BY STEVE KORTE
News-Democrat
Richie Incognito is moving back to center, the position where he started 12 games for the St. Louis Rams during 2006 season.
Rams coach Scott Linehan said Incognito will challenge Brett Romberg for the position's starting job during training camp.
"We have a really good battle between Romberg and Richie there at the center spot," Linehan said. "Richie hinted a little bit that he felt really comfortable at center. He has played guard before, and he plays well at that position.
"Let's be honest, he played his best football for us at center in 2006. It'll be interesting to see how the next couple of weeks go."
Mark Setterstrom, who had been working at center behind Romberg, was playing right guard in place of Incognito during the Rams' informal practice known as Organized Team Activities on Thursday.
"He has played (guard) his whole life, and I think that's probably where he is going to be in the Top five," Linehan said of Setterstrom. "In the three days that we put him there, he actually looks very good there. He really shows up in the pass protection. You can't really tell in the run game because there is no contact."
Incognito, who will turn 25 on July 5, said he was looking forward to competing against the 28-year-old Romberg.
"Me and Romberg battling it out in camp, good friends, it's just a critical competition that will be better for the team and better for the offensive line," Incognito said.
Incognito said he wasn't disappointed about having to compete for a starting spot after starting at right guard last season.
"Not at all," Incognito said. "I think it's great. I was feeling comfortable at right guard, and then the way things shook out, they wanted to get a little competition going between me and Romberg for center.
"It's good for the team. It's good for both of us to make us better players."
Incognito said he's glad the Rams are having him switch to center now rather than during training camp.
"It's so much better now from a mental standpoint doing it without pads on," Incognito said. "Me and Brett can watch one another, learn from one another, before we put the pads on. Then once you get the pads on, there is no hesitation. You can roll right through it."
Incognito missed the second half of the 2007 season after undergoing surgery for a displaced knee cap.
"I'm about 90-95 percent," Incognito said. "I'm feeling good. I think moving back to center this week is getting it some rest. I have really big legs, and it's just a matter of getting them back up to the same size."
Setterstrom started nine straight games -- the final six games in 2006 and the first three games in 2007 -- at left guard until going down with a season-ending knee injury in Week 3 last season.
Setterstrom, 24, has been looking for a new position since the Rams signed Jacob Bell to six-year, $36 million contract as a free agent from the Tennessee Titans.
The Rams feel that Bell is best-suited to play Setterstrom's old spot at left guard. That's why Setterstrom spent much of the offseason learning how to play center.
"This week, I'm a guard," Setterstrom said. "I'm getting work at guard this week to make sure I can still do that. They're telling me to work at both (guard and center) because you never know where you'll be."
Quick hits
Running back Steven Jackson was given the day off after sustaining a groin injury Tuesday.
Jackson also missed practice time last week after twisting an ankle.
"It's nothing serious," Linehan said of Jackson's injury. "If we were playing a game this week, he'd probably practice."
• Tight end Joe Klopfenstein (back spasms) and wide receiver-kick returner Dante Hall (groin) were unable to participate in practice.
• Wide receiver Torry Holt, left tackle Orlando Pace, free safety Oshiomogho Atogwe and linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa didn't take part in the voluntary workout.
Linehan said Tinoisamoa was attending a graduation in San Diego, Calif., while Pace had a trip that he scheduled last winter.
"He talked to me about it a long time ago," Linehan said of Pace. "You guys understand that this is a voluntary time of the year. It's great that they even ask permission because they don't have to. Some guys choose not to be here. It's been great the amount of participation we've had in these practices. It's the best it has been since I've been here."
• Linehan was happy to have a sunny day Thursday after all the rainy days in St. Louis this spring.
"I spent five years in Seattle, and I thought I had gotten away from the stuff," Linehan said.
News-Democrat
Richie Incognito is moving back to center, the position where he started 12 games for the St. Louis Rams during 2006 season.
Rams coach Scott Linehan said Incognito will challenge Brett Romberg for the position's starting job during training camp.
"We have a really good battle between Romberg and Richie there at the center spot," Linehan said. "Richie hinted a little bit that he felt really comfortable at center. He has played guard before, and he plays well at that position.
"Let's be honest, he played his best football for us at center in 2006. It'll be interesting to see how the next couple of weeks go."
Mark Setterstrom, who had been working at center behind Romberg, was playing right guard in place of Incognito during the Rams' informal practice known as Organized Team Activities on Thursday.
"He has played (guard) his whole life, and I think that's probably where he is going to be in the Top five," Linehan said of Setterstrom. "In the three days that we put him there, he actually looks very good there. He really shows up in the pass protection. You can't really tell in the run game because there is no contact."
Incognito, who will turn 25 on July 5, said he was looking forward to competing against the 28-year-old Romberg.
"Me and Romberg battling it out in camp, good friends, it's just a critical competition that will be better for the team and better for the offensive line," Incognito said.
Incognito said he wasn't disappointed about having to compete for a starting spot after starting at right guard last season.
"Not at all," Incognito said. "I think it's great. I was feeling comfortable at right guard, and then the way things shook out, they wanted to get a little competition going between me and Romberg for center.
"It's good for the team. It's good for both of us to make us better players."
Incognito said he's glad the Rams are having him switch to center now rather than during training camp.
"It's so much better now from a mental standpoint doing it without pads on," Incognito said. "Me and Brett can watch one another, learn from one another, before we put the pads on. Then once you get the pads on, there is no hesitation. You can roll right through it."
Incognito missed the second half of the 2007 season after undergoing surgery for a displaced knee cap.
"I'm about 90-95 percent," Incognito said. "I'm feeling good. I think moving back to center this week is getting it some rest. I have really big legs, and it's just a matter of getting them back up to the same size."
Setterstrom started nine straight games -- the final six games in 2006 and the first three games in 2007 -- at left guard until going down with a season-ending knee injury in Week 3 last season.
Setterstrom, 24, has been looking for a new position since the Rams signed Jacob Bell to six-year, $36 million contract as a free agent from the Tennessee Titans.
The Rams feel that Bell is best-suited to play Setterstrom's old spot at left guard. That's why Setterstrom spent much of the offseason learning how to play center.
"This week, I'm a guard," Setterstrom said. "I'm getting work at guard this week to make sure I can still do that. They're telling me to work at both (guard and center) because you never know where you'll be."
Quick hits
Running back Steven Jackson was given the day off after sustaining a groin injury Tuesday.
Jackson also missed practice time last week after twisting an ankle.
"It's nothing serious," Linehan said of Jackson's injury. "If we were playing a game this week, he'd probably practice."
• Tight end Joe Klopfenstein (back spasms) and wide receiver-kick returner Dante Hall (groin) were unable to participate in practice.
• Wide receiver Torry Holt, left tackle Orlando Pace, free safety Oshiomogho Atogwe and linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa didn't take part in the voluntary workout.
Linehan said Tinoisamoa was attending a graduation in San Diego, Calif., while Pace had a trip that he scheduled last winter.
"He talked to me about it a long time ago," Linehan said of Pace. "You guys understand that this is a voluntary time of the year. It's great that they even ask permission because they don't have to. Some guys choose not to be here. It's been great the amount of participation we've had in these practices. It's the best it has been since I've been here."
• Linehan was happy to have a sunny day Thursday after all the rainy days in St. Louis this spring.
"I spent five years in Seattle, and I thought I had gotten away from the stuff," Linehan said.