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Rams notebook: Person played all 71 offensive snaps vs. Packers
• By Joe Lyons
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_097baf6b-129b-5b47-bdb7-809e9bb57b94.html
It’s doubtful that Rams offensive lineman Mike Person had any trouble falling asleep Saturday night.
That afternoon, in the Rams’ 21-7 loss to the visiting Green Bay Packers, Person was on the field for all 71 of the team’s offensive snaps. And he accomplished the iron-man effort while seeing action at tackle, guard and center.
“Just trying to go out and make my mark wherever I can,’’ the fourth-year pro from Montana State said after the game. “I’m trying to make the team and if it takes playing all five positions on the offensive line, that’s what I’m going to do.’’
In his second start of the preseason, Person opened at left guard and later switched positions with first-round draft pick Greg Robinson, who started at left tackle. Later in the game, the 6-foot-4, 299-pound Person took over at his newest position, center.
With 2013 draft pick Barrett Jones (back) and 2014 draft pick Demetrius Rhaney (knee) injured and not expected back until after the preseason, Person is now the Rams’ No. 3 center behind 11-year veteran Scott Wells and Tim Barnes, a third-year pro from Mizzou.
“I’ve been a tackle all my life,’’ Person said. “But I’m comfortable at guard and I’m getting more comfortable at center. At this level, the more you can do, the better your chances of making a roster. No matter where they need me, I’ll go.
“Getting the start, even if it’s in the preseason, that definitely gets you going a little bit. Hopefully, I’m able to take advantage of it.’’
Person, 26, started the final 34 games of his career at right tackle for Montana State and was selected in the seventh round of the 2011 draft by San Francisco. After a year there, he was cut and split time in 2012 between the Indianapolis Colts and Seattle Seahawks.
He made his NFL debut early in 2013 with Seattle but was later cut. He was claimed off waivers by the Rams last September but was declared inactive for the final 14 games last season.
“Every day, I just try to go out and work my butt off,’’ he said. “Just taking it day by day. One thing I’ve really focused on is trying to learn all the ins and outs of the offense. By really studying and understanding the whole offense, I feel like I’m capable of playing anywhere along the offensive line, and that really helps you flow from one position to the next.’’
Person has enjoyed his time in St. Louis and is working hard to keep a spot on the Rams’ offensive line.
“It’s an awesome group of guys, guys who work hard every day,’’ he said. “These guys like to joke around, but when it’s time to go, it’s time to go. It’s a great room with coach ‘Boo’ (offensive line coach Paul Boudreau) and coach Dickerson (assistant offensive line coach Andy Dickerson). They keep things light, but when it’s time to work, things get serious in a hurry.’’
WESTBROOKS EXCELS
Getting a lot of action with the Rams’ second-teamers, undrafted rookie free agent Ethan Westbrooks had an outstanding game against the Packers.
Playing defensive end, he teamed with fifth-year pro and fellow West Texas A&M product Eugene Sims to wreak havoc during one second-quarter drive and then came up with his first professional sack just before halftime.
Westbrooks, who stands 6-feet-4 and weighs 267 pounds, finished with four tackles, a sack and a pair of quarterback hurries.
RAM-BLINGS
• The Rams will hold their final two open-to-the-public workouts today and Wednesday at Rams Park in Earth City. Both practices will begin at 3:30 p.m.
• Monday’s NFL transactions featured a number of players with regional ties: Pittsburgh signed former University of Illinois tackle Graham Pocic; Indianapolis signed former Southern Illinois-Carbondale running back and kick returner Deji Karim; former Ram Rokevious Watkins cleared waivers after being cut by Kansas City; Dallas waived former SIUC defensive back Korey Lindsay; and ex-Illinois receiver Steve Hull was waived by the New Orleans Saints.
• By Joe Lyons
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_097baf6b-129b-5b47-bdb7-809e9bb57b94.html
It’s doubtful that Rams offensive lineman Mike Person had any trouble falling asleep Saturday night.
That afternoon, in the Rams’ 21-7 loss to the visiting Green Bay Packers, Person was on the field for all 71 of the team’s offensive snaps. And he accomplished the iron-man effort while seeing action at tackle, guard and center.
“Just trying to go out and make my mark wherever I can,’’ the fourth-year pro from Montana State said after the game. “I’m trying to make the team and if it takes playing all five positions on the offensive line, that’s what I’m going to do.’’
In his second start of the preseason, Person opened at left guard and later switched positions with first-round draft pick Greg Robinson, who started at left tackle. Later in the game, the 6-foot-4, 299-pound Person took over at his newest position, center.
With 2013 draft pick Barrett Jones (back) and 2014 draft pick Demetrius Rhaney (knee) injured and not expected back until after the preseason, Person is now the Rams’ No. 3 center behind 11-year veteran Scott Wells and Tim Barnes, a third-year pro from Mizzou.
“I’ve been a tackle all my life,’’ Person said. “But I’m comfortable at guard and I’m getting more comfortable at center. At this level, the more you can do, the better your chances of making a roster. No matter where they need me, I’ll go.
“Getting the start, even if it’s in the preseason, that definitely gets you going a little bit. Hopefully, I’m able to take advantage of it.’’
Person, 26, started the final 34 games of his career at right tackle for Montana State and was selected in the seventh round of the 2011 draft by San Francisco. After a year there, he was cut and split time in 2012 between the Indianapolis Colts and Seattle Seahawks.
He made his NFL debut early in 2013 with Seattle but was later cut. He was claimed off waivers by the Rams last September but was declared inactive for the final 14 games last season.
“Every day, I just try to go out and work my butt off,’’ he said. “Just taking it day by day. One thing I’ve really focused on is trying to learn all the ins and outs of the offense. By really studying and understanding the whole offense, I feel like I’m capable of playing anywhere along the offensive line, and that really helps you flow from one position to the next.’’
Person has enjoyed his time in St. Louis and is working hard to keep a spot on the Rams’ offensive line.
“It’s an awesome group of guys, guys who work hard every day,’’ he said. “These guys like to joke around, but when it’s time to go, it’s time to go. It’s a great room with coach ‘Boo’ (offensive line coach Paul Boudreau) and coach Dickerson (assistant offensive line coach Andy Dickerson). They keep things light, but when it’s time to work, things get serious in a hurry.’’
WESTBROOKS EXCELS
Getting a lot of action with the Rams’ second-teamers, undrafted rookie free agent Ethan Westbrooks had an outstanding game against the Packers.
Playing defensive end, he teamed with fifth-year pro and fellow West Texas A&M product Eugene Sims to wreak havoc during one second-quarter drive and then came up with his first professional sack just before halftime.
Westbrooks, who stands 6-feet-4 and weighs 267 pounds, finished with four tackles, a sack and a pair of quarterback hurries.
RAM-BLINGS
• The Rams will hold their final two open-to-the-public workouts today and Wednesday at Rams Park in Earth City. Both practices will begin at 3:30 p.m.
• Monday’s NFL transactions featured a number of players with regional ties: Pittsburgh signed former University of Illinois tackle Graham Pocic; Indianapolis signed former Southern Illinois-Carbondale running back and kick returner Deji Karim; former Ram Rokevious Watkins cleared waivers after being cut by Kansas City; Dallas waived former SIUC defensive back Korey Lindsay; and ex-Illinois receiver Steve Hull was waived by the New Orleans Saints.