Defense gets a boost with four No. 1 picks

ST. LOUIS -- Bill Kollar, the Rams' defensive line coach, couldn't ask to work with more talent.

Now that rookie tackle Jimmy Kennedy has signed a five-year contract, Kollar has four No. 1 picks at his disposal. Damione Lewis and Ryan Pickett were taken in 2001, and Grant Wistrom was the sixth overall pick of the 1998 draft.

The philosophy: Start with the building blocks. Coach Mike Martz believes the best way to stop a high-scoring attack like the Rams is by sending waves of defenders against it.

"If you can keep guys fresh and constantly put pressure on the offense, you've got a great chance to take control of the game," Martz said. "When we struggle on offense, we've got a defensive line that continually gives us problems.

"It disrupts everything that you do and that's what I like to have."

Apparently, it's too early in training camp for Kollar to get too excited.

"The key thing is if they're playing like No. 1s," Kollar said. "It doesn't end up helping us if they're not playing like them.

"A couple of them are really coming, and there's a couple that have got to keep going."

Wistrom is the best of the first-round bunch so far, starting at end since late in his rookie year. Pickett emerged as a force at tackle last season, and Lewis may finally be shaking off the effects of a broken foot that has hampered his progress.

"Damione has really been coming on," Kollar said. "I'm really pleased with the way he's playing right now.

"He looks like a totally different player than last year."

Pickett was taken with the 29th pick of the first round in 2001, while Lewis was the 12th overall selection.

"He is a heck of a player," Kollar said. "We've just got to keep his weight down, keep him in shape, and he'll be a big-time player for us."

End Leonard Little, a third-round pick in 1998, is the team's top sack threat. He has consecutive double-digit sack seasons and had 12 last year. The Rams can also add versatile Tyoka Jackson and Brian Young to the rotation.

Wistrom hasn't practiced yet after injuring both feet doing bounding exercises a month or so before training camp began. He's been fitted for orthodics and is expected to begin practicing in a week or less.

"At least he's a veteran guy who knows what he's doing and stuff, so it's not as vital as it would be for a young guy missing these reps," Kollar said.

Kennedy is behind all of them right now, having missed the first five days of practice. He was admonished Tuesday for stopping on a pass rush drill and had to be tutored on the fine points of various drills.

"He's got a ways to go," Kollar said. "First day in camp and stuff, and it's always tough."