This time Rams' backup is not unproven

ST. LOUIS -- Last year when Kurt Warner was injured, the Rams' quarterback job fell to unknown Marc Bulger.

Now, the Rams know they'll be in fine shape.

"It's always better the second time around because everybody's got more confidence," defensive lineman Tyoka Jackson said. "He has more confidence; we have more confidence as teammates, and the coaching staff has more confidence."

"He's a gunslinger; we've got two gunslingers."

Bulger made a quiet entrance into the NFL as a sixth-round pick of the Saints in 2000, and also spent time on the Rams' practice squad and as the team's third-stringer. He emerged last year, going 6-1 as the starter while Warner was 0-6 while struggling through a miserable year that included a broken pinky and broken hand.

Bulger's 1,496 yards passing in the first five starts is the best in NFL history, and he finished with 14 touchdown passes and six interceptions.

"I think it's unusual for any team to have two quality quarterbacks," coach Mike Martz said. "He's experienced, he's been there before and he's won."

Warner's concussion in the opening 23-13 loss to the Giants, his third since 1995 when he was playing in the Arena League, opened the door for Bulger again. Unlike last year, when Martz streamlined the playbook, he's really ready.

"I was confident last year, but I don't know who else was confident in me," Bulger said. "I think this year my teammates know I can go in there and win.

"I don't have to keep proving everything to them, but certainly I have to play well again this year."

He can sense that air of confidence in his teammates, too.

"Guys are acting a little bit more normal," Bulger said. "Last year everyone kept patting me on the back and saying 'It's going to be all right.'

"This year they just expect me to go in and play well."