Chargers Get Depth Check Against 49ers
If you’re an optimist, a full-fledged optimist, you figure tonight’s game between the Chargers and the San Francisco 49ers is the first of two meetings between the two this season.
Since the Chargers of the AFC don’t play the 49ers of the NFC during the regular season that leaves only one more possibility. The Super Bowl.
Stand by. . . .
OK, go ahead and switch back to reality.
Kickoff is 6 p.m. at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium. Joe Montana, he of four Super Bowl rings and a salary to match, is scheduled to start and play about a quarter and a half. Backup Steve Young will come in after that.
This is Young’s fourth season as Montana’s backup. Isn’t it about time this guy got a full-time job? He’s nearly 29 and Montana, 34, doesn’t appear to be headed for an early retirement.
“I’m sure it’s hard for Steve,” 49er Coach George Seifert said. “And I imagine there’s some pressure Joe might feel from time to time in that they’re good friends. Steve is such a team-oriented, self-motivated type of guy. He still has the faith that some day he will be the guy.”
For Charger coaches, tonight’s game will provide another opportunity to size up the logjam at the running back and linebacker positions. Having too much talent can be as tricky as having too little.
Bobby Jackson, offensive backs coach, says this is the best talent the Chargers have had from top to bottom in his four years with the team. Likewise for the linebackers says Ron Lynn, the defensive coordinator.
In selecting the running backs, Charger Coach Dan Henning plans to take into account special teams contributions. That has improved the stock of Joe Mickles, a Plan B free agent from the Washington Redskins.
Size is also a consideration, which leaves Darrin Nelson (5-9, 185) and Jerry Mays (5-7, 173) as question marks. Nelson is a nine-year veteran and has made significant contributions in the games despite sleepy practice performances. He isn’t as big as most of the rest, but as Jackson points out, “he’s as big as he was last year.”
Seven backs, including starter Marion Butts, Ronnie Harmon, Thomas Sanders and Rod Bernstine, are likely competing for five spots. Neither Butts nor Bernstine will be cut. The other five will write their scripts during the remainder of the exhibition season.
“It’s still up in the air,” Jackson said. “I’m thankful we don’t have to make a decision today.”
Decisions aren’t far down the road, though. All teams are required to trim rosters from 80 to 60 on Tuesday. Sept. 3 is the cut to the final 47.
Junior Seau’s arrival on Sunday will add to the complications at the linebacker position. Because he has missed more than a month of camp, Lynn said he will have to be worked in to drills carefully so as not to hinder the progress of the rest of the defense.
Veterans Gary Plummer, the team’s leading tackler last season, and Cedric Figaro will compete with Seau for two positions. “I don’t see Figaro waving the flag,” Lynn said, “and I don’t see Plummer waving the flag.”
Even so, whether they win starting positions or not, neither Figaro nor Plummer is likely to be released. Pat Moorer, a rookie linebacker from Florida, may be.
“(Seau’s arrival) significantly reduces his chances,” Lynn said.
Two others being carefully monitored are Richard Brown, a former San Diego State player who played for the Rams last season, and Wayne Dickson.
Of the three, Brown appears to have the best chance of making the team. His linebacking skills are solid, and he has also recently shown ability as a punt snapper.
“He’s made himself a valuable guy,” Lynn said. “Coming out of mini-camp we wouldn’t have felt like he had a chance.”
This is the best group of Charger linebackers Lynn has seen.
“Far and away, this is as good as it’s been in the five years we’ve been here,” he said. “We’ve got some depth.”
Depth wasn’t evident in last week’s 30-27 victory over the Rams. The starters exited at halftime with a 17-0 lead. The second string struggled through the second half, allowing an assortment of big plays and three Gaston Green touchdowns.
Charger Notes
Coach Dan Henning said he will take a close look at wide receivers Nate Lewis, who returned a kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown in last week’s victory over the Rams, and Walter Wilson, a third-round draft pick from East Carolina. Neither will start at receiver and their chances of making the team depend on their special teams contributions. . . . Henning said the quarterback rotation for tonight would be the same as the previous two weeks: Billy Joe Tolliver starting, Mark Vlasic relieving. It is not know how much time rookie John Friesz will get. . . . Junior Seau, the Chargers’ top draft selection from USC who agreed to a five-year contract Thursday, will arrive at UCSD Sunday to take a physical and sign his contract, said Steve Feldman, his agent. . . . Linebacker Billy Ray Smith (thigh) and tight end Andy Parker (teeth) will play tonight. Both missed last week’s game with injuries.