Flick to Start Tonight; Fouts Still Hurting
The Chargers are doing the quarterback shuffle, but its video potential, unlike the Chicago Bears’ “Super Bowl Shuffle” of a year ago, is nil.
For the fifth time in six games, the Chargers were forced to shuffle quarterbacks Wednesday after learning Dan Fouts will not be able to start tonight’s game against the Raiders because of a bruised shoulder that has not healed as quickly as expected.
In place of Fouts, the Chargers will go with Tom Flick, meaning the strategy will revert to ball control in an attempt to limit mistakes and shorten the game, as the Chargers did in a 9-3 victory two weeks ago over Denver.
Fouts suffered what was initially thought to be a relatively minor shoulder injury in Sunday’s 24-21 loss to Dallas. He had missed the preceding three games recuperating from a concussion, but as late as Tuesday had been expected to start against the Raiders.
“We’ve been disappointed in Dan’s lack of progress,” Coach Al Saunders said. “We were really counting on him for this game. Evidently there is a deep bruise (in his right shoulder) with fluid in the joint, causing stiffness and soreness.”
Saunders earlier had been advised by trainer Mark Howard that Fouts would likely regain enough range of motion in his shoulder to practice Wednesday and start tonight, but his condition did not improve. There is some concern that there may be damage to his rotator cuff, which was injured in 1983, but the extent of the injury is not clear, according to Saunders.
Because of injuries, quarterback has become the most unstable position on the team. Mark Herrmann started once before he, too, received a concussion and was replaced by Flick, who was erratic, at best, in starts against Kansas City and Denver.
Flick completed four passes and had four intercepted against the Chiefs before rebounding with a solid game, marred by just one interception, against the Broncos.
Among the concerns about Flick is a tendency to get flustered, a tendency that might be exacerbated by the pressure of playing a team such as the Raiders in front of a national TV audience.
If Flick throws poorly or seems rattled, he could conceivably be replaced by Fouts, whose availability will be evaluated in pregame warmups. If Fouts’ shoulder is too sore, Herrmann will become the backup quarterback.
The Chargers will try to play ball control despite injuries to their two leading running backs.
Gary Anderson, who rushed for only seven yards last week, has thigh and hip injuries. Tim Spencer hasn’t practiced this week because of an ankle injury, but probably will be available tonight, according to Saunders. The third running back is unproven Curtis Adams.
Offense was not the only concern on the eve of the Raider game as the Chargers placed tight end Eric Sievers on injured reserve and activated linebacker Derrie Nelson, who will be used primarily to strengthen special teams.
The Chargers also waived linebacker Fred Robinson and signed Daniel Hunter, formerly of the Denver Broncos, to further bolster their special teams.
The injuries and personnel realignment didn’t do much to lessen the players’ anticipation of meeting the Raiders.
“You’ve heard of love-hate relationships,” linebacker Billy Ray Smith said. “This is hate-hate. It’s going to be a street fight. I just hope the officials will let us play ball.”
Safety Jeff Dale said he doesn’t think the Raiders are as intimidating as they once were.
“I think this year they have lost some of that black and silver toughness,” Dale said. “They may think they’re still that way, but they don’t bully people the way they used to. I know they won’t bully us. There’s nobody on this team that fears the Raiders.”
Tight end Kellen Winslow, who is considerably more seasoned than Dale in combatting the Raiders, winced when he heard his teammate’s comments.
“I wouldn’t say they’ve lost it,” Winslow said, mindful of the forearms of Matt Millen & Co. “Let’s just say they don’t have as many characters as they used to--guys who would get arrested Friday night and play on Sunday.”
Saunders is trying to mold his team in the aggressive, intimidating style of the Raiders, who have won seven of their last eight games, beginning with a 17-13 victory Sept. 28 over San Diego.
The Chargers’ new aggressiveness is most visible in their pass rush, which has produced 45 sacks and leads the National Football League. The Chargers sacked Dallas quarterback Steve Pelluer 12 times last week and got to the Raiders’ Marc Wilson eight times in the earlier meeting.
The Chargers don’t expect another dozen sacks tonight, however, because Wilson has been replaced by ageless Jim Plunkett, who has a quicker release and more mobility, according to Saunders.
“I wouldn’t think the Raiders will change their style because they are playing the San Diego Chargers,” Saunders said. “Jim Plunkett is so outstanding in their style, and they have two strong runners in Marcus Allen and Napoleon McCallum, plus outside speed receivers and a premium tight end.”
The Raiders will be without All-Pro defensive lineman Howie Long, who is hurt and will be replaced by Greg Townsend. But Saunders still regards the Raiders’ line as one of the league’s most aggressive, and he compared their linebackers to the New York Giants in size, ability and range.
Saunders hopes the chance to play on national TV will mean extra emotion for the Chargers.
“Having such a large audience should bring out the best in everyone,” he said. “I think we have players who will be out to gain some respect.”
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
Tonight’s Game
Opponent: Los Angeles Raiders
Site: San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium
Time: 5 p.m.
Records: Raiders 7-4; Chargers 2-9
Radio: KLZZ (600)
TV: Channel 10