After Fouts Goes Out, Herrmann Comes In and Delivers 20-14 Win

The sight of Dan Fouts hobbling to the sidelines used to trigger despair among the Chargers and panic in their fans. Meanwhile, the guys on the other side would be wetting their lips in anticipation.

Over the last three years, the Chargers were 3-8 without Fouts. The haunting inability to replace him was seen as recently as the third game of this season, when the Cleveland Browns knocked Fouts out of the game with an injury to his right knee and won, 20-7, against a deflated San Diego offense.

While their leader’s knee healed, the Chargers were forced to rely upon journeyman Mark Herrmann. Little was expected, but Herrmann performed adequately and improved each of the four weeks he served before Fouts returned.

That experience served the Chargers well. When Fouts went down with a strained left knee Sunday after being hit by Philadelphia’s Greg Brown, Herrmann was ready.

Entering the game with San Diego trailing, 7-3, three minutes into the third quarter, Herrmann rallied the Chargers to a 20-14 victory that improved their record to 8-7 and gave them their sixth straight win at home.

“When Dan goes down, everyone gasps,” Charger center Don Macek said. “But we have learned that Mark is a heckuva good quarterback and we can win if we play well. It’s different than it was against Cleveland. Mark seemed a lot looser and was having fun today.”

Fouts, whose injury isn’t believed to be serious enough to keep him out of next week’s season finale at Kansas City, could have returned Sunday in an emergency, according to Charger Coach Don Coryell

He didn’t specify whether a poor showing by Herrmann would have constituted an emergency.

Fouts, who seemed irritable after the game, said he could have played “if Mark broke his leg or was knocked out.”

Fouts was needed only as an observer after his exit on a play when he threw a 46-yard pass to Wes Chandler and then was hit by Brown.

As Herrmann was preparing to take the field, Fouts said to him: “It’s your baby. Don’t get hurt.”

Herrmann’s first task was simple enough, since the Chargers had the ball at the Philadelphia 11. Two handoffs to Tim Spencer produced a touchdown and gave the Chargers a 10-7 lead.

Later, Herrmann drilled a 23-yard touchdown pass to veteran Charlie Joiner and presided over a 37-yard drive that led to the second of Bob Thomas’ two field goals.

Not the most dramatic relief job in history, but it was a welcome change of pace for Charger rooters. For that matter, it was a welcome turnabout from the first half, which had been an unsightly production, featuring only a Thomas field goal and the 7-3 deficit.

The game was notable from a statistical standpoint:

--Fouts moved past Johnny Unitas into second place on the all-time list with 2,839 completions. Fran Tarkenton is No. 1 with 3,686.

--Lionel James broke Lenny Moore’s seasonal record for reception yardage by a back (938). James made three catches for 48 yards, giving him 985 yards for the year.

--Guard Ed White tied Mick Tinglehoff’s NFL record of 240 games by an offensive lineman.

The Chargers played the second half without linebacker Billy Ray Smith, who was sidelined with back spasms. He was taken from the locker room on a stretcher and was due to be hospitalized over-night, according to team physician Dr. Gary Losse.

Smith should be able to play next week, however, Losse said.

The San Diego defense, which preserved last week’s 54-44 win over Pittsburgh with two interceptions in the last two minutes, got another save against the Eagles.

After a 46-yard field goal by Thomas put the Chargers ahead by six points, quarterback Ron Jaworski attempted to rally the Eagles.

Beginning at their 14, the Eagles moved to the San Diego 49. Jaworski aimed a long pass for Kenny Jackson, who was double covered by Danny Walters and Miles McPherson.

The interception was the second by Walters and the third for the Chargers off Jaworski, who still managed 334 yards by completing 29 of 48 throws.

Jaworski said the Eagles (6-9) wanted to win for beleaguered Coach Marion Campbell.

The Chargers, in turn, were eager to get a win for Coryell, who needs a 9-7 record to have a better than even chance of retaining his job, based upon earlier statements by owner Alex Spanos.

The first half was a lifeless affair except for the boos that accompanied each Jaworski completion.

It was easily the most hostile crowd of the season in Mission Valley. A crowd worthy of Philadelphia, in fact.

The fans first voiced their displeasure after Jaworski dumped a three-yard pass to John Spagnola to put the Eagles ahead, 7-0.

San Diego’s only score of the half came on a 45-yard field goal by Thomas after a Mike Green interception.

The Chargers came up with another interception, this one by Walters, but were unable to take advantage of it.

After the second interception, the Chargers had the ball at the Philadelphia 32. But Fouts was sacked by Brown, and his fumble was recovered by Ken Clarke.

This was one of three turnovers that helped keep the Chargers out of the end zone in the first two quarters, the first time that happened all year.