RAM NOTEBOOK / MIKE REILLEY : Redskin Lines Are Hurting, Too

The team is 2-7, last in its division and it has endured a long losing streak. The quarterback is ranked among the worst in the league, and the offensive and defensive lines are struggling with injuries to key starters.

The Rams, right? No, make that the Redskins, the Rams’ opponent Sunday at Anaheim Stadium.

Washington is off to its worst start since 1963, and quarterback Mark Rypien is on the verge of losing his position to Rich Gannon, who hasn’t taken a snap in six weeks.

“It sounds like the Rams are going through the same thing we are,” said Richie Petitbon, the Redskins’ first-year coach. “The losing has been very frustrating, and the injuries make it even more so.”

The Redskins will come to Anaheim Stadium Sunday with a makeshift offensive line that has only one player--center Jeff Bostic--at his original position.

Tackles Jim Lachey (knee) and Joe Jacoby (back) are out for the season, and backup tackles Ed Simmons and Moe Elewonibi have missed games with knee injuries. Ray Brown has moved from left guard to replace Simmons at right tackle, and Vern Smith will replace Mark Schlereth, who’s out for the year with a virus.

The Redskins this week signed third-year defensive lineman Jeff Faulkner to back up Jason Buck at left tackle. Buck replaces regular starter Bobby Wilson (knee). Defensive end Charles Mann (knee) is listed day-to-day.

“The injuries that have hurt us the most have been on the lines,” said Petitbon, who added that he won’t name a starting quarterback until later in the week. Rypien, the second-lowest rated quarterback in the NFC, ahead of the Rams’ Jim Everett, is the incumbent starter. Rypien has completed 115 of 222 passes (51.8%) for 1,123 yards with four touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Petitbon indicated he might start Gannon, who’s back after missing six weeks with a broken foot.

“We’ll evaluate that at the end of the week and make the decision,” Petitbon said. “We have a kid in Gannon who hasn’t done anything in six weeks, so we don’t know what condition he’s in physically or how sharp he is timing-wise.”

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Injury update: Right tackle Jackie Slater practiced for the first time in three weeks Wednesday, but said afterward he wasn’t sure if he’s ready to play Sunday.

Slater, an 18-year veteran, tore his pectoral muscle against Detroit and sat out the San Francisco and Atlanta games. The Rams have given up 13 sacks in those two games.

“Right now it’s a matter of getting my strength back,” Slater said. “It’s still a little inflamed, but not like it was. I feel good about the improvement over the past couple of days.

” . . . I’ll do a little more on it in practice (today) and Friday, and closer to the weekend decide whether I can play.”

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Rookie race: According to Washington’s media relations department, the Rams’ Jerome Bettis and the Redskins’ Reggie Brooks have a shot at becoming the first tailbacks from the same college (Notre Dame) to rush for more than 1,000 yards in their rookie seasons.

Brooks leads all rookies and is eighth in the league with 615 yards in 125 carries. Bettis’ 557 yards ranks third among rookies behind Brooks and New Orleans’ Derek Brown (569).

The Notre Dame duo nearly accomplished the feat in college. Brooks rushed for 1,343 and Bettis, who missed a game with an ankle injury, finished with 825 yards.

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Reunion: Considering all their injuries, think the Redskins would like to have Ram defensive end Fred Stokes back? Stokes, drafted in 1987 by the Rams, played four seasons with the Redskins before returning to Anaheim as a free agent last spring.

“I’m not upset about leaving,” said Stokes, who keeps in touch with several of his former Redskin teammates, “just like I wasn’t upset when I left here.

“I have no regrets about leaving, but at the same time, I’m not saying I hate those guys or want to show them. You get yourself in trouble if you say that.”

Still, breaking a five-game losing streak, especially against his former teammates, would be sweet.

“I would be elated,” Stokes said, smiling. “Then I can talk some trash.”

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Season on the blink: Petitbon paid his dues as an assistant coach for 33 years before getting his first shot this year as a head coach. He was a defensive coordinator for 16 years with the Redskins before replacing Joe Gibbs after last season.

But a 2-7 record wasn’t exactly what Petitbon had in mind when he replaced Gibbs, who coached the Redskins to three Super Bowl titles in 10 seasons.

His thoughts on replacing Gibbs: “It didn’t bother me then, and it doesn’t bother me at all right now. Taking over at a place that you already know is a lot easier. The comparisons (between coaches) is going to be natural, but that’s one of those things.”

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Starting over: Ram coaches informed third-year player Jeff Pahukoa Wednesday morning that he would start in place of injured Tom Newberry (knee) at left guard. Pahukoa’s assignment in his first career start? Stopping tackle Tim Johnson, one of Washington’s top pass rushers.

“It has taken three years, but I think I’m ready to do it,” Pahukoa said. “Tim’s a great player, and it’s a big challenge. He’s strong, quick and he doesn’t give up. It’s going to be a full day of work.”

Ram Coach Chuck Knox said Pahukoa got the start over rookie Keith Loneker because of experience.