RAM NOTEBOOK : Statistics Improve, but Not Won-Loss Record

The Rams won two of their first five games, had a week off to rest and work on quality control during the NFC West bye, then came back to win only one of their past five.

Coach John Robinson continues to insist there has been marked improvement, however, and although his claims must ring hollow in the ears of many fans, some of the numbers back him up.

In the first five games this season, the Rams were averaging 167 yards passing and 92 rushing. In the past five, they improved the passing average to 250, while rushing yardage has slipped to 80 yards per game.

The biggest difference has been on the scoreboard, though. In the first five games, the Rams had five rushing touchdowns, none passing. In the past five, the offense has scored 13 touchdowns, nine through the air and four on the ground.

The offense has risen another notch in the past two weeks during losses to Kansas City and New Orleans, two of the top 10 defenses in the NFL. The Rams compiled 430 total yards against the Chiefs and 381 against the Saints.

“We’re back to being a solid passing team,” Robinson said. “We’re certainly pass-blocking well and we’re back to spreading the ball around.”

The most obvious area of improvement, however, has been at quarterback. Jim Everett, who struggled in the early going, has thrown for at least 300 more yards in three of the past four games.

Most of his recent statistics--highlighted by Sunday’s 26-of-37, 329-yard, three-touchdown performance--are impressive. And no one is questioning his ability to stand and deliver anymore.

Everett’s once happy feet are downright firm these days.

“He’s fundamentally playing the game extremely well, which some might see as different from what the observations of him were earlier,” Robinson said. “He’s standing in there, his drops are shorter, he’s working forward in the pocket and he’s keeping his feet underneath him.”

On the Downside: The Ram defense was ranked 13th in the league after five games. It has fallen to 25th. Given the injury-decimated state of the line and an almost total absence of a pass rush, Robinson doesn’t see any quick fixes.

He still believes he made the right move in hiring defensive coordinator Jeff Fisher to overhaul the defense and install an aggressive 4-3 system, but Robinson says the payoff is still in the future.

“I think we’re doing a good job of hanging on,” he said. “Kansas City moved the ball effectively, but they just couldn’t quite deliver the knockout punch on our defense, so we were in a position to win at the end of the game.

“Our front has been damaged a lot. There are a lot of problems there. And we have been ineffective at rushing the passer, which has put additional pressure on our secondary. And we haven’t been successful (blitzing) extra people.

“I look at players and I look at parts of our scheme as making good progress. But I also look and say, ‘Hey, it’ll be next year before we’ll be able to make a major step forward.’ ”

Oh, Henry! Everett has regained his form, Flipper Anderson has regained his health and Henry Ellard is reaping the benefits.

Ah, the wonders of single coverage.

With Anderson out four games because of a back injury, opponents had been double-covering Ellard on most passing downs. Since Anderson’s return against New Orleans, Ellard has caught 10 passes for 231 yards in two games.

Robinson said there has always been a focus on throwing to Ellard, he just wasn’t able to get open as often earlier in the season.

“I think we’ve been trying to get the ball to him a lot,” Robinson said, “but now with Price and (Robert) Delpino and Damone (Johnson) catching the ball effectively, it makes it a little different.

“And now with Flipper back, I think people are worried about him. Before, they went over and tried to take Henry away. Now, whether Flipper gets a lot of balls or not, he’s a threat and he must be dealt with.”

In the first six games this season, Ellard had 20 receptions for 330 yards. In the past four, he’s caught 21 for 372 yards.