ST. LOUIS -- Suddenly, the Rams are feeling quite proud of their No. 1 pick.

Outside linebacker Robert Thomas scuffled all preseason to get his bearings, and a hamstring injury made matters a lot worse. In the season opener at Denver, the former UCLA star didn't get a single rep on defense.

Last week was a much different story. Coach Mike Martz said Thomas would be in the linebacker rotation, and he gave the team a lot more in his first career start. Playing about half of the snaps ahead of veteran Don Davis, he had eight tackles.

"He played the way we hoped he'd play when we drafted him," Martz said. "I couldn't be happier."

Linebackers coach Mike Haluchak also gushed over Thomas' play, recalling in particular one play when he pancaked an offensive guard.

"He looked confident and made some nice plays, some real nice plays," Haluchak said. "Obviously, the leg is much better and he's more confident in what he's doing."

Thomas was slated as an instant starter when the Rams took him back in April. He tried, unsuccessfully, to downplay his coming-out party.

"I felt I did all right, but I definitely need to get better," Thomas said. "I'm still making some mistakes out there ... Actually I didn't make that many mistakes, but I just see myself getting a lot better week in and week out."

Thomas said the hamstring injury in training camp was the biggest reason he wasn't ready for the opener. When he was hurt he didn't get as many reps, and then his conditioning began to suffer.

"I had to take a step back and let it heal," Thomas said. "Now, I'm back in the game.

"It's getting more natural and more comfortable out there."

It's night and day for the Rams.

"He didn't play all that well throughout the preseason," Haluchak said. "He just looked lost a little bit, tired, worn out, and he just wasn't making any plays. This is really the first time we've seen the player we drafted."

Receiving help

Reinforcements at wide receiver could make the Rams' no-huddle offense, which worked only at times last week, a lot more productive on Monday night at Tampa Bay.

Martz said Terrence Wilkins, who struggled with a rib injury and with the playbook after coming from Indianapolis in the offseason, and Steelers castoff Troy Edwards, both could make contributions this week. They'll give the Rams more bodies to keep the no-huddle offense humming, even when Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt become winded.

Edwards, a former No. 1 pick in Pittsburgh picked up earlier this month, is anxious to prove himself in St. Louis. He's recovered from a knee injury left over from his Steelers days and Martz is anxious to see him in action.

"He's giving me every opportunity I need, and if I don't perform then I sit on the sideline," Edwards said. "If I perform, I get out there and play."

He felt he never got that chance with the Steelers.

"I've got a lot of teammates I wouldn't ever wish anything bad of," Edwards said. "But I like to see coach Cowher look upset."