By Bill Coats
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Saturday, Oct. 14 2006
Should the Rams' Jeff Wilkins maintain his current field-goal pace, several NFL
records won't just be broken. They'll be shattered.
With 18 field goals in the first five games, Wilkins projects to a season total
of 58. The record is 40, set last year by St. Louisan Neil Rackers of the
Arizona Cardinals.
"Fifty-eight? Sheesh," said Wilkins, who wasn't aware of his breakneck pace.
"It's definitely not what you think about going in. If you look at my average
over the years, it's probably around 25, 30 field goals, max."
Heading into this year, Wilkins' average in 10 seasons as a full-time kicker
was 23.9 field goals. His highest season total was 39 in 2003, which at the
time tied the NFL record held by Olindo Mare (Miami, 1999).
Wilkins tallied the Rams' first 21 points this year, on seven field goals. He
drilled six, accounting for all the team's points, in the season-opening 18-10
win over Denver.
Last year, Rackers also had 18 field goals heading into Week 6, an average of
3.6 per game. But he mustered only 22 in the final 10 games.
If his pace continues, Wilkins also would smash the league marks for most
field-goal attempts (49 by Bruce Gossett, Los Angeles, 1966, and Curt Knight,
Washington, 1971) and points (176; Paul Hornung, Green Bay, 1960) in a season.
At his current pace, Wilkins would finish with 67 attempts and 195 points.
The record for points in a season by a kicker is 164, set by Pittsburgh's Gary
Anderson in 1964.
Wilkins leads the NFL in field goals, one ahead of Chicago's Robbie Gould, and
is No. 2 in scoring. He has 61 points, five fewer than Gould.
"For this point in the year, even with all these kicks, I feel as strong as
ever," Wilkins said. "I'm just trying to make sure that I get my work in during
the week and also make sure that I don't do too much. So far, so good."
Brown still ailing
A decision won't be made until Sunday, but starting right cornerback Fakhir
Brown might miss his second consecutive game. Brown's sprained right ankle
remains "tender," coach
Scott Linehan said.
"It's in a real painful spot down near his heel where it's real hard for him to
plant," Linehan said. "He didn't do much (at practice Friday), but could play
if we need him."
If Brown is out, Linehan could start rookie
Tye Hill on the right side, as he
did last week. He also could choose Jerametrius Butler or
Ron Bartell; both got
work there in Green Bay.
Left cornerback Travis Fisher, who has been bothered by tightness in his groin,
pronounced himself ready to go after Friday's workout. He and Brown remained
listed as questionable on the injury report.
Smith is improving
Fullback Paul Smith, who had surgery Tuesday to repair fractures and muscle
damage near his left eye, reported Friday that he'd made rapid improvement.
"Especially pain-wise," he said. "The pain is not there like it was, so it
means that they've done what they needed to do."
Smith was injured while covering a kickoff Oct. 1 vs. Detroit. He collided the
Lions' Frank Davis, and also suffered a concussion. Smith will be sidelined at
least three more weeks.
Ram-blings
Two former Rams veterans had tryouts this week. Wide receiver Ricky Proehl
auditioned in Indianapolis, and kicker Sean Landeta worked out in Washington.
... Streakers: Wilkins (318 successful extra points), quarterback
Marc Bulger
(214 passes without an interception), wide receiver
Torry Holt (110 games with
at least one reception), guard Adam Timmerman (178 games played).
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