Rams coach Mike Martz has faced his share of criticism over the years from his handling of the Kurt Warner situation to his play-calling late in games. He talked with members of the Tampa Bay media on Wednesday and here are some excerpts:
How are you finding a balance between playing Marshall (Faulk) and Steven Jackson?
When Marshall feels like he has to come out of the game, he comes right out and Steven goes right in and we don't change anything we do. The thing that Steven realizes is when they blitz you, they go through you (laughter). They don't check up and make moves on you. He got shocked earlier in the season, and he's close to 240 (pounds). He's a terrific back in there on third downs, too. A punt receiver with hands. He understands everything we do very, very well. Talk about the rivalry between the Bucs and the Rams dating to that NFC Championship Game in 1999.
You know, it's healthy competition. It's a very intense game every time we play each other. It's a playoff kind of intensity.
How much has the defense changed in the absence of Warren Sapp and John Lynch?
I don't see much change at all. The run force is still down in there with the safeties. The structure is fairly similar to what they've been doing. There are a couple of coverage changes that are a little different. (Defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin) is creative. He'll take advantage of his personnel. They aren't the fourth-best defense in the league for nothing. They fly to the ball with the same intensity that they've always had down there.
Does the Bucs defense do things differently than other teams do?
Probably the thing they do better than anybody is they take the ball away from you. They create turnovers. They're not given to them. They create them. That, by and large, is one of the most impressive things about them, and it's a tribute to the job they do coaching defense as well as the speed and intensity they play.
Do you think Ronde Barber is a system guy?
At one time, I think you might have looked at him like that. He's not a system guy, he's definitely not a system guy. He's a very, very smart player. He's made some big plays against us, some big breakups. He doesn't get the credit he deserves.
Talk a little about former Zephyrhills star Ryan Pickett since he's been back from injury.
He's doing really well. He's been banged up the first couple of years in the league, and then he had that high ankle (sprain, last year) that didn't get a chance to heal. Right now, I think he's playing exceptionally well at the nose guard. He's stacking 'em up pretty good. Physical. You got to double team him or else you have to make a play in the running game.
Are you surprised that Simeon Rice has only one sack in five games?
Well, no. You look at Leonard Little, too. When you go into games, you have to identify the problem areas and get that solved in your protection before you go into that game. People try to account for them with a little extra.
