Williams ready to resume his role as shutdown cornerback

MACOMB, Ill. -- As far as Aeneas Williams is concerned, he's not one of the Rams' question marks.

Williams is coming off a devastating injury, a broken leg and torn ankle ligaments that cost him the second half of last season. At 35, he's no kid.

But he appears ready to resume his role as the team's shutdown cornerback and leader of a young secondary.

"It's one of those things in life," Williams said. "It happened, it didn't kill me, and I believe I'm better for it."

If Williams is confident, so are the Rams. They've taken note of the seven-time Pro Bowl players' dedication and commitment since arriving in a draft day trade in 2001.

The Rams, who lost cornerback Dre' Bly and backup Dexter McCleon to free agency, passed up chances to add insurance in the secondary during the offseason. The other starting corner, Travis Fisher, is entering his second season, and nickel back James Whitley is out at least until the start of the regular season with a broken foot.

"He's a Christian man who doesn't lie an awful lot and when he says something, you really believe him," defensive coordinator Lovie Smith said. "We think he's got years left.

"He's an important part of what we do here."

Fisher adds simply: "He's looking good out there. Everybody has confidence in Aeneas."

Before the injury, Williams was the NFL's most durable defensive back and among its most productive with 51 interceptions -- fourth on the active list. He's a member of the NFL Team of the 1990s at defensive back along with Deion Sanders, Darrell Green and Rod Woodson.

He started the first 177 games of his career, and had played in all 180 before turf toe knocked him out of an early October game last year. He was lost for the season Oct. 20 when teammate Adam Archuleta rolled over his leg in a victory over the Seahawks.

The injury reduced Williams to tears, and the initial prognosis was that if he returned at all, it might have to be as a safety. For 10 weeks, he was on crutches, yet he resumed cardiovascular work in the pool only two weeks after the injury.

"Now, to get back out there to help the team is a big joy for me," Williams said.

Williams isn't 100 percent yet, but he doesn't think it'll be much longer.

"Coming into camp in good shape always helps," he said. "I feel like I'm in very good shape and just really feel great as far as the movement.

"I'm able to do everything with no limitations at all."

The Rams are giving him the chance to do it as his pace, sitting Williams and Marshall Faulk on morning practices during two-a-day workouts. Williams' only mild post-practice complaint has been some soreness in the leg.

"Neither one of them wanted to do this," coach Mike Martz said. "This is my decision. They're not real happy about it, but that's the way it goes."

Williams said it's probably a concession to his age as well as the injury. He's not as unhappy about it as Martz might have anticipated.

"It is tough sitting around, but I get a chance to get more mental reps and you get to see the game from a different angle," Williams said. "You kind of practice vicariously, but I'm fine with it."