Banged-up Rams try to get to even against Arizona

ST. LOUIS -- Given their shaky start and beat-up roster, the Rams sure could use a get-well week.

The Arizona Cardinals are not cooperating.

After losing their first two games by a combined 80-24, the Cardinals surprised the Green Bay Packers last week. Now, with Arizona surging and the Rams reeling a bit, today's game is looking like more a tossup.

"They're 1-2, we're 1-2," quarterback Marc Bulger said. "I don't think we're in any position to take anyone lightly."

Especially in the Rams' current state of affairs.

Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk took home three straight MVP awards from 1999-2001. Neither will be in the lineup today, with Warner benched for the second straight week due to ineffectiveness and Faulk out four-to-six weeks with a broken left hand and torn knee cartilage.

In their place, Bulger gets his second straight start and second-year man Lamar Gordon steps in for Faulk. No offense, but those names don't strike fear into the Cardinals' hearts.

"A guy like Marshall Faulk is going to be a big loss for them, because he did so much for them," Cardinals middle linebacker Ronald McKinnon said. "Our big thing is to look at the plays they ran with Marshall and look at the plays they didn't run with Marshall, and we've got to be able to defeat what they bring out to us."

The Cardinals' defense also figures without Faulk it's big play or bust for St. Louis. Rather than work down the field in the final minute of the one-point loss at Seattle, coach Mike Martz called for a couple of long passes that did not connect.

"One thing about their offense is it's all about big plays," cornerback Coby Rhinehart said. "You know, if we take away the big plays they really are not going to have much else to rely on without Faulk."

Martz, who designed the high-flying offense that produced 500-plus points three straight seasons (1999 to 2001), doesn't have the same tools at his disposal. There are only four starters left on offense from the 1999 Super Bowl championship team, so he's adjusting to a new cast.

"For a number of years, we had the same guys every year," Martz said. "We were trying to take advantage of the things they really did well, which was quite a bit.

"Now, it's a bit of a work in progress."

Nowadays, the Rams are a lot more conservative and carry a 21-point average into Sunday's game. Martz believes the potential is there for a lot more.

"The more they can do, the more we get them the ball," Martz said. "You go in whatever direction these guys will take you.

"Right now we've got some guys that are learning to play a little bit, and we'll give them the opportunity to make the play."

Faulk is one of three key Rams who won't play Sunday, joining wide receiver Kevin Curtis and safety Jason Sehorn, both of whom were injured in the preseason. Cornerback Travis Fisher is questionable with an injured left shoulder, hampering an already-thin secondary.

Next week the Rams have a bye, and after that Martz expects a much more healthy roster. This week, it might be a struggle.

The Cardinals are on the upswing after upsetting the Packers 20-13. That came after losing 42-24 at Detroit and getting drilled 38-0 by the Seahawks in Week 2, games in which Arizona totaled nine turnovers while getting zero takeaways.

"If we did anything right the first two games, it was completely overshadowed," coach Dave McGinnis said. "We had to overcome that, and all the negativity that comes with it."

Emmitt Smith has provided an inspirational lift, even though he doesn't have big numbers. He has 168 yards and a 3.6-yard average with no touchdowns.

"In the middle of the season I don't have time to reflect on whether I've had an impact," Smith said. "I'll tell you what, these guys have a great attitude. These guys are here for a common goal and it shows."

Last week's results should serve as a warning to the Rams, who blew a 13-point second-half lead against the Seahawks while the Cardinals were frustrating Brett Favre.

"I've been playing in this league long enough to know there are no easy games," defensive tackle Tyoka Jackson said. "Did Green Bay think it was going to be easy? Who knows? But they went home with a loss."