Backup QB welcomes new chance with Rams

ST. LOUIS -- Jamie Martin is about to get a chance to deal with the bad impression he made during the Rams' 0-5 start.

Martin began the year as the backup to Kurt Warner, then was pressed into service in a 13-10 Week 4 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, putting up serviceable numbers that didn't result in nearly enough points. The next week was more of the same in a 37-13 loss to San Francisco.

After he hurt his knee against the Cowboys and encountered significant swelling after the 49ers' game, in stepped Marc Bulger to lead the Rams (5-7) to five straight victories.

Now comes the second chance for Martin, with Warner again sidelined by his troublesome throwing hand and Bulger still out with a sprained index finger. Heading into Sunday's game at Kansas City, it was a chance Martin didn't know he'd be getting.

"You always wonder," Martin said. "Marc starts having success and all of a sudden I'm the third guy. Just like you're a couple plays away from being in there, you're also a couple plays away from being out of the league."

During the long wait, Martin did his best to keep his head in the game. He also had a lot of time to stew over his performance early in the season.

"When you're a competitor and have a bad game, you just want to get right back on the field and show you can do better than that," Martin said. "We didn't play well, got blown out, and as the quarterback it kind of reflects poorly on you. So, I thought about it a lot."

Coach Mike Martz has confidence that Martin will do the job, not that there's another viable option right now. He also noted that Martin took a shot to his knee soon after replacing an injured Warner in the Cowboys game and had a difficult time following through on his throws.

"I'm excited for him now because he's going into this game healthy," Martz said. "I'm happy for him to have this opportunity to really exhibit what kind of quarterback he really is."

Sunday's game also represents a shot for Martin against Dick Vermeil, who as the Rams' coach in 1997 released him. Martin lost out in the battle for the third-string job to Will Furrer that year after Furrer threw a couple of touchdown passes in a preseason game against the Cowboys.

"We just went on performance, but I've always respected him," said Vermeil, now with the Chiefs. "Mike respected him, and that's why he's here.

"He has a nice touch on the ball and he will run the offense, and more often than not, he won't get you beat."

Martin said he doesn't really need extra incentive. Playing well will do the trick.

"I've got a bad taste in my mouth from the last game I played," Martin said. "That was my last real shot. That's what motivates me more than getting back at an old coach who let me go."

Noteworthy

Martz said earlier in the week that OT Orlando Pace, who torn his right hamstring last week, might not play the rest of the season. Pace was noncommittal on Friday. "I've just got to take it week by week," he said. "If I can play, I'll play. But if I can't, I won't."

Adam Timmerman will get his first career start at OT on Sunday on a juggled line at Kansas City. He's usually the right guard. "It could have been any one of us," guard Heath Irwin said. "I think he'll do great. I think he was a good choice."

WR Isaac Bruce needs 103 yards for his fourth consecutive 100-yard receiving season.

RB Marshall Faulk needs 33 rushing to become the second player to rush for 5,000 yards with two teams, joining Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson.