Spotlight is on Rams' tackle in preseason game against Chargers

ST. LOUIS -- The preseason, a necessary evil for established players, is a proving ground for struggling Rams offensive tackle John St. Clair.

St. Clair didn't play a down his first two seasons after being picked in the third round of the 2000 draft, and didn't even dress. The Rams handed him the right tackle slot vacated when Ryan Tucker was released in a salary-cap move but he's showed little so far in a position vital to keeping Kurt Warner healthy.

In the team's first two preseason games, St. Clair has struggled. He gave up one sack in the first half of last week's game against the Bears, then was part of a backup group meltdown that allowed Marc Bulger to be sacked seven times in the second half.

"I knew it was going to be tough," St. Clair said. "It's a learning experience right now, and that's why I'm not being hard on myself. I know I'm going to be better."

Coach Mike Martz said Bulger, the team's third-string quarterback, was to blame on a couple of the sacks because he held the ball too long. Still, seven is a lot, and St. Clair is getting a lot of extra tutoring these days.

Martz also said St. Clair will go all the way in tonight's preseason game against the Chargers and in next week's preseason finale at Kansas City.

"Anytime you can get game snaps and you haven't played before, it's going to help you," Martz said. "John will play the whole game of every preseason game left at this point."

Getting St. Clair up to speed is crucial for the Rams' passing game. Warner needs time in the pocket for some of those deep throws, and the Rams can't afford to get the NFL's MVP hurt. Martz doesn't want to have to attach tight end Ernie Conwell, one of several pass-catching options, to the right side for extra protection, either.

Another problem: St. Louis' second game is against the New York Giants. St. Clair would line up against Michael Strahan, who set an NFL sacks record last season with 22 1/2. Four of them came against the Rams with Tucker playing right tackle.

Warner, whose left or blind side is protected by All-Pro tackle Orlando Pace, insists he's not worried about dodging traffic from the right side. In a few seasons, Warner believes St. Clair will be one of the anchors.

"We knew going in he wasn't going to be an All-Star after two preseason games," Warner said. "We knew he was going to have to go through some growing pains. He's got such a huge up side, down the road he's going to be very strong."

Today, maybe, is another story.

There was no viable competition from within the roster until the Rams, on Monday, acquired tackle Grant Williams from the New England Patriots. For now, Martz said Williams will be the third tackle and back up both Pace and St. Clair, and added the timing of the trade was partly coincidental because the team has been seeking a quality backup for some time.

St. Clair probably won't be opening holes for Marshall Faulk and protecting Warner for long against the Chargers. Martz said Faulk will see his action of the preseason, but will be limited, and that Warner won't play much either.

Martz held a healthy Faulk out of the first two games to conserve him for the regular season.

"Marshall will play a little bit," Martz said. "I think he needs to play a little bit. He wants to play in this a little bit, get a couple of carries, but he'll exit early."

Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer said his first-string offense, including newly named starting quarterback Drew Brees, will probably play the first half. Brees also started last week's game against the Seahawks, so he'll get three consecutive starts prior to the opener.

"There's no time to sit back and enjoy this or even let it sink in hardly," Brees said. "Its still go, go, go for me. It wasn't really an exciting moment as much as a solemn one, because I was thinking about how much work there is still to do."

Neither Brees nor Flutie have thrown a TD pass in two exhibitions.

Running back LaDainian Tomlinson, recovering from a sprained ankle suffered early in camp, won't play. Schottenhimer said Tomlinson is being held out because the game is being played on artificial turf.

Tomlinson had only five snaps in one exhibition game last year after a lengthy contract holdout, then set a Chargers rookie record with 1,236 yards.