Rams conclude voluntary spring practices

ST. LOUIS -- Coach Scott Linehan said the St. Louis Rams have put last season behind them and have started to look ahead, as their voluntary spring practices ended Thursday.

The Rams began last year 0-8, part of a disappointing 3-13 campaign.

Since then, veteran receiver Isaac Bruce was released in a salary cap move by the Rams and signed with the 49ers. Meanwhile, the Rams signed free agents left guard Jacob Bell and kicker Josh Brown.

The draft also brought in several key players, including No. 1 pick Chris Long, who Linehan said he expects to help the club improve dramatically over 2007.

"The guys on the field are anxious to have a great year," Linehan said. "Last year was last year. Everybody is hungry to get after it. Hopefully, we'll have a much better season.

"It's easy to say, 'Hey, forget about last year, focus on this year.' Our players have made a concerted effort to embrace that concept and really focus on what's good about getting to the 2008 season, and not on what we've got to do to make amends for the 2007 season."

One measuring stick is the Organized Team Activities that just ended.

"This is my third year and the attendance is the best it's been since I've been here," Linehan said. "We've worked pretty hard here. It's impressive for all these guys to be here voluntarily and work that hard."

However, Linehan wants the players to keep working on their own.

"We're not in a position where we can say, 'Hey, we've worked hard, let's go on vacation."'

The offensive line will be revamped heading into training camp, which begins July 24 at Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon, Wis.

Richie Incognito will move to center, where he started 12 games in 2006. However, he will have to compete against Brett Romberg for the starting job during training camp. Mark Setterstrom, who had been working at center behind Romberg, will play right guard in place of Incognito.

Incognito missed the second half of the 2007 season after undergoing surgery for a displaced knee cap.

Linehan said he's looking for the best players for the line.

"Really, we're going to have a good battle between Romberg and Richie there at center. Richie feels really comfortable at center," Linehan said. "Let's be honest, he played his best football for us at center in 2006. So, that will be interesting, the battle that will ensue at center," he said.

"Romberg's been playing very well. It's not a reflection on him. We're just trying to figure out who our best five are going to be eventually."

Setterstrom started the final six games in 2006 and the first three games in 2007 at left guard until a season-ending knee injury in Week 3 last season. Now, he will switch positions.

Setterstrom, 24, is moving because the Rams signed Bell to a six-year, $36 million contract as a free agent from the Tennessee Titans.

For his part, Linehan will take some time off before getting back to the business of rebuilding the Rams. He said he is looking forward to the challenge.

"The experience you gain, whether it's positive or negative, gives you peace of mind, knowing that you've been there before," he said. "It couldn't have been a whole heck of a lot worse. It's only going to get better."