Martz gives Hakim vote of confidence

ST. LOUIS -- It's hold-your-breath time whenever the ball is in Az-Zahir Hakim's hands, but he's in no danger of losing his job.

Despite losing a fumble for the third straight game and the 14th time over two seasons, Hakim has received a strong vote of confidence from coach Mike Martz.

"There's some deep roots there, I guess," Martz said. "I don't know how else to explain it. Nobody else will understand. I trust him."

Hakim's muffed punt return led to a game-tying touchdown by the New Orleans Saints in the second quarter of Monday night's 34-21 victory. He has seven fumbles this year, making him a major contributor to the Rams' NFL-leading 37 giveaways.

But Martz sees the up side. Hakim is a slippery return man, and although his average is only 9.5 yards this season, he has had a punt return for a touchdown each of the last two seasons. He's also the team's third wideout with 32 catches and a 10-yard average, plus he has a touchdown pass on the option.

"He wants to score a touchdown every time he touches the ball and you've just got to be in his ear the whole time about staying on that ball," Martz said.

Hakim didn't hang his head for long after his mistake. Three plays after the Saints tied it, Hakim caught a 33-yard pass to help the Rams answer with a touchdown that gave them a 21-14 halftime lead.

And in the second half he had punt returns of 18 and 21 yards to set up field goals.

"He'll be a factor coming down the stretch, a very positive factor for us," Martz said. "You don't break anybody's spirit by yanking him out of there.

"He's meant too much to this team and we're not going to do that."

Martz said Hakim's problem is not getting his feet set before catching the punt. Against the Saints, the ball slipped between his arms.

"He was moving when he caught that ball, which is technically not what you like him to do," Martz said. "The fundamentals of handling that ball, he's just got to be a little more aware of."

Martz said the staff will make certain Hakim is more aware in the future.

"That's coaching," he said. "We can get him squared away. I trust him. He's our punt returner."

Repeated television replays showed Hakim sneaking a peek at the coverage before his fumble, but Martz said that's not a problem.

"He always does that and he's coached to do that," Martz said. "The trouble area is when you're moving as you catch the ball. It starts with having your feet settled."