PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Eatman: 49ers Not <i> That</i> Much Better

Why should the Rams think they can beat the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday after losing to them, 40-17, earlier this season?

“Believe it or not, I don’t see them as being that much better than us,” said Irv Eatman, Ram offensive tackle. “They may very well be a better team than us, I will concede that. But being a better team and outplaying us on Sunday are two entirely different things.

“I look at film of our game with them last time and it doesn’t look like a 40-17 game. I didn’t see them doing anything that would prevent us from beating them. Obviously we’re going to have to be on the top of our game, but there’s nothing that I’ve seen to convince me that we can’t beat them.”

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Said quarterback Jim Everett, who was asked about his agent’s published comments that it would be best for Everett to play elsewhere next season: “I guess I just don’t have any comment right now.

“I’m a Los Angeles Ram and I’m going to play the best I can. I’m sure you’re going to hear speculation from everybody, so I’ll just leave it at that. Happy Thanksgiving.”

Marvin Demoff, Everett’s agent, also said Wednesday that John Shaw, Ram executive vice president, had called Monday to inquire if Everett wished to remain with the team for the remainder of the season.

“All I can say is that any conversation I ever had with my agent will stay that way,” Everett said.

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The Rams said there were 4,077 tickets remaining at Thursday’s 1 p.m. deadline to reach a sellout, so Sunday’s game with the 49ers will not be shown locally on television.

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Coach Chuck Knox said safety Pat Terrell has been ruled out of this week’s game because of a pinched shoulder nerve, and added that it does not appear as if wide receiver Ernie Jones (knee) will be available.

Knox said wide receiver Richard Buchanan will probably be promoted from the practice squad to replace Jones.