Camp is return home for Rams fullback

MACOMB, Ill. -- It's not just a nod to local fashion when new Rams fullback J.R. Niklos wears Western Illinois University apparel after practice.

The shirts and hats are left over from the college career of a player who's become the local success story after a vagabond beginning in the NFL.

"I'm having a great time, seeing my old coaches and practicing on the fields I practiced on for four years," Niklos said. "This is fun."

The Rams are staying in Thompson Hall, where he lived for two years during his scholastic career and Niklos said he was "sleeping like a baby."

"When I graduated I'm like 'Man, I don't know if I'm ever going to be back here,"' Niklos said. "I'd rather be here than anywhere. It's just like being home again."

Running with the first team makes it even more fun. Niklos bounced from a Rams inactive before being released to the Seahawks' practice squad last year. In 2002 he was on the Rams' roster for 12 games, but never dressed.

The departure of bruising James Hodgins, who left for the Cardinals as a free agent opened the door for Niklos. Coach Mike Martz quietly gave Niklos, who had career highs in receptions (44) and yards (589) as a senior at Western Illinois in 2001, the job in March.

"My goal was to act like I was a starter and prove to them that they didn't need to draft anybody or bring anybody in," Niklos said. "Martz put some faith in me, and that meant a lot to me."

Martz said Niklos earned the promotion.

"This isn't a forced issue with J.R., this is an issue where J.R. stepped up and actually won this thing," Martz said. "This isn't something where we're trying to make J.R. a player.

"He's convinced us with what he's done in the offseason that he's capable of doing the things we want him to do."

However, there will be competition. Earlier this week Chad Kuhns took the majority of the reps at fullback with the first unit.

"I want to see what he's like with the ones and turn up the heat on J.R. a little bit, and see which one is the best one," Martz said. "Sometimes they get a little tight and they play tight. They don't worry about when they're pushed, they're trying to keep the job."

Niklos isn't the battering Ram that the 270-pound Hodgins was. He's 30 pounds lighter and last year played more tailback in practice when Marshall Faulk was sidelined by injuries.

Still, there's enough heft. Plus, he's learned the nuances of fullback quickly enough to suit Martz.

"I had to pick it up fast because they definitely don't slow down for you," Niklos said. "I'm sweating the small stuff.

"Being good isn't good enough for me right now."

Niklos doesn't mind the competition.

"He just wants to see better blocking from me," Niklos said. "I was holding a little bit and he said you've got to get your hands inside or you're out.

"Everyone, when they're pushed, they've got to step it up a notch and that's definitely what I've got to do."

Fullback is well short of a full-time position on the Rams, who use it about one-third of the time. Faulk often lines up alone in the backfield, and at times the tight end serves as a blocking back.

Even when the fullback is on the field, it's not a high-profile position. Hodgins had only three carries and nine receptions last year, although he missed the first seven games with a broken foot.

"The fullback might see the ball once a year," Niklos said. "It's an unselfish role I've got to do and I'm willing to do it."

The only test Niklos hasn't passed will come under fire in the preseason games.

"He's really a tough guy, he's smart, he knows what we do and does not make mistakes," Martz said. "The only thing you have to find out with J.R. is under pressure will he continue to do these things and play mistake-free football, which I think he'll do."