Rams' QB enjoying sudden rise to top of the depth chart

ST. LOUIS -- Suddenly, Marc Bulger is somebody.

The Rams' third-string quarterback at the start of the season, suddenly elevated by injuries to Kurt Warner and backup Jamie Martin, was named NFC player of the week on Wednesday. His smash debut in the Rams' first victory of the season, 28-13 over the previously unbeaten Raiders on Sunday, saw to that.

Playing for the first time in three NFL seasons, Bulger threw three touchdown passes and no interceptions.

"I thought he did a great job, stepped in and made great decisions," Warner said. "You can't ask a guy to come in and do any more than he did in his first start under those circumstances."

Mike Holmgren of the Seahawks, whose team plays the Rams on Sunday, said Bulger's success is a mixture of his hidden talent coming to the surface and of his teammates rising to the occasion.

"What impressed me as much as anything was his poise, how he handled the game," Holmgren said. "Also I think Isaac Bruce and Marshall Faulk, they're really great players and they really came to play and made plays for the young man.

"That's what has to happen, the other guys have to rally."

Bulger knows he didn't do it alone. Faulk had a season-best 158 yards rushing and caught a touchdown pass, and Bruce also caught a touchdown pass.

"It's an honor, obviously," Bulger said. "Obviously it might have been just because it's my first game starting. I'd have personally picked Marshall."

Coach Mike Martz announced Bulger as his starter for this weekend's game against the Seahawks on Monday, even though Martin is ready to go. On Wednesday, Martz raved about Bulger's quick release and his calm demeanor in the pocket.

"I don't know of anybody who gets the ball out of there as quickly as he can," Martz said. "He's got this remarkable delivery that makes it very hard to get to him."

Quickly, Bulger seems to have found a comfort zone.

"Once you're in there you can't think these guys are future Hall of Famers," Bulger said. "No matter what, it's still your huddle."

Yet, Martz also said Bulger's demeanor hasn't changed.

"That's what you've got to like about him, and Jamie, and Kurt," Martz said. "They're all so steady. He hasn't gotten caught up in all this stuff."

Bulger didn't even mind the three sacks he absorbed.

"Some of those guys, they've got bruises the size of me," he said. "So I'm not going to complain at all."

Maybe that's because Bulger, a former West Virginia star, came from humble NFL beginnings. He was a sixth-round draft pick of the New Orleans Saints in 2000 and after being cut that year he spent two weeks on the Atlanta Falcons' practice squad and one week on the Rams' practice squad.

Last season, he didn't take a snap as the Rams' third-stringer, and for a time in training camp that job appeared to be in jeopardy.

"I'm sure it motivated me," Bulger said. "If you get your job threatened, it obviously motivates you. After the first (preseason) game, I showed him I could play."

Noteworthy

OT Orlando Pace, out three games with a torn calf muscle, is listed as questionable on the injury report. But Martz thinks there's a chance the All-Pro could return. "Hopefully by Friday we'll have a better feel," Martz said. "That would be a big factor for us, to have him back."

FB Chris Hetherington (groin) is doubtful. He's the backup to James Hodgins, out since the preseason with a broken foot, so long snapper Chris Massey might be the fullback this week.

CB Dexter McCleon, out three games with a hamstring injury, is expected back. McCleon is listed as probable along with CB Aeneas Williams (turf toe).