Rams coach says top pick can improve

ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis Rams first-year coach Scott Linehan said he's pleased so far with top draft pick Tye Hill, although he said Hill is making normal rookie mistakes.

Hill, a 5-foot-10, 185-pound cornerback, debuted for the Rams on Thursday in the preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts. Playing with the second team, Hill made some errors but also showed why the Rams used their No. 1 pick on him.

"He got himself out of position a few times, but he did show his recovery ability," Linehan said. "There was one time where he got turned around on a slant route and whipped around so fast that he actually beat the guy to the ball. That's an encouraging thing. Not many people can do that."

Hill admitted to some nerves before his professional debut.

"I most definitely had them," Hill said. "I just had to calm myself down. It was my first game, but I just kept telling myself, 'It's football. I've been playing this all my life."'

In the Rams' 19-17 victory Thursday at home over the Colts, Hill recorded four tackles and he had a fifth one on special teams play. He broke up two passes, but he dropped two possible interceptions.

Hill vowed to work on his hands and focus to hold onto the ball in the future.

As the Rams returned to training camp Saturday, Linehan said he believed Hill would make the adjustments.

"He's still got to shore things up technically," Linehan said. "I think that's the biggest area we need to improve as a team from now through the remainder of the preseason leading up to the regular season. We need to clean up the technique."

Hill agreed.

"I'm still going through the adjustment of becoming an NFL player. I'm taking it one step at a time and I've got a long way to go. I just have to keep thinking that it's football and not let it overwhelm me."

Notes

DE Anthony Hargrove's right knee sprain was described by Linehan as mild and he is not expected to miss any practice time ... Backup kicker Remy Hamilton likely will handle the kicking chores in the next preseason game when the Rams entertain the Houston Texans Aug. 19. Against the Colts, Hamilton hit a 33-yard kick but missed from 48 yards and 37 yards. Linehan wants top kicker Jeff Wilkins, 34, to work on getting ready for the season and not overextend his leg. ... Veteran punter Matt Turk may have taken the lead in his battle with Andy Groom. Against the Colts, Turk had two punts for a 48-yard average, including one to the 2-yard line that set up a safety. Groom had two punts, averaging 26 yards.