CHARGER NOTEBOOK / BOB WOLF : Raider Game to Be Shown on Local TV
For the first time in two years, the Chargers have sold out a home game without outside help.
Jack Teele, the Chargers’ director of administration, Wednesday declared a sellout for Sunday’s game against the Raiders at 5 p.m. at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium. As a result, the game will be shown locally both on ESPN (which is carrying it nationally) and Ch. 10.
The blackout also was lifted a year ago for the Sunday night game against the Raiders, but only after ESPN, Ch. 10 and Cox Cable bought remaining tickets before the deadline (72 hours before kickoff).
“We just have singles and a few pairs left, so it’s essentially a sellout,” Teele said. “We’ll distribute over 59,000 tickets. Capacity is over 60,000 (60,750), but the bleacher seats added after the baseball season don’t count. Neither do the obstructed-view seats or the ones at the east end near the scoreboard.”
The last time the Chargers met the blackout deadline on their own was Nov. 29, 1987, for a game against Denver. They also sold out the Raider game two weeks before.
“Our win last week over a competitive team (the Philadelphia Eagles) and the Raiders’ recent success have been key factors,” Teele said. “And, of course, the rivalry with the Raiders. We’ve sold about 6,000 tickets since Sunday’s game.”
The agent of quarterback Jim McMahon, Steve Zucker, didn’t enhance his popularity in the Chargers’ locker room with a remark he made last Sunday about their offensive line.
Not only that, Zucker probably cost himself a new client.
After the Chargers’ 20-17 victory over the Eagles, Zucker demeaned the men charged with protecting McMahon.
Said Zucker: “I really think Jim’s playing well, especially considering that line in front of him. I mean, look at it. You won’t hear it from him, but how can you get anything done with that line?”
When tackle Brett Miller read Zucker’s words, he said, “He was interested in representing me, but after that comment, he can . . . “
Miller added, “Agents are a bunch of leeches, anyway. The majority of them are. They milk you for what they can get and wait for the next guy.”
Larry Beightol, who coaches the offensive line in addition to serving as offensive coordinator, said, “(Zucker) doesn’t know whether the ball is blown up or stuffed,”
Of the linemen he coaches, Beightol said, “They’re getting better each week. They’re not ready for the Hall of Fame, but I’ve never had a group work harder to get things done.”
Cornerback Sammy Seale is confident of avoiding a rerun of his disastrous season opener, in which Willie Gault burned him for four catches totaling 131 yards and a touchdown in the Raiders’ 40-14 victory at the Coliseum.
“I tried to do it by myself that day,” Seale said. “I tried to be Superman, and I’m not Superman. I’m going in with a more realistic attitude this time.”
Charger Notes
H-back Rod Bernstine is expected to miss his fifth game in a row because of a sprained knee. He didn’t practice Wednesday, and Coach Dan Henning said, “I don’t think there’s a real good chance he’ll play.” He was listed as questionable on the Chargers’ injury report for Sunday night’s game against the Raiders. So were offensive tackle Brett Miller (knee) and defensive end Lee Williams (thigh), but Henning said they probably would play. . . . Running back Darrin Nelson (hamstring) was listed as probable, but Henning said, “If he goes hard tomorrow and pulls the muscle again, he’ll be back in the same boat.” . . . The Raiders listed quarterback Steve Beuerlein (neck) and linebacker Jerry Robinson (head) as questionable and safety Eddie Anderson (hamstring) and guard Steve Wisniewski (back) as probable. Regardless of whether Beuerlein is ready, Jay Schroeder will start.