ST.

LOUIS RAMS (0-0)

Sunday, September 9, 2012, Ford Field, Noon

2012 WEEK
AT

DETROIT LIONS (0-0)

2012 SCHEDULE
Sun. Sun. Sun. Sun. 9/9 9/16 9/23 9/30 at Detroit Washington at Chicago Seattle Arizona at Miami Green Bay New England* BYE at San Francisco 3:15 p.m. N.Y. Jets at Arizona San Francisco at Buffalo Minnesota at Tampa Bay at Seattle Noon 3:15 p.m. Noon Noon Noon Noon 3:15 p.m. Fox CBS Fox Fox Fox Fox Fox Fox Noon 3:05 p.m. Noon Noon Fox Fox Fox Fox

RAMS FACE LIONS IN 2012 OPENER

The St. Louis Rams will kick off a new era next Sunday when the team travels to Detroit to face the Lions in their 2012 opener. The Rams roster features 31 players who were not with the team in 2011, and the team will take the field for its first regular season contest under new head coach Jeff Fisher. In the opener, Fisher will match wits with Lions head coach Jim Schwartz, who spent 10 seasons as an assistant on Fishers staff in Tennessee, including eight as Fishers defensive coordinator. Fisher boasts a career record of 10-6 in Week 1, while the Rams own a 38-36 mark in the opening week. The Rams and Lions have previously met seven times in Week 1 but not since 1980. Sundays game will mark just the second time in team history that the Rams open their season in Detroit, the first of which came in 1965. The Rams first game in franchise history came against Detroit in 1937.
Coach Jeff Fisher

Thurs. 10/4 Sun. Sun. Sun. Sun. Sun. Sun. Sun. Sun. Sun. Sun. Sat. Sun. 10/14 10/21 10/28 11/4 11/11 11/18 11/25 12/2 12/9 12/16 12/23 12/30

7:20 p.m. NFLN Noon Noon Noon Fox Fox CBS

BROADCAST INFORMATION
TELEVISION Fox (KTVI, Ch. 2 in St. Louis) Play-by-Play: Chris Myers Color Analyst: Tim Ryan Sideline Reporter: Jaime Maggio RADIO WXOS (101.1 FM) Play-by-Play: Steve Savard Color Analyst: DMarco Farr Sideline Reporter: Tony Softli

*At Wembley Stadium in London, England

THIS WEEKS MEDIA AVAILABILITY

Wednesday, September 5
-Practice: 11:50 a.m. - 2 p.m. -Coach Fisher, QB Sam Bradford available on field after practice. -Open locker room: 2:15-3 p.m.

Thursday, September 6
-Practice: 11:50 a.m. - 2 p.m. -Coach Fisher, RB Steven Jackson available on field after practice -Dave McGinnis & Brian Schottenheimer available -Open locker room: 2:15-3 p.m.

Friday, September 7
-Practice: 11:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m. -Coach Fisher available on field after practice -Open locker room: 1:30 2:15 p.m.

Saturday, September 8
Travel Day No Availability

Sunday, September 9
Rams at Lions Ford Field, Noon

Monday, September 10
Jeff Fisher Press Conference 4:30 p.m.

VISIT OUR MEDIA WEBSITE AT MEDIA.STLOUISRAMS.COM

ARTIS TWYMAN - SENIOR DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS ATWYMAN@RAMS.NFL.COM - 314-516-8759 JULIA FARON - MANAGER OF MEDIA RELATIONS JFARON@RAMS.NFL.COM - 314-516-8766 CASEY PEARCE - MANAGER OF MEDIA INFORMATION CPEARCE@RAMS.NFL.COM - 314-516-8765

2012 RAMS PROJECTED STARTERS

OFFENSE
WR Brandon Gibson Caught 36 passes for 431 yards and a touchdown last season. LT Rodger Saffold Started first 25 games of his career before a pectoral injury ended his 2011 season after nine games. Was a 2010 All-Rookie selection. LG Rokevious Watkins Rams fifth-round draft pick earned AllSEC First Team honors last year at South Carolina. Versatile lineman played offensive guard for two years before switching to right (first five games) and then left (final eight) tackle as a senior. C Scott Wells Signed with Rams in March after eight seasons with Packers. Named to Pro Bowl last season. Started 100 games with Green Bay from 2004-11. RG Harvey Dahl Mauling road grater enters second season with St. Louis. Started all 16 games last season, including 10 at RG and six at RT after injuries forced him to slide over. RT Barry Richardson First-year Ram started 33 games at right tackle in four seasons with Kansas City. TE Matthew Mulligan Appeared in 34 career games with the Jets & started 11 while playing for Rams Offensive Coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. WR Danny Amendola Missed 15 games last season after suffering season-ending elbow injury in opener. In 2010, led the Rams with 85 receptions for 689 yards and tied for the team lead with three touchdown catches. QB Sam Bradford 2010 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year completed 191 passes for 2,164 yards in 10 games last season. FB Brit Miller Appeared in 12 games with two starts at fullback last season and was a key contributor on special teams. RB Steven Jackson Three-time Pro Bowler rushed for 1,145 yards last season. Is leading rusher among active NFL running backs and holds NFLs longest active streak of consecutive 1,000yard seasons (7).

DEFENSE
LDE Chris Long Led the Rams with career-high 13.0 sacks in 2011. Also added 15 pressures and 16 QB hits to go along with 33 tackles. Signed four-year contract extension in July. LDT Kendall Langford - Signed with Rams as a free agent in March. Played in 64 games with 55 starts with Miami. Collected eight career sacks and posted 141 career tackles (101 solo). RDT Michael Brockers First-round draft pick was a SecondTeam All-SEC selection at LSU. Started 15 games in two seasons and was credited with 79 tackles (34 solo), two sacks (16 yards), 11 tackles for loss (33 yards) and ve quarterback pressures. RDE Robert Quinn Rams 2011 top draft choice had 5.0 sacks and 14 quarterback hits in 15 games. Was NFC Special Teams Player of the Week in Week 8 after blocking a punt that led to a TD and blocked or partially blocked three punts. SLB Rocky McIntosh Seventh-year pro recorded 73 tackles for Washington last season; boasts 580 tackles, 8.0 sacks and 3 int. in career. MLB James Laurinaitis Led the Rams in tackles for third time in as many seasons with the club. Posted 142 stops. Has at least 100 tackles in each of his first three NFL seasons. Also had 3.0 sacks and two interceptions. WLB Jo-Lonn Dunbar Led all Saints linebackers with 90 tackles in 2011; started 14 games last season; played four years in New Orleans. LCB Cortland Finnegan Signed with St. Louis during opening week of free agency after standout career in Tennessee. Former Pro Bowler has 79 career starts. Career totals include 14 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries and 4 touchdowns. RCB Janoris Jenkins Selected 39th overall in Aprils draft. Named Freshman All-American in 2008, Second-team All-SEC and Third-Team All-American as a junior in 2010 while playing at Florida. SS Darian Stewart Third-year pro finished third among Rams with 91 tackles in 2011. Led team with 10 passes defensed and had 3.0 sacks and one interception. FS Quintin Mikell Second among Rams with 100 tackles. Also had a sack, four forced fumbles and two interceptions. Veteran free agent joined St. Louis prior to 2011 after eight seasons with Eagles.

KEY CONTRIBUTORS
WR Brian Quick First of three second round picks by Rams caught 202 passes for 3,418 yards and 31 touchdowns at Appalachian State. Holds the school career-record for receptions and ranks fifth in Southern Conference history. RB Isaiah Pead Second round pick was First-Team All-Big East and Big East Offensive Player of the Year in 2012. Ranks third in Bearcats history with 3,288 rushing yards and 27 rushing touchdowns. WR Steve Smith Led the NFC with 107 rec. in 2009. Career totals include 231 catches for 2,510 yards and 12 touchdowns. Signed with Rams as a free agent in March. TE Lance Kendricks Second round pick in 2011 had 28 receptions for 352 yards as a rookie. RB Daryl Richardson Rookie ranks second in rushing touchdowns, fifth in rushing yards and fourth in points scored in Abilene Christian history. Twice named Second-Team All-Lone Star Conference.

KEY CONTRIBUTORS
DE William Hayes Played in 48 games with 12 starts for Titans over a four-year campaign. Collected 181 career tackles (105 solo) and 8.0 sacks. S Craig Dahl Totaled 54 tackles on defense and tied for the team lead with 14 special teams stops. CB Bradley Fletcher Missed 12 games due to knee injury last season. Led Rams with 4 interceptions in 2010. Has 22 career starts in three NFL seasons. SLB Mario Haggan Tenth-year pro has appeared in 121 games; spent four seasons in Denver after five with Buffalo; special teams standout.

WEEK 1: ST. LOUIS RAMS

AT

DETROIT LIONS

THE SERIES AT A GLANCE

Overall Regular Season Series: Rams lead series, 42-39-1 Overall Postseason Series: Lions lead 1-0 Rams Regular Season Home Record vs. Lions: 21-18-1 Rams Regular Season Road Record vs. Lions: 21-20 Current Streak: Lions, One game (2010) Rams Longest Streak: 12 games (1945-51) Lions Longest Streak: Six games (1960-63) Regular Season Point Total: Rams 1,592 - Lions 1,499 Most Points, Rams: 65, Rams 65-24 (1950) Most Points, Lions: 44, Lions 44-6 (2010) Most Points, both teams: 89, Rams Rams 65-24 (1950) Fewest Points, Rams: 0, six times, last Lions 28-0 (1969) Fewest Points, Lions: 0, four times, last Rams 35-0 (2001) Fewest Points, both teams: 6, two times, Lions 6-0 (1938), Lions 6-0 (1940)

NOTABLE CONNECTIONS
Former Rams: Lions Offensive Coordinator Scott Linehan was the head coach of the Rams from 2006-08. Lions Assistant Coach Todd Downing was a member of the Rams defensive coaching staff from 2006-08. Former Lions: Rams Assistant Secondary Coach Brandon Fisher was a member of the Lions defensive coaching staff in 2011. Coaching Connections: Lions Head Coach Jim Schwartz was the Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator under Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher. Lions Defensive Coordinator Gunther Cunningham, LBs Coach Matt Burke and Secondary Coach Marcus Robertson also worked on Fishers staff in Tennessee. Schwartz, Burke and Robertson also worked with Rams Assistant Head Coach Dave McGinnis, Secondary Coach Chuck Cecil and WR Coach Ray Sherman in Tennessee. Lions LB Stephen Tulloch and DE Kyle Vanden Bosch played for the Titans under Fisher. They were teammates with Rams CB Cortland Finnegan and DE William Hayes and worked with McGinnis, Cecil and Sherman. Cunningham, Rams Offensive Coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and QBs Coach Frank Cignetti worked together with the Kansas City Chiefs. Hometown Connections: Rams CB Janoris Jenkins and Lions CB Bill Bentley both hail from Pahokee, Fla. NFL Teammate Connections: Rams G Harvey Dahl played with Lions CB Chris Houston and S Erik Coleman with the Falcons. Rams General Manager Les Snead and OL Coach Paul Boudreau were also in Atlanta when Houston and Coleman played for the Falcons. Rams Offensive Coordinator Brian Schottenheimer was the Chargers QB coach when Lions WR Kassim Osgood and CB Drayton Florence played in San Diego. Cignetti was the 49ers QBs coach when Lions QB Shaun Hill played in San Francisco. College Teammate Connections: Rams QB Sam Bradford and Lions LB Ronnel Lewis, LB Travis Lewis and WR Ryan Broyles played together at Oklahoma. Rams DT Kendall Langford and Lions LB Justin Durant played together at Hampton. Rams TE Lance Kendricks played with Lions LB DeAndre Levy at Wisconsin. Rams LB Jo-Lonn Dunbar and Lions T Gosder Cherilus played together at Boston College. Rams FB Brit Miller played with Lions RB Mikel Leshoure at Illinois. Rams WR Steve Smith played with Lions DE Lawrence Jackson at USC. Rams TE Mike McNeill played with Lions DT Ndamukong Suh at Nebraska.

REGULAR SEASON SERIES HISTORY

Regular Season Rams lead series, 42-39-1 Year Result Location 1937 Lions, 28-0 CLE Lions, 27-7 DET 1938 Rams, 21-17 CLE Lions, 6-0 DET 1939 Lions, 15-7 DET Rams 14-3 CLE 1940 Lions, 6-0 DET Rams, 24-0 CLE 1941 Lions, 17-7 DET Lions, 14-0 CLE 1942 Rams, 14-0 DET Rams, 27-7 CLE 1944 Rams, 20-17 DET Lions, 26-14 CLE 1945 Rams, 28-21 DET 1946 Rams, 35-14 LA Rams, 41-20 DET 1947 Rams, 27-13 DET Rams, 28-17 LA 1948 Rams, 44-7 LA Rams, 34-27 DET 1949 Rams, 27-24 LA Rams, 21-20 DET 1950 Rams, 30-28 DET Rams, 65-24 LA 1951 Rams, 27-21 DET Lions, 24-22 LA 1952 Lions, 17-14 LA Lions, 24-16 DET 1953 Rams, 31-19 DET Rams, 37-24 LA 1954 Lions, 21-3 DET Lions, 27-24 LA 1955 Rams, 17-10 DET Rams, 24-13 LA 1956 Lions, 24-21 DET Lions, 16-7 LA 1957 Lions, 10-7 DET Rams, 35-17 LA Year 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1974 1975 1976 1980 1981 1982 1983 1986 1987 1988 1991 1993 1999 2001 2003 2006 2009 2010 Result Rams, 42-28 Lions, 41-24 Lions, 17-7 Lions, 23-17 Rams, 48-35 Lions, 12-10 Lions, 14-13 Lions, 28-10 Lions, 13-10 Lions, 12-3 Lions, 23-2 Rams, 28-21 Tie, 17-17 Lions, 37-17 Lions, 20-0 Lions, 31-7 Rams, 14-7 Rams, 23-3 Rams, 31-7 Rams, 10-7 Lions, 28-0 Lions, 28-23 Rams, 21-13 Lions, 34-17 Rams, 16-13 Rams, 20-0 Rams, 20-17 Lions, 41-20 Rams, 20-13 Lions, 19-14 Rams, 21-10 Rams, 14-10 Rams, 37-16 Rams, 17-10 Lions, 21-10 Lions, 16-13 Lions, 31-27 Rams, 35-0 Lions, 30-20 Rams, 41-34 Rams, 17-10 Lions, 44-6 Location DET LA LA DT LA DET DET LA DET LA LA DET LA DET DET LA DET LA DET LA DET LA DET LA LA DET DET LA LA LA LA LA DET LA DET LA DET DET DET STL DET DET

THE HEAD COACHES JEFF FISHER

NFL Coaching Year: 26th year Rams Head Coach: 1st year Regular Season: 142-120 (.542) Postseason: 5-6 (.455)
Jeff Fisher enters his first season as head coach of the St. Louis Rams, after spending 16 full seasons as head coach of the Tennessee Titans, 11 as executive vice president. In his tenure with Tennessee, Fisher guided the Titans to six playoff appearances (1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008), three division titles (2000, 2002, 2008), two AFC Championship games (1999, 2002) and one Super Bowl appearance (XXXIV). In the 2000s, Fisher totaled 97 victories, the most successful decade in franchise history. One of the Titans most memorable seasons under Fisher was the 1999 campaign, where he led the team to its first AFC Championship and an appearance in Super Bowl XXXIV. Fisher originally joined the Oilers/Titans coaching staff in 1994, after spending two seasons as the defensive backs coach for the San Francisco 49ers. He was elevated to head coach in November 1994, replacing Jack Pardee, for the final six games of the season. Prior to San Francisco, Fisher reunited with his college coach John Robinson, serving as the Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator. Fisher began his coaching career as an assistant for Buddy Ryan and the Philadelphia Eagles in 1986, coaching the defensive backs for three seasons before becoming the NFLs youngest defensive coordinator in 1988. In 1989, the Eagles defense led the NFL in interceptions (30) and quarterback sacks (62). In 1990, Philadelphias defense paced the league in rushing defense and ranked second in quarterback sacks. A former defensive back at the University of Southern California, Fisher played for Robinson in a star-studded defensive backfield that included future NFL stars Ronnie Lott, Dennis Smith and Joey Browner. The versatile Fisher also served as the Trojans backup kicker and earned Pac-10 All-Academic honors in 1980. Originally a seventh-round draft selection of the Chicago Bears in 1981, Fisher appeared in 49 games as a defensive back and return specialist in five NFL seasons. He earned a Super Bowl ring following Chicagos 1985 Super Bowl season, despite spending the year on injured reserve with an ankle injury that prematurely ended his playing career. During that season, Fisher began his post-playing career by assisting Ryan as an unofficial coach as the Bears ultimately defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX. A native of Southern California, Fisher was a high school AllAmerica wide receiver at Taft High School in Woodland Hills, Calif. Fisher is an avid fisherman and golfer and he also does considerable work off the field. He also gives back to the NFL, serving on the NFL Competition Committee since 2000 and as a co-chairman of the committee from 2001-2010.

JIM SCHWARTZ
NFL Coaching Year: 20th year Lions Head Coach: 4th year Regular Season: 18-30 (.375) Postseason: 0-1 (.000)
Jim Schwartz, who enters his fourth season as Lions head coach, offers a unique blend of coaching and player personnel experience to the Lions head coaching position. He began his NFL coaching career as a defensive assistant and quality control coach, progressed to position coach and then succeeded as a defensive coordinator for nearly a decade despite the constant nature of change in todays NFL. Before his tenure in Detroit began in 2009, Schwartz spent 10 seasons with the Tennessee Titans, including eight (2001-08) as defensive coordinator. While with the Titans, he worked under Head Coach Jeff Fisher, one of the most successful coaches in the NFL over the past 15 seasons. In 2008, Schwartzs defense guided the Titans to an NFL-best 13-3 record and an AFC South title. Prior to his eight seasons as the Titans defensive coordinator, Schwartz contributed to the Titans defense as the linebackers coach where he also coordinated the teams third down package in 2000. Schwartz originally joined the Titans in 1999 as defensive assistant/ quality control. In his first year with the club, the team claimed the AFC Championship and earned a berth in Super Bowl XXXIV. Before joining the Titans in 1999, he spent three years (1996-98) as a defensive assistant/quality control coach with the Baltimore Ravens. During his tenure in Baltimore, he also coached the teams outside linebackers. After the Cleveland Browns moved to Baltimore following the 1995 season, Schwartz made the transition from player personnel to coaching. From 1993-95, he worked in the Browns player personnel department, serving as both a college and pro scout. In addition to his pro coaching and scouting experience, Schwartz worked on the college level for four years before moving onto the NFL. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant coach at the University of Maryland, tutoring the Terrapins linebackers from 1989-90 and then served as graduate assistant at the University of Minnesota (1990-91). He became a position coach in the secondary at North Carolina Central (1991-92) before moving to Colgate (1992) as linebackers coach. The Baltimore, Md., native was a four-year letterwinner as a linebacker at Georgetown University, where he earned a degree in economics. In 1989 he earned numerous honors that include Division III CoSIDA/GTE Academic All-America, All-America and team captain. Schwartz and his wife, Kathy, have twins Christian and Allison along with a younger daughter Maria.

FISHER,
2012St. Louis Rams 1994-2010 Houston Oilers/ Tennessee Titans 1994 Houston Oilers 1992-93 San Francisco 49ers 1991 Los Angeles Rams 1988-90 Philadelphia Eagles 1986-88 Philadelphia Eagles

AT A

GLANCE
Head Coach Head Coach Defensive Defensive Defensive Defensive Defensive Coordinator Backs Coordinator Coordinator Backs

SCHWARTZ,
20092001-08 2000 1999 1996-98 1993-95 1992 1991 1990 1989 Detroit Lions Tennessee Titans Tennessee Titans Tennessee Titans Baltimore Ravens Cleveland Browns Colgate University North Carolina Central University of Minnesota University of Maryland

AT A

GLANCE

Head Coach Defensive Coordinator Linebackers/Third Down Coach Defensive Assistant Defensive Assistant College/Pro Scout Linebackers Secondary Graduate Assistant Graduate Assistant

FISHER ERA BEGINS IN ST. LOUIS

HES A WINNER
In January, Jeff Fisher became the 26th full-time head coach in Rams history. Fisher returned to the NFL after a one-year hiatus. He previously spent 16 seasons as the head coach of the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans. Fisher is among the winningest head coaches of his era. Among active coaches, hes tied with Giants Head Coach Tom Coughlin for third-most victories.
Head Coach Jeff Fisher

FISHERS DNA
Hallmarks of a Fisher-led team include a stout rushing defense, the ability to possess the ball with a strong running game and poise in the midst of adversity. In 11 of his 16 seasons in Tennessee, the Titans defense ranked in the top 10 against the run and ranked fourth in rushing defense over that period (Baltimore, Pittsburgh, San Diego). In 2003, the Titans nished rst in the NFL in rushing defense for only the second time in franchise history (1993). On the offensive side of the ball, Fishers teams nished in the top 10 in rushing yards per game eight times during his Oilers/Titans tenure and from 1995-2010, only ve NFL teams averaged more rushing yards per game than Fishers clubs. Additionally, in 12 of Fishers 16 seasons, the Titans nished with an average time of possession of more than 31 minutes per game for the season. Fisher believes in the philosophy that a strong running game helps control the clock and keeps your defense fresh. In 12 of his last 14 seasons in Tennessee, the Titans nished in the top half of the NFL in rushing offense, including seven top 10 nishes. Additionally, in 12 of the last 15 seasons, the Titans nished with an average time of possession number of more than 31 minutes for the season.
Head Coach Jeff Fisher & Offensive Coordinator Brian Schottenheimer

He and Coughlin are tied for 19th on the NFLs all-time wins list for the regular season, and Fishers rst victory as Rams head coach will allow him to tie Hall of Famer Marv Levy on the all-time list at 143.
Most Regular Season Wins Among Active Head Coaches Wins 1. Bill Belichick 175 2. Mike Shanahan 157 3t. Jeff Fisher 142 3t. Tom Coughlin 142 5. Andy Reid 126

A PLAYERS COACH
Throughout his career, Fisher has been lauded for his ability to relate to players and get the most out of them. That keen skill set is due in large part to Fishers personal experience. He enjoyed a ve-year playing career with the Chicago Bears as a defensive back and punt returner. Fisher is one of nine current NFL head coaches who also played in the Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher spent five years as a safety and returner with the Chicago Bears. league. Of those nine, three were teammates at one time with the Bears: Fisher, Ron Rivera and Leslie Frazier. Current Head Coaches with NFL Playing Experience Name, Pos. Teams Jeff Fisher, DB/PR CHI Leslie Frazier, DB, CHI Jason Garrett, QB DAL, NYG Jim Harbaugh, QB CHI, IND, BAL, SD Gary Kubiak, QB DEN Mike Mularkey, TE MIN, PIT Mike Munchak, G HOU Ron Rivera, LB CHI Ken Whisenhunt, TE ATL, WAS, NYJ

QUOTES TO NOTE
If I had a franchise, what coach would I hire? His name is Jeff Fisher. He is so good. Hes still young enough that he can relate with the players on the team. Hes one of the brightest, if not the brightest, coaches in the league. As a former player, he knows how to work a locker room. Hes just sensational. His schemes on defense are very good and imaginative. Hes got everything. -ESPN.com Senior Writer John Clayton Jeff is one of the most competitive and intelligent players that Ive ever coached. He was not overly gifted as a player, but he made up for it by being the fiercest competitor and one of the most intelligent people that Ive known playing this game and thats been the hallmark of his coaching career. He understands the entire game and is a leader more than anything else. He will be in command of the entire team. The Rams will reflect Jeff Fisher and the kind of person he is. It will be a great era for the Rams. - Former Rams Head Coach John Robinson Jeff has a history of developing fundamentally sound but physically intimidating football teams. St. Louis is fortunate to have a leader for its franchise with such impeccable credentials. - Falcons President Rich McKay, with whom Fisher cochaired the NFLs Competition Committee In 14 years of NFL football, Jeff Fisher is one of two coaches that I have the most respect for. The St. Louis Rams are lucky to have Fisher as their head coach. - Former Rams and Titans DE Kevin Carter

LES IS MORE
Les Snead was named Rams general manager on February 14, 2012. Just three weeks after taking his new job, Snead executed a trade that helped jumpstart the Rams rebuilding efforts. In early March, Snead sent the second overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft to the Washington Redskins in exchange for the sixth and 39th selections in this years draft as well as Washingtons rst round picks in both 2013 and 2014. When draft day arrived, Snead made two additional trades which parlayed the teams General Manager Les Snead original rst round pick into four 2012 selections. The Rams acquired a third pick in the second round in this years draft when they traded the sixth overall pick to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for the 14th and 45th picks. Snead then sent the 45th pick to Chicago for the 50th pick as well as a fth-round pick in this years draft. When all the dealing was done, the Rams made four of the rst 50 selections in the 2012 Draft, and Snead and the Rams selected 10 players who they believe will help the team return to the top of the NFC West. Sneads meticulous effort on draft weekend told only part of the story of his early efforts to retool the Rams roster. On the opening day of free agency, Snead signed Pro Bowl CB Cortland Finnegan, formerly of the Tennessee Titans. In the coming days, Snead also led the efforts to acquire Pro Bowl C Scott Wells and DT Kendall Langford, an ascending player whom the team views as a key building block on the defensive line. Sneads rst free agency class included 11 veteran free agents whom the club will count on heavily in 2012. In his role as general manager, Snead oversees the clubs personnel department and scouting efforts while partnering with Head Coach Jeff Fisher to direct all personnel decisions for the club. In addition, Snead coordinates all aspects of the clubs football operations with the head coach. Prior to joining the Rams, Snead spent 13 seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. He served as the clubs director of player personnel from 2009-11 and also held posts as a pro scout and as the Falcons director of pro personnel. Snead helped construct a roster that has been one of the NFLs best over the last few years. From 2008-11, the Falcons had four consecutive winning seasons, winning 43 games during that time, which are the fth-most wins in the NFL over that time period. Atlanta earned playoff berths in each of the last two seasons and three of the last four seasons, including a 2010 NFC South Championship. The Falcons participated in one Super Bowl and two NFC Championship games during Sneads tenure with the club. Snead joined the Falcons after three seasons (1995-97) in the pro scouting department of the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was hired by the Jaguars prior to the franchises rst season and helped put together a team that garnered an AFC Championship Game berth in just its second year of existence. Jacksonville won its rst division title in Sneads nal year with the team. Snead played tight end for Auburn from 1992-93 and was part of the Tigers perfect 11-0 team in 1993. He also earned Southeast Region Academic All-American honors during his college career.

FIRST CLASS
The Rams were active before and during the 2012 NFL Draft, which allowed the team to make 10 selections, including four in the top 50. Round 1 (14) 2 (33) 2 (39) 2 (50) 3 (65) 4 (96) 5 (150) 6 (171) 7 (209) 7 (252) Player, Pos. Michael Brockers, DT Brian Quick, WR Janoris Jenkins, CB Isaiah Pead, RB Trumaine Johnson, CB Chris Givens, WR Rokevious Watkins, OL Greg Zuerlein, K Aaron Brown, LB Daryl Richardson, RB College LSU Appalachian St. North Alabama Cincinnati Montana Wake Forest South Carolina Mo. Western Hawaii Abilene Christian

NEW ADDITIONS
Sneads rst free agent class as Rams GM included 11 veterans whom the club hopes to have contribute this season. Jo-Lonn Dunbar, LB - Led all Saints linebackers with 90 tackles in 2011; started 14 games last season; played four years in New Orleans. Cortland Finnegan, CB - Former Pro Bowler has 79 career starts; career totals include 14 int., 2 FF, 2 FR and 4 TDs. Mario Haggan, LB - Tenth-year pro has appeared in 121 games; spent four seasons in Denver after five with Buffalo; special teams standout. William Hayes, DE - Played in 48 games with 12 starts for Titans over a four-year campaign...collected 181 career tackles (105 solo) and 8.0 sacks. Kendall Langford, DT - Played in 64 games with 55 starts with Miami; collect ed eight career sacks and posted 141 career tackles (101 solo). Rocky McIntosh, LB - Seventh-year pro recorded 73 tackles for Washington last season; boasts 580 tackles, 8.0 sacks and 3 int. in career. Matthew Mulligan, TE - Has appeared in 34 career games with the Jets & started 11 while playing for Rams Offensive Coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. Barry Richardson, OT - Started 33 games at right tackle for Kansas City. Steve Smith, WR - Led NFC with 107 catches in 2009; spent 2011 with Eagles; career totals include 231 catches for 2,510 yards and 12 touchdowns. Robert Turner, C/G - Has appeared in 41 games with two starts; played five seasons with Jets.

General Manager Les Snead and Coach Jeff Fisher huddle during the 2012 NFL Draft. The Rams were extremely active during the draft as they netted 10 players, including four of the top 50 overall selections, as they retool the roster.

Scott Wells, C - Named to Pro Bowl last season; started 100 games in eight NFL seasons, all with Green Bay.

RAMS ALL-TIME LEADING RUSHERS

Dick Bass 5,417 yards

Lawrence McCutcheon 6,186 yards

Marshall Faulk 6,959 yards

Eric Dickerson 7,245 yards

Steven Jackson 9,093 yards

JACKSON STANDS ALONE

RB Steven Jackson raced into Rams history midway through the 2010 season as he passed Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson to become the franchises all-time leading rusher, and he continues to add to the top total in club history. Jackson rushed for 1,145 yards on 260 carries (4.4 average yards per carry) last season, including a 47-yard touchdown run on the Rams first play from scrimmage. He finished ninth in the NFL and fifth in the NFC in rushing yards a year ago.
RB Steven Jackson

AN ELITE CLUB
Steven Jackson kept his streak of 1,000-yard seasons alive as he rushed for 1,145 yards in 2011. He has now rushed for 1,000 yards in seven consecutive seasons, which is the NFLs longest active streak of consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. He also extended his own team records for most consecutive 1,000-yard seasons (seven) as well as most overall 1,000-yard seasons. With seven straight 1,000-yard seasons, Jackson is in elite company. Only six other running backs in NFL history have rushed for 1,000 yards in seven or more consecutive seasons. The group includes Emmitt Smith, Barry Sanders, Curtis Martin, Thurman Thomas, Eric Dickerson and LaDainian Tomlinson. Of that group, Smith, Sanders, Thomas, Martin and Dickerson are members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Tomlinson retired this spring and isnt yet eligible for induction.

There are only three running backs in the NFL who hold the franchise rushing record for the team that they currently play for: Jackson, Carolinas DeAngelo Williams and San Franciscos Frank Gore. Jackson has rushed for 9,093 yards for his career, which leaves him just 907 shy of 10,000. Should he reach the milestone this season, hell be the 27th player in NFL history to do so. However, Jackson would be just the 15th player to rush for 10,000 yards for one team. Of the 12 players who have done so with one team, 10 are in the Hall of Fame. Rams Career Rushing Yards Leaders Steven Jackson (2004- ) Eric Dickerson (1983-87) Marshall Faulk (1999-2005) Lawrence McCutcheon (1972-79) Dick Bass (1960-69) Yards 9,093 7,245 6,959 6,186 5,417
RB Steven Jackson owns the NFLs longest active streak of 1,000-yard seasons. His current streak sits at seven-consecutive seasons with 1,000 yards or more.

CENTURY MARK
RB Steven Jackson rushed for 100 yards or more in four games in 2011, and he now ranks second in Rams history with 31 career 100-yard games. Jackson needs seven 100-yard games to tie Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson, who rushed for 100 yards in 38 games, for the most in team history. During a mid-season stretch last fall, Jackson rushed for 100 or more yards in three consecutive games. Career 100-yard Games in Rams History
RB Steven Jackson

In addition to holding the franchise mark for rushing yards, Jackson is on the cusp of breaking Faulks team record for career rushing touchdowns. Jackson rushed for five touchdowns in 2011 to give him 52 career rushing touchdowns. He currently ranks third in Rams history in the category, but hes within striking distance of both Dickerson and Faulk. Jackson enters the 2012 season needing just four scores to tie Dickerson and six to tie Faulks franchise record. Rams Career Rushing TD Leaders Marshall Faulk (1999-2005) Eric Dickerson (1983-87) Steven Jackson (2004- ) Dan Towler (1950-55) Dick Bass (1960-69) 58 56 52 34 35

Eric Dickerson (1983-87) Steven Jackson (2004- ) Marshall Faulk (1999-2005) Lawrence McCutcheon (1972-79)

38 31 27 22

CATCHING ON
Throughout his career, RB Steven Jackson has shown the ability to catch passes out of the backfield and while lined up at receiver. In addition to leading the team in rushing, Jackson finished second among Rams with 42 catches last season. With 369 career catches, Jackson is sixth in Rams history in the category. Since becoming a full-time starter in 2006, Jackson has registered 307 receptions for 2,494 receiving yards (8.1-yard average). During that time, Jacksons 2,494 receiving yards and 307 receptions rank second among all NFL running backs. Receptions Leaders Among Running Backs, 2006-Present
Reggie Bush / NO-MIA Steven Jackson / STL L. Tomlinson / SD-NYJ Maurice Jones-Drew/ JAC Frank Gore / SF Rec 337 307 282 278 272 Yards 2,438 2,494 2,380 2,473 2,266 Avg. 7.2 8.1 8.4 8.9 8.3 Long 74 64t 74 75 48 TD 13 6 9 10 9

JACK OF ALL TRADES

RB Steven Jackson has shown the ability to contribute in the rushing game and in the receiving game. Since the start of the 2006 season, Jackson ranks first in the NFL with an average of 114.7 yards from scrimmage per game. Since 2006, Jackson has 2,057 touches for 9,868 yards. His touches and scrimmage yards are the most over that time period. Jackson rushed for 1,145 yards last sea- RB Steven Jackson son and caught 42 passes for 333 yards. His 1,487 total yards in 2011 ranked 11th in the NFL. In 2010, Jackson ranked third in the NFC and ninth in the NFL with 1,624 scrimmage yards. Jackson averaged 98.6 yards from scrimmage per game. He narrowly missed his sixth consecutive season with an average of at least 100 yards from scrimmage per game. The streak dated back to his first year as an NFL starter in 2006. In 2006, Jackson recorded 2,334 yards from scrimmage, the fifthhighest single-season total in NFL history. That season, Jackson rushed for 1,528 yards and 13 touchdowns on 346 attempts. He added 806 yards receiving on 90 catches. The 90 catches rank sixth in NFL history in one season among running backs. Yards From Scrimmage/Game Leaders, 2006-Present

RB Steven Jackson dives for the end zone on touchdown reception. The catch was one of 369 in Jacksons career.

MAKING HISTORY
Earlier last season, RB Steven Jackson passed Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk to move into third in team history in yards from scrimmage. He also made a significant move on the teams all-purpose yard list. Late in the year, Jackson passed WR Henry Ellard to move into third in team history in the category. With 1,478 yards last year, Jackson now has 12,096 scrimmage yards for his career and has 12,175 all-purpose yards. Jacksons career totals include 9,093 rushing yards, 3,003 receiving and 79 from kick returns.

Steven Jackson / STL Chris Johnson / TEN Adrian Peterson / MIN Ray Rice / BAL Frank Gore / SF

Games 86 63 73 61 86

Touches 2,057 1,381 1,543 1,209 1,798

Yards 9,868 7,071 8,061 6,612 9,283

Yds/Game 114.7 112.2 110.4 108.4 107.9

MOVING UP THE CHARTS

RB Steven Jackson caught 42 passes in 2011 to give him 369 for his career. That leaves Jackson ranked sixth in receptions in team history. Jackson caught 42 passes in 15 games, second most among Rams. He entered the season ranked ninth in team history in catches. This season, he needs 31 receptions to tie Tom Fears for fifth place on the teams alltime list.

RB Steven Jackson

Among active NFL players, Jackson currently ranks second behind Tony Gonzalez in career scrimmage yards. Rams All-Time Leaders, Yards From Scrimmage Years Rushing Rec. 1. Isaac Bruce 1994-07 150 14,109 2. Torry Holt 1999-08 57 12,660 3. Steven Jackson 20049,093 3,003 4. Marshall Faulk 1999-05 6,959 4,071 5. Henry Ellard 1983-93 55 9,761 Most All-Purpose Yards, Rams History 1. Isaac Bruce 2. Torry Holt 3. Steven Jackson 4. Henry Ellard 5. Marshall Faulk Total 14,259 12,717 12,096 11,030 9,816 Yards 14,314 12,732 12,175 11,707 11,048

RB Steven Jackson hauls in a pass for one of his 369 career receptions. He now stands alone in sixth place in the category.

Rams All-Time Receptions Leaders

1. Isaac Bruce 2. Torry Holt 3. Henry Ellard 4. Marshall Faulk 5. Tom Fears 6. Steven Jackson 7. Elroy Hirsch 8. Jack Snow 9. Jim Phillips 10. Jim Benton Years 1994-2007 1999-2008 1983-93 1999-2005 1948-56 20041949-57 1965-75 1965-75 1938-47 Receptions 942 869 593 470 400 369 343 340 333 275

SAMS THE MAN

A year after winning the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award, Rams QB Sam Bradfords second NFL season was slowed by a high ankle sprain that caused him to miss six contests. Bradford passed for 2,164 yards with six touchdowns and six interceptions in 10 games in 2011. Bradford turned in two 300-yard performances early in the season. In Week 6 at Green Bay, Bradford passed for 328 yards, his third 300-yard game of his career. He set a new single-game career high in Week 2 as he passed for 331 yards against the New York Giants. That night, he completed 22-of-46 throws with one touchdown and no interceptions in his Monday Night Football debut. With his health restored, Bradford has high expectations as he enters his third NFL campaign.

LONG ON TALENT
They say sacks often come in bunches, and thats the way Rams DE Chris Long collected them in 2011. Long finished the year with 13.0 sacks, which ranked seventh in the NFL. In Week 8 against New Orleans, Long enjoyed his first three-sack game of his career to help the Rams to a victory. Long set a new career high in sacks last season. His previous best was 8.5 in 2010. During a midseason stretch, Long recorded at least one sack in seven of nine games. He also enjoyed a stretch DE Chris Long in which he had at least one sack in sixconsecutive games, a new career long. He had sacks in four straight games in 2010. With his 13th sack, Long equaled his Hall of Fame fathers career high for sacks in a season. Howie Long had 13 sacks for the Raiders in 1983. Long led the Rams in sacks, quarterback pressures (15) and quarterback hits (16). His play helped the Rams collect 39 sacks as a team last year. 2011 NFL Sack Leaders 1. Jared Allen, MIN 2. DeMarcus Ware, DAL 3. Jason Babin, PHI 4. Jason Pierre-Paul, NYG 5t. Aldon Smith, SF 5t. Terrell Suggs, BAL 7. Chris Long, STL 8. Tamba Hali, KC Sacks 22.0 19.5 18.0 16.5 14.0 14.0 13.0 12.0

QB Sam Bradford threw for 2,164 yards in 10 games last season.

SAMS TROPHY CASE

Rams QB Sam Bradford added to his trophy case following his first NFL season when he was voted Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year by a select group of writers. As a sophomore at Oklahoma, Bradford won the Heisman Trophy. When he added Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, he became just the seventh player and first quarterback to win both the Heisman and the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. The other players in that elite group include University of Pittsburgh/Cowboys RB Tony QB Sam Bradford Dorsett, Texas/Oilers RB Earl Campbell, Oklahoma/Lions RB Billy Sims, South Carolina/Saints RB George Rogers, Southern Cal./Raiders RB Marcus Allen, Oklahoma State/ Lions RB Barry Sanders and Ohio State/Oilers RB Eddie George.

NEW ADDITION
WR Steve Smith joined the Rams as a free agent in March, and St. Louis is hopeful that the former Pro Bowler will be a reliable target for QB Sam Bradford. Smith had his 2011 season cut short due to a knee injury, but just a couple years ago, he was one of the NFLs most productive pass catchers. In 2009, Smith led the NFC and finished second in the NFL with 107 receptions, which set a new Giants WR Steve Smith record. He also finished third in the conference in receiving yards (1,220) and earned an invitation to the Pro Bowl. Prior to signing with the Rams, Smith already had a connection with Head Coach Jeff Fisher. Both men played at Taft High School in Los Angeles before attending USC.

FAMILY BUSINESS
When Chris Long recorded his 10th sack in Week 12 against Arizona, it allowed him and his father, Hall of Famer Howie Long, to record some pass-rushing history. The Longs became only the second father/ son combo to each record 10.0 sacks in a season, joining Clay Matthews and Clay Matthews, Jr. Howie reached 10.0 sacks in three consecutive seasons (1983-85). Matthews did DE Chris Long so with the Cleveland Browns in 1984, and Matthews, Jr. reached 10.0 for the Packers in each of his first two NFL seasons.

2009 NFL Reception Leaders 1. Wes Welker, NE 2. Steve Smith, NYG 3t. Andre Johnson, HOU 3t. Brandon Marshall, DEN 5t. Dallas Clark, IND 5t. Reggie Wayne, IND

Rec. 127 107 101 101 100 100

CORT IS IN SESSION
When free agency began in early March, the Rams quickly moved to land their top target. That man was CB Cortland Finnegan. Finnegan played for Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher for five seasons in Tennessee, where the Samford product developed a reputation as a feisty, aggressive playmaker. Finnegan was named to his first career Pro Bowl in 2008 and earned Associated Press All-Pro honors. He also earned first-team All-Pro honors after he led the Titans with 20 passes defensed and finished tied for sixth in the NFL with five interceptions.

MAN IN THE MIDDLE

If you want to find Rams MLB James Laurinaitis on the football field, one can often simply follow the ball because the now fourth-year pro seems to always be around it. Laurinaitis was again the Rams leader in tackles as he racked up 142 in his third NFL season. It was his thirdconsecutive 100-tackle season. Laurinaitis has proven to be a valuable defender against both the run and the pass. He recorded 3.0 sacks and two interceptions last season, and he was second among Rams with eight passes defensed on the year. He also had four quarterback pressures, two quarterback hits and one fumble recovery. Laurinaitis, due in part to his ability to play the run and pass at a high level, rarely comes off the field. He played a team-high 1,052 snaps in 2011.

CB Cortland Finnegan

Finnegan has been a model of consistency throughout his career. Hes started 42 consecutive games, the fourth-longest active streak among NFL cornerbacks. Longest Active Streaks, Consecutive Starts By a CB Games 1. Ronde Barber, TB 199 2. Brandon Carr, KC/DAL 64 3. Drayton Florence, BUF/DEN 45 4. Cortland Finnegan, TEN/STL 42 5. DeAngelo Hall, WAS 34
Linebacker James Laurinaitis once again found himself atop the Rams list of leading tacklers.

DANDY DANNY
WR Danny Amendola played in just one game in 2011 due to an elbow injury he suffered in Week 1, but as 2012 approaches, he hopes to pick up where he left off. In 2010, Amendola led the Rams with 85 receptions for 689 yards. He finished ninth in the NFL and fifth in the NFC in catches in 2010. He also averaged 11.3 yards per punt return. In 2009, his first season on an NFL roster, Amendola caught 43 passes for 326 yards in 14 games. He surpassed both totals by midseason in 2010 and added three touchdowns as well. In addition, Amendola was one of the leagues best on third down. His 29 receptions on third down were third-most in the NFL in 2010. The former Texas Tech Red Raider led the NFL in all-purpose yardage in 2010 with 2,364 yards. Amendola was the only player in the league to lead his team in punt return, kick return and receiving yardage. Amendolas 85 catches in 2010 ranked 13th in Rams history for a single season. Hes caught at least one pass in every game since joining the Rams in Week 2 of the 2009 season, a streak of 31 consecutive games with a reception.

RUSHING ROBERT
The Rams used the 14th overall pick in last years draft on a young pass rusher who they hoped would help them get after the quarterback, and DE Robert Quinn showed why he was highly coveted in April. On the season, Quinn recorded 5.0 sacks and finished second among Rams with 14 quarterback hits, trailing only Chris Longs 16. In addition to his role on defense, Quinn DE Robert Quinn was an asset on special teams. Against the Bengals in Week 15, he partially blocked a punt, which was the third time last season he either blocked or partially blocked a punt. In Week 8, Quinn blocked a punt that led to a Rams touchdown and sacked Drew Brees. Quinn was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts against the Saints. Quinn tied Sean Gilbert (5.0 in 1992) for the third most sacks by a rookie in Rams history.

SAFETY FIRST
S Quintin Mikell, who signed with the Rams as a free agent prior to the 2011 season, provided an immediate impact on St. Louis defense. The nine-year veteran was a part of five takeaways in his first year as a Ram. Mikell finished second among Rams with 100 tackles a year ago. He trailed only James Laurinaitis in stops. Mikell also had one sack, two interceptions and four forced fumbles. Mikell, who spent his first eight NFL seasons with the Eagles, boasts career totals of 5.0 sacks and 12 interceptions.

S Quintin Mikell celebrates an interception with his teammates.

The return of WR/PR Danny Amendola will give the Rams offense a boost. In 2010, Amendola was Sam Bradfords favorite target.

FAMILY TIES
The Rams roster is chocked full of players and coaches who are closely related to professional sports and entertainment figures. Heres a look at them. Special Teams Coordinator John Fassel - Father Jim was a longtime NFL coach and was the head coach of the New York Giants from 1997-2003. TE Cory Harkey - Practice squad member is the son of Mike Harkey, who enjoyed a 10-year Major League career as a pitcher with the Cubs and Dodgers and is currently a coach on Joe Girardis Yankees staff.

NFL HOTBED
When it comes to producing NFL talent, few places in the country can rival The Muck. Rams CB Janoris Jenkins is the latest in a long line of NFL players who hail from the small South Florida city of Pahokee. The Rams selected Jenkins with the 39th pick in Aprils draft. Jenkins was an All-SEC performer at Florida, where he spent three seasons before finishing his career at North Alabama last season. Heres a look at some notable names who have made the trek from the Pahokee/Belle Glade to the NFL. The group includes Hall of Famer Rickey CB Janoris Jenkins Jackson and several notable current NFL players. Player, Pos. Reidel Anthony, WR Bill Bentley, CB Roosevelt Blackmon, DB Anquan Boldin, WR Kevin Bouie, RB James Burroughs, CB Timothy Golden, LB Eric Green, CB Bobby Harden, S Santonio Holmes, WR Reynaldo Hill, CB Rickey Jackson, LB Ray McDonald, DE Eric Moore, DE Kendrick Mosley, WR Louis Oliver, DB Alphonso Smith, CB Fred Taylor, RB Andre Waters, S NFL Team(s) TB DET CIN, GB ARI, BAL ARI, SD IND PHI, NE ARI MIA PIT, NYJ TEN NO, SF SF STL, NE CLE MIA, CIN DET JAC, NE PHI

RB Daryl Richardson is the third member of his family to make an NFL roster. Later this season, hell square off against brother Clyde Gates and the Jets.

LB James Laurinaitis - Father Joe wrestled under the name Animal and was a prominent figure in the WWE and WCW as a member of the Road Warriors and Legion of Doom. DE Chris Long - Father Howie was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame following a standout career with the Raiders. WR Austin Pettis - Uncle Gary enjoyed a lengthy Major League career and grandfather Del Rice was a catcher with the Cardinals. RB Daryl Richardson - Brother Bernard Scott currently plays running back for the Bengals and brother Clyde Gates plays wide receiver for the Jets. Offensive Coordinator Brian Schottenheimer - Father Marty played in the AFL and was the head coach of the Browns, Chiefs, Redskins and Chargers.

FAST FACTS
The oldest player LB Mario Haggan, 32 years old (3/30/80) The youngest player DT Michael Brockers, 21 years old (12/21/90) The tallest player DT Matt Conrath, 6-7. The shortest player S Quinton Pointer, 5-9. The farthest distance a player has to travel from their hometown P Johnny Hekker hails from Bothell, Wash., which is 2,108 miles from the ContinuityX Training Center. The shortest distance a player has to travel from their hometown to St. Louis, Mo. TE Mike McNeill is from Kirkwood, Mo., just 15 miles from the ContinuityX Training Center. College with the most current Rams - Virginia (Chris Long, Matt Conrath, Rodney McLeod).

FRONT AND CENTER

One of the Rams key additions this offseason was C Scott Wells, who signed with St. Louis as a free agent in March. Wells is coming off a Pro Bowl season in which he was at the forefront of one of the NFLs most dynamic offenses. Entering his ninth season out of Tennessee, the veteran will be counted on to help anchor one of the NFLs youngest teams. He spent the last eight seasons in Green C Scott Wells Bay, leading the way for a pair of 4,000yard passers in Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. Last season, he started all 16 games for the NFLs highest-scoring offense and helped the Packers to a league-best 15-1 record. Wells brings a wealth of experience to St. Louis. His 100 career starts are the most among Rams starting offensive linemen. In addition, hes started eight postseason games and played a key role on a Super Bowl championship team in 2010. Including the postseason, Wells has started 52 consecutive games.

St. Louis native Mike McNeill has a short commute to the ContinuityX Training Center.

2012 RAMS DRAFT PICKS

DT Michael Brockers D1 (14) - LSU
- Second-team All-SEC selection for national runner up in 2011. - Started 15 games in two seasons and was credited with 79 tackles (34 solo), two sacks (16 yards), 11 tackles for loss (33 yards) and ve quarterback pressures.

WR Chris Givens D4 (96) - Wake Forest

- Caught 163 passes for 2,473 yards (15.1 ypc) and 21 touchdowns at WFU. - Ranks fourth in school history in receptions and third in receiving yards.
WR Chris Givens

DT Michael Brockers

WR Brian Quick D2a (33) - Appalachian St.

- Caught 202 passes for 3,418 yards and 31 touchdownsholds the school career-record for receptions and ranks fth in Southern Conference history. - 3,418 receiving yards is also an ASU record. - Two-time All-Southern Conference honoree.

OT Rokevious Watkins D5 (150) - South Carolina

- Earned All-SEC First Team honors and SEC Coaches Second Team in 2011. - Versatile lineman played offensive guard for two years before switching to right (rst ve games) and then left (nal eight) tackle as a senior.

WR Brian Quick

OT Rokevious Watkins

CB Janoris Jenkins D2b (39) - North Alabama

- Played nal season at North Alabama after spending three seasons at Florida where he was named Freshman All-American in 2008. - Second-team All-SEC and Third-Team AllAmerican as a junior in 2010.
CB Janoris Jenkins K Greg Zuerlein

K Greg Zuerlein D6 (171) - Missouri Western

- Was named All-American by six different organizations following his senior season. - Three-time selection to First-Team All-Mid America Intercollegiate Athletic Association and also earned MIAA Special Teams Player of the year as a senior.

- Recorded eight interceptions in three seasons at Florida.

RB Isaiah Pead D2c (50) - Cincinnati

- First-Team All-Big East and Big East Offensive Player of the Year in 2012. - Ranks third in Bearcats history with 3,288 rushing yards and 27 rushing touchdowns.
RB Isaiah Pead LB Aaron Brown

LB Aaron Brown D7a (209) - Hawaii

- Named First-Team All-WAC as a senior at Hawaii. - Two-year starter for the Warriors after transferring from Saddleback Community College in California where he was an honorable mention Junior College All-American as a sophomore.

CB Trumaine Johnson D3 (65) - Montana

- Two-time All-American and three-time AllBig Sky Conference rst-team; nominated for the Buck Buchanan Award, given to the best defensive player in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision ranks.
CB Trumaine Johnson

RB Daryl Richardson D7b (252) - Abilene Christian

- Ranks second in rushing touchdowns, fth in rushing yards and fourth in points scored in ACU history; twice named Second-Team All-Lone Star Conference. - Is younger brother of Bengals RB Bernard Scott and Jets WR Clyde Gates.

- Recorded 15 career interceptions and 35 passes defensed.

RB Daryl Richardson

ST. LOUIS RAMS 2011 DEFENSIVE STATS

(Based on coaches evaluation) TACKLES Total Solo James Laurinaitis 142 101 Quintin Mikell 100 64 Darian Stewart 88 55 Chris Chamberlain 84 51 Brady Poppinga 69 31 Justin King 63 52 Craig Dahl 54 36 James Hall 53 34 Josh Gordy 53 36 Justin Bannan 38 24 Chris Long 34 17 Fred Robbins 32 19 Rod Hood 28 21 Darell Scott 26 14 Gary Gibson 25 15 Bradley Fletcher 24 19 Al Harris 20 13 Robert Quinn 20 12 Ben Leber 12 9 C.J. Ah You 11 5 Eugene Sims 10 5 James Butler 10 5 Bryan Kehl 8 4 Marquis Johnson 7 4 Ron Bartell 2 2 Chris Smith 1 1 Total 1,010 647 *Tackle totals include tackles for loss * PD is passes defensed Total Solo Craig Dahl ........................16 12 Dominique Curry ..............16 11 Eugene Sims ....................13 7 Darian Stewart..................11 9 Brit Miller ...........................9 7 Josh Hull............................8 3 Quinn Porter ......................8 4 David Nixon .......................7 6 Bryan Kehl .........................7 7 Chris Chamberlain.............7 7 James Butler .....................3 3 Josh Brown........................3 1 Donnie Jones ....................2 2 Chris Smith ........................2 2 Josh Gordy ........................2 1 Greg Salas ........................2 1 Jake McQuaide .................2 1 Bradley Fletcher ................1 1 Justin Cole.........................1 1 Austin Pettis ......................1 0 Ben Leber ..........................0 0 James Hall.........................0 0 Robert Quinn .....................0 0 Total ................................122 87 Ast. 4 5 6 2 2 5 4 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 35 FF 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 Asst. 41 36 37 33 38 11 18 19 17 14 17 13 7 12 10 5 7 8 3 6 5 5 4 3 0 0 373 Sacks 3.0 1.0 3.0 2.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 6.0 0.0 0.0 13.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 3.0 0.0 0.0 5.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 39.0 Yards 24.0 9.0 23.0 9.0 0.0 6.0 0.0 48.0 0.0 0.0 86.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 16.0 0.0 0.0 35.0 0.0 5.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 261.0 Int. 2 2 1 1 0 1 1 0 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 QB *PD Press. 8 4 4 1 10 0 1 1 2 2 6 0 0 0 1 4 3 1 3 1 2 15 3 1 5 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 7 0 2 3 0 2 1 4 1 2 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 61 43 QB Hits 2 3 1 1 3 3 2 13 1 1 16 2 0 1 3 2 0 14 1 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 73 FF 0 4 2 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 FR 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4

SPECIAL TEAMS STATISTICS

FR 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1

BK 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 4

BK Rec 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

SACK LEADERS No. Chris Long .......................... 13.0 James Hall............................ 6.0 Robert Quinn ........................ 5.0 James Laurinaitis ................. 3.0 Gary Gibson ......................... 3.0 Darian Stewart...................... 3.0 Chris Chamberlain................ 2.0 Quintin Mikell ........................ 1.0 Justin King ............................ 1.0 C.J. Ah You .......................... 1.0 Fred Robbins ........................ 1.0 Total ................................... 39.0

Yards 86.0 48.0 35.0 24.0 16.0 23.0 9.0 9.0 6.0 5.0 0.0 261.0

ST. LOUIS RAMS / WON 2, LOST 14 09/11 L 13-31 09/19 L 16-28 09/25 L 7-37 10/02 L 10-17 10/16 L 3-24 10/23 L 7-34 10/30 W 31-21 11/06 L 13-19 OT 11/13 W 13-12 11/20 L 7-24 11/27 L 20-23 12/04 L 0-26 12/12 L 13-30 12/18 L 13-20 12/24 L 0-27 01/01 L 27-34

WEEK 17 / THROUGH SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2012 * RUSHING No. Yds Avg Long TD Philadelphia 56,722 S. Jackson 260 1145 4.4 47t 5 at New York Giants 78,290 C. Williams 87 361 4.1 23 1 Baltimore 56,289 Norwood 24 61 2.5 10 0 Washington 56,113 Clemens LG 6 37 6.2 18t 1 at Green Bay 70,604 Clemens TM 6 37 6.2 18t 1 at Dallas 80,086 Bradford 18 26 1.4 17 0 New Orleans 57,179 B. Gibson 2 16 8.0 11 0 at Arizona 60,628 B. Miller 5 14 2.8 12 0 at Cleveland 64,900 D. Jones 1 9 9.0 9 0 Seattle 56,400 Salas 1 8 8.0 8 0 Arizona 56,029 Feeley 3 4 1.3 6 0 at San Francisco 69,732 Pettis 1 -6 -6.0 -6 0 at Seattle 66,577 Kendricks 1 -8 -8.0 -8 0 Cincinnati 56,431 TEAM 409 1667 4.1 47t 7 at Pittsburgh 60,081 OPPONENTS 509 2427 4.8 91t 17 San Francisco 55,990 * RECEIVING No. Yds Avg Long TD St.L. Opp. Lloyd LG 70 966 13.8 44 5 TOTAL FIRST DOWNS 267 313 Lloyd TM 51 683 13.4 37 5 Rushing 79 122 S. Jackson 42 333 7.9 50 1 Passing 159 166 B. Gibson 36 431 12.0 34t 1 Penalty 29 25 Kendricks 28 352 12.6 45 0 3rd Down: Made/Att 64/228 83/216 Salas 27 264 9.8 21 0 3rd Down Pct. 28.1 38.4 Pettis 27 256 9.5 35 0 4th Down: Made/Att 8/23 5/8 Alexander 26 431 16.6 68 2 4th Down Pct. 34.8 62.5 C. Williams 14 93 6.6 16 0 POSSESSION AVG. 28:07 31:53 Sims-Walker TM 11 139 12.6 33 0 TOTAL NET YARDS 4537 5734 Bajema 9 71 7.9 19 0 Avg. Per Game 283.6 358.4 Hoomanawanui 7 83 11.9 27 0 Total Plays 1013 1033 Amendola 5 45 9.0 18 0 Avg. Per Play 4.5 5.6 B. Miller 3 41 13.7 20 0 NET YARDS RUSHING 1667 2427 Clayton 3 26 8.7 12 0 Avg. Per Game 104.2 151.7 Spach 2 2 1.0 3 0 Total Rushes 409 509 N. Miller LG 1 8 8.0 8 0 NET YARDS PASSING 2870 3307 N. Miller TM 1 8 8.0 8 0 Avg. Per Game 179.4 206.7 TEAM 292 3258 11.2 68 9 Sacked/Yards Lost 55/388 39/261 OPPONENTS 294 3568 12.1 93t 21 Gross Yards 3258 3568 * INTERCEPTIONS No. Yds Avg Long TD Att./Completions 549/292 485/294 Gordy 3 37 12.3 30 0 Completion Pct. 53.2 60.6 Laurinaitis 2 15 7.5 15 0 Had Intercepted 10 12 Mikell 2 11 5.5 11 0 PUNTS/AVERAGE 106/43.9 81/44.9 King 1 51 51.0 51 0 NET PUNTING AVG. 106/37.0 81/39.2 Hood 1 27 27.0 27 0 PENALTIES/YARDS 112/899 111/951 Stewart 1 27 27.0 27t 1 FUMBLES/BALL LOST 27/13 24/6 Chamberlain 1 4 4.0 4 0 TOUCHDOWNS 18 45 C. Dahl 1 -3 -3.0 -3 0 Rushing 7 17 TEAM 12 169 14.1 51 1 Passing 9 21 OPPONENTS 10 40 4.0 13 0 Returns 2 7 * PUNTING No. Yds Avg Net TB In Lg B * SCORE BY PERIODS Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT PTS D. Jones 105 4652 44.3 37.0 9 29 65 1 TEAM 37 58 37 61 0 193 TEAM 106 4652 43.9 37.0 9 29 65 1 OPPONENTS 94 103 100 104 6 407 OPPONENTS 81 3636 44.9 39.2 8 29 71 1 * SCORING TD-Ru-Pa-Rt K-PAT FG S PTS * PUNT RETURNS Ret FC Yds Avg Long TD Jo. Brown 0 0 0 0 18/18 21/28 0 81 Pettis 15 10 139 9.3 39 0 S. Jackson 6 5 1 0 0 36 N. Miller LG 10 10 147 14.7 88t 1 Lloyd LG 5 0 5 0 0 30 N. Miller TM 8 10 128 16.0 88t 1 Lloyd TM 5 0 5 0 0 30 Salas 2 3 29 14.5 29 0 Alexander 2 0 2 0 0 12 Amendola 1 0 0 0.0 0 0 Clemens LG 1 1 0 0 0 6 Porter LG 1 1 1 1.0 1 0 Clemens TM 1 1 0 0 0 6 Porter TM 1 1 1 1.0 1 0 B. Gibson 1 0 1 0 0 6 Clayton 0 1 0 --- --- 0 N. Miller LG 1 0 0 1 0 6 TEAM 27 25 297 11.0 88t 1 N. Miller TM 1 0 0 1 0 6 OPPONENTS 45 28 552 12.3 99t 2 Stewart 1 0 0 1 0 6 * KICKOFF RETURNS No. Yds Avg Long TD C. Williams 1 1 0 0 0 6 Porter LG 25 554 22.2 32 0 Hall 0 0 0 0 1 2 Porter TM 25 554 22.2 32 0 TEAM 18 7 9 2 18/18 21/28 2 193 Norwood 24 611 25.5 47 0 OPPONENTS 45 17 21 7 44/44 31/37 0 407 N. Miller LG 6 104 17.3 23 0 2-Pt Conv: TM 0-0, OPP 0-0 N. Miller TM 2 43 21.5 23 0 SACKS: Long 13, Hall 6, Quinn 5, G. Gibson 3, Pettis 3 62 20.7 24 0 Laurinaitis 3, Stewart 3, Chamberlain 2, Sims 1 10 10.0 10 0 Ah You 1, King 1, Mikell 1, Robbins 1, TM 39, Mattison LG 0 2 --2 0 OPP 55 TEAM 55 1280 23.3 47 0 FUM/LOST: Bradford 10/7, Feeley 3/2, OPPONENTS 36 902 25.1 54 0 Salas 3/1, Clemens(LG) 2/0, Clemens(TM) 2/0, * FIELD GOALS 1-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50+ S. Jackson 2/1, Pettis 2/0, Amendola 1/0, Jo. Brown 0/ 0 7/ 7 6/ 7 8/12 0/2 Kendricks 1/1, Lloyd(LG) 1/0, TEAM 0/ 0 7/ 7 6/ 7 8/12 0/2 Porter(TM) 1/0, Porter(LG) 1/0, OPPONENTS 2/ 2 9/10 12/13 7/ 9 1/3 C. Williams 1/1, Wragge 1/0 Jo. Brown: (49G,47N,23G)(21G,25G,27G)()(32G) (47N,36G)()(38G)(48G,37G,41G,42B)(29G,34G)()(35G,48G,50N)()(46G,29G)(45N,26G,43G)(52N,33N) (49G,48G) OPP:(34G)()(51N,51N,21G,31G,38G)(38G)(32G)(30G,51G)(49N)(27G,38G)(44G,32G,43G, 27G,22N)(19G)(29G,37G,22G)(36G,19G,28G,34G)(42G,23G,38N,48G)(21G,41G)(21G,49G)(48N,36G,42G) * PASSING Bradford Feeley Clemens Clemens Brandstater Lloyd Lloyd Norwood TEAM OPPONENTS Att Cmp Yds Cmp% Yds/Att TD 357 191 2164 53.5 6.06 6 97 53 548 54.6 5.65 1 91 48 546 52.7 6.00 2 91 48 546 52.7 6.00 2 2 0 0 0.0 0.00 0 1 0 0 0.0 0.00 0 1 0 0 0.0 0.00 0 1 0 0 0.0 0.00 0 549 292 3258 53.2 5.93 9 485 294 3568 60.6 7.36 21 TD% Int Int% 1.7 6 1.7 1.0 2 2.1 2.2 1 1.1 2.2 1 1.1 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 1 100.0 1.6 10 1.8 4.3 12 2.5 Long Sack/Lost Rating 68 36/ 248 70.5 34 10/ 72 66.0 36t 9/ 68 73.8 36t 9/ 68 73.8 --0/ 0 39.6 --0/ 0 39.6 --0/ 0 39.6 --0/ 0 0.0 68 55/ 388 69.0 93t 39/ 261 87.4

LG TM LG TM

RAMS COACHES & PRONUNCIATION GUIDE

Head Coach Assistant Head Coach Special Teams Coordinator Offensive Coordinator Assistant Strength Tight Ends Offensive Line Assistant Special Teams Assistant Linebacker Secondary Quarterbacks Assistant Offensive Line Assistant Secondary Strength & Conditioning Wide Receivers Assistant Defensive Line Running Backs Quality Control/Offense Defensive Line Linebackers Quality Control/Defense Jeff Fisher Dave McGinnis John Fassel Brian Schottenheimer Adam Bailey Rob Boras Paul T. Boudreau Paul F. Boudreau Joe Bowden Chuck Cecil Frank Cignetti Andy Dickerson Brandon Fisher Rock Gullickson Ray Sherman Clyde Simmons Ben Sirmans Andy Sugarman Mike Waufle Blake Williams Dennard Wilson

PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
PLAYERS 16 Danny AMENDOLA 93 Jermelle CUDJO 51 M ario HAGGAN 55 James LAURINAITIS 38 Rodney McLEOD 27 Quintin MIKELL 97 DARELL Scott 73 ROKEVIOUS Watkins 4 Greg ZUERLEIN am-men-DOLE-uh CUDD-joe HAY-gan Lore-in-eye-tis mic-CLOUD like MICHAEL duh-RELL ruh-CAVE-ee-us ZURR-line

RAMS UNOFFICIAL DEPTH CHART

OFFENSE
WR LT LG C RG RT TE WR QB FB HB 11 Brandon Gibson 76 Rodger Saffold 73 Rokevious Watkins 63 Scott Wells 62 Harvey Dahl 79 Barry Richardson 82 Matthew Mulligan 16 Danny Amendola 8 Sam Bradford 49 Brit Miller 39 Steven Jackson 24 Isaiah Pead 26 Daryl Richardson 42 Terrance Ganaway 12 Steve Smith 72 Wayne Hunter 66 Shelley Smith 59 Rob Turner 66 Shelley Smith 72 Wayne Hunter 88 Lance Kendricks 87 Greg Salas 9 Austin Davis 69 Ty Nsekhe 89 Mike McNeill 13 Chris Givens

8/27/2012
83 Brian Quick 69 Ty Nsekhe

DEFENSE
LDE LDT RDT RDE SLB MLB WLB LCB RCB SS FS 91 Chris Long 98 Kendall Langford 90 Michael Brockers 94 Robert Quinn 50 Rocky McIntosh 55 James Laurinaitis 58 Jo-Lonn Dunbar 31 Cortland Finnegan 21 Janoris Jenkins 20 Darian Stewart 27 Quintin Mikell 95 William Hayes 71 Matt Conrath 97 Darell Scott 92 Eugene Sims 51 Mario Haggan 56 Josh Hull 52 Justin Cole 22 Trumaine Johnson 32 Bradley Fletcher 43 Craig Dahl 38 Rodney McLeod 33 Quinton Pointer 37 Matt Daniels 96 Kellen Heard 93 Jermelle Cudjo

SPECIALISTS
P K H LS PR KR 6 Johnny Hekker 4 Greg Zuerlein 6 Johnny Hekker 44 Jake McQuaide 16 Danny Amendola 24 Isaiah Pead 21 Janoris Jenkins 21 Janoris Jenkins

RAMS ALPHABETICAL ROSTER

# Player 16 Amendola, Danny 8 Bradford, Sam 90 Brockers, Michael 52 Cole, Justin 71 Conrath, Matthew 93 Cudjo, Jermelle 43 Dahl, Craig 62 Dahl, Harvey 37 Daniels, Matthew 9 Davis, Austin 58 Dunbar, Jo-Lonn 31 Finnegan, Cortland 32 Fletcher, Bradley 42 Ganaway, Terrance 11 Gibson, Brandon 13 Givens, Chris 51 Haggan, Mario 95 Hayes, William 96 Heard, Kellen 6 Hekker, Johnny 56 Hull, Josh 72 Hunter, Wayne 39 Jackson, Steven 21 Jenkins, Janoris 22 Johnson, Trumaine 88 Kendricks, Lance 98 Langford, Kendall 55 Laurinaitis, James 91 Long, Chris 50 McIntosh, Rocky 38 McLeod, Rodney 89 McNeill, Mike 44 McQuaide, Jake 27 Mikell, Quintin 49 Miller, Brit 82 Mulligan, Matthew 69 Nsekhe, Ty 24 Pead, Isaiah 33 Pointer, Quinton 83 Quick, Brian 94 Quinn, Robert 79 Richardson, Barry 26 Richardson, Daryl 76 Saffold, Rodger 97 Scott, Darell 92 Sims, Eugene 66 Smith, Shelley 12 Smith, Steve 20 Stewart, Darian 59 Turner, Robert 73 Watkins, Rokevious 63 Wells, Scott 4 Zuerlein, Greg Injured/Reserve (1) 99 Laws, Trevor Practice Squad (7) 61 Barnes, Tim 77 Brodine, Mason 54 Brown, Aaron 46 Harkey, Cory 14 Johnson, Nick 34 Reynolds, Chase 70 Washington, Brandon Pos WR QB DT LB DT DT S G S QB LB CB CB RB WR WR LB DE DT P LB T RB CB CB TE DT LB DE LB S TE LS S FB TE T RB S WR DE T RB T DT DE G WR S C/G T C K Ht 5-11 6-4 6-5 6-3 6-7 6-2 6-1 6-5 6-0 6-2 6-0 5-10 6-0 6-1 6-0 6-0 6-3 6-3 6-6 6-5 6-3 6-5 6-2 5-10 6-2 6-3 6-6 6-2 6-3 6-2 5-10 6-4 6-2 5-10 6-1 6-4 6-8 5-10 5-9 6-3 6-4 6-6 5-10 6-5 6-3 6-6 6-4 5-11 5-11 6-4 6-3 6-2 6-0 Wt 188 224 322 242 290 311 212 308 211 221 226 188 200 240 205 198 274 272 339 227 245 318 240 193 204 247 295 250 270 242 183 235 247 204 253 265 325 197 186 220 264 319 196 314 317 265 297 195 214 308 338 300 187 DOB Age Exp College 11/2/1985 26 3 Texas Tech 11/8/1987 24 3 Oklahoma 12/21/1990 21 R LSU 11/22/1987 24 3 San Jose St. 8/11/1989 23 R Virginia 9/28/1986 25 3 Central Oklahoma 6/17/1985 27 5 North Dakota State 6/24/1981 31 6 Nevada-Reno 9/27/1989 22 R Duke 6/2/1989 23 R Southern Mississippi 3/13/1985 27 5 Boston College 2/2/1984 28 7 Samford 6/25/1986 26 4 Iowa 10/7/1988 23 R Baylor 8/13/1987 25 4 Washington State 12/6/1989 22 R Wake Forest 3/30/1980 32 10 Mississippi State 5/2/1985 27 5 Winston-Salem State 10/17/1985 26 2 Memphis 2/8/1990 22 R Oregon State 5/21/1987 25 3 Penn State 7/2/1981 31 9 Hawaii 7/22/1983 29 9 Oregon State 10/29/1988 23 R North Alabama 1/1/1990 22 R Montana 1/30/1988 24 2 Wisconsin 1/27/1986 26 5 Hampton 12/3/1986 25 4 Ohio State 3/28/1985 27 5 Virginia 11/15/1982 29 7 Miami (Fla.) 6/23/1990 22 R Virginia 3/7/1988 24 2 Nebraska 12/7/1987 24 2 Ohio State 9/16/1980 31 10 Boise State 9/15/1986 25 4 Illinois 1/18/1985 27 4 Maine 10/27/1985 26 1 Texas State 12/14/1989 22 R Cincinnati 4/16/1988 24 R UNLV 6/5/1989 23 R Appalachian St. 5/18/1990 22 2 North Carolina 5/15/1986 26 5 Clemson 4/12/1990 22 R Abilene Christian 6/6/1988 24 3 Indiana 3/15/1986 26 4 Clemson 3/18/1986 26 3 West Texas A&M 5/21/1987 25 3 Colorado State 5/6/1985 27 6 USC 8/4/1988 24 3 South Carolina 8/20/1984 28 4 New Mexico 2/24/1989 23 R South Carolina 1/7/1981 31 9 Tennessee 12/27/1987 24 R Missouri Western H.S. Hometown The Woodlands, Tex. Oklahoma City, Okla. Houston, Tex. Chino Hills, Calif. Oak Lawn, Ill. Lawton, Okla. Mankato, Minn. Fallon, Nev. Fayetteville, Ga. Meridian, Miss. Syracuse, N.Y. Milton, Fla. Youngstown, Ohio DeKalb, Tex. Puyallup, Wash. Wylie, Tex. Clarksdale, Miss. High Point, N.C. Galveston, Tex. Bothell, Wash. Millheim, Pa. Honolulu, Hi. Las Vegas, Nev. Pahokee, Fla. Stockton, Calif. Milwaukee, Wisc. Petersburg, Va. Plymouth, Minn. Charlottesville, Va. Gaffney, S.C. Oxon Hill, Md. St. Louis, Mo. Cincinnati, Ohio Eugene, Ore. Decatur, Ill. Bangor, Me. Arlington, Tex. Columbus, Ohio Ft. Myers, Fla. Columbia, S.C. Ladson, S.C. Mt. Pleasant, S.C. Jacksonville, Fla. Bedford, Ohio Columbia, S.C. Mt. Olive, Miss. Avondale, Ari. Woodland Hills, Calif. Huntsville, Ala. Austin, Tex. Fairburn, Ga. Brentwood, Tenn. Lincoln, Nebr. How Acq FA-'09 D1-'10 D1-'12 FA-'11 FA-'12 FA-'09 FA-'09 UFA(ATL)-'11 FA-'12 FA-'12 UFA (NO)-'12 UFA (TEN)-'12 D3-'09 W(NYJ)-'12 T(PHI)-'09 D4-'12 UFA(DEN)-'12 UFA (TEN)-'12 W(BUF)-'12 FA-'12 D7C-'10 T(NYJ)-'12 D1-04 D2B-'12 D3-'12 D2-'11 UFA (MIA)-'12 D2-'09 D1-'08 UFA (WAS)-'12 FA-'12 FA-'11 FA-'11 UFA(PHI)-'11 FA-'10 UFA(NYJ)-'12 W(IND)-'12 D2C-'12 FA-'12 D2A-'12 D1-'11 UFA(KC)-'12 D7B-'12 D2-'10 D4-'09 D6B-'10 W(HOU)-'12 UFA (PHI)-'12 FA-'10 UFA (NYJ)-'12 D5-'12 UFA (GB)-'12 D6-'12

DT C DE LB TE WR RB G

6-1 6-4 6-7 6-0 6-4 5-11 6-0 6-2

304 300 270 237 260 187 200 320

6/14/1985 5/14/1988 2/18/1988 9/24/1988 6/17/1990 8/16/1989 10/22/1987 8/13/1988

27 24 24 23 22 23 24 24

5 1 1 R R R 1 R

Notre Dame Missouri Nebraska-Kearney Hawaii UCLA Henderson State Montana Miami (Fla.)

Dayton, Ohio Longwood, Mo. Elm Creek, Neb. Puyallup, Wash. Chino Hills, Calif. Santa Cruz, Calif. Drummond, Mont. Miami, Fla.

UFA (PHI)-'12 FA-'11 W(OAK)-'12 D7A-'12 FA-'12 FA-'12 FA-'11 FA-'12

RAMS NUMERICAL ROSTER

Birth # Player Pos
K P QB QB WR WR WR WR S CB CB RB RB S CB CB S S S RB RB S LS FB LB LB LB LB LB LB C G C G T DT T T T T TE WR TE TE DT DE DE DT DE DE DT DT DT DT WR RB TE C LB G DE

NFL Age Exp College

24 22 24 23 25 27 22 26 24 23 22 22 22 31 28 26 24 22 22 29 23 27 24 25 29 32 24 25 25 27 27 31 31 25 26 23 31 23 24 26 27 23 24 24 21 27 26 25 22 27 26 26 26 27 23 24 22 24 23 24 24 R R 3 R 4 6 R 3 3 R R R R 10 7 4 R R R 9 R 5 2 4 7 10 2 4 3 5 4 6 9 3 1 R 9 R 3 5 4 R 2 2 R 5 3 3 2 5 2 4 5 5 R 1 R 1 R R 1 Missouri Western Oregon State Oklahoma Southern Mississippi Washington State USC Wake Forest Texas Tech South Carolina North Alabama Montana Cincinnati Abilene Christian Boise State Samford Iowa UNLV Duke Virginia Oregon State Baylor North Dakota State Ohio State Illinois Miami (Fla.) Mississippi State San Jose St. Ohio State Penn State Boston College New Mexico Nevada-Reno Tennessee Colorado State Texas State Virginia Hawaii South Carolina Indiana Clemson Maine Appalachian St. Wisconsin Nebraska LSU Virginia West Texas A&M Central Oklahoma North Carolina Winston-Salem St. Memphis Clemson Hampton Notre Dame Henderson State Montana UCLA Missouri Hawaii Miami (Fla.) Nebraska-Kearney

Ht
6-0 6-5 6-4 6-2 6-0 5-11 6-0 5-11 5-11 5-10 6-2 5-10 5-10 5-10 5-10 6-0 5-9 6-0 5-10 6-2 6-1 6-1 6-2 6-1 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-2 6-3 6-0 6-4 6-5 6-2 6-4 6-8 6-7 6-5 6-3 6-5 6-6 6-4 6-3 6-3 6-4 6-5 6-3 6-6 6-2 6-4 6-3 6-6 6-3 6-6 6-1 5-11 6-0 6-4 6-4 6-0 6-2 6-7

Wt
187 227 224 221 205 195 198 188 214 193 204 197 196 204 188 200 186 211 183 240 240 212 247 253 242 274 242 250 245 226 308 308 300 297 325 290 318 338 314 319 265 220 247 235 322 270 265 311 264 272 339 317 295 304 187 200 260 300 237 320 270

Date
12/27/1987 2/8/1990 11/8/1987 6/2/1989 8/13/1987 5/6/85 12/6/1989 11/2/1985 8/4/1988 10/29/1988 1/1/1990 12/14/1989 4/12/1990 9/16/1980 2/2/1984 6/25/1986 4/16/1988 9/27/1989 6/23/1990 7/22/1983 10/7/1988 6/17/1985 12/7/1987 9/15/1986 11/15/1982 3/30/1980 11/22/1987 12/3/1986 5/21/1987 3/13/1985 8/20/1984 6/24/1981 1/7/1981 5/21/1987 10/27/1985 8/11/1989 7/2/1981 2/24/1989 6/6/1988 5/15/1986 1/18/1985 6/5/1989 1/30/1988 3/7/1988 12/21/1990 3/28/1985 3/18/1986 9/28/1986 5/18/1990 5/2/1985 10/17/1985 3/15/1986 1/27/1986 6/14/1985 8/16/1989 10/22/1987 6/17/1990 5/14/1988 9/24/1988 8/13/1988 2/18/1988

H.S. Hometown
Lincoln, Nebr. Bothell, Wash. Oklahoma City, Okla. Meridian, Miss. Puyallup, Wash. Woodland Hills, Calif. Wylie, Tex. The Woodlands, Tex. Huntsville, Ala. Pahokee, Fla. Stockton, Calif. Columbus, Ohio Jacksonville, Fla. Eugene, Ore. Milton, Fla. Youngstown, Ohio Ft. Myers, Fla. Fayetteville, Ga. Oxon Hill, Md. Las Vegas, Nev. DeKalb, Tex. Mankato, Minn. Cincinnati, Ohio Decatur, Ill. Gaffney, S.C. Clarksdale, Miss. Chino Hills, Calif. Plymouth, Minn. Millheim, Pa. Syracuse, N.Y. Austin, Tex. Fallon, Nev. Brentwood, Tenn. Avondale, Ari. Arlington, Tex. Oak Lawn, Ill. Honolulu, Hi. Fairburn, Ga. Bedford, Ohio Mt. Pleasant, S.C. Bangor, Me. Columbia, S.C. Milwaukee, Wisc. St. Louis, Mo. Houston, Tex. Charlottesville, Va. Mt. Olive, Miss. Lawton, Okla. Ladson, S.C. High Point, N.C. Galveston, Tex. Columbia, S.C. Petersburg, Va. Dayton, Ohio Santa Cruz, Calif. Drummond, Mont. Chino Hills, Calif. Longwood, Mo. Puyallup, Wash. Miami, Fla. Elm Creek, Neb.

How Acq
D6-'12 FA-'12 D1-'10 FA-'12 T(PHI)-'09 UFA (PHI)-'12 D4-'12 FA-'09 FA-'10 D2B-'12 D3-'12 D2C-'12 D7B-'12 UFA(PHI)-'11 UFA(TEN)-'12 D3-'09 FA-'12 FA-'12 FA-'12 D1-04 W(NYJ)-'12 FA-'09 FA-'11 FA-'10 UFA (WAS)'-12 UFA(DEN)-'12 FA-'11 D2-'09 D7C-'10 UFA (NO)-'12 UFA (NYJ)-'12 UFA(ATL)-'11 UFA (GB)-'12 W(HOU)-'12 W(IND)-'12 FA-'12 T(NYJ)-'12 D5-'12 D2-'10 UFA(KC)-'12 UFA(NYJ)-'12 D2A-'12 D2-'11 FA-'11 D1-'12 D1-'08 D6B-'10 FA-'10 D1-'11 UFA (TEN)-'12 W(BUF)-'12 D4-'09 UFA (MIA)-'12 UFA (PHI)-'12 FA-'12 FA-'11 FA-'12 FA-'11 D7A-'12 FA-'12 W(OAK)-'12

4 Greg Zuerlein 6 Johnny Hekker 8 Sam Bradford 9 Austin Davis 11 Brandon Gibson 12 Steve Smith 13 Chris Givens 16 Danny Amendola 20 Darian Stewart 21 Janoris Jenkins 22 Trumaine Johnson 24 Isaiah Pead 26 Daryl Richardson 27 Quintin Mikell 31 Cortland Finnegan 32 Bradley Fletcher 33 Quinton Pointer 37 Matthew Daniels 38 Rodney McLeod 39 Steven Jackson 42 Terrance Ganaway 43 Craig Dahl 44 Jake McQuaide 49 Brit Miller 50 Rocky McIntosh 51 Mario Haggan 52 Justin Cole 55 James Laurinaitis 56 Josh Hull 58 Jo-Lonn Dunbar 59 Robert Turner 62 Harvey Dahl 63 Scott Wells 66 Shelley Smith 69 Ty Nsekhe 71 Matthew Conrath 72 Wayne Hunter 73 Rokevious Watkins 76 Rodger Saffold 79 Barry Richardson 82 Matthew Mulligan 83 Brian Quick 88 Lance Kendricks 89 Mike McNeill 90 Michael Brockers 91 Chris Long 92 Eugene Sims 93 Jermelle Cudjo 94 Robert Quinn 95 William Hayes 96 Kellen Heard 97 Darell Scott 98 Kendall Langford Reserved/Injured (1) 99 Trevor Laws Practice Squad (7) 14 Nick Johnson 34 Chase Reynolds 46 Cory Harkey 61 Tim Barnes 54 Aaron Brown 70 Brandon Washington 77 Mason Brodine

ST. LOUIS RAMS ROSTER BY EXPERIENCE

# 10th year (2) 9th year (3) Player Pos LB S RB T C CB LB S G LB DT DE T WR WR CB WR LB TE C/G DT QB LB DT LB FB OT DE G S DT TE TE LS DE T DT DT S QB RB WR P CB CB S RB S WR RB T K Ht Wt 9/4/2012 Birth Date 3/30/1980 9/16/80 7/22/83 7/2/1981 1/7/1981 2/2/84 11/15/1982 7/7/85 6/24/1981 3/13/1985 1/27/1986 3/28/85 5/15/1986 5/6/1985 11/2/85 6/25/86 8/13/87 12/3/86 1/18/1985 8/20/1984 3/15/86 11/8/87 11/22/87 9/28/86 5/21/87 9/15/86 6/6/88 3/18/86 5/21/1987 8/4/88 10/17/1985 1/30/88 3/7/1988 12/7/87 5/18/90 10/27/1985 12/21/1990 8/11/1989 9/27/1989 6/2/1989 10/7/1988 12/6/1989 2/8/1990 10/29/1988 1/1/1990 6/23/1990 12/14/1989 4/16/1988 6/5/1989 4/12/1990 2/24/1989 12/27/1987 NFL Age Exp College 32 30 29 31 31 28 29 27 30 27 26 27 26 27 26 26 25 25 27 28 26 24 24 25 25 25 24 24 25 24 26 24 24 24 21 26 21 23 22 23 23 22 22 23 22 22 22 24 23 22 23 24 10 10 9 9 9 7 7 6 6 5 5 5 5 6 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 1 R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R Mississippi State Boise State Oregon State Hawaii Tennessee Samford Miami (Fla.) North Dakota State Nevada-Reno Boston College Hampton Virginia Clemson USC Texas Tech Iowa Washington State Ohio State Maine New Mexico Clemson Oklahoma San Jose St. Central Oklahoma Penn State Illinois Indiana West Texas A&M Colorado State South Carolina Memphis Wisconsin Nebraska Ohio State North Carolina Texas State LSU Virginia Duke Southern Mississippi Baylor Wake Forest Oregon State North Alabama Montana Virginia Cincinnati UNLV Appalachian St. Abilene Christian South Carolina Missouri Western H.S. Hometown Clarksdale, Miss. Eugene, OR Las Vegas, Nev. Honolulu, Hi. Brentwood, Tenn. Milton, Fla. Gaffney, S.C. Mankato, Minn. Fallon, NV Syracuse, N.Y. Petersburg, Va. Charlottesville, Va. Mt. Pleasant, S.C. Woodland Hills, Calif. The Woodlands, Texas Youngstown, Ohio Puyallup, Wash. Plymouth, Minn. Bangor, Me. Austin, Tex. Columbia, S.C. Oklahoma City, Okla. Chino Hills, Calif. Lawton, Okla. Millheim, Pa. Decatur, Ill. Bedford, Ohio Mt. Olive, Miss. Avondale, Ari. Huntsville, Ala. Galveston, Tex. Milwaukee, Wisc. St. Louis, Mo. Cincinnati, Ohio Ladson, S.C. Arlington, Tex. Houston, Tex. Oak Lawn, Ill. Fayetteville, Ga. Meridian, Miss. DeKalb, Tex. Wylie, Tex. Bothell, Wash. Pahokee, Fla. Stockton, Calif. Oxon Hill, Md. Columbus, Ohio Ft. Myers, Fla. Columbia, S.C. Jacksonville, Fla. Fairburn, Ga. Lincoln, Nebr. How Acq UFA(DEN)-'12 FA-'11 D1-04 T(NYJ)-'12 UFA (GB)-'12 UFA(TEN)-'12 UFA (WAS)-'12 FA-'09 FA-'11 UFA (NO)-'12 UFA (MIA)-'12 D1-'08 UFA(KC)-'12 UFA (PHI)-'12 FA-'09 D3-'09 T(PHI)-'09 D2-'09 UFA(NYJ)-'12 UFA (NYJ)-'12 D4-'09 D1-'10 FA-'11 FA-'10 D7C-'10 FA-'10 D2-'10 D6B-'10 W(HOU)-'12 FA-'10 W(BUF)-'12 D2-'11 FA-'11 FA-'11 D1-'11 W(IND)-'12 D1-'12 FA-'12 FA-'12 FA-'12 W(NYJ)-'12 D4-'12 FA-'12 D2B-'12 D3-'12 FA-'12 D2C-'12 FA-'12 D2A-'12 D7B-'12 D5-'12 D6-'12

51 Haggan, Mario 27 Mikell, Quintin 39 Jackson, Steven 72 Hunter, Wayne 63 Wells, Scott 31 Finnegan, Cortland 50 McIntosh, Rocky 43 Dahl, Craig 62 Dahl, Harvey 58 98 91 79 12 16 32 11 55 82 59 97 8 52 93 56 49 76 92 66 20 96 88 89 44 94 Dunbar, Jo-Lonn Langford, Kendall Long, Chris Richardson, Barry Smith, Steve Amendola, Danny Fletcher, Bradley Gibson, Brandon Laurinaitis, James Mulligan, Matthew Turner, Robert Scott, Darell Bradford, Sam Cole, Justin Cudjo, Jermelle Hull, Josh Miller, Brit Saffold, Rodger Sims, Eugene Smith, Shelley Stewart, Darian Heard, Kellen Kendricks, Lance McNeill, Mike McQuaide, Jake Quinn, Robert

6-3 274 5-10 204 6-2 6-5 6-2 236 318 300

7th year (2) 6th year (2) 5th year (5)

5-10 188 6-2 242 6-1 6-5 6-0 6-6 6-3 6-6 5-11 5-11 6-0 6-0 6-2 6-4 6-4 6-3 6-4 6-3 6-2 6-3 6-1 6-5 6-6 6-4 5-11 6-6 6-3 6-4 6-2 6-4 6-8 6-5 6-7 6-0 6-2 6-1 6-0 6-5 5-10 6-2 5-10 5-10 5-9 6-3 5-10 6-3 6-0 209 308 226 295 276 319 195 186 198 210 247 265 308 315 228 242 299 239 253 323 250 297 215 339 247 235 247 264 325 322 290 211 221 240 198 227 193 204 183 197 186 220 196 338 187

4th year (7)

3rd year (9)

2nd year (5)

1st year (1) Rookie (16)

69 Nsekhe, Ty 90 71 37 9 42 13 6 21 22 38 24 33 83 26 73 4 Brockers, Michael Conrath, Matthew Daniels, Matthew Davis, Austin Ganaway, Terrance Givens, Chris Hekker, Johnny Jenkins, Janoris Johnson, Trumaine McLeod, Rodney Pead, Isaiah Pointer, Quinton Quick, Brian Richardson, Daryl Watkins, Rokevious Zuerlein, Greg

ST. LOUIS RAMS POSITIONAL ROSTER

# 8 9 24 26 34 39 42 49 11 12 13 14 16 83 46 82 88 89 59 61 62 63 66 69 70 72 73 76 79 71 77 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 50 51 52 54 55 56 58 20 21 22 27 31 32 33 37 38 43 Player Sam Bradford Austin Davis Isaiah Pead Daryl Richardson Chase Reynolds (PS) Steven Jackson Terrance Ganaway Brit Miller Brandon Gibson Steve Smith Chris Givens Nick Johnson (PS) Danny Amendola Brian Quick Cory Harkey (PS) Matthew Mulligan Lance Kendricks Mike McNeill Robert Turner Tim Barnes (PS) Harvey Dahl Scott Wells Shelley Smith Ty Nsekhe Brandon Washington (PS) Wayne Hunter Rokevious Watkins Rodger Saffold Barry Richardson Matthew Conrath Mason Brodine (PS) Michael Brockers Chris Long Eugene Sims Jermelle Cudjo Robert Quinn William Hayes Kellen Heard Darell Scott Kendall Langford Rocky McIntosh Mario Haggan Justin Cole Aaron Brown (PS) James Laurinaitis Josh Hull Jo-Lonn Dunbar Darian Stewart Janoris Jenkins Trumaine Johnson Quintin Mikell Cortland Finnegan Bradley Fletcher Quinton Pointer Matthew Daniels Rodney McLeod Craig Dahl Pos QB QB RB RB RB RB RB FB WR WR WR WR WR WR TE TE TE TE OL C T C G T G T T T T DT DE DT DE DE DT DE DE DT DT DT LB LB LB LB LB LB LB S CB CB DB CB CB S S S S K P LS Ht 6-4 6-2 5-10 5-10 6-0 6-2 6-1 6-1 6-0 5-11 6-0 5-11 5-11 6-3 6-4 6-4 6-3 6-4 6-4 6-4 6-5 6-2 6-4 6-8 6-2 6-5 6-3 6-5 6-6 6-7 6-7 6-5 6-3 6-6 6-2 6-4 6-3 6-6 6-3 6-6 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-0 6-2 6-3 6-0 5-11 5-10 6-2 5-10 5-10 6-0 5-9 6-0 5-10 6-1 6-0 6-5 6-2 Wt 228 221 197 196 200 236 240 253 210 195 198 187 188 220 260 265 243 235 308 300 305 300 297 325 320 318 338 314 319 290 270 322 276 250 311 265 272 339 315 295 242 274 242 237 247 245 226 215 193 204 204 188 200 186 211 183 209 187 227 219 Birth Date 11/8/87 6/2/1989 12/14/1989 4/12/1990 10/22/1987 7/22/83 10/7/1988 9/15/86 8/13/87 5/6/85 12/6/89 8/16/89 11/2/85 6/5/1989 6/17/90 1/18/85 1/30/88 3/7/88 8/20/84 5/14/1988 6/24/1981 1/7/81 5/21/1987 10/27/1985 8/13/1988 7/2/1981 2/24/89 6/6/88 5/15/86 8/11/89 2/18/1988 12/21/90 3/28/85 3/18/86 9/28/86 5/18/90 5/2/85 10/17/1985 3/15/86 1/27/86 11/15/82 3/30/80 11/22/87 9/24/88 12/3/86 5/21/87 3/13/85 8/4/88 10/29/88 1/1/90 9/16/80 2/2/84 6/25/86 4/16/1988 9/27/1989 6/23/90 6/17/85 12/27/87 2/8/1990 12/7/87 9/4/2012 NFL Age Exp College 24 22 22 22 23 29 23 25 25 26 22 23 26 22 21 27 24 23 27 23 30 31 25 26 24 31 23 24 26 22 24 21 27 26 25 21 26 26 26 26 29 32 24 21 25 2 27 24 23 22 30 28 26 24 22 22 27 24 22 24 2 R R R 1 8 R 4 3 6 R R 3 R R 4 R R 4 1 5 9 3 1 R 9 R 3 5 R 1 R 4 2 3 R 5 2 3 5 7 10 2 R 3 3 5 2 R R 9 7 4 R R R 5 R R R Oklahoma Southern Mississippi Cincinnati Abilene Christian Montana Oregon State Baylor Illinois Washington State USC Wake Forest Henderson State Texas Tech Appalachian St. UCLA Maine Wisconsin Nebraska New Mexico Missouri Nevada-Reno Tennesseee Colorado State Texas State Miami (Fla.) Hawaii South Carolina Indiana Clemson Virginia Nebraska-Kearney LSU Virginia West Texas A&M Central Oklahoma North Carolina Winston-Salem St. Memphis Clemson Hampton Miami (Fla.) Mississippi State San Jose St. Hawaii Ohio State Penn State Boston College South Carolina North Alabama Montana Boise State Samford Iowa UNLV Duke Virginia North Dakota State Missouri Western Oregon State Ohio State H.S. Hometown Oklahoma City, Okla. Meridian, Miss. Columbus, Ohio Jacksonville, Fla. Drummond, Mt. Las Vegas, Nev. DeKalb, Tex. Decatur, Ill. Puyallup, Wash. Woodland Hills, Calif. Wylie, Tex. Santa Cruz, Calif. The Woodlands, Tex. Columbia, S.C. Chino Hills, Calif. Bangor, Me. Milwaukee, Wisc. St. Louis, Mo. Austin, Tex. Longwood, Mo. Fallon, NV Brentwood, Tenn. Avondale, Ari. Arlington, Tex. Miami, Fla. Honolulu, Hi. Fairburn, Ga. Bedford, Ohio Mt. Pleasant, S.C. Oak Lawn, Ill. Elm Creek, Neb. Houston, Tex. Charlottesville, Va. Mt. Olive, Miss. Lawton, Okla. Ladson, S.C. High Point, N.C. Galveston, Tex. Columbia, S.C. Petersburg, Va. Gaffney, S.C. Clarksdale, Miss. Chino Hills, Calif. Puyallup, Wash. Plymouth, Minn. Millheim, Pa. Syracuse, N.Y. Huntsville, Ala. Pahokee, Fla. Stockton, Calif. Eugene, Ore. Milton, Fla. Youngstown, Ohio Ft. Myers, Fla. Fayetteville, Ga. Oxon Hill, Md. Mankato, Minn. Lincoln, Neb. Bothell, Wash. Cincinnati, Ohio How Acq D1-'10 FA-'12 D2C-'12 D7B-'12 FA-'11 D1-04 W(NYJ)-'12 FA-'10 T(PHI)-'09 UFA (PHI)-'12 D4-'12 FA-'12 FA-'09 D2A-'12 FA-'12 UFA(NYJ)-'12 D2-'11 FA-'11 UFA (NYJ)-'12 FA-'11 FA-'11 UFA (GB)-'12 W(HOU)-'12 W(IND)-'12 FA-'12 T(NYJ)-'12 D5-'12 D2-'10 UFA(KC)-'12 FA-'12 W(OAK)-'12 D1-'11 D1-'08 D6B-'10 FA-'10 D1-'11 UFA (TEN)-'12 W(BUF)-'12 D4-'09 UFA (MIA)-'12 UFA (WAS)'-12 UFA(DEN)-'12 FA-'11 D7A-'12 D2-'09 D7C-'10 UFA (NO)-'12 FA-'10 D2B-'12 D3-'12 UFA(PHI)-'11 UFA(TEN)-'12 D3-'09 FA-'12 FA-'12 FA-'12 FA-'09 D6-'12 FA-'12 FA-'11
QUARTERBACKS (2)

RUNNING BACKS (6)

WIDE RECEIVERS (6)

TIGHT ENDS (4)

OFFENSIVE LINE (11)

DEFENSIVE LINE (11)

LINEBACKERS (7)

SECONDARY (10)

SPECIALISTS (3)

4 Greg Zuerlein 6 Johnny Hekker 44 Jake McQuaide

2012 ST. LOUIS RAMS TRANSACTIONS

Date Jan. 2 Name DT Cornell Banks C Tim Barnes CB Kendrick Burney WR John Chiles TE Demarco Cosby DT John Henderson T Ryan McKee RB Chase Reynolds Jan. 9 Jan. 20 Feb. 6 Feb. 10 Mar. 12 P Tom Malone K Garrett Lindholm OL Jovan Olafioye WR John Chiles OL Jovan Olafioye C Jason Brown DT Justin Bannan DE James Hall DT Fred Robbins WR Nick Miller LB David Nixon CB Ron Bartell CB Cortland Finnegan DT Kendall Langford C Scott Wells G Quinn Ojinnaka WR Steve Smith FB Brit Miller TE Matthew Mulligan OL Rob Turner QB Tom Brandstater LB Jo-Lonn Dunbar DE Williams Hayes DT Trevor Laws QB Kellen Clemens WR Danny Amendola DT Jermelle Cudjo WR Dominique Curry DT Michael Brockers WR Brian Quick CB Janoris Jenkins RB Isaiah Pead CB Trumaine Johnson WR Chris Givens T Rokevious Watkins K Greg Zuerlein LB Aaron Brown RB Daryl Richardson K Josh Brown CB Chris Smith RB Quinn Porter DT John Henderson CB Nate Ness TE Demarco Cosby G Michael Hay RB Calvin Middleton TE Deangelo Peterson LB Noah Keller S Quinton Pointer S Matthew Daniels P John Hekker FB Todd Anderson DE Scott Smith C T. Bob Hebert DT Matt Conrath LB Alex Hoffman-Ellis LB Derrick Choice S Rodney McLeod RB Nick Schweiger LS Travis Tripuka WR Dominique Curry CB Marquis Johnson T Thomas Welch CB Brian Jackson T Joe Long LB Sammy Brown DE Jamaar Jarrett WR Mike Campbell T Barry Richardson LB Mario Haggan LB Derrick Choice T Jose Valdez TE Brody Eldridge Move Signed to Reserve/Future Contract Signed to Reserve/Future Contract Signed to Reserve/Future Contract Signed to Reserve/Future Contract Signed to Reserve/Future Contract Signed to Reserve/Future Contract Signed to Reserve/Future Contract Signed to Reserve/Future Contract Signed to Reserve/Future Contract Signed to Reserve/Future Contract Signed Waived Waived/Failed Physical Released Released Released Released Waived Waived Released Signed Signed Signed Signed Signed Signed Signed Signed Signed Signed Signed Signed Signed Signed RFA Tender Signed ERFA Tender Signed ERFA Tender Selected 14th overall in NFL Draft (1st Round) Selected 33rd overall in NFL Draft (2nd Round) Selected 39th overall in NFL Draft (2nd Round) Selected 50th overall in NFL Draft (2nd Round) Selected 65th overall in NFL Draft (3rd Round) Selected 96th overall in NFL Draft (4th Round) Selected 150th overall in NFL Draft (5th Round) Selected 171st overall in NFL Draft (6th Round) Selected 209th overall in NFL Draft (7th Round) Selected 252nd overall in NFL Draft (7th Round) Released Waived Waived Waived Waived Waived Signed Signed Signed Signed Signed Signed Signed Signed Signed Signed Signed Signed Signed Signed Signed Signed Waived Waived Waived Waived Signed Signed Signed Signed Signed Signed Waived Claimed off waivers from MIN Claimed off waivers from IND Date June 14 July 24 July 28 Aug. 15 Name LB Rocky McIntosh OL Michael Hay CB Jeremy Caldwell FB Ovie Mughelli TE Jamie Childers WR Charles Gilbert WR Brandyn Harvey P Tom Malone DT John Gill CB Josh Gordy DE Vernon Gholston FB Todd Anderson TE Brody Eldridge WR Charles Gilbert DT John Gill WR Brandyn Harvey LB Alex Hoffman-Ellis T Kevin Hughes LB Noah Keller K Garrett Lindholm T Ryan McKee RB Calvin Middleton RB Nick Schweiger LS Travis Tripucka WR Danario Alexander DT Trevor Laws WR Mike Campbell DE Mason Brodine DT Cornell Banks C Tim Barnes QB Tom Brandstater DE Mason Brodine LB Aaron Brown LB Sammy Brown DB Kendric Burney DE Vernon Gholston TE Ben Guidugli C T. Bob Hebert DE Jamaar Jarrett WR Nick Johnson T Joe Long G Bryan Mattison FB Ovie Mughelli TE Deangelo Peterson RB Chase Reynolds DE Scott Smith T Jose Valdez FB Ovie Mughelli WR Austin Pettis TE Corey Harkey QB Kellen Clemens DT Kellen Heard RB Terrance Ganaway C Tim Barnes DE Mason Brodine LB Aaron Brown TE Corey Harkey RB Chase Reynolds WR Nick Johnson WR Greg Salas CB Jerome Murphy TE Michael Hoomanawanui G Quinn Ojinnaka T Ty Nsekhe G Brandon Washington G Shelley Smith Move Signed Waived Waived Signed Waived Signed Signed Waived Signed Traded to IND Signed Waived Waived Waived Waived Waived Waived Waived Waived Waived Waived Waived Waived Waived Waived-Injured Placed on Reserved-Injured Waived Claimed off waivers from OAK Waived Waived Waived Waived Waived Waived Waived Waived Waived Waived Waived Waived Waived Waived Waived Waived Waived Waived Waived Released Placed on Reserve/Suspended by Commissioner Waived Released Claimed off wiavers from BUF Claimed off waivers from NYJ Signed to practice squad Signed to practice squad Signed to practice squad Signed to practice squad Signed to practice squad Signed to practice squad Traded to NE Waived Waived Released Claimed off waivers from IND Signed to practice squad Signed

Aug. 17 Aug. 22 Aug. 27

Mar. 13 Mar. 15 Mar. 17 Mar. 22 Mar. 26

Aug. 28 Aug. 31

Mar. 30 April 2 April 11 April 12 April 17 April 25 April 26 April 27

April 28

April 30

Sept. 1

May 1

Sept. 2

May 2

May 3

May 4 May 5 May 8 May 14 May 15 May 16 May 18

RAMS FEATURE CLIPS

ST. LOUIS RAMS FEATURE CLIPS TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
Back in the game, Fisher has had a whirlwind last few months, By Jeff Diamond.... 2 SI.com / March 2, 2012 Fisher guides Rams through first full-squad practice, By Jim Thomas.... 5 STLToday.com / May 17, 2012 No panic in Fisher, By Bryan Burwell.. 7 STLToday.com / August 15, 2012 Ram tough: Les Snead leans on strengths to rebuild St. Louis, By Albert Breer.. 9 NFL.com / May 5, 2012 Snead Makes Impressive First Impression, By Howard Balzer..... 12 101ESPN.com / February 15, 2012 Bradford starting over again, By Jim Thomas... 14 STLToday.com / April 8, 2012 Rams' Jackson is building a legacy, By Bernie Miklasz...... 16 STLToday.com / September 2, 2012 Plenty of action ahead for Jackson, By Kathleen Nelson.... 18 STLToday.com / May 25, 2012 Hard work, dedication lift Brockers, By Bryan Burwell. 20 STLToday.com / April 29, 2012 Long assumes leadership role for young Rams, By Andrew Astleford.... 23 FoxSportsMidwest.com / June 14, 2012 Rams expect Quinn to step up in Year 2, By Jim Thomas...... 25 STLToday.com / June 14, 2012 Quinn stands out for Rams, By Bryan Burwell... 27 STLToday.com / August 8, 2012 Rams' Amendola puts freak injury behind him, By The Associated Press.. 29 FoxSportsMidwest.com / August 1, 2012 Scott Wells goes extra mile for children, By Jim Thomas... 31 STLToday.com / August 27, 2012 Rams rookie RB has taken hits since early age, By Jim Thomas..... 34 STLToday.com / June 13, 2012 Show Me State: Rams' Steve Smith out to prove he's still got it, By Aditi Kinkhabwala..... 36 NFL.com / June 12, 2012 Rams working on the 'wow' factor with new punter Hekker, By Jim Thomas....... 37 STLToday.com / May 13, 2012

Page 1

ST. LOUIS RAMS NEWS CLIPS

Publication: SI.com Section/# of Pages: Sports/1 of 3 Date: 3/2/12

Back in the game, Fisher has had a whirlwind last few months By Jeff Diamond One year ago, Jeff Fisher spent his 53rd birthday snowboarding in Montana. After a stalwart stint on the Tennessee sideline, Fisher was no longer the Titans head coach, freeing him from the responsibilities of a typical February. His 54th birthday last Friday, however, was back to his norm. The new Rams coach spent it in Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine, balancing a non-stop schedule of meetings with Rams staff members, interviews with coaching staff candidates, trade talks with teams seeking the Rams' coveted No. 2 overall pick and -- oh yeah -- combine workouts to watch and interviews with 18 draft prospects that evening. "I've been at the Combine on my birthday in 25 of the last 26 years," Fisher told me when I caught up with him in Indianapolis last weekend. "I enjoyed my year off and the opportunity to do some things I couldn't do while coaching -- watch my son Trent play football as a redshirt freshman at Auburn, climb Mt. Kilimanjaro last May with the Wounded Warriors, play some golf and do a lot of fishing in the summer and fall in Montana. But now I'm really excited about the Rams and our future. There's a hundred things going on at once and I have to prioritize to get things done." Fisher stayed connected to the NFL during his year off, serving as a non-voting member of the NFL Competition Committee (he was previously co-chairman and has now officially rejoined the group) and a consultant to the NFL's Football Operations and Officiating departments. In the meantime, he declined network TV offers, knowing all along that he would return to coaching in 2012. Now that he has, it's been a whirlwind few months. Here's an inside look at what it's like to first take over an NFL team. During Thanksgiving week last year, Fisher began to look seriously at six teams that he thought may make a coaching change, despite it all being "a lot of rumors at that point." He spoke regularly with agent Marvin Demoff and starting to research the teams. He put his findings together in a book that included his roster evaluations, team needs and a look at the organizational structure -- what the ownership and front office staff looked like. In December, Fisher kept his ear to the rumor mill and narrowed his list to three or four teams. Conversations began between teams and Demoff, but Fisher wouldn't speak with any team that had not yet fired their head coach. One team that had fired its coach already, the Dolphins, engaged Fisher in "numerous conversations" in the last week of December. "As the regular season ended, I narrowed my list to two -- Miami and St. Louis." On January 2, the day the Rams fired Steve Spagnuolo, Fisher spoke with both teams, first with the Dolphins' contingent of owner Stephen Ross, GM Jeff Ireland and consultant Carl Peterson, then with Rams executive vice president of football operations/chief operating officer Kevin Demoff, also the son of Fisher's agent Marvin ("that was not an issue, we were objective"). Meanwhile, Fisher worked on his list of potential coaches to compile a staff once he was hired. The next day brought a flight to Palm Beach, Florida."I met with Stephen, Jeff and Carl and then we had dinner. The next day we had a breakfast meeting, I visited the Dolphins facility and had a final lunch before I flew back to Nashville. There were no offers yet. I just wanted to get comfortable with the team." Fisher met with the Rams a few days later, first in Denver and then at the team facility, where he got a chance to meet Sam Bradford ("I was very impressed with him"). With his destination narrowed to the two teams and initial meetings with both done, Fisher and Demoff sent "a non-economic issues wish list" to both teams, addressing the set-up of the organization, Fisher's personnel role and support for the coaches. Miami responded first, kickstarting serious negotiations, with the Rams following. After two days, Fisher had made up his mind. He would coach the Rams. Both teams were informed, and a day later Fisher was announced as the Rams' new coach. Fisher did not want to give specific reasons for his decision, other than to say he had a good comfort level with "the opportunity to win." That didn't stop speculation regarding the reasons Fisher chose St. Louis. It was reported that he preferred Kroenke as his owner and wanted a say in personnel decisions, which the Rams were more open to. It also didn't hurt that the Rams had three very valuable assets -- a potential franchise quarterback in Sam Bradford, the No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming draft available to deal to the highest bidder, and approximately $25 million in salary cap room going into free agency and that number could grow with some player cuts before March 13.

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ST. LOUIS RAMS NEWS CLIPS

Publication: SI.com Section/# of Pages: Sports/2 of 3 Date: 3/2/12

Now it's time to put together a staff, starting with offensive coordinator. Though he had a few candidates in mind, there was one who stood out to Fisher. "I'm literally driving down Hillsboro Road in Nashville and I call Brian (Schottenheimer) to set up a meeting to talk about the offensive coordinator position. I had no idea he was in Nashville at that moment. He had moved his family there and lived off Hillsboro Road so I was driving by his development as we spoke. So we had dinner that night and talked further the next day." Gregg Williams was soon after added as defensive coordinator, and over the next few days the staff started coming together. "I was really on the move during (the first week of February). On the 1st, I had been in Nashville identifying things in my house that I wanted to move and drove to St. Louis that day as Kevin and I were doing GM interviews and I was still interviewing coaches. On the 2nd, I drove from St. Louis to Indianapolis to do media interviews at the Super Bowl. On the 3rd, I drove from Indy to Nashville to continue to get stuff in order and see family. On the 5th -- the morning of Super Bowl Sunday -- Brian Schottenheimer and I interviewed a coaching candidate in Nashville. Then the next day I drove back to St. Louis." Those GM and coaching interviews spilled into the next week. Eventually Les Snead is hired as the team's GM, but there are still coaches to hire. If that isn't enough, pre-Combine draft meetings were beginning to get underway. And lest we forget that NFL coaches and players are real people, Fisher also had to deal with finding a place to live in St. Louis, which he did in mid-February, and getting settled there. Realizing that he wouldn't have enough time to search for a more permanent home, Fisher found a townhouse to occupy until he has more time in mid-June, when he'll again go househunting and deal with relocating. Late February brought a flurry of activity for Fisher. With still two spots remaining on his staff, Fisher had to set up the last of his coaching interviews while participating in NFL Competition Committee meetings all day -- and some evenings -- for three days, and meeting Snead and Demoff in Indianapolis about everything going on with the team. Meanwhile, February 24 brought the start of the combine -- a 24/7 football existence -- meaning Fisher had to balance all of the prior responsibilities with watching workouts, personnel meetings, interviews, trade talks and media sessions. Now that the Combine is behind him, Fisher is focused on free agency (the Rams have 20 unrestricted free agents, including wide receiver Brandon Lloyd, and several restricted free agents) and the draft. He'll be heavily involved in trade discussions for the No. 2 pick, and he knows full well that this could be a franchise-changing move. Fisher also wants to set his schedule for minicamps and OTAs. Under the new CBA, the number of OTA days was reduced from 16 to 10, and player participation in the offseason (including the conditioning program) cannot begin until April 2. "I've met a lot of our players but we can't sit down and talk football now, and most of our players want to get started." Fisher's hectic March schedule includes Competition Committee meetings from March 3 to 9 and league meetings during the last week of the month. He'll be attending pro days for draft prospects and meeting with potential draftees that the Rams bring in for visits in April. NFL free agency begins on March 13 and Fisher says the Rams will be "active." He knows that with the exception of starting quarterback (Bradford), middle linebacker (James Laurinaitis), starting running back (Steven Jackson), safety (Quintin Mikell and Darian Stewart) and perhaps defensive end (Chris Long and Robert Quinn), the Rams have needs everywhere. He also knows that the Rams have some good players who were on injured reserve last season and will return (such as cornerback Bradley Fletcher and wide receiver Danny Amendola). To help the coach deal with keeping track of all the names and stats? Fisher carries an iPad loaded with profiles and video of Rams players, free agents and college players. "Today's technology is amazing. I've got all this with me whenever I want to review it." Despite the Rams winning a total of 10 games over the past three seasons, Fisher has an optimistic outlook."We must have a plan in place and be mindful of avoiding mistakes. We can't go crazy in the free agent market. It's going to take some time but this is a good football team that was a game away from the playoffs in 2010 and was decimated with injuries last season. Our expectation is to win games and be a consistent playoff team year after year and that increases the odds to win a championship." In regard to his whirlwind schedule, Fisher can see a light at the end of the tunnel. When the off season program and OTAs end in midJune, he'll finally be able to catch up on his sleep, resume a normal workout routine that is important to him (he completed the Music City Marathon in 2002) and head to his second home in Montana for family time and fishing before training camp and the new season. "It's real mind-boggling what I've gone through with the non-stop past couple of months. But you multi-task and push forward. It can be overwhelming if you let it. The most difficult thing is following up and getting back to the phone calls, emails and texts ... all the people

Page 3

ST. LOUIS RAMS NEWS CLIPS

Publication: SI.com Section/# of Pages: Sports/3 of 3 Date: 3/2/12

expressing interest and waiting to hear from me. You continue the process -- some of the coaches you want fall through so you go find a better guy. You just have to know that at the end of the day, it will all get done."

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ST. LOUIS RAMS NEWS CLIPS

Publication: STLToday.com Section/# of Pages: Sports/1 of 2 Date: 5/17/12

Fisher guides Rams through first full-squad practice By Jim Thomas For the first time as Rams head coach, Jeff Fisher has his rookies and veterans together on the practice field. The gang's all here. On Tuesday, the first day of the full-squad practices, Fisher had the rookies introduce themselves to the veterans in the team auditorium at Rams Park. Fisher had the rookies provide more information than just the basics. "You ask the newcomer to stand up and give his name, position, school," Fisher said after Wednesday's practice. "His favorite movie. Name of his first pet, and what happened to it. And his nickname." What about those pets? "Quite a few hamsters, turtles," Fisher reported. What happened to them? "A couple killed by trains and buses," he replied. "Somebody's dog got killed by a train. We had one his parents just put (the pet) 'down' that morning. You know, it's sad. But it was good introductions." Cornerback Cortland Finnegan, who spent his first five seasons playing for Fisher in Tennessee, said it's the coach's way of establishing team chemistry and camaraderie. "It's just part of the ritual," Finnegan said. "It's always something Coach Fisher breaks in there for giggles and to break the ice." Many of the new players were given nicknames at the introductory session. Finnegan said one rookie was dubbed Gonzo after the Muppet character but Finnegan wouldn't reveal Gonzo's identity. Finnegan said his nickname as a Titans rookie in 2006 was Fido, because like a dog chasing cars, he had a habit of going after things. "I played nickel and I would always run after the wrong guy," Finnegan said. Apparently, that's as far as Fisher goes when it comes to rookie initiation. For example, the time-honored NFL tradition of having rookies sing in front of the vets doesn't exist for a Fisher team. "They're not going to sing," Fisher said. "That's one thing they're not going to do. We don't haze here. They're here to help us win." With more than 80 players on the field Wednesday, rookies and veterans alike were inundated with X's and O's. "We added a bunch of things today," Fisher said. "We've got a lot of 'base' in, we've got third down, and red zone. Friday, we'll probably do some 2-minute. So we're throwing a lot at 'em. But they've responded very well and they're practicing well together." This is the third coaching change in six years for the Rams, and a major roster upheaval has taken place each time. But the shake-up engineered by Fisher, general manager Les Snead and executive vice president of football operations Kevin Demoff has been greater than what took place in Steve Spagnuolo's inaugural season in 2009, or Scott Linehan's first Rams team in 2006. To a large degree, dozens of strangers must get to know each other, learn to work with each other, and trust each other on the football field. "You know what, we're building," Finnegan said. "I like where we're going. We're pushing each other. We look to be a good football team. If we can all push each other, I like what we're going to do this year." As part of a Tennessee draft class that included college stars Vince Young and LenDale Young, Finnegan remembers being star-struck his first couple of practices as a rookie, as if he was just glad to be there as a seventh-round selection out of tiny Samford University.

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ST. LOUIS RAMS NEWS CLIPS

Publication: STLToday.com Section/# of Pages: Sports/2 of 2 Date: 5/17/12

As he prepares for his fifth NFL season, defensive end Chris Long says he can't even remember his first few days as a professional in 2008. "It's a blur," Long said. "Time moves fast in this league, and it's just important to take advantage of your opportunities because it does move fast." Fisher wants the rookies to move fast on the field, but because none of the spring practices can take place in pads, he wants them to work smart as well. "There's a fine line between practicing with and without pads," Fisher said. "What we want to accomplish over the next couple days is relearn how to practice at a great tempo without pads and protect each other." As linebacker James Laurinaitis said, the last thing a young player needs to do is get a teammate hurt trying to impress the coaches. "There's a fine line of blitzing full speed to get close to Sam (Bradford), but realizing that if you end up close enough to where his hand falls on your helmet, that's a real fast way to get cut," he said. With enough players to go four-deep on the depth chart, getting enough practice repetitions isn't easy given league rules limiting the amount of practice time in the spring. Because of that, Fisher and his staff squeezed in an extra period with just the rookies Wednesday, while the veterans stretched on another field at the end of practice. Every last rep counts for rookies such as offensive guard Rokevious Watkins, a fifth-round pick from South Carolina. The thing that stood out the most about the first two practice days with the veterans was "how fast the game is going," Watkins said. "I'm trying to transition into game speed. It's like bullets out there when you're dealing with the veterans. The more you know, the faster you can play." At least Watkins already has a nickname, one given him by South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier: Rok as in Rock. Other Rams rookies, including the mysterious Gonzo, weren't so lucky.

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ST. LOUIS RAMS NEWS CLIPS

Publication: STLToday.com
No panic in Fisher By Bryan Burwell On the first day back on the practice field since Sunday's unsightly 35-point spanking, Jeff Fisher was, as his players like to say, his old cool self. The world had not come to an end. The sky had not fallen, the earth had not opened up in the middle of the Rams Park practice fields and attempted to swallow up the entire training camp roster in angry retribution for Fisher's Rams having the audacity to lose the opening game of the preseason by such a lopsided score. It was just another work day in the midst of the endless training camp grind for Fisher, who just did what he always does, which is glide around the practice field observing everything from behind the reflection of those cool designer sun glasses. Emotional fans can have the luxury of over-reacting to the outcome of an August dress rehearsal. Experienced head coaches like Fisher react to the scoreboard's inconsequential numbers with the proper regard, which is somewhere between a chuckle and a yawn. "Yeah, I don't think there were many tears on the airplane coming home (Sunday)," Fisher said with a rather sardonic smirk on Monday. "What you want to see is ... them play hard, and they did. We've got to play better. Believe me, we're not ready for Detroit yet, (but) we will get better." If you want to know a thing or two about a football coach what he thinks, what he stands for, how he does his job observe him when there's a tinge of panic in the air. It doesn't matter if it's artificial panic like the sort that was swirling in the air with so many people overreacting to the outcome of a meaningless preseason game, or the genuine restlessness that can permeate when the scores actually do matter. If the man in charge freaks out when everyone around him starts losing their grip, that's a very bad sign. Fisher is not that guy. The players rave about his never-nervous demeanor. "There's just something about him," said tight end Lance Kendricks. "He's like this really cool, laid-back guy. Just always in control of things. Not a lot of screaming and shouting. He just lays it all out to you, very matter of fact. This is it, here's how it's done. Now go do it. He's the same way every day, every meeting, every practice." They're going to need that demeanor, because this is not going to be an easy remake. There are some glaring issues that need to be fixed around here, and it's going to take a man who knows exactly what he's doing to get it done. And it's not going to take a patient man, because one of the last words I'd use to describe Fisher is "patient." The word I'd use is "resolve," because it's going to take a man with a ton of resolve and a mountain of personal belief to turn this franchise around as quickly as Fisher insists it will take to turn the Rams back into winners. When someone asked him why he seems so emotionally steady all the time, Fisher grinned again. "Hey if you do this (he waves his hand up and down like a roller coaster) your team does that. And we want to do this (his hand rising on a steady accent). I mean, we're going to learn from this. We're going to correct the mistakes and we're going to move on. Even in a losing effort (Sunday) afternoon in a preseason game, we got a little bit better because we got a chance to go out and compete against somebody else. And we did some good things and the big picture is, 'Are you getting better?' And we did. And we have to continue to do so." This isn't crazy, blind happy talk from some wide-eyed, inexperienced football coach who's gushing on his first trip to the rodeo. Fisher, in his 17th season as a NFL head coach, is the third-most tenured active head coach in the league behind only Bill Belichick and Mike Shanahan. He knows exactly what he's looking at and more importantly, what he's looking for. He understands exactly what he inherited with this roster and how much work is required to make this into a team that can win consistently on Sundays in the fall. Yet there's a reason why he believes he can turn this team around in a hurry. While some of it has to do with the belief that the NFC West is such a weak division that you can leap from worst to first overnight, most of it is rooted in his belief that if he doesn't exhibit the power of positive thinking publicly, it will be impossible to get his players to buy into a winning mentality, too. So understand that Fisher believes the preseason serves two important purposes: To find out who can play, and to gradually get the team ready for the regular season. Nothing else matters. Not the scoreboard. Not impressing nervous fans.

Section/# of Pages: Sports/1 of 2

Date: 8/15/12

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Publication: STLToday.com Section/# of Pages: Sports/2 of 2 Date: 8/15/12

So in the first two games, mostly he's evaluating talent, who should start, who should make the roster, who can help you win right away and who are the more long-term projects. Once those objectives are established, the last two games are designed to get those who can help you win now ready to play that first regular-season game. Winning games in the preseason is not nearly as critical, which is why in the five previous seasons where Fisher's teams have finished with a losing preseason record, only once did that lead to a losing record in the regular season (2005 at 4-12). "Well, I mean, you want to win the games, but yeah, the preseason is to get ready for the regular season," Fisher said. "It's to fine-tune and prepare and get them to a level where you're ready to compete when the season starts." I need to see a lot more before I'm ready to believe the Rams are ready to make a dramatic worst-to-first turnaround. But the last place I'm looking in the preseason is the scoreboard.

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Publication: NFL.com Section/# of Pages: Sports/1 of 3 Date: 5/5/12

Ram tough: Les Snead leans on strengths to rebuild St. Louis By Albert Breer Tuesday was May 1. For new St. Louis Rams general manager Les Snead, the beginning of the new month meant it was finally time to tie up a whole bunch of loose ends. Snead, formerly personnel director for the Atlanta Falcons, was hired by the Rams in mid-February. His self-imposed directive since then has been to focus on four aspects of roster management. They were, in order, to assess the strengths and weaknesses of his new club; deal the second pick in the draft; prepare for and complete free agency; and then do the same with the draft. "I did those four things," Snead said, over the phone from his office this week. "And with a lot of people that I know, I've had to say, 'Oh, that's a May project.' I'm still living in the hotel. The boxes Atlanta sent me are still stacked up against the wall, and I haven't opened one. I don't have a file cabinet or anything. Basically, I said, 'Everything's a May project, except for those four things.'" Snead can unpack and find a place to live now. His vision for the Rams, in this job he spent the better part of two decades preparing, is beginning to take shape. In less than three months, Snead brought home a historic haul in dealing what became Robert Griffin III's draft rights to Washington, worked a free-agent period that landed Cortland Finnegan, Kendall Langford and Scott Wells for St. Louis, and spearheaded perhaps the most aggressive and daring draft-day effort that any NFL club had. And Rams COO Kevin Demoff is hardly surprised by the swashbuckling style that Snead has employed, even if the new GM remains in the considerable shadow cast by new head coach Jeff Fisher. "There was a reason Les was the first call I made when we went looking for a GM," said Demoff, who led the search process. "We met with a lot of capable people, and a lot of people I think will become great GMs. But there was something unique about Les' way of thinking. It inspired you, and made you believe he'd have immediate success. It's his self-confidence, and it's not arrogance, but he believes in his ability. He can get the most of the people around him. He can bring a group together." On the first night Demoff met with Snead, over dinner, the 13-year Falcons personnel man detailed his plan for trading the second pick. He showed Demoff how he could build a draft around the second-rounders, and gave him names of players he'd target. One was Appalachian State receiver Brian Quick, whom Snead built a consensus on in the building, and wound up taking atop Round 2. Another thing Snead passed along to Demoff was his GM proposal. In it were four core principles. The last two were pretty standard -- to be passionate and be honest. The first two set the Rams course. "The first thing is 'wake up sprinting,' and that means that I'm gonna begin every day striving to achieve excellence at top speed," Snead explained. "That's a motto of mine. And (next) is 'don't be scared,' and I've got a bullet point that says, 'Have the mental and moral strength to venture, persevere and withstand adversity, fear and difficulty.'" He, and the Rams by extension, have done that. The Griffin trade The central question on the second phase of Snead's itinerary was never complicated: Would the Rams consider trading Sam Bradford, rather than the No. 2 overall pick, and take Griffin? "No," Snead said, succinctly. "The only time it might've crossed my mind was if, for some reason, we were to get stuck at two because we didn't get what we really wanted. Do you take the kid and trade him from there? That might've been the only time, and that would've been the riskiest of risky moves. But I'll be clear: We decided early on that Sam was our quarterback." When the Rams' brass met in February, Snead asked if it was realistic to get three first-rounders for the pick. It was communicated to him that price was unprecedented for a single pick. So Snead followed up with a suggestion: "Maybe we can get an extra two also." "What I give him credit for," Demoff said, "is when he sets out and decides what wants, he gets what he wants."

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Publication: NFL.com Section/# of Pages: Sports/2 of 3 Date: 5/5/12

The above criteria set what Snead referred to as the "Gold Standard." The Rams wanted to create an artificial deadline to push urgency on the clubs vying for Griffin. Snead told those teams that he wanted to do a deal before free agency, because he wanted to know what he'd be working with prior to that vital date. The Gold Standard was the price it would take, as Snead explained it, "to get it done today." A half-dozen clubs were involved. Five of the six were willing to move before the start of free agency, while one said it would rather wait until later in the offseason. The Redskins were the one club to meet the Gold Standard. So the deal was done. Remember, honesty was one of Snead's GM principles. He told the clubs three 1s and a 2 would move the pick. And it did. No poker there. Snead emphasized "location, location, location" in describing a pick he referred to as a "nice piece of real estate." The fact that the first pick, held by the Indianapolis Colts, was unavailable, helped, as did the reality that two of the top three underclassmen at quarterback (Andrew Luck, Griffin) declared, rather than all three (Matt Barkley went back to school). Snead's job, as he saw it, was to capitalize on the circumstance. "Whether we did it earlier or later, you never know, maybe your piece of real estate loses value, maybe it increases value," he said. "If you don't get your quarterback in free agency, maybe you get desperate, or you have two teams that are really desperate. You never know, but we were very happy with what we got." The important thing was going into 2013 and '14 with two first-rounders, and setting the stage to attack in free agency, which the Rams did the following Tuesday. But it would be the deal-closer, that extra second-rounder, that was invaluable to the draft day strategy the new GM wanted to employ. First draft Just as Snead had gambled that the value of the second pick would reach its peak early, more than a month before the draft, he'd roll the dice on draft day that one of the interior defensive linemen he and Fisher liked, Fletcher Cox or Michael Brockers, would be available in the middle of the first round. After Justin Blackmon came off the board with Jacksonville leapfrogging St. Louis, the decision to bail was made based on the ability to get the club at fourth pick in a 33-selection range (Nos. 33-65). This one paid off, too. Taking Brockers at 14, and throwing him in a group that already has Langford, Chris Long, Robert Quinn and pretty decent depth created a strength on a roster that didn't have many of them. But Snead wasn't done taking risks. While North Alabama CB Janoris Jenkins, with his paternity and drug issues, was the most publicized character-flagged player the Rams took in the second round, he was hardly the only one. The two picks to follow -- Cincinnati's Isaiah Pead and Montana's Trumaine Johnson -- also had off-field questions that were considered attributable to simple immaturity, but were significant enough to raise eyebrows in league circles. As one AFC personnel director said, "You get one, that's OK, but they picked three in a row." Another AFC scout called the Rams' draft "exceptional. They got a lot of good players, but they also took a lot of risks, as far as character. I'd personally say they did a very nice job, and the truth is, based on the roster, they needed to take those risks." The overarching thought inside the Rams was that, under former GM Billy Devaney, character had been emphasized to such a degree that the young talent already there -- with players like Long, Bradford and middle linebacker James Laurinaitis -- would help the new guys. Fisher's history dealing with such at-risk rookies was another factor, as was the fact that, as the scout said, the time had come to gamble. And then, there was the confidence that Demoff and Fisher had in Snead's exhaustive research, reflective of a guy whose background was pounding pavement as a scout. It was most apparent in Snead's work on Jenkins, whom he started working on for the Falcons last summer with a trip to Florida. "It takes a lot of man hours to become comfortable with that," Snead said of Jenkins. "Jeff and I discussed it. If we were to get an extra second-rounder, now five picks in those first 65, and said, 'OK, maybe there's a chance to go and be aggressive.' And so that player, we thought was gonna be there, and we had to make a decision, and we thought he was a first-round talent. So we did the due diligence ... and at the end of the day, you sign off and say, 'Let's roll.'" Not many people argue with the Brockers pick, a young prospect with a high ceiling and no apparent character problems. But Snead knows his first draft will be judged by the four picks between 33 and 65 -- Quick, Jenkins, Pead and Johnson.

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Publication: NFL.com Section/# of Pages: Sports/3 of 3 Date: 5/5/12

Snead told Demoff he'd target Quick back in January, and three roulette spins on players who may prove to be first-round talents. In the GM's conviction and guts, the group provides a window into what Demoff and the Rams bought into with Snead. Time to unpack And then you have the vision that Demoff had of the coach/GM relationship. To him, though Fisher was most certainly the big fish in the Rams' haul, it was important that he project correctly what this "arranged marriage" would look like, no matter the perception that this was gonna be Fisher's show. "You always have to pick one before the other, and in my ideal world, I'd always pick the GM first," Demoff said. "But we had Jeff there and we had to leap into that. We never viewed it as the 'King Coach' or 'King GM.' You want them to be close, to think like one another, to complement one another. And Les always wanted to be the GM of the Rams. He didn't care if Jeff Fisher was the head coach or Carrie Fisher was the head coach. "He wanted to be in charge of finding the talent. Too much is made of roles. If you watched on draft, you'd have no idea who was in what role. And Les doesn't care who gets credit anyway." Snead's been a little too busy for that. And as much as this job has gone according to the playbook he handed Demoff in January, there also have been things he couldn't quite prepare for. The good news is Snead -- having worked for/with Tom Coughlin, Dan Reeves, Rich McKay, Bobby Petrino, and Thomas Dimitroff, and having gone through so many regime changes, not to mention the Michael Vick affair in Atlanta -- was prepared to adjust. "I'm a very OCD personality, very organized, one of those people where I had my whole life organized on the computer," Snead explained. "I could go to this file, and go back and get this or that, from personal all the way to professional. Since I've gotten here, I have all the files I have from my previous life on two discs on a desk, and I haven't used my computer one time since I've been here, except to watch video." Demoff jokes that Snead has "worn out his iPad" instead. But the point is that his job now is different than it was -- he says, "I couldn't live without my computer" in Atlanta -- and he was as ready as he thought he'd be. Now, for Snead, it's about drawing on experience and acting on instincts built over his time as a lieutenant in Jacksonville and Atlanta. "I would hate to get in this chair or this job too early and not have the experience. You realize the computer's not your brain," Snead continued. "You realize it's your brain and the experience and the knowledge and all those things combined over the years, but really it's the experience. The experience gives you a foundation where you're confident to make decisions. And it gives, let's call it 'a young 41year-old,' the wisdom to make decisions." Maybe now he'll finally move out of the hotel and unpack those boxes. Plus, he's got plenty of people to call back now, with the big things -- those four major objectives for the Rams -- out of the way. And as for the "May Projects" he promised, Snead laughs. "My biggest May project now is to figure out what I'm actually gonna do in May, and then push the rest to June and July."

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Publication: 101ESPN.com
Snead Makes Impressive First Impression By Howard Balzer If first impressions mean anything, the Rams hit a home run with the hiring of their new general manager. Tuesday afternoon, on Valentines Day, Samuel Lester Snead (no relation to the golfing great) addressed the media and displayed the selfassurance that certainly convinced Kevin Demoff and Jeff Fisher that he was the man for the job. Of course, words mean little when it comes to succeeding in the high-stakes world of the NFL. Winning the press conference doesnt count for much, but Les Snead certainly has the pedigree from working 16 years in the NFL. But he also knows only results on the field will convince a fan base that has watched the Rams win 15 of 80 games over the last five seasons. As Snead said when asked how far away he believes the Rams are from turning things around, Heres what I think. I think we are not far away at all. Now I will say this, I dont think I need to sit up here and talk about it. I think we need to start making very sound, very superior decisions and well stack those and I think that will lead to success. I would rather not talk about it, just show you. Demoff, who spearheaded the teams search for a head coach and general manager following the Jan. 2 firings of Steve Spagnuolo and Billy Devaney, believes the decisions to add Fisher and Snead are winning ones. Said Demoff, When we started this process in January, to think that wed wind up with the two men sitting to my left here to run our building and to lead us forward was an exciting thought. I didnt know if it was attainable, but as we sit here today it absolutely was. Les Snead was the first call we made regarding our general manager and the last call we made regarding our general manager position, and thats a great thought for me. From our first interview, it was clear he was ready to lead our football team and to lead a football team in the National Football League and I know throughout our time after hiring coach Fisher, he impressed that upon us as well. What was it that Demoff sensed in Snead? He said, They (Atlanta Falcons) never had back-to-back winning seasons and all of a sudden you have four straight winning seasons. And thats the sign of someone who can come into a franchise like ours that seeks stability and provide it. With coach Fisher on the coaching side and Les overseeing our personnel department, we are set up for the future and for future success. Snead actually had his first interview with Demoff prior to the hiring of Fisher on Jan. 13. Once Fisher started work, he was heavily involved in the interview process and became equally impressed with Snead. Said Fisher, The exciting part about our initial visit and the time we spent (together) was that despite the fact that we both come from two different organizations, a lot of the philosophical things were identical and it was a fit; it was a match. The way theyve run their personnel department is very similar to what I was used to. Im just really excited about moving forward, about the innovative ideas and where were going to take this team. Like Fisher, what excites Snead is the presence of Sam Bradford. I like Sam, Snead said. I believe hes a franchise quarterback. Believe me, every team that doesnt have that spends every waking moment searching for one. There is good young talent on this team. Obviously, when you are last in the league in wins over the last five seasons, there are holes. But at least youre not looking for a quarterback. Snead also understands his relationship with Fisher will be paramount for success. The head coach and general manager better be the best team in the building, he said. Lord knows, that hasnt been the case very often in the franchises tenure through 17 seasons in St. Louis. After all, its not only about acquiring the right players; its making them into a team. Said a confident Snead, I do want this organization to be an organization that understands how to build, develop, and coach its football team to win division championships consistently, and thats what were going to do. Youre going to hear me say a lot of times that everybody in this building is going to be passionate about winning.

Section/# of Pages: Sports/1 of 2

Date: 2/15/12

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Publication: 101ESPN.com Section/# of Pages: Sports/2 of 2 Date: 2/15/12

Every player, every staff member, every coach. Were going to have a purpose. Were going to understand what were trying to accomplish and why it works. And then were going to go thrive. Snead was one of nine candidates interviewed and several won promotions with their teams, including some that werent interviewed. Concluded Demoff, I think we made a lot of people some money and titles over the past few weeks. But the list was taken from talking to a lot of people throughout the league, from working with people in Indianapolis and Mobile and seeing kind of the collective wisdom of a lot of different scouting departments. To me, the thing that I love about it is three people wound up being GMs, three people got promoted, and we got the best guy out of the group. Now, its up to Snead to show us thats the case.

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Publication: STLToday.com
Bradford starting over again By Jim Thomas Quarterback Sam Bradford is learning his third offense in three NFL seasons from his third coordinator, no less. But at first blush, the transition may be easier than expected. "I like the offense that we're running this year," Bradford said Tuesday. "It's more similar to two years ago than to last year. There is some carryover, so I am somewhat familiar with it, which makes it nice trying to learn it again." Bradford, speaking after the Rams' first minicamp practice of the spring, said there are even some similarities in the language and playcalling from his rookie season of 2010, when Pat Shurmur was offensive coordinator. There is another similarity to 2010, when Bradford was NFL offensive rookie of the year: a position coach. "I'm glad that we have a quarterbacks coach now," Bradford said, referring to Frank Cignetti. "Obviously, with Josh (McDaniels) trying to do both last year I think it was just a lot for him to handle. Sometimes some of the little things such as drops, footwork, throwing mechanics kind of got put aside as opposed to putting reads and everything in front. ... I think it's going to be great for my development." Other than some informal workouts without coaches present, Bradford had no time to learn the McDaniels offense until the start of training camp because of the lockout. Even with the abridged offseason schedule this spring under the new collective bargaining agreement, Bradford gets at least a couple of months to learn the system of new coordinator Brian Schottenheimer before the start of training camp. "To have an offseason program, and to come here in a minicamp and get to have walk-throughs, get to have 7-on-7 things that we didn't have last year that really helps," Bradford said. "The more reps you get at it, the more comfortable we become." Even though some of the language of the new offense is similar to the Shurmur system, one of Bradford's main goals this spring is getting fluent in that language with Schottenheimer. "I think that's the biggest thing, to make sure that when we speak we're on the same page and we're talking about the same things," Bradford said. And with the help of Cignetti, Bradford wants to polish up his mechanics and fundamentals. "Work on my footwork, work on my release, try to speed things up," Bradford said. "All the little things that maybe I've taken for granted, and took for granted last year, that may have dropped my play." Instead of taking the next step forward following his strong rookie season, Bradford's play regressed last season for a variety of reasons many of which were out of his control. He knows he has a lot to prove this coming season, or re-prove. "Obviously last year was very disappointing as far as the injury, my performance," Bradford said. "It just wasn't up to par with what I expected from myself. So there's no doubt that I'm extremely excited to get back out there this year and prove to myself and to everyone else that I can be the type of player I think I can be." As Fisher re-affirmed in an interview last week, one of the big reasons he took the Rams' job was the presence of a Bradford as a franchise-caliber quarterback. Bradford said he clicked with Fisher right away, dating back to that January meeting when Fisher came to Rams Park while he still deciding whether to coach for St. Louis or Miami. "I actually do remember that meeting," Bradford said. "I really didn't want to get my hopes up because I knew that if we didn't get him as our head coach I was going to be very disappointed. I knew from the day that I met him that he's the guy that I wanted to lead us into next year and into the future." After a long period of rest and rehab in the offseason, Bradford has gotten past the high-ankle sprain that sabotaged much of his 2011 season. "I went to a doctor literally two days after the season ended and he told me not to do anything, really, until March 1," Bradford said.

Section/# of Pages: Sports/1 of 2

Date: 4/8/12

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Publication: STLToday.com Section/# of Pages: Sports/2 of 2 Date: 4/8/12

Bradford was surprised to hear those words. He wasn't expecting to be told to basically stay off the ankle in terms of rigorous activity for nearly two months. It was an indication of the severity of the injury. Once that 'shut-down" period was over, he returned to St. Louis at the end of February and got back in the training room for rehab work with head athletic trainer Reggie Scott. "I would say it felt 10 times better then, and it's only gotten stronger since I've been here working with Reg," Bradford said.

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Publication: STLToday.com
R ams' J ackson is building a legacy B y B er nie M iklasz This is a column about Rams running back Steven Jackson, who may be having the best career of a bad-team player in modern NFL history. We'll get to SJ39 in a few moments. First, some relevant background: Last month I spent two days in Canton, Ohio to participate in a senior committee meeting at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I was honored to be among the five voters asked to choose two 'senior" players for Hall of Fame consideration. After hours of discussion and several rounds of voting, we chose nose tackle Curley Culp (Kansas City, Houston) and linebacker Dave Robinson (Green Bay.) If the full selection committee approves with a vote the day before the Super Bowl, Culp and Robinson will be enshrined into the Hall of Fame next summer. At the beginning of the process , we probably reviewed more than 100 players. Many of them were outstanding and accomplished NFL players. For some reason, they were overlooked when their names appeared on the normal Hall of Fame ballot. That's why there's a senior committee: to undo past mistakes and recognize Hall-worthy players who slipped through the cracks. Which brings us back to Steven Jackson. Will he get lost in history? Jackson is building a Hall of Fame case. He's putting up consistently good numbers over a long stretch of seasons. Jackson has managed to produce at a high level and roll up the yards under circumstances that put him at a disadvantage. And that makes his career even more impressive. Jackson hasn't had the benefit of being surrounded by many talented teammates. He hasn't had the assistance provided by competent coaching. He hasn't had the advantage of working for a smart football operation that keeps the roster stocked with quality players. Jackson hasn't set up behind a formidable offensive line. Except on rare occasion, he hasn't had the luxury of having running lanes opened by a dynamic passing game. In 2006 the Rams had an energetic and accurate Marc Bulger dishing passes to Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt, and the Rams finished fourth in the NFL in passing yards. It's no coincidence that Jackson had his best NFL season in 2006, leading the NFL with 2,334 yards from scrimmage and scoring 16 touchdowns. But the Rams' passing game soon faded into mediocrity, and defenses began stacking eight men in the box to gang up on Jackson. But SJ39 still rumbled to 1,000-yard seasons. In his eight seasons in St. Louis Jackson has played for five head coaches: Mike Martz, Joe Vitt, Scott Linehan, Jim Haslett and Steve Spagnuolo. He's had several GMs, and a procession of multiple offensive coordinators. Now Jeff Fisher is in charge, making it six coaches in nine seasons. In Jackson's first eight years, the Rams won 37 games and lost 91 for a winning percentage of .289. The Rams have had the fewest wins in the NFL since Jackson arrived as a first-round draft choice in 2004. But it would be foolish to blame Jackson for the Rams' woeful record. He hasn't bungled the draft or made idiotic personnel decisions. Jackson isn't responsible for the chronic losing; he's a victim. From 2004 through 2011, the Rams drafted 70 players. Only one, Jackson, has earned Pro Bowl honors. He's a three-time Pro Bowl pick. From 2004-2011, half of the NFL's 32 teams had at least five draft picks develop into Pro Bowl players. And 27 of the 32 had at least three picks make it to the Pro Bowl.

Section/# of Pages: Sports/1 of 2

Date: 9/2/12

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Publication: STLToday.com Section/# of Pages: Sports/2 of 2 Date: 9/2/12

Jackson grinds on. He's overcome the negative factors and a noxious environment to emerge as one of the most productive players of his generation. Jackson is one of only seven backs in NFL history to have seven consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. It could have been eight, but as a rookie Jackson shared time with Marshall Faulk. Since 2005, when he became the starter, Jackson leads the NFL in rushing yards and total yards from scrimmage. He's second in rushing yards per game. He's eighth in rushing touchdowns and 10th in total TDs. He leads all league running backs in receptions and receiving yards. Jackson already ranks 31st in NFL history in rushing yards (9,093.) With 1,181 yards this season, he'd move into the top 25. By the end of the season, Jackson will probably become the 26th running back in NFL history to amass 10,000 career rushing yards. Jackson is 48th in league history for most yards from scrimmage (12,096) and can crack the top 30 this season. Jackson is the Rams' all-time rushing leader. He's already rushed for more yards than four modern-era Hall of Fame running backs: Jim Taylor, Larry Csonka, Leroy Kelly and Floyd Little. Next Sunday in Detroit, Jackson will begin his ninth season for the Rams. He's 29, and getting close to that age-30 milepost that often marks the decline phase for backs. In NFL history, only 36 backs have reached the 1,000-yard threshold in their age-29 seasons. The number drops to 20 backs with a 1,000yard season at age 30. Jackson, however, is in the best shape of his career. He's disciplined and dedicated to enhancing his health, diet and fitness. Barring injury, I don't see why Jackson can't keep powering up past age 30. After eight seasons of often going it alone, Jackson is getting some help from coaches who value the running game and promising rookie running backs to carry part of the load. Not only is he set for a robust 2012 season, but Jackson seems capable of sustaining his impressive production for at least two or three more seasons. Will that be enough to get Jackson into the Pro Football Hall of Fame? I don't know. But for being stuck on such a sorry team and in a hopeless situation, Jackson has put together a pretty amazing career. That's why I thought about Steven Jackson when visiting Canton last month. I know this much: This man should not be forgotten.

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Publication: STLToday.com
Plenty of action ahead for Jackson By Kathleen Nelson After eight years in the NFL, Steven Jackson has a wealth of background material with which to offer comparisons and contrasts. He has thrived in the Rams' backfield through a half-dozen head coaches and just as many offensive coordinators, rushing for more than 1,000 yards seven consecutive years. The latest version of the Rams offense, under coach Jeff Fisher and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, seems to strike a balance: just enough of the familiar to ease the learning curve; just enough new stuff to keep it interesting. Jackson said the portion he's seen so far, about 70 percent, closely resembles the scheme of coordinator Pat Shurmur, who worked under Steve Spagnuolo in 2009 and 2010 but left last year to take over as head coach in Cleveland. "This offense is very similar, not identical," Jackson said. "The learning curve has not been too harsh on myself. Sam (Bradford) is looking good, our receivers, we have a deep group that is very competitive that's going to not only help us, but is also going to bring the best out of each individual guy. All in all, as an offense we're looking good. And especially Coach (Paul T.) Boudreau up front, what he's doing with the offensive line is very impressive as well." Boudreau is a familiar face. He worked with the Rams' offensive line in 2006 and 2007 before joining the Falcons' staff. His goal will be to get the most out of the Rams' young tackles, Jason Smith and Rodger Saffold. "We have some key additions up front," Jackson said of the offensive line. "What we have and what we brought here I think are going make us better as an offensive unit. I think it's going to actually help our tackles to play with some veteran guys from other systems. Our tackles, although they're young, they're very athletic. We can really do some big things once we get everyone jelling." Fisher also has managed to keep practices interesting for the veterans with his own twists, mixing team sessions with conditioning games that are more relaxed. "You can still compete and have fun and just enjoy each other," he said. "Things like that, that change the monotony of things but still get the job done, those little subtle things help form camaraderie and guys getting to know each other." With his wealth of experience, Jackson should be a font of knowledge for the young players, particularly the running backs that the Rams drafted last month, Isaiah Pead and Daryl Richardson. Both complement, rather than compete with, Jackson's skill set. Jackson said he was impressed by Richardson's quickness. "Everything that you read, everything that you saw is pretty legit," he said. Pead, who was drafted in the third round out of Cincinnati, is another story. Cincinnati operates on the quarter system, meaning class is still in session. Hence, Jackson has yet to meet Pead but isn't concerned about his absence. "I don't know much about Pead. I'm looking forward to meeting him, looking forward to mentoring him, playing with him," Jackson said. "The season doesn't start until September. You won't even remember that he wasn't here right now." Jackson has been a leader for the Rams through many bad seasons and has spoken of wanting at some point to mentor younger backs. Now that the Rams' have invested in youth at the position, though, Jackson said he can't just hop on a soapbox in the locker room and start spouting pearls of wisdom to the masses. "Those kinds of things happen gradually. You have to see where guys are at," he said. "You have to let natural relationships happen over time. I've had a chance to talk to quite a few of the rookies, most of them are very humble and they're very excited about the opportunity to play here in St. Louis. That's positive, that's a good thing looking forward. But any time I get a young running back in the room with me, and he has a question, I try to answer it. I try to answer it in a way that he gets it. Everybody learns differently. I've been fortunate enough that I'm able to be relatable in the situations and helping them understand certain things in the offense." At this point, though, some rookies aren't ready for answers. They're not even sure of the right questions to ask.

Section/# of Pages: Sports/1 of 2

Date: 5/25/12

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Publication: STLToday.com Section/# of Pages: Sports/2 of 2 Date: 5/25/12

"They're just overwhelmed not only with the information that they're receiving, but I'm pretty sure they've watched us over the years play football, so they have to get over the awe of it as well," he said. "But these guys, once you get in between the lines, they're doing a good job. They're football players."

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Publication: STLToday.com
Hard work, dedication lift Brockers By Bryan Burwell On Saturday afternoon, Rams defensive line coach Mike Waufle and his new best friend Michael Brockers were hanging out in the big second-floor conference room at Rams Park making small talk as the team's first-round draft pick wore out his arm signing a table full of autographed footballs and mini-helmets. For Waufle, it was all a part of the natural bonding process between a coach and his latest football apprentice. Getting To Know You 101. It's Waufle's job to make sure that the massive, 6-foot-6, 322-pound rookie hits the ground running because he is being counted on to be the most critical building block in the massive overall of this perennially dysfunctional franchise. You wonder why the Rams invested so much effort landing this kid and will now spend even more effort carefully nurturing him with round-the-clock hands-on tutoring? Just listen to someone who knows Brockers best. "This is a young man who understands that what he's just done by becoming a first-round draft pick isn't the end of the journey," says Michael Jackson, Brocker's high school coach. "Mike understands that this wasn't the end of the dream. It is just the beginning. St. Louis probably doesn't know it, because they think drafting a defensive tackle isn't all that sexy. But tell them they're getting a beast. Tell them they're getting a kid who will come in with his lunch pail and work every day because that's what he's done every day of his life." BIG MAN OF THE FAMILY The kid is being expected to move mountains, and he's very qualified for the gig. Wait until you see him in person. Wait until you see him on a practice field in shorts and pads and you see those long legs, broad shoulders and condor-like arms that make him appear to be some enormous sequoia rumbling down field. He'll have to prove it, earn it and establish it, but the pro football wise guys will tell you he's a young Albert Haynesworth without the bad attitude. That's the sort of anchor this sorry, no-account run defense needs to turn around as fast as Jeff Fisher swears it will. And just like his high school coach says, he will put in the work, because that's what he's been doing all his life. The work ethic began because his mother Tiffany raised him right, raised him to believe that hard work doesn't hurt, that taking care of responsibilities is not only an obligation but a necessity. When all his other friends were goofing around in the streets back in Houston, young Michael Brockers was trying to find ways to help his single mother of five keep food on the table, clothes on the kids' back and bills paid. "I just felt like since I was the oldest in the family, I was old enough to have a job and do my part to help out," Brockers said. "(His mother) was struggling so much just getting us school supplies, school uniforms and stuff like that. She was scuffling just to pay the bills. So I told her 'Mom I'm going to help you out. I'll eliminate me from the equation so all you have to do is focus on the little kids.'" So he went off to Hobby Airport to apply for a job in the food court and landed a job at Poppa's Burgers. "I was the shake man," he said. "They hired me to make milkshakes, but I didn't really know what a shake man did." Pretty soon, 17-year-old Brockers was his own one-man utility crew behind the counter at Poppa's. "They told me I was the shake guy, but I ended up being the shake guy, the inventory guy, the sweep guy, the dishes guy. I ended up doing everything. But you know what? I loved it. I loved getting those (pay)checks, I loved buying my own clothes. I felt very independent and it felt even better when I knew I was helping my mom by chipping in sometimes to buy shoes for the kids, too. I just wanted to do whatever I could to relieve some stress from my mom." Three years earlier, young Michael Brockers was not all that crazy about being the man of the family. Even though he was already big enough to be a man (by the seventh grade he was already 6-2, 220 pounds), he wasn't nearly ready emotionally to take on that sort of responsibility. How many 14-year-old boys want to take on the burden of helping to raise his four younger siblings while his single mother went to every odd job she could get to support the family? When all his friends were running off after school to football and basketball practices during the week and hanging out in the streets on the weekends going to parties, young Mike Brockers was hurrying home after school to meet his little brothers and sisters when they got home from grammar school. His job was to cook dinner, make them do their homework, do his homework, give them baths, put them in their pajamas and get them to bed before Tiffany Brockers came home from her night job as a telemarketer for Southwest Bell at 9 p.m.

Section/# of Pages: Sports/1 of 3

Date: 4/29/12

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Publication: STLToday.com Section/# of Pages: Sports/2 of 3 Date: 4/29/12

"Oh man I hated it at the time," says Michael now. "During that time I was always complaining: 'I have no life. I can't do this, I can't do that.' I didn't understand why I had to sit in the house and baby-sit while everyone else got to go outside. I couldn't go out for football because I had to come home and baby-sit. I missed some basketball games because I had to baby-sit. I just didn't understand why. I kept asking myself why was she doing this to me? I thought it was like a punishment." But just like most kids who can't understand the methods of their parents when they are immature high school adolescents, Brockers grew up in his three years at LSU and began to understand what his mother was doing for him and his siblings. He wasn't just baby-sitting his siblings. He was also staying off the mean streets of his rugged Houston neighborhood. It's hard to get into trouble running with the wrong crowd when the only crowd you're running with are 5-, 6- and 8-year-old family members in a cramped apartment. "I remember one night in high school I wanted to go out to this party and my mom wouldn't let me go because she said I had to watch the kids," Brockers says. "I was real mad, too. But the next day we get up and we're watching the (local TV) news and they said someone got shot at that party I wanted to go to." Tiffany Brockers looked at her oldest son and with equal parts fear and relief. "She said, 'Thank God you didn't go,'" Michael said. "And I looked at her and I was like 'Yeah, thank God I didn't go!'" It was in so many moments like that when it finally started dawning on Tiffany Brockers' biggest boy that she was a lot smarter than he ever imaged. "It's just little things like that that make me realize that mom had the long picture in mind," he said. "By the time I got to college, I could see what she had done. My rap sheet is clean. No crime, no drugs or anything." A RELENTLESS WORKER The first time Jackson laid his eyes on Michael Brockers, the football coach at Houston's Chavez High School was not terribly impressed. Although the kid was fairly big for an eighth-grader, standing over 6-foot-2 and weighing more than 200 pounds, Brockers was a long, long way from the first-round NFL draft pick he would become. "He was wearing a ratty old St. Louis Rams T-shirt," Jackson recalled. "He probably wore that T-shirt two or three times a week. He hadn't played any football like all the other kids and he could barely bench press 95 pounds. My strength coach told me when he got him in the weight room the first time he was just goo. That's what he called him, 'Goo.' A big kid but he as goo, just weak as he could be." He did not exactly look like the man-mountain he is today. "He wore glasses and they sat on his face kind of funny," Jackson said. "Not impressive at all. He had a lot of work to do, but the good thing is he did it." One year later, he was a 6-4, 250-pound freshman who lived in the weight room. "He was just a relentless worker," said Jackson. "But we couldn't put weight on him or keep weight on him. Even though he was 6-6, 255 by his senior year, he could have been a lot bigger. But we just couldn't keep weight on him even though he was a workout fiend. Because he came from a very poor family, he wasn't getting the nutrition he needed. But he worked so hard and had such a fast metabolism. You couldn't run him out of the weight room. You knew when he got to LSU and got to a real training table and with a world-class strength coach and was able to drink muscle milk and everything else he needed, we knew this kid would blow up." Though he doesn't talk very much about his father, Brockers comes by this football talent honestly. Melvin Evans, who played one season with the Dallas Cowboys 1992 Super Bowl champion team as a 6-4, 330 offensive lineman, met Tiffany Brockers when he was a college student at Texas Southern University. After Tiffany got pregnant, Evans dropped out of sight and has had little or no contact with her or Michael since the day he was born (Dec. 21, 1990). Jackson said he never once saw Evans at one of Michael's games in four years at Chavez High. So even though Evans supplied the football DNA, Tiffany Brockers created the work ethic that made her son into the player he is today. But Jackson knew by the time the kid went off to LSU on a scholarship as a three-star recruit, he was on his way to becoming an NFL draft pick. "I told (LSU coach) Les Miles this kid is going to make a lot of money one day, but I was wrong about him being a left tackle," said Jackson. "I swore he was going to be protecting someone's blind side."

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Publication: STLToday.com Section/# of Pages: Sports/3 of 3 Date: 4/29/12

Once at LSU, it didn't take Brockers long to put on weight. He came in as a defensive end, but after red shirting his first year in Baton Rouge, he was moved to defensive tackle last season, but he weighed only 280 pounds. "When I transferred from an end to a tackle I was getting bounced around," said Brockers. "Especially on power plays and stuff like that I was getting knocked over and on the ground all the time so I had it on my mind, they aren't going to move me anymore. I went on an eating binge and put on weight so they couldn't move me anymore." When he came back for his red-shirt sophomore year in 2011, Brockers had ballooned to over 300 pounds and looked like a sequoia tree. Now no one was shoving him aside. He was doing all the shoving, and even though he says he wasn't thinking much about turning pro, that didn't stop NFL scouts from salivating that he might come out at the end of the season. "I was never thinking that way," said Brockers. "I wanted to keep playing at LSU. I wanted to graduate with the guys I came in with and win a couple of national titles before I left. But it didn't work out that way." It didn't work out that way because his family was back in Houston struggling to survive. Michael had not been home for more than a year and didn't know that his mother was forced to move out of a nicer house that they lived in when he was in high school into a cramped apartment in one of the worst sections of Houston. His mother never told him what was going on at home, but when Brockers went back to Houston last Christmas Eve, he could not believe how much hard times his family had fallen on. "It was awful," he said. "There was trash all over the place outside. Garbage on the ground all over the place. As I walked through this mess, I kept saying to myself, 'I hope it looks better inside the apartment.'" It didn't. "I walked in and I hated it," he said. "I couldn't even stay in the apartment. I just stayed in the car. Every time I did go back into the apartment, I said 'I hate this. This isn't us. This isn't you, mom?' It was too small for all of them to be living in. All the appliances were old. I was opening up the cabinets where the food was and there were roaches crawling all over the place and I just shook my head and kept saying to myself 'This is not us. This is not us.'" The same paternal instincts he developed as a teenaged kid working for minimum wage at Poppa's Burgers were taking over again. "It just didn't sit right with me in my soul to see my family living in those conditions," Brockers said. And now, because of football, he was in a position to make a whole lot more money than a shake man could bring in. So he made up his mind right then and there that the Bowl Championship Series national championship game against Alabama in a few weeks would be his last game as a collegian. "I said it's time to change this," Brockers said. "I didn't care if I went in the third round. The money would still be good enough to change their lives." Now he is a father-to-be himself, engaged to a young lady named Faith Youngblood, and he can't wait to do all the right things that his biological father never bothered to do. "And I promise you," he says with a proud smile. "I will know what to do. Being a father is going to be an amazing thing."

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Publication: FoxSportsMidwest.com
Long assumes leadership role for young Rams By Andrew Astleford ST. LOUIS Chris Long is in transition. Not long ago, the St. Louis Rams' premier defensive end was a rookie fascination. Not long ago, he was the second-overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft with famous family ties to complement his promising size and speed. He was Chris Long, the unproven-but-gifted son of Hall of Famer Howie Long. He was Chris Long, the consensus All-American from Virginia who called the moment the Rams selected him the best of his life. He was Chris Long, the low-risk pass rusher whom then-St. Louis coach Scott Linehan viewed as a "no-brainer" to pick the night the Santa Monica, Calif., native became a centerpiece of the Rams' future at defensive line. Long remains so only he's more seasoned after 64 games, with 149 tackles and 30 sacks for his career. On Tuesday after a minicamp session, he looked toward an empty practice field at Rams Park and considered the passing of time. In three months, St. Louis will begin a season of renewal, and he'll be trusted to provide veteran leadership in the Rams' first campaign under coach Jeff Fisher. "It reminds you that time flies," Long said of becoming a veteran. "Honestly, it has been a blur more luckily than anything, because we have lost a lot. So it's not a bad thing that time has flown by. But it also reminds you that you have to make the most of every opportunity." Yes, Long's wiser with each flip of the calendar, and he has evolved into someone who's known for production rather than potential. This fall, at age 27, he'll be the oldest member of a skilled line that includes free-agent pickup Kendall Langford, a defensive tackle formerly of the Miami Dolphins, and fresh faces like defensive end Robert Quinn and defensive tackle Michael Brockers both first-round selections from the past two years who represent promise like he once did. For Long, though, his outlook has changed. The future has arrived. "Before I know it, hopefully if I'm lucky, I'll be an eight-year guy," he said. "I'll be looking back like, Where did the last four years go?' I have to work hard and take advantage of all my opportunities." *** Small moments have marked large change within the Rams this offseason. That's important to remember when understanding how Long has moved on from last season, when he earned a career-high 13 sacks. There's the command Fisher projects at Rams Park as a 17-year veteran. There's the message sent from locker-room leaders when speaking about the new staff, like when running back Steven Jackson said Tuesday, "You can definitely tell a difference in leadership, a difference in confidence. It's not so much of on-the-job training." There's the credibility that came with Fisher's hire, an announcement that helped Long focus on continuing his growth. "It feels good to know if we handle our business as players, he's definitely going to handle his business as a coach, because he has been doing it for so long, and he has exhibited he knows how to do it," Long said of Fisher. "It's a reassuring thing that you're going to get an honest shake at it." The feeling is mutual. Fisher has compared Long to Kyle Vanden Bosch, a defensive end for the Detroit Lions who played for the Tennessee Titans from 2005 to 2009. Like Vanden Bosch, Long has earned a reputation for being relentless, and it shows in the 6-foot-3, 270-pound player's steady improvement as a pass rusher: Long had four sacks as a rookie, five in his second year and 8 in this third before the breakout season last fall. Meanwhile, he has 122 solo tackles for his career. "I think Chris has been more comfortable with who he is as a player," said Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis, who had 105 tackles and three sacks last season. "I think he realizes what his strengths are, and he's focused on perfecting those things. You can see it in the limited numbers of opportunities he had to pass rush last year with how much we were behind in games. He took advantage of them. Last year, he didn't sneak up on anybody. He got even better. I think that's a testament to his work ethic. In the NFL, you're either getting better or you're getting worse. He's gotten better every year, and I hope he continues to do so." With that improvement, though, comes knowledge that he must continue growing to preserve his future in the league. It's part of the NFL's cycle: Long learned how to be a trusted professional by observing former Rams stars James Hall and Leonard Little.

Section/# of Pages: Sports/1 of 2

Date: 6/14/12

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Publication: FoxSportsMidwest.com Section/# of Pages: Sports/2 of 2 Date: 6/14/12

Veterans mentor the young, youth always replaces the old, and the evolution continues for each player until retirement. Now, Long finds himself on the opposite side of that maxim. He has become an example to young players like Quinn and Brockers. It's a role Long has tried to embrace while keeping ambitious goals for himself. "My bar is always high," Long said. "I want to get better and better. Whatever I did last year, I want to play a lot better football. I'm not talking about from a numbers standpoint. I'm talking from a football standpoint. At the end of the year, hopefully, I would be able to tell that I've become a better player." *** Long lets his mind wander a bit when speaking about the future. He sees a lot of potential in the Rams' defensive line, and he's eager to watch it develop. Still, a question remains that will reveal much about the Rams' success this season: How good can this young group of pass rushers be? "We can be really good," Long said. "We have a lot of speed. Robert Quinn looks really good right now. If he keeps working hard, the sky's the limit for him. I've always thought that, and I think he's on the cusp of being a pretty good player in this league. He's got to go out and put it together. If guys like him take the next step, the sky's the limit. If I take my next step, if we all try to take this next step, we can try to be tone-setters for this team." Long has shown that ability. His three-sack performance in a stunning victory over the New Orleans Saints last October was a highlight in an otherwise dreary final season under former coach Steve Spagnuolo. That afternoon at the Edward Jones Dome, Long showed that he's a maturing star who's creating his own legacy removed from his famous father. "Chris, he's one of those lead-by-example guys," Fisher said. "He goes and goes and goes. When you play that hard consistently play after play after play, you make plays. Young guys look up to you that way, and you can establish a standard of play on the defensive line." Fisher has tried to spark that spirit in others by challenging his defensive line to make history this season. He has said he wants the group to break the NFL record of 72 sacks set by the Chicago Bears in 1984. Consider: St. Louis had 39 sacks last season, tied for 15th in the league. Most likely, the gap will be too large to overcome to set a new standard. Still, the request shows how much faith Fisher has in Long and others on the defensive line. The trust is warranted. In an offseason of transition for the emerging defensive end, Long is eager to show that last season was little more than Act One. "Last year, he turned it on real big," said Quinn, who finished with five sacks and 23 tackles as a rookie. "Just making the O-linemen terrified of you when you do that, you've got the winning edge. It's definitely something I saw that he did last year."

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Publication: STLToday.com
Rams expect Quinn to step up in Year 2 By Jim Thomas As an NFL neophyte, Robert Quinn was part of a time-share at right defensive end with veteran James Hall last season. Strangely, coach Steve Spagnuolo didn't even dress Quinn the No. 14 overall pick in the 2011 draft in the season opener. He was a healthy scratch, and a pregame inactive. When all was said and done, Quinn played about half the snaps last season and had modest success, with five sacks, 14 quarterback hits and three blocked or partially blocked punts. His sack total was the third-highest in franchise history for a Rams rookie, and in a vote by the players Quinn earned the Carroll Rosenbloom Memorial Award as the team's rookie of the year. Nonetheless, there was plenty of room for improvement. Twelve rookies had more sacks than Quinn last season, and he wasn't always stout against the run. With Jeff Fisher now on board as head coach, Hall no longer on the team and a new defensive scheme in place, there will be no easing Quinn into action in 2012. He is the team's starting right end, and a full-time player. To say expectations are sky-high for him at Rams Park almost is an understatement. "There's nothing but upside with Robert," said Mike Waufle, the Rams' new defensive line coach. "When you're a student of the game, you've got a chance to be able to progress faster. The second thing is that he has speed. He's 'God-gifted' like crazy from top to bottom, and this is a speed game." A highly-respected line coach, Waufle spent the past two seasons with the Oakland Raiders but is best known for his work with the New York Giants from 2004-09. With the Giants, he coached the likes of Michael Strahan, Justin Tuck, and Osi Umenyiori. With Oakland, he coached Richard Seymour. So Waufle knows what a top-flight defensive lineman looks like. Quinn has that kind of potential. "I'm very pleased at his ability to rush the passer because he's working on a number of different moves, a number of different techniques, and he's had successat times with each and every one of them," Waufle said. "So we can see that progression. And through spaced repetitions, hopefully they're going to develop into habits." But you can't play defense for Fisher if you can't play the run, and Quinn is making strides in that area as well. "That's been an area of emphasis up front on the defensive line this offseason run techniques," Fisher said. "It's hard to do it without pads on. But he's really come on. His strength has really improved significantly and he's going to be what they (the prior regime) drafted him to be. We're very fortunate to have him." Waufle also sees the improvement in Quinn's run defense, albeit in the controlled spring environment without pads and with much less than full contact. "I'm real excited about how he's playing the run," Waufle said. "Most pass rushers are tagged as not wanting to be run defenders. And he's taking the running game as being a serious issue. He's working really well with his hands. He's working to control blockers." The Rams finished 31st in run defense a year ago, yielding 151.7 yards a game. The season total of 2,427 rushing yards allowed was third-worst in franchise history. Many of the big runs came on the perimeter. Sometimes it was a case of cornerbacks missing tackles, or outside linebackers getting wiped out by blockers. But the ends Quinn included had their share of run defense snafus, whether it was getting pinned inside by blockers or getting deked by counter-action or misdirection. Interestingly, Quinn has lost about five pounds in the offseason in an effort to get even quicker. He's down to 260 pounds, which is on the light side for a defensive end. "I don't want to get too skinny they might move me to linebacker or something," he joked. But Quinn doesn't think that will prevent him from being an effective run defender.

Section/# of Pages: Sports/1 of 2

Date: 6/14/12

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Publication: STLToday.com Section/# of Pages: Sports/2 of 2 Date: 6/14/12

"I'd say it's your mentality," Quinn said. "If you're thinking you're small and allowing (blockers) to come off on you, definitely it'll happen. But I have the mentality to just attack 'em, and if you're lower than your opponent, they can't do too much. Leverage wins." As Waufle points out, leverage won for the Giants in a 2007 season capped by a stunning upset of previously unbeaten New England in Super Bowl XLII. "People don't realize that when I coached Michael Strahan, and Osi Umenyiora, and Justin Tuck in the Super Bowl, Tuck was playing inside at 263, Michael weighed 251, and Osi was 254," Waufle said. "So, if you learn how to be a leverage player, which (Quinn's) studying and learning how to do, you can play against a lot of players." Lastly, Waufle has been pleasantly surprised by Quinn's work habits and approach in the classroom. "He's very quiet, but he's a great listener," Waufle said. "And he's able to feed back an awful lot of information. ... He's able to almost teach the class." The exams began Sept. 9 with the regular0season opener in Detroit. And several teammates can't wait to see how Quinn fares. "I'm really looking forward for him to have a breakout season," running back Steven Jackson said. "If there's anybody I'd tell our fans to look for, it'd be Robert." "Robert's taken some big strides," defensive end Chris Long added. "He's going to be the guy. He really will be. "I'm dead serious. If he takes the steps I think he's going to take this year, I think he's going to be the guy."

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Publication: STLToday.com
Quinn stands out for Rams By Bryan Burwell As all the extreme wide-bodied and thick-necked giants assembled on the far corner of the Rams Park practice field on Tuesday afternoon, it was easy to see how much defensive end Robert Quinn sticks out in a crowd. In a flock of extremely oversized defensive linemen that coach Jeff Fisher loves to collect, Quinn sticks out like a gazelle among the rhinos and elephants. An extremely big gazelle (6-foot-4, 264 pounds), but a gazelle nonetheless. He is cut like a well-muscled inverted triangle, wide shoulders spreading out forever, but everything quickly tapering down to these long, bowlegged sprinter's legs. All around him are 300-pound big bodies, stomping and pounding and rumbling along with sheer power and strength. But there is last year's firstround pick pawing the ground in a three-point stance like Usain Bolt ready to explode out of the starting blocks. For now, this is how Quinn sticks out in the crowd. In time, if things go according to plans, the Rams are counting on him to stick out for far more significant reasons. Last year, he showed flashes of his pass rushing potential with five sacks in a part-time role. This year, the expectations are much higher. They are hoping he turns into a fierce double-digit sack artist to go in tandem with Chris Long and turns the Rams defensive line into one of the main strengths of this team. Quinn has been impossible to miss in the first weeks of camp. He seems to flash across your eyes in every pass rushing drill like a blur. In 11-on-11 drills, every time you see the flash of white jersey slashing around the edge on the pass rush right into the lap of nearly every quarterback before they can cock their throwing arm, it seems to be No. 94. He has burst past every offensive lineman put in front of him. On the rare occasion that he does not get into the backfield, there's another familiar scene. Someone has tugged on Quinn's jersey, almost yanking it off his shoulder pads and nearly hauling him to the ground out of a sense of desperate survival. Ask Jeff Fisher if he's noticing the same thing, and he grins as if you're handing out free money. "Yeah, and I'm kinda hoping that sort of thing carries over into the games, too," the head coach said after Tuesday's practice. "It kind of reminds me a little bit and you might think I'm crazy about the comparison but it's a little bit like (Tennessee Titans Pro Bowl running back) Chris Johnson's rookie year in training camp where you kept saying, 'Gosh, if this was a game do you think he'd score on that?' Well now it's like, 'Boy if this was a game, he'd have a few sacks by the time the game's over, right?'" In one particular pass rush drill on Tuesday afternoon when defensive line coach Mike Waufle and assistant line coach Clyde Simmons had the big boys weave through four heavy bags then sprint to a fifth bag that was supposed to be the quarterback, if you closed your eyes, you'd still know when it was Quinn's turn just by the sound. There were all these 280- and 300-pound monsters thumping their way around the tackling dummies with violent, heavy-handed, teethrattling open-palmed swings that sent the bags bouncing hard off the ground. From 15 yards away, you could hear and feel the impact of these blows vibrating. It was the sound and fury of sheer power of very large, very physical men pounding the daylights out of the bags with anger and unadulterated violence. THUMP ... THUMMP ... THUMMMP ... WHOOOOMMP! Then it was Quinn's turn. SHHUMMP ... SHHHHOOMP ... WHOOSSH ... WHOOOOSSSH! It was the sound of a saber slicing through the air. He was whacking the same bags with his long arms extended to his full 82-inch wingspan. But when Quinn delivered his blows, they were lightning-quick strikes that created a different disturbance. It was the difference between a fat guy doing a cannon ball into the pool and an Olympic diver slicing into the water barely creating a ripple. He flashed a wide, self-satisfied smile when someone brought that up to him. "It's all about speed," he said. "Moving fast. Moving quick."

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Date: 8/8/12

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Sitting under a misting tent after practice, Quinn was surprised when told how impressive his practice had been. "To be honest with you, I thought I had an awful practice," he said. "But that's how I always am. I try to think that every day is going to be the best practice I ever had, but I'm so hard on myself and I end up focusing on all the things I think I did wrong. It's always good to focus on the things you did well in practice, but for me to become a better player, I tend to focus in on the negative, things I can correct to become a better player. So for me, I concentrate on the things you did well and keep on trying to perfect those, and work on the bad things and try to improve those." Ask him if he has a goal to hit double digits in sacks, and he quickly shakes his head. Instead he tells you about trying to become a complete player, better on the run, being able to shove an offensive lineman back five yards every play and disrupt a play by sheer force. "That's what Coach Waufle keeps emphasizing every day to us," he said. "He wants me to be able to do everything and that's what I want to do." And when it comes to the thing he does best, which is getting after the quarterback, Quinn says he'll be counting sack totals this year, just not the ones you expect. "I really don't have a personal goal," he said. "But Coach Waufle has been saying since Day 1, 'Break the NFL record for most (team) sacks.' So I am more concerned with that and if you look at the talent we have on defense with all our linemen, I think we can do it. If we as a team break that record, that's what I will be satisfied with, not the individual stuff. This year is totally different than last year. We're looking at the big picture." And the big picture means that if Quinn, Long, Michael Brockers, Kendall Langford and all the other linemen are even remotely close to chasing the 1984 Chicago Bears record of 72 sacks as a team, then the big picture ought to mean a huge improvement for the Rams.

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Publication: FoxSportsMidwest.com
Rams' Amendola puts freak injury behind him By The Associated Press ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Experiencing the play that ruined his 2011 season was plenty for Danny Amendola. The St. Louis Rams wide receiver has never watched video of his freak injury, saying all that matters is he is back. Amendola was Sam Bradford's go-to possession guy in 2010 with 85 receptions. He was durable, too, especially given the fact he is 5-11 and 188 pounds. Amendola played in all 16 games and totaled 90 kickoff and punt returns. He didn't make it out of the 2011 opener. Amendola put his left hand to the turf while making a cut against the Eagles and dislocated his left elbow. Slow motion replays showed the elbow hyperextending severely. "I've never seen it, I don't even care. The words don't haunt me, either," Amendola told the Associated Press. "Injuries are part of the game and that's the way it goes sometimes. "It's all right, it's all good. I'm back." The Rams (No. 28 in AP Pro 32) worked out in 102-degree heat into early Tuesday evening with no issues, heading into a light day with an hour-long special teams practice in pads Wednesday. The first full-pad, full-squad practice is Thursday. "You put the pads on, get some contact, that's what it's all about," cornerback Cortland Finnegan said. "It'll definitely separate the men from the boys." Fisher said players are weighed before and after each practice to make sure they are replacing fluids. He said the effort was "outstanding." "We're an air-conditioned society now, OK," Fisher said. "In the old days we spent summertime outside, and some of the older ones knew when we got in trouble Mom said, `Go to your room.' They say that now, you go, `Yeah, cool, we've got all kinds of stuff to do in the room. "Moms need to say go outside, I guess." Amendola was having a typical game before the injury, with five catches for 45 yards. He tried rehab for a month, then tried a sturdier brace before going on injured reserve in October. Now it is all behind him. "I'm back to 100 percent. As strong as I've ever been," Amendola said after the second day of training camp. "No complaints." Fisher said Amendola looks like he did pre-injury. "He's got really no issues," Fisher said. "He was doing well prior to this break in the summer and he's running good, he's catching good and right now he's clearly on the same page with Sam." The 26-year-old Amendola isn't concerned about winning a job in a more crowded field of candidates. Brandon Lloyd left in free agency, but the Rams drafted wide receiver Brian Quick in the second round and Chris Givens in the fourth, and signed veteran free agent Steve Smith, who is coming off a serious knee injury. Among the holdovers from the Steve Spagnuolo regime are Brandon Gibson (36 catches), often-injured but intriguing deep threat Danario Alexander, and second-year players Greg Salas and Austin Pettis. Pettis is suspended for the first four games for violating the NFL policy on performance enhancing substances. "It's cool, it's what football's all about, I guess," Amendola said. "We're getting better. Our room is as good as I've seen it." The undersized Amendola cracked the NFL the hard way after a productive career at Texas Tech, spending the 2008 season on the Dallas Cowboys practice squad and the start of '09 on the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad before the Rams picked him up.

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Date: 8/1/12

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Publication: FoxSportsMidwest.com Section/# of Pages: Sports/2 of 2 Date: 8/1/12

Given that, absorbing a fifth offensive system in parts of four seasons with Brian Schottenheimer now making the calls is not such a big deal. Amendola described the West Coast style offense as a mix of everything he has experienced in the NFL. He said he has picked up more since Schottenheimer came aboard earlier this year than he did the rest of his career. "Every offense has a lot of similarities, you've just got to learn the verbiage and whatnot," Amendola said. "It's intricate, but we're up here all day long working on it, so we're learning."

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Publication: STLToday.com
Scott Wells goes extra mile for children By Jim Thomas For most of his short time as a St. Louis Ram, center Scott Wells has been a man of mystery. Just a couple of days into the spring practice period in mid-May, Wells wasn't on the field. When he returned, he was a spectator with his right knee wrapped. Turned out he had undergone surgery on the knee, but it was described as a routine procedure and indications were he wouldn't be sidelined for long. But at the full-squad minicamp in mid-June the last team activity heading into a six-week break Wells was gone again. Coach Jeff Fisher would only say that Wells was excused for personal reasons. So where was he? Turns out, Wells was in Africa Uganda to be exact with his wife Julie to adopt two children. Well, they went there to adopt two children, they ended up with three. A confidentiality agreement with the orphanage in Uganda prevented Wells from speaking publicly on the topic during the lengthy adoption process. And it was only after his wife returned home from Uganda a week ago with new daughter Caroline (age 5) and new sons R.J. (2) and Elijah (3) that Wells felt comfortable talking about the exhausting yet exhilarating experience. The idea "We've always wanted a large family," Wells said, "And about six years ago we lost twin boys on Thanksgiving Day they were stillborn. And since that moment, we kind of started talking about adopting. "We had a lot of friends adopt, and it kind of seemed like it was something God was pushing us towards. The school my (biological) kids attend in Nashville, there's a lot of adoptions at that school. We'd started talking about it, we'd read a couple of books on it, and then we said, 'Well, that's something we'd like to do some day.' "And then it was almost like everywhere we turned there was somebody who had adopted. I felt like God was really hitting me in the face with it. So once we had our last child, we got serious about it." Wells and his wife have three biological children: Jackson (8), Lola (5) and Kingston (2). So the newly expanded lineup gives them four boys and two girls. The process started with Wells and his wife researching different countries. They chose Uganda, in part because they had friends who had adopted children from Uganda. "To us, and talking to people who have done mission work over there and have adopted over there, the need was great," Wells said. "HIV's huge over there, malaria, tuberculosis. The life expectancy's not great; it's very low. The majority of the population's young because people don't live to be old. So we really just felt ... that's where we were being led." About a year and a half ago, long before Wells had any inkling he'd be a Ram, he and his wife began the application process. Ideally, they wanted either a boy and a girl, or two boys with both children age 3 or less. "My wife contacted several orphanages and explained kind of our story, and our life situation," Wells said. "We had one contact us back and say we've got two children we think would be great for you, and the paired us up with two boys." About two months later, they heard from the orphanage again. Turns out the 2-year-old (R.J.) had a sister (Caroline). What to do? "We decided to keep the brother and sister together," Wells said. "I said, 'What's the difference between five and six kids?' " The trip

Section/# of Pages: Sports/1 of 3

Date: 8/27/12

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For fear of infection, Wells waited until the sutures were out and the wound closed from the knee surgery before he and his wife left for Africa on June 13. Uganda is not one of the nations that follow the Hague Convention on inter-country adoption, which complicated the process. "There's a lot of corruption that you're fighting," Wells said. "Going into it we were really trying to keep quiet what I did for a living; how much finances we had or whatever. There's a little bit of that you have to disclose for the courts. They want to make sure you're financially responsible, that you can handle the children you're wanting to adopt." Wells signed a four-year, $24 million free-agent deal with the Rams in March, after spending his first eight NFL seasons with Green Bay. "The key was to go in there as quietly as possible," Wells said. "I had to sign a contract with the orphanage saying I wouldn't discuss it via Twitter, Facebook, the media. Basically, I had to keep everything hush-hush until it was finalized. That's why Coach (Fisher) did an outstanding job of helping me keep it quiet. Because I had to tell (the Rams) so I could get permission to go." Wells was in Uganda for a month, returning to the U.S. on July 13 so he could get ready for camp. His wife was there for 2 months. "The (orphanage) home we went through, they refused to pay any bribes," Wells said. "It's one of the older orphanages, and the woman who runs it is really trying to do it the straight and narrow way. So it was an uphill battle because there's a lot of places that would rather just pay the bribe and they refused to. So that was important to us, but it also made it a longer process." While the process unfolded, Wells and his wife got to know the family additions. They spent time with them every day, but the children had to be back at the orphanage at night. To help with the acclimation process, a Wells photo album was sent to Uganda about nine months before their arrival. So when Wells and his wife arrived in Uganda, the prospective new members of the family recognized them. "The 3-year-old (Elijah) warmed up immediately," Wells said. "As soon as we got to the orphanage, he ran up and wanted a hug ... put his arms out and he said, 'Daddy.' " Just like that, the heart of a rough, tough, 300-pound Pro Bowl offensive lineman melted. "Oh absolutely," Wells aid. The first gathering of the newly expanded Wells family took place a week ago in Nashville, their permanent residence. (The entire family will move to St. Louis soon for the football season.) Since Wells wasn't going to play last week against Kansas City, Fisher let him return home for a day one of the most memorable days of his life. "That was right up there all time," Wells said. "One, seeing my biological childrens' reaction to seeing their mother again after not seeing her for 10 weeks. ... My 8-year old (Jackson) broke down immediately. It was pretty special." The bonus was seeing how his biological kids responded to seeing their new brothers and sister for the first time. "My 8-year old, immediately he had a big smile on his face when he saw them," Wells said. "He's wanting to help out with the boys. "Seeing my 5-year old daughter (Lola) really take to the girl we had adopted and holding her hand, showing her around, and when we got home immediately going to her bedroom, playing dress up. Just seeing my 2-year-old (Kingston) taking the other two up to his room and showing them everything." The knee Wells obviously couldn't work with the Rams' athletic training staff during his time in Uganda, but he doesn't think the trip slowed the recovery from knee surgery. He took all kinds of rehab equipment with him and did his rehab work at night once the kids were back at the orphanage. He also took the Rams' playbook with him, via iPad, and reviewed it every night. An unexpected hurdle cropped up when Wells was slowed by illness a bug he thinks he picked up from eating something there.

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Publication: STLToday.com Section/# of Pages: Sports/3 of 3 Date: 8/27/12

"I got a little parasite," Wells said. "It didn't slow down the rehab as much as it just was a pain. I lost a little bit (of weight), but I've gained it all back." Wells never had knee problems in Green Bay, but the knee flared up in an early practice session with Rams and surgery followed. "It wasn't a major procedure," said Wells, whose preseason debut was Saturday night against Dallas. "It was just a basic go and clean it up, remove any cartilage or whatever." And that's where the mystery began.

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Publication: STLToday.com Section/# of Pages: Sports/1 of 2 Date: 6/13/12

Rams rookie RB has taken hits since early age By Jim Thomas As the saying goes, every play in the violent world of the National Football League is like a car wreck. Rams running back Isaiah Pead, a second-round draft pick from the University of Cincinnati, hasn't played a snap of professional football. But he already knows what it feels like to get struck by a car. He was just three years old when it happened when he was crossing a street. "I remember stopping, and I braced myself," Pead said Tuesday following the first practice of Rams minicamp. "Got hit, kind of flew, and hit another car. My mom said (the car) was going about 25-30 miles an hour, and hit the brakes as it was hitting me." An ambulance came, but Pead didn't even go to the hospital. No broken bones. Pead's mom later told him that he didn't even cry or not much anyway. So from an early age, Pead established that he could take hit. Now, he's got to do it in the NFL. For the first time basically since the Rams picked Steven Jackson in the first round of the 2004 draft, the team invested a high draft pick in the position, taking Pead at No. 50 overall. (The Rams did pick Brian Leonard at No. 52 overall in 2007, but Leonard was more of a fullback/running back hybrid.) Pead's role hasn't been defined, and it seems clear that this still is Jackson's backfield. Sounding every bit like the eager rookie, Pead is willing to contribute wherever and however he can. "I'm looking forward to helping this team win, and looking forward to playing on Sunday," Pead said. "That's what you dream of. When I do get in, it's gonna be for the good." Initially, he could be used as a third-down back as well as occasionally spelling Jackson for a series. "I'm a football player," Pead said. "I'm a winner, and also a competitor. I want to win. And if it's being a third-down back, then I'll make the best of it. I'm also wanting to compete one day to be the starter. But at the same time, I'm not selfish and I'm understanding." In addition, he will be looked at as a punt and kickoff returner. But first things first. Pead is just trying to learn the offense after missing all but two practices during OTAs (organized team activities) because of the University of Cincinnati's later graduation schedule. He returned in time for an OTA session last Wednesday his first practice with the Rams since the rookie minicamp a month earlier. "It's good to get Isaiah back," coach Jeff Fisher said. "He's been working. He's in shape. And he's picking things up very, very quickly. Like so many college teams running spread offenses, the Bearcats called their plays via hand signals from the sidelines during games. "And here we're going off actual words in the huddle," said Pead, something he hadn't done since his high school days at Eastmoor Academy in Columbus, Ohio. At Eastmoor, Pead broke school rushing records held by the great Archie Griffin, who went on to win back-to-back Heisman trophies at Ohio State. Pead didn't match Griffin's college success, but was no slouch at Cincinnati. He was the Big East Conference offensive player of the year in 2011, and gained more than 3,000 yards rushing over his Bearcats career.

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When talking about Pead's assets, his instincts, speed and quickness usually are brought up. He takes more pride in being a smart football player but knows he has a long way to go and a short time to get there in terms of mastering his Rams playbook. "I want to have the mentality of a quarterback," he said. "So, before the quarterback is making audibles or while he's making audibles, I'm right there with him and seeing everything he's checking to and things like that. "I'm not up to speed. I'm still trying to get the basics. But by the time the season comes, I want to be the same mind-set as (quarterback Sam) Bradford." Even before the draft, Jackson expressed a willingness to work with any rookie running back the team brought in, as long as the rookie is willing to learn. That shouldn't be a problem with Pead, and Jackson likes what he sees so far. "Very quick, very shifty, really explosive," Jackson said of Pead. "All the things that you read and hear about he possesses those things. As the season goes, I'll get to know him a little more. I mean, you hate to try to comment on somebody after just meeting them for a couple days. But he's a great talent and he's a great kid as well."

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Publication: NFL.com Section/# of Pages: Sports/1 of 1 Date: 6/12/12

Show Me State: Rams' Steve Smith out to prove he's still got it By Aditi Kinkhabwala EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Ignore the healthy knee. Set aside the fresh new start. Even forget the wildly talented quarterback. Steve Smith is sure he'll be back to form this season for one reason alone: He has his No. 12 jersey back. "Randall Cunningham wouldn't let me have it last year," the one-time Eagle said with a mock pout and a very real laugh. A one-time Giant, too, the 27-year old wide receiver is now a Ram, and has a lightness to him after what can only be called a trying year. In that unfamiliar No. 11 jersey, of course. "Oh, that messed up things. I definitely have my swag back now," Smith said, still joking, but kind of telling the truth, too. Just 28 months removed from a Pro Bowl appearance, the 5-foot-11, 195-pound receiver is in St. Louis on a one-year, show-me deal. Meaning, show the Rams he's still that totally dependable possession receiver who was absurdly tough across the middle and was, for a good while, Eli Manning's security blanket. Smith's 2010 was derailed first by a torn pectoral muscle and then by an ACL injury to his knee, requiring microfracture surgery. A free agent the next summer, the Giants' medical staff counseled prudence. The Eagles' didn't, offered a bit more money, and Smith left for Philadelphia. His knee slowed him at first, then he suffered a bone bruise late. After a 1,220-yard 2009, he had 124 yards in 2011, on just 11 catches and a whole lot of scout team play. "I learned a whole other side of football," he said. A star at USC, Smith barely even manned a scout team there his freshman year, making the experience of miming Victor Cruz (the man who would ultimately break Smith's single-season Giants marks) and Santana Moss wholly new. But Smith guilelessly insists "it was a learning year," and yes, if he could've been any hungrier, it made him so. "In the NFL, it's not what have you done. It's what are you doing right now," he said. "When you get hurt, you lose a little steam. People forget about you and doubt you. I want to remind the coaches here I'm a great player." The Rams open mandatory minicamp with a slew of receivers, but without one set of totally distinguishable hands just yet. Brandon Lloyd is gone. Danny Amendola is coming off October triceps surgery. Greg Salas and Austin Pettis were mid-round picks last year, Brian Quick and Chris Givens are rookies this year. Brandon Gibson, 24, had 431 yards in 15 games a year ago, 23-year-old Danario Alexander totaled 431 yards in 10 games. Smith is easily the most accomplished of the group, from the 107-catch 2009 to the Super Bowl ring to the week in Hawaii. But he talks about the young group and its talents glowingly. Givens caught a tough touchdown at practice Friday. Smith said Amendola is looking "good and healthy." And Smith has a positive outlook on his own game in St. Louis: "I fit in well." New Rams coach Jeff Fisher is from the same high school (Taft, in Los Angeles) as Smith. Fisher's a USC Trojan, too, and Smith said Fisher was easily the top reason he came to St. Louis. The Rams have responded well to Fisher and his manner, as he pushes when he needs to and also lets off the throttle, as he did last Thursday, when he gave his team a day off from OTAs. With a pedigree that includes only winning programs (even his high school went to consecutive city championship games), Smith said he still struggles to reconcile the Rams he's practicing with went 2-14 last year. Fisher is relentlessly upbeat, the Rams believe in their talent, and then there's Sam Bradford, who Smith simply called "incredible." "He is so accurate. His accuracy is just amazing. He can really put a ball in the smallest of windows," Smith said. "The competition is up, we're all flying around and I really like our schemes." And in June, what's not to like? Smith declared himself 100 percent healthy. He said the knee, the bones, the hamstrings, everything feels perfectly normal. He refused to wonder if he pushed himself too fast early last year and said he has no regrets. On the day the Giants were visiting the White House, he volunteered that he was happy his former teammates won their second Super Bowl in five years -- and said he regularly talks to one-time mentee Hakeem Nicks, who broke his foot a few weeks ago. After Los Angeles, New York and Philadelphia, the pace of St. Louis agrees with him. There aren't as many reporters at practice, there isn't as much scrutiny and right now, "I can walk around and no one really knows who I am." Then again, if things go right, that will only be temporary.

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Publication: STLToday.com Section/# of Pages: Sports/1 of 2 Date: 5/13/12

Rams working on the 'wow' factor with new punter Hekker By Jim Thomas Rams special teams coordinator John Fassel piled up some frequent-flyer miles this spring in search of a punter. The team's interest level in re-signing veteran Donnie Jones ranged somewhere between little and none. (Jones eventually signed with the Houston Texans as a free agent.) So with the punting job wide open, Fassel worked out no fewer than eight college punters, some on more than one occasion. As the draft wore down and it was time to start working the phones for rookie free agents, the Rams pretty much had an open field. California's Bryan Anger, the star of this year's punting class, went a surprising No. 70 overall (in the third round) to Jacksonville, making him the highest-drafted punter since Todd Sauerbrun in 1995. The only other punter drafted was Wisconsin's Brad Nortman, who went to Carolina on the final pick of the sixth round. Several recognizable names remained available as the draft ended, including: Georgia's Drew Butler, a former Ray Guy award winner as college football's top punter. Florida State's Shawn Powell, who set a school record with a 47.0-yard average last season. Brian Stahovich of San Diego State, whom Fassel had worked out in March. But when the Rams asked Fassel who he wanted, there was no hesitation: Johnny Hekker of Oregon State. And that's who the team signed as a rookie free agent shortly after the draft concluded on April 28. "The first thing I liked about Johnny was what he put on game film," Fassel said. "He's got a big leg. He's a big, tall, long guy. I think the potential for him is unlimited." Fassel knows what punting looks like at its highest level because for the last four years in Oakland three as Raiders special teams coordinator he has worked with Shane Lechler, one of the best punters in the NFL history and a seven-time Pro Bowler. That sets the bar pretty high for Hekker. "His really good balls are pretty close to Lechler's good balls," Fassel said. "The difference is, Lechler hits eight of 10 'wow!' Johnny will hit five out of 10 'wow!'" It is Fassel's task to help build up Hekker's ratio of "wow" kicks. "One thing we'll work on with him is his consistency," Fassel said. Speaking of both Hekker and sixth-round draft pick Greg Zuerlein, a place-kicker from Missouri Western State, Fassel added: "One thing I don't want to do is over-think it and become mechanical about it. Both of them. Because one of their greatest strengths is they're natural and they're smooth. So I don't want them to become a machine." Hekker played quarterback at Bothell (Wash.) High near Seattle and had a scholarship offer to play that position at Southern Utah. But his heart was set on playing Pacific 10 Conference football (now the Pac-12), and his only chance to do so was as a walk-on punter at Oregon Sate. He was awarded a scholarship entering his sophomore season with the Beavers, and improved his numbers every year. For the most part those numbers weren't great, certainly not good enough to get noticed by the NFL: a 39.7-yard average in 2008; 40.1 yards in '09; and 41.7 yards in '10. Hekker saved his best for last, with a 44.0-yard average last season. He had at least one punt of 60 yards-plus in six games in 2011, and established a single-game school record with a 52.5-yard average against Utah.

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But he still had some clunkers, including a shanked punt last season against Wisconsin that went for minus-4 yards and was dubbed "Worst Punt Ever" on YouTube. "I'm working on consistency," Hekker said. "At Oregon State, I just had some bad kicks. Bad kicks have always just kind of plagued me." His punt for minus-4 yards was rugby style, rolling out to his right before striking the ball. That's a style used in college, because the coverage team gets to leave the line of scrimmage right after the snap. Rolling out gives the coverage unit an extra second or two to get down field. "A lot of those college teams, they do that rollout rugby punt," Fassel said. "(Hekker) did that about half the time, which meant he never really got to focus on one craft, which is a professional pocket-style punt. ... His rugby days are over." That's because coverage rules are different in the NFL: you have to wait until the ball is struck before running downfield, so there's no advantage gained by punting rugby style. Even with his good numbers last season, Hekker didn't get invited to any college all-star games, or the NFL scouting combine. "I got overlooked in that sense," he said. But he made the most of his offseason. He trained with kicking guru Mike McCabe in Alabama. He also worked in Arizona at Gary Zauner's specialist combine; Zauner is a long-time college and professional special teams coach. That led to an invitation to an NFL regional combine in New York, kind of a satellite program to the big scouting combine in Indianapolis. "I tried to make my rounds, get my name out there as best I could," Hekker said. Fassel worked him out at Oregon State's pro day, and stayed in touch up through the draft. "I wasn't quite sure of his interest level," Hekker said. "You hear stuff from coaches and you're not really sure which all of it's genuine." Fassel's interest obviously proved genuine because Hekker basically has been handed the punter's job in St. Louis. It's his to lose. "I'm just so blessed beyond belief to have this opportunity to work with this team," Hekker said.

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