RAM NOTEBOOK / T.J. SIMERS : Rubley Would Play Long Relief Role if Necessary

Quarterback T.J. Rubley has been practicing as the holder for kicker Tony Zendejas, but no, that does not mean Rubley has moved closer to playing for the Rams.

Mike Pagel will remain Zendejas’ holder and backup quarterback to Jim Everett on Sunday.

However, Coach Chuck Knox said that should something happened to starting quarterback Jim Everett that prevented him from starting a future game, Rubley would take all snaps in practice and become the team’s starter.

“I don’t know if it would be fair to throw him (Rubley) into a game without having intense preparation (all week long),” Knox said. “The other guy (Pagel) has been around and could be thrust in there” on short notice.

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During training camp Anthony Thompson emerged as one of the team’s most pleasant surprises.

However, he broke his hand during an exhibition game against the Chargers, and later re-injured it. Although he was expected to recover in a matter of weeks, the team opted to place him on injured reserve, thereby losing him for the year.

Recently the team reached an injury settlement with Thompson and cut him. Thompson has recovered from his broken hand and is healthy to play again. He is free to sign elsewhere but cannot rejoin the Rams.

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David Lang, who was projected to be the Rams’ starting fullback at the outset of training camp, continues to rehabilitate an injured knee that has now kept him sidelined for two months.

“I was running twice a week and was at about 85%, but then we had a setback because it swelled up on me last week,” Lang said. “I’m laying low for a little while, and I’m shooting to come back and start practicing the week we play Atlanta.

“I don’t want to go out there and be just another guy, so I want to make sure I’m ready to come back.”

Lang earned a reputation as one of the team’s hardest-working players while staying here during the off-season. The team had high hopes for him because of all the Ram running backs, Lang flashed the most speed.

However, while running in a training camp practice his knee gave out. He underwent arthroscopic surgery, the second time in his football career that he has had his right knee repaired.

“I don’t want to wear a brace because I want to be explosive like I was,” Lang said. “You got to work to get the knee back to what it was, and that’s what I’m doing.”

Jim Anderson, the Rams’ trainer, said Lang’s recovery remains on schedule, and the team’s only concern is not allowing Lang to push too quickly.

“He doesn’t cut corners,” Anderson. “You almost have to watch him and make sure he doesn’t do too much. The big thing is getting him to do his workout with us viewing him than him doing stuff on his own, because he tends to overdo it.”

If the Rams had a healthy Lang on their roster they might be more inclined to trade running back Cleveland Gary. Lang certainly fits into the team’s long-range plans, but it’s this season that has Lang longing for an opportunity to play.

“I want to feel like my team feels. Since I’m not contributing I can’t feel what they feel after a win or after a loss. I want to sweat and stink and come off that football field like the rest of the guys.

“I didn’t watch last week’s game with Houston. I didn’t hear the score until later that night. When you’re not there, you’re just not a part of what’s going on.”

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Knox said James Lofton will work as the team’s No. 3 receiver this week, and that Ernie Jones will be No. 4, and Sean LaChapelle No. 5.

Running back Russell White, who has been returning kicks, has also received more work in the team’s nickel packages as of late. White has yet to carry the ball in a game, but Knox said, “He’ll get some playing time.”