The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS - St. Louis Rams coach Mike Martz didn't need a competition to determine his starting quarterback for 2003. All he needed was Kurt Warner's medical chart.

Martz said Saturday at the NFL's annual scouting combine that Warner will start ahead of Marc Bulger next season.

"It was such a highly visible situation, and it involved such a tremendous player, and it was a good story," Martz said. "But obviously, there wasn't much of a decision."

Martz's announcement eliminates what could have turned into a training-camp battle between Warner, a two-time MVP, and Bulger, who was impressive while replacing the injured Warner last season. Warner went 0-6 as the Rams' starter.

Adding to the intrigue, Warner - who is due a $6 million bonus - was coming off two injuries to his throwing hand, and the team also suspected he might have rotator cuff damage. Bulger, meanwhile, was 6-1 as the starter last season and had one of the league's top quarterback ratings.

Martz did leave himself a small escape clause.

"If Kurt fails to perform at the level he expects - or we expect - over a period of time, then we'll have to make a change," he said. "But I don't really think that will happen."

Martz said the Rams are negotiating with Warner to lessen his impact on the cap, although he insisted that St. Louis was not asking Warner to accept a pay cut. The coach also ruled out a trade.

"I couldn't do that," Martz said. "They're like your own kids. How do you give away your kids?"

RAVENS: General manager Ozzie Newsome said Baltimore might sign former Cleveland offensive tackle Orlando Brown.

Brown was hurt Dec. 19, 1999 when referee Jeff Triplette threw his penalty flag and it hit Brown's right eye. Brown filed a $200 million lawsuit against the league in 2001, a claim Newsome said has been settled out of court. Brown was a starter for most of his seven-year career but has not played since the freak injury.

" 'Zeus' is a friend off mine," Newsome said, referring to Brown by his nickname. "... At some point, we could bring him in."

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