Every day at Rams practice, the job of the scout team quarterback is to run the plays of the opposing team's offense. Obviously, the idea is to help the Rams' first-team defense prepare for that week's game.

Well, Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts are coming to town this week. And Kyle Boller is giving the Rams' defense more than its money's worth as scout team QB.

He's got the pointing, the gestures, the foot stomp — all trademarks of Manning at the line of scrimmage. And you wouldn't believe some of the things Boller is barking out before the ball is snapped.

"Other than some of the names he's yelling out — 'Ice cream! Boller! Boller!' — and all those type of things, he's actually done a great job for us," defensive coordinator Ken Flajole said, smiling.

Flajole is in his fourth decade as either an NFL or college coach. Has he ever heard a quarterback yell "Ice cream!" at the line of scrimmage?

"Not as many flavors as Kyle has," Flajole said. "I'm going to call him Baskin & Robbins , he's got so many flavors going on out there."

Yes, Boller is having fun with his scout team duties this week.

"I don't know their calls," Boller said, in reference to the Colts' offense. "So whatever I say, it's really just to say it."

So how does he come up with all his "calls" at the line of scrimmage?

"I just lay in bed at night and think about 'em," he joked after Thursday's practice. "Today, (the coaches) wanted me to emphasize a couple city names and ice cream flavors. A bunch of the other stuff, I just make up off the top of my head."

Boller said he has gotten good reviews so far.

"I had a lot of guys come up to me (Wednesday) and say that my acting skills were pretty good," he said.

BUTLER'S READY

One of the Rams' more notable offseason acquisitions, strong safety James Butler, has been out of the lineup since suffering a knee injury Sept. 27 against Green Bay. But Butler has been full participation all week in practice, so barring a last-minute setback he will return to the starting lineup Sunday against the Colts. Craig Dahl did a good job in place of Butler for three starts.

"We're glad we've got both of 'em," Flajole said. "But James being a seasoned veteran playing against a seasoned offensive team will help us as far as making calls and getting us in the right things."

INJURY UPDATE

For the second day in a row, defensive end James Hall (groin) did not practice, casting doubt on his availability against the Colts. Wide receiver Donnie Avery (hip) got a fair amount of work Thursday. He was officially listed as limited participation.

Nickel back Justin King (groin) was limited, as was wide receiver Ruvel Martin (hamstring). After missing Wednesday's practice with a stomach virus, rookie defensive tackle Darell Scott returned to practice Thursday.

ROTATION GAME

Even though No. 2 overall pick Jason Smith is healthy, it looks like Adam Goldberg will start again this week at right tackle. Goldberg and Smith rotated against Jacksonville. Coach Steve Spagnuolo said another rotation might take place this week, and hinted that a left-tackle rotation with Smith and Alex Barron could be possible.

NUMBERS GAME

New WR Brandon Gibson is wearing jersey No. 11, which was worn by Laurent Robinson before he went on injured reserve with ankle and leg injuries last month. But it's not as if Gibson muscled in on Robinson's number.

Even though he's on IR, Robinson claimed jersey No. 19 shortly after Derek Stanley was waived. (No. 19 was Stanley's number.) Robinson wore No. 19 while he was with Atlanta.