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Team Notebook: St. Louis RamsRams | FedEx CEO not interested in buying Updating a previous item, David Williams, of the Memphis Commercial Appeal, reports FedEx founder and CEO Frederick W. Smith is not interested in buying a majority share of the St. Louis Rams, according to a source close to Smith. Rams | Spagnuolo warns players camp will be tough Kathleen Nelson, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo told his players to be prepared for a tough training camp. "The first five days are definitely a bear, the way it's laid out, the times of practices, the length of practices," Spagnuolo said of his plans for workouts. "Typically, if you don't come in shape and in the right frame of mind, you run the risk of getting injured and not being up to speed for what we want to do. After that, it doesn't get that much easier, but it tends to thin out a little bit and they're able to survive." Rams | To retire No. 75 The St. Louis Rams announced Monday, June 22, they will retire No. 75, the number of Hall of Fame DE David "Deacon" Jones, this season. Jones played for the Rams from 1961-71. Rams | FedEx CEO interested in buying? Christopher Tritto, of the St. Louis Business Journal, reports Fred Smith, founder, chairman, CEO and president of Memphis-based FedEx Corp., has joined the short list of people whose names are circulating as potential bidders for a majority stake in the St. Louis Rams. Smith already owns a 10 percent stake in the Washington Redskins - which he would have to sell - worth about $150 million, based on Forbes magazine's $1.5 billion valuation of the team. Rams | Bulger admits 2009 could be last chance Alex Marvez, of FOXSports.com, reports St. Louis Rams QB Marc Bulger admits that the 2009 season may be his last chance with the team if he fails to perform. "I understand we have to win," Bulger said. "It's not fair to our fans or the ownership. If we don't, I know it starts with me. It's probably my final chance." Rams | Have put waiver claim on Foster D. Orlando Ledbetter, of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, reports the St. Louis Rams have put a waiver claim on OT Renardo Foster (Falcons), according to his agent. Rams | Stanley top candidate for return duties Jeff Gordon, of STLToday.com, reports St. Louis Rams WR Derek Stanley remains the favorite to serve as the team's primary return man this season. Rams | A. Pittman, Darby top candidates for backup job Bill Coats, of St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams RB Antonio Pittman and RB Kenneth Darby are the top candidate for the team's primary backup running back job. Rams | Atogwe has not signed tender yet Mike Sando, of ESPN.com, reports St. Louis Rams FS Oshiomogho Atogwe has not signed his franchise tender offer yet because he could still try to negotiate a long-term deal with the team. "Me having not signed the tag yet is not saying I don't want to be here with the Rams. It is just saying my contract may not be the best situation for me. I am committed to this team and I am waiting to see what their commitment to me is. If it's one year, then so be it. It's one year. When I sign it, I'm here with the team. Going forward, if they want to do a long-term deal and sign me and have me here for years to come, then I want to keep that option open in a way that is beneficial for both of us," Atogwe said. Rams | Unlikely to move to Los Angeles Jim Thomas, of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports the St. Louis Rams are unlikely to leave St. Louis for Los Angeles. It remains highly unlikely for a variety of reasons. Rams | Unlikely to move to Los Angeles Jim Thomas, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports the St. Louis Rams are unlikely to move to Los Angeles. Los Angeles still lacks a stadium for the team and the NFL is reluctant to see franchises move. The team could be free to move after the 2014 season if the Edward Jones Dome does not main "top tier" status. Rams | Safeties working together Bill Coats, of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams SS James Butler and FS Oshiomogho Atogwe have been spending a lot of time this offseason working together. Butler has played in head coach Steve Spagnuolo's system the last two years and has been helping the other defenders tips on the defense. Spagnuolo said the better the two safeties know each other, the better the defense will function. Rams | S. Jackson expects to be better prepared this season Bill Coats, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams RB Steven Jackson said his goal this season is to be a more complete running back, and believes he can attain that goal in part to better coaching. "I'm working on being a complete running back," Jackson said. "I've said that in the past, but this year I'm really getting detailed coaching." Jackson added that he is stronger and is learning how to run routes better. Rams | Burton, Stanley limited Thursday Bill Coats, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams WR Keenan Burton (hamstring) and WR Derek Stanley (knee) were limited during practice Thursday, June 4. Rams | K. Pittman misses practice Thursday Bill Coats, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams DT Kirston Pittman (heel) did not participate in practice Thursday, June 4. Rams | Carriker has role more defined Bill Coats, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams DT Adam Carriker will spend a majority of his playing time at left defensive tackle. He will be moved around based on the offensive alignment but will always be on the left side of the defense. Rams | S. Jackson looking to become a complete running back Steven Jackson said he is definitely a lot stronger now after hitting the weights a lot more this year. "I hope my speed don't leave," Jackson said. "I hope I'm able to still use that. Really, to be honest with you, I'm really working on being a complete running back." Jackson said he has spent time working with the wide receivers to become a better route runner. In regards to his health, he realizes it's talked about a lot. "Of course I want to be healthy, but I don't think it's really something you can prepare for. A torn groin or a torn hamstring -- it just happens," Jackson said. Rams | S. Jackson impressed with backup backs St. Louis Rams RB Steven Jackson said he has been impressed with backup RBs Kenneth Darby and Antonio Pittman. "I think all the guys are able to run routes and it really allows us to set up different matchups. We can go two backs on the field sometimes," Jackson said. Rams | St. Louis Blues' chairman interested in buying Bernie Miklasz, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports the chairman of the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League, Dave Checketts, is interested in becoming the next majority owner of the St. Louis Rams. In a brief but exclusive e-mail exchange, Checketts interrupted a short vacation to strongly declare his intention to put together a group of investors to purchase the controlling share of the Rams from majority owners Chip Rosenbloom and Lucia Rodriguez. "We have the ability to get this done and we have communicated this to the Rams," Checketts wrote in an e-mail. "We approached this with the Rams months ago and have since that time put together a partnership of both concerned St. Louisans and outside capital. Last week, we communicated to Chip Rosenbloom in no uncertain terms, that he now has a clear St. Louis buyer. We are that buyer. We have reason to believe the NFL would approve our group as we have carefully explored their ownership requirements." Rams | Could have interest in Vick Michael Lombardi, of The National Football Post, reports the St. Louis Rams should not be ruled out as a potential destination for suspended Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Vick. The team has genuine interest in Vick and has been doing their due diligence on him. If Vick is reinstated, the Rams are expected to pursue Vick. Rams | Will likely be put up for sale Bernie Miklasz, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports the St. Louis Rams will likely be put up for sale in the near future by majority owners Chip Rosenbloom and Lucia Rodriguez. Rosenbloom and Rodriguez have retained the services of Goldman Sachs, the investment banking firm, according to two sources with direct knowledge of the situation. Rams | K. Pittman to get second opinion on heel Bill Coats, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams DT Kirston Pittman (heel) did not participate in practice Friday, May 29, because he was getting a second opinion on his injured heel. Rams | Wade appears to be getting comfortable at nickelback Bill Coats, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams CB Jonathan Wade appears to be getting comfortable at nickelback during practices. Rams | Robinson works with first team Friday Bill Coats, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams WR Laurent Robinson worked with the first-team offense during practice Friday, May 29. Rams | S. Walker signed Bill Coats, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports the St. Louis Rams have signed undrafted free-agent WR Sean Walker (Vanderbilt). Terms of the contract were not disclosed. Rams | Witherspoon moving to weakside Bill Coats, of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams LB Will Witherspoon is moving from middle linebacker to weakside linebacker this year. Rookie LB James Laurinaitis is expected to take over in the middle. Rams | Battle at strongside linebacker Bill Coats, of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams LBs David Vobora, Larry Grant and Quinton Culberson are in the mix for strongside linebacker. Vobora and Grant shared reps with the first-string defense Wednesday, May 27. LB Chris Draft is penciled in as the starter on the strongside, but the Rams like his ability to play all three linebacker positions. Rams | Remain interested in Craft Bill Coats, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports the St. Louis Rams are still interested in re-signing CB Jason Craft. Rams | Incognito looking to improve Bill Coats, of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams OG Richie Incognito is looking to become a more mature player this year. He started to come into his own as a player last season, but still made poor mental mistakes on the field and would argue with fans during games. This year, he is looking to take his game to the next level. Rams | New coaching staff has confidence in Bulger Bill Coats, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo sought out QB Marc Bulger soon after he was hired to assure Bulger that he would be the team's starting quarterback in 2009. Spagnuolo pledged to Bulger that he "and the rest of this team have all the confidence in the world in him." Bulger acknowledged that Spagnuolo's words provided considerable relief. "Any time a new staff comes in, they're going to bring in the people they want," Bulger said. "He made it clear to me from the get-go that he wanted me to be his quarterback, and I appreciate that." The 2009 campaign is considered a make-or-break season for Bulger with the Rams. Rams | Stanley limited in practice Thursday Bill Coats, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams WR Derek Stanley (knee) was limited in practice Thursday, May 21. Rams | Two excused Thursday from practice Bill Coats, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams SS Oshiomogho Atogwe and LB Will Witherspoon were excused from practice Thursday, May 21, because of family matters. Rams | Burton sits out practice Thursday Bill Coats, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams WR Keenan Burton (hamstring) sat out the team's practice Thursday, May 21, because of a sore hamstring. Rams | Have interest in R. Hood Bill Coats, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo acknowledged Thursday, May 21, that the team has interest in free-agent CB Roderick Hood (Cardinals). Rams | Setterstrom looking to become versatile to help team Bill Coats, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams OG Mark Setterstrom has been working on his position versatility this offseason because he wants to help the team in any way he can this season. Setterstrom has seen time at center during practices and could become the team's top backup at the position. Rams | No interest in Vick Bernie Miklasz, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports the Atlanta Falcons called the St. Louis Rams twice to gauge their interest in QB Michael Vick, according to multiple league sources. The Rams told the Falcons both times they had no interest. The team would also not be interested in Vick as a free agent should Atlanta release him, according to a source. Rams | Stanley limited Tuesday Bill Coats, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams WR Derek Stanley (knee) was limited to individual drills during practice Tuesday, May 19. Rams | Little excused from practice Tuesday Bill Coats, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams DE Leonard Little was excused from practice Tuesday, May 19, to tend to a personal matter. Rams | Goldberg working with first unit Bill Coats, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams OT Adam Goldberg worked with the first unit at right tackle during practice Tuesday, May 19. Rams | Laurinaitis remains with second unit Bill Coats, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams LB James Laurinaitis remained with the second unit during practice Tuesday, May 19. Rams | J. Smith continues to work with second unit Bill Coats, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams OT Jason Smith remained with the second unit at right tackle during practice Tuesday, May 19. Rams | Grant works with first unit Tuesday Bill Coats, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams LB Larry Grant worked with the first unit at strongside linebacker during practice Tuesday, May 19. Rams | Spagnuolo stressing penalty reduction during OTAs Bill Coats, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo is stressing penalty reduction during organized team activities this week. Players and coaches were joined on the practice fields Tuesday, May 19, by a group of officials in black-and-white striped shirts, whistles at the ready. If an indiscretion was spied during team drills, a flag was thrown. "We talked to the whole team about reducing penalties. That was at the last minicamp, and that was a focus," Spagnuolo said. "I'm hoping that the emphasis that we're putting on eliminating penalties will filter right across the board. It's tough enough to win in this league without going backward." Rams | Not interested in Burress Bernie Miklasz, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams general manager Billy Devaney said the Rams have no interest in signing unrestricted free-agent WR Plaxico Burress (Giants). Rams | Worked out Darche Mike Sando, of ESPN.com, reports the St. Louis Rams worked out unrestricted free-agent C Jean-Philippe Darche (Chiefs) last week. |
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