CHARGER UPDATE : NOTEBOOK : Everett Wants to Break Loose Against Chargers’ Pass Defense
The Chargers know all about it, but, thank you very much, they will not discuss it this week.
Ram quarterback Jim Everett, who has faced tough pass defenses in the 49ers (ranked 10th), the Giants (seventh) and Saints (sixth), will seek his first touchdown of the season against the Chargers, who have the league’s 23rd-best pass defense.
“I haven’t said a word about it. Obviously, it’s a big deal for everybody, but I’m trying not to make it a big deal,” said Jim Mora, the Chargers’ secondary coach. “I don’t want them going into the game thinking, ‘What if they score on us?’ That’s what happened last year in Pittsburgh.”
The Steelers failed to score a touchdown in their first four games last year, but scored four against the Chargers in Week 5.
“We have a goal every week,” Mora said, “which is to not allow any touchdowns passing on the secondary.”
The Chargers’ defense, however, has allowed eight touchdown passes this season. Only the Jets (nine) and the Patriots (11) have allowed more.
“It’s tough when you’re the only quarterback in the league that hasn’t thrown a touchdown,” Everett said. “Sure, I think about it. Hopefully we can resolve that this weekend.”
Coach Dan Henning was asked why he thought Everett has failed to throw for a touchdown this season.
“I don’t know,” Henning said. “The games that we’ve seen they’ve had some continuity problems with those people. They have new offensive linemen, they have different backs on occasion and their receivers haven’t been healthy.
“It’s kind of a new offensive group. . . . They’ve turned over a number of people in the last couple of years and it looks like it might be catching up to them.”
The Chargers released linebacker Andy Katoa, the team’s ninth-round pick, who has been on the practice squad, and informed the league that guard Mike Zandofsky, who has been on injured reserve with a knee injury, has begun practicing.
Tight end Arthur Cox was listed as questionable with a foot injury and missed Wednesday’s practice, but Henning said Cox was walking around and “looks like he may be a candidate” to play against the Rams.
The Rams said wide receiver Willie Anderson (back), center/guard Bern Brostek (ankle) and linebacker Brett Faryniarz (knee) will miss the game. Defensive tackle Mike Piel (shoulder) is listed as doubtful.
Henning was asked if wide receiver Anthony Miller had held onto the ball in Wednesday’s practice.
“Yeah, by and and large he did,” Henning said.
In the past three games, Miller has caught two passes for 13 yards.
Ram coach John Robinson knows a thing or two about running backs, and he likes the two (Rod Bernstine and Marion Butts) who play for the Chargers.
“I think they’re real good,” Robinson said. “Both are powerful people and they make you miss. The good big runner doesn’t hit you head on. The good big runner that hits you head on gives you a headache, but he’s basically stopped at that point. Both of these guys make you miss; they’re really good.”