A bomb - Rams DB is 'skinny' but explosive

ST. LOUIS -- Quarterbacks beware. Adam Archuleta might be a defensive back, but he's more likely to be rushing the passer than chasing after an errant throw.

"He's got a skinny DB's body, but he's a linebacker in his mind and his heart," defensive lineman Tyoka Jackson said. "That's the way that he plays."

Despite missing the Rams' first game in November, Archuleta still made enough big plays to be named the NFC's defensive player of the month. Archuleta had 38 tackles and three sacks in four games, plus he forced a Jamal Lewis fumble and returned it for a touchdown against Baltimore.

He had the first multi-sack game of his career Sunday against Minnesota, dropping Daunte Culpepper twice in the Rams' 48-17 win.

With his four sacks, Archuleta is among the team's leaders. Only Leonard Little and Jackson have more. But while Archuleta has been making noise in opponents' backfields, he has yet to grab an interception from his strong safety position.

"It's been very elusive for me this year, but any way I can try to make a big play and help this team win is what I'm going to try and do," Archuleta said. "If I have to get a sack for them, I'm going to do it, but I'm definitely looking to get my hands on the ball."

After being overshadowed by the offense the past few years, several Rams defenders are making a case for the Pro Bowl, including Archuleta and Little, who has 11 sacks in eight games. Little was the NFC's defensive player of the week after sacking Culpepper four times.

"It's nice to finally get a few guys on the defense recognized for playing well," Archuleta said. "It's taken three years before anybody's ever said a word about the defense."

Coach Mike Martz said Archuleta had his vote for best safety in the league.

Asked how Archuleta measured up to Tampa Bay's All-Pro safety, Martz said, "I don't think I ever called him John Lynch. Adam's good enough, don't you think? I wouldn't compare him to anybody else. You might want to compare somebody else to him."

Archuleta has come far since walking on as a freshman at Arizona State. The Rams drafted him in the first round in 2001 after he led the Sun Devils in tackles. He has been one of the Rams' best defenders ever since.

After Sunday's game, Minnesota offensive lineman Mike Rosenthal said the Vikings knew Archuleta was a key part in the Rams' blitz package. They still couldn't stop him.

"We move him around and give him opportunities to make big plays," Jackson said. "Putting the guy in that position is just one step. The guy still has to make the play. There a lot of guys who miss sacks, miss tackles, but he's a guy that when he's in position he's going to make the play."

Only five Rams have more tackles than Archuleta, despite the three weeks he missed after spraining his left ankle against Atlanta on Oct. 13. His 10 quarterback pressures are more than any player outside the defensive line.

"I'm just trying to elevate every week and get better," Archuleta said. "Now, we're finding our second wind and we can see the end in sight. We have our eye on the prize."Noteworthy

n The Rams practiced Thursday for the first time this week. After a Sunday game, the team usually takes off Monday and starts practice Tuesday. Martz altered the schedule because the Rams don't play until Monday night. "Any time you take that extra day off, they come back just a little slow the first 15 minutes, then they get going really good."

Martz said DL-LB Erik Flowers, who was signed by the Rams on Wednesday, could play on special teams Monday against Cleveland. Flowers is a former first-round pick in 2000 who was released by the Texans earlier this season. "He has the speed and quickness we saw in college," Martz said. We're excited about having him."

RB Arlen Harris left practice early because of the flu. "We had him in the training room, but there's just really no sense in keeping him around here," Martz said. "We'll get him home away from everybody and he can recover faster that way."