New 'D' built Ram tough

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Rams' defense, which allowed 29 points per game last year, keeps putting up tiny numbers.

Across the board, the Rams (6-0) are dramatically improved. They're eighth overall, compared to 21st at this stage last year. They've given up only 38 points the last four games heading into Sunday's NFC West showdown with the New Orleans Saints, and they're tied for fifth in points allowed overall. They've yet to give up a point in the third quarter all season.

"We've improved in every single area," coach Mike Martz said Wednesday. "I'm almost giddy about that stuff."

And they're not satisfied. New defensive coordinator Lovie Smith, who rebuilt the defense with eight new starters, said the Rams were "just OK" in Sunday's 34-14 victory over the New York Jets.

Smith wasn't happy with a run defense that gave up 132 yards, or the fact the Jets got a late touchdown, even though mostly reserves were on the field at the time.

"We have to get a little better effort," Smith said. "We've just got to eliminate a few of the mental mistakes.

"Seven games into the season, it's about time for that stuff to disappear, really."

Williams up next

This week the Rams will have to contend with Ricky Williams. But some players aren't worried a bit about the run defense, considering they had throttled the Jets and Curtis Martin until the finish.

"A lot of those yards are coming in the fourth quarter," linebacker Don Davis said. "If the Saints think they can run the ball, great.

"I hope they come in here expecting to run the ball and that way I can stay on the field and I'll get more tackles and we'll have a great day."

In any case, players seem to like Smith's perfectionism. Safety Kim Herring is used to high standards after playing for the Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens last year.

Herring said the Rams' defense compares favorably to the Ravens, although Baltimore blitzes more and played more man-to-man pass coverage.

"When I was playing with Baltimore last year, we used to get mad when teams scored three points on us," Herring said. "That's the way you've got to look at it."

The Rams don't appear to need a dominant defense because they put up so many points on offense. They were the No. 1 attack in the NFL the last two seasons, and are No. 2 after six games this year.

But Smith doesn't like leaning on the offense.

"I've always been in a situation where the defense is holding up their end, so this is what we expect," Smith said. "We're supposed to shut them out.

"It's a luxury to us to have a great offense, but as far as we're concerned it has nothing to do with how we play."

Smith is so obsessed with performance that he hasn't slapped a nickname on the unit.

"I'm not into a whole lot of names," he said. "I just know we expect 11 guys to be around the ball every play."

Martz is most impressed with the secondary, which has only one holdover. Free agent pickup Aenaes Williams is still a shutdown corner and Adam Archuleta, a linebacker in college, has impressed with his early-season play at strong safety.

"They've really played well and they get better and better every week," Martz said.

Faulk still doubtful

Martz said he was "fairly certain" that Marshall Faulk would miss a second straight game with a bruised right knee, but would decide for certain Friday or Saturday. The Rams have a bye next week, which would give Faulk three weeks to recover, and Trung Canidate ran for 195 yards in his first career start against the Jets. "We're not trying to be coy with the Saints or anything like that," Martz said. "That's where it is."

Tucker expected to start

Rams offensive tackle Ryan Tucker practiced Wednesday with a smaller cast on his broken left hand that allows him to use his fingers. He is expected to reclaim his starting spot from Rod Jones.

Tucker didn't play last week after giving up four sacks to Michael Strahan, with his hand totally incased.