Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
The Rams open their postdraft camp today with a new offensive coordinator (Al Saunders), a new offensive line coach (Steve Loney), a new running backs coach (Art Valero), a new quarterbacks coach (Terry Shea) and a new assistant receivers coach (Bob Saunders). Despite all the changes, the story remains the same in St. Louis. The Rams need to keep their offensive line healthy, a big challenge given Orlando Pace's problems in recent seasons.
The seven-time Pro Bowl left tackle missed 15 games after suffering a shoulder injury last season. A torn triceps ended his 2006 season after eight games. Pace turns 33 in November and it's fair to wonder if he can make it through a season at this stage of his career. The Rams added depth to their offensive line in the draft, but they could again have a hard time protecting Marc Bulger if Pace isn't available to them.
Pace, Leonard Little and Adam Carriker are not expected to practice at the postdraft camp. That's probably a good thing for the Rams. Pace can use the down time to recuperate more fully. His NFC West contemporary, Walter Jones, was at his best physically during the three seasons when a contract dispute kept him from participating in minicamps and training camps. Rare athletes such as Pace don't always need the extra work. They do need to be healthy.
