Despite having a proven defensive coordinator, Steve Spagnuolo, as their head coach last season, the St. Louis Rams defense struggled to a 26th finish in points allowed per game last year.

Once Jeff Fisher was appointed as the team’s new head coach, he quickly brought in Gregg Williams from the New Orleans Saints to watch over the turnaround of the defense.

Of course, Williams was then suspended for his part in Bountygate indefinitely. Considering the other suspensions handed out, that indefinite ruling from Roger Goodell will likely make sure that Williams never coaches in St. Louis.

Even without Williams, however, Fisher and general manager Les Snead have given the defensive players in St. Louis reasons for optimism.

Free agency saw veteran cornerback Cortland Finnegan and a flurry of defensive linemen arrive, the most notable name being Kendall Langford. With a substantial draft class coming in, the Rams also added a number of new faces through the draft with Michael Brockers, Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson coming in the first three rounds.

The result?

The Rams have transformed a defense primarily featuring aging and under-performing veterans and created a defense capable of improving instantly with a lot of talent for the future.

With Brockers and Langford creating a defensive tackle pairing inside, the Rams are also expecting Robert Quinn to become a starting defensive end this year across from Chris Long. Both Brockers and Quinn are only 21 years of age, and former first-round picks, while Long is 27 and Langford, 26.

While Quinn and Brockers will be starting for the first time in the NFL this year, Long and Langford are in their primes with four seasons apiece already under their belts. Both veterans have started most of those seasons allowing them to be very experienced while still having plenty left in the tank.

Langford will need to adjust to a new scheme moving from the Miami Dolphins’ 3-4 defense, where he played defensive end, to the Rams’ 4-3 where he will be a defensive tackle. If either Langford or Brockers have issues adjusting to their new roles, the Rams also added a veteran defensive tackle to their rotation with Trevor Laws arriving from Philadelphia.

Laws and defensive end William Hayes come in without much hype surrounding their signings, but both players should improve the depth and overall performance of the front. Hayes is only 27 years of age while Laws is 26, so if they do prove to be valuable backups, as they are expected to, the Rams could be set on the defensive line for the foreseeable future.

Probably the biggest addition to this defense came at cornerback with the addition of Finnegan. Finnegan has been an enigmatic figure throughout his career with the Tennessee Titans, but seemed to mature last year with his leadership as one of the team’s captains.

Fisher should know Finnegan better than anyone and he was willing to give the cornerback a five-year deal worth roughly $50 million this offseason. Finnegan will be expected to take up a leadership role instantly playing with veteran Quintin Mikell in the secondary.

Finnegan will be asked to mentor rookies Johnson and, in particular, Jenkins. Jenkins and Johnson will be expected to contribute early on, even if not as starters. The return of Bradley Fletcher and Jerome Murphy from injury gives the Rams greater depth at cornerback this year, although nobody has enough depth to deal with the injuries they had at corner last year.

Jenkins will be the biggest priority for this defense moving forward. He has the ability on the field to be an elite cornerback, but the potential off of it to be the next Adam Jones. If Jenkins can learn from Finnegan and focus on football, he could propel this defense to another level quite quickly.

It may come as a surprise, but middle linebacker James Laurinaitis is still only 25 years of age.

Laurinaitis has been an impressive player since starting from Week 1 of his rookie season. He hasn’t missed a game in the three years since then and has only really been held back by the lack of talent in the team’s front seven.

While the Rams outside linebackers once again look to be the most uncertain pieces of their defense, Jo-Lonn Dunbar and Mario Haggan are both veterans who should prove to be reliable role players, if not spectacular game changers.

The Rams defense should be relatively stout this year while they have the pieces in place to build around for the future. Brockers, Laurinaitis, Quinn and Jenkins, in particular, fill some of the more difficult positions in the NFL to fill.

Finding better role players to play positions like outside linebacker and strong safety should be a lot easier in the future.

The St. Louis Rams are seeking to install a retractable roof on the Edward Jones Dome as part of their stadium upgrade proposal, St. Louis’ KTVI reported.

Because of a Missouri Sunshine Law, details will be available Monday about the Rams’ counter-offer to upgrade the dome.

The Rams recently rejected an offer from the operator of the building, the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission, that would have cost $124 million — half from taxpayers, half from the team — to updgrade the dome, instead submitting a proposal of their own.

According to the terms of the team’s lease, the Rams are free to leave the city in January 2015 if the stadium is not among the league’s top facilities.

CHARLES: DEFENSES WILL ‘FEEL MY PAIN’: Jamaal Charles wants to put to rest any fears the Kansas City Chiefs and their fans might have about his ability to return from last season’s knee injury as one of the NFL’s premier running backs.

“If you’re worrying about me not being the same, just look out for me this year,” Charles said earlier this week. “I’m hungry. I want it this year. I’ve got the passion for it. I just can’t wait to play football. I can’t wait to bring stuff back to this community and show them how much we can win. I feel like this is a year for us that we can go all the way. I’m saying that because I feel it in me that I can bring a lot to the team this year, being bigger, stronger and maybe even faster.”

Later, apparently speaking to Chiefs opponents, Charles continued.

“When I touch that field again, you’re going to feel my pain,” he said. “You’re going to go through what I went through. It’s going to be that way for me the rest of my career.”

NFL CONSIDERING REPLACEMENT REFS: The NFL is looking for potential replacement officials while it negotiates with the officials’ association on a new contract.

The previous contract expired after last season, and another negotiating session is expected later this month, NFL Referees Association Executive Director Tim Millis said.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said today, “We expect to reach an agreement but must have contingency plans in place.”

It appears the Rams have all the pieces for an outstanding defense in 2012. As we outlined this week, the defense is looking really good on paper.

Well, it looks good everywhere except outside linebacker.

The Rams drafted Aaron Brown out of Hawaii, and they have Josh Hull, a part-time player a year ago, both fighting for that spot. Both players offer value on special teams, but can they make the jump to being a full-time starter at linebacker?

That is the million dollar question.

If neither is up to the task, the Rams are going to have to look to a group of undrafted free agents to fill the job. The Rams brought in Sammy Brown (Houston), Derek Choice (Steven F. Austin), Alex Hoffman-Ellis (Washington State) and Noah Keller (Ohio) to compete for a roster spot, and maybe a starting position, in 2012.

Brown had 28 tackles for loss last season, which led the nation. He was a first-team all-conference player (Conference USA), as he finished the regular season with 12.5 sacks last year. At 6’2″, 242 pounds, Brown has a 40 time of 4.6, give or take a few hundredths of a second.

Hoffman-Ellis is another prospect to keep an eye on. He led the Cougars with 88 tackles (good for eighth in the Pac-12 conference), and was named second-team all-conference. He made 33 starts during his career at Washington State, so he is also an experienced player. At 6’1″, 232 pounds, he runs a 4.55 in the 40.

Keller finished his senior year at Ohio with 116 tackles, and was named second-team all-conference (MAC). He is a 6’1″, 245-pound linebacker who ran his 40 in 4.63. Keller looks like a bigger, stronger, albeit slower prospect who might offer some value as a run stuffer.

Choice didn’t get on the field much, but he was a teammate of Jabara Williams, who spent some time on the Rams’ roster last season. To be honest, I couldn’t find much information about him, but I was a big fan of Williams when he was with the Rams. Whoever brought Choice in for a tryout obviously saw some potential, but if he makes the roster, it would be a shock to me.

With a glaring need for linebackers, I think at least one of these players could make the final roster.

Brown is the guy I am going to keep an eye on. While all of these players bring something to the table, his unique ability to get to the ball carrier behind the line of scrimmage makes him a prospect to watch. Because the Rams have a very strong defensive secondary (a year ago, who thought we’d be saying that?), that is going to allow Jeff Fisher to really go after the quarterback. Brown seems like a player who can do that.

If the Rams can add another quality player or two from this group of undrafted free agents, to go along with a strong free-agent crop and a terrific draft class, then St. Louis could be a dangerous team in 2012.

Scratch another wide receiver off the St. Louis Rams’ possible wish list.

Free agent Jerricho Cotchery has signed a two-year deal to return to the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. As reported on Bleacher Report, he visited with the Rams last week.

It is unknown whether or not the Rams made Cotchery a contract offer.

In 13 games with the Steelers last season, Cotchery had 16 receptions, 237 yards and two touchdowns.

His two best career years came with the Jets in 2006 when he caught 82 passes for 961 yards and six touchdowns, and in 2007 when he caught 82 passes for 1,130 yards and two touchdowns.

Cotchery originally played for new Rams offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer while with the New York Jets for six seasons.

He also has experience in the return game. In 54 attempts, Cotchery has 484 yards and one touchdown as a kick returner.

Cotchery has suffered several hamstring injuries in his career, including the early part of the 2011 season.

He was drafted in in the 4th round, 108th overall, by the Jets in in 2004 out of North Carolina State. It will be interesting to see what he ends up producing in the upcoming season.

The 2011 NFL season proved to be more difficult than expected for the St. Louis Rams. However, the team had some bright spots. Defensive end Robert Quinn recorded five sacks in limited action for the club and earned more playing time in the second half of the season. I got in touch with Quinn recently, and here is what he had to say about the Rams, his career, and his personal life.

How is your health? In particular, have there been any changes with your brain tumor?

Quinn: No, since I last checked, it’s all fine and dandy. I hope it stays that way. I’m looking forward to the new season and having a little bit of fun.

What did you learn about yourself and the NFL in your rookie season?

Quinn: I guess the main point is that I had a bunch of veteran guys like James Hall and Fred Robbins who have been in the league for a while that know how to work all sides. It was a pleasure learning from those two. I really appreciated that.

I guess I learned that I can definitely never take a play off, or it can ugly for you out there. At the end of the day, you always look at it football to football, and that no matter what level you’re on that will not change.

What’s your offseason program like now? How do you maintain your health?

Well, I try not to get too fat. (laughs) But no, I’m not hitting it extremely hard. My body doesn’t require a lot of eating, even though with me being this size it might seem like it. I’m really trying to maintain and stay healthy, and work out any kinks that I have in my body with different doctors, chiropractors, nutritionists, or whoever it may be. I’m trying to work out the kinks and become the best player I can be.

Were you surprised when the Rams drafted you?

I was definitely shocked. Some of the younger guys that I talked to expected that I would be off the board by then, but I kept falling. And after I fell down past a certain team, I didn’t know where I would go. Then my phone rang and I saw that St. Louis was calling. To be honest, I didn’t expect to be here, but I have no regrets.

Do you think that teams passed on you in the first round because of the tumor?

I heard that the tumor affected some of the teams that made some of those crazy, big old trades, but you can’t really knock them for making those trades. Like I said, there are no regrets. You can’t change the past, you know? I’m still smiling. It doesn’t matter to me. I’m excited to be around.

How have you adjusted to playing in the NFL in comparison with college and high school?

In college with Coach Davis, he kinda ran it like a pro system. He wanted us to study film on our own. He didn’t want to force the guys to do it. He wanted us to make the effort. I give a lot of credit to Coach Davis for kinda running it like a pro system. But of course, in the pros you have to study just a tad bit more to get a heads up on your opponent. So you have to be a little more dedicated, but it’s your job, so it’s not a bad thing.

What is your favorite move or technique that you like to use on offensive linemen when rushing the passer?

On the field, no matter who’s out there, I’m always going to try to see if I can run past them. I just like to test them and see what works the best. Hopefully, I get them a little uneasy. Everybody has their own preferences on how they want to attack their opponent. That’s kinda my forte.

This might be too early to tell, but how are Coach Fisher and Coach Spagnuolo different?

Well, I haven’t spent that much time with Fisher to get a full evaluation. From what I’m hearing, it’s just in the way they prepare. This was Coach Spagnuolo’s first coaching job, and Fisher’s been around for a long time, so there’s definitely a difference in experience between the two guys from the head coaching side of it. But like I said, I haven’t spent that much time with Coach Fisher yet, but from the short time I’ve had, it’s been a pleasure.

Look for part two of the interview with Robert Quinn on Wednesday, March 28.

Derek Ciapala has been a Rams fan since he was a child and the team was in Los Angeles. His favorite Rams moments include Flipper Anderson’s 336-yard receiving night against the Saints in 1989, and their miracle 1999 run to their first Super Bowl victory. You can follow him on Twitter @dciapala.

Source: Personal Interview

New St. Louis Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams has received an indefinite suspension for his part in the notorious “bounty” scandal, as indicated on NFL.com.

The news leaves the Rams without a defensive play-caller as they look to rebound from 2011′s 2-14 disaster. Jeff Fisher hired Williams for his blitzing style and the Rams will need to find a new coordinator versed in an aggressive scheme.

They have players like Robert Quinn, Chris Long and James Laurinaitus, whose strength is attacking the line of scrimmage. Here are the four best candidates to replace Williams and get the most from this defensive talent:

John Marshall

Marshall is a veteran defensive schemer, not afraid to attack with multiple blitz pressures. In 2010, his Oakland Raiders defense ranked second in the league with 47 sacks.

Marshall routinely sent several defenders on the blitz, allowing the likes of Tyvon Branch and Kamerion Wimbley to make plenty of big plays. He also has reputation for building strong defensive lines, something which should appeal to the Rams given the young talent along their front.

Mike Trgovac

Trgovac currently serves as the defensive line coach for the Green Bay Packers. His time working in the Packers’ blitz-happy scheme will translate well to the kind of defense Fisher is expected to utilise with the Rams.

Trgovac served as the coordinator for the Carolina Panthers from 2002-2008 and has plenty of 4-3 experience. Throughout his career he has worked with linemen including Kris Jenkins, Julius Peppers and William Fuller.

Eric Mangini

Mangini is one of the coaches you always feel should remain at the coordinator level. He is an aggressive play-caller and certainly is not afraid to bring pressure from all over the field.

Mangini is particularly fond of blitzing his secondary players. He may have coached a 3-4 throughout his career, but his defenses with the Cleveland Browns incorporated some elements of the “46″ that Fisher is very familiar with.

Larry Coyer

Coyer became an unfair early casualty of the Indianapolis Colts’ disastrous season. However, he is a veteran coordinator whose experience could be useful at this time.

Coyer’s defense crumbled around him in 2011, but the fault was not his alone. He was bitterly criticised for his reliance on Cover-2 concepts.

Yet that is what the Colts defense was built to play. His secondary was ravaged by injuries and the unit received no help from an abject offense.

Prior to last season’s fall, Coyer had done a respectable job with the Colts defense and had in fact succeeded in varying the playbook.

He is often wrongly thought of as a conservative coach, but Coyer is not shy about bringing pressure. His Denver Broncos defense blitzed Tom Brady and the New England into oblivion in the 2005-06 AFC Divisional Playoff.

Coyer would no doubt be anxious to prove that 2011 was not a true reflection of his expertise.

The Rams may be reeling from losing Williams, whose initial hiring was considered something of a coup. However, the team still has Fisher’s defensive acumen to rely on.

The addition of a veteran play-caller with coordinator experience will more than compensate.

The 2011 St. Louis Rams weren’t playing for a division title this season; they were playing for a chance at Andrew Luck. With a 2-14 record, they were close, but the Peyton Manning-less Indianapolis Colts will get that pick instead. The Rams may have been one of the worst teams in terms of producing fantasy points this season, but did see a couple players succeed. Who are the biggest surprise and disappointments, and which star can say they were the Rams 2011 fantasy MVP?

MVP – Steven Jackson

Jackson didn’t have the best season of his career, but he surpassed 1,000 yards for the seventh straight season. He finished the campaign with 1,145 yards and five touchdowns, while also adding 42 catches for 333 yards and an additional score. Jackson will continue to be a late first or early second round selection next season, but would benefit greatly from a more stabilized offensive system.

Biggest Surprise – Brandon Lloyd

When the Denver Broncos traded one of the best wide receivers from 2010, fantasy GMs had to wonder what was wrong. He averaged nearly five catches a game during the four games he was a Bronco this season, but failed to reach the end zone. In 11 games as a Ram, Lloyd made 51 catches for 683 yards with five touchdowns, becoming one of the top-two fantasy threats for the Rams.

Biggest Disappointment – Sam Bradford

The second year quarterback was expected to make the Rams contenders in the normally weak NFC West, but after playing in just 10 games this season, there had to be serious discussion about drafting Luck if they got the first pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. After putting up more than 3,500 yards with 18 touchdowns, Bradford regressed in 2011, throwing for 2,164 yards and six touchdowns. There are going to be a couple of top quarterbacks in the draft that could pose a problem to Bradford ever becoming a star in the NFL. If the Rams can’t get Luck, maybe Robert Griffin III could be a solid fit for St. Louis.

For a closer look at All-Injury teams for all major fantasy positions and biggest stars and busts from each NFL team, click here.

More from this contributor:

LeSean McCoy is Top Fantasy Running Back in 2011

Backup Running Backs to make Splash in 2011

Don’t Give up on These Players too Early

Drafting Individual Defensive Players?

Top 2011 Fantasy Football Rookies

Hobson Lopes has been playing fantasy football for more than 10 years and can be followed on Twitter @HobsonLopes.

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — If Chris Long gets a sack in the St. Louis Rams’ finale Sunday, he will top the best season ever put together by his Hall of Fame father.

In his mind, he’ll still be playing catch-up.

Chris Long has 13 sacks, tied with Howie Long’s personal-best total from 1983. The younger Long points out dad played most of his career as a tackle in a 3-4 defense. That made it a lot tougher to rush the passer, so to measure up Chris Long guessed he would need 22 sacks to earn some family bragging rights.

Long said he is happy to be enjoying his best year, despite the Rams’ struggles. St. Louis (2-13) hosts San Francisco (12-3) this weekend to wrap up a disappointing season.

He’s not interested in a competition anyway.

“Let’s be real,” Long said. “I don’t really look to compete with my pops. I don’t know what he did that year but he had to fight a lot of double teams, so it’s pretty remarkable.”

Howie Long totaled 84 sacks in a 13-year career with the Raiders and had three straight years in double digits from 1983-85. The 51-year-old Long, now an analyst with Fox Sports, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000.

Chris Long’s total this season is sixth in the NFL and he’s come on strong with 10 sacks in the last nine games, even while nursing a high left ankle sprain that kept him out of most practices for several weeks but never held him back on game day. He also has 13 quarterback hits.

Long has been on the field more this week and said the ankle has “gotten a ton better.”

“It takes time to heal and they’ve given me that time by cutting down my reps a lot,” Long said. “I feel like it’s paid off a lot.”

So yes, he’s happy with the progress he’s made. He’s built on the sack total each year, getting four in ’08, five in ’09 and 8.5 last season.

“Individually, I’d say I’m proud of my effort and what I’ve put into it,” he said. “I’m not disappointed in myself, I feel like I’ve worked hard and I’ll continue to work hard.”

Long’s realistic about where he stands among pass rushers. There’s no disappointment he was passed over in Pro Bowl balloting, although he, running back Steven Jackson and middle linebacker James Laurinaitis were picks as alternates. Expectations for the announcement were so low for Long he was at the movies enjoying “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” when he began to get texts offering condolences.

He has no quibble with those picked ahead of him. Minnesota’s Jared Allen and Philadelphia’s Jason Babin are starters and the Giants’ Jason Pierre-Paul is a reserve.

“If you’d asked me to pick the Pro Bowl, I would have picked it that way,” Long said. “I don’t think I’m one of the top three defensive ends or that I had one of the top three defensive end years in the NFC, so I think it’s fair. What happened is what’s supposed to happen. I think there are three awesome players there.”

A better season for the Rams no doubt would have raised his standing. If they finish with a loss against the NFC West champion 49ers and the Colts win at Jacksonville, the Rams would get the No. 1 draft pick for the second time in three years, plus they won only two games in Long’s rookie year.

So he’d take more wins over recognition.

“I mean, it’s been really frustrating. To have two wins at this point in the season, it’s unacceptable,” Long said. “There’s no way around that. We haven’t played to our potential and I guess we have only one more game to show what our potential is.”

Sam Bradford is going to be one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. The St. Louis Rams believe so, and that’s why they took him No. 1 overall in the 2010 NFL draft.

In my opinion, Bradford’s ascension is a matter of when, not if.

So when can we expect the former No. 1 overall pick to play like a franchise quarterback? That is a complicated question with a simple answer—when Bradford gets more help.

Bradford was drafted No. 1 overall, meaning he was selected by the worst team in the NFL. The Rams were coming off of a 1-15 record in 2009. That is the mess that Bradford inherited. He responded by helping the Rams to a 7-9 record last season, and the Rams were picked by many to win the NFC West in 2011.

However, a combination of a tough schedule, poor personnel decisions, awful coaching and injuries to key players derailed the Rams’ season almost before it ever got started. Surrounded by a very poor supporting cast, Bradford regressed.

Simply put, Bradford has not been a good quarterback in 2011.

However, we shouldn’t jump to conclusions about Bradford based on one bad season. Consider these stat lines of some pretty good quarterbacks.

QB 1: 26 TDs, 23 INTs, 62.7 percent passing, 84.1 QB Rating

QB 2: 19 TDs, 24 INTs, 60.9 percent passing, 72.2 QB Rating

QB 3: 24 TDs, 22 INTs, 56 percent passing, 76.9 QB Rating

QB 4: 22 TDs, 23 INTs, 52 percent passing, 70.2 QB Rating

QB 5: 18 TDs, 15 INTs, 60 percent passing, 76.5 QB Rating

Those quarterbacks are, in order: QB 1 is Peyton Manning (4th year in the NFL), QB 2 is Brett Favre (3rd year in the NFL), QB 3 is Dan Marino (7th year in the NFL), QB 4 is John Elway (3rd year in the NFL), QB 5 is and Sam Bradford (rookie season).

So if you break it down, our very own Bradford, playing with an awful supporting cast last season, put up numbers comparable to some of the best QBs to ever play the game at the same point in their career.

In the words of Adam Sandler, that’s “not too shabby.”

Now let’s go back and take a look at some of the players that these Hall-of-Fame QBs got a chance to play with.

Peyton Manning had Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark and Edgerin James, not to mention a very good offensive line. He also got to work under the same head coach and the same offensive coordinator for several years.

Favre had Sterling Sharpe (great player before he was injured), Donald Driver, Ahman Green, Antonio Freeman, Robert Brooks, Javon Walker and Andre “Bad Moon” Rison (sorry, I couldn’t help myself). Favre also had a great offensive line, and he got to work in the same offense—the West Coast offense—for his entire career.

Marino had Mark Clayton and Mark Duper. He played for Don Shula for crying out loud. Elway had Hall-of-Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe, and he had the great Terrell Davis running behind him late in his career. He also played for a couple of very good coaches in Mike Shanahan and Dan Reeves.

Compare all of that to Bradford.

Poor Bradford’s best receiver to this point in his career has been Danny Amendola, a non drafted free agent who was picked up from Philly’s practice squad. When Bradford finally got of a good receiver to work with this season (Brandon Lloyd), Bradford was too banged up to play.

Speaking of banged up, look at the offensive line Bradford has to play behind. Jason Smith, the former No. 2 overall pick in the draft, is a bust at right tackle. I mean, honestly, who spends the No. 2 pick in the entire draft on a right tackle? The fact that Smith had to be moved to right tackle means he is already a bust, never mind the fact that he is a lousy right tackle!

Bradford was sacked on over nine percent of his passing attempts this season, a staggering number. Consider that Manning was never sacked on more than five percent of his passing attempts in a season, and the amount of abuse Bradford has endured is truly staggering.

So add it all up: Bradford was drafted onto a terrible team, with zero playmakers available to throw to in the passing game, and he was put behind a terrible offensive line where he was forced to take a beating week after week after week…

The only part of the blueprint for “How to ruin a young QB” that is missing would be the part where you make him change coordinators two or three years in a row.

Oh wait, he will probably be playing for his third offensive coordinator in a row next year, so we’ve got that one covered also.

And we can debate a lot of things—will Bradford be an elite QB or not? But there is one thing we can all surely agree on. The only chance Bradford has to reach his potential is a total regime change in St. Louis. Because without some major changes in St. Louis, Bradford won’t wind up on any list with names like Manning, Favre, Marino and Elway.

Poor Sam will end up on a list with David Carr and Marc Bulger, and none of us want to see that happen to Bradford.

Bradford, hampered by a high left ankle sprain, did not practice at all this week and missed last week’s game at San Francisco. He sustained the ankle injury Oct. 16 at Green Bay and missed two games.

Coach Steve Spagnuolo said he’s not ready to name him the starter.

“The test here, you know, when I talk with (trainer) Reggie (Scott) is see how it feels tomorrow,” Spagnuolo said. “Now, we are treading lightly and going safe. I will tell you this, if you could have seen the look on his eye when I told him he wasn’t going to play last week, you know, that’s hard to do.

“You know him. We’ll see and be smart about it.”

Bradford took less than half of the practice snaps, splitting time with Kellen Clemens, who was signed Thursday after he was cut Wednesday by Houston.

Clemens split duties Friday with No. 3 quarterback Tom Brandstater, who did not take any reps with the first team Saturday. Brandstater, who is in his second year out of Fresno State, has not played in an NFL game.

No. 2 quarterback A. J. Feeley is out with a fractured right thumb, which he hurt against San Francisco.

In a conference call earlier this week, Seattle coach Pete Carroll said he expects to see Bradford.

“We’re kind of counting on Sam getting back in there,” Carroll said. “And figuring that by resting him and not having him go last week, he’ll probably be able to play.”

In case Bradford can’t go, Spagnuolo said he is confident in using Clemens.

Clemens caught Spagnuolo’s eye with his practice performance.

“I’ll tell you what, I am thoroughly impressed with the command in the huddle and spitting out the verbiage and just some little things I saw in there,” Spagnuolo said. “He did a nice job with it.”

Knowing the system helps, Clemens said. When he was with the Jets and working with the scout team for five seasons, he had to imitate the New England Patriots system twice each season.

Rams offensive coordinator McDaniels, who then was the coordinator the Patriots, worked him out before the 2006 draft.

“He’s played in games and he’s had to handle systems and defenses and had to add some tough challenges in his career, too,” McDaniels said. “So he’s a guy that battles.”

The Jets selected him in the second round. In his time there, he played behind Chad Pennington, Brett Favre and Mark Sanchez. In 2007 when Pennington was hurt, Clemens started eight games and threw for 1,529 yards and five touchdowns with 10 inceptions.

He joined Washington in training camp last summer but was released. He was signed by the Texans on Nov. 23, after starting quarterback Matt Schaub was placed on injured reserve and was released this week before getting a call from the Rams.

In his NFL career, Clemens has thrown for 1,686 yards and five touchdowns with 11 interceptions.

“It’s been a whirlwind so far,” Clemens said. “It’s just a matter of I was speaking Spanish last week and now I’m speaking German trying to get this offense down. It’s a matter of making sure I can call the play in the huddle the correct way, get the guys up to the line of scrimmage and give us an opportunity.”

If called upon against the Seahawks, Clemens said he will be ready to go.

“Two practices, I don’t think we have to throw the panic flag completely,” Clemens said. “There’s some newness having me in there but it’ll be doable. I’m not going to guarantee anything.”

NOTES: KR Quinn Porter (abdomen) is out Monday as is Feeley. … FB Britt Miller (knee) did not practice Saturday. … DE Chris Long (ankle) and DT Fred Robbins (back) were limited Saturday. … TE Lance Kendricks did not practice Saturday and was out of town for personal reasons, Spagnuolo said. He will play Monday.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Quarterback Sam Bradford was back on the practice field Saturday for the St. Louis Rams in preparing the Rams for their game against the Seahawks on Monday in Seattle.

Bradford, hampered by a high left ankle sprain, did not practice at all this week and missed last week’s game at San Francisco. He sustained the ankle injury Oct. 16 at Green Bay and missed two games.

Coach Steve Spagnuolo said he’s not ready to name him the starter.

“The test here, you know, when I talk with (trainer) Reggie (Scott) is see how it feels tomorrow,” Spagnuolo said. “Now, we are treading lightly and going safe. I will tell you this, if you could have seen the look on his eye when I told him he wasn’t going to play last week, you know, that’s hard to do.

“You know him. We’ll see and be smart about it.”

Bradford took less than half of the practice snaps, splitting time with Kellen Clemens, who was signed Thursday after he was cut Wednesday by Houston.

Clemens split duties Friday with No. 3 quarterback Tom Brandstater, who did not take any reps with the first team Saturday. Brandstater, who is in his second year out of Fresno State, has not played in an NFL game.

No. 2 quarterback A. J. Feeley is out with a fractured right thumb, which he hurt against San Francisco.

In a conference call earlier this week, Seattle coach Pete Carroll said he expects to see Bradford.

“We’re kind of counting on Sam getting back in there,” Carroll said. “And figuring that by resting him and not having him go last week, he’ll probably be able to play.”

In case Bradford can’t go, Spagnuolo said he is confident in using Clemens.

Clemens caught Spagnuolo’s eye with his practice performance.

“I’ll tell you what, I am thoroughly impressed with the command in the huddle and spitting out the verbiage and just some little things I saw in there,” Spagnuolo said. “He did a nice job with it.”

Knowing the system helps, Clemens said. When he was with the Jets and working with the scout team for five seasons, he had to imitate the New England Patriots system twice each season.

Rams offensive coordinator McDaniels, who then was the coordinator the Patriots, worked him out before the 2006 draft.

“He’s played in games and he’s had to handle systems and defenses and had to add some tough challenges in his career, too,” McDaniels said. “So he’s a guy that battles.”

The Jets selected him in the second round. In his time there, he played behind Chad Pennington, Brett Favre and Mark Sanchez. In 2007 when Pennington was hurt, Clemens started eight games and threw for 1,529 yards and five touchdowns with 10 inceptions.

He joined Washington in training camp last summer but was released. He was signed by the Texans on Nov. 23, after starting quarterback Matt Schaub was placed on injured reserve and was released this week before getting a call from the Rams.

In his NFL career, Clemens has thrown for 1,686 yards and five touchdowns with 11 interceptions.

“It’s been a whirlwind so far,” Clemens said. “It’s just a matter of I was speaking Spanish last week and now I’m speaking German trying to get this offense down. It’s a matter of making sure I can call the play in the huddle the correct way, get the guys up to the line of scrimmage and give us an opportunity.”

If called upon against the Seahawks, Clemens said he will be ready to go.

“Two practices, I don’t think we have to throw the panic flag completely,” Clemens said. “There’s some newness having me in there but it’ll be doable. I’m not going to guarantee anything.”

NOTES: KR Quinn Porter (abdomen) is out Monday as is Feeley. … FB Britt Miller (knee) did not practice Saturday. … DE Chris Long (ankle) and DT Fred Robbins (back) were limited Saturday. … TE Lance Kendricks did not practice Saturday and was out of town for personal reasons, Spagnuolo said. He will play Monday.

Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Quarterback Sam Bradford was back on the practice field Saturday for the St. Louis Rams in preparing the Rams for their game against the Seahawks on Monday in Seattle.

Bradford, hampered by a high left ankle sprain, did not practice at all this week and missed last week’s game at San Francisco. He sustained the ankle injury Oct. 16 at Green Bay and missed two games.

Coach Steve Spagnuolo said he’s not ready to name him the starter.

“The test here, you know, when I talk with (trainer) Reggie (Scott) is see how it feels tomorrow,” Spagnuolo said. “Now, we are treading lightly and going safe. I will tell you this, if you could have seen the look on his eye when I told him he wasn’t going to play last week, you know, that’s hard to do.

“You know him. We’ll see and be smart about it.”

Bradford took less than half of the practice snaps, splitting time with Kellen Clemens, who was signed Thursday after he was cut Wednesday by Houston.

Clemens split duties Friday with No. 3 quarterback Tom Brandstater, who did not take any reps with the first team Saturday. Brandstater, who is in his second year out of Fresno State, has not played in an NFL game.

No. 2 quarterback A. J. Feeley is out with a fractured right thumb, which he hurt against San Francisco.

In a conference call earlier this week, Seattle coach Pete Carroll said he expects to see Bradford.

“We’re kind of counting on Sam getting back in there,” Carroll said. “And figuring that by resting him and not having him go last week, he’ll probably be able to play.”

In case Bradford can’t go, Spagnuolo said he is confident in using Clemens.

Clemens caught Spagnuolo’s eye with his practice performance.

“I’ll tell you what, I am thoroughly impressed with the command in the huddle and spitting out the verbiage and just some little things I saw in there,” Spagnuolo said. “He did a nice job with it.”

Knowing the system helps, Clemens said. When he was with the Jets and working with the scout team for five seasons, he had to imitate the New England Patriots system twice each season.

Rams offensive coordinator McDaniels, who then was the coordinator the Patriots, worked him out before the 2006 draft.

“He’s played in games and he’s had to handle systems and defenses and had to add some tough challenges in his career, too,” McDaniels said. “So he’s a guy that battles.”

The Jets selected him in the second round. In his time there, he played behind Chad Pennington, Brett Favre and Mark Sanchez. In 2007 when Pennington was hurt, Clemens started eight games and threw for 1,529 yards and five touchdowns with 10 inceptions.

He joined Washington in training camp last summer but was released. He was signed by the Texans on Nov. 23, after starting quarterback Matt Schaub was placed on injured reserve and was released this week before getting a call from the Rams.

In his NFL career, Clemens has thrown for 1,686 yards and five touchdowns with 11 interceptions.

“It’s been a whirlwind so far,” Clemens said. “It’s just a matter of I was speaking Spanish last week and now I’m speaking German trying to get this offense down. It’s a matter of making sure I can call the play in the huddle the correct way, get the guys up to the line of scrimmage and give us an opportunity.”

If called upon against the Seahawks, Clemens said he will be ready to go.

“Two practices, I don’t think we have to throw the panic flag completely,” Clemens said. “There’s some newness having me in there but it’ll be doable. I’m not going to guarantee anything.”

NOTES: KR Quinn Porter (abdomen) is out Monday as is Feeley. … FB Britt Miller (knee) did not practice Saturday. … DE Chris Long (ankle) and DT Fred Robbins (back) were limited Saturday. … TE Lance Kendricks did not practice Saturday and was out of town for personal reasons, Spagnuolo said. He will play Monday.

Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

ST. LOUIS – Quarterback Sam Bradford was back on the practice field Saturday for the St. Louis Rams in preparing the Rams for their game against the Seahawks on Monday in Seattle.

Bradford, hampered by a high left ankle sprain, did not practice at all this week and missed last week’s game at San Francisco. He sustained the ankle injury Oct. 16 at Green Bay and missed two games.

Coach Steve Spagnuolo said he’s not ready to name him the starter.

“The test here, you know, when I talk with (trainer) Reggie (Scott) is see how it feels tomorrow,” Spagnuolo said. “Now, we are treading lightly and going safe. I will tell you this, if you could have seen the look on his eye when I told him he wasn’t going to play last week, you know, that’s hard to do.

“You know him. We’ll see and be smart about it.”

Bradford took less than half of the practice snaps, splitting time with Kellen Clemens, who was signed Thursday after he was cut Wednesday by Houston.

Clemens split duties Friday with No. 3 quarterback Tom Brandstater, who did not take any reps with the first team Saturday. Brandstater, who is in his second year out of Fresno State, has not played in an NFL game.

No. 2 quarterback A. J. Feeley is out with a fractured right thumb, which he hurt against San Francisco.

In a conference call earlier this week, Seattle coach Pete Carroll said he expects to see Bradford.

“We’re kind of counting on Sam getting back in there,” Carroll said. “And figuring that by resting him and not having him go last week, he’ll probably be able to play.”

In case Bradford can’t go, Spagnuolo said he is confident in using Clemens.

Clemens caught Spagnuolo’s eye with his practice performance.

“I’ll tell you what, I am thoroughly impressed with the command in the huddle and spitting out the verbiage and just some little things I saw in there,” Spagnuolo said. “He did a nice job with it.”

Knowing the system helps, Clemens said. When he was with the Jets and working with the scout team for five seasons, he had to imitate the New England Patriots system twice each season.

Rams offensive co-ordinator McDaniels, who then was the co-ordinator the Patriots, worked him out before the 2006 draft.

“He’s played in games and he’s had to handle systems and defences and had to add some tough challenges in his career, too,” McDaniels said. “So he’s a guy that battles.”

The Jets selected him in the second round. In his time there, he played behind Chad Pennington, Brett Favre and Mark Sanchez. In 2007 when Pennington was hurt, Clemens started eight games and threw for 1,529 yards and five touchdowns with 10 inceptions.

He joined Washington in training camp last summer but was released. He was signed by the Texans on Nov. 23, after starting quarterback Matt Schaub was placed on injured reserve and was released this week before getting a call from the Rams.

In his NFL career, Clemens has thrown for 1,686 yards and five touchdowns with 11 interceptions.

“It’s been a whirlwind so far,” Clemens said. “It’s just a matter of I was speaking Spanish last week and now I’m speaking German trying to get this offence down. It’s a matter of making sure I can call the play in the huddle the correct way, get the guys up to the line of scrimmage and give us an opportunity.”

If called upon against the Seahawks, Clemens said he will be ready to go.

“Two practices, I don’t think we have to throw the panic flag completely,” Clemens said. “There’s some newness having me in there but it’ll be doable. I’m not going to guarantee anything.”

NOTES: KR Quinn Porter (abdomen) is out Monday as is Feeley. … FB Britt Miller (knee) did not practice Saturday. … DE Chris Long (ankle) and DT Fred Robbins (back) were limited Saturday. … TE Lance Kendricks did not practice Saturday and was out of town for personal reasons, Spagnuolo said. He will play Monday.