The 'A' game lives Aeneas Williams still among the NFL's best

ST. LOUIS -- Watch Aeneas Williams on the practice field, and it's as if the Super Bowl is hanging in the balance.

That tenacious attitude is keeping the St. Louis Rams' cornerback, who could be in the twilight years of his NFL career, on top. Pass coverage is a young man's game, but the six-time Pro Bowl player, who'll be 34 next month, is playing at that level.

"A wise person once told me, 'How old would you be if you didn't know how old you were?"' Williams said. "The obvious statement was how you feel.

"I feel great. In December and the latter part of the year I've always gotten stronger and better. I've always believed the season is made during the offseason, so I've really concentrated on that."

The Rams' 27-14 victory over the 49ers was just the latest example that Williams' skills have not eroded. He is the NFC defensive player of the week after making two interceptions and seven tackles.

"He shows up big in big games," coach Mike Martz said. "What you see Aeneas do in the first quarter and how hard he plays and the speed and the intensity, that's how he practices every day."

Certainly, quarterback Kurt Warner has his hands full every day at Rams Park.

"He's always trying to make a play, and he never stops," Warner said. "A guy that's been in the league as long as he has, I think it's a little bit unusual to see him go that hard all the time.

"That's what makes him great; that's what makes him special."

Williams made the Pro Bowl every year from 1994-99. Inspired by playing for a Super Bowl contender for the first time of his career, he's also been an inspiration for his teammates.

It started when Williams was looking for role models himself. When he came into the NFL as a Cardinals third-round pick in 1991 he telephoned veterans with staying power such as Darrell Green, Jerry Rice, Michael Haynes, Kenny Houston and Eric Allen to learn their secrets.

"It was obvious on the field that their standard was a lot different from what I'd seen, across the board," Williams said. "They gave me some of the things I'm still currently implementing."

Williams played his first 10 seasons with the Cardinals and was named to the NFL's team of the 1990s at cornerback along with Green, Deion Sanders and Rod Woodson. The Rams stole him on draft day, paying only second- and fourth-round draft picks.

He's been an extremely durable performer throughout his career, and will be making his 170th consecutive start Monday night in New Orleans.

"People say you're supposed to be slowing down," Williams said. "But Michael Johnson set the world record in the 400 when he was 32. Michael Jordan, I think, won his last NBA title when he was 36, and Jerry Rice was 33 when he went for over 1,800 yards in a single season."

Last week he helped shut down the 49ers' Terrell Owens, who got only three catches for 54 yards. His physical play early also helped set the tone in the Rams' 27-14 victory.

Williams said the key was upsetting the 49ers' rhythm and taking away Jeff Garcia's initial reads. Mission accomplished on the game's third play, when he stepped in front of Owens for an interception that led to the Rams' first touchdown.

"They enjoy hitting the short patterns and guys running after the catch," Williams said. "I knew it was imperative that regardless of where you were, you needed to get to the ball."

His only disappointment was failing to score on either of his interceptions. Williams has returned eight of his 50 career pickoffs for touchdowns, tied for second on the NFL career list and one shy of tying Houston for the lead.