Jones steps in; Pace to practice

By Jim McCabe, Globe Staff, 2/1/2002

EW ORLEANS - Just six months ago he walked out of training camp, determined to quit pro football at age 27. Only offensive lineman Rod Jones got talked out of it and returned to camp, a decision that grew in importance yesterday when he was named a starter for Sunday's Super Bowl against the Patriots.

He will replace Ryan Tucker (sprained ankle) at right tackle, and as if that won't be personally rewarding enough, given that the Cincinnati Bengals had deemed him expendable following the 2000 season, Jones had to be comforted by the knowledge that he'll look down the line and see All-Pro Orlando Pace anchored at his left tackle position.

''I'll definitely be ready to go Sunday,'' said Pace, the Rams' 325-pounder, who will practice today for the first time this week. He will wear a brace on his right knee. ''It's a huge brace, but it'll give me stability.''

Pace was hurt in Sunday's NFC Championship win against Philadelphia. Though hobbled, he went back into that game, insisting, ''I didn't want to be out of a big game. I wanted to be in there.''

That attitude hasn't wavered one bit this week, even though he's limping around and wearing a brace for the first time since his days at Ohio State. Of the decision to sit out practice, Pace said, ''It was a precaution, just to keep the swelling down.''

The decision to move Jones into the lineup was based on what head coach Mike Martz saw during practice. ''Tucker still has a bit of an issue,'' said Martz, referring to the sprained ankle. ''And Rod has played so well, he deserves this opportunity.''

When Tucker got hurt in the final regular-season game, Jones took over for wins over Green Bay and Philadelphia and so impressed the Rams' coaching staff that there didn't seem to be any hint of hesitation on Martz's part to make the switch.

''I've got to be excited, right?'' said Jones. ''I'm an offensive lineman coming out of obscurity into the national spotlight, and I'm going to make the best of the situation.''

So, too, will Tucker, who seized the opportunity when Jones left camp to make the lineup after three years as a backup.

''I'm not 100 percent and it's definitely taking longer [to heal] than I expected it to,'' said Tucker, a member of St. Louis's championship team two years ago.

''Obviously, I haven't shown them in practice that I'm my old self, so I can understand where they're coming from.''