CHARGERS : Friesz Attempts To Nail Down Backup QB Spot

The Chargers were insistent: They asked photographers to stand a good 20 yards from the practice field.

In a matter of minutes it became apparent why. John Friesz was throwing the football.

If you think Billy Joe Tolliver threatens the environment when tossing a football, give thought to signing a Last Will And Testament before viewing Friesz at work.

“OK, I was bad,” Friesz said. “I was a little disappointed in my accuracy. That’s how I have been ever since I picked up a football in the fifth grade. I’ll get better. It just takes me a little while to get used to things.”

John Friesz, of course, has all the time in the world. He’s the future for the Chargers, the quarterback that owner Alex Spanos and General Manager Bobby Beathard like, and the people’s choice--if the choice comes down to Tolliver or Friesz.

“(Coach Dan) Henning has stood by Billy Joe and Billy Joe has shown a lot of improvement,” Friesz said. “So Billy Joe deserves that one more shot. If he doesn’t (make it), then I want to be the next guy to get the first shot to play after him.”

Before Friesz can challenge Tolliver, however, he has to make a third-string quarterback out of Bob Gagliano.

The Chargers acquired Gagliano as veteran insurance, and Gagliano has impressed Henning. Gagliano, a 12th-round draft choice of the Chiefs in 1981, has the intelligence and experience that Henning covets in a quarterback.

“Bob has been behind some of the great quarterbacks in the game and has been around so many different coaches and schemes. It’s tough to battle a guy with that much experience,” Friesz said. “I got the Big Sky and I got a backup season here on injured reserve.

“I think Bob would tell you he’s also been kind of an overachiever all his life. Those are almost the hardest kind to get around.”

The Chargers have not declared Tolliver the starting quarterback for 1991, but he gets twice the practice time that Friesz and Gagliano get. And in the next few weeks, Henning will designate either Friesz or Gagliano as Tolliver’s backup, leaving the loser to sun himself on the sideline.

“Billy Joe has got the most experience in this offense by far, so it’s his job to lose,” Friesz said. “The job is his, but that doesn’t mean we’re not going to try and steal it from him. On the depth chart right now, I’m No. 2. I’m going to do my best to maintain that.

“I think what I’m trying to do is exactly what Mark Vlasic did last year. You just try not to worry about what everyone else is doing and make people talk about you. Do a good enough job that they have to take notice.”

Friesz, however, will not stand in the wings waiting to prey on every error made by Tolliver.

“We’re all hoping Billy Joe comes through the mistakes that he’s made,” he said. “He had a great spring. He completed 83% of his passes. I was at 71% and Bob (Gagliano) was 70 or 71 or 72.

“Whoever is the starting quarterback, I just want a lot of wins. I don’t want a lot of changes around here. I like everything. I think we got great people and good coaches. Lots of wins keeps us going together in the right direction.”

Friesz has already been true to his word. After an “everybody take cover” first morning of practice, he came back throwing like the record-setter he was at Idaho.

“It would be easy for a person in my position to be content,” Friesz said. “There’s three of us here and they’re going to keep three. I’m the young guy, and I’m going to be third-string, so I’ll sit back.

“But I want to continue to be No. 2, push Billy Joe, and there’s a million ways to get a chance to finally be the guy. If that happens, I want to be ready.”

Mike Simmonds, an offensive guard signed under Plan B free agency last season, reported to training camp and told the Chargers he was finished with football.

Simmonds never played a down for the Chargers and spent part or all of the last four seasons on injured reserve. He told the Chargers that he had sought a second opinion on the condition of his knee and was advised to not play football.

Running back Ronnie Harmon reported to camp a day early, and considering the recent events surrounding Marion Butts, Henning was pleasantly surprised.

“That’s a little bit different,” Henning said, “coming in early rather than late.”

Wide receiver Anthony Miller was also an early participant, but he watched much of Tuesday’s afternoon practice after bruising his knee.

Free agent cornerback Derrick Kelson limped off the field and was treated for a knee injury.

The Chargers will play the Rams Saturday in a scrimmage at UCSD. Henning said the Rams will arrive after 2, and the scrimmage will begin about 2:30. It’s free to the public.

The team’s veteran players are due to report to camp today and will practice for the first time Thursday afternoon.

Offensive tackle Broderick Thompson and offensive guard David Richards remain unsigned, but they were interested spectators at Tuesday’s workout. Defensive end George Hinkle also remains unsigned.