Veteran linemen have something to prove

~ Timmerman and McCollum hope to remain starters for the new coaching staff.

ST. LOUIS -- Together, St. Louis Rams offensive linemen Adam Timmerman and Andy McCollum have 25 seasons in the NFL, along with the wear and tear that goes with it.

The combination of experience mixed with the liability of age and tossed further by a coaching change has put them on notice that their time may be winding down. Coach Scott Linehan wants competition on the offensive line and Timmerman, the right guard, and McCollum, the center, know it's about what you've done lately -- despite their status as members of the team's 2001 NFC championship team.

"We've got some guys who are toward the end of their career with Andy and Adam," Linehan said. "We're certainly glad to still have them, but we also know there's some young guys that have been brought here for a reason that are going to be pushing for starting roles.

"So, everybody knows they've got to play at a high level to keep that spot."

Timmerman, 34, recovered from operations on both shoulders and a knee to start all 16 games last season. He's been to two Pro Bowls and is durable, carrying a run of 173 consecutive games into this year.

He's also shed 10 pounds, reporting to training camp at just under 300, by cutting out junk food like doughnuts and carbonated beverages. The leaner the better for Timmerman, who underwent another knee cleanup procedure in the offseason.

"I don't feel like I'm 25 years old, but it feels pretty good," Timmerman said. "As good as could be expected."

McCollum, 35, also started every game last season and has 144 career starts on the interior line. He had two starts at left guard for the 1999 Super Bowl championship team and started every game at center for the 2001 Super Bowl team.

Like Timmerman the previous year, McCollum had cleanup surgery on both shoulders and knees in the offseason. He's ready for the competition.

"You've got to come in with that mindset every year. I've always thought that way," McCollum said. "That's the only way to approach it.

"You've got to prove yourself every year, I believe."

McCollum, who signed a two-year contract in the offseason, expects no special favors as nods to his longevity.

"I've never been a big-time guy like Orlando [Pace]," McCollum said. "You've got to show others you're the best man for the job."

Timmerman takes Linehan's words as a challenge from a coach unfamiliar with their contributions over the years.

"He hasn't been around us, he doesn't know what we're all about," Timmerman said. "Competition never hurt anybody."

He's not surprised that Linehan would suggest he and McCollum are close to retirement, although the team's depth chart probably dictates that only one is in any immediate danger.

"I could have probably told him I'm closer to the end than to the beginning, that's for sure," Timmerman said. "I guess I didn't really need him to say it. It's kind of obvious, maybe."

Among those in the competition are Richie Incognito, a third-round pick last year coming off knee surgery that sidelined him his entire rookie season. Incognito began training camp as the starting left guard ahead of fellow second-year man Claude Terrell, but could be used at the other guard or center.

Blaine Saipaia, a free-agent pickup in 2004 with three years of NFL experience, started three games last season, two at right tackle. The Rams selected a pair of guards, Mark Setterstrom and Tony Palmer, on the second day of the draft.

"It'll be interesting," Linehan said. "I don't foresee anything unusual happening, but if somebody steps up and plays good, you reward people with performance by moving them up the depth chart."