We're just a few days away from the first open Rams practice of the season, which has become a bit of an event for local fans. Sort of like the swallows returning to Capistrano, it isn't in and of itself a very unusual event -- football players practice, we get it -- but it heralds the opening of a new season. So we go, smartphones and water bottles in hand, to watch the proceedings with a sniper's eyes, hoping to find elements of significance to latch our hopes onto.

I love practice observations -- particularly in the Twitter-enabled world where you can get a firehose of chatter going from a dozen or more enthusiastic spotters -- but they're ultimately not nearly as revealing as we want them to be. A player that excels in practice (ahem Brandon Gibson) or in the preseason (hello Lance Kendricks) isn't necessarily guaranteed of translating that excellence into the regular season.

We know this, but at the same time there are always subtle indicators that show up in practice that do echo into regular season play. With that in mind, here are three things that we should be able to see in practice that should be significant in terms of the season to come.

#1: Sam Bradford's time to release.

NFL Films guru Greg Cosell analyzed Sam Bradford's puzzling 2011 decline and highlighted a critical factor: "Bradford was tentative in the pocket, not mentally sharp, and at times he did not let it loose when he had a throw."

We didn't know it at the time, but this was evident in the Rams' practices as well. Whereas his play under Pat Shurmur was predicated on making quick reads and throwing darts, under Josh McDaniels he seemed more content to float back and watch routes unfurl. It wasn't uncommon for a play to evolve for four, five or six seconds in practice before Bradford made a throw. Often, it was a beauty of a throw, and we were so wrapped up (then as now) in the wide receiver competition that we were more focused on the catch (or non-catch) to notice that in a real game, without the red jersey, he would have been spread out like fertilizer on the grass.

A return to a West-Coast-based offense should mean a return to decisions made on pre-snap reads and quick throws (two seconds or less from the snap), rather than waiting on combo routes and one-on-one battles to unfold.

#2: Robert Quinn vs Rodger Saffold

One of the true highlights of camp is watching the linemen square off against each other in pass rush / pass protection drills. Whenever those start, I turn away from whatever else is going on and hustle over there to watch.

Three years ago, watching Chris Long engage in these drills was painful. He was so easily swallowed up in his bull rush, and so frustrated at being contained by savvier players like Adam Goldberg. One year later, though, he looked like a different man. He had a far more refined rip move, and his first step seemed lightning fast. He ate up whoever was trying to guard him, and it paid off in a breakthrough 8 1/2 sack season (with a league-leading 57 hurries) that put him back on the map as a pass-rushing force. 

This year, with so much talent on the defensive side of the ball and such uncertainty on the offensive side, there will be a lot at stake in these battles. Saffold needs to show significant improvement, especially on inside moves - something that Quinn is naturally gifted at. We want to see Quinn become more fully realized as well, showing more consistent motor and more strength to go along with his speed.

#3: Who's being vocal?

The leadership on field can be seen in practice, although it's easier to see when those leaders are being vocal and animated. Chris Long and James Laurinaitis were the obvious captains on defense, and helped ensure that the team never quit on the 2011 season despite the piles of demoralizing losses (of games and teammates).

However, Steven Jackson and Sam Bradford both tend toward "quiet" leadership ... Bradford especially. Part of this is a factor of how they spend their "down" time -- Bradford rarely spent a minute on the sideline without McDaniels or a backup QB in his ear. The offensive line also felt captain-less. It will be interesting to see whether Harvey Dahl (reunited with offensive line coach Paul Boudreau) or veteran center Scott Wells (and his Packers Super Bowl ring) take audible and visible charge of their unit.

One player whose voice will be missed, at least from a fan's perspective, is Mardy Gilyard. He may not be quite NFL caliber as a wideout, but he's got a Hall of Fame level of swagger. No doubt our ears will be tuned to Janoris Jenkins, Cortland Finnegan and Brian Quick to fill that void.

Brian McIntyre at NFL.com recently profiled the Rams' WR battle as one of the league's camp competitions to watch. And in doing so, he gives us his picks to make the roster, and highlights who he thinks is on the bubble. Let's start with the givens (pun intended):

The Rams used the No. 33 overall draft pick on Appalachian State receiver Brian Quick, who signed a four-year, $5.387 million contract that included $3.822 million in guaranteed money, and spent the No. 96 draft pick on Wake Forest receiver Chris Givens.

Quick and Givens are not going anywhere. Beyond that, it's a free-for-all for three, maybe four roster spots.

McIntyre also pits Danny Amendola vs Steve Smith in a battle for the primary slot receiver, though it wouldn't be a surprise to see both on the roster. The battle then for the remaining one or two spots comes down to four players: 

Greg Salas posted big numbers out of the slot at Hawaii and was having a promising rookie season before suffering a broken leg midway through the season. Injuries to Amendola and Salas is what got 2011 third-round selection Austin Pettis on the field as a rookie. Pettis' performance is why the Rams invested so heavily in the wide receiver position again this April. Brandon Gibson currently sits atop the depth chart, but he's a player the current coaching staff and front office inherited, has a seven-figure salary ($1 million) and can be released with no cap implications. The new regime also inherited Danario Alexander, who is a game-changing deep threat when healthy, which he rarely is.

Despite the easy dig on Pettis, McIntyre introduces a surprise factor that may just save him from preseason roster cuts: his impending season-opening sit-down for performance-enhancing drugs:

"Pettis is suspended for the first two games, and he has talent, so why release him at the end of training camp? Given the injuries the Rams had at the position last year, they may need him by Week 3. 

Like any player looking to impress a new coaching staff - especially one as veteran as this, with WR coach Ray Sherman easily able to measure you on a scale of 0 to TO - all of the Rams' holdover wideouts face a steep challenge to get back on the field.

We all love a good position battle - it brings drama to camp with real-life implications for the regular season. But in few places is that camp competition more vital to the turnaround of this team than in the offensive line, a must-makeover for the new Rams regime.

In fact, when you start laying the blame for the Rams' sickening spiral to 2-14, and the firing of everyone not named Demoff from the front office, it all starts with the inability to build an offensive line. It wasn't for lack of spending - $161 million in guaranteed contracts in the Devaney era, including Harvey Dahl's $16M deal. But the results... it's enough to make a grown man ball up his fists and cry.

Football Outsiders rated them generously at 28th best in the league as a pass-blocking unit, and 30th best at run-blocking. Evan Silva of Rotoworld puts a finer point on it, heading into 2012, rating the Rams dead last. 

Well, when throwing money out the window isn't working, I suppose it's all right for the Rams to practice a little austerity. Demoff opened up the pocketbook to replace departed center Jason Brown with elder Packer Scott Wells, but that was to be the only free agent signing of note. Which means most of the Rams' hopes for improved O-line play come down to that elusive quantity: "improvement from within." 

Battle: Paul Boudreau vs the wreckage left behind by Steve Loney

I spent considerable chunks of time watching Steve Loney's unit practice, but I'm not sophisticated enough to pinpoint what was going wrong. Clearly, just about everything was. Loney's OL played soft and tentatively, and players flatlined under his watch. When you're starting project picks at both tackle spots, strong and relentless coaching is essential, and Loney didn't give it to them. 

Boudreau steps in, having built a dominant run-blocking force out of a collection of relative no-names in Atlanta, and should lean heavily on old comrade Harvey Dahl to help transplant some backbone into this group. As David Heeb points out, Boudreau's OL made life much easier for Matt Ryan than Sam Bradford has ever known. But with Saffold, Smith and whoever plays left guard all needing intensive attention, Boudreau will be spread thin.

Battle: Jason Smith vs himself

In his camp preview, Rams correspondent Nick Waggoner pronounces Jason Smith "ready to plug in" at right tackle. But then he opens the door for speculation by saying that "the Rams were without Wells, Saffold and Smith for various injury issues during that time and never really had a chance for any type of group to coalesce."

While it's smart to be cautious with injuries early in camp, Smith has an apparent issue with his level of desire. Does he have it in his blood to bring his full physical frame into play, to get low and stick his blocks consistently? With his concussion history, is he afraid to bring his pads down and put his head in there? (I would be.) And can the converted tight end finally figure out his footwork, and settle into his pass-blocking stance with a minimum of fuss?

This figures to be Smith's last chance in St Louis. If it doesn't pan out, the Rams will be leaning on career backup Quinn "Moose" Ojinnaka here. Or, they may consider sliding Dahl over, as the Rams did with success last season.

Battle: Bryan Mattison vs Rokevious Watkins

In one corner, you have a raw-as-dirt rookie, a towering brute weighing in at 6'4" and 330 lbs. In the other corner, you have the incumbent (by virtue of being the last man standing), a beneficiary of two camps and four games of playing time, standing at 6'3 and 310 lbs. Roke vs Matt. New vs not-so-new. Power vs not-so-much-power. Raw vs lightly toasted.

It shouldn't be a secret which way I'm leaning in this matchup. I am Team Rokevious all the way, rooting for the hulking fifth-round pick from South Carolina to bull his way to a starting job. He seems like the pure embodiment of a Jeff Fisher team - power and punch and more than a bit of nasty, fueled by the chip-on-the-shoulder attitude of the low-drafted. But this could be a wide-open battle that lasts into the regular season before it's settled.

Why yes, that is Han Solo frozen in carbonite on the back of my iPhone. Why do you ask?

The long, mostly peaceful slumber of the offseason is nearly over. Unlike most warm-blooded beasts who slow their blood and unconsciously eat their own fat while dreaming vacant, endless dreams throughout the deep winter, we footballers spend our summer months drowsing wearily through sun-baked parking lots and over-cooled cubicles, piling up popsicle sticks and frozen custard containers alongside our empties; functional, perhaps, but not really alive. 

With all that said, it's tough to snap right back into football with all brain cells firing. Especially when the sun is still actively trying to set fire to your eyeballs, and you don't stop sweating until you've been inside for at least fifteen minutes. (Fall me, maybe?)

But the Rams' first open practice is but a week away, and if you've been catnapping through the minicamps like I have, protocol dictates that you spend a little time catching up before making the drive out to Earth City. Some quick notes:

Obviously, everything hinges on Sam Bradford.

Your friend and mine, Tevin Broner of Turf Show Times, put out an open question a little while back (expect a writeup soon, I would think) on who the ten most important Rams are heading into 2012. If there is anyone besides Sam Bradford at the top of the list when all the responses are tallied, I would be shocked. No, shocked isn't a strong enough word. I would be dead. 

No matter how much of an emphasis on defense and the run that Jeff Fisher puts on this team, wins will only come if Bradford makes the big leap forward as a passer and a leader. Now entering his third year, he doesn't have the new-rookie smell any more. He doesn't even have the mantle of "next big thing" that gets applied to all promising second-year players. No, he's entering the "PROVE IT" portion of his career.

The bad news is that he is having to start over from scratch - again - with a new coach, new offensive coordinator, the stink of an awful season hanging over the team, and renewed doubts about his durability. (Not his toughness, mind you. His durability. Two different things.)

The good news is that expectations have been reset completely. He doesn't have to be the instant savior any more ... but he does need to pick himself off the turf metaphorically speaking. It would help if he didn't have to do that so literally so often. 

Here's a quick table of starting quarterbacks who've taken at least 70 sacks, among other assorted punishments, in their first two seasons, sorted by QB Rating. (Thx, pfref)

1. Ken O'Brien (Jets) - 89.7 (31 TDs, 15 INTs)
2. Tony Eason (Pats) - 85.3 (24 TDs, 13 INTs)
3. Charlie Batch (Lions) - 83.8 (24 TDs, 13 INTs)
4. Jim Kelly (Bills) - 83.5 (41 TDs, 28 INTs)

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5. Jake Plummer (Cards) - 74.3 (32 TDs, 35 INTs)
6. Sam Bradford (Rams) - 74.2 (24 TDs, 21 INTs)
7. Jeff George (Colts) - 73.8 (26 TDs, 25 INTs)
8. Warren Moon (Oilers) - 73.1 (27 TDs, 33 INTs)
9. Donovan McNabb (Eagles) - 73.0 (29 TDs, 20 INTs)
10. Tony Banks (Rams) - 71.3 (29 TDs, 28 INTs)

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11. Rick Mirer (Seahawks)  - 68.4
12. Steve Fuller (Chiefs) - 67.0
13. David Carr (Texans) - 65.5
14. Archie Manning (Saints) - 63.3
15. Phil Simms (Giants) - 61.7
16. Jim Plunkett (Pats) - 56.7
17. Dennis Shaw (Bills) - 56.1

Notable in this list is that a good number have high draft pedigrees: George, McNabb, Mirer, Carr, and Plunkett were all picked #1 or #2 overall, like Bradford. Also notable, if you click on the link and examine the full table - not a one completed 60% of their passes.

As you can see, there's an awful lot of "busted potential" and "just another guy" on this list. But there are a few, like Plunkett and Simms, who despite their rough starts got all the way to the promised land. (Kelly damn well should have, if he'd had a defense.)

Lots of folks like to make the Troy Aikman - Sam Bradford comparison, but Simms is an interesting comp after two years as well. 

Simms showed improvement in his third year but continued to take singificant punishment playing for a bad Giants team. His career didn't take off until head coach Ray Perkins gave way to defensive-minded Bill Parcells - who promptly benched Simms, making him earn his way back into the starting lineup.

The rest, as we like to say when we get tired of writing, is history.

Not a good look for a couple of defensemen

Robert Quinn renewed a rather unpleasant tradition among St Louis defensive ends, getting arrested for a DWI after a one-car crash in the wee hours earlier this month. It may be the only time that Quinn might be grateful to have not hit anyone. But it does start the season on an uncomfortable foot for Quinn, of whom much growing up is expected in year two.

Meanwhile, Janoris Jenkins remains unsigned and might be missing in action in that season-opening practice. The Rams are trying to turn Jenkins' signing bonus into a series of staggered rewards for good behavior... perhaps an early indication of the tough love that Fisher brings to his handling of so-called "trouble" players.

The Rams want to get social-media crazy

With a new coaching staff comes a host of new people in various parts of the front office, and a new approach toward reaching out to the fans. A hint - it appears to involve heavy doses of social media. Expect to see a lot of promotions geared around their Facebook and Twitter presences ... now they just need to get wireless signals working inside the Dome.

This year's ant in the magnifying glass: Brian Quick

Every year in camp, a player comes in with a set of outlandish expectations hung on him, fairly or unfairly, and all eyes in practice and preseason games are on that player.

Two years ago (in the non-Bradford category), it was Chris Long, who was struggling to live up to his draft-day billing. Long exploded in a big way, and carried that through into a dominant pass-rising season. Last year, arguably, the spotlight glared most harshly on Austin Pettis as the "new blood" of the receiving corps, especially with fellow draftmate Greg Salas hampered early. Pettis's confidence wilted, though he was hardly alone as part of a whole-sale offensive meltdown in St Louis. 

This year, all eyes will be on Brian Quick - especially Steven Jackson's, who has already issued a challenge to the team's new outside threat. Like any rookie, he's going to have ups and downs, but it will be interesting to see how much chemistry he can establish with Bradford early on. Sam is notorious about developing "favorite" receivers while others languish in a one- or two-target doghouse. 

There are 30 or 40 tight ends on the roster

The Rams might have issued a wee little challenge to disappointing tight ends Lance Kendricks and Mike Hoomanawanui, by shopping for competition at Overstock.com. I have no idea how they're going to work out that many tight ends, but the team's widest competition - and most confusing numbers game - appears to be here.

Notably, most of them appear to be in the "block-first" category, a clear sign that Lance and Mike might be locked in single combat for the coveted "Dustin Keller" role in Brian Schottenheimer's offense while the Rams look to beef up their running game with more pure blockers.

Pardon us if we don't even attempt to learn a good number of these names untill the wheat gets separated from the chaff. Expect numerous sideline tweets like "Great wipeout block by ...um... thatguy."

But hey, it's still early August. You can't expect us hibernaters to be all there yet.

With the number of top-100 picks (six) and holes on the St. Louis Rams' depth chart, perhaps the easier question is "Which rookies won't start for the St. Louis Rams?"

Head coach Jeff Fisher and general manager Les Snead did a tremendous job parlaying the No. 2 overall pick into a plethora of selections to recreate the roster in their own image.

The starting lineup for the season opener at the Detroit Lions will be dramatically different from the one that wound up the 2011 campaign with a loss to the 49ers. Which rookies could be part of it?

First-Round Defensive Tackle Michael Brockers

As Brian McIntyre of NFL.com put it on the occasion of Brockers signing his rookie contract, he'll be an instant starter, probably focusing on running downs at the beginning.

Brockers only played two years at LSU before turning pro. His college statistics were modest (11 career TFL, two sacks), to put it kindly. The No. 14 overall pick's impact and success will be measured mostly by how he progresses and whether he frees up teammates to make plays.

Second-Round Wide Receiver Brian Quick

St. Louis Post-Dispatch beat writer Jim Thomas acknowledges "uncertainties" but writes that "expectations are that when all is said and done, rookies Brian Quick and Chris Givens and veteran Danny Amendola will be the top three receivers." Since Amendola is a slot receiver, that means Quick has a good chance to start on the outside.

Post-Dispatch columnist Bryan Burwell passed on that the Rams think Quick is as good a prospect as No. 5 overall pick Justin Blackmon. Running back Steven Jackson has said the Rams will "lean heavily" on Quick.

If Quick isn't on the field for the first offensive drive of the season and he isn't injured, we'll have to assume that he had a very disappointing camp and preseason.

Second-Round Cornerback Janoris Jenkins

It was very subtle, but head coach Jeff Fisher revealed that he plans on starting Jenkins opposite Cortland Finnegan in an interview with KMOX's Tom Ackerman last month.

Former starter Bradley Fletcher has been recovering well from his second torn ACL and did receive some reps with the first team, according to Nick Wagoner from the Rams' official website, but he'll have to decisively outperform Jenkins to start ahead of the rookie.

Second-Round Running Back Isaiah Pead

Pead won't push Steven Jackson to start—not this year at least—but he could be the team's third-down back in addition to giving Jackson a series or two off a game, according to Thomas. The possible "starter" designation comes from the potential for Pead to take over the punt- and kick-return duties to preserve Amendola's health.

Fourth-Round Wide Receiver Chris Givens

As was stated above, Givens is expected to be among the team's top three receivers, which would put him running with the first team.

Givens' speed is tops on the Rams' wide receiver depth chart, so the mere threat of him being on the field could loosen things up for Quick, Amendola, tight end Lance Kendricks and the running game.

Givens has been working exclusively on the outside according to Wagoner. Greg Salas and Danario Alexander should be his main competition for a starting spot.

Fifth-round Offensive Lineman Rokevious Watkins

Yes, Watkins is part of the cast of thousands - well, five - that will compete to start at left guard. The Rams are going to let everyone compete in training camp and sort it out from there, according to general manager Les Snead. Watkins winning the starting job would be vindication for the Rams, who missed out on Mychal Kendricks and Bobby Wagner to fill one of their outside linebacker spots when they traded down five spots in the second round to acquire the pick used to take the offensive lineman.

Sixth-Round Kicker Greg Zuerlein

How confident are the Rams in Zuerlein as a rookie starter? They cut veteran kicker Josh Brown the day after the draft.

Undrafted Punter Johnny Hekker

The Rams have a wide open competition at punter between veteran Tom Malone and Hekker. 2011 starter Donnie Jones is gone, giving the 6'5" 221 lb. the inside track to start unless he fails to impress in camp and the preseason

It’s time for our Annual-Pre-season state of Sam Bradford address.

Sam Bradford is an elite NFL quarterback. Sam Bradford can't stay healthy. Sam Bradford doesn't have enough help around him. Sam Bradford is overpaid. Sam Bradford's offensive line is going to get him killed. Sam Bradford is the future of the St. Louis Rams.

You might hear all of those things said about Bradford in one week.

I personally think Bradford is going to be an elite NFL QB, and I also believe the Rams will succeed with Bradford as their QB. Bradford was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2010, leading the Rams to a 7-9 record.

However, Bradford fell flat on his face in 2011. In the "what have you done for me lately" world we live in, it seems like some fans have already written Bradford off, like he is not going to truly be the QB to get the Rams over the hump.

Bradford completed 60 percent of his passes as a rookie, with a TD/INT ratio of 18-15. Unlike these other QB's, Bradford didn't have an elite receiving target to throw to. The Rams were a bad team, with three starters on the offensive line that would be replaced by the end of the following season.

Bradford's fall from grace during his sophomore year, in hindsight, was very predictable. The flaws the team had during his rookie season (the receivers, the O Line) weren't adequately addressed prior to the start of his second season, he got saddled with a new offensive coordinator that wanted him to hold the ball longer in order for passing plays to develop, and the Rams played a brutal schedule.

It's hard enough being a young QB, but my goodness, the Rams really set him up to fail in 2011.

I think the Rams will scale things back in 2012. Bradford is going to throw the ball less, and he won't be asked to hold the ball nearly as long when they do have him throw. He has better talent at wide receiver, his second year tight end should be a factor in the passing game, and the offensive line has been upgraded over the last two seasons.

Jeff Fisher has two good running backs. Steven Jackson and his rookie understudy, Isaiah Pead, will give Fisher the two back system he needs to take pressure off of Bradford. The Rams have a talented young defense. Bradford, for the first time in his Rams' career, is in a position where he can succeed. He has help around him.

The heart is there, and I for one am convinced the toughness is as well. Bradford took every offensive snap for the Rams as a rookie in 2010.

Fighting through a high-ankle sprain for five games even though the St. Louis Rams' season appeared doomed scored points with teammates. There is value in that for a quarterback.

Recovery timetables vary, so it's impossible to say for sure whether Bradford returned more quickly than another player would have under the same circumstances.

Bradford was back in the lineup 21 days after suffering the injury at Green Bay. Research conducted by ESPN’s Mike Sando last season showed three Cleveland Browns quarterbacks returning from high-ankle sprains after 28, 28 and 31 days in 2010. Two of those Cleveland quarterbacks injured their right ankles, used for planting. Bradford and Colt McCoy (28 days) injured their left ankles, which take less abuse for a right-handed quarterback.

Bradford beat reasonable expectations, at least, and those are the types of things teammates notice. He was obviously not 100 percent upon returning. The injury forced him to the sideline for four of the final five games.

Now, we'll see if Bradford has the goods. I'm guessing he'll show us all that he does.

It’s clear that the St. Louis Rams and the city’s Convention and Visitors Commission remain miles apart when it comes to what it will take to upgrade the Edward Jones Dome to a top-tier NFL stadium.

Meanwhile, Fenton mayor Dennis Hancock finds himself sitting on 300 acres of open land after the Chrysler plant was razed last year.

In other words, hey Mayor Slay...

“It has a half-mile of highway frontage, it’s at the intersection of Highway 270 and 44,” Hancock points out. “It’s in a vibrant area, a great location for redevelopment.”

He says the five million square feet of available space would leave plenty of room for a new Rams stadium, lots of parking, and space for other development.

Speaking with KMOX News, Hancock makes it clear he’s not actively pitching the space as a replacement for the downtown dome, and he’s not currently in talks with the Rams, the CVC, or anybody else about it.

He’s merely open to the idea, one year after a plant that provided $1 million a year to his city’s tax base packed up and left.

“If it helps sell the site and helps put people back to work, then I’d be all for it,” Hancock says.