THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2007
SPORTS
7B
》FOOTBALL
Rams gear up for first game of the season
Hall anticipates playing in Sunday's game with new team
BY R.B. FALLSTROM AP SPORTS WRITER
Tom Gannam/ASSOCIATED PRESS
St. Louis Rams Dante Hall makes a one handed grab during a passing drill on the third day of football training camp on July 29 at the Rams training facility in St. Louis.
ST. LOUIS—Dante Hall is eager to play his first game with a new team, even if it is the preseason. But the veteran return man has his limits.
Hall, who missed the St. Louis Rams' preseason opener with a hamstring injury, said Thursday he's scheduled to play the first half on Saturday night against the San Diego Chargers. He
expects to play some at wide receiver in the second quarter.
"I've got my mom and son coming in for the first time, and it's going to be my first time playing for a new team, so there's going to be a lot of anxiety," Hall said. "I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be an exciting weekend all the way around."
"I've got my mom and son coming in for the first time,and it's going to be my first time playing for a new team."
Hall, who said he's 95 percent healed from the hamstring injury, doesn't figure to have such a high anticipation level the rest of the preseason. He believes it's two games too long.
"Two would be like perfect, ideal." Hall said "I would say two if I had to vote, but the owners have got to pocket that money, so I understand."
sit in the final preseason game.
DANTE HALL Rams return specialist
Another veteran, defensive tackle La'Roi Glover, also is expected to make his preseason debat against the Chargers. Glover missed the opener with a hip flexor injury but has practiced the last two days.
Like most teams, the Rams conserve veterans for the regular season even if they're healthy. The starters played sparingly in the opener and are likely to see increased time the next two games, and then most will
Coach Scott Linehan wants to see both on the field, although he'll exercise caution.
"I'd like to see them play enough to see that they're getting the snaps they're going to need to get
ready for the season," Linehan said. "You've got to be smart.
"I think Dante's really gotten a lot better with his hamstring, and we'll make sure Glover doesn't have any issues or soreness or setbacks."
The Rams are counting on Hall, acquired from the Kansas City Chiefs in April for a fifth-round draft pick, to revive a long dormant return game. The 28-year-old Hall has returned 11 kickoffs and punts
Glover is entering his 13th season, most on the Rams' defense. He's
for touchdowns in his seven-year career, but became expendable in Kansas City when his numbers declined the last two seasons.
St. Louis has been near the bottom of the NFL in both kickoff and pun several years.
"I'd like to see them play enough to see that they're getting the snaps they're going to need to get ready for the season."
SCOTT LINEHAN
Rams coach
kickoff and punt returns the last several years.
among a group of veterans on the line helping first-round pick Adam Carriker, the nose tackle, get up to speed.
"It's good to get out there, mostly from a timing standpoint working with James Hall and Adam."
Glover said. "We can get on the same page so during the season, I
can just nod and that'll be enough so that James will know what I want to do."
Notes: The Rams practiced indoors despite a break in the heat with the temperature at 90 rather than triple-digits as it had been for several days, with Linehan citing windy conditions. The team has closed workouts to the public for the rest of the summer... QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, fighting for the third-string job with Brock Berlin, has a cracked rib and will be a game-time decision. ... Several thousand tickets remain unsold and the game will not be televised locally.
>> NFL
Mother of slain Broncos player attends practice
BY STEPHEN HAWKINS
AP SPORTS WRITER
IRVING, Texas—The Denver Broncos surrounded the mother of slain cornerback Darrent Williams, then she broke the huddle after watching the team practice for the first time Thursday since her son's death.
"It was special for everyone involved," coach Mike Shanahan said.
Williams sat with family members on a shade-covered bleacher. When the 90-minute practice ended, veteran safety John Lynch came and got Williams, then escorted her to the team.
Rosalind Williams visited with several Broncos coaches and players at their hotel earlier Thursday. While reluctant at first, she then decided to attend the last of four practices over two days against the Dallas Cowboys—not far from her Fort Worth home.
"It was good for everyone,"
Lynch said. "I know it was difficult for them, and difficult for us. In the end, it's another step in the healing process."
Darrent Williams was slain on New Year's Day in Denver in a drive-by shooting that remains unsolved.
Shanahan embraced Rosalind Williams, then shared a few words with the players, who applauded. Williams then broke the huddle by leading the team's practice-ending chant.
"I know it was tough on her," Shanahan said. "Obviously coming out here, she wasn't really sure she could keep her emotions in check. She shared with me she was very happy she did."
At the NFLs request, Rosalind Williams taped a message that was shown to all 32 NFL teams this preseason during the league's annual player safety meetings. She said her message was: "Never think you're too safe. Always be careful of your surroundings and be aware of your surroundings"
Tom Pennington/Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan hugs Rosalind Williams, mother of slain Broncos cornerback Darren Williams, following the Broncos football practice against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday at Valley Ranch in Irving. Texas.
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