Chargers : Allert to Start . . . for Now : Rookie Linebacker Gets Chance After Release of Nelson
When the Chargers released veteran inside linebacker Shane Nelson on Monday, a rookie, Ty Allert, moved into a starting job, at least for the moment.
Mike Haluchak, the team’s linebacker coach, said Allert hasn’t clinched the job, but added, “We want to give him the opportunity. He’s still got some things to learn about our system, but, along with Thomas Benson, he’s the fastest linebacker we’ve got.”
Allert has the speed--a 4.6 time in the 40-yard dash--to be effective in pass coverage. His strength, however, is his ability to diagnose plays and get to the ball.
Allert, a fourth-round draft choice who made 382 tackles and 30 sacks in his career at the University of Texas, said the Chargers’ new pressure-oriented defensive scheme is well-suited to his style.
“We weren’t a sit-back-and-read type of team at Texas,” he said. “I like the aggressive, go at ‘em style we have here. I like to get to the ball on instinct and reaction. If anything, I over-pursue at times. I have to learn to take it easy.”
Allert was the team’s most impressive linebacker in last Saturday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams, according to Coach Don Coryell. His improvement made it easier for the coaches to make the emotional decision to waive the inspirational Nelson.
Allert, who played for his father, Buzzy, at Houston’s Northbrook High School, said he hasn’t had as many repetitions in practice as he would like. “We’ve had so many players (at linebacker), you really have to perform when you get the chance,” he said.
The Chargers reduced their roster to 50 players Tuesday by waiving linebacker Mark Fellows, defensive end Chris Faulkner and running back Chuck Sanders.
They placed four players on injured reserve--offensive lineman Ken Dallafior, fullback Bob Micho and safeties Jerome Tyler and Daryl McCoy. Coryell indicated that Tyler and McCoy would be waived soon after they heal from minor injuries.
Dallafior is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery today and will be out several weeks. Micho, who has a hamstring injury, also will be out several weeks.
Charger Notes
Injury update--Running back Gary Anderson has an ankle strain and will miss a few days of practice. . . . Defensive lineman Chuck Ehin is back in practice after recuperating from ankle surgery. . . . Tight end Eric Sievers has a sprained knee and may not play in Friday’s exhibition finale against St. Louis. . . . Defensive lineman Earl Wilson has been slow to recover from a strained knee and also may be out this week. . . . Wide receiver Timmie Ware has tightness in his hamstring and is questionable for Friday.