First-round pick shines in Rams debut

ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis Rams first-round pick Alex Barron made his NFL debut Sunday and now he's got the right tackle job.

Barron, who missed the first two weeks of training camp in a contract dispute, relieved struggling right tackle Blaine Saipaia in the third quarter of Sunday's 31-27 victory over the Tennessee Titans. Barron more than held his own against defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch and did not give up a sack.

"It's his to lose now," coach Mike Martz said.

Barron also made a key fourth-quarter fumble recovery.

With the ball on the Tennessee 48 on third-and-seven, Marc Bulger fumbled after being hit by linebacker Keith Bulluck. The ball squirted free and bounced toward the sideline, and an alert Barron scrambled and beat two guys to fall on the ball for a 2-yard loss with under three minutes left.

"I didn't really see it at first but a lot of people were yelling ball, ball, ball," Barron said. "I did my best to get to the ball."

That athletic ability caught the eye of Rams guard Tom Nutten.

"That was a huge play," Nutten said. "There were two guys there and he knocked them both off the ball and recovered that fumble. He showed you hustle and heads-up play. He showed he wanted the ball."

Scratched for the first two games of the season, Barron took the first step toward beginning his career when he suited up. Saipaia's struggles against Vanden Bosch persuaded Martz to make the move.

Last week, Martz said it would not be a bad thing if Barron didn't play the whole season. His reasoning was the Rams wouldn't have needed Barron because the offensive line enjoyed a healthy year, freeing up the rookie to hone his technique.

The Rams needed Barron now to help protect Bulger, who was sacked four times.

"I was thinking the whole game and watching the guys," Barron said. "I dressed, so it was a possibility that I may have gotten in and the opportunity just came."

Bulger said Barron did his job.

"When you don't notice an offensive lineman, it's a good thing," Bulger said. "I think he came in and did a great. If a lineman doesn't help you up, you know he did his job."

Martz absolved Saipaia for his performance, saying he has been used out of position.

"Blaine is really a guard and we know that," Martz said. "He's a good football player. He struggled out there today. We just couldn't help him. Thank goodness Alex came to the rescue so to speak."

Vanden Bosch was impressed with Barron, the 19th overall pick in the draft.

"He's got long arms, so it's tough to do a lot of things pass-rush wise against him and when he came in, I didn't beat him much," Vanden Bosch said. "So, I thought he stepped up and responded really well."

The Titans were yapping when Barron came in but his play quieted them.

"There were a couple of guys, guards I think, who were saying, 'We've got a new guy in here. Yeah, we're going to do this and do that,"' Barron said. "I tried to stay focused and help the team."