Bye-Bye Everett? : Pro football: Ram officials decline to comment on speculation about release.

Ram officials declined the opportunity Monday to squelch speculation that quarterback Jim Everett is about to be released.

“I have no comment,” Coach Chuck Knox said.

John Shaw, Ram executive vice president, said, “The decision on his status is a coaching decision.”

Both Shaw and Knox were advised that such non-denials would undoubtedly add fuel to reports that Everett’s release is imminent.

“I don’t respond to rumors,” Knox said. “First of all, we don’t make personnel decisions on Mondays. I’ll answer it that way.”

Knox told reporters he will be available to them today.

“If we do something or whatever, we can have (public relations) call you,” Knox said.

Reminded of Everett’s high-profile status and the interest such speculation might spark, Shaw said, “High-profile athletes have been cut before. It happens.

“But those determinations are up to the coach.”

Shaw said he has not discussed Everett’s status with Knox, but Shaw will meet with Knox this morning at Rams Park to discuss personnel and Everett’s future with the team will be up for discussion.

Mike Pagel’s future is also going to be discussed.

Asked about his reaction to possibly being released, Everett said, “I don’t have any reactions to anything that’s hypothetical or speculative. I’ll just try the best that I possibly can and take it from there.”

Everett is due to earn $2 million in base salary this season, but the Rams would save $646,666 if they released him now. Everett would be entitled to one week’s salary up to a maximum of $20,000 if released this week according to the new NFL collective bargaining agreement.

Shaw, however, said money will not be the deciding factor if such a decision is made.

“That would not happen in this case,” Shaw said. “It’s totally up to the coach. His contract is not an issue.”

Why would the Rams consider releasing Everett now with six games to play?

The Rams have already concluded that Everett will not return next season. Sources within the team say they held out hope that he would perform better down the stretch and improve his off-season trade value.

But Everett criticized the team’s offensive coaching staff last week after a 13-0 loss to Atlanta, and according to several assistant coaches, infuriated Knox. Everett had criticized the team’s offensive strategy earlier this season and at that time had been rebuked privately by Knox.

Knox stuck with Everett last week, to the surprise of some in the organization, but now it appears he will have no choice but to start T.J. Rubley against San Francisco next Sunday. Rubley relieved Everett Sunday and rallied the Rams to a 10-6 victory over Washington.

Everett’s continued disappointing play coupled with his $2.5-million contract for 1994 has now convinced some club officials that they will not be able to receive anything for Everett in a trade.

“Would it really surprise you if he was released now?” said a source within the Ram organization. “If the coaches believe his presence will be detrimental, and he has no value on the trade market next year, why not?”

Reports in a Los Angeles-area publication and in USA Today on Monday prompted the speculation that Everett might be released this week.

Danny Sheridan, a football insider who appears regularly on CNN and in USA Today, was quoted as saying, “The Rams might cut Jim Everett as early as Monday or Tuesday.”

Reached at his home in Alabama, Sheridan said the decision to release Everett was made a week ago.

“I thought it was totally crazy at first, but I made calls and I was told if he didn’t perform well against Washington, it was unanimous within the organization, he was going to be placed on waivers,” Sheridan said. “It’s a detrimental-to-the-team-type thing.”

Ernie Zampese, Ram offensive coordinator, reacted with surprise when asked about reports that Everett might be cut.

“Cut?” Zampese said. “Cut? I don’t know what to say.”

Joe Vitt, Ram assistant head coach, said Everett’s name never came up during Monday’s meetings.

“Cut?” Vitt said. “I haven’t heard a word about anything like that.”

Everett, who has been booed much of the season in Anaheim Stadium, was removed from Sunday’s game with the Redskins late in the third quarter after failing to get the Rams into the end zone.

Everett declined to talk to reporters Sunday but made himself available Monday.

“I don’t think my performance was up to par,” Everett said after completing 12 of 20 passes for 102 yards. “I agree with Coach Knox in all facets as he called the game.”

Everett, who expressed anger at being pulled earlier this season against Detroit, said he agreed with Knox’s decision to pull him Sunday.

“Absolutely,” Everett said. “The decision brought a win here for the Rams, and that’s the key part.”

Everett has now gone 27 offensive drives without leading the Rams to a touchdown.