Michael Thomas working to put dropped passes behind him

Michael Thomas working to put dropped passes behind him
By Gary Klein

[www.latimes.com]

The ball traveled high in the air as Michael Thomas ran along the left sideline, and the Rams receiver had only one thought: Look the ball all the way in.

Thomas, a sixth-round draft pick from Southern Mississippi, dropped two passes in last week’s exhibition opener against the Dallas Cowboys. He has made several impressive catches during training camp, but he’s also dropped a few.

On Tuesday, he had no problems hauling in Case Keenum’s long pass for a touchdown.

“I was confident I was going to make the play,” he said. “Just stay focused.”

Thomas is working to find a spot in a receiver corps that includes Tavon Austin, Kenny Britt, Brian Quick and fourth-round draft pick Pharoh Cooper. Second-year pro Bradley Marquez and rookie free agents Nelson Spruce and Duke Williams also have impressed.

Coach Jeff Fisher said Thomas’ technical work from a “hands standpoint” has been consistent during practices. He needs to carry that over to games.

“He’s coming on,” Fisher said, “he’s learning.”

Thomas does extra work after practice to refine his skills, including seeing the ball into his hands.

The drops, he said, have come when he tries to make a post-catch move before he has the ball secured.

Thomas will have an opportunity to show improvement during Saturday’s exhibition against the Kansas City Chiefs.

“I made a correctable mistake” against the Cowboys, he said. “I’m looking forward to Saturday and coming out mistake free.”