Jeff Fisher, Los Angeles Rams thankful for Roger Saffold's versatility

IRVINE, Calif. -- Los Angeles Rams offensive lineman Roger Saffold, now healthy again, was expected to reclaim his starting job at left guard in training camp, but circumstances have conspired against that.

Rob Havenstein, the Rams' right tackle, has a foot injury that's landed him on the physical unable to perform list. So down the line Saffold went to replace Havenstein.

"It's actually the third time around that I've kind of had to switch up at the last minute, before camp or before a game," Saffold said. "I'm used to it. You've just got to take more time to work on technique, just to try to make it second nature. I've always got to get back on the bike and ride again."

Coach Jeff Fisher appreciates it.

"He has done a lot for us," Fisher said Wednesday. "With Rob missing time right now, we decided before the start of camp and notified him that we would move him out to right tackle. He said, 'Cool.' He just loves it. He will play any position but center. So it gives us the flexibility and peace of mind, knowing that if we do have an issue, we can plug him in any place."

Cody Wichmann, who started at left guard when Saffold when down last year, remains there in the interim although Fisher is confident Havenstein will be back before the start of the regular season.

--P Johnny Hekker has replaced his normal No. 6 in training camp for No. 3 as a tribute to his buddy Mike Sandler, a Michigan State punter who died two weeks ago in a car crash.

"Brilliant, brilliant kid," Hekker said. "It was cut short, but he lived a hell of a life when he was alive."

The crash that claimed Sadler's life also claimed the life of Nebraska punter Sam Foltz. LSU punter Colby Delahoussaye, who was also in the car, survived.

Sandler and Hekker had know each other for five years.

"Just the kind of guy that could light up a room," Hekker said. "Really didn't take himself too seriously, but was a hardworking dude."

--QB Jared Goff had an excellent day in the first day with pads Tuesday, and is showing the Rams he's progressing at an acceptable pace.

On Wednesday, the put him in some two-minute drill situations and he responded.

"We did the two-minute exercise, so it was kind of hurried. We didn't have a 100 percent pass rush. We kind of toned the pass rush down," Rams coach Jeff Fisher said. "But, we wanted to go through the exercise, to the decisions."

Fisher was impressed by Goff's adaptability to the NFL rules, which differ from what he was used to at California.

"He was very much aware of the timeouts he had left and time on the clock, and taking the shots," Fisher said. "We don't know what our weakness is in terms of protecting the pass rush. He's got a feel for those things. Our two-minute is different than the college two-minute. So, he has to get a sense for that...clock stops on a first down in the past. It doesn't any more. It's those types of things that he's learning."