Tolliver Takes Slump in Stride, but Vlasic to Start Today

Everything was great for Billy Joe Tolliver until the Chargers told him he was their starting quarterback. After that, things got complicated.

The harder he tried during training camp, the tougher the job became.

“I’ve been trying to make too many plays and trying to do it all by myself,” said Tolliver, a second-year player.

This is his plan for today’s final exhibition game, when the Chargers (3-0) play the Raiders (3-1) at 1 p.m. in the Coliseum.

“It’s time to just relax and play football,” he said. “Play the way I’ve played all my life and just enjoy the game. Quit putting so much pressure on myself. Pick a guy and let it fly.”

The thing is, Charger Coach Dan Henning has picked another guy to let it fly today: Mark Vlasic. He will start, Tolliver will mop up.

This is Vlasic’s first start since Nov. 20, 1988, when he went down with a knee injury in a game against the Rams. It may also be his last start, but that will depend partially on how he performs. Tolliver, says quarterback coach Ted Tollner, is still the starter, but he allows there is always the possibility for change.

“We went into camp with Billy being the starter, but he knows it’s a starting situation based on very limited experience,” Tollner said. “And I still feel that that’s the way it’s going to go, but you can’t discard the one more game that’s left, and you can’t discard what Mark has done through the first three games.”

Up to now, Vlasic’s statistics are more impressive than Tolliver’s. Vlasic, a fourth-year player, has completed 30 of 39 for 326 yards and two touchdowns. Tolliver is 29 of 54 for 374 yards and one touchdown.

Of course, as Tollner points out, Vlasic’s numbers have come against second-stringers who are struggling for a roster spot. Tolliver has faced the big boys, and because of that, he has heaped a lot of pressure onto himself.

“You can’t help but do that,” Tollner said. “When you’re playing the back up role there is not pressure. When all of a sudden you’re named the starter, what people expect out of you changes. They expect you to be right all the time. And anything less than that and you’re looked at differently.”

If Tolliver were to struggle, exhibition season was as good a time as any.

“I’m glad it’s happening now,” Tollner said. “If it didn’t happen now, it was going to happen through the course of the season.”

Not one to stir up controversy, Vlasic insists he isn’t looking beyond today’s start. It isn’t that he doesn’t want to start again next week, it’s that he isn’t going to predict his own success. That can get a guy in trouble.

“I don’t think there’s any need to,” he said. “I’m just going about doing what I can to take care of my job and help in whatever way I can. Whatever decision they make, I’ll have to make the best of.”

Starting is tougher than relieving, though, isn’t it?

“Just play the first quarter, instead of the third,” Vlasic said. “It’s the same game.”

This game precedes the big decision on Monday, when NFL teams are required to make their final roster cuts from 60 to 47. Henning said Friday he has 43 players in place and will decide on the rest after evaluating today’s game. The Chargers are still slightly overstocked at linebacker and running back.

Inside linebacker Junior Seau, the Chargers’ top draft selection, is scheduled to play his first professional game today after his month-long training camp holdout. To make Seau eligible, the Chargers Friday waived inside linebacker Wayne Dickson, a rookie from Oklahoma.

The offensive line is still an area of concern. Tackle Joel Patten, who missed all of training camp recovering from knee surgery, and Leo Goeas, a talented rookie who broke his foot in July, may be headed for injured reserve status. If so, they are required to miss the first four games.

The Chargers acquired guard Mike Zandofsky from the Phoenix Cardinals on Tuesday night, but limited preparation time makes him an unlikely candidate to step in right away and fill the void.

Also a possibility for injured reserve is tight end Arthur Cox, who has been out more than three weeks with a back strain. Henning said Cox’s condition is improving, but since he has missed 24 days of contact work it is unlikely he will be available in time for the regular season opener Sept. 9 at Dallas.