Rolling Starts to Show Promise at Linebacker : Chargers: He is competing for Billy Ray Smith’s starting position.

The story has made the rounds in training camp: Henry Rolling has been promised the starting position that presently belongs to Billy Ray Smith.

Fact or fiction?

“Um, let’s just say some things were said,” Rolling said. “Some things were said towards that, but I think it’s a matter of me coming in and playing well and winning the job. That’s how it has to be.”

If there really is some hush-hush coup under way, who would make such a promise?

“I can’t really disclose that,” Rolling said, “but it was some people in high places.”

Ron Lynn said he is the team’s defensive coordinator and not “Deep Throat.”

“Henry was told coming in that he would have the chance to compete for that position,” Lynn said. “The starter is still Billy, but it’s a completely competitive deal. I mean there’s not a half-step difference, and tomorrow it could change.

“You could probably list them on the same line on the depth chart and not be far off.”

No one has been on the same line with Billy Ray Smith since he became the team’s first-round pick in 1983. At times he has been the player by which all others are measured.

This is Billy Ray Smith . The “consummate professional, team player, role model . . . and one of the top linebackers in team history,” as he is described in the Chargers’ media guide. Probably the club’s most popular player. A coach on the field. Like fog in June, it has been a given for the past eight years that Billy Ray Smith will be in the starting lineup for the Chargers.

Two years ago Henry Rolling was looking for work; today he wants Billy Ray Smith’s job.

“I know Billy is well established in the community,” Rolling said. “He could probably run for mayor. And that’s something I’ll have to fight.

“I’m going to be playing, and he’s going to be playing. I want the starting spot. That’s why I’m here. I’m here to get the starting spot. It’s as simple as that. I think he knows that and he’s here to keep his starting spot.”

Promises aside, Smith says he will have a role in determining who plays outside linebacker for the Chargers.

“It’s not the worst thing in the world for people to say your time in football is running down,” Smith said earlier this week. “Everybody’s career ends sometime, but they better watch it when they say it about me, because I think I still have some football left in me to play.”

Rolling replaced an injured Smith last season, started eight games and emerged quickly as one of the Chargers’ top defenders. He’s strong, he’s fast, he’s smart and he has caught the attention of those in command.

“Henry had a great practice this morning,” General Manager Bobby Beathard said.

Rolling had his teammates hooting and hollering after shedding the blocks of a pair of 300-pound offensive linemen to clobber Phoenix running back Anthony Thompson.

“Things change,” said Rolling, while referring to promises that may have been made to him. “I just have to remain consistent and keep making the plays.”

Coach Dan Henning appeared startled. “We don’t make promises,” he said.

“The way we’re approaching Billy Ray and Henry is that we have two guys holding down two starting positions. One is suited to passing situations, and that’s Henry, and one to the run, and that’s Billy.

“Henry’s pushing Billy, but no matter how we break them up, both have to play.”

Of course, it’s going to take some push to dislodge Smith.

“Eventually it would appear because of the youth on Henry’s side that he could one day get to that spot of replacing Billy,” Lynn said. “But it’s a job he’s going to have to win.”

Rolling will be 26 in September; Smith hits 30 next month. Smith’s play has been hampered by injuries in two of the past three seasons, and it has led to speculation that his football career is coming to a close.

“I don’t buy that,” Rolling said. “Billy’s a good player and he’s playing really well now. I have great respect for Billy Ray Smith.

“I’m rooting for him, and I think he’s rooting for me. If we both do well and the team does well, we both come out ahead. If he makes a great play, I’m the first one there to congratulate him because I’m watching him.”

A few years ago Rolling was touted as a rising star in Tampa Bay. He could bench press 485 pounds, stretch beyond 40 inches on his vertical jump and cover 40 yards in less than 4.6 seconds.

A series of muscle pulls, however, kept him from practicing. The Bucs became frustrated and impatient and released him midway through the 1989 season. The Chargers were thrilled.

“You don’t wish it on anybody, but it was fortunate for me that Billy got hurt last year,” Rolling said. “God has a strange way of working. It gave me the opportunity to show a glimpse of what I can do. You need people to have confidence in your ability, and then they will start working with you.”

Rolling joins a defense that is already overloaded with impressive performers.

When the Chargers go into their first-down base defense, Smith starts at outside linebacker. When they send their “pirate” unit on the field in long-yardage situations, Rolling starts in place of Smith. If the opposition employs three tight ends, both Smith and Rolling get the call.

“It’s like Ron Lynn has said, he says we have 14 to 16 starters,” Rolling said. “As long as I keep the team concept in mind, I’ll be fine. It’s just a matter of sucking up your pride.

“With the abilities I know I have, everything will work out. . . . The better player will be there when the season starts.”