Laufenberg Earns a Starting Role in Chargers’ Rotation

Babe Laufenberg will start at quarterback for the San Diego Chargers on Saturday night against the Los Angeles Rams in Anaheim.

Mark Malone started at quarterback against the Dallas Cowboys in the Chargers’ exhibition opener and Mark Vlasic is scheduled to start against San Francisco on Aug. 20.

None of which goes a long way toward explaining which of those three will start the regular-season opener against the Raiders on Sept. 4 in Los Angeles.

Malone probably still has the inside track for the regular job, even though Laufenberg, who played at Crespi High and Pierce College, sparked San Diego’s 24-21 come-from-behind victory over Dallas last weekend.

But Laufenberg’s strength might be his weakness in his bid for the starting job.

“Babe has that innate ability to create plays,” Charger Coach Al Saunders said.

Which means that Laufenberg, who completed 13 of 23 passes for 129 yards and 2 touchdowns in the final 15 minutes Saturday night, might be a better finisher than starter.

The Chargers already suspect as much.

If Laufenberg is the best “relief pitcher” the Chargers have, they can always bring him off the bench. But what happens if he starts, plays poorly or is injured, and Malone or Vlasic has to finish?

That’s what Saunders and Jerry Rhome, the offensive coordinator, want to know. So Vlasic will finish the game against the Rams. And Malone will finish against the 49ers.

“We’ve got to see all three quarterbacks in all three situations (starting the game, the second half and the fourth quarter),” Saunders said.