Charger Notebook : Ready or Not, Vlasic Is No. 2 Quarterback

Now that Mark Vlasic is only a heartbeat away from being the Chargers’ No. 1 quarterback, is he ready?

“I can only hope so,” Vlasic said Wednesday. “I’ve tried to keep myself mentally prepared, but when you’re a backup, you don’t get many reps (repetitions).”

Vlasic, a second-year man from Iowa, moved up to No. 2 when Babe Laufenberg went out with severely bruised ribs during the New Orleans Saints game Oct. 9. He didn’t get a call last week--Mark Malone took over against the Miami Dolphins and did well--but with quarterbacks falling as fast as they are, who knows?

Coach Al Saunders said he would have no reservations about going to Vlasic if Malone runs into trouble, physical or otherwise, Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium.

“We feel good about Mark,” Saunders said. “He has performed well in practice. Of course, we would have to limit some things he did. Still, he has a lot of ability, and he’s a real competitor.”

But how much actual practice has Vlasic had?

“When I was No. 3, I got zero reps,” he said. “All I did was run half the plays with the scout team, and there you’re running the other team’s plays. You just try to make reads that will help you with your own offense.

“Now, out of 30 plays a day, I might take 5. I’ve got to make sure those 5 plays are enough like the other 25 so they do me the most good. Also, I have to watch every play Malone runs and apply whatever he does to myself.

“A guy can learn a lot by observing, but there’s no substitute for the real thing.”

When Laufenberg was playing, Malone and Vlasic stood on the sideline wearing headsets and signaled him with plays. Vlasic now shares that assignment with Laufenberg.

“Some signs are live, and some aren’t,” Vlasic said. “You have to try to confuse the other guys as much as possible.”

Among other things, a quarterback has to establish rapport with his receivers, and this isn’t easy on five plays a day. But Vlasic does have the advantage of having been a college teammate of one Charger wide receiver, Quinn Early.

At Iowa, Vlasic and Early teamed on a 93-yard pass play, longest in the school’s history. The Chargers drafted Vlasic in the fourth round last year, Early in the third round this year.

“I’ve also worked with Jamie Holland, since he was here last year,” Vlasic said. “Now I have to get used to the new other new guys (Anthony Miller and Darren Flutie).”

As a rookie, Vlasic played only in the finale against the Denver Broncos, completing 3 of 6 passes for 8 yards in a snowstorm. How frustrating has waiting been?

“You have to look at the positive side,” he said. “Dave Levy (coach of the tight ends and H-backs) told his guys to be ready to play every play but the first. That’s the way it is with me.”

Running back Gary Anderson, who has missed two games with a thigh injury, took part in a full workout Wednesday and will start Sunday.

Strong safety Martin Bayless probably won’t play because of a groin injury. If he doesn’t, Jeff Dale will fill in.

“We’re listing Bayless as questionable (50-50),” Saunders said. “He probably should be downgraded to doubtful (25-75). The only doubtful one is Laufenberg, who probably won’t play.”

Center Dan Rosado missed practice because of a calf injury, but said he would be back today and would play Sunday.

Charger Notes

There have been rumors in Indianapolis that Colt owner Robert Irsay has been running the team. Asked about this during a conference call, Coach Ron Meyer said, “That isn’t true. I just talked to him (Irsay) twice this morning. On the field, I have authority in all areas. Whenever you go 2-5 after winning the division a year ago, expectations are high. But my dealings with Robert Irsay have been very straightforward. It’s a ‘How-can-I-help-you?’ type attitude, and I’m very appreciative of that.” . . . Another local television blackout Sunday is a certainty. Jack Teele, the Chargers’ director of administration, announced ticket sales of 42,500 and projected attendance at 46,000 or 47,000. Capacity is 60,750.