01-25-2002, 08:00 PM
Quote:Warner back in practice Friday
Associated Press
ST. LOUIS -- Rams quarterback Kurt Warner returned to practice on Friday, a day after missing most of the Thursday's workouts with cramps in his sore rib cage.
Warner warmed up without apparent difficulty and zipped his first pass of the practice to Jeff Robinson. He went on to show no visible signs of trouble with his throwing and handoffs.
Thursday, Warner was treated for bruised ribs earlier in the day with electrical stimulation. Coach Mike Martz said the stimulation might have backfired, causing the cramps.
"He's got a lot of spasms in there, so when that happens you can hurt your back because you overcompensate when you throw the ball," Martz said after practice Thursday. "He was fine yesterday and he'll be fine tomorrow."
Warner took part in the first quarter of Thursday's practice session throwing 12 passes before the cramps seized up and he needed to stop. Martz said that Warner could have come back and finished practice, but decided it was best to let him rest.
Warner had precautionary X-rays taken. The results showed no damage to the ribs or cartilage.
Martz was a bit perturbed about the situation.
"I'm not real happy about it, but that's the way it goes," Martz said. "The fact this flared up is agitating or irritating, but nothing you can do about it."
Warner injured his ribs when he was hit in the fourth quarter of the Rams' 45-17 playoff victory over the Green Bay Packers. He's been dogged by physical problems in recent weeks, including bruised vocal cords in the regular-season finale against the Falcons.
Warner left Rams Park without speaking to reporters.
Backup Jamie Martin took all the snaps in practice Thursday leading to Sunday's NFC championship game with Philadelphia. Warner threw for 4,830 yards, second-most in league history, and Martin threw three passes in the regular season.
"He did a nice job," Martz said. "Jamie is ready to go. He's got a nice grasp for what we're doing."
Warner's recent injury history turns up the pressure on the offensive line, which would be facing a big test anyway against the Eagles blitzing offense.
"We definitely want to keep those guys off Kurt," guard Adam Timmerman said. "That's a huge part of our game, to make sure he feels comfortable."
Martz didn't think that missing practice time would affect Warner on game day. Teammates agreed, noting that Warner was up to speed against the Packers after missing a practice due to a stomach flu.
"Once Kurt rejoined us, he didn't miss a beat and we didn't miss a beat," wide receiver Az-Zahir Hakim said. "Kurt is a valuable guy and definitely makes all the right reads and puts it where it needs to be."
Offensive tackle Ryan Tucker also missed practice Thursday due to muscle spasms in his shoulder. Tucker did not play in the playoff game against the Packers due to a sprained ankle.
All I know is the Eagles are probally going to try vodoo on Warner to keep him out of this game! Who is going to try and hit him high first? My money is on Douglas with a forearm to the fuckin neck.
And, DGW, I will be the first to admit I have no fuckin idea what the hell you are talking about at this point. All that shit meant to me was you basicly wagered your first born and the deed to your house.