Jim Haslett saw what happened to Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis on Sept. 13. Weis suffered two torn knee ligaments when Irish linebacker John Ryan was blocked him into on the sideline in a 35-17 victory over Michigan.

So when Haslett spied 5-11, 182-pound Redskins cornerback Leigh Torrence steaming his way while trying to cover a punt late in the third quarter Sunday, “I figured it was him or me,” Haslett said Monday. A Rams player had shoved Torrence out of bounds, and though Haslett backed up, he said he ran out of room.

“He was going to run me over or I was going to get him. I got a good shot on him” with a forearm, said Haslett, a former NFL linebacker. Torrence wasn’t pleased, and the two engaged in some some vigorous jaw-jacking before order was restored.

“You see those coaches that get toppled. That wasn’t going to be me,” Haslett said. “He’s not that big. It’s no big deal.”

<><><>

Football being a game of momentum, Haslett was asked whether the victory would bolster the Rams heading into Sunday’s home game against the Cowboys. He played down how much might have been gained, however.

“We got one win; it’s been long coming,” Haslett said. “We’ll practice hard Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and we’ll give it everything we’ve got to win the game on Sunday against a great football team.”

<><><>

Notes & quotes:

*Anyone notice rookie DE Chris Long sprinting stride-for-stride alongside Oshiomogho Atogwe on his 75-yard fumble return to the end zone? “Chris can run,” Haslett said. “We’re not the biggest defense, but we to have a little bit of speed.”

*LB Pisa Tinoisamoa, who had 13 tackles, including a sack, and forced the fumble that Atogwe grabbed, is having his best season in several years.

*Hard-nosed CB Ricky Manning Jr. was starting to look as if he really might be able to help the secondary before he suffered a season-ending leg injury Sunday.

*CB Ron Bartell had made vast improvement in his cover skills.

*WR Donnie Avery’s teammates marvel at his raw speed.

*The probable addition of fellow rookie WR Keenan Burton this week also could provide a speedy boost. He’s been out with a knee injury.

*Haslett has his eye on a RB from another team’s practice squad and could have him signed by Tuesday. No ID from the coach yet.

All for now . . .