Spanos Doesn’t Like What He Sees From 0-2 Chargers So Far
Owner Alex Spanos weighed in with several heavy opinions Monday in a typically candid discussion about his Chargers--a team that has lost both its games to date and has looked pretty sorry in the process.
Spanos talked about the surprisingly porous Charger defense, their disorganized special teams, the disappointing attendance at Sunday’s 34-27 loss to Houston and the status of Coach Dan Henning and Steve Ortmayer, the director of football operations.
He was not in a good mood.
“I was very disappointed with the defense,” Spanos said by phone from Stockton where he lives. “I couldn’t understand a three-man prevent. You give any quarterback time to throw and he’ll beat you. I’ve never, ever liked the three-man prevent. That’s B.S. I couldn’t believe we were using it. Sometimes, you need to use it. But against Warren Moon? That’s the first time I’ve seen it (the three-man rush) that much since (defensive coordinator) Ron Lynn has been here.”
Oiler quarterback Warren Moon finished with 21 completions in 35 attempts for 235 yards and two touchdowns. The Vikings had sacked him seven times in Week One. The Chargers didn’t sack him once.
After the loss, Lynn explained that the reason the Chargers were dropping linebacker Leslie O’Neal into pass coverage was because Lynn thought that was the best way to defend against a Houston offense that featured four wide receivers for almost three quarters of the game.
Asked what the Chargers might do differently if they had another chance against Houston, Henning said, “We would have tried to get to the passer more with the rush and we would have tried to cover better with the coverage.”
In two games, the Charger defense has given up 74 points and 786 yards. Before the season began, Henning said he expected the defense to be the team’s strength. But only one team, Pittsburgh, has allowed more points than the Chargers.
Spanos was also unhappy with the Chargers’ special teams, coached by Joe Madden, which played poorly for the second straight week.
“I’m still very disappointed with the special teams,” Spanos said. “What more can I say?”
Asked to comment on Madden’s coaching to date, Spanos said, “That’s up to Dan.”
Asked to comment on Henning’s coaching to date, Spanos said, “Hey, it’s only two games into the season. Give the guy a break. One thing he does bring is good communication to the entire organization.”
But Henning became the first Charger coach in history to close practices to the media for more than a week. And he also confused almost everybody with his decision to bench McMahon in the third period of the Chargers’ 40-14 season-opening loss to the Raiders.
Against Houston, Henning left quarterback Jim McMahon in for the whole game. And McMahon responded with the best statistical game of his career. He completed 27 of 45 passes for 389 yards and two touchdowns. The most yards he had passed for prior to Sunday was 311 against Denver in 1987.
“McMahon just did a super job,” Spanos said. “We just made too many mistakes. We had five turnovers. What can I say?”
Spanos was less eager to talk about Ortmayer. “Sheer nonsense,” Spanos said when reminded that Ortmayer is in the last year of his contract.
Asked if that meant Ortmayer had more than a year remaining, Spanos said, “No, he is (in the final year).”
Asked about Ortmayer’s future with the team, Spanos said, “I can’t tell you anything. He’s got a job to do. Let him do his job.”
Pressed to elaborate, Spanos said, “Steve is doing the best he can. He has no concerns being in the last year of his contract.”
Spanos is on record as wanting to hire former Washington general manager Bobby Beathard. Beathard, a resident of nearby Leucadia, is currently working as an in-studio pro football analyst for NBC-TV.
The attendance for Sunday’s home opener was 42,013, the lowest since Spanos bought the team in August of 1984. “I’m always disappointed in something like that,” he said. “But when we start winning, that will take care of itself. I’m not giving up.”
Charger Notes
Despite postgame comments from several Chargers and Oilers on how much the Chargers miss unsigned running back Gary Anderson, Anderson’s agent said Monday there was nothing new to report on stalled contract negotiations. “I wish there were something to report, but there isn’t,” said Ralph Cindrich. “We haven’t closed the door on a contract with the Chargers or a trade. I would love to have Gary go back to San Diego. But probably the best thing is to get him out of there. Maybe it’s time to get this thing off dead center.” Said Steve Ortmayer, the Chargers’ director of football operations: “We’ve made plans to go on without him (Anderson) just as if he were injured.” . . . Charger quarterback Jim McMahon came away from the Oiler loss Sunday with a sore groin. Coach Dan Henning said he didn’t think it would be serious enough to merit placing McMahon on Wednesday’s injury list. Defensive lineman Burt Grossman has a sprained foot.