ST. LOUIS -- Times have changed for the better for Fakir Brown.
Just weeks ago, St. Louis coach Scott Linehan cut the cornerback. Now, with Linehan out and replaced by Jim Haslett, Brown is not only back on the team, he's starting Sunday when the Rams host Dallas.
Haslett has long been a Brown supporter and the team re-signed him Monday. Haslett said he's looked good in practice.
"Yeah, I think he looks NFL ready," Haslett said. "He takes good care of himself. Obviously, he knows what he's doing. He'll be fine."
Jason Craft will move to the nickel spot against the Cowboys (4-2), and Ron Bartell will play left cornerback, Haslett said.
Brown said he worked hard to stay in shape. He said Haslett was encouraging, even after Linehan dismissed him.
"He was the first person to call me after I knew I was cut," Brown said. "He did not know he was going to be the head coach, but he was still hoping he could get me back over here."
Then, after Haslett took over, he called again.
"He just said he got the job and he wanted me to come back over here," Brown said. "That was it. We know each other real good, so we had the friendship talk, but that was it. Me and Jim Haslett have been real close for a long time."
Haslett added: "I thought he was one of our better defensive backs, and he's a good kid. When he's healthy, he's a pretty good corner, so it'd be nice to have him back. I know he's excited about coming back."
The Rams certainly need Brown now that cornerback Tye Hill is out with a knee injury. And in the win over Washington, Ricky Manning Jr. went down with a broken bone is his ankle.
Brown said he had other clubs showing interest, but he wanted to play for Haslett.
Haslett said it will be a game-time decision whether to start tackle Orlando Pace, who has a strained quadriceps muscle. Out for Sunday are receiver Drew Bennett (foot), Hill (knee) and running back Antonio Pittman (lower leg).
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
