CHARGER REVIEW : NOTEBOOK : Butts Keeps on Trucking for 121 Yards

In his second season with the Chargers, running back Marion Butts now has three 100-yard rushing days to his credit. He gained 121 on 26 carries against the Jets in the Chargers’ 39-3 victory.

“When he runs it’s like putting a truck back there,” guard Courtney Hall said. “You have to move the defenders out of the way, or else you’ll get it right in the back. He really runs hard.”

Butts has 505 yards in six games and has a chance to become the team’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 1988, when Gary Anderson piled up 1,119.

Before Sunday’s 39-3 victory, defensive coordinator Ron Lynn was asked what he might do if his charges continued to make mistakes in critical situations.

“I don’t know that murder is legal in the state of New York, although a lot of people have gotten away with it,” Lynn said. “But then we’re playing in New Jersey, and that may be even easier to get away with.”

You see, that’s all the Chargers needed--a little incentive.

Something to shoot for Dec. 2 when the Jets come to San Diego to play the Chargers again.

The Chargers’ 36-point margin of victory Sunday was the eighth largest in team history.

The largest came against the Jets on Nov. 2, 1963, when the Chargers won, 53-7.

Maybe they’re using the wrong linebacker on offense.

In the past two games, the Chargers have lined up Gary Plummer in the backfield, but Sunday, Junior Seau stepped forward a la Bo Jackson.

The rookie linebacker stepped in front of a Ken O’Brien pass at the Charger 38 and then began weaving his way downfield.

The only player between him and the goal line was O’Brien, but Seau was running to make everyone forget how disappointing he has been, and so O’Brien never had a chance.

Seau completed his 62-yard run for a touchdown, but it was wiped out when officials ruled that cornerback Sam Seale had made illegal contact with a Jet receiver before the pass.

“I saw (O’Brien’s) eyes and knew he was passing my way,” Seau said. “I’d love to be a running back, but first I have to learn the middle linebacking spot.”

You can tear up that missing persons report; the Chargers found Ronnie Harmon.

Ditto Rod Bernstine.

Harmon hadn’t touched the ball in the past two weeks, and Bernstine was moved to suggest a trade after being ignored.

Given the chance against the Jets, Harmon ran four times for 13 yards and caught four passes--each for a first down--to gain 58 yards.

“He’s a stud,” quarterback Billy Joe Tolliver said. “He’s a great football player. The guy has a lot of niftiness out in the open field. He’s a tough guy to tackle . . . “

. . . when he plays.

Bernstine had 27 rushes for 132 yards in the team’s first five games but was handed the ball 11 times Sunday and gained 80 yards.

Make yourself at home, John Carney.

Signed to replace Fuad Reveiz as the Charger kicker, Carney made his first three field-goal attempts, hitting from 34, 42 and 37 yards. His 42-yarder to close the first half ricocheted off the right upright and fell over the crossbar.

“He didn’t hesitate; I liked the way he kicked today,” said Larry Pasquale, Charger special teams coordinator. “He got the ball between the uprights, and that’s the whole idea.”

Carney’s last successful field-goal attempt came while he was with Tampa Bay on Sept. 25, 1988.

There was no reason to talk to him, but that didn’t stop Eric Floyd from having his say.

The reserve offensive tackle began shouting obscenities at a nearby reporter, and while it was his most significant contribution of the day, it didn’t make much sense.

It was a coach’s decision to remove him from the starting lineup and replace him with rookie Leo Goeas.

Jet wide receiver Al Toon ran his streak to 68 games in a row in which he has caught a pass. But how close was that streak to ending?

Toon caught one pass for 11 yards against the Chargers, along the sideline in the second quarter. He was shut out in the second half.

Rookie sensation Rob Moore was also limited to one reception, for 25 yards in the first half.

Defensive lineman Burt Grossman enjoyed the team’s 39-3 victory but said, “We’re still 2-4, I mean, we’re not going to the Super Bowl yet by any means.”

But didn’t the victory over the Jets before a large crowd in New York carry some significance?

“Against the Giants, maybe,” he said.

What if the Chargers beat the Raiders Sunday in San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium . . .

“That’s right, we play the Raiders, don’t we?” Grossman said. “I’m not saying anything. They whip my butt constantly. I mean every game I’ve played against them, so I can’t say nothing. I don’t want to make it worse.”