This is my third training camp this year (New Orleans and Minnesota) and though I’m just getting things started, the tempo and gusto of the Rams practice I just witnessed is pretty intense.

New coach Steve Spagnuolo is trying to reshape this team by figuring out who can keep up and who can grind through the high-paced, high-contact training camp. Spagnuolo’s staff also is doing a lot of individual teaching.

If a player makes a mistake, a coach — including Spagnuolo — will pull him to the side and show him what he needs to do right — not what he is doing wrong. Not much negative stuff going on and most of the yelling is encouragement. I saw Falcons coach Mike Smith use the same strategy last year in his first camp with the Falcons and, as we know, it paid benefits. The positive reinforcement amid a demanding camp helps guys, especially young players, which the Rams have plenty of, get through.

– Steve Wyche

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