Martz keeps a close eye on his backfield rookies

The Associated Press

ST. LOUIS -- Seldom has a sixth-round draft pick attracted such attention.

Jeff Smoker is the lone quarterback in the St. Louis Rams' three-day rookie minicamp and coach Mike Martz was watching him closely on Friday. He'll be scrutinizing him all weekend, maximizing the opportunity to put an early stamp on the former Michigan State star.

"It's probably what I love most, coaching the quarterbacks," Martz said. "It's something I look forward to every day, and it's hard for me not to be over there all the time."

Smoker found himself surrounded by coaches, with offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild and quarterbacks coach John Ramsdell also standing near.

Martz also was impressed with his first look at first-round pick Steven Jackson in pads. The former Oregon State star was the 26th overall selection and was the first running back taken in the draft.

"If you're going to sit down and draw a guy up on paper, that's what they'd look like," Martz said. "They come in all shapes and sizes, good players do, but he's an impressive-looking athlete, that's for sure."

Smoker, chosen only five days earlier on the second day of the draft, said he's never had this much attention. But he likes it.

"It was a little bit more intense with him kind of coaching me," Smoker said. "That's great, I'm excited that he wants to spend time with me and put time into me. That must mean something good."

Martz also was impressed with his first look at first-round pick Steven Jackson in pads. The former Oregon State star was the 26th overall selection and was the first running back taken in the draft.

"If you're going to sit down and draw a guy up on paper, that's what they'd look like," Martz said. "They come in all shapes and sizes, good players do, but he's an impressive-looking athlete, that's for sure."

Jackson is the understudy to Marshall Faulk, who'll be entering his 11th season.