Minnesota rookie lineman makes positive impression

ST. LOUIS -- In the battle of guards taken on consecutive picks in the seventh round of the draft by the St. Louis Rams, Mark Setterstrom appears to be running well ahead of Missouri's Tony Palmer.

Coach Scott Linehan was effusive about the skills of Setterstrom, a four-year starter at Minnesota taken with the 242nd pick. His endorsement of Palmer, who missed only a few starts in four seasons at Missouri and the 243rd player taken, was less convincing.

Linehan said Setterstrom was "mature beyond his years."

"He plays with great leverage, he's smart, he always plays with a great base and the game goes the speed it would for a veteran," Linehan said. "You don't see him lunging and getting overextended.

"He knows what he does well and he doesn't maximize his limitations, so to speak, and that's very rare in a rookie."

Linehan's friendship with Minnesota coach Glen Mason no doubt factors into the equation. Linehan spent a day with Mason this summer when he was in that state visiting friends and got a rousing endorsement for Setterstrom.

"Glen said he's the best lineman he's had since he's been there," Linehan said. "That says a lot."

Of Palmer, listed at 330 pounds, he said weight was a concern.

"He's shown flashes the last couple of days," Linehan said. "He got himself in pretty good shape and he seems to be hanging in there pretty good at this point. I've noticed him with that third group."

Resting Bruce

Wide receiver Isaac Bruce, the longest-tenured Ram and entering his 14th season, is getting some concessions to his age in training camp. On two-a-day workout days, the team is trying to get him more mental reps on one of the workouts.

Linehan said Bruce has earned the rest with his conditioning and attention to detail.

"My experience is that experienced players who are accountable and always in their books get it done," Linehan said. "The other thing is he works out before practice and after practice and he has an unbelievable training regimen, so I'm not worried about him."

Noteworthy

• Offensive tackle Orlando Pace was an excused absence for Monday's first workout because his wife was giving birth. The team announced a son, Landon, weighed in at 8 pounds, 8 ounces.

* Punter Matt Turk rested his leg recovering from a cyst from which fluid was drained recently.