Rams Finally to Get Down to Basics : Football: Everett will play, and the defense will have a truer test against the Chargers tonight.

Tonight, nine days after losing to the Atlanta Falcons in their exhibition opener, the Rams will play host to the San Diego Chargers in both teams’ second exhibition.

This time, the Rams won’t have to deal with the Florida heat or struggle with a makeshift offensive line. And quarterback Jim Everett most assuredly will not be standing on the sideline wearing a baseball cap and a grimace.

This time, the Rams actually might field an offensive team fairly recognizable to those who aren’t instantly familiar with the Jeff Pahukoas and Neal Forts of this world.

Everett will actually play after being held out of the opener for several reasons, not the least being the tattered Ram offensive line.

Backup Chuck Long started last week’s game, taking the ball from center Trevor Ryals. But with the line slowly piecing back into shape Tom Newberry and Doug Smith are expected to split the first-half center duties tonight--Everett should get a chance to do well.

“I feel like I’m throwing as good as I ever have,” Everett said the other day. There’s a lot of things I’m concentrating on and now we’ll see if they’re starting to pay off.

“Up to this point, I haven’t even been hit. I just want to feel comfortable with the rush, and make sure I’m seeing what I’m trying to see upfield. Feel the rush. Actually, hopefully get a couple of good shots in, and I’m sure San Diego can provide that.

“I use the word gamey-- you now start getting gamey. Practice is fun, but actually get in there against new people, that’s the gamey part.”

Ram Coach John Robinson has been unhappy with the offense’s tempo both in practice in last Saturday’s game. Everett says he also has noticed the general lack of zip offensively.

“Granted, it’s still preseason, we’re going to have our share of little errors as far as the things that go on, otherwise we’d be ready for the regular season,” Everett said. “But I know when I’m in there, I’m definitely going to try to keep the tempo as quick as I can.”

Defensively, the Rams look to the Chargers as a return to basics after the Falcons’ run-and-shoot, four-wideout offense. Against the Chargers’ two-tight end, run-dominated style, defensive coordinator Jeff Fisher should get plenty of chances to evaluate his players.

“We intend at this point to play longer with the first group and play longer with the second group . . . those guys you saw at the end of the game last week may or may not get a chance to play,” Fisher said.

“We’re going to evaluate starter and backup.”

Said Robinson: “I think personnel questions will for the most part be . . . not solved, but evaluated to the point where we have a handle on them, as to where we are, is this a problem, is this a problem, who do we go with?”

The Rams will have their first chance to prove they can stop the run. That is something this defense, with a pass rush that is still being rebuilt, must be able to do.

San Diego’s offense, Fisher said, is very similar to that of the Phoenix Cardinals, against whom the Rams will open the regular season.

“Our ability to rush the quarterback with six or seven people protecting him as well as to stop the running game with big personnel, their tight ends, it’s going to be a great test for the middle linebackers,” Fisher said.

“It’s going to be a great warm-up to Phoenix, to Washington, and to some of those other teams who run the two- and three-tight end offenses.”

Said Robinson: “We’re concerned about the physicalness of our group, and with these guys, we’ll find out something.”