The Rams have apparently had a change of heart regarding guard Mark Setterstrom and placed him on physically unable to perform (PUP) Friday rather than injured reserve. That is an active designation, so he still counts against the 80-man roster limit. At the opening of training camp Wednesday, coach Steve Spagnuolo said the club was leaning to put Setterstrom on injured reserve. He said, “Mark is going to probably be on IR. That was the decision we ended up making. I don’t know when that will happen. If I was going to venture a guess, eventually he’ll be going that way.” Once on PUP, a player can’t be placed on injured reserve unless he passes his physical, begins practicing and then is injured again. Setterstrom underwent surgery on June 23 for a torn triceps and the recovery period was said to be four to six months, which would be as early as October or as late as December.

What is it you may ask? It’s the start of NFL training camps baby. Like a ground hog sticking his squirrelly little head out of a hole; it’s a sign that football is just around the corner. Overweight linebackers, guards, and tackles have kicked the funnel cakes, cinnamon rolls, and banana splits to the curb. 20, 30, 40 pounds melting off as the big men’s diets have changed to lean meat, fruit shakes mixed with grotesque amounts of protein powder, and stainless steel nails.

It’s on. Athletes fly in from all corners of the earth. It’s time to return their agent’s phone calls and to see what cool equipment Nike has left at their door steps. No more underwear or cookie commercials to make, no more ego-stroking award ceremonies to attend, and no more celebrity ‘You’ve been punkd!’ moments. It is time to lace the shoes, crack the knuckles, tape the knees, and beat the crap out of anything that stands between them and the goal line.

More importantly are the changes taking place within me. My dreams of a never ending football season unrealized, I say goodbye to F Scott Fitzgerald, Mr Gatsby, and this long dismal season of literary pontification. Endorphins hibernating since the last Super Bowl scream “You got lucky Drew Brees. You’re going to wish you’d never heard the name ‘Sam Bradford’ this season.” Already my back straightens and my stride has lengthened. I look forward to everything that has anything to do with football. The commercials, the jerseys, the special addition beer cans, even the annoying voice of Jon Gruden. I love it all.

Can you feel it?

The St. Louis Rams probably battled more injuries during the offseason than any other team as they missed the majority of their offensive line at various times. The good news is they are healing up just in time. Brian Stull, a sideline reporter for the team’s radio broadcasts, tweets that running back Steven Jackson and safety O.J. Atogwe were both cleared medically for the beginning of training camp. Jackson had a lingering back issue from last season and Atogwe reportedly had a sports hernia along with a reconstructed shoulder. Offensive tackles Jason Smith and Rodger Saffold and guard Jacob Bell were also cleared medically.

The St. Louis Rams won’t be pursuing free-agent wide receiver Terrell Owens, but another big-name player should soon be under contract. Rams general manager Billy Devaney told FOXSports.com there is a “really good chance” that a deal will be completed with rookie quarterback Sam Bradford by the time training camp opens Thursday at team headquarters. Unlike the past two players chosen with the No. 1 overall pick, St. Louis didn’t have a pre-draft contract agreement in place before selecting Bradford.

But Rams executive Kevin Demoff and Bradford’s agents Tom Condon and Ben Dogra have worked extensively on a multiyear deal that should pay Bradford in the range of $45 million to $50 million in guaranteed money. Devaney said Bradford’s performances at the team’s offseason practices reinforced what he learned about the former University of Oklahoma standout in predraft scouting. “He looks like he’s unflappable,” Devaney said. “He doesn’t get too high or low. He’s a smart guy. Being a great player means something to him. What really jumped out is that he’s got a tremendous respect for the NFL and his peers. He doesn’t put himself like the first pick in the draft.”

The St. Louis Rams have intensified discussions in hopes of signing free agent Terrell Owens, according to sources close to the player and team.

The Rams asked Owens through his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, if he would consider a serious contract proposal, even though they are not considered a playoff contender. Rosenhaus told the team Owens would definitely consider it, sources said.

A high-ranking Rams official said a formal offer for Owens could come on Monday.

The Rams believe Owens would take heat off their young wide receiver corps that includes Donnie Avery, Laurent Robinson and rookie Mardy Gilyard, as well as loosen up opposing defenses from focusing on running back Steven Jackson.

The move simply means a contender doesn’t want the possibly problem child in Owens, and instead he is going to a team that needs wide out and talent help across the board, which is what the Rams need – badly. It will be interesting to see if Owens fits in with a team that could only win 3-5 games in 2010.

32. Rams (1-15) – PRE-CAMP OUTLOOK: Sam Bradford will count his cash and his lumps all season long. The Rams are far from contending any time soon.

University of Missouri wide receiver Danario Alexander was unable to participate in the NFL Combine due to surgery on his left knee in February. He couldn’t even participate in Missouri’s Pro Day. He went undrafted and unsigned while recovering from surgery. On Wednesday of next week Alexander will have a Pro Day and workout for NFL teams. According to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Rams have interest and will bring him in for a visit and a physical. Rams GM Billy Devaney said he isn’t really interested in the pro day. “We know he can run. We know he can catch,” Devaney said. “We need to get the medical reports. If he’s cleared physically, we’ll probably bring him in for a visit and a physical.”