Smoker makes bid for No. 2 QB spot

ST. LOUIS -- The learning curve remains steep for St. Louis Rams backup quarterback Jeff Smoker.

With No. 2 quarterback Jamie Martin sitting out with a groin pull, Smoker received the bulk of the repetitions during Friday morning's workout at Rams Park.

"It gave me a chance to get some reps in and get some experience," Smoker said.

Getting on the field is what it's all about, Smoker said. All the classroom study and film work is fine but holding the football is what excites him.

"There's such a big difference from learning things in the classroom and on paper and watching them on tape and then applying them to the field," Smoker said. "Guys are out there flying around and I'm glad to be out there."

How fast does it go on the field?

"Quick isn't even the word to describe it," Smoker said. "It's Wile E. Coyote fast. It's tough to make the transition from the meeting rooms to the playing field and I'm trying to make it."

It's a difficult transition for most quarterbacks. Given the complexity of the Rams' schemes, it's doubly tough.

Rams coach Mike Martz likes to verbally engage his quarterbacks, especially the young ones. He is not shy about riding them like a bronc rider in the rodeo. He can raise his voice, shouting when something goes awry.

While Marc Bulger is firmly planted as the starting quarterback, there could be a battle for the backup spot with aging Chris Chandler no longer on the scene. Martin, 36, appears to have the inside track although Smoker, a sixth-round draft choice in 2004, could make a move. Rookie Ryan Fitzpatrick would seem to be trying for the No. 3 job.

There has been no talk about who is competing for what jobs, Smoker said.

Martz said Smoker still has plenty of room for improvement in learning his highly nuanced offense. In fact, he said he is not pleased with Smoker's progression so far in camp.

"Not yet," Martz said. "He's got a long ways to go."

Such critiques, while not taken lightly, do not deter Smoker. In fact, he said he welcomes the criticism because he can use it to get better. Trying to run the two-minute drill on Thursday, Smoker had some problems. Martz let him know about it.

"Well, I made some mistakes, let's just say that," Smoker said laughing. "It was rough. It's usually good if they're yelling at you like that because they want you to do good. When they start ignoring you, then that's probably a red flag."

He likely will have a chance to show his skills today when the Rams hold a night practice at Washington University. Martz said the offense will run 48 scripted plays.

"There's more than one thing to learn every day," Smoker said. "The main thing is not to make the same mistake twice. I'm going to treat it like a game."

Martz will be watching closely.

"He's got to make plays. He's got to eliminate mental mistakes and make plays," Martz said. "He's got to eliminate all that garbage, you know, the dumb things that young quarterbacks do."

NOTES: RT Grant Williams, bothered by a disc in his lower back, did not practice. Williams strained his back Wednesday and had an MRI, Martz said. Rex Tucker has moved from guard to fill in for Williams. ... Injuries kept LT Orlando Pace (hip flexor) out as well. "Those kinds of things you'll keep all year long if you don't let them heal," Martz said. ... Martz said there is "nothing new" to report on unsigned No. 1 draft pick Alex Barron. ... St. Louis practiced 80 minutes outdoors before the rain and lightning chased the Rams indoors.