RAM NOTEBOOK : Young’s Stay in Lineup a Short One

Defensive end Robert Young’s return to the Rams’ starting lineup was short-lived after he sprained his knee Sunday in the second quarter of the 13-0 loss to the Falcons at Anaheim Stadium.

Young, who missed three games because of an injured right knee, is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery today.

He re-injured it trying to tackle tailback Erric Pegram. Young limped off the field, threw his helmet and never returned.

“It was a running play and I thought I could make the tackle,” said Young, fifth in the league in sacks with seven in the first four games of the season. “When the offensive lineman (dived at him), I heard it (knee) pop. I was just trying to throw people off it. I was just getting back, and for that to happen at that time is frustrating.”

Starting cornerback Robert Bailey (knee), starting left guard Tom Newberry (knee) and reserve wide receiver Ernie Jones (knee) are scheduled to undergo MRI exams today.

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On defense: Asked what he thought of Atlanta’s defensive scheme for the Rams--an eight-man front that stuffed tailback Jerome Bettis and dared quarterback Jim Everett to throw, Ram free safety Anthony Newman couldn’t offer much of an answer.

“Before the season started, I told myself, ‘I’m not going to watch our offense,’ ” he said. “Sometimes that takes you out of your game, when you’re watching somebody else. It’s something that you’re not in control of, and you watch it and you get frustrated. You start thinking about that and not about what you have to do. I don’t watch our offense anymore.

“I think maybe they knew our (offensive) tendencies. They were fired up. Atlanta, every time I turn around, they’re giving up 27 points a game.”

The Falcons, the league’s lowest-rated defense, held Bettis to 27 yards in 11 carries, his lowest total since Sept. 26, when he had 25 yards in 11 carries against the Houston Oilers.

“Once they stopped the running game, we started having problems,” Bettis said. “The running game has to be successful in order to have a good passing game. They were trying to take us out of our rhythm with their stunts and slants. That’s what took us out of the mix.”

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On the defensive: The Ram defense gave up 16 points and lost to Detroit. It gave up 13 points to the Falcons on Sunday and lost. Are the Rams playing just good enough on defense to lose?

“Hell, giving up points, period is the thing,” tackle Sean Gilbert said. “What kind of question is that? How can you play to lose?”

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The Perfect Kick: Atlanta kicker Norm Johnson, a Pacifica High graduate, was two for two on field goal attempts, boosting his season total to 17 of 17.

Johnson, in his 12th season, must be feeling better than ever, right?

“Actually, I’ve been dinged up a little more than in the past,” he said. “My back has been bothering me, I had a groin pull that kept me out of the Chicago game.”

He made kicks of 46 yards in the first quarter and 44 in the second to give Atlanta a 6-0 lead and, afterward, deflected the spotlight.

“I haven’t changed anything,” Johnson said. “My holder changed, and Harold Alexander is doing a great job. The line has been superb. When guys do their jobs well, I usually do mine pretty well.”

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Puts On a Show: Atlanta defensive back Deion Sanders, on why he lateraled an interception return to teammate Scott Case with time expired and Atlanta having won:

“Fans pay a lot of money to see these games. They don’t want to see you just run up and down the field. You try to put on a show.”

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Glowing praise: Atlanta Coach Jerry Glanville heaped praise on the Falcon special teams afterward:

“I’m proud of the special teams,” he said. “They covered the punts, made the field goals and did the things that helped us win.”

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Rare feat: Since the Rams and Falcons began playing twice a season in 1967, 1993 marks only the second time the Falcons have won both games in one year. The other time was in 1991.

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Hello, defense: Coach Chuck Knox again sent his defense out for pregame introductions. Knox has not had the offense introduced before a home game since Everett heard boos in the first home exhibition game.

Knox, however, said last week he’s not protecting Everett, and suggested instead that just maybe he feels luckier introducing the defense.

Take note: The Rams are 1-3 when they introduce their defensive players.

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Everett victimized: Although the hometown fans booed him every time he took the field, Everett’s teammates did him no favors.

Wide receiver Todd Kinchen, running back David Lang and wide receiver Henry Ellard each dropped passes that would have kept the Rams on the offensive.

The Ram offensive line, which played without tackle Jackie Slater, also failed to provide much protection. The Falcons recorded six sacks.

Despite getting little help, Everett held his ground early on. He remained in the pocket for much of the first half, looked off primary receivers and went to his secondary reads. He also finished the game with 21 yards rushing after scrambling effectively from trouble three times.

“I’m just playing a little looser,” he said. “I don’t think I’ve run around this much for a few years, but some of that is forced. I don’t have anything to lose really.

“I’m going to try to play the best I possibly can and it wasn’t good enough today. I don’t think there’s anyone in this locker room that can say they were good enough today. We’ve just got to make this game fun again; if I was living out here I’d want to come and watch a fun game. We haven’t shown that yet.”

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Bye, bye: The Falcons are now 5-0 in games following a bye, including three victories in that span against the Rams. The Rams are 1-4, including Sunday’s lackluster performance.

“Today might have been the most out of sync that we have been,” said Irv Eatman, Ram tackle. “We just seemed totally out of sync, the penalties, the missed execution, just a total lack of performance on our behalf. This is probably the worst I’ve seen us in terms of our cohesiveness on offense.”

And the Rams played Sunday’s game with the benefit of two extra days of practice during their bye week.

Times staff writers T.J. Simers and Scott Miller contributed to this story.