shown great progression. He has good tackling ability (which was evident last year on special teams), great closing speed, physical nature and a knack for breaking up passes. All great things to have in a corner.

However, he needs to tighten up the coverage. He had a couple mini blown coverages in Washington.

CT

— Chris
8:43 am September 25th, 2009

Here’s some terminology, catch the ball,run hard,don’t fumble. If Amendola can do that. I will be happy.

— Rich
9:42 am September 25th, 2009

It looks like Wade tends to try too hard and over pursue, Coaches??

— diehard fan
10:55 am September 25th, 2009

Amen, Rich. I’m tired of holding my breath everytime we field a kick or punt. Please hang on to the ball Danny….

— Forrest
11:10 am September 26th, 2009