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Marshall Faulk in practice today. Jack watched him 3 or 4 times. He is so quick. He did a shift in the backfield and was one on one with a linebacker from about 11 yards away. He juked one way. The backer bit. That was all she wrote. He'll be ready and alright. He's an outside guy but what people don't realize is he's an inside guy as well. He can take it inside.
Trent Green's arm strength. Don't need it. Receivers on a fly pattern the ball is released with the receiver is about 17-20 yards downfield. Only need to be able to throw 45 yds. It's all about timing and early release.
The Oakland Raiders game. No game plan. You highlight cerrtain guys.
Number of penalties was low. Two in the first half. Sign of disciplined ball club. You're always going to have holding calls. There's no excuse for offsides. Especially the receivers.
The offensive line gave their best performance since 1995. Pace and Miller were flat out running over people.
On the fourth and two: everyone went left. Trent Green went right to hit Holcomb for two yards and a first down. Good to see Trent's calm, composure.
Gruttadauria and Spikes played very well. Spikes is a meat-grinder kind of guy. He'll be alright.
The receivers did very well. They are a credit to Al Saunders.
McLeon had a great game. The five turnovers killed them. We can't have them. Can't allow a third and goal from the 17 to convert to the 6 yd. line then score on fourth down. Jack hated losing. Last year the Rams were -10 in turnovers. DV stressed this in the offseason. Playing smart football.
The fourth quarter was absolutely horrible. Joe Germaine will be here longer than any of the other third or fourth stringers because the quarterback position is so complex. Needs to learn quickly, though. Needs to make quick decisions. He'll be the third stringer behind Green and Warner. Jack was not that impressed with Germaine in college or from what he saw of him early in camp but this kid is composed, and stays within himself. Will he be great? Don't know. He'll be OK.
Instant replay. Jack hates it because it takes five guys to review a play. He can't believe. (Something about having one guy to way the field judge's butt.)
Kickers are using different ball this year. There are 12 balls earmarked specifically used for punting, field goals, and kickoffs. They are marked with a "K".
Howard Balzer (came in late from practice)--Mike Jones was back on the field. Greg Hill was out with the ankle injury. Rams need to take advantage of the bye week. Spread things out.
Chicago Bears. Won't gameplan for them. Gameplan for the season. From a player's perspective, you still have to bust your backside.
Caller: Opinion on defensive tackle Otis English and RB Chad Levitt.
Jack: English is battling for a job, that's all I got to say about that (ala Forrest Gump). Chad Levitt saw him today running from the I-back position. (Due to Lee's injury) He's had a good camp. He'll probably make the team. Might not dress on Sundays cause you can only dress 48 of 53-man roster. There's still a tremendous amount of time until the Aug. 31 first cut-down date. All backs are looking good. Hodges three fumbles don't bode well for him.
Devon Bush. Brought in for his coverage skills. Better than Jenkins at coverage. The Rams are giving Jenkins the work to improve at his coverage. Bush has a slight ankle injury.
Caller: Kicking balls. He talked to an official that said that the kickers were bragging that they were loosening the football up quite a bit prior to kickoffs, punts and fieldgoals to get extra distance. Softer balls go further. Mostly occurred on kickoffs. Twelve balls are set aside by the refs. They're slicker. They have 24 other balls for the regular game. The refs put what Jack called "Missouri Mud" on them and check them for air pressure.
Caller: [To Jack] We're you embarrassed by last year's team? Also, do you feel in your honest opinion that the Rams are on the right track?
Jack: With Martz and Saunders we'll get alot done offensively. The backups (read: depth) is weak around the league. Turnovers will kill you. Check the depth at quarterback in San Francisco. (Somebody I'd never heard of). Look who's starting in New Orleans. The key is to remain injury free. The Denver Broncos remained relatively injury free the last two years. Jack likes the composition of the team. Last year's team was a bunch of losers. All they ever did was lose.
Howard: In the fourth quarter, games are won. A lot rides on the quarterback's confidence. The players can see it in your eyes in the huddle. Tony Banks just didn't have any of the intangibles.
Jack: Banks just couldn't do it. Couldn't make quick decisions.
The turnovers killed us Saturday night. He can't discount the moves made by the Rams in the offseason on offense. This is Charley Armey's second year. The guy is good. The key though is Jay Zygmunt and John Shaw. They brought in Trent Green, Mike Martz, and Al Saunders.