Field Gets Smaller for Gary Anderson : Offensive Role Diminishes for Charger as Defenses Learn to Keep an Eye on Him

“He’s just a phenomenal talent. Our job is to get the football into his hands. The more you ask him to do, the more he seems capable of doing.”

--Charger Coach Al Saunders talking about Gary Anderson in the 1987 media guide.

The moment can’t help but stick in the minds of Charger faithful everywhere.

Gary Anderson receiving a short pass from Dan Fouts, running down the right sideline and then somersaulting over Miami Dolphin safety Bud Brown for a touchdown in the 1986 season opener at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium.

There were other brilliant moments by Anderson last season. Enough, in fact, that the Chargers’ back won a place on the AFC Pro Bowl team.

“I did get a chance to put some good numbers up last year,” Anderson said.

But this season hasn’t been so impressive because Anderson hasn’t gotten the ball as much as he did in 1986, when he accumulated 1,313 yards rushing and receiving.

Last season, Anderson caught 80 passes and had 127 rushing attempts. He touched the ball on offense an average of 12.9 times per game. This season, he has rushed 63 times and had 32 receptions. In nine (non-strike) games, that means Anderson has touched the ball 10.6 times per outing.

What’s more, his offensive involvement has been decreasing the last few weeks. In Sunday’s 33-18 loss to Houston, Anderson did not have a rushing attempt for the first time in his three-year NFL career.

“Of course, we’d like to get him the ball more,” Saunders said. “We called his number 13 times Sunday but it didn’t always get to him. For one thing, defenses are concentrating on him a lot more than last year.”

Anderson has noticed. When he lines up as a wide receiver, he’s usually covered by two defensive backs. When he lines up as a running back, he’s still double-covered, but usually by linebackers.

“It’s definitely to my advantage to line up in the backfield,” Anderson said. “But they’re using me on offense the way they can. I haven’t had as many openings to make big plays this year, but the year’s not over yet, either.”

Anderson isn’t the only player in football who gets a lot of attention from opposing defenses. Jerry Rice of San Francisco and Anthony Carter of Minnesota come to mind, but unlike Anderson, both are having big years.

For that, the entire Chargers’ offense must take blame.

“Rice can get free because other teams have to be concerned with San Francisco’s running game and short passing attack,” Saunders said. “We haven’t had much success in those areas lately, so we’ve had trouble getting Gary free. I think there’s a good chance we’ll be using him more in the backfield soon.”

And, maybe Anderson can get free for some more big runs soon.

“That would be nice,” he said.

Charger Notes

The Chargers held a short workout Monday, usually a day off. “We just want to get this (three-game losing streak) behind us,” Coach Al Saunders said. “I thought the best thing we could do is start getting ready for Pittsburgh without letting the loss (to Houston) sit in our minds for too long.” . . . A look at some of the ugly numbers: In the last four games, the Chargers have converted 17.3% (8 of 46) of their third-down plays. The Chargers’ 32.9% third-down conversion rate for the season puts them last in the AFC. The Chargers’ rushing attack, also last in the AFC, has produced five rushing first downs in the last three games. Rod Bernstine gained the Chargers’ only rushing first down Sunday on a tight-end around. Dan Fouts has fallen to 10th place in the AFC passing efficiency rankings. Fouts has 72.5 rating points, lower than 18 other NFL quarterbacks. All of it adds up to five touchdowns produced by the Chargers’ offense in the last five games. . . . For the record, all of the statistics aren’t bad. Ralf Mojsiejenko leads the AFC in punting with a 43.3 average. Lionel James leads the conference in punt returns, averaging 14.2 yards a return. . . . There are still 7,000 tickets left for Sunday’s game against Pittsburgh in San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium. If 6,300 of the tickets can be sold by Thursday, the local television blackout will be lifted. . . . Safety Mike Davis suffered a bruised bone in his lower back Sunday and had X-rays taken Monday. Saunders said Davis will be listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game. Mike Charles, who has a recurring knee problem, will be listed as probable for Sunday.