BY DANIEL BARBARISI
Journal Sports Writer

FOXBORO -- Rams backup running back Antonio Pittman came to work today unsure if he'd see the field. Soon, he was told that he would be starting in place of injured starter Steven Jackson, who would miss the game with a quad injury.

But instead of abandon the running game in Jackson's absence, the Rams leaned heavily on Pittman, handing him the ball 19 times. He paid them back with 83 yards, averaging 4.4 yards per carry.

"You've got to expect the unexpected. You know, when my number is called I've got to be ready. I've got to be ready every day. So, if I am the guy, it won't be a surprise," Pittman said.

Rams coach Jim Haslett was pleased with what he saw from his backup.

"He got a lot of work and I thought he played well. He ran hard and held on to the ball. I thought he did a nice job. He'll be tired tomorrow," Haslett joked.

Pittman agreed about tomorrow - but during the game, he said, he was happy to find that he never ran out of steam.

"There were times when I had to catch my breath, but I was always ready. That's a sign of not being out of shape," he said.