- Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo bid an inspirational farewell to the players Tuesday but left them with a warning about training camp, which begins after rookies, quarterbacks and selected veterans report July 29. “The first five days are definitely a bear, the way it’s laid out, the times of practices, the length of practices,” Spagnuolo said of his plans for workouts. “Typically, if you don’t come in shape and in the right frame of mind, you run the risk of getting injured and not being up to speed for what we want to do. After that, it doesn’t get that much easier, but it tends to thin out a little bit and they’re able to survive.”
- QB Marc Bulger told the media that he realizes that this season is probably his last chance as a starter for the Rams. “I understand we have to win,” Bulger told FOXSports.com after a recent offseason practice. “It’s not fair to our fans or the ownership. If we don’t, I know it starts with me. It’s probably my final chance.” After being a perennial Pro Bowler early in his career, Bulger has been a major disappointment over the last few years as the Rams have turned into one of the worst teams in the league.
- Bears MLB Brian Urlacher is still out with a groin injury. That’s not a huge concern in mid-June, but considering a hamstring injury in late July 2004 was an issue for the entire season, it’s something to monitor. Urlacher did some jogging on the side with Hunter Hillenmeyer, who missed the entire offseason program to recover from surgery to repair a sports hernia. ”Once you’ve gone through an entire offseason, a lot of players have sore muscles — no more than that,” coach Lovie Smith said. ”I’m putting Brian along with quite a few other players that we have right now. And we try to take precautions with the guys at this point of the season.”
- Packers first-round draft pick Clay Matthews was working at right outside linebacker with the second string defense on Wednesday. “We’ve been watching his reps because of the hamstring.” McCarthy said. “Last week they’re a little tentative, but this week was full go,” said Matthews. Matthews said he didn’t feel as if he fell behind, but he wasn’t sure when he would work with the starters. Jeremy Thompson has been in that role. “They haven’t told me,” said Matthews. “I’m sure once they feel comfortable enough to put me with the ones . . . Right now there’s players ahead of me that know what they’re doing.”
- Titans Coach Jeff Fisher said he didn’t fault Vince Young for speaking out – reporters asked questions and Young answered them. “Anybody that is in a backup role right now is frustrated because they are not playing,” Fisher said. “It doesn’t just stop at Vince. Everybody wants to be a starter and we understand that. I wouldn’t classify it as frustration. He understands that he is in the situation that he is in and he just needs to keep working.” Young was defensive last season when asked about things like his demotion and whether he had quit on his teammates by initially refusing to re-enter the opener after being booed. Wednesday a much more collected Young said he’s learned a lot since then.
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