Though there's still a long way to go until January, Rams kicker Jeff Wilkins is making a case to be named to his first Pro-Bowl. The 10 year veteran has been solid throughout his career, but always overshadowed by others for a trip to Hawaii in February.

Mike Martz may not be happy about his offense's lackluster play in the red zone, but the that negative has been a positive for Wilkins.

Last year Wilkins, who has been a Ram longer than anyone on the roster other than Isaac Bruce, attempted just 25 field goals, as the Rams scored 37 touchdowns, and lost many other field goal opportunities due to turnovers in the red zone.

Wilkins, who holds the Niners record for field goals in a season, and the NFL record for most extra points in a season, 67,  already has tried 19 field goals in 2003, at just the halfway point, on pace to break his career high of 37, set in 1997, his first season in St. Louis after a season with the Eagles, and two with the Niners.    

He also is on pace to shatter his career high 30 successful three point attempts, set in his final season in San Francisco, as he has made good on 17 of his 19 kicks. Only the Colts' Mike Vanderjagt has attempted and made more field goals than Wilkins, as he is a perfect 21-21.

Vanderjagt plays in the AFC, however, and the Pro Bowl race in the NFC looks wide open, with the NFC favorite to return to the Pro Bowl, the Eagles David Akers, not getting many chances, and already missing two of the dozen he has tried thus far. 

The Bucs Martin Grammatica is already out of the running due to a horrible start that has seen him make just half his 12 attempts.

Wilkins main competition at the halfway mark to win his first Pro-Bowl appearance are the Bears Paul Edinger who has made 16-17 up to now, and rookie Billy Cundiff of the Cowboys, now 14-17. The Packers Ryan Longwell is perfect at 11-11, but few tries and the Green Bay winter normally make it improbable for their kicker to make the Pro Bowl.

The same probably goes for Edinger, plus the fact that kickers from losing teams have a hard time making Hawaii. It's nearly impossible for a rookie kicker to earn the trip, which is why Cundiff has little chance to make it in the end.

The NFC competition for post-season kicking honors in 2003 appears to be as soft as the Rams schedule this season. If Wilkins can stay healthy, and enjoy the advantage of fewer kicks out in the elements as one of just four NFC kickers who play home games indoors, he should be a "shoe in" for a February Hawaii vacation.