49er Exhibition Is Key to Hopes of 10 Chargers

The shady solitude of late summer at UC San Diego was shattered Friday morning by an invasion of expensive cars prowling in first gear right up to the front doors of several dormitories.

The Chargers were breaking camp, a joyous task for a group of young men confined in close quarters for the past month. After a brief workout, players loaded their cars with clothing and stereos before heading off to catch a midafternoon flight to San Francisco.

The third of four exhibition games pairs the Chargers with the Super Bowl champion 49ers today. After this match, there’s only Friday’s game against New Orleans before the regular-season opener Sept. 8 at Buffalo.

Coach Don Coryell will use the evidence gathered in today’s game to help cut 10 players from the roster by Tuesday. After that cut, the team will be within five of its limit of 45 for the start of the season.

As training camp was winding down, Coryell took a few moments to review the summer’s achievements and to engage in a bit of speculation on what the fall may bring.

“It was a good camp,” Coryell said. “I know of nothing we could have done differently to help us get ready. We had so much competition for jobs and that makes better players of everyone.

“I have a more positive feeling about the defense than at the start of camp. We have the speed, aggressiveness and ability to play a variety of defenses, and we didn’t have those kind of players in the past few years. I think they’ve jelled in camp, and we certainly expect improvement (over 1983 and 1984).”

There have been a couple of disappointments on defense, namely injuries to rookie backs Terry Lewis and John Hendy and veteran linebacker Shane Nelson. That trio missed much of the summer, and Nelson, in particular, is in a vulnerable spot as the final roster cuts draw near.

“We’ve got to cut 10 men next week, and it’s going to be tough to make a decision based on playing time (in regard to Nelson and a few others),” Coryell said.

Nelson, whose knee has healed, has been troubled by an aching Achilles tendon, and Coryell admitted there is concern about the tendon flaring up again, even if it heals temporarily.

Another linebacker with promise, but no lock on a job, is Vernon Maxwell, acquired several weeks ago from Indianapolis. Coryell said Maxwell has the physical ability to help the team, but his performance against the 49ers may decide his future.

Several veteran defenders are banged up and won’t play much today, including linebacker Woody Lowe (hamstring), who will be replaced by Carlos Bradley. Defensive back Danny Walters (leg strain) won’t play much, with Hendy and Lewis taking up some of the slack.

Veteran defensive end Keith Ferguson, who had a hamstring pull when camp began, has been coming on strong lately in a bid to reclaim his starting job and will play extensively today.

On offense, Coryell probably will use Dan Fouts for the first quarter and may employ him again in the third. Bruce Mathison, however, will play more than Fouts.

“Bruce has done as well or better than we expected,” Coryell said. “The addition of Tim Spencer will help a great deal, giving us a power runner and a strong blocker.

“We’re also anxious to get another look at our young offensive linemen. We hope our line is going to be good enough to win with.”

Several prognosticators, writing in national publications, have gazed upon the Chargers and decided a 4-12 season seems imminent.

Coryell, whose job may hang in the balance, thinks otherwise.

“As I’ve said before, I believe in shooting for the moon,” Coryell said. “But we have to make something good happen.”

Better things are likely to happen if and when tight end Kellen Winslow returns from the injured list, possibly at midseason.

“His presence would help so much,” Coryell said. “Kellen makes the defense play differently. And he smothers people with his blocking.”

The 49ers are not without injuries to key personnel. First on the list is quarterback Joe Montana, who has a bad back and will miss today’s game, and possibly the season opener.

As possible insurance at quarterback, the 49ers have signed Mike Moroski, waived this week by the Atlanta Falcons.