Willkommen » Rivera also made it clear the Panthers

ST. LOUIS -- Sam Bradford showed improved zip on the ball during the St. Louis Rams fan fest scrimmage at the Edward Jones Dome. "You can see those balls were humming," coach Jeff Fisher said after Saturdays practice. Bradford seems to benefiting from improved upper-body strength. To keep the arm strong, coaches are monitoring Bradfords pitch count much as the St. Louis Cardinals would do for star pitcher Adam Wainwright. Both said theres no set limit, but that the information would help gauge progress and performance in training camp. "I think if it gets a little excessive over a couple-day range, we back it down, especially some of the deeper throws," Bradford said. That hasnt happened yet. "Im not going into detail, how many," Fisher said. "You can see how he did today, and those that have been to practice, you can see that hes not having any difficulty with the ball and the arm." Bradford focused on weight training for the upper body while rehabbing from surgery on his left knee that sidelined him the final nine games. Although hes wearing a brace, he has no concerns about the knee, either. "Coming into this camp, its probably the strongest Ive been from the waist up, and I think it probably has paid off a little bit," Bradford said. "I feel like I can make some of those throws that maybe were a little slower last year." The Rams began tracking Bradfords throws when Fisher arrived in 2012. Bradford said that definitely was not the case at Oklahoma. "In college they dont really care," Bradford said. "You throw like 500 balls a day and theyre like Youre good, just put some ice on it." Bradford may not play in the preseason opener next Friday night against the New Orleans Saints, but said it was "totally coachs call." "Obviously, Im going to be ready to go and if he tells me Im playing. Im going to be pumped to get back out on the field," Bradford added. "If he feels like its best to not go out there, I trust him and Ill be ready to go the following week." Wide receiver Stedman Bailey was perhaps the most impressive skill position player. Hes suspended for the first four regular-season games for violating the NFLs policy on performance-enhancing drugs, but the Rams think so highly of him that hes getting a lot of snaps with the first unit. "Its something that kills me every time I think about it," Bailey said. "But my job is to keep working hard, keep giving my all to the team. When I come back, just be looking for a show." Bradford said it was a "bummer" that Bailey wont be part of the offence when the season starts. Attendance was 15,723 for a workout that was the first time more than half of the roster was on the game field. "This is probably the most exciting day we have in training camp," Bradford said. "It breaks the routine. We get to leave Rams Park. We get to come to the Dome." Among the first-timers was rookie defensive back Maurice Alexander, a fourth-round pick. Alexander worked on the cleaning crew after games at the dome for a season after getting kicked off the team at Utah State. "Its the best feeling in the world," said Alexander, who is from St. Louis. "Its crazy, its amazing." Defensive tackle Michael Brockers left the session with what appeared to be a leg injury. Middle linebacker James Laurinaitis had a boot on his left foot from a practice injury two days earlier and guard Rodger Saffold was held out with a stinger. Players have the day off Sunday before resuming preparations for the preseason opener next Friday against the New Orleans Saints. Wholesale Cheap Shoes China . -- The Orlando Magic have made no secret that the future of their franchise will depend on how well they can develop their young players. Discount Shoes Online Free Shipping . The hard-serving 22-year-old from Thornhill, Ont., became the first Canadian to be ranked in the Top 10 on the ATP World Tour thanks to his runner-up performance at Rogers Cup in Montreal. http://www.shoeswholesale.us/. -- Floridas smothering defence returned to form just in time for the third-ranked Gators to keep their winning streak going. Shoes Discount Sale Online . Moments after scoring and setting off another wild celebration at Minsk arena, Platt leapt into the arms of Belarusian captain Alexei Kalyuzhny. Shoes Clearance Sale Online . That further limits the options of Australia coach Ewen McKenzie, who on Monday suspended six players who were involved in a night out in Dublin ahead of the Saturdays 32-15 win over the Irish. The Wallabies play Scotland on Saturday before facing Wales on Nov.ORLANDO, Fla. - The Carolina Panthers believe Steve Smith lost "top-end" speed, a big reason the franchise parted ways with its all-time leading receiver. Speaking publicly for the first time since cutting Smith two weeks ago, Panthers coach Ron Rivera said Wednesday they had to "move on eventually." "He didnt lose his speed," Rivera said at the NFLs annual meetings. "He lost his top end. Steve still fought and would still find ways to make plays. But as far as the football decision goes, we have to move on eventually. This was an opportunity to do it." Smith wasnt unemployed for very long. He signed a three-year contract with Baltimore about 24 hours after the Panthers released him. Rivera said the desire to give young receivers Marvin McNutt, Tavarres King, Brenton Bersin, Kealoha Pilares and Toney Clemons opportunities factored into the decision. "With Steve around, they may never get that chance to develop," Rivera said. Rivera also made it clear the Panthers intend to select a receiver in the NFL draft in May — and hopefully replace Smith. "The thing we have to all understand is that eventually its going to happen; its inevitable," Rivera said. "In this game, its inevitable. A lot of great ones have moved on and gone on and played a couple of more years somewhere else. For us (Rivera and GM Dave Gettleman), this is a very hard decision. I know Dave anguished over it for several days before the decision was made, and we had a lot of discussions about it. Its one of those things that you have to, at some point, make the move to go forward." The decision was not popular among Carolina fans. A third-round draft pick out of Utah in 2001, Smith made an immediate impact as a rookie, returning the opening kickoff of the season for a touchdown against Minnesota. He became the first Panthers rookie selected to the Pro Bowl, earning that honour as a return specialist. Known for his feisty behaviour on the field, Smith became a dominant receiver over the next 12 seasons. He ranks 19th in the NFL in career receptions. He caught 64 passes for 746 yards and four touchdowns in 2013. Smith is Carolinas leader in receptions (836), yards receiving (12,197) and touchdowns (67).dddddddddddd As productive as Smith was, his fiery personality often rubbed people the wrong way, and some viewed him as a distraction in the locker room. Smith had run-ins with teammates on at least two occasions. He punched out fellow wide receiver Anthony Bright in a film room fight and later socked cornerback Ken Lucas on the field during a practice at training camp in Spartanburg, S.C. On both occasions, Smith was suspended by the team. Ravens coach John Harbaugh said they had few reservations about bringing in the 34-year-old Smith, even with his history and his age. "Chemistry is really important, and its something that I think every team should be working really hard to try it build," Harbaugh said in Orlando. "It starts with the type of person that you bring in as a coach and then as a player. But through our investigations, I guess you can call it, we came away feeling really good about the impact Steve is going to have on our team that way. "Hes a tough competitor. Hes a mature, grown man. Hes a family man. Hes a man of faith. I think the world of him." The Panthers signed veteran Jerricho Cotchery to a two-year contract, giving them some experience at the position after releasing Smith and seeing Brandon LaFell, Ted Ginn Jr. and Domenik Hixon leave in free agency. Rivera insisted the team will miss Smith, even though hes not the player he was in his prime. "Hes got a lot of football left," Rivera said. "Hes still explosive. ... He practices so hard. He competes so hard. I think hes at the point now where he has to manage himself and know that, Hey, I cant practice every day like that. "Steve has a lot to prove. Hes got that chip on his shoulder going forward. I know hes going to be 35, but I still know hes going to be a very competitive guy. Hes going to will himself to do some things. But I think as the season wears on, if he hasnt taken the time that hes needed off between the games, he might slow down. But he still has some gas in the tank." ___ Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '