As usual, Hicks handles start comfortably

ST. LOUIS - Vikings backup Artis Hicks was talking about how he started for injured right tackle Phil Loadholt in Sunday's game against the Rams when starting left tackle Bryant McKinnie interrupted.

"Man, the guy knows what to do," McKinnie said. "His dad brought him here from Philadelphia, so you know he knows what to do when he's called on."

The "dad" to which McKinnie was referring was Vikings coach and former Eagles offensive coordinator Brad Childress.

For those keeping score, Chilly's Philly pipeline paid off for the second time in three weeks in Sunday's 38-10 win over the Rams at the Edward Jones Dome.

Two weeks ago, former Eagles receiver Greg Lewis, who was signed on Sept. 10, caught the 32-yard touchdown pass that beat the 49ers with two seconds left in the game. It was Lewis' first catch and fourth play as a Viking.

Sunday, Hicks, who followed Childress from the Eagles to Minnesota in 2006, went relatively unnoticed. And that's the goal for an offensive lineman, especially a backup playing against Leonard Little.

Little's career high for sacks in a game is four. He did it on this same field against Vikings right tackle Mike Rosenthal in 2003, when Daunte Culpepper was sacked eight times in a 48-17 loss.

"I think I did OK," Hicks said. "He's a good player. We won the game. That's all that matters."

Little had two tackles, one for a loss, no sacks and no quarterback hurries Sunday.

Hicks, an eight-year veteran, prefers the left side of the line, but he prides himself on being able to back up every position on the line except center. He started four games at left tackle and two at right tackle last season.

With Loadholt aggravating a sprained left ankle in practice Thursday, Hicks had only two team periods in pads Thursday and a walk-through on Friday to get ready for Sunday's start.

Loadholt, who was wearing a protective boot on the sideline Sunday, said he expects to return next week against Baltimore. If he doesn't, the big rookie said Hicks can handle the job.

"Ain't too much I can tell Artis," Loadholt said. "He can probably play any position on the field."