FIRST LINE ON DEFENSE : If Chargers Were to Begin Their NFL Season Today, Here’s How They’d Set Up
The Chargers haven’t released an official depth chart yet. And the veterans aren’t scheduled to report until today for their first meetings before officially beginning training camp Saturday.
But Ron Lynn, defensive coordinator, already knows what his starting lineup would be if the regular season began Sunday and all the unsigned players suddenly settled their contracts.
Perhaps the biggest surprise is Lynn’s selection of former Ram Jim Collins at one of the two inside linebacker spots. Also interesting is the designation of veteran defensive end Leslie O’Neal as the “LIZ” linebacker--a position that will require O’Neal to alternate his attacking style from a three-point stance and a stand-up position.
Unsigned rookie Burt Grossman is the early-line favorite to start at right defensive end. But, Lynn said, “Grossman isn’t going to just walk in there and get a handout.”
Lynn’s depth chart:
Left cornerback--Gill Byrd. Tied for lead among AFC cornerbacks last year with seven interceptions. One of a handful of Charger defenders assured of his starting job, barring injury. His backup right now is Elvis (Toast) Patterson, who lost his starting job last year to ex-Raider Sam Seale.
Right cornerback--Sam Seale. Started last eight games. But, Lynn says, “If he slips, there are plenty of guys that are competing for that position.” Among them are former Canadian Football League player Roy Bennett, who, according to Lynn “has been the most impressive defensive back we’ve had in camp to this point.”
Others include San Diego State rookie Mario Mitchell, a free agent who has been bothered by an abdominal pull; fifth-round draft pick Elliot Smith and former Redskin Johnny Thomas, who missed most of last year with a knee injury.
Free safety--Vencie Glenn. Along with inside linebacker Gary Plummer, Glenn is one of the Chargers’ two most underrated defenders. He might be even better if he believed in himself a little more. “We look for continued maturity from him,” Lynn said. “I think he can get to the spot where he becomes one of the premier players at his position in the league and begins to feel like that and play like that.” Glenn, in his fourth year, has started 35 consecutive games and never missed one in the NFL because of an injury.
Glenn’s current understudy is Leonard Coleman, who can also play cornerback in an emergency. Another possibility is former Jet Lester Lyles, who can also play strong safety.
Strong safety--Martin Bayless. Won this job back from Pat Miller during the minicamp and continues to hold a slight edge in what Lynn terms an “up-in-the-air” battle.
Second-year player Mark Moore, a former teammate of O’Neal’s at Oklahoma State, and rookie Michael Brooks are both “tough guys,” Lynn says. But both are longshots to make the final roster.
Inside linebacker--Collins and Plummer. The Rams gave up on Collins when he missed the first 12 weeks of 1988 with a knee injury. So the Chargers picked him up in the Plan B free agency phase. Collins wasted no time beating out Cedric Figaro, who along with Plummer started at inside linebacker last year.
Figaro will now play behind Plummer, who Lynn insists is more than just an overachiever. “We keep elevating our expectations, and he keeps elevating his performance,” Lynn said. Plummer has led the team in tackles since joining the team as a free agent in 1986.
“Plummer isn’t penciled in,” Lynn said. “He’s inked in.”
If Collins’ knee doesn’t hold up, Lynn will probably move Plummer to Collins’ spot and insert Figaro into Plummer’s.
Tenth-round rookie Ricky Andrews, a strong safety in college at Washington, will need eye-opening preseason play on special teams to make the roster.
Outside linebacker--Billy Ray Smith and O’Neal. The biggest chore will be keeping Smith healthy. Injuries have plagued his career.
The other outside linebacker spot goes to O’Neal as the “LIZ” man. O’Neal will never be the same player he was in 1986, when he injured his knee late in the season. And Lynn is already apprehensive about how often O’Neal will be able to practice, even though he came back to start the last game of 1988.
Most of the time O’Neal will line up on the weak side (usually the right side) next to Grossman (if Grossman wins the starting job).
The odd man out might be Keith Browner, who started 15 games at outside linebacker last year. Browner is trying to beat out former Viking Gerald Robinson, a speed pass rusher who has looked terrific in early workouts, for the right to play behind O’Neal.
The Chargers had high hopes for Joe Campbell last year. But Campbell is on the “physically unable to perform list” with a knee injury.
Defensive end--Lee Williams and Grossman. Williams, the team’s only Pro Bowl player last year, is a fixture at left end. His backup will be promising George Hinkle.
Grossman will open on the right side if he signs, and if he can beat out veterans Tyrone Keys and Karl Wilson. Robinson is also a candidate at right end. But the rap is he can’t defend against the run.
Nose tackle--Joe Phillips. Will continue to start here even if he remains unsigned through the weekend. Mike Charles hasn’t played back to the form that made him a second-round pick in 1983. Les Miller, a Charger hero during the 1987 player strike, has only a remote chance to make the team.
Once he settles on a lineup, Lynn’s main concern will be how to improve a unit that finished 21st in NFL defense last year (22nd against the rush and 16th against the pass). His biggest concern is rushing defense and keeping players healthy. Depth is not a Charger strength. And only four players--Byrd, Glenn, Phillips and Williams--started all 16 games last year.
Charger Notes
The agents for rookie quarterback Billy Joe Tolliver--Vic Vines and Joe Courrege--now claim the Cowboys took their contract offer off the table for client Steve Pelluer the same day (Wednesday) the Chargers took their offer off the table for Tolliver. Pelluer is a veteran quarterback in whom the Chargers have expressed mild interest. The Chargers continue to insist they never took Tolliver’s offer off the table. . . . Former Dallas Cowboys personnel expert Gil Brandt denied he is actively involved as an adviser to player agent Robert Jackson in the negotiations between the Chargers and unsigned No. 1 pick Burt Grossman. “There’s no truth to it at all,” Brandt told the Dallas Times-Herald. “I don’t even know what money is being offered. I thought about becoming an agent. But you have to be too dirty to succeed. That’s not my cup of tea.”
THE CHOSEN 11--TODAY If the NFL season began tomorrow, here’s the defense that would start for the Chargers:
Position Name Hgt. Wgt. Yr. Left cornerback Gill Byrd 5-11 198 7 Right cornerback Sam Seale 5-9 185 6 Free safety Vencie Glenn 6-0 192 4 Strong safety Martin Bayless 6-2 212 6 Inside linebacker Jim Collins 6-2 223 9 Inside linebacker Gary Plummer 6-2 240 4 Outside linebacker Billy Ray Smith 6-3 236 7 Outside linebacker Leslie O’Neal 6-4 259 3 Defensive end Lee Williams 6-5 271 6 Defensive end Burt Grossman 6-6 270 R Nose tackle Joe Phillips 6-5 275 4