It’s one week from the preseason opener against Indianapolis. The Rams are off Sunday and resume practice at 3:30 p.m. Monday. Here’s what you need to know:
“Greg the Leg”: That’s what they’re calling rookie Greg Zuerlein, who’s favored to beat out Garrett Lindholm in the battle to replace veteran Josh Brown. The sixth-round pick out of Missouri Western State is showing off his booming leg. In Saturday’s scrimmage at the Edward Jones Dome, Zuerlein hit field goals of 39, 44, 49, 54 and 59 yards before missing wide left from 64.
“I had the distance; I just didn’t connect on it,” Zuerlein said. “I’d like to make every kick and when I don’t it’s kind of disappointing. Other than that, it was a good day.”
Count QB Sam Bradford among those impressed.
“That last one was, what, 64? It got there,” Bradford said. “To have that in your back pocket and know that we don’t have to get down to the 31-, 30-yard line to get our special teams, I think that last one was from the 46. So it’s nice to not have to get it all the way down there to get yourself in position to get some points.”
Stating his case: Brandon Gibson made two sideline catches in the scrimmage as he continues to fight for a job in the crowded WR corps. One was a beautiful 28-yard grab that set up a touchdown.
Bradford said he’s comfortable throwing to Gibson.
“This is our third year together,” Bradford said. “Gibby has had a really good camp. I think he’s playing at an extremely high level right now. He’s running good routes, he’s getting open and he made some tough catches. They were contested balls, he used his hands, he went and got it. So I have been really pleased with the way Gibby is playing right now.”
Gibson said Brian Schottenheimer’s offense is very similar to the scheme the Rams ran in 2010 under Pat Shurmur.
"Heavy West Coast, I like it a lot,” he said. “I think Schotty's done a good job of being very detail-oriented in explaining it. Making sure guys understand their roles and what it's supposed to be, and where they're supposed to be.”
Defense ahead of offense: The defense had its way with the offense for most of the scrimmage, continuing a camp trend. Second-year DE Robert Quinn would have had a sack had contact been allowed. Rookie CB Trumaine Johnson had an interception.
However, the offense clicked in the two-minute drill, with Bradford finding Gibson, hitting three passes to tight end Mike McNeill, and throwing a 3-yard touchdown to Greg Salas.
Get more Rams updates and analysis from Larry Hartstein @CBSSportsNFLSTL.
