St. Louis Rams begin organised team activities (OTAs) – NFL News
The St. Louis Rams kicked off their organised team activities (OTAs) on Tuesday, May 15, 2012, with all the veterans and rookies stepping on the field together for the first time.
During this year’s draft, Rams selected around 10 players and added a few more to their roster afterwards.
Recently, they conducted a three-day minicamp for the rookies in which a total of 38 players including some tryouts participated and got to know the team’s playbook.
The veterans were also around, but they were taking part in the offseason conditioning programme and were not allowed to train with the rookies in the minicamp.
Rams’ three rookies, however, were unable to attend the OTAs and will not be available for at least a month because their respective classes are yet to go through graduation and the National Football League (NFL) rules do not allow such rookies to train
with their teams.
Those who are missing the OTAs include running back, Isaiah Pead (second-round pick), punter, John Hekker (who was an undrafted free agent) and tight end, Cory Harkey (another undrafted free agent who later joined Rams).
According to the details present on the team’s official website, Rams’ head coach, Jeff Fisher, wants the players to get well acquainted with each other before the team’s training camp this summer.
Fisher said on Tuesday:
“As we told the varsity this past week, we’re going to start again from Day One with the installation, and by the time we’re done in mid-June, we will have installed absolutely everything.”
The head coach added:
“Then we’re going to do it again when training camp starts. So when they come and report to training camp, they’ll know exactly what to expect through camp. The only difference is we’re going to put some pads on at times.”
Rams ended the last season on a humiliating note as they were only able to win two games in the season.
Soon after the season, Rams underwent many changes during which their head coach and general manager were also fired. With Fisher taking responsibilities as the new head coach, observers are expecting Rams to benefit from his experience and perform well
in the 2012 season.
Tags: