After watching the rookie camp last weekend out at Rams Park in Earth City I wondered how things would look when the rest of the gang showed up. I saw some familiar veteran faces, guys like linebacker James Laurinitas, safety Darian Stewart and wide out Danny Amendola, who missed nearly the entire season last year due to injury. Newly acquired cornerback Courtland Finnegan was on the field barking instructions to his new teammates, showing a leadership role on the Rams defense. He previously excelled in this defense while playing for the Tennessee Titans.
Rookie cornerbacks Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson got some reps with the second unit and both players seem to have a feel for what’s going on. Rams broadcaster D’Marco Farr told me Johnson might just be something special. He long arms, hits hard as is an all-around playmaker. Regarding Jenkins, Farr thinks that Jenkins can be just as good or better than Adam “Pac-Man” Jones (minus the off field shenanigans). But that’s not ground breaking news, it seems like the consensus for both young players. However, the only real way to judge players is during actual in-game competition. As I watched the 11-on-11 drills, I scanned the field looking at my roster and looking at the players, I noticed wide out Danario Alexander not participating in the drills. He was off to the side playing catch and apparently dealing with another injury. And as much I envisioned what the possibility of Alexander teaming up with 6’4 Brian Quick in the red zone this season, one can only imagine if Jeff Fisher and his staff will be willing to nurse Alexander like the previous regime. With a new coach and a new offensive system and coordinator everyone is auditioning for a job.
Danny Amendola was running like he was on fire every time he touched the ball, attempting to prove to Fisher that he belongs. Seventh round running back Darryl Richardson, who just a week ago said he was overwhelmed by the offensive playbook, actually looked comfortable.
There is a lot of healthy competition on this football team. And compared to some of the stiffs I’ve seen during this 15-65 stretch, OTA’s is about the only thing positive so far, unless you are in the mood for more CVC/Dome talk.
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