Charger Rookie Knows Dons and Dans

Ask Charger rookie cornerback Kevin Wyatt about Don and Dan.

He’ll smile and give you a puzzled look.

Which Don?

Which Dan?

Wyatt was the Miami Dolphins’ fifth-round draft choice out of Arkansas, so he’s familiar with Don Shula and Dan Marino.

When Wyatt signed with the Chargers after being waived by Miami last week, he was suddenly playing for Don Coryell and with Dan Fouts.

Wyatt switched coasts, but he’ll still be playing in an opening-game air show Sunday when the Chargers play host to the Dolphins at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium.

Only now, Wyatt will be playing against Marino in a game instead of at practice.

“This is a big game for me,” Wyatt said. “I want to show them (Dolphins) what they did let go. I won’t be spiteful and curse them out, but I look at it as a big challenge. If you see me doing flips and high fives, you’ll know why.”

Wyatt has a special insight on the season opener, because he spent most of the summer with Miami and got to play in the Chargers’ final exhibition game Friday night.

“I know that in Miami they prepared for a preseason game like it was a Super Bowl,” said Wyatt. “It was kind of regimented. Actually, that’s kind of a loose term for it. . . .

“The teams are kind of similar. Both have an air show. Dan (Marino) probably has one of the strongest arms. He throws into coverage a lot. And he’s a good leader.”

Sounds like another Dan Charger fans are quite familiar with.

“Miami is striving for a running game,” Wyatt said. “They know they can throw it.”

Charger Notes The Chargers are expected to announce this morning that Sunday’s game will be televised in San Diego on KCST-TV (Channel 39) at 1 p.m. Approximately 200 tickets remained unsold as of late Wednesday afternoon. The game must be sold out 72 hours before game time in order for a local blackout to be lifted. . . . Charger Coach Don Coryell on the season opener: “I can’t think of a potentially more exciting game. I hope it’s another all-timer.” The Chargers beat Miami in three memorable games--in 1980 (27-24 in overtime), in the 1981 playoffs (41-38), and in 1984 (34-28 in overtime).