Wednesday, Jul. 29, 2009

Spagnuolo will put Rams to the test

Schedules 13 two-a-day sessions

ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo is going to test the toughness of his squad during training camp.

Two-a-days have long been a tradition of NFL training camps, but many teams are cutting back on them because players train all year round and don't need the extra work to get in shape.

Not the Rams.

Spagnuolo has scheduled 13 two-a-days in the first 17 days of training camp, starting on Thursday with a group of about 23 or 24 rookies, quarterbacks and selected veterans.

The Rams will hold their first full-squad practice on Friday afternoon, followed by six straight days of two-a-days leading up to an intrasquad scrimmage on Aug. 7 at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo.

"I don't know what the other camps will be like except for the two (Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants) that I've been with," Spagnuolo said.

"I guess if someone went to all 32 camps they could determine whether ours was tougher. I'm sure some of the players will find it easy and some will find it more difficult."

Spagnuolo warned his players at the end of the team's Organized Team Activities in June that they'd better come to training camp prepared.

"My only reason for that statement to the team was that when they got a new staff, there were a lot of unknowns for them, and I don't want to hit them with any surprises," Spagnuolo said. " I just wanted to make sure they were ready for anything."

Spagnuolo hinted that he might cut back on second practice later in training camp.

"At a certain point in training camp, the second practice alters," Spagnuolo said. "They won't be two similar practices, and we will change them after the early part of training camp."

Spagnuolo, one of 11 first-year head coaches this season, wants crisp, uptempo practices. He also wants his players to get physical despite the injury risk.

"I do think there is going to have to be some live, physical play in order for us to assess the talent we have and make the right decisions," Spagnuolo said. "And again, from a coaching standpoint, there is a lot we don't know about our football team, and a lot that the players don't know about our coaching staff."

The Rams made sweeping changes in their organization after posting a 2-14 record in 2008.

Billy Devaney was promoted to general manager, Kevin Demoff was hired as the executive vice president of football operations and Spagnuolo and a new coaching staff were brought in.

Among the players who departed were two long-time Rams fixtures -- wide receiver Torry Holt and left tackle Orlando Pace -- as well as linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa, backup quarterback Trent Green (retired) and defensive tackle La'Roi Glover (retired).

Center Jason Brown, safety James Butler, tight end Billy Bajema, fullback Mike Karney and backup quarterback Kyle Boller were signed during free agency.

The Rams have only two players -- defensive end Leonard Little and linebacker Chris Draft -- with more than 10 years of NFL experience on their roster.

The Rams enter training camp with four members of their 2009 draft class unsigned, including top pick Jason Smith and second-round pick James Laurinaitis.

Spagnuolo said he wasn't concerned about the unsigned rookies.

"No, it's the NFL," Spagnuolo said. "That's about the way that it happens."

The Rams will hold training camp at Rams Park in Earth City, Mo. They looked at several college campuses, but opted to stay home this year.

"There is a comfort level like with the equipment," Spagnuolo said. "Everyone knows how to get around. At a university, there are more logistics involved."

The Rams have installed Astroturf on one of their three outdoor fields.

"Being here at training camp you're going to put a lot of wear and tear on the grass fields, and what we'll try to do is rotate certain drills so we can save the grass," Spagnuolo said.

Spagnuolo said all of the players will stay together in a team hotel as part of the bonding process.

"It is all about team," Spagnuolo said. "The more you get to know each other, let's face it, the closer you get to each other and the closer you can be. I think when push comes to shove, and those situations during the game where you're going to lay it on the line for your buddy, I do think it goes a long way."

Spagnuolo said he was looking forward to his first training camp as a head coach.

"It's anxiety, it's excitement, and there are a lot of unknowns," Spagnuolo said. "But, that is what this thing is about. It's a process. It's a fun one, an enjoyable one. We will have some ups and downs. We know that going in, but I think everyone is looking forward to it."