08/16/11 Rams Camp 11-on-11 Drills (Personal Photo)

Okay, the kids are finally off to school and now I can sit down and gather my thoughts and notes from Tuesday’s practice.  Hopefully you were able to follow my tweets from yesterday afternoon.

I went through my usual check list off the roster they hand out at camp.  I saw most of the guys present whether they were participating or not.  They were out there on the sidelines watching and cheering.

WR's #10 Mike Sims-Walker and #17 Donnie Avery

• WR Donnie Avery - knee
• DB Mikail Baker – hamstring
• OG Jacob Bell – knee
• DT Jermelle Cudjo – back
• RB Steven Jackson – sore hip
• LT Rodger Saffold – back
• WR Mike Sims-Walker – groin

People have asked about Sam Bradford and I can’t say I’ve noticed much in terms of high’s and low’s.  It’s probably more of a testament to his consistency as a passer.  He’s not perfect and he says he still has a ways to go before mastering this playbook but his OC, Josh McDaniels, gives Sam some props:

He works so hard to try to do it perfectly the first time.  Some of those things are harder to do than others.  Then the next day, he comes out and it’s fixed, and it’s right.  That’s very impressive.

#15 WR Dominique Curry's club hand (Personal Photo)

Today he caught a great pass one handed.  And if I remember correctly he was an off balance catch, too.  Imagine what he could do with two functional hands.  Call me crazy but I think this hand injury will make him a better receiver.  Guess you learn to adapt!

Another player who most people take for granted because of his consistency is WR Danny Amendola.

You’re in good hands with Amendola.  He should become the new face of Allstate Insurance Company.

Dude hadn’t dropped or muffed a catch the past two days on my watch.  He may have let one go while I turned away, who knows… But I sure didn’t see one.  He was still going with a full head of steam, too.  To me, he’s the team’s Energizer Bunny.

The receivers and running backs (sans Steven Jackson) had a very busy practice.  #33 RB Cadillac Williams, #34 Jerious Norwood, and #38 Keith Toston all had some excellent bursts through the line for what would have been some good yardage.  FB Van Stumon got some action as well.

Rams Offense Stretching (Personal Photo)

One defensive standout:

 My defensive game ball would certainly go to #50 LB Brian Kehl.  With all the hubbub of free agent signings and other LB’s on the roster, Kehl was sort of being overlooked – but not yesterday.

Kehl made his mark by picking off a Bradford pass intended for Danny Amendola and a second INT thrown by third string QB Thaddeus Lewis.

But I wasn’t the only one who saw Kehl’s efforts.  His defensive minded head coach got a good look as well.

He made an interception, I know, I saw one of them. I’ll tell you what, he’s had a really good camp. He’s been in here, he kind of got plugged in as the starting Will and there is a lot of competition going on there and that usually elevates everybody, which is good to see. But I do think he has had a good camp.

Best Play of the Day:

This honor goes to a very unlikely player.  Believe it or not, the best play award goes to back-up QB A.J. Feeley.  He totally dupes everyone and struts right into the end zone where he caps off his triumphant run with a celebration dance only rivaled by the funky chicken.  The entire field and gallery whooped it up.   I had no idea he had such an animated personality.  I literally laughed out loud.

These guys had nothing on A.J. Feeley.