The 0-5 Rams went back to work on Wednesday to prepare for their week 6 game
against the 3-2 Baltimore Ravens.
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On the injury
front: Steven Jackson, Raonall Smith, Dane Looker are all out for this week. Isaac Bruce did not practice, but is
improving and a determination will be made if he can play later in the
week. Dante Hall did not practice,
is listed as week to week, and looks like he will not play on Sunday. Torry Holt was held out of practice as a
precaution to rest his surgically repaired knee. It is expected that he will not miss any
time. Marc Bulger was limited in
practice but did throw more during practice than he did last week. Corey Chavous was limited and is also
improving from a pectoral injury.
Tye Hill and Todd Johnson were full practice and are both probable to
play Sunday.
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It appears cornerback
Tye Hill will be back on the field on Sunday, although an official determination
will be made by Friday. Head coach
Scott Linehan said that Hill may not start at cornerback but may see time in
passing situations. Hill said, “I
have been on the sideline for quite some time now. I’m itching to get back out there at the
same time but you defiantly want to be smart about it. The way it’s looking like now, as long
as I keep progressing, I’ll defiantly be out there.”
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It also appears that
Gus Frerotte will be the starting quarterback in week 6. Linehan said that Bulger is improving
and will be the emergency number two quarterback, but that he should need at
least another week of practice.
Speaking about the challenge against the Ravens Frerotte said, “They are
a very good team, they give you a lot of things you have to prepare for and it
is going to be a physical game. We
just have to come out and battle, you have to give it your all, you’ve got to
dig down deep.” Speaking on Ray Lewis, “He’s a heck of a player, he’s the leader of the defense, he gets those
guys revved up, brings a lot of energy to the team and to the stadium. It doesn’t matter who is around him, he
gets those guys to play and play hard.
We look forward to the challenge and we know what spot we’re in and we’re
backed into a corner and have to come out fighting.”
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With Dante Hall most
likely out on Sunday, wide receiver Marques Hagans will be the return specialist
against the Ravens. Hagans, who
will see a substantial amount of time at wide out as well, was listed as the
Rams third quarterback for the first four weeks and played in his first game of
the season last week, catching one pass for eleven yards. Hagans also went in as a kick returner
after Hall’s injury, returned one kickoff for 20 yards against the
Cardinals.
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Todd Johnson was full
practice on Wednesday and will most likely start at safety for the Rams. Ron Bartell might see more time at
safety, depending on if Tye Hill is able to start and if Bartell feels more
comfortable at the position.
Bartell was forced into action at safety after the season ending foot
injury to Jerome Carter. On the
move to safety Bartell said, “It is not a big deal to me, I think I am versatile
enough and a smart enough football player to make the transition if need
be. I am just happy that the
coaching staff has the confidence in me that if need be I can slide in and play
safety.”