Wilkins - Martz not my motivation down final stretch

ST. LOUIS -- As disappointing as the Rams' season has been, kicker Jeff Wilkins said he was shocked to be singled out for criticism after Sunday's loss at Kansas City

Wilkins missed a 42-yard field goal attempt in the first half when he scuffed the ground, and misfired on pooch kickoffs designed to control the Chiefs' Dante Hall, who had an 88-yard kickoff return for touchdown that jump-started last week's 49-10 win over the Rams. He's 14-for-20 this season, his sixth with the team, and may not be back next season.

Especially after coach Mike Martz unloaded on him the day after the loss.

"He's unhappy and I'm unhappy," Wilkins said Wednesday. "But I didn't expect that."

Wilkins said he will play for his teammates and embattled special teams coach Bobby April over the last three games. He pointedly avoided mentioning the head coach, with whom he met earlier in the week, and refused to talk about the meeting.

"I'm not going to go down that road," Wilkins said. "I've talked to him one-on-one and I'm just going to leave it at that.

"As of right now I'm playing for these guys and coach April and we'll go from there and see what happens."

Martz, who rarely has criticized players in public, said Monday he'd "lost a lot of confidence" in Wilkins. He also said when the Rams go for it on fourth down in long field goal range, that's because of Wilkins' struggles.

Wilkins executed a perfect onside kick to help the Rams (5-8) rally to beat the Chargers in Week 9. He's missed twice inside the 40 this season and bounced two field goals over the upright in one game.

"Obviously I was very upset in the game and said some things to Jeff that I regret saying," Martz said Wednesday. "But the point I was trying to make to Jeff is this has got to stop, you need to start making these.

"There's always reasons why these things aren't being done, but that's enough."

Wilkins believes his problem is mechanical rather than mental, even though he tried kicking barefoot for a few games early in the season. He took the shoe off because he was making too much contact with the ground, and it's still happening.

"Mentally, I feel fine," he said. "I've felt fine all year. I go out there expecting to make every kick."

When they don't go through the uprights, Wilkins said he tries not to beat himself up too much about it.

"It upsets me, but as a kicker you've got to try to let it go as quickly as possible and get ready for the next one," he said. "I've had ups and downs as a kicker and you just go out there and try to get better every day, like I have all year.

"You've got to let it go if you're ready to make the next one."

Wilkins said he might consult a kicking coach during the offseason because he hasn't been able to iron out his difficulties on his own.

"Maybe getting somebody's opinion would be great, it's just tough during the season to do that," Wilkins said. "This offseason, I'll definitely look into that."

For now, he'll just keep trying.

"I'm going to go to work and try to improve every day," Wilkins said. "Whether it shows up or not remains to be seen, but I still feel confident and I still believe I'm going to hit every one."