Rams' rookies see some familiar faces

ST. LOUIS (AP) - First-round pick Michael Brockers might have an advantage when it comes to most of the 39 players at the St. Louis Rams' rookie minicamp. He has two former LSU teammates along for the ride.

"They're making me real comfortable," said Brockers, a defensive tackle taken 14th overall. "Somebody to sit with at lunch and at breakfast and I don't have to be isolated to myself."

First-year coach Jeff Fisher said Friday that he wants the 37 rookies and two second-year players to have that comfort level. The two-day camp is more to learn about expectations than to have the playbook memorized.

The Rams practiced for about 90 minutes in the late afternoon before heading inside for more meetings to end the day.

"We got a lot done," Fishers said. "We had to teach them how to stretch, show them the facility and explain them what we wanted to get accomplished. This is more of an orientation. I thought the first day was good. We saw some good things; things that we saw prior to the draft translate onto the field."

The group includes the 10 draft picks this year, 25 free agents and four tryout players. All the draftees were in camp and there were no injuries reported. Brockers had the only visible physical issue with a large bandage on his leg. He said the injury came after getting clipped by a teammate's cleat and that it wasn't a concern.

The full team will begin workouts Tuesday. Isaiah Pead, a running back out of Cincinnati taken with the third pick of the second round, said he can't wait for the veterans to arrive. He'll be working next to Steven Jackson, the standout back entering his ninth year with the Rams.

"Once we all get out here, I'll definitely be in his hip pocket," Pead said.

For now, Pead said the expectations are manageable both because the coaching staff isn't trying to push too much, too early.

"It's not challenging at all, because you come in with the mindset of you don't know what to expect so you have to expect everything," he said. "You've got to expect that coaches are going to expect you to know the playbook once they teach it to you one time. You've got to be on your toes and help each other. You've just got to embrace everything; you can't get overwhelmed and play football. We're football players."

It's the exact approach Fisher was seeking. He stressed that all the players were chosen to help the Rams win - though he stressed the team's 2-14 finish last year has been forgotten and he and the Rams have moved on - and they shouldn't worry about earning jobs.

"Just relax, makes sure you're studying, you're focusing, your asking questions," he said. "You teach them how to be a pro and the responded well."