Fans estimates between 6,000-9,000 showed up on Sunday at Lindenwood University in St. Charles for the Rams first scrimmage of the summer. Head coach Steve Spagnuolo wanted to create a scenario similiar to a Sunday in getting ready for the game. Then the team went to work on specific areas during their one hour and 20 minute scrimmage.
The scrimmage involved running plays, third down plays and red zone offense. Sam Bradford was 13 of 20 for 140 with four TDs and a pick against the number two defense. Danny Amendola had eight passes for 70 yards and free agent Mike Sims-Walker had a team high 71 yards and a touchdown.
“The red zone is important for us,” Spagnuolo said. “We try to do as much of that as we can. We have a lot of that next week. So that was encouraging.”
Post scrimmage comments from Sims-Walker.
(On how he evaluates his day)
“I was a little timid at first. I got going a little bit towards the middle, but I got a lot of work to do. I grade myself about a ‘D+,’ ‘C’ that’s just being me.”
(On his command of the offense)
“I think I’m doing pretty good. I’m grasping it. I know all the plays, I just have to get more reps at doing it, seeing different looks. I have to play a little bit faster. That just comes with getting more comfortable with the offense. I think the next week or two I should be fine.”
(On getting into a rhythm with QB Sam Bradford)
“That’s coming too. I’ve been running with 1s and 2s on and off. I haven’t got that many reps with Sam. You know, it’s coming. I’m not trying to rush anything. I’m just doing what the coaches ask me to do and try to do it to the best of my abilities.”
(On having a lot of competition at WR)
“Definitely, but you try to blink a lot of that stuff out and just go play football. And you just try to help everybody. It’s not, I know something and don’t tell you, I see something you’re doing…I’m going to try and help you out and I hope you do the same. I don’t look at it like a competition. We’re all a family and we’re all out here working, fighting, and competing against each other. We’re a football team and we just try to do our best.”
(On if it’s his goal to be the No. 1 receiver on the team)
“That better be everybody’s goal at the receiver position. Of course that’s mine and I hope that’s everybody’s position. I mean it’s a job. If you love what you’re doing, you compete at what you’re doing, everybody wants to be the No.1.”
(On what he thought about the scrimmage)
“It was fun. I had a good time. We had a good receiver…had a nice fan base out here. We were out here competing on this hot grass. It was a good day. We’ve got a lot to do, we’ve got a lot to improve but we’re just getting started.”
(On how long it takes him to get familiar with a new playbook)
“It takes a while. I was a rookie back then so it’s kind of different. I’m pretty sure it will take at least a couple weeks to get comfortable. To be able to go out there and be confident in what you’re doing, route running precision, timing – everything. It takes a lot. Football is a team sport so it takes all 11 guys to go out there and be on the same page.”
