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As initially reported by SportsLine.com senior writer Jay Glazer: "The St. Louis Rams have made a commitment to their starting quarterback, and it's not Kurt Warner."

This after the Rams and Marc Bulger agreed Tuesday to a four-year, $17.25 million contract that includes a reported $9 million in cash up front. Glazer went on to suggest this deal pretty much assures the departure of Warner, the former Rams starter and two-time NFL most valuable player.

The Rams recently signed 38-year-old veteran Chris Chandler to serve as a backup. In the NFL draft last month, the Rams chose Jeff Smoker of Michigan State in the sixth round.

According to Associated Press writer Jim Suhr, the Rams made no mention of Warner's status in announcing Bulger's new contract. Last week, head coach Mike Martz told reporters: "At this point, our focus (is) to get something done with Marc and we'll take the next step from there."

In Tuesday's statement, Martz said, "This is good for Marc, but is also good for the organization."

Bulger, 27, has been a major success in one and a half season as the Rams' starting quarterback. He won his first six starts in 2002 and led the team to a 12-4 record and an NFC West championship last year, then was the MVP in the Pro Bowl after throwing a record four touchdowns.

In 15 starts last season, Bulger threw for an NFC-best 3,845 yards on 336-of-532 passing, with 22 touchdowns and 22 interceptions for an 81.4 passer rating. Bulger, taken by the New Orleans Saints in the sixth round of the 2000 draft out of West Virginia, also gained 75 yards on 29 carries in 2003, with his four touchdown runs the most the most by a Rams' quarterback since Pat Haden had four in 1976.

While suggesting there's still a chance Warner could stay with the team next season, Martz said last month that discussions on a long-term deal with Bulger could impact what happened, with reaching a deal increasing the likelihood of Warner leaving the team.

Warner's agent, Mark Bartelstein, told Suhr Tuesday night that his client expected to be released after June 1 -- and that he doubted Warner would be willing to back up Bulger or take a salary cut to stay with the Rams.

"We knew this was coming. This is not a surprise," Bartelstein said of Bulger's new contract. "Kurt wants to play, and I think there's going to be a lot of interesting situations out there for him (with other teams). Sometimes change is good, and that time may be here for Kurt."

Bartelstein said that since the Rams gave Warner permission to shop his skills elsewhere in the NFL, "We've talked to a number of teams, and there's certainly a lot of interest."

According to Suhr, Bartelstein declined to elaborate.

"We're just moving forward," he said. "Nothing is written in stone, and crazy things can happen every day. But that's the path we're headed down right now."

A couple of related items. ...

According to SI.com senior writer Don Banks, the long-term plan calls for Smoker to serve a one to two year apprenticeship in the Rams system before replacing Chandler as the No. 2 guy.

Which, as Banks suggested, isn't a bad gig in St. Louis, since the backup has a habit of becoming the Rams starter.

Smoker's off-field troubles at Michigan State could be another land mine for the Rams to navigate, but Martz came away impressed after the two met before the draft.

But as ESPN.com insider Len Pasquarelli reported last Friday, the Rams were set to grab quarterback Matt Schaub in the third round before the Falcons snatched the former Virginia star one pick ahead of St. Louis' slot. ...

Other notes of interest out of St. Louis. ...

According to the Sporting News, first-round draft pick Steven Jackson will compete with Lamar Gordon for the No. 2 running back position on the Rams.

Martz laughed when asked on the NFL Network whether Jackson would compete with Marshall Faulk, saying, "Marshall Faulk is Marshall Faulk."

Martz also hinted at the notion of using Jackson and Faulk together in the same backfield at times and those who follow the team closely expect the newcomer to see significant action this year.

As the Sports Xchange framed it: "Faulk is 31 years old, and the arrival of Jackson could prolong Faulk's career as his carries are reduced, but where he can be used more as a receiver."

The report further suggested that Jackson should immediately improve the Rams' productivity in the red zone, a problem that directly led to their playoff loss to Carolina. ...

And finally. ...

In an article published Monday, St. Louis Post Dispatch staff writer Jim Thomas advised readers that receiver Kevin Curtis, who flashed potential last preseason before a broken leg essentially put an end to his rookie season, is expected to be at full speed for this month's (May 21-23) mini-camp.

When healthy, Curtis has the speed necessary to keep opposing defenses on their toes and coaches are said to be excited about the possibility of using him as the No. 3 or 4 receiver.

But as Thomas pointed out: "Curtis practically will be starting over and needs a stretch of good health to move up the depth chart. ..."