ST. LOUIS -- Maybe it was the uncharacteristically beautiful weather, maybe the glow of a new season approaching, perhaps most likely the refreshing attitude of Kenny Britt -- shouting words of encouragement at his fellow receivers, accompanied by a giant smile on his face.
"We've made some good additions to our team," fan Matt Frederick said at Tuesday's practice. "I like seeing (defensive tackle) Aaron Donald out there; despite his height, he looks like he's doing really well. A lot of the guys that I've wanted to keep seeing improve have looked good, like (wide receiver) Tavon Austin. Kenny Britt looked pretty good while he was catching routes."
Many fans were excited about the young talent on the team after getting a look at the rookies in Friday's preseason contest against the Saints, where newbies such as cornerback E.J. Gaines and tight end Alex Bayer thrilled the crowd and heard their names called over the PA system numerous times.
Teryn, a journalism graduate of the University of Missouri, is a FOX Sports Midwest Girl. You can follow the FOX Sports Midwest Girls on Facebook (FOX Sports Midwest Girls) and Twitter and Instagram (@FSMidwestGirls).
And some were taking in practice as an opportunity to scout for their fantasy football teams.
And some fans were out just to see what training camp was all about.
"I've never been, so it's kind of fun to come out and see it," fan Tom Pohlman said. "I am sort of amazed at size. These guys are big."
If the fans on hand shared one concern about the 2014 Rams, it was this: the NFC West.
Sam Bradford hooks up with receiver Stedman Bailey at Tuesday's practice.
"I think they've got a really tough division to play in and that's going to hurt them," Pohlman said. "If they go 3-3 in the division, then that's already three losses. Then what do you do with the rest of the games?"
Said Frederick: "I think our division is going to be tough. But I think we've shown that we can beat everyone in our division over the past couple of years."
One thing is for sure: Kayla, Katie and I had a great time at the practice, watching the players and talking to fans. You can catch up on all your Rams news on their FOX Sports Midwest team page throughout the season.
Kayla, Katie and Teryn enjoyed visiting with fans at Rams Park.
QUICK HITS
-- We need your help to show that Cardinals fans are the best fans in baseball! In honor of Saturday's game on FOX Sports 1, we are engaging in a hashtag battle with the FOX Sports San Diego Girls. Use #CardsonFS1 all week leading up to the game to beat those Padres fans!
-- If you did not hear Dan McLaughlin and Tim McCarver's commentary remembering the great Robin Williams during Tuesday's Cardinals broadcast, you have to go back and watch. It was a treat to hear McCarver's account of Williams' first Major League Baseball game, where he caught a foul ball alongside the likes of Billy Crystal and Whoopi Goldberg in the TV booth.
-- Two of my favorite things -- Mizzou and Cardinals baseball -- unite this weekend. It's Mizzou Night at the Ballpark on Friday and I cannot wait! Kayla and I had a great time last year hanging out with the fans, Marching Mizzou, the Golden Girls and some of the fall athletes who made an appearance at Busch. Please join us again this year!
MIZ! (ZOU!) It's been a treat getting to know some of the personalities on the Tigers' roster, starting with quarterback Maty Mauk, center Evan Boehm and defensive end Markus Golden. (If you have time to go back and look at their videos from SEC Media Days on WeAreMizzou.com, they are pretty entertaining.) An Instagram video went viral over the weekend; check out Boehm and the offensive line dancing at practice.
“@FOXSportsGirls: We've got another battle on our hands! Tweet using the hashtags! pic.twitter.com/FSptNzqjP6”Lets go Cards fans! #CardsOnFS1 -K
— FSMidwestGirls (@FSMidwestGirls) August 11, 2014
SHOUT-OUT OF THE WEEK
My shoutout this week goes to Jason Motte, who is up for the Branch Rickey Humanitarian Award. Motte's wonderful work through his foundation and the Strike Out Cancer initiative are more than worthy of recognition. He's currently in second place, so let's help him out, Cardinal Nation. Vote now!
We will be out at Motte's 2014 Cornhole Challenge benefiting the Jason Motte Foundation after Sunday's game in Forest Park. It should be a great time for a great cause.
