Rams' starting QB job will be Bulger's one more week

ST. LOUIS -- Marc Bulger will get another start for the Rams, more because of concerns for Kurt Warner's broken pinkie than the backup's outstanding play.

Coach Mike Martz said Monday he'll stick with Bulger, but Warner will be the backup for the Monday night game against the Chicago Bears and will definitely return as the starter the following week.

He said the decision was mostly based on doctors' opinions that Warner, the two-time NFL MVP, could possibly re-injure the finger. Martz also is concerned Warner is not yet back in football shape.

"After talking to the doctors, they were in agreement," Martz said. "It's just too risky to start him and not get that finger banged around. This will give him that extra week to heal."

Warner was apparently unaware of the decision about 10 minutes before Martz announced it during a news conference. Last week, Warner said several times that he planned to make his return against the Bears, but Monday he took a diplomatic approach.

"This is all about our team, it's not about two individuals," Warner said. "Everybody wants to make it, 'This is Marc, this is Kurt,' and so be it.

"But I think everybody that knows anything about football can see this is a team effort."

Bulger is the popular choice in St. Louis for the time being after leading the Rams to four straight victories, while Warner was 0-4. But the going has definitely been easier.

With Warner, the Rams lost to some of the better defenses in the NFL: the Broncos (2), Buccaneers (1), Giants (8) and Cowboys (5). During Bulger's run, the Rams have beaten the Raiders (23), Seahawks (26), Cardinals (25) and Chargers (21).

Martz said if Warner was healthy, he would start.

"If he's 100 percent, it's a real easy decision for me," Martz said. "Kurt's our quarterback, guys, I'll tell you that again."

The Rams (4-5) might not have Marshall Faulk, either, for next week's game. Martz said the All-Pro running back would be listed as questionable with a strained tendon on the bottom of his right foot.

"Will he be ready this week? Probably not," Martz said. "We'll be very pessimistic."

Warner, who has missed five games, resumed throwing last Thursday and tossed several 40-yarders before the Rams' game against San Diego on Sunday. On Monday, he said he threw as long as 55 yards.

Warner said his finger is feeling better every day, and he's scheduled to start taking snaps again this week. Martz said Bulger would get the bulk of the practice reps, but said Warner would run some of the scout-team offense.

Bulger had a team-record 36 completions for 453 yards -- fourth-best in franchise history -- in Sunday's 28-24 come-from-behind victory over the Chargers. Warner's best is 441 yards in the 2000 opener against the Broncos.

Bulger threw two of his four touchdown passes in the final 3:06, both to Isaac Bruce. This is the first week he's thrown enough passes to quality among the league leaders and he's first with a 107.4 passing rating, well ahead of runner-up Brett Favre's 101.7.

Faulk was held to 72 total yards -- 36 rushing and 36 receiving -- before leaving in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game. He was optimistic after the game, and Martz said Faulk would have input into whether he would play.

"If he's not ready, he'll tell me he's not ready," Martz said. "I have complete trust in his judgment."

Lamar Gordon, a rookie, finished Sunday's game and had one carry for 9 yards and caught four passes for 27 yards. The Rams also have Trung Canidate, a first-round pick in 2000.