Los Angeles Rams coach Jeff Fisher expects his defense to “answer a little bit” in Wednesday’s practice at UC Irvine after the offense “made a lot of plays” when the units conducted their first training camp practice of 2016 with shoulder pads.
“The offense is probably going to need to strap it up a little bit” in today’s practice, which is set to begin at 3:30 p.m. and is open to the public. Gates to Crawford Field will open at 2 p.m. Admission is free.
Following the practice, quarterbacks and tight ends 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.
Fisher described Tuesday’s practice as “really good.”
“We got through it healthy and got a lot of work done,” Fisher said.
The Rams began practicing in the red zone Tuesday, the area 20 yards from the goal line and “the offense made a lot of plays, a lot of good throws, a lot of good catches,” Fisher said.
“I’m expecting the defense to answer a little bit” today, he said.
Rookie quarterback Jared Goff, the first player chosen in the 2016 NFL draft, “did well,” Fisher said.
“He made some really good throws,” Fisher said. “A couple (of) the balls should have been caught. I thought he was making really good decisions.”
Receiver Pharoh Cooper, the Rams second choice in the fourth round, was kept out of practice because of what Fisher described as “a little thing going in his quad.”
“You push through it, it may be two weeks, (but) if you back him off, it might be a couple days,” Fisher said.
The Rams announced the signings of free agent receivers Austin Hill and David Richards, both University of Arizona alumni who have not played in the NFL.
Hill was a member of the New England Patriots practice squad in 2015 after being released by the Oakland Raiders and New York Jets. Hill completed his college career in 2014.
Richards had been signed and released by the Atlanta Falcons and Cleveland Browns earlier this year after completing his college career in 2015.
—City News Service