New offensive linemen should strengthen unit

ST. LOUIS -- After three Rams quarterbacks suffered injuries last season, the St. Louis offensive line has been rebuilt.

The Rams three-day minicamp ended Sunday and coach Mike Martz said he liked what he saw from newcomers Kyle Turley at right tackle and Dave Wohlabaugh at center.

"He's dominant," Martz said about Turley, who was acquired in a trade with New Orleans. "Kyle Turley's personality ... we've made a big issue of his toughness and his aggressiveness. We've got to remember the type of athlete he is.

"He's got extremely good feet. He can go over to the left side. Watching him out there, he can do anything he wants. He's just a terrific athlete. He's very physical."

Turley fits in well

Turley said he is fitting in well with the Rams.

"What we have right now is a great football team. Everybody is out there with a tremendous amount of talent," Turley said. "We are getting it together. A lot of guys are learning new assignments and plays, so it is important for us to come together and have the collectiveness that we need to get the job done."

Wohlabaugh, who signed as a free agent from Cleveland in the offseason, has impressed Martz as well.

"Dave Wohlabaugh is quietly one of the biggest acquisitions we've made in quite some time," Martz said. "He's an unusual center with his quickness. That's not a reflection on Andy (McCollum). Obviously, we think Andy is a good player; that's why he's starting at left guard. Most centers in this league can't do what Dave does with his type of quickness. That's a tremendous gift for us."

Adjustment smooth

The adjustment of joining the Rams and learning a new offense has not been that difficult, Wohlabaugh said.

"Fortunately for me, I've got Adam Timmerman and Andy McCollum, two great players, and they have been in this system for a number of years so the communication is there," Wohlabaugh said. "I just try to get better every play."

The two newcomers join Timmerman at right guard and Grant Williams at left tackle. Orlando Pace, who had the franchise tag applied to him in the offseason, did not attend the minicamp.

"I think everyone is settling in good and we have good communication," Timmerman said. "It's looked good for us in this camp. We've got the talent. I think we could be one of the top lines in the league."

That's good news for quarterback Kurt Warner, who fractured the pinky finger on his right hand last year and missed most of the season.

"Our offensive line is going to be strong," Warner said. "When we get No. 76 (Pace) back, it's going to be pushing to be the best offensive line in the league. Dave has picked it up well. Kyle, I mean, for a guy that big and that strong, he's an amazing athlete. His attitude has been tremendous. They're both huge additions and they've earned our respect."

Noteworthy

Running back Marshall Faulk was excused from Sunday's last workout. He had agreed to be in a wedding, Martz said.

Quarterback Marc Bulger said he is completely recovered from his injuries last season. Bulger said he has put on 12 to 13 pounds in the offseason. "I hope it's all muscle," Bulger quipped.

The Rams retain an interest in New York Giants free agent Jason Sehorn, Martz said. Sehorn would used as a free or strong safety.

Top draft pick Jimmy Kennedy, a defensive tackle from Penn State, will undergo more conditioning work. Kennedy had an MRI on Saturday. The exam revealed a bone bruise on his left knee. "He's going on two-a-days in the training room. We've got him on the bicycle. We're going to put him in the tub and we're going to put him on the Stairmaster," Martz said. "Conditioning-wise, he came in awfully out of shape."

Defensive tackle Ryan Pickett did not work out Sunday. He hurt his hamstring in Saturday's workout.

The Rams had a barbecue picnic for everyone after the practice ended. It was the first time in two years since the Rams did that.