Two Rams battling to back up Faulk

ST. LOUIS -- The battle for the No. 2 running back spot for the St. Louis Rams is apparently up for grabs.

Marshall Faulk, the 2001 NFL offensive player of the year, has watched from the sidelines while last year's backup, Trung Canidate, and rookie Lamar Gordon have filled in during the first two preseason games, both losses. Coach Mike Martz wants to keep Faulk injury-free and has not indicated if Faulk will play Thursday when the Rams host the San Diego Chargers.

Competition for the understudy role doesn't bother Canidate, a first-round pick in the 2000 draft. He bears no animosity toward Gordon, whom some in the organization feel could be the steal of the draft as a third-round pick out of North Dakota State.

"Hey man, I love everybody," Canidate said. "It's one of those things. Seriously, I mean, bottom line, that's what the league is about. You know you just improve and try and get better."

The same holds true for Gordon.

"I know we're battling," Gordon said. "I'm not going to act like I don't. I want to show people I belong in this league."

A game-breaker

The fleet Candidate has shown some potential to be a game-breaker. He started twice when Faulk was out with an ailing knee last season, rushing for 195 yards and two touchdowns against the New York Jets in one of them. For the season he gained 441 yards rushing and caught 17 passes for 154 yards, and scored six touchdowns.

But Canidate's propensity for fumbling cost the Rams in a loss to New Orleans and angered Martz.

Gordon rushed for 4,700 yards and 84 touchdown in college. The 6-1, 214-pound Gordon is more of a bull-like rusher than Canidate and is adept at catching passes out of the backfield. He was used once in Friday's 19-17 loss to Chicago from the flanker position.

In the preseason opener, Canidate rushed 11 times for 18 yards while catching five passes for 30 yards, while Gordon gained 34 yards on 10 carries, caught four passes for 37 yards and scored two touchdowns in a 28-26 loss to Tennessee.

Against Chicago, Canidate finished with better numbers. He ran for 89 yards on 21 attempts and gained 50 yards on two receptions. Gordon rushed for 49 yards on six carries and caught four passes for 50 yards, though he did not play in the second half after a minor ankle sprain.

"I'm not exceeding my expectations at all, probably everybody else's," Gordon said. "I'm just happy. I know I can play football."

Slashing, bruising style

Gordon's slashing, bruising style has caught the eye of Martz.

"He's a pretty extraordinary back," Martz said. "It looks like he has a tremendous future. Him and Trung. The two running backs were good against Chicago. They were physical. They are tough guys, I think."

But Martz was also upset that both fumbled, each miscue stopping a drive.

Canidate's fumble came at the Chicago 30. Backup safety Larry Whigham smacked Gordon at the end of a 22-yard catch inside the Chicago 5. The hit knocked Gordon's helmet off. Not that Martz had any sympathy.

"He and Trung, both of those balls, you just can't do that," Martz said. "You can't lay the ball on the carpet like that."

Martz also expressed displeasure that Gordon didn't play through the injury.

"It was a very minor ankle sprain," Martz said. "It's something that you certainly need to play with. He needs to learn you just play with that in this league."

Gordon said the rivalry with Canidate is a friendly one.

"Trung is helping me out. It's just football," he said.

Noteworthy

Rams' defensive tackle Damione Lewis was finally back on the practice field Monday.Last year's top draft pick had been out since last November with a broken right foot that took its time healing, even though he's not yet at full speed.

"It is an eternity, it feels like," Lewis said. "It's been a real long time. I'm just ready to get out there and contribute."

Lewis won't play Thursday, but expects to be ready for the season opener Sept. 8 at Denver.

The Rams acquired veteran offensive tackle Grant Williams from the New England Patriots Monday for an undisclosed draft choice.

Williams, a 6-foot-7, 320-pounder who has started 35 of 85 games over six NFL seasons, has played left and right tackle.