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STLFan · 05-29-2006, 05:00 PM

By Pisa Tinoisamoa
Special to Stlouisrams.com
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It’s only May, but the Rams are in full swing preparing for the upcoming season. Pisa Tinoisamoa, gives us his take on the offeseason workouts, the rookie class, and the progress the team is making. He also gives his predictions for the NBA Finals and who he thought should have been the new American Idol.

Stlouisrams.com: The Rams have completed two minicamps, and six OTA (Offseason Training Activities) sessions. It seems like things are stepping up out there in the OTAs.

PT: Yeah, full speed, man. You know, with new coaching, I think that you kind of feel like you have to put forward that extra effort, and that is what’s good about it. Guys are pulling stuff out of them that they never knew they had. Like I said, everyone is feeling fresh, everyone is feeling good, and everyone is moving.

Stlouisrams.com: Have you seen any shock in the rookies’ eyes?

PT: Some of them. That is what is surprising, because we are all kind of on the same level where we are all learning. Some of the vets, they are just cool and calm under pressure, but some of those rookies are giving you that deer-caught-in-headlights look. One of my old coaches used to call it the Brook Trout look. You know when you are looking at a Brook Trout when it is all laying out after it is dead. It is just looking up staring at you. It’s a couple of those, but for the most part, they are doing well. They are soaking it up and responding.

Stlouisrams.com: You made a good point. With the new coaching staff, everyone is at a learning stage.

PT: We have a bunch of smart, good guys that are coachable, so that counters it. Although we’re not familiar with the offense or the defense, guys are soaking it up like it is nothing. We are all like little kids right now, sponges, soaking up whatever they are teaching us. That is what’s good about this coaching staff, they have their own system and they teach it very well. That is all we want to do, to be coached.

Stlouisrams.com: Have you been watching the NBA playoffs?

PT: Just a little bit. Once the Lakers lost, because I am from the West Coast, I was like “Aw, man. The Lakers have lost.”

Stlouisrams.com: How about the Clippers getting into the playoffs this year?

PT: The Clippers impressed me. Sam Cassell was balling and Elton Brand, so that was good. They were representing for a little bit, but you know that last game, once Phoenix started draining that three (pointer), it was over with.

Stlouisrams.com: It seems like every game in these playoffs are coming down to a last second shot or going into overtime. Who do you think is going to win between the Heat and the Pistons and the Suns and Dallas?

PT: The Heat looked good the first game, but I think that reality is going to set in soon enough and Detroit is going to pull that one out. I’m not going to let that one game sway my decision, so I am going to go with the Pistons on the East side, and I’ll go with Dallas on the other side, but I think Pistons overall.

Stlouisrams.com: Do you ever watch American Idol?

PT: Man, I am forced to watch that show. My son is still up for a little bit at that time, but I am a big fan of the show Lost, so I was flipping it back and forth between Lost and American Idol.

Stlouisrams.com: That was the season-ending series of Lost, right?

PT: Yeah, but it didn’t seem like it. They didn’t give me any sorts of answers. I’m kind of disappointed, but I’m a sucker for that show. I’ll watch it again when it premieres. That’s just me. But I got to see the finale of Idol, and I was shocked. I thought the girl was going to win. You never know when you let people vote.

Stlouisrams.com: Any plans for Memorial Day weekend?

PT: Nah, I wish that I did. I was hoping to get back to California for a little bit, but when you have two kids, it’s not happening. Especially because this is the time when everyone travels, it’s just not happening. We will probably end up barbecuing and taking my son out. He just got some new roller skates, so he likes to do that now, so we will probably get outside and soak up the sun and enjoy the time off.