Rams Looking for 'Hidden Gems' with Rookie Free Agents

IRVINE, CA - The Los Angeles Rams conducted their first training camp practice of 2016 with pads today at UC Irvine, and like in the previous four years, it was a special teams practice.

"We've had success over the past couple years finding undrafted rookie free agents in these types of practices," special teams coordinator John Fassel said.

"It's just a chance for us to see guys compete, use the techniques that we've practiced in (organized team activities), but to put the pads on is a different ball game."

Fassel said after coaches review video of the practice "we'll probably find a couple hidden gems."

Punter Johnny Hekker said today he would wear a No. 3 jersey in practice in memory of former Michigan State punter Mike Sadler and Nebraska punter Sam Foltz, who were killed in a car accident in Wisconsin on July 23.

"Mike inspired everyone he met," Hekker tweeted. "I am blessed to get to honor a man that touched so many lives."

Hekker met Sadler, who wore No. 3, before his freshman year with the Spartans at a camp.

Sadler was a first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2012 and 2013, a first- team Academic All-American in 2013 and 2014 and graduated with a bachelor's degree in applied engineering sciences with a 3.97 GPA on a 4.0 scale.

Sadler received a master's degree in public policy in 2015. He was scheduled to begin law school at Stanford this fall.

The first training camp practice in pads for the offense and defense will be on Tuesday and open to the public. Gates at UC Irvine's Crawford Field will open at 2 p.m. with the practice beginning at 3:30 p.m. Admission is free.

"We're eagerly awaiting that opportunity to put the shoulder pads on so the offense can show what they've got, because it's obviously a practice scenario situation where the defense typically gets the advantage before the pads go on, so the offense is looking forward to it," coach Jeff Fisher said.

Following Tuesday's practice, defensive backs 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.

"Unfortunately, we don't have time to get every autograph signed because players have responsibilities inside and then meal and meetings, but they're doing the best they can," Fisher said.

City News Service