Representatives for No. 1 overall draft pick Sam Bradford and the Rams worked into the night Thursday, trying to reach agreement on a deal that will bring the quarterback from Oklahoma into training camp before the first full-squad practice Saturday.
Repeating his stock line for much of the past week, Kevin Demoff, the Rams' executive vice president of football operations, said early Thursday evening that talks "are progressing." He added, "I'm still optimistic."
Bradford was said to be holed up in a St. Louis hotel, waiting for a deal to be struck, and a chance to sign the contract quickly and get on the practice field at Rams Park.
Rookies and selected veterans took part in their first practices of camp Thursday. A total of 37 players participated — or slightly less than half of the 80-man camp roster. Quarterbacks A.J. Feeley, Keith Null and Thaddeus Lewis were among those participating in a morning and afternoon workout. Bradford obviously was not on hand.
"We're optimistic, but you've got to kind of let it play out," coach Steve Spagnuolo told reporters after the first practice. "Like every other head coach, you want your players here, but I understand the process."
At least he does for now. But is there a date on Spagnuolo's training camp calendar when he officially gets upset over Bradford's absence?
"I'm not going there," Spagnuolo said, repeating one of his stock answers.
Bradford's absence was duly noted by teammates Thursday at Rams Park, but it didn't seem to create much of a ripple.
"That's 'Cowboy's' business," rookie wide receiver Mardy Gilyard said. "Hopefully we get him out here as soon as possible."
Cowboy?
"He always wears cowboy boots, so I call him 'Cowboy,' " Gilyard said.
Feeley, who's the starting QB until Bradford shows up — and shows he's ready to take over — put a veteran's perspective on the situation.
"Right now, he just missed a practice," Feeley said, before it became two missed practices Thursday afternoon. "I mean, it's not the end of the world. You like to have him out here to work with guys, but he's been through the whole offseason program and it's just a day. If it's two days or three days ... Sam's a smart guy. He's bright, so I don't see him lagging. I don't see him sitting home on the couch and not doing anything. He's going to be out there preparing and getting ready to go as well."
The rookies and selected vets have one more practice together this morning, before the full squad reports this afternoon. The first full squad practice starts at 3 p.m. Saturday.
