"The makeup of the team starts to formulate a little bit clearer," he said. "Because unless something really dramatic happens between now and training camp - or the opening game against Seattle - this is the team."

The Rams will continue to tinker with personnel, and the bottom fifth of the roster may churn over even after the regular season starts. But most of what constitutes the final 53 - the opening-day roster - was on the field over the weekend at the Rams' May minicamp.

It would be easier for Spagnuolo to nurture that sense of "team" if he knew everyone's name. But with 21 draft picks and rookie free agents on the field for the first time, as well as assorted street free agents and tryout players, Spagnuolo had to peek at a copy of the roster on the practice field.

"I'll be honest with you, every once in a while I've got to do that," Spagnuolo said. "That's why I've got (a roster) in my back pocket right here. It's been a challenge to try to get the faces and the names figured out."

It's still all that fresh for the new coach of the new-look Rams . To date, the Rams are only halfway through their first offseason program under Spagnuolo. The lighter practices known as organized team activities, or OTAs, don't start for another two weeks. Then there's the June minicamp before the team breaks for about a month before the start of training camp.

Even the veterans are still getting used to Spagnuolo's personality and practice-field demeanor.

"He's definitely fiery," cornerback Ron Bartell said. "He asks a lot and he expects a lot. He sees a lot of potential that we have on this team ... that's been untapped that we haven't reached yet. So he's just trying to bring that out the best way he can."

Attendance has been impressive, not just for the two minicamps held so far, but also for the weight training and conditioning that comprises the offseason conditioning program. Then again, if you don't want to show up and impress a new head coach, something's wrong.

"Yeah, I guess the test will be next year, right?" Spagnuolo said, laughing. "If they're not coming back (next year) that means they didn't like what's going on."

On defense, Spagnuolo said even some of the veterans' heads were spinning Sunday because he introduced some of the team's red zone schemes.

"But we do some things there that take a little bit of thinking," Spagnuolo said. "So you can't expect them to get it the first day."

After what Spagnuolo thought was a sluggish opening practice Friday morning, he said the team bounced back with good practices that afternoon, Saturday morning, and Saturday afternoon. Sunday's single practice was "just kind of average."

So yes, even in early May, coaches worry about the quality of practices.

"But I did like the way they responded after Friday morning," Spagnuolo said.

On the offensive side, quarterback Marc Bulger said the veterans seemed a lot more comfortable at this minicamp than the first one in April.

"Just spitting out the verbiage and guys feeling comfortable with routes and concepts," Bulger said.

As in April, Bulger isn't sure how much of new offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur's scheme he has seen.

"It's still growing," Bulger said. "So I'm still not sure how much is in. But Coach Shurmur talked to the quarterbacks a little bit (Saturday) and said we have a good deal (of the offense), which is comforting to know that it's within reach. Obviously, you've got to learn all the nuances, but we can actually say the plays and not stutter anymore."

On passing plays in practice, Bulger threw to a wide receiver corps that for the most part featured second-year pros Donnie Avery and Keenan Burton as the starters, and recently acquired Laurent Robinson as the No. 3 wideout.

Derek Stanley took part in some individual drills but no "team" work over the weekend as he completes his rehab from knee surgery.

Like Spagnuolo, Bulger doesn't sound concerned about the lack of experience or recognizable names at wide receiver.

"I think we're fine," Bulger said. "Like Coach says, you always want more competition at every position - that makes us better. A lot of these kids, I don't know some of their names. I know their numbers right now.

"But we've got some speed; we've got some guys that can move. Obviously, the guys we had last year (Avery and Burton) are doing a great job. But we have some sleepers in there I think that are going to surprise you guys."