Ram Rookies Embree and Hicks Impress

LA JOLLA —  Ram starting quarterback Jim Everett completed 18 of 30 pass attempts for 208 yards during a 7-on-7 scrimmage Thursday against the San Diego Chargers.

But Coach John Robinson said he wasn’t watching.

“I wasn’t looking at Everett,” Robinson said. “I’m looking at who to keep--those players become the issues.”

Among those still fighting for spots on the team, Robinson was impressed with rookie cornerback Cliff Hicks from Oregon and rookie tight end John Embree of Colorado.

Embree led Ram receivers with five catches for 61 yards. Former UCLA wide receiver Michael Young caught three passes for 44 yards, and tight end Darren Long, of Long Beach State, had two catches for 44 yards.

In addition to Everett, quarterbacks Steve Dils and Hugh Millen played in the scrimmage held at UC San Diego. Dils was 11 of 20 for 98 yards with one interception, and Millen was 7 of 10 for 88 yards.

The two teams began with a 7-on-7 scrimmage. Later, the Ram defense went against the Charger offense in an 11-on-11 scrimmage. The Rams didn’t run a full offensive scrimmage because they don’t have enough healthy offensive linemen.

Nose tackle James Byrne sustained the only serious injury on either team. James, a free agent out of Wisconsin LaCrosse, was taken to the hospital with a knee injury. Robinson said he did not know the extent of Byrne’s injury.