PRO FOOTBALL REPORT : WEEKDAY UPDATE : RAIDERS : Henning Defends Quarterback Move

Kansas City Chief fans no doubt are upset that the San Diego Chargers have chosen to start rookie quarterback John Friesz against the Raiders this Sunday at the Coliseum.

If the Chiefs beat Chicago on Saturday, they can win the AFC West title with a victory by San Diego over the Raiders. Why would the Chiefs be steamed? Friesz (pronounced freeze, as in deep) had not taken a snap with the first-team offense all season before this week. He threw four passes in the exhibition season, completing one.

Charger Coach Dan Henning said Wednesday that he may have been doing the Chiefs a favor with his benching of quarterback Billy Joe Tolliver.

“If they feel like he (Tolliver) has been the reason we’re not winning, then Kansas City ought to be happy we’re replacing him with someone else,” Henning said.

The Raiders are listing linebacker Jerry Robinson, with a broken left hand, and cornerback Lionel Washington, with a hamstring injury, as probable for Sunday’s game. For San Diego, fullback Marion Butts (foot) and defensive lineman Burt Grossman (ribs) are listed as doubtful, and receiver Nate Lewis (wrist), safety Lester Lyles (knee), tackle Joel Patten (neck), receiver Walter Wilson (thigh), defensive end Gerald Robinson (elbow) and linebacker Billy Ray Smith (elbow) are questionable.