The St. Louis Rams (1-7) came back to down to Earth after beating the Saints in a stunning upset last week, losing to the Arizona Cardinals (2-6) on Sunday in a 19-13 overtime loss. 

The overtime thriller had everyone on the edge of their seats, but oddly enough, despite the thrills, it was very inept football by both teams. It was amateur hour across the board; even the referees had an outrageously long conference towards the end of the fourth quarter that dragged on to the point of being truly ridiculous. 

The Rams failed to score a single touchdown in the game, and really, it should have been a blowout over Arizona if even just a somewhat competent offense was on the field for St. Louis, but their offense was so stale and uninspired that they never had a chance.

So let’s see who we should blame and who we should praise for the Rams, regardless of their embarrassing loss in the FOX Toilet Bowl.   

St. Louis (KSDK) — Football officially returns to St. Louis since this is the first day the St. Louis Rams players will report to training camp in Earth City.

The team will hold its first practice on Saturday afternoon.

Some players have already been at Rams park this week, getting back to work after the NFL lockout.

The Rams first preseason game is two weeks from Sunday.

KMOV.com

Posted on July 29, 2011 at 4:01 AM

ST. LOUIS, MO – The St. Louis Rams will feature 19 open practices at the Russell Training Center in Earth City, Mo. this season.  An open scrimmage game will also be held at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo.

The public is welcome to attend each open practice session and scrimmage game for free.

Autograph sessions with select players will also follow. 

 

Here are the dates and times of the Rams 2011 training camp dates:

Saturday, July 30: 1:50 p.m.

Sunday, July 31: 1:50 p.m.

Monday, August 1: 1:50 p.m.

Tuesday, August 2: 5 p.m.

    

Thursday, August 4: 1:50 p.m.

Friday, August 5: 5 p.m.

Saturday, August 6: 1:50 p.m.

Sunday, August 7: Scrimmage game 11 a.m. at Lindenwood University

Monday, August 8: 1:50 p.m.

Tuesday, August 9:  5 p.m.  

Wednesday, August 10: 1:50 p.m.

Thursday, August 11:  5 p.m.

Friday, August 12: 1:50 p.m.

Monday, August 15:  5 p.m.

Tuesday, August 16: 1:50 p.m.

   

Wednesday, August 17: 5 p.m.

Thursday, August 18: 1:50 p.m.

Monday, August 22: Practice TBD

Tuesday, August 23: Practice TBD 

Wednesday, August 24:  Practice TBD (Last Open Training Camp Practice)

Weather and field conditions will be evaluated daily, so all dates and times listed are subject to change, including autograph sessions. Free parking will be available at the lot directly north of the Russell Training Center.  No parking will be allowed at area businesses or in the Russell Training Center parking lot.  Video cameras and alcohol are prohibited.

For more information about training camp, click here.

According to Matt Pomeroy of NFL Network, the St. Louis Rams will open training camp on Friday in Earth City, MO, at the Rams training and practice headquarters: the Russell Training Center. 

The NFL Network and ESPN are also reporting that free agency will begin Tuesday at 9 AM central time. 

Specifically, players will report for pre-practice activities and physicals on Friday with the first practice being held on Saturday, according to Bill Coats of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.  However, the report clearly states that these details have not yet been made official.

All rookies will have to be signed, (as was the case in normal years), before participating in training camps. 

The St. Louis Rams selected eight players in the seven-round 2011 NFL Draft. 

Clearly, this will be the most hectic, frenzied week in the history of NFL offseasons.  Some have said it will be the busiest and most concentrated offseason period in the entire history of American sports.

With that said, it is crucial that Kevin Demoff, Billy Devaney and the Rams act swiftly and wisely in the coming days. 

Demoff, the Rams COO/Executive VP of Football Operations, was recently recognized by Don Banks of Sports Illustrated as one of the top 10 future NFL power brokers.  Demoff’s work for the St. Louis Rams organization has been exemplary.  With Demoff, the Rams are in good hands in regard to handling rookie contracts and working efficiently within the cap.

Approaching free agency, the Rams will have to lock up their own free agents.  Those most likely to be retained may include names like Mark Clayton and Daniel Fells. 

The Rams will also move quickly to solidify other roster spots. 

Positions likely to be targeted include backup running back, outside linebacker, safety, defensive tackle and guard.  It will be interesting to see if the Rams target a free agent wide receiver or if they do indeed re-sign Clayton.  Although unlikely, it is possible that they do both.  Plaxico Burress is one wideout who has consistently been mentioned as a possibility for the Rams. 

Other free agents who have been connected with the Rams have included Darren Sproles and Steve Slaton, among others. 

Reggie Bush is an interesting name who will likely be released if unwilling to restructure his deal.  

Bush could potentially contribute significantly to the return game (while keeping Danny Amendola fresh for receiving) and the offense. He would provide as a terrific target for Sam Bradford out of the backfield.  He would offer a new dimension to the Rams offense as a change-of-pace back and an intriguing passing option from either the slot or out of the backfield for swing passes, dump-offs and screens, among other things. 

Decisions made over the next week and the level of success the Rams (and all 32 NFL teams) have in free agency will significantly shape the fate of the 2011 season.

Shane Gray is a passionate St. Louis Rams fan and covers the Rams year round. To check out the rest of his work, click: http://bleacherreport.com/users/582932-shane-gray

Joplin, Mo (KSDK) — Members of the St. Louis Rams front office are on their way to Joplin to help with tornado recovery.

They left on Wednesday morning from Rams Park in Earth City armed with supplies and cases of bottled water.

When they arrive in Joplin, they will spend the day helping in relief efforts from the May 22nd tornado that devastated the town.

KSDK