Chargers : Henning Isn’t Ready to Name Starting Quarterback

Charger Coach Dan Henning has a pretty good story to tell about quarterbacks. What he won’t tell is who will be his starting quarterback in Sunday’s exhibition game against Dallas.

First, the story. Henning was quarterback coach for the Washington Redskins when they defeated the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl in 1988. So whose picture does Henning’s son have on the wall?

Doug Williams?

Nope. John Elway, the Broncos’ quarterback.

“That was what he wanted to do, meet Elway,” Henning said. “He came down on the field and met Elway.”

And then?

“And then (he) congratulated Doug afterward.”

As for the Chargers, Henning said he isn’t planning to pick his starter until Thursday night or sometime Friday. Four quarterbacks are in camp and three are competing for the job--rookie Billy Joe Tolliver and veterans Mark Malone and David Archer. The fourth, Mark Vlasic, is still rehabilitating a knee injury from last season and wore pads for the first time Tuesday.

Archer, Vlasic and Malone are all likely to see action Sunday.

“It’s up for grabs,” Henning said. “I can’t tell you how it’s going to come out. But I think we’re making some improvement in that area.”

Tolliver, who came to camp only nine days ago after holding out, is behind because of limited practice time.

“You’re looking at a very complicated position,” Henning said. “Based on historical background in this league to be really comfortable with him might take a while. To be able to play with him and be productive, I would hope that would come sometime this season. When, I don’t know. He’s not as ready as the other guys because he doesn’t have the experience.”

Archer has the advantage of having played for Henning in the past, starting 22 games for the Atlanta Falcons when Henning was coach in 1985 and ’86.

James FitzPatrick, a guard/tackle in his fourth season with the Chargers, hurt his elbow in practice Tuesday and will be X-rayed. Center Courtney Hall, who sprained his ankle Thursday in Thousand Oaks, was back in practice after missing three days.