August 3, 2012 Training Camp (Courtesy of STLouisRams.com)

All hail the glorious football gods.  Thursday night we get our second taste of the NFL.  Scheduled are six match ups as follows:

THURSDAY, AUGUST 09^TH

7:00PMET - REDSKINS    AT BILLS  

7:30PMET - RAVENS    AT FALCONS  

7:30PMET - SAINTS    AT PATRIOTS  

7:30PMET - STEELERS    AT EAGLES  

8:00PMET - PACKERS    AT CHARGERS    – ESPN

8:30PMET - BRONCOS    AT BEARS  

Albeit with replacement referees but the Packers at Chargers on ESPN so that’s what I’ll be tuning into.  The Rams play the Packers on October 21 for those of you who are asking.  I’m still debating whether getting Preseason LIVE is worth it – $20 for all the preseason games online.  I got it last year and watched a handful of games.  We’ll see…

Now onto today’s Rams links.

Round Two: The Heat Is On Jason Smith - QUESTION OF THE DAY:  Which veteran player should the Rams be most concerned about heading into the 2012 season?

• BERNIE MIKLASZ, Post-Dispatch sports columnist:  Is this a rhetorical question? The answer is right offensive tackle Jason Smith. Not to go all Fleetwood Mac on everyone, but will the landslide take him down? He has to avoid concussions and stay on the field.  The No. 2 overall pick in the 2009 draft isn’t a bust. Not quite yet. But at some point Mr. Smith has to start bringing the pancakes.

• JIM THOMAS, Post-Dispatch football writer:  It all begins and ends with the tackle play on offense. Particularly at right tackle, where former No. 2 overall pick Jason Smith begins his fourth season with the Rams.  Smith has to stay healthy, and has to be more consistent as a pass blocker in order for this offense to make strides.  He has struggled trying to block defensive end Chris Long much of training camp.  … Read more at STLToday.com >>>>

I have to agree with this esteemed panels of experts.  The offensive line in general concerns me.  On one hand, all the shuffling and mix-and-matching may leave room for flexibility at the line but it may come at the high price of the players not being able to get with one another.  In Paul Boudreau we trust.

Kendricks making necessary adjustments - This is a moment Lance Kendricks will work to forget.  It’s early in a drill Wednesday at Rams Park. The second-year St. Louis Rams tight end jogs toward the middle of a practice field, churning and grinding and laboring with his 6-foot-3, 247-pound tank of a frame while trying to leave a positive impression on new offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer.  Quarterback Sam Bradford cocks back his $78 million right arm, looking calm and composed with a routine throw on the way. The ball floats in the cool evening air, then it approaches the Wisconsin product with no defenders close by, then it glides into Kendricks’ palms for the simple catch … no, wait … hold on … can’t be … yes, this is happening … it dribbles off his chest like a BB pellet shot against a steel door.  The dreaded drop.   The necessary evaluation. ... Read more at FSMidwest.com >>>>

Looks like the new Fisher regime will give Kendricks a chance this year despite having inherited him from the former Josh McDaniels scheme.  You have to believe if Kendricks doesn’t make his statement this season he won’t be around next year.  There are plenty of tight ends in competition this year as it is.  Maybe some stick um on his gloves would help his cause?  Hope he steps up his mental game and holds on to the balls.

Rams Inch Closer to Preseason Opener - The Rams had perhaps the nicest day of camp so far with a 5:30 practice providing cloud cover and some nice, cool temperatures. The Rams are now just a pair of practices away from their first preseason game. Coach Jeff Fisher and Co. can’t wait.  On the injury front, WR Danario Alexander sat out as Fisher said he wasn’t “quite” 100 percent yet so the Rams backed him down so he didn’t have a further setback.  RB Steven Jackson got a day off to rest.  CB Trumaine Johnson, WR Brandon Gibson and DE Eugene Sims also were held out to rest tight soft tissue areas.  C Scott Wells continues to work toward recovery.  Same for DT Trevor Laws.  DT Kendall Langford was excused with an illness.  Still, none of the injuries are serious and Fisher said his team is in good shape heading toward the preseason opener. ... Read more at blog.stlouisrams.com >>>>

Colts owner Jim Irsay announced via his Twitter account that the first preseason game against the Rams is a sell out.  Indy fans are eager to get a first real glimpse of quarterback Andrew Luck.  I’m sure the Rams defensive line is eager as well.  Defensive ends Chris Long and Robert Quinn will be licking their chops.  I’ll be interested in seeing the various offensive line and cornerback packages the Rams have put together.