Healthy Archuleta tries to regain form

ST. LOUIS -- The herniated disc that hampered Adam Archuleta so much last season that he couldn't touch his knees, let alone his toes, has healed.

Now, for the St. Louis Rams' free safety, it's a matter of getting confidence that the back is indeed OK.

"As far as just walking around and being a human being, I feel great," Archuleta said. "Now it's time to get back into the competitive aspect of playing football.

"I can run around, I can do everything, I just want to be smart and make sure I don't have a setback where I regret doing something."

Archuleta said the only limitations he'll have early in training camp will be self-imposed.

"Pretty much it's at my own pace," he said.

"As long as I get comfortable with the idea of it, then I know how far to push myself," Archuleta said. "Tomorrow or the next day am I going to line up and just start smacking people? No, but I'm going to be in there and I know how to protect myself."

Perhaps it's wise for Archuleta to tread lightly considering what happened last season to his reputation as an impact player who loves contact. After he injured the back in training camp, the former 2001 first-round pick still finished second on the team with 123 tackles but had only two sacks, no interceptions and no quarterback pressures -- in other words, very little impact.

To the Rams' way of thinking, any trepidation Archuleta has now is all in his mind. Rams coach Mike Martz pointed out that Archuleta participated in a May minicamp.

"They cleared him sometime in April, and he shouldn't have any issues with the back at this point," Martz said. "He's been lifting, he's been doing everything normal, so there's really no reason to put a red flag up."

The biggest challenge will be letting it all go. Archuleta knows he has to show everybody, including himself, that he's as good as new.

"Absolutely, 100 percent, I have to prove myself to me, my teammates and everybody," Archuleta said. "I had a down year last year and there were a lot of things going on, on and off the field.

"I have a pretty fresh attitude and I feel good that I think this is going to be a great year."