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Quarterbacks: Say hello to Kurt Warner. The 1999 NFL regular-season and Super Bowl MVP will see his most extensive action of the preseason, playing most or all of the first half. Joe Germaine will then get a large chunk of work, with Marc "Comeback" Bulger getting less playing time.
Running backs: Still no Marshall Faulk and Trung Canidate. So again look for a lot of Robert Holcombe early, followed by Justin Watson. The Rams also want to give little-known Anthony White some carries.
Receivers: After missing the first two games because of the death of his brother, Isaac Bruce makes his preseason debut. Look for Bruce to play less than the other starters - perhaps only a quarter. Time is running out for second-tier receivers Milton Wynn, Tony Miles, Antoine Toliver and Sherrod Gideon to impress the head coach.
Offensive line: The second unit had too many breakdowns against Buffalo. Head coach Mike Martz felt only tackle John St. Clair had a decent outing. Preseason or not, there will be some tantalizing frontline matchups: DE Jevon Kearse vs. OT Orlando Pace, and DE Kevin Carter vs. OT Ryan Tucker.
Defensive line: With Grant Wistrom (knee) sidelined and Cedric Jones (hip) out for the season, the "J.B.'s" - Jonathan Brown and Jermaine Benoit - have a chance to show their stuff at end. There's a chance Brown may get some work with the first unit.
Linebackers: The group showed marked improvement against Buffalo, compared with the Miami contest. Second-round pick Tommy Polley, who backs up Mark Fields at the weakside position, stepped up his game considerably. After missing the Buffalo game with an ankle injury, third-rounder Brian Allen returns tonight.
Secondary: Safety Rich Coady and fifth-round pick cornerback Jerametrius Butler will give their hamstrings one more weekend off. Jacoby Shepherd (hamstring) is expected to play. With Butler sidelined, XFL alum Damen Wheeler has the inside track on the fifth cornerback spot.
Special teams: Even with his lost fumble against Buffalo, the coaches remain intrigued with Dre' Bly's potential as a kickoff and punt returner. He will get plenty of work at both spots tonight. For the third straight game, Az-Zahir Hakim won't be used on punt returns. He will handle his first punts against San Diego.
Running backs: Still no Marshall Faulk and Trung Canidate. So again look for a lot of Robert Holcombe early, followed by Justin Watson. The Rams also want to give little-known Anthony White some carries.
Receivers: After missing the first two games because of the death of his brother, Isaac Bruce makes his preseason debut. Look for Bruce to play less than the other starters - perhaps only a quarter. Time is running out for second-tier receivers Milton Wynn, Tony Miles, Antoine Toliver and Sherrod Gideon to impress the head coach.
Offensive line: The second unit had too many breakdowns against Buffalo. Head coach Mike Martz felt only tackle John St. Clair had a decent outing. Preseason or not, there will be some tantalizing frontline matchups: DE Jevon Kearse vs. OT Orlando Pace, and DE Kevin Carter vs. OT Ryan Tucker.
Defensive line: With Grant Wistrom (knee) sidelined and Cedric Jones (hip) out for the season, the "J.B.'s" - Jonathan Brown and Jermaine Benoit - have a chance to show their stuff at end. There's a chance Brown may get some work with the first unit.
Linebackers: The group showed marked improvement against Buffalo, compared with the Miami contest. Second-round pick Tommy Polley, who backs up Mark Fields at the weakside position, stepped up his game considerably. After missing the Buffalo game with an ankle injury, third-rounder Brian Allen returns tonight.
Secondary: Safety Rich Coady and fifth-round pick cornerback Jerametrius Butler will give their hamstrings one more weekend off. Jacoby Shepherd (hamstring) is expected to play. With Butler sidelined, XFL alum Damen Wheeler has the inside track on the fifth cornerback spot.
Special teams: Even with his lost fumble against Buffalo, the coaches remain intrigued with Dre' Bly's potential as a kickoff and punt returner. He will get plenty of work at both spots tonight. For the third straight game, Az-Zahir Hakim won't be used on punt returns. He will handle his first punts against San Diego.
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