Falling off the Pace

Rams' All-Pro offensive tackle won't go until Friday

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- St. Louis Rams All-Pro offensive tackle Orlando Pace won't practice until Friday due to a knee injury from the NFC Championship Game.

Pace, who rode a stationary bicycle for about 20 minutes during Wednesday's workout, also will wear a brace in the Super Bowl on Sunday. He was listed as questionable.

"I'm going to take a couple days off and rest the leg," Pace said. "I'll be ready to go on Friday and I'll definitely be ready to go on Sunday.

"It's pretty precautionary, just to keep the swelling down."

After the Rams worked out for about 2 1-2 hours in shorts, shells and helmets, head coach Mike Martz said Pace should be fine by game day.

"It's not an issue for us for him to practice," Martz said. "He's played what, 23 games now. As long as he goes through the walkthroughs and knows who to get and all that, he's fine."

Kurt Warner, who took a painkilling injection for bruised ribs before the NFC championship game last Sunday, had no problems in his first workout since then. He's also been bothered by bruised vocal cords and stomach flu in recent weeks, but took all of the snaps in 11-on-11 drills.

"He's past it all," Martz said. "He's fine."

Wide receiver Az-Zahir Hakim (ankle) and defensive tackle Jeff Zgonina (hyperextended elbow) did not practice, but are expected to play on Sunday.

Pace strained a ligament in his right knee in the first half of the Rams' victory against the Philadelphia Eagles. He missed only a series, surprising coaches by insisting on finishing the game.

On Wednesday, Martz gave Pace the offensive game ball.

"It was a testimony, really, to his great courage," Martz said.

Pace, the first overall pick of the 1997 draft, said it was never a question whether he'd play the second half against the Eagles. He neutralized Hugh Douglas before and after the injury.

"I really couldn't miss that game," Pace said. "I've never really been hurt in my career, so I don't even know how to handle this whole situation."

Rod Jones, who strained his groin in the NFC Championship Game, practiced at both tackle positions but mostly on the right side. Pace is the left tackle.

Jones started last week at right tackle in place of Ryan Tucker, who has not started either of the Rams' playoff games due to a sprained ankle, but is expected to start in the Super Bowl. Tucker took most of the snaps at left tackle on Wednesday.

Saints head coach Jim Haslett, at Martz' invitation, watched practice for about an hour. The Rams are using the Saints' practice facility and Martz is using Haslett's private locker.

"Obviously, we wouldn't feel comfortable with their staff out here," Martz said. "But I extended an invitation to Jim to come out and watch practice, and he did."

Martz likes the Saints' setup.

"It's outstanding," he said. "The fields are really nice. Security is good. It's like being at home."

 

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