imported_JRIB

Confidence in Klopfenstein rises
Several times during training camp, Rams coach Scott Linehan expressed grave concerns about the lack of experience among his tight ends. Thanks to rookie Joe Klopfenstein, those fears have largely been allayed.

Klopfenstein's seven receptions aren't enough to get him included in the NFL statistics package (11 is the minimum). But his 16.9-yard average per catch tops all tight ends listed.

"We knew we were going to have to live with the rookie-type things ... not necessarily mistakes, but just the nuances of knowing the game and understanding the pace of the game," Linehan said. "But I think he's doing outstanding.

"The thing that's been the most encouraging is that he really has never blinked, from the opener 'till now. Yeah, he's had ups and downs, like all of us have, but he's played through it and been tough."
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Klopfenstein, a 6-foot-5, 256-pounder from Colorado, was the Rams' second-round draft choice. They also made Southern California tight end Dominique Byrd a first-day pick, grabbing him in the third round.

That afternoon, incumbent starter Brandon Manumaleuna was traded to San Diego for a fourth-round selection that the Rams used to land Indiana's Victor Adeyanju, who is starting at defensive end.

Playing behind Pro Bowler Antonio Gates, Manumaleuna has nine receptions for 43 yards for the Chargers, the Rams' foes on Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium.

Klopfenstein, the only rookie to start every game for the Rams, made his first catch in Week 2, an 11-yarder in the second quarter at San Francisco. His first touchdown came two weeks later, when quarterback Marc Bulger found him over the middle for a 16-yard score against Detroit.

Without thinking, the ecstatic Klopfenstein tossed the keepsake ball to the nearest official. But equipment manager Todd Hewitt retrieved it and had it inscribed with all the particulars.

"It's pretty cool," said Klopfenstein, 22. "I don't really have a trophy shelf in my house, but that would be the first thing on it

The TD is personal highlight No. 1 in season No. 1 for Klopfenstein, who said he's satisfied with his progress.

"The first few weeks were sort of feeling out the NFL in general," he explained. "Six weeks in, I've gotten quite a bit of experience. So, I feel real comfortable."

Still, as college seasons are beginning to wind down, the pros haven't hit the midseason mark. Klopfenstein expects the grind to wear on him eventually.

"I really haven't hit that point yet where I feel fatigued mentally and physically," he said. "But it's a long season, and I think this next 10-game grind without a break is going to be something that I'm going to really notice as different from college."

Linehan, though, has a burgeoning confidence in him.

"We've asked him to do a lot of things that you wouldn't really even ask a second- or third-year player, as far as being in there on third-down protections a lot," Linehan said. "He's had some mistakes, but I think the pluses have highly outweighed those, especially for a young player.

"He's way ahead of schedule as far as his development."

Injury update

Linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa, who already had dislocated his left shoulder twice this season, suffered a small fracture in his left hand near the end of Wednesday's practice.

Linehan said Tinoisamoa, who has suited up for all 57 games since the Rams drafted him in 2003, would be able to play Sunday with a splint on his hand.

Fullback Paul Smith practiced for the first time since suffering fractures and muscle damage near his left eye Oct. 1 vs. Detroit. Smith, who was injured while covering a kickoff, reported no ill effects after the two-hour workout.

"Everything feels pretty good," he said. "I'm a little rusty, as far as physically getting back into it, running around on the field. You get stiff again and your feet hurt again. But that'll all go away."

Linehan said, "He had the same energy level and focus that he had before. It was like he'd never missed a snap. It didn't look like he had any hesitation at all."

Tinoisamoa and Smith were the only Rams listed Wednesday on the week's first injury report. Both were probable.

Ram-blings

Center Andy McCollum had surgery Tuesday on his left knee, which suffered torn ligaments in the season opener. "Everything went real well, and the prognosis looks good that he'll be able to be back next year" for a 14th NFL season, Linehan said. ... Since bye weeks began in 1990, the Rams are 9-7 in games following their break. But they have dropped their last two, 31-16 at Seattle last year and 40-22 to New England in 2004.

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