49ERS-RAMS Martz makes a case for defense

The coach is encouraged even though his team has given up big numbers.
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- At long last, St. Louis Rams coach Mike Martz believes his beleaguered defense is ready to stand alongside his still somewhat high-powered offense.
How he came to that conclusion is unclear because the Rams (5-6) have shown zero progress lately. The Packers rang up 45 points on Monday, the Bills scored 37 the week before and there have been seven 100-yard rushers against St. Louis. The last four opponents have totaled 703 yards rushing.
"I know it sounds silly after the last few weeks," Martz said. "But I'm really encouraged."
Their next chance to show they're ready comes Sunday against the lowly 49ers (1-10).
"Every week is an opportunity," defensive end Bryce Fisher said. "It's going to be important for us to go out there and prove ourselves."
When Lovie Smith left to become head coach of the Chicago Bears after three successful seasons as defensive coordinator in St. Louis, the Rams made the transition from a bending cover-2 defense to one with multiple schemes and featuring more pressure. But the transition to new coordinator Larry Marmie has been rocky in part because players had become attached to the old ways.
Martz blames himself for introducing the new defense gradually instead of making a clean break, an approach that has contributed to the Rams losing four of five.
"It wasn't fair to Larry and it took a while for these guys to completely accept what we're doing," Martz said. "Now, the change is complete.
Week after week, players have noted that minor breakdowns in gap coverage in what essentially is an eight-man front have resulted in huge gains for the offense. This week, they hope, they will seal those gaps.
"We've just got to play our technique and our assignment," defensive tackle Brian Howard said. "We've got to stop them this week. There's been a lot of extra emphasis on it."
Martz, always optimistic, sees a lot of positive signs. "When they execute the defense, that ball doesn't get past the line of scrimmage," Martz said. "It just doesn't."
There might be a few more lineup changes, too, as the tweaking process continues. Antuan Edwards, acquired off waivers from the Dolphins on Nov. 11, will make his first start for St. Louis at free safety. Howard could make his second career start, and second in a row, over underachieving former first-rounder Damione Lewis. Or Martz could give Jimmy Kennedy, the first-round pick last year, his first career start at that tackle spot.
"There has to be a lot of self-motivation, and that has to come from within the team," 49ers coach Dennis Erickson said. "We need to make evaluations when this year is over with and decide which direction we're going.
"So, a lot of guys are playing for their jobs, or a lot of guys need to improve."