PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Pagel Will Get Plenty of Work

One position that needs no sorting out is quarterback, where Jim Everett, Mike Pagel and rookie T.J. Rubley are set as the team’s top three.

In tonight’s exhibition finale against the San Diego Chargers, Everett will start and play “about a quarter,” Coach Chuck Knox said. Pagel, who did not play last week, giving Rubley a chance for significant action, will play the rest of the game, according to Knox. Rubley is not scheduled to play.

“He’s gotten the experience that he needed,” Knox said of Rubley. “He showed a lot of poise. He’ll be the No. 3 quarterback, barring any unforeseen events that happen between now and when we go to Buffalo. But Mike Pagel, he’s the No. 2 guy. He needs the work.”

Knox said the rest of the first-teamers will play more than one quarter, and he will give special attention to making sure those players competing for roster and starting spots get quality time. He pointed to the defensive line and linebacker positions--other than the obvious running back muddle--as key areas.

At defensive tackle, rookie Marc Boutte is pushing Alvin Wright for the starting left-side spot. The two defensive end positions remain open, especially with right end Bill Hawkins nursing a calf injury and left end Robert Young with a shoulder sprain. At linebacker, Roman Phifer and Paul Butcher are competing for the starting right-side spot, and Larry Kelm and Fred Strickland are competing for the job in the middle.

Linebacker Kevin Greene, sidelined for last week’s game because of a leg injury, and cornerback Todd Lyght, who has missed the first three exhibition games because of a sore hamstring, are expected to play tonight, Knox said.

However, Tony Zendejas, who missed last week’s game because of a leg injury, will be held out again, leaving punter Steven Domingos to handle the kicking duties as well. “If something should happen to (Domingos), Tony Zendejas would be available if it’s a real short shot,” Knox said. “And if it isn’t, well, we might ask for volunteers.”