Rams Will Go Back to Everett

The Rams took three days to think during this bye week, and after reviewing their 2-6 record, they proclaimed Jim Everett their starting quarterback once again Friday and said they now will make a run for the playoffs.

“We think Jim Everett affords us the best chance to win right now,” said Coach Chuck Knox, announcing that the veteran will start against the Atlanta Falcons on Nov. 14 at Anaheim Stadium. “Going over everything this week, (we have decided) we’re going to try and make a run this second half of the season.

“Mathematically, we’re not out of a chance of making the playoffs. We’re sitting here 2-6, but realistically we could at least be 4-4.”

T.J. Rubley started at quarterback for one game, completing 15 of 26 passes for 158 yards and a touchdown, with two interceptions, in a 40-17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers last Sunday.

“T.J. Rubley will be fine; he’ll be better for the experience that he had last week,” Knox said. “And Jim Everett will be better for having a chance of backing away from it for a week.”

Everett, who started 87 consecutive games before Sunday, is the NFL’s 25th-rated passer.

Only Stan Humphries, who has completed 45.3% of his passes and no longer starts for the San Diego Chargers, has a lower completion percentage than Everett’s .485. Everett has thrown seven touchdown passes and 10 interceptions.

“As far as stepping back, there are some things that I think I got some insight on,” Everett said. “At the time, there were a lot of negative-type things going on, and I’m going to try and turn them into positive things and hopefully make them useful.”

Rubley accepted his demotion.

“Coach Knox has been doing this a long, long time and he knows what’s best for us to win,” he said. “That’s what we’re going to try and do. We still have a shot to get into the playoffs. I’d like to experience that, so whatever is the best way to get there, so be it.”