Tolliver May Be Off Target, but Pass Gets to Right Team

When asked to assess his performance Sunday, Charger quarterback Billy Joe Tolliver said, “We won; that’s all I assess it on.”

It’s not pretty, it’s certainly not flashy, but has anyone noticed what Tolliver has accomplished in the past four weeks?

He has completed 48 of 94 passes for 640 yards and, while that’s not enough to get him into the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, Tolliver has not thrown an interception in the last four games and the Chargers have won three of those contests.

Tolliver has thrown 94 passes without an interception. Dan Fouts holds the Chargers’ record with 168 passes in a row without an interception set in 1981. John Hadl threw 112 in a row in 1970 and Fouts had a 108 between 1975 and 1976.

Tolliver is not always on target, but when he does complete a pass, it’s to the right team.

“Every once in a while I get a little excited and start rushing things and forcing things, and the colt in me comes out,” Tolliver said. “Yes, I am a thoroughbred.”

Lots of yucks after a victory in the Kingdome, and if anybody deserves the last laugh, it’s Tolliver. He began his NFL career in Seattle a year ago and left the field stunned after completing six of 17 passes.

What a difference a year makes. He gained more yards on one touchdown pass (45) to Quinn Early than he did in his outing against Seattle last season (41). He also hit Ronnie Harmon with an 11-yard touchdown pass and now has 10 touchdowns this season and eight interceptions.

“Strides are being made,” Tolliver said. “It’s one long learning process, and with each snap, it’s happening.”