Chargers Still Question Flick Despite Victory
The Chargers can’t match the Padres for internal warfare, but they may wind up with their own mini-version of a quarterback controversy.
The controversy, such at it is, revolves around the question: Should they keep a third quarterback? Starter Dan Fouts has missed parts of the last three seasons, but he has a capable backup in Mark Herrmann.
The No. 3 job, if there is to be one, would belong to Tom Flick, whose uneven performance in a 24-17 win over the St. Louis Cardinals here Friday night complicated the decision-making process for Charger coaches.
Flick had a superb evening two weeks ago against Philadelphia, completing 14 of 21 passes for 287 yards and four touchdowns. Against St. Louis, in his second extended look of the preseason, Flick was 11 for 18 for 159 yards and two touchdowns but also had two interceptions plus a fumble.
The Chargers, who finished the preseason with a 3-1 record, have to make a decision on Flick by Monday, when they must reduce their roster to 45 players, the regular-season limit.
Flick was hardly the only player under scrutiny. Jobs were being contested nearly everywhere, with the exception of the defensive line. Linebacker is the most heavily populated spot, with four players to be eliminated.
Among the Charger highlights Friday night:
--Lionel (Little Train) James made his first appearance in an exhibition game and picked up where he left off last year.
James, sidelined for a month with a knee injury, looked as slippery as ever and scored the Chargers’ first touchdown on a six-yard pass from Fouts. However, he later suffered a slight ankle injury and did not return.
--Rookie defensive end Leslie O’Neal turned in his most impressive game with two sacks in the first quarter. He also interrupted a Cardinal drive by slinging Ottis Anderson for a four-yard loss at the Charger 14, forcing a field goal.
In the fourth quarter, O’Neal got Flick off the hook by adding his third sack, aborting a St. Louis drive at the Charger 24.
The Chargers totalled six sacks for the night, with Chuck Ehin and Fred Robinson joining O’Neal in pressuring St. Louis quarterbacks.
--Safety Jeff Dale, in his first action of the preseason, ended the Cardinals’ final series with an interception.
--Young receivers Trumaine Johnson and Timmie Ware performed impressively.
But there were several worrisome injuries for the Chargers. In addition to James, tight end Kellen Winslow was diagnosed with a bruised shin just below the right knee, and fullback Tim Spencer suffered a strained arch.
Three promising, but borderline, young players were also hurt. Running back Curtis Adams suffered a possible shoulder separation, offensive lineman Curt DiGiacomo left with an Achilles’ tendon injury, and linebacker Andy Hawkins had a pulled groin. Ware was playing with a hamstring injury.
St. Louis quarterback Neil Lomax suffered a slight sprain of his right knee and ankle on the Cardinals’ first possession of the game. The injuries forced him to make an early exit, and the Cardinals are not sure when he will return to action.
Commenting on Flick’s showing, assistant head coach Al Saunders said: “I’m sure there are some things he’d like back. Two interceptions and one fumble are not the greatest statistics, but he also made some big plays that helped us come back to win.”
Saunders said that because of the injuries to Ware and Adams, the Chargers may have to put them on the injured reserve list, possibly creating an opening for Flick.
“I think I might have pressed at first trying to do well,” Flick said. “I think in the process I was a little antsy on some of my throws. After this, I’m not worrying. I’ll let the coaches decide.”
Of O’Neal’s performance, Saunders said, “You expect a first-round pick to be an impact player, and he certainly is making an impact. He’s what we thought he would be.”
The Chargers didn’t waste time testing their all-purpose star, James, in every facet of his game.
After returning a St. Louis punt 14 yards, James ran for a short gain, caught a 12-yard pass, then scored San Diego’s first touchdown.
Taking a swing pass from Fouts, James put a shoulder fake on Cardinal linebacker E.J. Junior, then slipped past Cedric Mack into the end zone.
The Chargers expanded their lead to 10-0 on a 23-yard Rolf Benirschke field goal set up by a 39-yard reception by Johnson.
St. Louis strung together a 62-yard drive that consumed seven minutes at the outset of the second quarter. The Cardinals, however, were stymied after reaching the San Diego 10. O’Neal dropped Anderson for a four-yard loss, bringing about a John Lee field goal.
The Charger quarterbacking duties then were shifted from Fouts to Flick.
It was a discouraging start for Flick, whose second pass was picked off by linebacker Niko Noga and returned 20 yards to the Charger 20. The Cardinals quickly tied the game on a short run by Earl Ferrell.
Flick’s evening continued to fall apart when he served up another interception on his second series at the helm.
This one went to Cardinal safety Leonard Smith, who returned it to the Charger 15. Former BYU star Vai Sikahema scored on a sweep to put the Cards ahead, 17-10.
But Flick didn’t panic.
With 27 seconds left in the first half, he arched a 44-yard pass to Curtis Adams, then went to his favorite receiver, Timmie Ware, for a 16-yard touchdown.