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Former Rams V.P.: Shell-shocked Marc Bulger belongs as a backup

NFC Divisional Playoff: Carolina Panthers v St. Louis Rams

ST. LOUIS - JANUARY 10: Marc Bulger #10 of the St. Louis Rams drops back to pass during a NFC Divisional Playoff against the Carolina Panthers on January 10, 2004 at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Missouri. Carolina won 29 to 23 in double overtime. (Photo by G. Newman Lowrance/Getty Images)

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There’s been talk in some quarters that a team looking for a starting quarterback could turn to Marc Bulger, who spent 2010 as a backup in Baltimore after eight years as a starter in St. Louis. But former Rams Vice President of Player Personnel Tony Softli thinks Bulger is right where he belongs holding a clipboard.

Softli, now an analyst at 101 ESPN, took a look at the quarterback situation in the NFC West and quickly dismissed the idea of Bulger being able to start for the Cardinals.

“Marc Bulger was rumored to be headed there last season, but ownership rejected the transaction,” Softli wrote. “A backup to Joe Flacco with the Baltimore Ravens, he is in the right spot as a No. 2. Shell-shocked quarterbacks really struggle with happy feet and give up on a play rather than stand in there and throw under pressure.”

Softli’s comments are the second time this week I’ve seen the term “shell-shocked” used to refer to Bulger, which is interesting because I can also remember Kurt Warner being referred to as “shell-shocked” after he left St. Louis -- and before he revitalized his career in Arizona.

So maybe all Bulger needs is the same kind of opportunity Warner got. Or maybe Softli is right, and a team that gives Bulger that opportunity will quickly find that he’s shot.