Rams notebook: Fisher confirms that Saffold will start over Robinson
• By Joe Lyons
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_c2f66cac-259e-5cc8-83d9-eeaa24b612f7.html
Following practice Wednesday at Rams Park, coach Jeff Fisher confirmed what many had suspected: that Rodger Saffold will start ahead of Greg Robinson, the No. 2 overall pick in May’s draft, when the Rams take on the Minnesota Vikings to open the season at noon Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome.
“We made the decision for the opener that we’re better off going with experience,’’ Fisher said. “Doesn’t necessarily mean (Robinson) won’t play in the game, but we’re going to go with guys who have a lot of snaps under their belts.’’
That means a veteran line of Jake Long at left tackle, Saffold at left guard, Scott Wells at center, Davin Joseph at right guard and Joe Barksdale at right tackle on Sunday.
“I feel good about the guys we’re going to play with,’’ Fisher said. “They’ve been practicing together now for a couple of weeks and so I have no concern there. And I feel good about our depth as well.’’
And Robinson?
“He’s doing a good job,’’ the coach said. “He’s playing guard, he’s playing tackle. He’s doing both in practice, he’s done it all through preseason and he’s gotten better each week.’’
When asked if learning two positions has hurt the 21-year-old Robinson, Fisher answered emphatically.
“Nothing hurts him at all. It does not hurt him at all,’’ Fisher said. “I was told that Orlando Pace, the first player taken in the draft, didn’t play until Week 5. There’s no issue here, (Robinson) is going to be an outstanding player.
“Our focus right now is to put the guys on the field we think can give us the best chance to win right now.’’
Pace, by the way, signed as a rookie with the Rams in 1997 after a three-week contract holdout.
The 6-foot-5 332-pound Robinson, who played in college at Auburn, started three of the Rams’ four preseason games.
KEENUM SETTLES IN
The newest Ram, quarterback Case Keenum, completed his second practice with the team Wednesday.
“It’s been kind of a whirlwind couple of days,’’ said Keenum, 26, who was claimed off waivers from the Houston Texans on Monday. “I’m excited to be here, to start learning the system and do my best to contribute to the team.
“Any system in this league is tough ... but I’m excited to learn some new stuff. It’s like speaking another language and I’m trying to learn it as fast as I can.’’
A Texas native who enjoyed a record-setting career at the University of Houston, Keenum signed with the Texans as an undrafted free agent and spent the 2012 season on Houston’s practice squad. Last year, he made eight starts, making his debut the week after the Rams blasted the Texans 38-13 in Houston. He ended up completing 54.2 percent of his passes for 1,760 yards with nine touchdowns and six interceptions.
He was waived over the weekend after Houston picked up Ryan Mallett in a trade with New England.
“It hasn’t really set in yet, but I’m just trying to stay at it, got the grind going,’’ he said. “I’m excited to be in a new place, to be outside of Texas, to get out of my comfort zone and to grow a little bit.’’
Listed at 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, Keenum gets by on his smarts, leadership and quick release.
“Because of injury, Case got a lot of experience last year, started eight games,’’ Fisher said. “No, he didn’t win any of those games, but there were some really good things you saw out of a young player. We spent a lot of time evaluating those games and felt like he’d be a good option to come in and try to develop as a No. 3 or No. 2. We just wanted to get him in the mix; you want to get as many good players as you can.’’
SSM KICK CANCER
The Rams specialists — punter Johnny Hekker, kicker Greg Zuerlein and long snapper Jake McQuaide — are teaming with SSM Health Care Foundations in a new fund-raising program to support the needs of cancer patients in the region.
In addition, a new event to benefit SSM Kick Cancer — “RAM-OKE’’ — will be held Monday Sept. 22, at Four Seasons. Led by Hekker and linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar, the night will feature Rams players taking the microphone to belt out karaoke renditions of their favorite songs. Fans can support SSM Kick by making a pledge for every point kicked by the Rams in 2014 or buy tickets to RAM-OKE at SSMKickCancer.org.
RAM-BLINGS
The first injury report of the season included four players who were limited on Wednesday — T Jake Long (knee), DE William Hayes (chest), Jo-Lonn Dunbar (shoulder) and DE Eugene Sims (knee). Two other players, CB Trumaine Johnson (knee) and center Barrett Jones (back), did not participate and are still weeks away from playing. For the Vikings, LB Brandon Watts (knee), LB Michael Mauti (foot) and fullback Zach Line (ankle) did not participate and T Mike Harris (shoulder) was limited. CB Jabari Price (shoulder) and WR Rodney Smith (neck) were full participants.
• Austin Pettis switched to No. 12 from No. 18 in Wednesday’s practice as a show of support for teammate Stedman Bailey, who is serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
• The Rams placed TE Brad Smelley on the practice squad in place of S Matt Daniels. Smelley was cut on Saturday after posting four catches for 46 yards in the preseason.
• Defensive lineman Ethan Westbrooks, the undrafted free agent from West Texas A&M who was among the team leaders with 12 tackles in the preseason, has switched to No. 93 from No. 62.