Rams launch season today

PHILADELPHIA -- Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk and Isaac Bruce strike fear in most defenses. Donovan McNabb does it by himself.

The St. Louis Rams' score-at-will offense is being overshadowed by a new defense that will feature nine new starters in today's season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.

McNabb, the Eagles' quarterback who was runner-up to Faulk for NFL MVP last season, is giving them plenty to worry about.

"He is a great test for our defense, and our guys are excited about this," Rams coach Mike Martz said.

"I think that the speed has improved so dramatically on our defense. I know that some things are going to happen where the ball will get into the perimeter, but our guys will fly to the ball."

The Rams failed to return to the Super Bowl last season because of a horrific defense that allowed a league-worst 471 points (29 a game). Drastic steps were taken to improve it.

Lovie Smith came in as the new defensive coordinator, patterned his system after Tampa Bay's bend-but-don't-break strategy, and had good results in the 3-2 preseason.

"The players look like they've picked it up well and are executing it well," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "They do have young players, but they're playing very hard and they're getting to the spots that Lovie wants them to get to. It's a sound defense and we look forward to the challenge of playing them."

Among the new starters for the Rams are six-time Pro Bowl cornerback Aenaes Williams, free safety Kim Herring, linebacker Mark Fields and defensive end Cedric Jones.

The holdovers include cornerback Dexter McLeon, defensive end Grant Wistrom and middle linebacker London Fletcher. Wistrom is doubtful with a knee injury.

They'll have all they can handle against McNabb, who emerged as one of the league's top stars in his second season by being as dangerous throwing the ball as running it.

With the return of running back Duce Staley, who sustained a season-ending injury last Oct. 1, and the addition of speedy receivers James Thrash and Freddie Mitchell, McNabb won't have to beat teams alone this year.

"It's going to take a little bit of time, maybe a series, maybe two, but we want to come out and set the tempo for the whole game," McNabb said. "To do that, we have to come out and make positive plays early, get the ball downfield, and try to come out with points. We need to put our defense in great position to be successful and get the ball back to us."

Philadelphia's defense was the stingiest in the NFC, allowing just 15.9 points a game last season. But the Rams have one of the best offenses ever assembled.

St. Louis scored 540 points last year, third most in league history, and a 14-point improvement over the prolific output of the Super Bowl season.

Faulk became only the second player to top 2,000 yards rushing and receiving three straight years, and he scored a league-record 26 touchdowns. Bruce caught 87 passes, including nine TDs, and Warner had 21 TDs in 11 games.

"They have a track team over there," Eagles linebacker Mike Caldwell said. "Their whole offense is the ultimate challenge for any defense."

It'll be an even tougher challenge for Philadelphia if Pro Bowl cornerback Troy Vincent doesn't play. He hyperextended his knee in practice Thursday.

Warner, who missed five games with a broken hand and went down with a concussion in the regular-season finale, is eager to show he doesn't have any lingering effects from his injuries.

"Against Philly, you have to be on top of your game," he said. "Hopefully, we'll be able to get some big plays when they try to blitz us, and we can keep them out of" the pocket.

Martz also might have a few tricks up his sleeve. He snapped at a reporter Wednesday when asked about using Faulk and Trung Canidate together in the backfield during practice.

Canidate, the team's No. 1 draft pick last year, missed most of the season with various injuries, but could be ready to take some of the load off Faulk.