Martz continues to express ire at players' performances

ST. LOUIS -- Mike Martz called out his players on Monday, saying it was time to step up. Two days later, if anything, the St. Louis Rams' coach was even more agitated about his team's slide.

He wasn't interested Wednesday in what the players had to say about his inflammatory remarks, instead adding fuel to the fire in a news conference that was short if not sweet. Usually Martz talks for about 20 minutes but he stormed off the podium after about 5 minutes this time.

"Nobody's going to voice anything to me," Martz said. "We don't hold hands and get in a seance and 'Kumbaya, My Lord.' I'm not into that.

"We've got a direction we're going, and you're on the train or you're not. Get out. Period."

Martz said he didn't get recharged from reviewing the Rams' best moment so far in a 4-4 season, their rally from a 17-point deficit in the final 5 1/2 minutes of regulation in the first Seahawks game last month, a game St. Louis won in overtime. The Rams (4-4) play the Seahawks (5-3) again Sunday, perhaps with their season on the line.

"I don't need to look at a tape to get energized," he said. "Not me. I don't have to look at a tape to go to a happy place to get energized.

"That's just not who I am."

And he barked at a reporter who said he'd never seen Martz in such a state and then asked how the team got into this predicament.

"What difference does it make?" Martz said. "I know what the problem is and I do know how to resolve it. We'll see if we can get it done."

Once again, he placed the blame squarely on the shoulders of his players.

"We've got a core of guys that you can hang your hat on, you can get them up in the middle of the night and go out and practice them and you can get all they've got," Martz said. "Now what we're trying to do is get the rest of the guys up to that level."

The issue for Martz is one of intensity.

"It's a game of attitude, pure and simple," he said. "It's not about ability: never has been, never will be. Everybody in this league has got ability, everybody's talented, everybody's fast, everybody's big, everybody's strong."

Players expected a lot tougher practices in preparation for Sunday's game against NFC West-leading Seattle. Quarterback Marc Bulger agrees with Martz' strong stance.

"It's on the players every week," Bulger said. "If he says that this week and you didn't realize it until he brought it up, then there's obviously a problem.

"Ninety-five percent of us look at ourselves and know we're accountable. I'm sure he's speaking to some guys that maybe don't understand this is your job, and it's not going to go on the coach every time."

Defensive tackle Tyoka Jackson said it's always been a players' league. He wasn't blaming Martz or new defensive coordinator Larry Marmie, who's come under fire.

"He's just saying what I think most of us already knew: it's on us," Jackson said.

Martz promised unnamed changes on Monday, although two days later he still wasn't discussing specifics. He did, however, absolve an offensive line that allowed five sacks in a 40-22 loss to the Patriots on Sunday.

"I think that's the exception to the rule with that group," Martz said. "I've been very pleased with that group most of the year. It was not one of our better performances but I wouldn't single them out."

Possible lineup changes weren't earth-shattering. Scott Tercero could replace Chris Dishman at left guard and defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy, the Rams' No. 1 pick last year, could get more playing time on an underachieving line that features three No. 1 picks.

Injury report

Rams cornerback Travis Fisher, who got his front teeth pushed back in Sunday's loss to New England, on Wednesday was listed as probable for this week.

Fisher missed much of the second half after taking a shot to the mouth. He'll play this week with the teeth wired together and in position.

Offensive lineman Scott Tercero, who missed about a quarter with a shoulder injury, also was listed as probable.

Wide receiver Dane Looker (high ankle sprain) was doubtful and cornerback Tod McBride (hamstring) was questionable.