Monday Night Football Notes

[BangTheBook]

MONDAY'S GAME 8/29/05

St. Louis Rams - QB Rotation: Marc Bulger (1-3rd Q), Jamie Martin, Jeff Smoker, rookie Ryan Fitzpatrick.

It's very possible that many of the Rams starters could play well into the third quarter tonight at Ford Field. "I want us to compete way better than we did a week ago," Martz said. "I think that's what's important about this game. To get our (starters) together. To try to get a little bit of cohesiveness to both units and special teams. Give them a better opportunity from a game-plan standpoint."

With QB Jamie Martin slowed by a nagging groin injury last week, coach Mike Martz decided to rest him against the Chargers and give Jeff Smoker some work as the team's No. 2 quarterback. Smoker was unimpressive, completing one of three passes for 17 yards. Martz said Martin will play this weekend in Detroit.


Martz is not happy with the defense: "There are a lot of defensive positions that aren't safe - probably half of them," he said. "We're not competing on defense like we should or can. I'm not very happy with that. So we'll have to see some sort of change there." Martz wants to see the run defense show marked improvement in Detroit over what took place eight days ago in San Diego. Against the Chargers, the Rams' defense was gouged for 215 yards rushing, including a pair of 55-yard runs. Ryan Pickett will sit out tonight's contest because of a sore back. In addition, tight end Roland Williams will not play after suffering a hyperextended knee against the Chargers.

Secondary thin.

Adam Archuleta is back at strong safety. Martz said, "Adam's probably better down inside than back - particularly in our nickel package. He's such an instinctive and quick read guy in the running game. We miss him being up there."

Offensive line is still a work in progress. Sunday marked rookie OT Alex Barron's debut in a Rams uniform. He played the entire second half, but coach Mike Martz was underwhelmed with Barron's play. "He didn't do very well," Martz said.

The Rams' merry-go-round at left guard continued Friday, when veteran Tom Nutten took the snaps with the first team. On Wednesday, Blaine Saipaia was with the "ones." On Thursday, it was rookie Claude Terrell. Coach Mike Martz said Nutten would start Monday, meaning that four of the five starters from the Super Bowl championship team of 2000 - Nutten, left tackle Orlando Pace, center Andy McCollum and right guard Adam Timmerman - will be lining up together.

Detroit Lions - QB Rotation: Joey Harrington (first half), Jeff Garcia (3rd Q), rookie Dan Orlovsky (4th Q).

Coach Steve Mariucci said his starters will play the first half -- "then we'll decide at halftime who's had enough playing time."

Joey Harrington's performance in the first two exhibition games has removed any doubt that he is the starting quarterback. Jeff Garcia will remain the No. 2 quarterback.

The design work and strategic planning of the Lions' offense is still on the drawing board, and don't expect to see a wide-open attack over the next two preseason games. Even in Monday night's dress rehearsal against the St. Louis Rams, an exhibition game that will come closest to being like the regular season, the offense will be a stripped-down version. The Lions are saving the tricks and gadgets for the regular season.

Defensive line thin: The Lions have three defensive linemen whose status is in doubt for Monday. Tackle Shaun Rogers (shin) and end James Hall (shoulder) have been out of practice all week. It's unlikely they will play without having practiced. Tackle Marcus Bell is recovering from a strained quadriceps.

The Lions have failed to gain a first down on only two possessions in the first two games with Joey Harrington or Jeff Garcia at QB. Harrington cemented his position as the starting QB by completing 14 of 15 passes, but he has yet to lead the offense to a touchdown. There hasn't been a touchdown in the red zone with anyone at quarterback.

Fullback Cory Schlesinger is out six to eight weeks with a fractured fibula.

Ted Tollner is the new offensive coordinator