Herrmann Called to the Front : Quarterback With Laid-Back Attitude Is Chargers’ Starter
Mark Herrmann is not the kind of guy who will say “it’s about time I got the chance” or “look at what I could have done all those years” when he finally gets the opportunity to be a regular starting quarterback in the NFL.
On the contrary, Herrmann is as laid-back as Dan Fouts is fiery. And with Fouts embroiled in controversy this week, the spotlight turns on the quiet man who will start the opening exhibition game against the Dallas Cowboys at 6 tonight at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium.
“Realistically, I probably perform better coming off the bench,” Herrmann said. “It’s really been the role I’ve had most of my career. I don’t mind that.”
Herrmann would like to become a starter, but he realizes the transition from backup to “main guy” is not an easy one.
“Starting week in, week out is definitely a change from what I’ve been used to,” Herrmann said. “It would be difficult, at least from my standpoint. I’d have to adjust to that. Mentally, preparing yourself for the long haul and going at it week after week would certainly be different.”
In his six NFL seasons, including the past two with the Chargers, Herrmann has started 9 of the 22 games he has played for the Broncos, the Colts and the Chargers. He is 1-8 as a starter, including 1-4 with San Diego.
“Maybe my starting record isn’t as good as a lot of people’s,” he said. “But you know, a lot of times you can’t control that. You think you perform well enough to win, and maybe things just don’t turn out good.”
Despite his starting record in the National Football League, Herrmann, a former Purdue star, is confident he can be a successful starting quarterback if given the opportunity.
He completed 132 of his 201 passes (65.7%) for the Chargers in 1985. Against Kansas City that year, he set a club record with 58 attempts, tied a club record with 37 completions and threw for 362 yards.
“There might be some people with some doubts,” Herrmann said, “but I have confidence I can do it. I have to silence those critics. I think it may be unfair at this point. I think the offense has confidence that I can perform.”
Charger quarterback coach Roger Theder, who first knew Herrmann with the Colts, said Herrmann “will never have that feeling of being a starter until he becomes one.”
“All I’ll do is treat him like the starting quarterback and it will naturally happen,” Theder said. “Mentally and in terms of poise, he has what it takes to be a fine quarterback.”
But, what about his laid-back attitude?
“Sometimes it bothers me,” Theder said, “but he’s a leader in his own way. I’m used to more the Dan Fouts type of guy. Sometimes at practice, you wonder if Herrmann is really into it. Yet he’s productive. And he’s got that laid-back attitude that nothing bothers him. He’s tough, bright and competitive.”
And Herrmann does not plan to change when--and if--he becomes a No. 1 guy.
“I don’t think my personality would change any,” he said. “A lot of guys are more holler-type guys. I’m a more of a quiet type of leader.”
He’s also patient. But what if Fouts does not play for the Chargers this season and Herrmann still does not get a chance to start? He is the No. 2 quarterback right now, but a trade could change that.
“It would bother me a little bit,” Herrmann said. “But I know what they have in their minds, and they probably want to go out and get more of an established starter, a guy with a lot more starting experience.”
Would he ask to be traded if a new quarterback was brought in?
“That’s always a possibility,” Herrmann said. “But I’m very happy here, and I think this system fits with the things I can do well. So it might not be in my best interest to look elsewhere.”
Herrmann’s calm demeanor will certainly be helpful if he does someday replace Fouts, who is one of the top passers in NFL history and one of the most popular players in San Diego.
“Following a guy like that is certainly very difficult, but I have to just play within myself and not worry about other expectations,” Herrmann said. “You get caught up in that kind of thing, and it really affects you mentally, and you start concerning yourself with outside circumstances you really don’t have any control over.”
Charger Notes About 51,000 tickets have been sold for tonight’s game. . . . Charger Coach Al Saunders said tonight’s exhibition game is like “another day of practice in a different dimension. Certainly, we’d like to win the football game. The priorities, however, revolve around things such as player evaluation and the combination of players we have in the game at any particular time. We’re not evaluating the scheme as much as we’re evaluating the people in the scheme.” . . . The following Charger veterans will not play tonight: Quarterback Dan Fouts (sprained back), tight ends Kellen Winslow (knee) and Pete Holohan (groin), running back Gary Anderson (ankle), nose tackle Chuck Ehin (ankle), safety Jeff Dale (back), linebacker Chip Banks (Achilles’ tendon) and cornerback John Hendy (hamstring). San Diego will also play without unsigned free agents Billy Ray Smith, Thomas Benson and Earl Wilson. On Benson’s contract negotiations, Saunders said, “From what I understand, both parties are far away from reaching an accord.” Tight end Rod Bernstine, who signed a four-year contract Tuesday, will play tonight. Saunders said Rolf Benirschke will be the starting kicker and Ralf Mojsiejenko will be the starting punter. . . . Free-agent fullback Kaulana Park, a reserve at Stanford from 1982-84, left Charger camp Friday. . . . The following Dallas players will not play: Running back Herschel Walker (knee), wide receivers Mike Sherrard (out for the season with a broken leg) and Karl Powe (shoulder), center Brian Baldinger (knee) and guard Glen Titensor (knee). Tackle Randy White (quadriceps) and center Tom Rafferty (ankle) are doubtful. Danny White is expected to start at quarterback and running back Tony Dorsett will play briefly. . . . Tonight’s game will be the first Charger broadcast on XTRA-AM (690). Lee Hamilton will do play-by-play and Pat Curran color. The pregame show, featuring Hamilton, Curran and Jim Laslavic, will begin at 4:15. KGTV (Channel 10) will show a broadcast of the game at 2 p.m. Sunday. Tom Kelly and Larry Sacknoff will be the announcers.