With safety aside, Archuleta likes familiarity of newest role

ST. LOUIS -- The closer to the action, the better for Adam Archuleta.

The Rams' safety, an outside linebacker in college, has thrived since essentially moving into that spot in the team's stingy new 4-1-6 defense. Already the team's leading tackler, two weeks ago he had a quarterback pressure and a fumble recovery in a 37-20 victory over the Seahawks.

No more safety first.

"I don't have to backpedal and wait to break up some short routes and step up to the pile after everybody has been tackled," Archuleta said. "It's nice to be able to run around again and get an opportunity to make plays. I like the look and I like the defense."

That's the kind of talk coach Mike Martz and defensive coordinator Lovie Smith love to hear. Archuleta is definitely on the small size for a linebacker at 6-foot and 215 pounds, but he's at his best mixing up.

When the team took him out of Arizona State with one of their three first-round picks in last year's draft, they envisioned him as a hard-hitting, hybrid in the mold of the Bucs' John Lynch. He was an instant success in the new alignment, which features middle linebacker Tommy Polley and six defensive backs, getting a career 17 tackles -- 13 of them solo stops -- in a 28-13 victory over the Raiders three weeks ago.

"I think that does illustrate his versatility," Martz said. "I think more importantly, it illustrates his toughness and his athleticism.

"He's a tough dude. Those are big people down inside."

Cornerback Aeneas Williams joined Archuleta on Polley's flank, until he was lost for the season with ankle and leg injuries two weeks ago. James Whitley, an impressive backup after playing in the Canadien Football League last year, likely will man that spot Sunday against the Cardinals.

"I like nickel back, blitzing a lot and being in the mix of things," Whitley said. "But it'll be a great opportunity for me."

Last year, Archuleta was too willing to mix it up and paid the price with a pair of concussions. At the time, Martz said Archuleta would have to change his tackling style to survive in the NFL.

Archuleta now says he just had a run of bad luck.

"You can't really adjust," he said. "There's certain instances where I've got to be smarter and not duck my head so much, but I can't change what I've done to get me here."

He's not worried about taking a pounding over time, either.

"It hasn't been too bad," Archuleta said. "I do a lot more running around and I'm in the action more so maybe my body gets a little bit more wear and tear, but I've done a good job taking care of it.

"Even if there was a difference, I enjoy it."

Archuleta will have extra incentive on Sunday's game at Arizona because it's a personal homecoming. He played at Sun Devil Stadium while at Arizona State.

"I hope I give them something extra," Archuleta said. "Obviously that's your plan every week, but I want to have a good showing back there so they get a little taste of what's been going on.

"They haven't see the Rams and they'll get a chance to see the 'Greatest Show' again."

Archuleta doesn't know what kind of crowd the game will draw. The Cardinals routinely play to lots of empty seats.

"The fans over there, you never know about them," Archuleta said. "I'm not going to say too much, but it seems like football is an afterthought to them, even with the success Arizona State is having now."