CAMP AT A GLANCE
	Kurt Warner played in only seven games last year.
	Location: Western Illinois University, Macomb, Ill. Preseason schedule:    Aug. 8: Lost to Oakland, 7-6    Aug. 18: Beat Tampa Bay, 26-16    Aug. 23: at Buffalo    Aug. 28: Kansas City

In Pro Football Weekly's third and final installment of training-camp reports, we look at the good (biggest positive), the bad (biggest disappointment) and the ugly (injury update) factors surrounding every team halfway through the 2003 preseason. We also set our sights on a rookie to watch on each team, for whatever the reason.

Aug. 19

Biggest positives: On offense, the Rams believe their WR corps has never been deeper with fleet-footed rookies Kevin Curtis and Shaun McDonald, among others, added to the mix. On defense, they are quite pleased with the play of third-year CB Jerametrius Butler, who has performed well enough to allow the team to move veteran Aeneas Williams to free safety, where he looks increasingly comfortable. They also love the speed and playmaking ability so far of their new starting LB corps (Tommy Polley on the weak side, Robert Thomas in the middle and Pisa Tinoisamoa on the strong side).

Biggest disappointment: With OLT Orlando Pace continuing his contract holdout and his backup, Grant Williams, continuing to struggle with an injured back at presstime, the Rams' offensive line remains a bit of a sore spot. Inside, new C Dave Wohlabaugh and new OLG Andy McCollum, who started at center last season, have had some problems getting their signals straight.

Injury update: Williams hopes to be ready for the Buffalo preseason tilt Aug. 23. Former Giants CB Jason Sehorn (fractured foot) is expected to be out until the fifth game of the regular season.

Rookie to watch: Tinoisamoa, a second-round pick out of Hawaii affectionately nicknamed "Hawaii 5-0" (yes, he wears No. 50), has been a blur in camp, tackling with authority and making plays sideline to sideline.

Aug. 12

Veteran to watch: Feeling fit and throwing every pass in the book with the same touch and accuracy that earned him a pair of MVP awards, quarterback Kurt Warner has looked great in training camp. But after going 0-6 as a starter last season and throwing almost four times as many interceptions as touchdown passes, concerns will linger, especially with backup Marc Bulger, who performed brilliantly last season, looking over Warner's shoulder. Don't expect head coach Mike Martz to wait long at all to switch to Bulger should Warner revert to last year's nightmarish form.

Player on the verge: As was the case when he coached Derrick Brooks in Tampa, Rams defensive coordinator/linebacker coach Lovie Smith expects outside linebacker Tommy Polley to emerge in his third season. Polley was terrific as a rookie, but he was burdened by injuries much of last season, missing four games and most of a fifth with groin and hamstring ailments. Smith is counting on Polley to spearhead an otherwise unproven starting linebacker unit consisting of sophomore Robert Thomas in the middle and rookie Pisa Tinoisamoa on the strong side.

Strongest position: Warner, when he's right, and Bulger provide a potent one-two punch at the all-important quarterback position. Despite compiling a 6-0 record in games he started and finished last year, Bulger is not making an issue about being overlooked and seems quite comfortable being back in a reserve role. When given an opportunity last season, he was as accurate as Warner at his best and showed outstanding pocket presence.

Weakest position: With Orlando Pace continuing his contract holdout, it would have to be offensive tackle. Grant Williams, the designated starter at left tackle in Pace's absence, recently wrenched his back in a pass-blocking drill and suffered two bulging discs. If Williams remains out, either John St. Clair, who struggled mightily as a starter at right tackle last season, or current right tackle Kyle Turley would take over on the left side. In either case, unproven Andy King and Robert Haws would be the second-team left and right tackles, respectively. Despite that scary scenario, the Rams refuse to push the panic button in pursuit of Pace.

Part 1, July 18

Most significant change: An offensive line that provided shoddy protection much of the time last season, especially at right tackle, has been fortified with the additions of offensive tackle Kyle Turley via trade (New Orleans) and center Dave Wohlabaugh via free agency (Cleveland). Turley's feisty attitude should play well in St. Louis. Wohlabaugh is a bit more physical and two years younger than Andy McCollum, the starting center last year who will move to left guard.

Reason for optimism: Both quarterback Kurt Warner and running back Marshall Faulk, the team's undisputed stars when healthy, are feeling fit and ready to return the Rams to their playoff-caliber form after battling injuries on and off last season. Warner has been making all the throws this offseason, both long and short, and should benefit a great deal from the Rams' improved offensive line.

Cause for concern: The Rams' situation at cornerback leaves a lot to be desired. Aging Aeneas Williams must rebound from the ankle and fibula injuries that cut short his 2002 campaign. The other projected starter, Travis Fisher, has some skills, but he has to prove he can last the entire season in a No. 1 role. The broken foot suffered by dime cornerback James Whitley in a mid-April workout makes matters worse.

Training-camp battle to watch: Since Az-Zahir Hakim left for Detroit, the Rams have been unable to find an adequate replacement in the No. 3-wide receiver role. Holdover Troy Edwards is expected to get first crack at the job, but rookies Shaun McDonald and Kevin Curtis should push him to the hilt. McDonald has Hakim-like change-of-direction skills. Don't be surprised if:

Don't be surprised if: Warner is named Comeback Player of the Year.

Material from Pro Football Weekly.
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