PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Knox Questions Everett’s Decision

After watching films of the Rams’ 30-24 loss to Atlanta, Coach Chuck Knox wondered if quarterback Jim Everett should have run instead of forcing a bad pass on a key third-down play on their final drive.

On third and 10 from the Falcon 27, Everett scrambled out of a shotgun formation and had nearly 15 yards in front of him without a defender in sight.

Instead of running, Everett forced a pass to Flipper Anderson that was nearly intercepted by the Falcons’ Melvin Jenkins.

“I think maybe he could have (run),” Knox said. “There was a defender further downfield. He might have won a footrace to the boundary line and the yard marker.”

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Anderson said referees “clearly missed” a pass-interference call on Atlanta cornerback Elbert Shelley on the Rams’ final drive. Shelley broke up a pass from Everett to Anderson at the Atlanta eight-yard line.

“He clearly hit me when the ball was 10 yards from me in the air,” Anderson said. “I was looking around for the flags. I don’t want to downgrade the referees, but that was a clearly missed call. It makes no sense missing a call like that, it was so blatant.”

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Injury report: Knox said he is hoping to have injured defensive tackle Sean Gilbert back by early next week. Gilbert strained his hamstring in the second quarter and didn’t return.

Knox said fullback David Lang is expected to return to practice next week. Lang has been out since undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery July 25.

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The Rams had a punt partially blocked, and first-time kickoff returner Todd Kinchen lost a fumble that led to a field goal by the Falcons in the fourth quarter. Kinchen returned six kickoffs for 96 yards. NFC leader Tony Smith of Atlanta returned four for 105 yards.

“We had a breakdown on the punt protection team,” Knox said. “And we had some mistakes on the coverage teams. We worked very hard on that last week. I expected to see marked improvement. Basically, it comes down to doing a good job of tackling.”