Rams decide to get physical; Spags dials it up

ST. LOUIS -- It was more like a scrimmage than just a regular practice.

The St. Louis Rams had two periods of 11-on-11 with live tackling Saturday morning during their first full-pad practice of training camp.

"One of things that Coach (Steve) Spagnuolo wanted to do right from the beginning is say, 'Football is about tackling, and tackling well,'" Rams linebacker Chris Draft said. "Right from the beginning he's setting the tone that we're going to be a physical team."

The quarterbacks were the only players off limits during the live action.

Running back Steven Jackson took some hits, and ended up at the bottom of the pile on a couple of carries.

"I have my hands behind my back crossing my fingers," Spagnuolo said of the injury risk.

Rams cornerback Ron Bartell said the defensive players are careful about how they hit Jackson.

"We know how much Steven means to us, so we're not going to take cheap shots," Bartell said. "They are going to hit Steven. He needs the work, and so do we. Normally, me being a (defensive back), I'd go low on him, but I won't go low on him in practice."

The live tackling made for a more intense practice.

"I think it gets guys a little more focused, it gets guys pepped up," Bartell said. "The fans are sure into it. I don't know if Steven likes it too much, but I think it's something we need."

Bartell said the Rams' defense needs to become more physical. They allowed 465 points, second most in franchise history, and a franchise-record 2,475 rushing yards last season.

"You better have some attitude," Bartell said. "I don't think we carried the attitude the past couple of years that we should have had, and we paid for it on the field. Like I said, they are coming in and installing a new attitude and a new philosophy, and we're just buying in."

Spagnuolo said he decided to have live action during practice because it makes evaluating players easier.

"You have to remember it's a whole new staff and a lot of unknowns, and the only way to find out is put them in those kind of situations," Spagnuolo said.

Bartell said Spagnuolo warned the players about the live tackling prior to training camp.

"The one thing about Spags is that he's going to tell you everything that he has going on," Bartell said. "He told us that we were going to do some live drills, and guys are not afraid. That's what we get paid to do -- tackle."

Jackson dropped a hint about the live tackling Friday when asked whether he expected a tough training camp.

"I just hope everyone has their chin straps buckled," he said.

The Rams' defense definitely got the better of the offense Saturday.

Free safety Oshiomogho Atogwe dove in front of a receiver to intercept a Marc Bulger sideline pass, middle linebacker Will Witherspoon tipped a pass away from tight end Randy McMichael and there was consistent pressure from the pass rush on the quarterbacks.

"That might be because the offense is a little more about execution and timing," Spagnuolo said. "I think they'll catch up to each other.'

Bartell taunted Rams wide receiver Donnie Avery after a play that would have resulted in a sack by saying, "This ain't one-on-ones."

"He had gotten me with a double move during one-on-ones," Bartell said. "I told him, you get a little pass rush out there, it's a little different. You don't have much time."

While extremely physical, the practice wasn't uncomfortable in terms of the weather.

The temperature was 80 degrees with a slight breeze and overcast skies Saturday morning.

"Somebody is taking care of us right now," Draft said. "I really appreciate it, too. It's beautiful out here."

Spagnuolo said he'd prefer that it'd be a little hotter, even joking about how people lied to him about the St. Louis heat and humidity.

"I thought it was supposed to be hot," Spagnuolo said. "I was talking to Little Leonard out there and he said, 'This isn't all that bad, coach.' I said, 'You're right, but I'd like to sprinkle a few (hot) days in there."'