CHARGERS UPDATE : NOTEBOOK / T.J. SIMERS : Jefferson Adds Some Spark, And That’s Catching, Ross Says

Wide receiver Shawn Jefferson jumped into the air after catching a pass against the Rams in Tuesday’s scrimmage and waved one finger high.

No, he said, he was not indicating the record for consecutive catches made by a Charger receiver without dropping the ball.

No, he said, he was not announcing the Chargers’ rise to No. 1 in the preseason polls.

“No, I was telling the referee to move those chains,” said Jefferson, after the Chargers and Rams played to a 6-6 tie. “I’m the type of guy that likes to get my team pumped up. I don’t call it showboating. It’s not; it’s showing that competitiveness in me.

“We had some guys who were nervous and I wanted to do something early to get the team into it.”

Mr. Showboat not only did something early by catching three passes for 38 yards, but he delivered the kind of enthusiasm Coach Bobby Ross has been demanding.

“Jefferson has got a little fire to him,” Ross said. “He’s got a little spark mentally and physically. I like that.”

Ross also liked the work of his quarterbacks, Pat O’Hara and Jeff Graham, who combined to complete 11 of 14 passes for 149 yards against the Rams’ defense.

Graham opened play for the Chargers and drove his team to the two-yard line before a holding call brought back memories of last season. Graham, who has suddenly found the range since fracturing the tip of his thumb on his throwing hand, completed four of six passes for 36 yards.

O’Hara, who was seven for eight for 113 yards with an interception, threw a 43-yard touchdown pass to former San Diego State wide receiver Robert Claiborne, who is trying to make it as a free agent.

Rams’ rookie safety Chris Crooms, however, intercepted an O’Hara overthrow and returned it 52 yards for the Rams’ only score.

“It was a typical first scrimmage,” Ross said. “There were penalties and turnovers on both sides. The negative thing to me was the penalties. That’s the kind of thing that’s got to cease.”

The Chargers’ defense was asked to stop quarterbacks Matt Veatch and T.J. Rubley. It was not that difficult of a task. Rubley, the Rams’ ninth-round pick from Tulsa, completed four of nine for 59 yards; Veatch, a free agent from San Jose State went three for six for 37 yards.

The Charger veterans are due to report today, and General Manager Bobby Beathard appeared to be making last-minute progress in an effort to sign some of team’s 13 unsigned players.

Beathard said he expected agreements from center Courtney Hall, tackle Broderick Thompson and linebacker Henry Rolling. He also expressed optimism over negotiations with linebacker Leslie O’Neal.

He said the team remains far apart with linebacker Gary Plummer and nose tackle Joe Phillips, and he said guard Mike Zandofsky has rejected the team’s latest offer. He said running back Rod Bernstine is considering the club’s proposal.

Guard David Richards, tackle Leo Goeas, kicker John Carney, punter John Kidd and quarterback John Friesz also remain unsigned.

Defensive end Sean Gilbert, the Rams’ No. 1 pick, had trouble getting past Chargers’ offensive lineman Terry Beauford. . . . Defensive end Chris Mims, the Chargers’ No. 1 pick, struggled against 6-7, 300-pound Darryl Ashmore. “He did OK,” Ross said. “It wasn’t anything great. I’d grade it as average.”

Charger defensive linemen Arthur Paul and Reggie White enjoyed success in one-on-one work with the Rams, and linebackers Kevin Little and Chris Collins contributed key hits in the scrimmage. . . . Cornerback Tony Blaylock had two interceptions in seven-on-seven drills against the Rams, and wide receiver Walter Stanley had his teammates chirping in admiration after holding onto the ball while being leveled by Rams’ cornerback Jesse Chavis. “Hell of a play by Walter,” Ross said.