By Nick Wagoner
Senior Writer

There might not have been a happier player on the Rams roster than running back Steven Jackson when the team selected tackle Jason Smith with the second pick in the NFL Draft.

Unless you count quarterback Marc Bulger.

“I was really excited,” Bulger said. “I got to know him a little bit before the Draft. Obviously, now that he’s here we’re excited. He was working with the second unit and I just picked him out on a couple plays and he’s tough, he’s physical. It’s just a matter of learning the speed of the offense in the NFL because you can’t emulate that. But I think he’s NFL ready. He just needs these three or four months to get ready, but I think he’ll help us this year.”

Entering this offseason, the Rams’ top goal was finding ways to improve the blocking whether it be in the form of help on the offensive line, in the backfield or even on the edges.

To that end, the Rams’ shopping list included the addition of Smith at tackle, Jason Brown at center, Mike Karney at fullback and Billy Bajema at tight end.

Those moves were made with dual purpose: opening up holes for franchise running back Jackson and keeping Bulger upright.

And for as much notice as the moves have garnered for the first part of that equation, the second is just as important. The addition of Smith isn’t the only move that has Bulger feeling good about the possibilities for the offense in 2009.

“I know we’ve sat here before and been optimistic, so I’m optimistic again,” Bulger said. “The culture around here has changed; it’s great. But the bottom line is winning and we can talk all we want in the spring during camp and during preseason about how good we’re going to be and how all the changes are great, but until we start winning games we have no room to talk right now.”

That renewed sense of optimism is important for a Bulger, who has worked behind an injury-plagued offensive line for most of the past three seasons.

Despite all of that, coach Steve Spagnuolo has high praise for Bulger and believes the added blocking help should allow Bulger to return to form.

“I really think the world of Marc,” Spagnuolo said. “I did every time that we had to play against him.  I still think he’s one of those guys that gets the ball out quick.  He can put some pressure on the defense and if the quarterback can put pressure on the defense that’s pretty good from an offensive point of view.”

Having the pieces in place to help Bulger stand and deliver is only one aspect of this offseason as Bulger is once again learning a new system and working with a new coaching staff.

In Bulger’s nine seasons with the team, Pat Shurmur has become the team’s sixth offensive coordinator in charge. And with Shurmur comes a new system with new verbiage and terminology for Bulger to digest.

That part of it is difficult because many coordinators use the same words but they can have different meanings within the context of the new system.

“That’s the toughest part, just words that carry over from year-to-year,” Bulger said. “When they mean one thing in one offense and then (something else in) another. Sometimes, I’m on the same word with a third different meaning, so you just have to try to block out the past. I think, not only myself, everyone’s doing a good job. We’ve had a couple mix-ups, but all-in-all I think the coaches are pleased.”

Of course, Bulger and the Rams are still just getting into the thick of Shurmur’s playbook. Bulger has spent the majority of the offseason working with Shurmur and quarterbacks coach Dick Curl to get ahead of the rest of his teammates in knowing the offense.

Obviously, the quarterback has the most information to digest and though Bulger said after last weekend’s minicamp that he is much more comfortable, he also acknowledges there is plenty of work to be done.

“It’s still growing, so I’m still not sure how much is in,” Bulger said Saturday. “But coach Shurmur talked to the quarterbacks a little bit yesterday and said we have a good deal, which is comforting to know that it’s within reach. Obviously, you have to learn all the nuances, but we can actually say the plays and not stutter anymore.”

Language isn’t the only thing Bulger is getting used to. Along with the influx of new talent around him, he’s also had to say goodbye to a few old reliables.

Bulger and Brown are still adjusting to one another as far as the center-quarterback exchange, a process that isn’t terribly difficult just different.

“We’re getting there,” Bulger said. “It’s just a feel thing, you know, literally. Sometimes you don’t get it exactly how you want. I’m going to start learning his calls and when I should override him and when I shouldn’t, but he’s a smart kid. He’s tough. I don’t think it’s going to be a big change at all. I don’t think we’re going to hit too many bumps in the road.”

At receiver, the Rams said goodbye to Torry Holt, among others, leaving Bulger with talented youngsters Donnie Avery, Keenan Burton, Derek Stanley and Laurent Robinson at wideout.

Despite the relative inexperience of that group, Bulger likes what he has seen so far from that group.

“I think we’re fine,” Bulger said. “Like Coach (Spagnuolo) says, you always want more competition at every position. That makes us better. A lot of these kids I don’t know some of their names. I know their numbers right now. But we have some speed; we have some guys that can move. Obviously, the guys we had last year are doing a great job, but we have some sleepers in there I think that are going to surprise you guys.”

Considering the myriad changes the Rams have made around him and the new playbook he’s had to learn, Bulger is progressing at an impressive rate according to Spagnuolo.
 
“Yeah, we’re lucky in that Marc’s an intelligent guy,” Spagnuolo said. “I think it’s going fairly smooth.  We’re just getting into the beginning of it.  We’re half way right now in the offseason program so there’s certainly a lot of work to do between now and when we leave here in June, but I think he’s done a pretty good job.”