Rams Practiced in Pads For First Time 2016 Training Camp

IRVINE, CA — The Los Angeles Rams conducted their first training camp practice of 2016 with shoulder pads Monday, a special teams practice closed to the public, coach Jeff Fisher said.

The special teams only practice was a tradition that started by Fisher a few years ago and it was a chance for the team to identify talent in special teams.

“We’ve had success over the past couple of years finding undrafted rookie free agents in these types of practices,” special teams coordinator John Fassel told reporters after the pratice. “I thought we got through pretty clean with soft tissues and all that. And guys competed. We’ll check the film out and probably find a couple hidden gems like we’ve been able to do the last couple of years.”

There are a lot of players who don't play special teams in college so there aren't a lot of footage for him to see what these players can do. There are specific things that he is looking at in special teams.

“You’re looking for guys that can run,” Fassel said. “I love to see guys that use the techniques we’ve been working on all OTAs — which have been unpadded — and the last two days. And that’s all we’ve done, is we’ve worked on the techniques that hopefully will help them out today."

The first training camp practice with shoulder pads for the offense and defense will be on Tuesday and open to the public. Gates at UC Irvine's Crawford Field will open at 2 p.m. with the practice beginning at 3:30 p.m. Admission is free.

"We're eagerly awaiting that opportunity to put the shoulder pads on so the offense can show what they've got, because it's obviously a practice scenario situation where the defense typically gets the advantage before the pads go on, so the offense is looking forward to it," Fisher said.

Following Tuesday's practice, defensive backs will sign autographs for fans 14 and younger who receive a Rams token, which will be distributed at random throughout the practice. Fans are asked to be polite when seeking autographs.

"Unfortunately, we don't have time to get every autograph signed because players have responsibilities inside and then meal and meetings, but they're doing the best they can," Fisher said.

Receiver Tavon Austin left Sunday's practice early because of cramps, but will not miss additional practice time, Fisher said.

"He's fine, he got a little dehydrated," Fisher said. "I heard that for some reason he didn't eat lunch. So anyway, a good message for the rest of the team."

Austin led the Rams with 52 receptions in 2015 when the team was based in St. Louis.

"He's doing fine, he's having a great camp, he's in great shape," Fisher said. "No worries there."

Receiver Kenny Britt was excused from practice Sunday but will return today, Fisher said.

The Rams had "a good day" on their second day of practice with quarterback Jared Goff, the first choice in the NFL draft, making "some really good throws," Fisher said.

The Rams released receiver Deon Long Sunday, who had been on the team's practice squad late last season.

"We'll probably bring some receivers in," Fisher said. "We're just trying to upgrade the bottom part of our roster."

— City News Service contributed to this story, photo courtesy of Jeff Lewis/Los Angeles Rams