Rams Finding More Problems Than Answers

The Rams have demonstrated that it doesn’t matter who starts at quarterback, so where do they go from here?

They are 2-6, which is the worst start for any team in Chuck Knox’s 21 years as a head coach.

They are one defeat away from a five-game losing streak, something no Knox-coached team has ever had.

“It’s been a tough stretch,” said Knox, who has had 3-5 starts three times in his career. “I knew when I hired on here it wasn’t going to be easy.”

Knox, however, had talked about the possibility of this team making the playoffs. Instead, the Rams are off to their worst start in a non-strike season since opening 1-7 in 1965.

“The goal was to get into the playoffs. That’s still not out of the picture,” Knox said. “But what we have to do right now is focus on the next game and try to take an approach that this is a new season for us and see if we can’t win some football games.”

The players returned to Rams Park for meetings Monday, ran a little and then adjourned for three days off. They will practice Friday, and then have the weekend off because of their bye on Sunday.

They will play the Atlanta Falcons (2-6) Nov. 14 in Anaheim Stadium, but there is no decision on who will start at quarterback.

“As you know, we don’t do that on Monday,” Knox said.

Quarterback Jim Everett skipped Monday’s gathering because of back spasms. A Ram spokesman said that Everett, who did not play in the team’s 40-17 defeat by the 49ers Sunday, had been sent to doctors for examination.

T.J. Rubley, who took a beating in his first NFL start, said he was sore, adding, “Nothing is broken or torn, so I have to be very thankful for that.”

The 49ers sacked Rubley seven times and had him on the run much of the day. He completed 15 of 26 passes for 158 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions.

“The first half we were just sluggish and misfiring and when you’re a quarterback, all you can do is ride that wave out,” said Rubley, who had completed two of six passes for 20 yards with an interception in the first half. “I stayed upbeat the whole way. I always have faith. Matter of fact, I thought we were going to come back, especially when it was 23-10 in the third quarter.”

Said Knox: “Overall, he made the right decisions. He wasn’t on the money throwing the ball, especially in the first half. But he settled down in the second half and did a pretty good job on a couple of drives.”

Rubley tried to make connections with wide receiver Henry Ellard late in the game, but misread Ellard’s route. Cornerback Michael McGruder caught the ball and returned it 32 yards for a touchdown.

“That was a poor decision,” Knox said. “But he also had some good throws and had some good scrambles.”

Knox said the coaching staff discussed pulling Rubley at halftime and going back to Everett, but said they decided “in all fairness” that Rubley deserved an opportunity to play in the second half.

Now he must decide whether to continue with the inexperienced Rubley or turn to an inconsistent Everett.