Rams still searching for Turley's replacement

ST. LOUIS -- It's been more than four months since Kyle Turley shut himself down for the season with another back injury, and the St. Louis Rams are still feeling the repercussions.

The biggest hole on the offensive line has been Turley's vacated right tackle spot. Grant Williams has been beaten repeatedly in recent weeks, and he was burned for the sack that knocked quarterback Marc Bulger out of last week's 16-6 victory over the 49ers with a sprained right shoulder.

Now, it's up to unheralded Blaine Saipaia to help keep 39-year-old backup Chris Chandler healthy until Bulger returns, perhaps in two weeks. Williams was benched in the second half last week in favor of Saipaia, and coach Mike Martz has named Saipaia the starter for Sunday's game at Carolina.

Saipaia has a tall order, trying to handle one of the NFL's best pass rushers. Julius Peppers has nine sacks, two off the league lead.

"Blaine obviously understands the opportunity that's ahead of him," Martz said. "He has the athleticism to line up on the edge and block a guy like Peppers.

"The experience is going to be a bit of a factor, so we need to help him. Hopefully we can settle in with Blaine."

Saipaia came in on the Rams' off-day on Tuesday to study Peppers' moves.

"He's a speed guy and does a lot of moves where he can transfer his speed to power," Saipaia said. "With his speed, he can catch a lot of people off-balance.

"If I stay balanced and stay with him, I should be OK."

Keeping Chandler in one piece is paramount for the Rams (6-6) considering the alternatives. The backups are rookie Jeff Smoker, a sixth-round pick, and well-traveled Jamie Martin, who had been unattached since being released by the Jets in October 2003.

It's unclear which quarterback would be the backup this week. Martz was adamant about not using Smoker earlier in the week, given his lack of experience and Martin's rust, but later in the week hedged on his choice.

Martz also said Smoker has picked up the offense faster than he had anticipated.

"He's got a lot more in him, he's retained a lot more, and looks a lot more at ease with what we're doing than I would have thought," Martz said.

Saipaia has one career start, at Buffalo on Nov. 21, when he also stepped in for a banged-up Williams. In that game, he played well initially but struggled against the pass rush and blitz in the second half.

He expects to do better with his second chance.

"I'm not so hyperactive now that I've actually had a chance to get in there and get some time," Saipaia said. "I'll give it the best shot I can, but I think I'll be a little more relaxed and focused.

"I've definitely got to be on my game."

Williams has a rotator cuff injury that has forced him to alter his technique, and also has an elbow injury.

"When he sets he's got to turn and favor one arm, and that's when he gets beat," Martz said. "If he's healthy, he's fine. Unfortunately, he hasn't been healthy."

As for Turley, he hasn't been seen around Rams Park all season. He left training camp on Aug. 1 and was placed on injured reserve in late August after reinjuring his surgically-repaired back early in training camp.

Martz had difficulty reaching Turley while the tackle was visiting various specialists around the country, noting that he phoned him about 20 times without receiving a return call. So, this disappearance is nothing new.

"I have no idea where he is, have no idea if he wants to play or can play," Martz said. "I have no idea about any of that. I have not seen him."