Guard's consecutive game streak is in serious jeopardy

By R.B. FALLSTROM/AP Sports Writer

ST. LOUIS (AP) - The most revealing statistic for an offensive lineman is consecutive games played, so Adam Timmerman will not take the likely end of his lengthy streak lightly.

The St. Louis Rams' offensive guard has been held out of practice all week due to a season-long buildup of injuries, and will not start in Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals. Counting playoff games he has made 89 consecutive starts dating to 2000 and played in 184 consecutive games dating to 1996.

“It's really our only stat, how durable you've been, how many games you've played in and stuff like that,” Timmerman said. “It's kind of important but it's not that important that we should put it ahead of everything else.”

Interim coach Joe Vitt said Timmerman would dress but would be available only in an emergency. Blaine Saipaia will get his fourth start of the season, at his third different position, while Timmerman hopes one week off will get him back to health.

Timmerman underwent offseason surgery on both shoulders and a foot, and lately has been bothered by a back injury. An MRI exam indicated that there was no problem with a disc, and that rest and therapy would help.

Timmerman has been seeing a chiropractor and undergoing massage.

“They just kind of said we need to give you a rest so you can feel better, and I'm like I want to feel better too,” Timmerman said. “So we kind of came to an agreement.”

Vitt said resting was the smart play, regardless of Timmerman's iron man run.

“I think he knows his best interests and the team's best interests right now,” Vitt said. “We've got to get him healthy and the only way to do that is to get him some rest and some treatment.”

Saipaia started at right tackle in Weeks 2 and 3 while the Rams were getting first-round pick Alex Barron, who held out much of training camp, up to speed. He also started at tight end in Week 5.

Vitt said the team values Saipaia's versatility, even though the average fan likely knows little about him.

“The more things you can do, ...” Vitt said. “I really think he's best suited for inside and that's where he is right now.”

Another player who has found a comfort zone is free safety Mike Furrey, a converted wide receiver who'll be making his fifth straight start on Sunday. Furrey, at the suggestion of coach Mike Martz, made the position switch in training camp.

Furrey has created a turnover in each of his four starts and could tie Tony Parrish of the 49ers in 2003 for the longest streak in league history on Sunday. This from a player who had trouble getting on the field as a wide receiver.

In his mind, the position switch is permanent.

“I love it and it's something I feel really comfortable doing, more comfortable than I did playing receiver,” Furrey said. “I think coach Martz saw something that nobody else saw and he made this thing possible, and here we are.”

BRIEFLY: Vitt's run of inspirational triumphs ran out when a clip of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey upset of the Soviet Union failed to produce a victory at Seattle. The previous two weeks, both victories, he aired portions of “Gladiator” and Jim Valvano's inspirational speech. ... Cornerback Travis Fisher also will not play on Sunday due to a nagging groin injury. The likely replacement is rookie Ron Bartell, the team's second-round pick. ... The Rams are 6-3 against the Cardinals since moving to St. Louis in 1995, and 6-1 since the teams were aligned in the NFC West in 2002. The Cardinals left St. Louis after the 1987 season. ... The Rams are an NFL-best 42-11 at home since 1999 including a 4-1 record this year. ... Running back Steven Jackson hasn't let the controversy surrounding the team affect him. “It's been a fun year for me, my first year of starting,” he said. “I'm just enjoying everything and maybe one day I'll write a book.”