Wilkins becomes sure thing with 30 straight field goals

ST. LOUIS -- Jeff Wilkins, who hasn't missed a field goal or extra point in more than a season, is the St. Louis Rams' Mr. Automatic.

Coach Mike Martz has a one-word nickname for Wilkins: Money.

"I just love him," Martz said. "He just has the greatest attitude."

Wilkins has made 30 straight field goals, the third-longest streak in NFL history. He passed John Carney, who made 29 straight for the San Diego Chargers from 1992-93, on Sunday, and needs one to tie Fuad Reveiz, who hit 31 in a row for the Minnesota Vikings from 1994-95.

Gary Anderson holds the NFL record with 40 in a row in 1997-98 for the 49ers and Vikings.

Wilkins was the only kicker in the league to not miss a field goal or extra point last year. He has connected on 120 consecutive extra-point kicks, the second-longest streak in franchise history.

This year he's 10-for-10 on field goals, including three outside the 40, and 18-for-18 on extra points.

Leg does the talking

Wilkins doesn't like talking about the streak, and often is a no-show when the locker room is open to the media.

"I just don't want to get caught up in it," Wilkins said.

Is it superstition?

"Probably a little bit, probably more than I want to believe," he said. "It's one of those things where things are going well and I don't want to change anything."

Wilkins, who has made 82 percent of his field goal attempts for his career, definitely gets a kick out of the nickname his coach hung on him.

"That's a great feeling to know he has that kind of confidence in me, because I still get nervous for every kick," Wilkins said. "At least he doesn't worry about it."

Martz named Wilkins special teams player of the week for his efforts in Sunday's 34-14 victory over the New York Jets. His biggest contribution was a perfectly executed onside kick in the third quarter that Dre' Bly recovered as the Rams, leading 31-7 at the time, guarded against a Jets comeback. Wilkins also made two field goals, hitting from 47 and 24 yards.

Martz appreciates Wilkins' tough attitude nearly as much as his production. Since he signed with the Rams in 1997, he has eight special teams tackles.

"I guess maybe it is a slam at kickers, but you think of kickers having a mentality that's different from a regular player," Martz said. "He doesn't, and that's what I love about him."

Wilkins, who was bothered by hamstring and knee woes the previous two seasons, said his leg is stronger this year because he's cut back in practice. The Rams also brought a second kicker to training camp to ease his work load.

Wilkins said he tries 20-50 kicks a day, depending on how he's feeling, compared to as many as 75 in the past.

"I feel better than I've felt in two years," Wilkins said. "Not kicking off in the preseason helped, and I've really been limiting what I do in practice compared to what I used to do."

Notes: The Rams are trying to go 7-0 for the fourth time in franchise history. They began the year 11-0 in 1969 and started 7-0 in 1978 and 1985. ... Aenaes Williams' 42-yard interception return against the Jets was the second touchdown for the Rams' defense this season, matching their season total from last year. ... Kurt Warner leads the NFL with 1,779 passing yards, 211 more than second-place Brett Favre of the Packers. ... The Saints are 2-1 on the road after setting a franchise record with a 7-1 road record last year. ... Saints RB Ricky Williams has 2,364 career rushing yards and needs 98 to catch FB Wayne Wilson (1979-86) for seventh on the franchise list. ... The Saints' defense has allowed an NFL-low 66 first downs.