Bernstine, Lewis Help Chargers Get It Into Gear

It was an exhibition victory that, in itself, was no big deal.

But by defeating the Rams, 30-27, before 45,684 in Anaheim Saturday night, the Chargers (2-0) discovered two important things:

1. Rod Bernstine is very capable of playing running back.

2. Nate Lewis, a guy who made his name at the collegiate level at a little school named Oregon Tech, is very capable as a kick returner.

Bernstine’s all-purpose performance, which included 94 rushing yards on eight carries and two touchdowns, allowed the Chargers to be in position to win. And Lewis won it.

After the Rams had taken a 27-24 lead with 5:19 to play, Lewis did his thing on the ensuing kickoff, running through a huge hole created by a wedge block and going 87 yards for a touchdown.

This is the kind of play that feels pretty good to a guy who isn’t sure he is a lock to make the final roster cut.

“Very happy,” Lewis said. “I haven’t done one of those since high school. I wanted to show everybody what I can do and be a part of this team.”

Bernstine knew he wouldn’t be cut, but he kept hearing whispers that he might be good trade bait. That worried him.

“Well, really, last night I didn’t sleep too much,” he said. “I really was worried about whether they were going to trade me or not. I enjoy San Diego. I like all the ballplayers I have been playing with, and hopefully I can stay here.”

In the past, Bernstine has been used as an H-back and a tight end. He has gotten to the point where running back feels comfortable. Really, it’s more a matter of getting the football.

“Anytime I can get my hands on the ball, I think I can benefit the team,” he said.

This game was one of many twists and turns. The boos heard by the Rams in the first half turned to cheers in the third quarter when Mark Herrmann, their third quarterback of the night, led them 80 yards in 13 plays for their first touchdown.

With 5:10 remaining in the third quarter, backup fullback Robert Delpino took a Herrmann pass on the right sideline and went 14 yards for a touchdown, fending off a desperation push by safety Bruce Plummer.

Enter Mark Vlasic at quarterback for the Chargers. Last week, in a 28-16 victory over the Cowboys, Vlasic was magnificent. But when he first came in against the Rams, he looked exactly like a guy who has only played in two games in 21 months.

Vlasic, who eventually found his touch to finish 12 of 16 for 113 yards and a touchdown, threw a sideline pass right into the hands of cornerback Bobby Humphrey, who returned it 35 yards to the Charger six. On the next play, Gaston Green went off left tackle for the touchdown.

The fourth quarter got a little wild.

The Rams took a 21-17 lead on their next possession. Seventy yards, Green scoring from the one. Most of the guys who regularly start on defense for the Chargers were not on the field at this point.

Vlasic picked up his game, completing eight of nine to lead the Chargers 76 yards in 12 plays for 24-21 lead, completing the job with a one-yard pass to rookie tight end Derrick Walker with 7:57 to play.

But the Rams again came right back, driving 67 yards in six plays, with Green scoring his third touchdown on a one-yard run. Mike Lansford missed the extra point to make it 27-24.

After Lewis’ return, John Carney missed the extra point, returning the favor. But the Charger defense drove the Rams back seven yards on five plays after the kickoff, took the ensuing punt with 4:02 left and then ran out the clock.

In the first half, there were a lot of favors distributed to each team by the other.

The first quarter was classic exhibition football, with lots of fumbles, bumbles and stumbles mixed in with an occasional bit of flash.

The starting quarterbacks, Charger Billy Joe Tolliver and Ram Jim Everett, threw incompletions on the game’s first 11 passes, though both had help from slippery-fingered receivers.

Everett, who threw for 4,310 yards last season to rank second in passing in the NFL behind Joe Montana, was zero for six when he was yanked in favor of Chuck Long with 5:43 remaining in the first quarter. Everett has yet to complete a pass in the United States this season. The Rams played their opener against the Kansas City Chiefs in Berlin.

Tolliver was zero for four before he hooked up for 11 yards over the middle with Walker. That, with 3:55 remaining in the quarter, was the game’s first completion. A few minutes later, Long actually completed two consecutive passes, one for seven yards to tight end Pat Carter and a 35-yarder down the right sideline to wide receiver Derrick Faison.

Bernstine lined up in the backfield with a little more than three minutes remaining in the quarter and gave the Chargers something to hoot about and Ram fans something to sulk about.

Sweeping to his right on first and 10 from the Charger 33, Bernstine jumped over a pile crossing the line of scrimmage, swerved by cornerback Clifford Hicks and ran away from former San Diego State cornerback Alfred Jackson, who got only a finger or two on the back of Bernstine’s jersey before he was left behind. Fuad Reveiz converted the extra point after Bernstine’s 67-yard run to make it 7-0 Chargers.

By the second quarter, the Chargers settled down, played more consistently and let Bernstine continue to gallop. To increase their lead to 14-0, the Chargers drove 53 yards in eight plays, with Bernstine rushing four times and catching two passes from Tolliver for 13 and four yards. Bernstine plowed over from the one for the touchdown.

Just before halftime, the Chargers drove 29 yards to the Ram 11, and Reveiz kicked a 27-yard field goal to make it 17-0. That drive was set up by an interception by Charger strong safety Martin Bayless, who hauled down a Long overthrow and raced up the right sideline for 43 yards.

Naturally, the fans didn’t think much of what they saw in the first half and hollered a few boos at their team as they retired to the locker room for the break. The same thing happened when they returned to the field.

Charger Notes

Defensive end Burt Grossman, the Chargers’ first-round draft selection last season, has switched agents and now will be represented by Mike Merkow of Poway. Grossman had previously been represented by Steve Feldman, who is based in the Los Angeles area. Feldman represents Junior Seau, the Chargers’ first-round draft pick this season who hasn’t yet agreed to a contract. “Burt wanted to go with somebody close by,” Merkow said. “He just felt that he needed representation on a full-time basis.” Grossman, Merkow said, will sign an endorsement contract today with a car dealership and Tuesday with an international athletic shoe company. “He is an advertiser’s dream or a nightmare,” Merkow said of Grossman, who is never at a loss for words. “But this kind of guy, if he is packaged properly, could do very, very well.” . . . Outside linebacker Billy Ray Smith, hampered throughout practice this week with a thigh bruise, did not dress Saturday. Henry Rolling, a third-year free agent from Tampa Bay, started in place of Smith. Tight end Arthur Cox, who missed Saturday’s game with a back strain, was replaced by Derrick Walker, a sixth-round draft choice from Michigan. ... Charger cornerback Sam Seale left in the second quarter with a mild quadriceps strain. . . . Nose tackle Les Miller left the game in the third quarter with a hyper-extended elbow and did not return.