Reworked Chargers Defense to be Tried by Browns

It’s pretty well accepted that offense sells tickets and defense wins Super Bowls.

Even Don Coryell seems to accept this philosophy. At last.

It’s plain to even the most casual fan that Coryell’s job probably hinges on how well the Chargers’ heavily reworked defense performs in 1985.

No one is more eager than Coryell to have a look at the defense in tonight’s exhibition opener against the Cleveland Browns at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium.

“We’re really fired up and interested to see how the defense will do,” Coryell said Friday. “We know we’re going to have a lot more speed, and we think we have a chance to have a representative defense.

“I know most people think of this as a rebuilding year for us, but we’re going to shoot for the moon. Fire all the guns and go after it.”

General Manager John Sanders said he expects this to be the best Charger defense in four or five years. “Our whole theory since the the end of last season has been to get the ball back for the offense,” Sanders said.

The defensive backfield, which has been so porous for so long, will get careful scrutiny. A couple of three-year veterans, Gill Byrd and Danny Walters, will start along with rookies Wayne Davis and Jeff Dale.

The line, which often has been an acute embarrassment, will be improved if Lee Williams, Fred Robinson and Chuck Ehin play up to the expectations of Coryell and his staff. James Lockette, acquired just this week, will get a good look.

Many of these players will be on the field for much of the game, Coryell said. The risk of injury is secondary to finding out who the most capable players are among the masses in training camp.

The possibility of further bolstering the defense with cornerback Mossy Cade still exists, but owner Alex Spanos has indicated impatience with Cade and his agent. Sanders said he doesn’t expect any serious trade talk until after the exhibition opener.

Spanos is also interested in beefing up the offensive line with tackle Kevin Allen, Philadelphia’s No. 1 draft choice, who is unsigned.

The Chargers’ own No. 1, offensive tackle Jim Lachey, probably will play the entire game tonight, according to Coryell. Another recent acquisition, Jerry Doerger, will work at both guard and center.

Other offensive linemen who will play a lot against the Browns include tackle Sam Claphan, guard Dennis McKnight and center Don Macek. A job became available this week with the retirement of 15-year veteran Doug Wilkerson.

“We’re trying to find out who our five best are so we can patch together a new line,” Coryell said. Veteran Ed White is hurt and probably won’t play.

Dan Fouts will start and play a quarter or so, but it will be young Bruce Mathison who gets most of the work at quarterback. Mathison is the leading candidate to replace Ed Luther as Fouts’ fill-in.

Charger fans will get their first look at two heralded acquisitions from the United States Football League, running back Tim Spencer and wide receiver Trumaine Johnson.

The kicking game, something of a disappointment to the Charger staff in 1984, is being contested by three players, veterans Rolf Benirschke and Maury Buford along with rookie Ralf Mojsiejenko. Benirschke will handle the placekicking and Mojsiejenko the punting tonight, Coryell said.

The Browns will start incumbent Paul McDonald at quarterback, and No. 1 draft pick Bernie Kosar likely won’t enter the game until the fourth quarter.

It’s only an exhibition, but Coryell and Cleveland’s Marty Schottenheimer have an interest in winning.

“We have so many questions to answer,” Coryell said. “It’s a feeling almost like the Super Bowl for us and Cleveland.”

That’s overstating it more than a bit, but Schottenheimer agrees with the premise. “If you’re not playing to win, you’re wasting your time,” he said.