ST. LOUIS - Somehow it doesn't seem right, but Kurt Warner is starting all over again, trying to show the Rams and himself that everything he once was in the NFL he soon will be again.
It won't be easy, though, because of the standard Warner established from 1999 to 2001: two MVPs, a Super Bowl victory, remarkable statistics and long-distance completions.
Since then his body has betrayed him, his wife has defended him, his credibility has been questioned, even his starting position has been challenged.
In Warner's mind, it will be better as soon as that first pass this September is complete and the first victory secured. Then everyone will see the old Kurt Warner hasn't gone anywhere; he just has been temporarily betrayed by the physical cruelty of the game.
"I might be better now physically than I've ever been since I've been here," Warner said. "When I first got here in 1999, I had a lot of tightness in my shoulder, especially toward the end of the year. Then the next year, stuff with my hand started. Now I've gained some weight since last year, I feel stronger, my arm feels stronger than it ever has, I have no pain, and there is no hindrance whatsoever in my hand."
That's why it was a no-brainer for Rams coach Mike Martz to name Warner his starter and return Marc Bulger, last year's feel-good story, to reserve status.
"I watch him in practice now, and he is himself again," Martz said. "He has made some throws this spring that he hasn't made for a while. He is sticking the ball into tight little spaces that very few guys can do. When he does that, he gets excited. He really enjoys it again, and that was the missing piece for a while."
IRVIN TO ESPN: Former Pro Bowl receiver Michael Irvin was hired as a studio analyst for the Sunday NFL Countdown show.
Irvin, 37, retired in 2000 after 12 seasons with the Cowboys, including three Super Bowl titles.
He also will appear on Monday Night Countdown, which precedes ABC's Monday Night Football telecast.
49ERS: Defensive end Byron Frisch signed. Frisch, a fourth-year pro from Brigham Young, had two sacks in 10 games with the Giants last season.
He played for the Cowboys in 2001, getting three sacks in 13 games.
