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Rams notes: Robinson gets first NFL start
• By Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_161e814d-83e2-5f69-a79b-91044993feaf.html
Mr. Robinson, meet Mr. Smith. The moment finally arrived Monday night for offensive lineman Greg Robinson. Robinson, the No. 2 overall draft pick from Auburn in the 2014 draft, started for the Rams at left guard.
No better time to get your career going than in front of a national television audience against the mighty San Francisco 49ers, right? With Robinson’s insertion into the starting lineup, Rodger Saffold is on the move — again.
Saffold started at right guard — the spot where he first made the switch from tackle to guard last season. Veteran Davin Joseph, who started the first four games at right guard, was the player replaced in the starting lineup.
And that wasn’t the only lineup change for the Rams. On defense, rookie defensive tackle Aaron Donald started ahead of Kendall Langford.
Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams provided a strong hint of the Donald lineup move after Saturday’s practice, saying Donald “would be a guy that I hope you guys have a chance to take a good look at this week.”
Five weeks into the regular season, the Rams feel that Robinson, who has played only on the extra point-field goal unit this season, has enough of a grasp of the team’s pass-blocking schemes and techniques to make his NFL debut on the offensive line.
“First and foremost, you hear him making calls and understanding the system,” offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said during the practice week. “That’s been good to see. ... It’s a process. We saw it last year with some of those guys like Tavon (Austin) — some of the younger players. It takes time.
“Especially for a guy coming from a school that had a limited playbook. They didn’t do a whole lot. Again, you see the confidence, you see him making calls. You see him in meetings even kind of communicating things that he wouldn’t have seen maybe three, four months ago. So that’s exciting.”
With a physical San Francisco defensive front, led by former Missouri star Justin Smith, coach Jeff Fisher figured this would be the week to get the 332-pound Robinson out on the field.
Between Robinson and Saffold, the Rams threw about 650 pounds of guards at the physical 49ers.
“We’re a couple of strong guys,” Saffold said.
Robinson appeared to hold his own Monday, but the 49ers overall got plenty of pressure on Austin Davis.
THE 1999 RAMS
A busy and memorable weekend for the Rams’ Super Bowl XXXIV championship team culminated with halftime ceremonies in their honor. All but nine members of that squad were on hand for a “Greatest Show on Turf Celebration” on Sunday night at the Union Station Hotel.
On Monday afternoon, coach Dick Vermeil spoke to the ’99 team at a Hall of Legends luncheon. That must have been fun.
When asked about the Super Bowl XXXIV 15-year reunion during the week, Fisher said: “I’m actually thinking about the 49ers on Monday night. No, I’ve been here for a few years now. I’m reminded on a daily basis inside the building. So I’m used to it now.”
The halftime celebration was understated, with the entire team coming out to midfield. Marshall Faulk and Vermeil spoke to the crowd, and then they headed off the field, waving and saluting the crowd. Several Rams did a nostalgic version of the Bob ’n’ Weave in the north end zone, much to the delight of the crowd, before leaving the field.
GIVENS SITS AGAIN
For the second week in a row, wide receiver Chris Givens was a pregame inactive for the Rams.
The rest of the pregame inactives: QB Case Keenum, CB Trumaine Johnson (knee), CB Brandon McGee (foot), RB Chase Reynolds (hip), C-G Barrett Jones (back), and DT Alex Carrington (knee).
As a result of those decisions, RB Tre Mason suited up, as did S Maurice Alexander. Mason had been inactive in the Rams’ first four games. Alexander played against Tampa Bay in Game 2 but has been inactive in the other three games. So for the Eureka High player, who once worked as a janitor at the Edward Jones Dome, this marked his hometown NFL debut.
For San Francisco, CB Tramaine Brock (toe) and RT Anthony Davis (knee, ankle) were among the team’s pregame scratches. Both are normally starters.