~ St. Louis was without a defensive coordinator during its first field activity under Fisher

ST. LOUIS -- Sam Bradford claimed he had no idea the New Orleans Saints were running a bounty pool before the news broke. The St. Louis Rams played the Saints the last two years, although Bradford missed last year's upset over New Orleans with an injury, and there was no suggestion of any over-the-top behavior.

Then again, Bradford said the scandal that cost the Rams their new defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams, wasn't a total shock.

"Guys on defense are out there to hit the ball carrier," Bradford said Tuesday after the first day of a two-day voluntary minicamp that also was new coach Jeff Fisher's first day on the field. "There's no doubt in my mind guys on defense are after big hits, and they should be. I would be, too. As far as bounties, I wasn't aware of it."

Running the defense thus far appears to be a collaborative effort.

Players noted instructions seemed to be coming from everywhere on the first day. That includes Fisher, who figures to be more hands-on than he might have anticipated. Fisher said the staff has been efficient picking up the slack for Williams, who was suspended indefinitely by the NFL for his role in the bounty scandal during his time with the Saints.

Schedule released

The Rams will make their first prime-time appearance since playing the Steelers on Dec. 20, 2007 when they host the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday, Oct. 4.

The game was among the highlights in the 2012 schedule that was released Tuesday.

The Rams will play the Lions in the opening week for the seventh time and first time since 1980 when they meet Sept. 9 in Detroit.

The Washington Redskins are playing in St. Louis for the third consecutive season in Week 2 in the Rams' home opener.

St. Louis Rams

2012 schedule

Sept. 9 -- at Detroit, noon

Sept. 16 -- Washington, 3:05 p.m.

Sept. 23 -- at Chicago, noon

Sept. 30 -- Seattle, noon

Oct. 4 -- Arizona, 7:20 p.m.

Oct. 14 -- at Miami, noon

Oct. 21 -- Green Bay, noon

Oct. 28 -- New England (at London), noon

Nov. 4 -- BYE

Nov. 11 -- at San Francisco, 3:15 p.m.

Nov. 18 -- N.Y. Jets, noon

Nov. 25 -- at Arizona, 3:15 p.m.

Dec. 2 -- San Francisco, noon

Dec. 9 -- at Buffalo, noon

Dec. 16 -- Minnesota, noon

Dec. 23 -- at Tampa Bay, noon

Dec. 30 -- at Seattle, 3:15 p.m.