Rams’ special teams workout gives rookies and free agents a chance to prove themselves
Unlike the first few days of training camp, the stands were empty and only a portion of the Rams’ roster was on the field for a closed practice Monday at UC Irvine.
Drafted rookies and undrafted free agents knew what was at stake.
It was their first practice in shoulder pads, a special teams workout that offered an opportunity to initially separate themselves.
The Rams opened training camp with 90 players and must cut to 75 by Aug. 30 and to 53 by Sept. 3, so an ability to play special teams could be the difference in winning a roster spot.
“If it’s a toss-up at certain positions offensively or defensively,” said John Fassell, the Rams’ special teams coordinator, “the trump card is special teams.”
Running backs Benny Cunningham and Chase Reynolds and tight end Cory Harkey are among veteran players who won roster spots as rookies because of special teams play.
Last season, receiver Bradley Marquez and linebacker Cameron Lynch, both undrafted free agents, did the same.
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With “Bad to the Bone” — George Thorogood & The Destroyers’ 1982 anthem — pulsating from speakers throughout the short workout, players hustled through blocking and coverage drills, their speed and effort evaluated in person and captured on tape.
Duke Williams, a free-agent wide receiver from Auburn, and tight end Tyler Higbee, a fourth-round draft pick from Western Kentucky, were among those who made solid impressions on coaches and teammates.
Receiver-punt returner Tavon Austin voiced a running commentary and encouragement.
“Duke turned it up a little bit,” Austin said. “Duke is kind of a quiet guy — in pads he was loud.”
In some college programs, elite players do not play on special teams because of the increased workload and potential for injury. So workouts such as Monday’s might have been their first experience in this situation.
“To see them in a full-speed, lots-of-space environment is new for them,” Fassell said, “and that’s when you get exposed in a good or bad way.”
Linebacker Josh Forrest, a sixth-round pick from Kentucky, welcomed the opportunity to show what he could do in pads.
“I just wanted to come out and be physical and, hopefully, get a spot,” he said.
Quick hits
Punter Johnny Hekker is wearing No. 3 during training camp to honor former Michigan State punter Mike Sadler. Sadler and Nebraska punter Sam Foltz were killed in a car crash last month after working at a kicking clinic in Wisconsin. Louisiana State kicker Colby Delahoussaye also was injured in the accident. Hekker, a fifth-year pro from Oregon State, met Sadler before his freshman season at Michigan State and trained with him for five years. “I just couldn’t help but ask Coach [Jeff Fisher] if I could wear the number just to honor him during training camp because it means that much to me,” said Hekker, who normally wears No. 6…. Austin returned to practice after being carted from the field Sunday because of dehydration and cramps. Austin had skipped lunch before Sunday’s workout. He said it would not happen again. “That was the first time I did that,” he said. “The result of that is I made sure I ate today. I’m about to go eat right now to make sure I’m good for tomorrow.”
Staff writer Lindsey Thiry contributed to this report.
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