By Bill Coats
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Thursday, Jun. 12 2008
On a blustery day in late March, when the Rams gathered for the start of their
offseason conditioning program, the sting of a 3-13 record had dulled somewhat.
But the ache of their wrenching 2007 season persisted.
Now, as the team prepares for its pre-training camp break, the mind-set has
been redirected, according to coach Scott Linehan.
"It's easy to say, 'Hey, forget about last year, focus on this year.' But
getting them to do it ..." Linehan said. "Our players have made a concerted
effort to embrace that concept and really focus on what's good about getting to
the 2008 season, and not on what we've got to do to make amends for the 2007
season."
Attitudes began to adjust soon after the draft in April, Linehan said, and
advanced during minicamp and four weeks of organized teams activities, which
wrap up today at Rams Park.
Wide receiver Drew Bennett noted the development of a "new energy." Quarterback
Marc Bulger said, "We started clean; we're not going to look back. We're just
going to move on and expect good things this year."
Linehan acknowledged that without the support of former team owner Georgia
Frontiere, he might not still be the man in change when the players report to
Concordia University in Mequon, Wis., on July 24 for training camp. Frontiere
died of cancer in January; her son, Chip Rosenbloom, and daughter, Lucia
Rodriguez, now run the club.
"I don't know what the phenomenon is, but there's just something about having a
whole new lease on life when you get another shot at something," a noticeably
upbeat Linehan said. "I'm very fortunate to be here talking about the 2008
season; I know that. So, my goal is to take advantage of it."
He said he feels better about this team, at this point in the year, than his
previous two here. He believes an offseason overhaul has strengthened his
staff, particularly on offense, which has allowed him to enlarge his role.
"Whether you have a great year or not, you've still always got to be ready to
make those adjustments and not assume everything's good enough," Linehan said.
"I've learned a lot about that from the head-coaching standpoint. Always
before, I was in my own world as an offensive coordinator (at Minnesota and
Miami), and just dealing with that part.
"Now, when you have the overseeing part of everything as your role, you've got
to step back more. And I've done that more this year ... because of the quality
of the assistant coaches that I have doing their jobs. I feel much more
confident that way."
Linehan added that over the past 2 1/2 months, he has learned that his players
"truly want to accomplish the goals that we've set. Sometimes you wonder, do we
have the right mix of coaches, players, veterans, rookies, whatever?
"This team ... first of all, it's a highly competitive team, but very much so
built around high-character guys. I really think over the last two years we're
improved that tremendously. You don't get there right away. That's a good place
to start."
Among more tangible developments during the offseason:
— Defensive end Chris Long, the No. 2 overall selection in the draft, started
slowly but has made significant strides and should be solid as the starter on
the right side.
— Leonard Little, the left defensive end, has made a strong recovery from toe
surgery and is flashing signs of his old form.
— Free-agent pickup Jacob Bell is a steady performer at left guard and should
help strengthen an offensive line that is rebounding from a raft of injures
last season.
— Brett Romberg has proved to be a capable center and will be the front-runner
for the starting job when camp opens.
— New offensive coordinator Al Saunders' offense is complex, with lots of
motion and shifts, plus a few edgy wrinkles that should keep defenses guessing.
— Antonio Pittman is pushing Brian Leonard for the No. 2 running back job.
— Leonard, noticeably stronger after offseason surgery on both shoulders,
should be more effective as a lead blocker.
— More depth is needed at linebacker, although seventh-round draftees Chris
Chamberlain and David Vobora could help there.
— The secondary is a bit thin, both at safety and cornerback.
— The receiving corps has question marks: Can Drew Bennett flourish as the No.
2 wideout? Will Torry Holt's knee hold up? Can draftees Donnie Avery and Keenan
Burton contribute right away? Will veteran Dane Looker hang on to his job?
Linehan said this much is certain after last season's tumble:
"The experience you gain, whether it's positive or negative, gives you peace of
mind, knowing that you've been there before," he said. "It couldn't have been a
whole heck of a lot worse. It's only going to get better."
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Thursday, Jun. 12 2008
On a blustery day in late March, when the Rams gathered for the start of their
offseason conditioning program, the sting of a 3-13 record had dulled somewhat.
But the ache of their wrenching 2007 season persisted.
Now, as the team prepares for its pre-training camp break, the mind-set has
been redirected, according to coach Scott Linehan.
"It's easy to say, 'Hey, forget about last year, focus on this year.' But
getting them to do it ..." Linehan said. "Our players have made a concerted
effort to embrace that concept and really focus on what's good about getting to
the 2008 season, and not on what we've got to do to make amends for the 2007
season."
Attitudes began to adjust soon after the draft in April, Linehan said, and
advanced during minicamp and four weeks of organized teams activities, which
wrap up today at Rams Park.
Wide receiver Drew Bennett noted the development of a "new energy." Quarterback
Marc Bulger said, "We started clean; we're not going to look back. We're just
going to move on and expect good things this year."
Linehan acknowledged that without the support of former team owner Georgia
Frontiere, he might not still be the man in change when the players report to
Concordia University in Mequon, Wis., on July 24 for training camp. Frontiere
died of cancer in January; her son, Chip Rosenbloom, and daughter, Lucia
Rodriguez, now run the club.
"I don't know what the phenomenon is, but there's just something about having a
whole new lease on life when you get another shot at something," a noticeably
upbeat Linehan said. "I'm very fortunate to be here talking about the 2008
season; I know that. So, my goal is to take advantage of it."
He said he feels better about this team, at this point in the year, than his
previous two here. He believes an offseason overhaul has strengthened his
staff, particularly on offense, which has allowed him to enlarge his role.
"Whether you have a great year or not, you've still always got to be ready to
make those adjustments and not assume everything's good enough," Linehan said.
"I've learned a lot about that from the head-coaching standpoint. Always
before, I was in my own world as an offensive coordinator (at Minnesota and
Miami), and just dealing with that part.
"Now, when you have the overseeing part of everything as your role, you've got
to step back more. And I've done that more this year ... because of the quality
of the assistant coaches that I have doing their jobs. I feel much more
confident that way."
Linehan added that over the past 2 1/2 months, he has learned that his players
"truly want to accomplish the goals that we've set. Sometimes you wonder, do we
have the right mix of coaches, players, veterans, rookies, whatever?
"This team ... first of all, it's a highly competitive team, but very much so
built around high-character guys. I really think over the last two years we're
improved that tremendously. You don't get there right away. That's a good place
to start."
Among more tangible developments during the offseason:
— Defensive end Chris Long, the No. 2 overall selection in the draft, started
slowly but has made significant strides and should be solid as the starter on
the right side.
— Leonard Little, the left defensive end, has made a strong recovery from toe
surgery and is flashing signs of his old form.
— Free-agent pickup Jacob Bell is a steady performer at left guard and should
help strengthen an offensive line that is rebounding from a raft of injures
last season.
— Brett Romberg has proved to be a capable center and will be the front-runner
for the starting job when camp opens.
— New offensive coordinator Al Saunders' offense is complex, with lots of
motion and shifts, plus a few edgy wrinkles that should keep defenses guessing.
— Antonio Pittman is pushing Brian Leonard for the No. 2 running back job.
— Leonard, noticeably stronger after offseason surgery on both shoulders,
should be more effective as a lead blocker.
— More depth is needed at linebacker, although seventh-round draftees Chris
Chamberlain and David Vobora could help there.
— The secondary is a bit thin, both at safety and cornerback.
— The receiving corps has question marks: Can Drew Bennett flourish as the No.
2 wideout? Will Torry Holt's knee hold up? Can draftees Donnie Avery and Keenan
Burton contribute right away? Will veteran Dane Looker hang on to his job?
Linehan said this much is certain after last season's tumble:
"The experience you gain, whether it's positive or negative, gives you peace of
mind, knowing that you've been there before," he said. "It couldn't have been a
whole heck of a lot worse. It's only going to get better."