Rams Young players provide depth at DT

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all goes as planned, the Rams will rotate four defensive tackles. "We're much better inside than we were a year ago," defensive coordinator Jim Haslett said.

Better, perhaps; younger, for sure. Of that group, only La'Roi Glover has been in the NFL longer than one full season. The others are rookies Adam Carriker and Clifton Ryan, plus Claude Wroten, heading into his second year.

Wroten's development after a so-so rookie season is key to the project, which would provide more flexibility up front and give opponents a number of different looks.

After seeing spot duty last year, Wroten has been busy. He's had the most live preseason snaps among the tackles and has responded with two good games according to coach Scott Linehan

The 6-foot-2, 295-pound Wroten bulked up and slimmed down in the offseason, and is profiting from the guidance he's received from Glover, a 12-year veteran.

"He's a blessing," Wroten said. "It's a great situation to learn from a guy like 'Glove' who ... knows the ins and outs of playing in the trenches. Looking at what he does day in and day out has been really good for me."

Wroten, a third-round draft pick in 2006, was a strong pass-rusher at Louisiana State, collecting 12 sacks and 34 quarterback pressures in two seasons. His five tackles Saturday vs. San Diego included a sack.

The chink in Wroten's game is his run-stopping ability, which he reported is progressing. The coaches will be happy if Wroten simply performs well enough to limit the reps of Glover, 33, who they believe will be more effective in a decreased role.

INJURY UPDATE

Brett Romberg, battling Andy McCollum for the starting center's job, sat out practice Monday with a sore ankle. Romberg should be back on the field today, Linehan said.

Also sidelined Monday were Jerome Carter (sprained foot), Richie Incognito (ankle) and Todd Steussie (neck).

Dane Looker (back) and Dominique Thompson (ribs) returned to practice in "no-contact" jerseys. Tim McGarigle (hamstring) also was back and did "most everything," Linehan reported, in the 90-minute workout.

LEONARD SHINES

Rookie Brian Leonard already has shown that he can do what the Rams hoped when they drafted him in the second round: effectively back up Steven Jackson at running back.

"I don't have any question that (Leonard) can handle it," Linehan said. "I've been really impressed with how comfortable he's been in that role. He's kind of a slashing runner who gets the most out of what he's got. But what he's been really good at is in the passing game and the protection side of things, which is the part that rookies usually struggle in."

RAM-BLINGS

Because of the short week before Friday's game at Oakland, the team practiced in full pads Monday. ... About 2,000 tickets remain for the Aug. 30 exhibition against Kansas City at the Edward Jones Dome. All must be sold to avoid a local-television blackout.
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