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The Sports Xchange
July 30, 2012 10:34 AM ET
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/1968 ... -personnel
Following the release of rookie guard Michael Hay and cornerback Jeremy Caldwell, and the signing of fullback Ovie Mughelli, the team's roster is at 89, one under the training camp limit of 90.
Mughelli played in seven games and started six last season, but was placed on injured reserve Oct. 26 because of a knee injury. He was released by the Falcons on May 8. He made the Pro Bowl in 2010, but was scheduled to make $3 million this season when the Falcons released him.
PLAYER NOTES
--FB Ovie Mughelli was signed to provide depth and competition at fullback.
--OG Michael Hay, an undrafted free agent, was waived at the start of training camp for the rookies.
--CB Jeremy Caldwell, an undrafted free agent, decided he didn't want to play football, and was waived.
--S Darian Stewart reported with the rest of the veterans Saturday after signing his exclusive-rights free-agent tender of $540,000.
--OG Quinn Ojinnaka lined up with the first unit at left guard in the team's first full-squad practice Sunday. During OTAs, Bryan Mattison was with the first team.
BATTLE OF THE WEEK
Bryan Mattison was the first-team left guard during offseason workouts and was thought to have a leg up in the competition after starting the final four games of the 2011 season at right guard. However, Quinn Ojinnaka was with the first team for the first camp practice. Meanwhile, fifth-round pick Rokevious Watkins has missed four practices (three with the rookies) because he reported out of shape. He has only done pre- and post-practice conditioning work since arriving with the rookies on July 24.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
The veterans didn't have their first practice until Sunday, but during the three days of rookie practice last week, wide receiver Chris Givens made several big plays on downfield throws from undrafted free-agent quarterback Austin Davis. Of course, he was going against rookie defensive backs. Givens, a fourth-round pick, had some catching issues in college at South Carolina, but has the speed the Rams are looking for to help stretch the offense. If he can show consistency and avoid drops, he has the potential to be a playmaker in the team's offense.
ROOKIE REPORT
Guard Rokevious Watkins (fifth round) isn't off to a good start in training camp. Expected to be in the competition for the starting left guard job, Watkins didn't practice for the three days of rookie camp because of conditioning problems. Each day, he was inside during practice, but participated in pre- and post-practice conditioning. Coach Jeff Fisher said, "He had a little setback from the time he left to the time he got back. We're just trying to get him back in the swing of things." Fisher also told the Post-Dispatch, "He had a little trouble pushing himself away from the dinner table." ... Punter Johnny Hekker got his first work with the team after missing OTAs and minicamp because his school's finals at Oregon State weren't over in time. An undrafted free agent, Hekker is competing with journeyman Tom Malone after Donnie Jones left for Houston as an unrestricted free agent.
MEDICAL WATCH
--C Scott Wells is still rehabbing from offseason knee surgery. Wells wasn't watching practice on the first day of camp Sunday.
--WR Danario Alexander is nursing a hamstring injury and could miss the first week of practices.
--RB Daryl Richardson has a minor hamstring issue and will likely be sidelined for three or four days.