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Rams notebook: Rookie Sam continues to make progress
• By Joe Lyons
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_ff24485a-2f42-56ff-8422-248e77deb44a.html
Rams rookie defensive end Michael Sam continues to work toward earning a spot on the 53-man roster.
And he continues to answer media questions.
Do you want to be a trailblazer?
“I’m a football player,’’ the seventh-round draft pick from Missouri responded.
At what point do you think people will stop asking you those kind of questions and ask you just about football all the time?
“When I lay somebody out that first game,’’ he said.
Sam, the first openly gay football player drafted into the NFL, was met by a larger-than-usual media group after Tuesday’s practice at Rams Park and was generally unfazed by it.
“I could care less if the media was out here or not,’’ said Sam, 24. “My goal is still just to make this team, whether I was a first-round pick or a free agent. My job is to make this team. Whether you guys are here or not, that’s my goal.’’
Sam, the co-defensive player in the SEC a year ago, seems to be catching on. He showed some pass-rush ability off the left end Saturday in one-on-one blocking drills, impressed special teams coordinator John Fassel with his blocking Monday and competed well Tuesday in the team’s first full-pad practice.
“I didn’t see the pass-rush (drills), but it looked like he held his own in team periods,’’ coach Jeff Fisher said. “He’s been doing a great job. We’re treating him just like all the other rookies in the rookie class.’’
In addition to the media, Sam had some friendly faces in the crowd Tuesday as the Missouri coaching staff stopped by and visited after practice with Sam and the Rams’ other ex-Tigers — center Tim Barnes, receiver T.J. Moe and cornerback E.J. Gaines.
Mizzou’s “report day is Sunday, so it was real good seeing those guys,’’ Sam said. “I told my defensive coordinator (Dave Steckel) and my position coach, Coach Kool (Craig Kuligowski) to tell the guys good luck this season.’’
Sam, who stands 6 feet 2 and recently lost 13 pounds to 257 to improve his quickness for special teams, said his teammates have been helpful, he’s picking up the Rams’ system and he’s improving every day.
“I’m learning from the guys. ... They’re teaching me a lot,’’ he said. “I’m seeing ... I’m doing what they’re doing. ... I just need to improve at everything.
“I’m a football player. This is football. This feels natural.’’
Coaching Additions
J. Aggabao and Kenan Smith have been added to the Rams’ coaching staff. Smith will work with the receivers while Aggabao, who was a season intern with the Rams last season, will help with strength and conditioning.
A track and football athlete from Sacramento State, Smith worked in the marketing department at Michigan from 2006-2009, worked as a football operations volunteer intern at Ball State and as a graduate assistant in charge of receivers at Anderson University before working the last three years as an assistant coach at Butler University.
“We interviewed him at the (scouting) combine,’’ Fisher said. “He’s a bright young coach. He’s — they call it PhD — he’s poor, hungry and determined.
“He fits a role for us on the offensive staff.’’
Aggabao is a U.S. Navy veteran who earned his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Washington State and a master’s in exercise physiology from Illinois State. He’s a certified strength and conditioning specialist and a USA Weightlifting certified sports performance coach.
After serving as an intern strength and conditioning coach at Washington State in 2010-11, he was a strength and conditioning graduate assistant at Illinois State from 2011-13.
“J. was an intern with us last year and did a great job, so we brought him on full time,’’ Fisher said.
RAM-BLINGS
Tuesday marked the Rams’ first full-squad workout in pads — helmets, shoulder pads and shorts. It drew 1,678 fans.
“Yesterday, we had a special-teams practice in pads, so the young guys kind of got used to it,’’ Fisher said. “But (today) was really what we expected. They loved the practice. They protected each other and there were no issues, except a lot of big plays on both sides of the ball,’’
Highlight plays Tuesday included a pair of well-thrown deep balls from Sam Bradford to third-year receiver Brian Quick; a Bradford-to-Kenny Britt grab over second-year cornerback Brandon McGee; a Garrett Gilbert pass to Chris Givens in the back corner of the end zone; and interceptions by rookie Lamarcus Joyner and second-year safety Cody Davis.
• Following a day off today and a closed-to-the-public workout Thursday, the next practice open to the public will be Friday at 3:30 p.m. On Saturday, the team will shift to the Edward Jones Dome for its FanFest workout at 12:30 p.m.
• Players sitting out Tuesday’s workout included cornerback Trumaine Johnson, linebacker Johnny Millard, fullback Kadeem Jones, cornerback Jarrid Bryant and running back Isaiah Pead, who had a cast on his right hand. Tackle Jake Long, center Scott Wells, guard Brandon Washington and defensive end William Hayes continue to work on the side, with safety Christian Bryant and defensive lineman Ethan Westbrooks still on the non-football injury list.
• Jim Hanifan made another practice appearance Tuesday. Others in attendance were sportswriters Joan Niesen (Sports Illustrated), Bill Rhoden (New York Times), Jarrett Bell (USA Today) and former Cleveland Browns GM Phil Savage, who’s now the executive director of the Senior Bowl.
Area high school programs with coaches on the sideline Tuesday included St. Charles West, Fort Zumwalt West, Francis Howell Central, SLUH and Hazelwood East.
• By Joe Lyons
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_ff24485a-2f42-56ff-8422-248e77deb44a.html
Rams rookie defensive end Michael Sam continues to work toward earning a spot on the 53-man roster.
And he continues to answer media questions.
Do you want to be a trailblazer?
“I’m a football player,’’ the seventh-round draft pick from Missouri responded.
At what point do you think people will stop asking you those kind of questions and ask you just about football all the time?
“When I lay somebody out that first game,’’ he said.
Sam, the first openly gay football player drafted into the NFL, was met by a larger-than-usual media group after Tuesday’s practice at Rams Park and was generally unfazed by it.
“I could care less if the media was out here or not,’’ said Sam, 24. “My goal is still just to make this team, whether I was a first-round pick or a free agent. My job is to make this team. Whether you guys are here or not, that’s my goal.’’
Sam, the co-defensive player in the SEC a year ago, seems to be catching on. He showed some pass-rush ability off the left end Saturday in one-on-one blocking drills, impressed special teams coordinator John Fassel with his blocking Monday and competed well Tuesday in the team’s first full-pad practice.
“I didn’t see the pass-rush (drills), but it looked like he held his own in team periods,’’ coach Jeff Fisher said. “He’s been doing a great job. We’re treating him just like all the other rookies in the rookie class.’’
In addition to the media, Sam had some friendly faces in the crowd Tuesday as the Missouri coaching staff stopped by and visited after practice with Sam and the Rams’ other ex-Tigers — center Tim Barnes, receiver T.J. Moe and cornerback E.J. Gaines.
Mizzou’s “report day is Sunday, so it was real good seeing those guys,’’ Sam said. “I told my defensive coordinator (Dave Steckel) and my position coach, Coach Kool (Craig Kuligowski) to tell the guys good luck this season.’’
Sam, who stands 6 feet 2 and recently lost 13 pounds to 257 to improve his quickness for special teams, said his teammates have been helpful, he’s picking up the Rams’ system and he’s improving every day.
“I’m learning from the guys. ... They’re teaching me a lot,’’ he said. “I’m seeing ... I’m doing what they’re doing. ... I just need to improve at everything.
“I’m a football player. This is football. This feels natural.’’
Coaching Additions
J. Aggabao and Kenan Smith have been added to the Rams’ coaching staff. Smith will work with the receivers while Aggabao, who was a season intern with the Rams last season, will help with strength and conditioning.
A track and football athlete from Sacramento State, Smith worked in the marketing department at Michigan from 2006-2009, worked as a football operations volunteer intern at Ball State and as a graduate assistant in charge of receivers at Anderson University before working the last three years as an assistant coach at Butler University.
“We interviewed him at the (scouting) combine,’’ Fisher said. “He’s a bright young coach. He’s — they call it PhD — he’s poor, hungry and determined.
“He fits a role for us on the offensive staff.’’
Aggabao is a U.S. Navy veteran who earned his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Washington State and a master’s in exercise physiology from Illinois State. He’s a certified strength and conditioning specialist and a USA Weightlifting certified sports performance coach.
After serving as an intern strength and conditioning coach at Washington State in 2010-11, he was a strength and conditioning graduate assistant at Illinois State from 2011-13.
“J. was an intern with us last year and did a great job, so we brought him on full time,’’ Fisher said.
RAM-BLINGS
Tuesday marked the Rams’ first full-squad workout in pads — helmets, shoulder pads and shorts. It drew 1,678 fans.
“Yesterday, we had a special-teams practice in pads, so the young guys kind of got used to it,’’ Fisher said. “But (today) was really what we expected. They loved the practice. They protected each other and there were no issues, except a lot of big plays on both sides of the ball,’’
Highlight plays Tuesday included a pair of well-thrown deep balls from Sam Bradford to third-year receiver Brian Quick; a Bradford-to-Kenny Britt grab over second-year cornerback Brandon McGee; a Garrett Gilbert pass to Chris Givens in the back corner of the end zone; and interceptions by rookie Lamarcus Joyner and second-year safety Cody Davis.
• Following a day off today and a closed-to-the-public workout Thursday, the next practice open to the public will be Friday at 3:30 p.m. On Saturday, the team will shift to the Edward Jones Dome for its FanFest workout at 12:30 p.m.
• Players sitting out Tuesday’s workout included cornerback Trumaine Johnson, linebacker Johnny Millard, fullback Kadeem Jones, cornerback Jarrid Bryant and running back Isaiah Pead, who had a cast on his right hand. Tackle Jake Long, center Scott Wells, guard Brandon Washington and defensive end William Hayes continue to work on the side, with safety Christian Bryant and defensive lineman Ethan Westbrooks still on the non-football injury list.
• Jim Hanifan made another practice appearance Tuesday. Others in attendance were sportswriters Joan Niesen (Sports Illustrated), Bill Rhoden (New York Times), Jarrett Bell (USA Today) and former Cleveland Browns GM Phil Savage, who’s now the executive director of the Senior Bowl.
Area high school programs with coaches on the sideline Tuesday included St. Charles West, Fort Zumwalt West, Francis Howell Central, SLUH and Hazelwood East.
