http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sp...0CF74732072991AF8625736B00125963?OpenDocument
Rams hope for boost from Brown's return
By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
10/05/2007
Fakhir Brown won't have to buy a ticket this week. He'll be much closer to the action, starting at cornerback Sunday for the Rams against the Arizona Cardinals.
Brown's four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy ended Monday. During his suspension, Brown said he actually bought tickets for the Rams' home games against Carolina and San Francisco.
Two, please.
"For me and my brother," Brown said. "I went down to the ticket office. They were $80-something apiece."
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Which is a pretty expensive tab just to attend an NFL game, right?
Brown shrugged and replied, "They've got to make their money."
On Sunday against Arizona, the Rams want Brown to start earning his money again.
"We've got guys going down left and right (with injuries)," cornerback Ron Bartell said. "So to get somebody back like Fakhir, it's a big step for us."
For the most part, Rams coaches and players had done an admirable job of plugging the holes in the secondary. Not only has the team played without Brown for four games, but cornerback Tye Hill has been sidelined for the past three contests with back and rib injuries.
But the patchwork secondary was exposed last Sunday at Texas Stadium, with Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo throwing for 339 yards and three touchdowns. Romo's yardage total was the seventh-highest for a Rams opponent since the move to St. Louis in 1995, and the most since San
Even with two-time Pro Bowler Anquan Boldin iffy with a hip injury, the Cardinals still have the potential to do damage in the passing game with 2005 Pro Bowler Larry Fitzgerald and former first-round draft pick Bryant Johnson at wide receiver.
After four weeks on the sidelines, Brown could be targeted by Arizona's quarterback tandem of Kurt Warner and Matt Leinart.
"Of course, I think they're going to come at me," Brown said. "They're going to have to test me out, see if I'm first of all in shape. And see if my skills are where they were."
Coach Scott Linehan doesn't sound worried about Brown's game readiness.
"He has that veteran part of him that takes away some of that anxiety that you can get with a young corner," Linehan said. "He did get a lot of reps and we played him a whole bunch in preseason. He hasn't been out of football for that long."
Brown stayed in St. Louis during his suspension, working out at home, running at a nearby high school, and getting in workouts at Rams Park.
This week marks Brown's first football practices since Sept. 1. Brown said he was a little rusty Wednesday, the first practice day of the week. But after Thursday's practice, Linehan said he likes what he sees.
"Fakhir looks great," Linehan said. "He has very fresh legs. That's one part that is noticeable — he's in very good shape."
Brown has tried to keep his head — as well as his legs — in the game during his suspension. Watching games has helped, whether it was from his seat near the Rams bench at home games, or in front of his TV during road contests.
"I learned a whole lot and I saw a whole lot of different things," Brown said. "In a way, I got something out of (the suspension), but I really wanted to be out there playing."
One thing that stuck out to Brown was the importance of proper technique in coverage. Watching games re-emphasized to him the need to avoid getting sloppy or lazy with his footwork, use of hands and change of direction.
Even though he's a veteran of seven seasons and 88 contests in the NFL, Brown says a part of him will feel like a rookie against the Big Red. He wants to make it a statement game.
Brown hopes his play speaks volumes. As for any discussion with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on the suspension, which was once his hope, Brown says he's moving on.
"I've done served my time," Brown said. "I can't do nothing about it, so I'm not even worried about it. I'm just looking forward now."
Right at the Arizona receiving corps.