Rams' defensive line faces tough task in Vick

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Rams hope their defensive line can throw Michael Vick off his game. Even a little.

Vick joined Steve Young last season as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to throw for more than 3,000 yards and rush for more than 500 while keeping his quarterback rating above 100.

The Rams, set to face Vick and the visiting Eagles in the opener today, were susceptible to pass plays of 20 or more yards last season, and Vick specializes in making big plays.

"People have been trying to scheme Mike Vick since I was in high school," Rams lineman Chris Long said Friday. "We just have to go out there and play our game and play as fast as possible. Sometimes you can try and change what you do so much. You can't beat them at their game. You have to stick with your own game."

Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo wants his defense to stay disciplined and focused.

"I worry that in some of our zone coverages that we'll get caught being entertained by No. 7, and by that I mean he's so dynamic when he starts moving around back there and the other skilled, fast, real talented guys behind this guy running around, then it's a problem," Spagnuolo said. "The guys know what we're in for and what we're facing. We'll just try to play as fast and as physical as we can and see what happens."

Rams defensive coordinator Ken Flajole quipped he has a plan to thwart Vick.

"We have 11 guys on him," Flajole said. "You have to be smart how you can rush him because he can really make you pay with his feet. Again, I don't think you can make him scare you out of doing things because there's enough other guys on their offense that can beat you."

The defensive line is considered a Rams strength this season. Besides veterans Long, James Hall, Justin Bannon, Gary Gibson and Fred Robbins, the Rams added Robert Quinn with their first-round draft pick. Hall led St. Louis with 10.5 sacks a year ago, and Long had 8.5.

The ability to get to the quarterback with just the line rushing is huge, Flajole said.

"I think our pass rush will be good," he said. "I like our front. I like our defensive ends. I like the guy we drafted. I think we'll have a nice pass rush off a four-man deal without having so-called pressures."

Despite that, the elusive Vick can improvise under pressure. He can cause any good defense problems.

"He's just a human video game," Rams middle linebacker James Laurinaitis said. "You watch him and you see a lot of times where a lot of players, good players, have opportunities, free shots on him. I think he has like seven pairs of eyes. I don't know how he sees some of these guys coming.

"When you watch film, you get focused on some of his escape moves and you forget about watching the actual scheme.

"He definitely deserves the contract he received. He is a one-of-a-kind kind of quarterback. We definitely have our hands full."