SB Nation St. Louis - Rams' NFL Preseason Schedule Begins With Bears In Hall Of Fame Gamehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49009/stl-fave.png2011-04-14T10:00:53-05:00http://stlouis.sbnation.com/rss/stream/18711492011-04-14T10:00:53-05:002011-04-14T10:00:53-05:00James Laurinaitis, Future Pro Wrestler
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">St. Louis Rams</a> linebacker <span>James Laurinaitis</span>, like a number of other players—among them numbered players, like <a href="http://kansascity.sbnation.com/sporting-kansas-city/2011/3/30/2080393/chad-ochocinco-sporting-kansas-city-soccer" target="_blank">Sporting K.C. prospect Chad Ochocinco</a>—has other sports plans in mind should the NFL Lockout extend into the 2011 NFL season. Unlike other players, his backup plan involves memorizing a script and giving interviews that would make Crash Davis flinch. He's considering—lightly, but apparently seriously—<a href="http://www.thelantern.com/sports/locked-out-of-what-he-loves-former-buckeye-james-laurinaitis-may-take-his-talents-to-the-ring-1.2158430" target="_blank">pro wrestling</a>, the path his father, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_Warrior_Animal" target="_blank">Road Warrior Animal</a>, made famous. </p>↵<p>I've yet to receive word of his facility with the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doomsday_Device" target="_blank">Doomsday Device</a>, the Legion of Doom's primary contribution to wrestling history, but he certainly has the build for it. And the name—when your last name is Laurinaitis, calling yourself the Road Warriors seems a little unnecessary. </p>↵<p>As a big LOD fan growing up, I'm all for this happening, even if it only means "a few run-downs here and there or something." Steve Spagnuolo might be a little less enthusiastic, though; the matches are fake, but the risk of injury is extremely real, especially when you're leaping from the top turnbuckle to decapitate some sad-sack member of the Nasty Boys. </p>
https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-rams/2011/4/14/2110502/james-laurinaitis-pro-wrestling-nfl-lockoutDan Moore2011-04-13T08:01:16-05:002011-04-13T08:01:16-05:00NFL Lockout Watch: Hall of Fame Game, Rams Vs. Bears
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<p>Normally the release of the NFL Preseason schedule is cause for—well, a yawn, maybe, or a frustrated season ticket-holder's latest trip to StubHub. But the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">St. Louis Rams</a>' 2011 preseason opener, against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> on August 7 at Canton, Ohio, is able to bathe in a little of the NFL Lockout's reflected drama. Will there be a Hall of Fame game at all? If a Hall of Fame game falls in the forest, and nobody's there to watch it, does anybody make a sound? </p>
<p>If the Hall of Fame game doesn't go on as scheduled, it'll be the first skipped year since 1966. The Rams haven't participated, themselves, since 2001, when they won 17-10 against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Miami Dolphins</a>. The Bears haven't made an appearance since 2005, when they topped the Dolphins 27-24. The Dolphins could not be reached for comment. </p>
<p>I think this might be the agreement the NFL and the NFLPA (and the fans) are looking for: Pretend to disagree long enough to extend the NFL lockout through the preseason, and then come to an agreement that the preseason will be shut down forever. I'm in. </p>
https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-rams/2011/4/13/2107940/nfl-lockout-preaseason-scheduleDan Moore2011-04-12T16:50:03-05:002011-04-12T16:50:03-05:00Rams' NFL Preseason Schedule Begins With Bears In Hall Of Fame Game
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<p>The <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2011/4/12/2106386/nfl-preseason-schedule-released-announced">NFL preseason schedule</a> was released today and, as long as an NFL lockout doesn't wipe it out, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">St. Louis Rams</a> will play in Canton, Ohio, as they kick things off against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> in the Hall of Fame Game on Sunday, August 7.</p>
<p>The Hall of Fame game is named, of course, because the Pro Football Hall of Fame will enshrine it's 2011 inductees on Saturday, August 6 in Canton. On that day, two former Rams -- <span>Marshall Faulk</span> of the St. Louis version and Les Richter of Los Angeles -- will have their busts unveiled.</p>
<p>"It's an honor to play in Canton and pay tribute to the careers of our own Marshall Faulk and Les Richter, as well as the other outstanding individuals who are being inducted into the Hall of Fame this year," Rams Head Coach Steve Spagnuolo <a href="http://www.stlouisrams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Rams-Announce-Preseason-Slate/5229fca2-eb89-44c0-8e69-1bf563c3a21c" target="_blank">said in a press release</a>. "What a great NFL event to be a part of and a tremendous experience for our team. We are excited to kickoff the 2011 season by competing against our preseason slate of opponents as well as participating in the Hall of Fame game."</p>
<p>Along with the preseason opener, the Rams will play the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Indianapolis Colts</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/">Tennessee Titans</a> at home while traveling to face the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/">Jacksonville Jaguars</a> on the road.</p>
<p>Specific dates and times for the final four preseason contests will be announced at a later date.</p>
<p><strong>ST. LOUIS RAMS 2011 PRESEASON OPPONENTS<br><br></strong>Hall of Fame Game (Sun., Aug. 7) - Chicago Bears at Canton, Ohio</p>
<p>Week 1 (Aug. 11-15)- Indianapolis Colts</p>
<p>Week 2 (Aug. 18-22)- Tennessee Titans</p>
<p>Week 3 (Aug. 25-29) - @ Kansas City Chiefs</p>
<p>Week 4 (Sept. 1-2)- @ Jacksonville Jaguars</p>
https://stlouis.sbnation.com/2011/4/12/2333344/rams-nfl-preseason-schedule-begins-with-bears-in-hall-of-fame-gameScott Schroeder