Fletcher has same old look in new 'D'

ST. LOUIS -- One of the three holdovers on the St. Louis Rams' rebuilt defense is off to a prolific start.

Middle linebacker London Fletcher was in on a career-high 20 tackles, 14 of them solo, in Sunday's 30-26 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Fletcher, named the NFC defensive player of the week, had 12 tackles in the opener against the Eagles.

"I'm just out there doing my job," Fletcher said. "If there's a play to be made and I feel like I can make it, that's what I'm doing."

Actually, the Rams feel like Fletcher could be making even more plays. Defensive coordinator Lovie Smith called Fletcher's work day against the 49ers "a good effort."

"You see 20 tackles and you say 'Holy Cow, that's a lot of tackles,"' Smith said. "But he missed a couple of tackles. London will tell you that himself.

"He'll say 'Hey, it was a good game, but I can play better."'

Fletcher counted three missed tackles. He was able to laugh about it, considering his high-volume production.

"I told the guys I was saving a couple for them," Fletcher said. "I couldn't take them all."

Fletcher is coming off a career year. He had a franchise-record 193 tackles and set bests for sacks (5.5), interceptions (4), passes defenses (10) and quarterback pressures (9).

He posted double-digit tackle totals each of the past seven games, including a previous career best 18 at Carolina on Dec. 3.

This weekend figures to be another high volume day. The Miami Dolphins concentrate on ball control.

"We need him to back it up," Smith said. "This will be a good test, a true running team where a linebacker is going to have to step up."

In the off-season the Rams made Fletcher's job easier by getting two new outside linebackers in Mark Fields and Don Davis. The trio is appreciably faster than last year's crew.

"If we put together a 4x100 meter relay, the linebackers may win," cornerback Aenaes Williams said. "London certainly would be the anchor.

"To see him making plays, I'm not surprised at all."

Coach Mike Martz said Fletcher's speed is his greatest asset.

"He's able to run guys down fairly well," Martz said. "A normal middle linebacker might be just a step short and end up with a guy getting three to four yards, but he's able to make some plays behind the line or right at the line."

It was strange at first for Fletcher, being surrounded by all of the new players and learning a new defensive system. Cornerback Dexter McCleon and defensive end Grant Wistrom are the only other holdovers.

"I've come to grips with it," Fletcher said. "I'm starting to get more comfortable with these guys each and every day."

Fields, questionable with cartilage damage in his ribcage, is the only injury concern. Wide receiver Az-Zahir Hakim (knee) and offensive guard Tom Nutten (ankle) were listed as probable.