EX-INDIAN WALKER TRIES TO PROTECT HIS JOB AT RAMS' CAMP

Marquis Walker bucked the odds last year to earn a spot as a rookie in the National Football League.

And the former Southeast Missouri State University standout doesn't plan on being bitten by any kind of sophomore jinx.

Walker, a cornerback, is currently taking part in his second St. Louis Rams' training camp in Macomb, Ill.

"Things are going alright," said Walker during a mid-week telephone interview from Macomb. "It's pretty hot, but I've gotten used to the heat. It doesn't bother me a whole lot."

Even though Walker, an undrafted free agent coming out of college, had a productive rookie season with the Rams last year, he acknowledges that -- unless you're a high-priced, high draft choice -- every new year presents a new challenge to make the team.

"I feel a lot more comfortable, being my second camp, but still the pressure is on to compete and do the best I can," he said. "I'm sure I'll have to beat people out (to make the team). I guess that's how it goes any place in life. You have to compete because nothing is going to be handed to you.

"But I feel comfortable. I never try to stress myself out so I don't feel comfortable and can't do my best. All I can do is do my best and see what happens."

A 5-foot-10, 173-pounder with blazing speed, Walker completed his eligibility at Southeast in 1995. He was not drafted but signed on with the Rams as a free agent.

Walker made the Rams' opening-day roster last year and played in the first game before being released and spending the next eight weeks on Washington's practice squad.

Walker then was re-signed by the Rams and played in their final seven games, breaking up at least one pass in each of those contests. He wound up starting two games and played a lot in the five others, finishing the season with 24 tackles, 11 passes defensed and one interception.

"I was satisfied to a certain extent with my season last year. But even though it was a good year, I wish I could have done a lot better," Walker said.

Walker's brother, Darnell, is a veteran of several NFL seasons. After spending all of his career with Atlanta, Darnell has signed a three-year contract with San Francisco.

"He's really excited about being with the 49ers," said Walker of his brother. "We talk quite a bit, but this time of the year, we kind of limit ourselves. We'll gear it back up later on."

Walker, a St. Louis native, said he has been impressed so far by new Rams' head coach Dick Vermeil, who is back in the NFL after a 14-year absence.

"I'm pretty impressed by him, but in anything you do, you have to adjust to whoever is the coach," he said.

As for some other topics that interest most typical Rams' fans -- the holdout of top draft pick Orlando Pace and the impending second season of controversial running back Lawrence Phillips -- Walker said he doesn't try to concern himself with too much of that.

"With Pace, that's just an open door. I don't really think about that. I have to worry about what I'm doing," he said. "With Phillips, I think he should do pretty well this year. He's working really hard."

Regarding his goals for the season, Walker said, "I really don't have any. I just want to do better than I did last year. And hopefully we'll be a lot better as a team."