The Associated Press

ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Rams face an offseason filled with questions and doubt - all created by their double-overtime playoff loss to the Carolina Panthers.

Questions abound: Who will be the team's quarterback? Why did a defensive line loaded with No. 1 picks fail to stop the run all season? Has coach Mike Martz, once a bold offensive innovator, become too cautious? Has the window of opportunity closed on a team that went to two Super Bowls?

But most of all, is one game enough to spoil a 12-4 season filled with accomplishment?

"If you're going to be a part of a game like this, you have to accept this part of it in order to enjoy winning," running back Marshall Faulk said.

Martz was steadfast in his support of Marc Bulger over struggling two-time MVP Kurt Warner until a few days before the Rams' 29-23 double-overtime playoff loss to Carolina. Then he changed, saying he'd do anything to win, including benching Bulger.

Bulger was intercepted three times in his first career playoff game.

Martz appeared to have lost a bit of confidence in him in the final minute of regulation, electing to play for a tie instead of going for a win with a first down at the Panthers' 15, with 39 seconds to play and one timeout remaining.

Bulger threw for 332 yards, but struggled to finish drives, and also got picked off in overtime when the Rams were close to field-goal range.

Including the playoffs, Bulger had 22 touchdown passes and 25 interceptions.

Trading Warner would mean a $4 million salary cap hit for the Rams, unless he gives back some of his bonus. In any case, Martz needs a quality backup.

The Rams have three No. 1 picks on their defensive line, Grant Wistrom, Damione Lewis and Ryan Pickett. But their performance against the run was a weakness all season as opponents averaged 4.8 yards per carry. The Rams allowed 485 yards overall.

Still, it might be premature to say that time has passed this team by.

"I think the future does look bright, but I think you do have to say it was a failure," strong safety Adam Archuleta said.

Vermeil keeps lid closed on emotions

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Dick Vermeil cries when he's happy. He didn't cry Sunday.

Kansas City's coach wasn't in much of a mood to discuss his feelings at all, really, after the Indianapolis Colts' 38-31 win over the Chiefs in an AFC divisional playoff game.

"Why should I talk about myself? I'm OK," Vermeil said. "I feel fine, other than I just got my (rear) kicked."

Vermeil was subdued in his postgame talk to the team, defensive end Vonnie Holliday said.

"He was emotional, and you could tell he was disappointed, but he kept it short and sweet," Holliday said.

It was the first postseason loss at home for Vermeil - and the first time a team failed to reach the Super Bowl in its third year under him. He led the Philadelphia Eagles to the NFC championship in 1980 and won it all with the St. Louis Rams after the 1999 season.

The Chiefs will have something those teams didn't, though - a fourth season, and perhaps more, under Vermeil. On New Year's Day, he told his assistants he had decided to return.

"That was the best New Year's present I could have gotten," owner Lamar Hunt said Sunday.

Vermeil has not signed a contract extension or said how long he wants to remain in Kansas City. But general manager Carl Peterson - a close friend of and former assistant to the coach - said Sunday that, "I'm pleased he's going to be with me the next two years."

After going 6-10 in 2001 and 8-8 last year, Vermeil guided the 2003 Chiefs to a 13-3 regular-season record and the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs.

TITANS: Kicker Gary Anderson retired from the NFL on Sunday, a day after his 22nd season ended in Tennessee's 17-14 playoff loss to New England.

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