The Sports Xchange

EARTH CITY, Mo. — A special tape was played for St. Louis Rams players Sunday, one day before the team took the field for their first special-teams-only practice of training camp, which also was the first practice in full pads.

The tape was of the same practice in 2013 when undrafted linebacker Daren Bates immediately opened a lot of eyes with his tenacity on special teams. It led to Bates making the roster and becoming one of the team’s most productive players on special teams the past two years.

The tape is a message to numerous players that standing out on special teams can be their ticket to making the roster and being a part of the 46-man game-day roster.

Special teams coordinator John Fassel reflected on whether he had a sense of what Bates would be able to do on special teams.

“Not really,” he admitted, “because up until that day we had never had pads on in OTAs or in training camp. So, you think, ‘This guy might have something to him. He may be scrappy and he may be tough.’ But you don’t know until you can go out there and bang with the pads on. Obviously that day kind of woke everybody up as far as the coaches and (we) said, ‘Let’s keep an eye on this guy. Let’s see what happens in the games.’ And he did it in the games.”

Fassel added that teammates “have tons of respect for him because he played some really tough positions” and understands how to play special teams, “which is different.”

“He’s come a long way, and he’s got a long ways to go, really.”

Fassel hopes he’s able to keep his core group, which includes Bates, running back Chase Reynolds, safety Cody Davis and tight end Cory Harkey, to name a few. But, he also knows the challenge of developing new core guys to supplement the group.

What does it take and what does he look for? Fassel said, “It’s a good question and, for an easy answer, guys like Bates and Reynolds and Davis and Benny (Cunningham) and Harkey, there’s something about them where they each have their own unique traits. … If they’re not really fast, they’re tough as hell, maybe a little bit of both. You know, a little bit of smarts is good — not necessarily for the schematics but just for understanding football.

“They show the ability to block and tackle and be able to do both well. Maurice (Alexander) really improved last year. I could name quite a few more guys, but that’s what today was about — to see who could run, scrap, get off the ground when they get knocked down. We didn’t do any scheme work, so it’s just all just running around and trying to keep everybody on two feet by the end of the day, which I think we did.”

–During the first three days of training camp, the Rams had three centers working with the first unit. Day 1 was Tim Barnes, Day 2 Barrett Jones and Day 3 Demetrius Rhaney. That’s essentially the way it was in OTAs and will remain until a starter is named.

Asked how long it might be until a decision is made, coach Jeff Fisher said, “I’m not going to put a date on it or a deadline on it. I think it’s important when you’re in those situations that you don’t overwork any of them. We’re going to rotate them and give them the reps. It’s hard enough nowadays to get the reps; but, when we feel comfortable with it and make a decision, we’ll let you know. But I’m not going to say it’s Week 3 in preseason or Week 4 or whatever. You want to get it done as quickly as you can, but we have three guys that are capable, two that have played. Tim has played more than Barrett. Barrett played a solid 24-28 plays against Kansas City, but Demetrius has a couple of preseason games under his belt from last year. So we’ll just see.”

Asked what he looks for most in the position, Fisher said, “Obviously it’s getting everybody lined up and making the ID calls and making the subtle adjustments on the line of scrimmage, communicating with the quarterback. We have two snaps. We have the shotgun snap and we have the snap under center that are vitally important. Often times that’s taken for granted. I remember a couple of times last year when (former Rams center) Scotty’s (Wells) ball skipped over (the quarterback’s head) and it cost us the game.

“So the snap, the exchange thing, is very, very important. Then it’s the ability to understand, recognize what they’re doing and make the calls and hang in there in a one-on-one situation. Their ability to help, that’s the most important thing. You know when you’re playing different configurations of fronts, your center is going to be quick to go help at some plays. He needs to be right when he goes to help.”