CHARGERS UPDATE : NOTEBOOK / T.J. SIMERS : Spanos Backs Henning in Firing of Tollner
Coach Dan Henning’s firing of offensive coordinator Ted Tollner might have left fans surprised and upset, but at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium it was business as usual Wednesday for the Chargers.
“That’s up to the head coach,” Charger owner Alex Spanos said. “He’s the boss. As long as he’s back there, whatever changes he has to make, I’m going to go right along with him.
“If that’s what he feels it’s going to take to help win, then boy, I’m all for it. There are times when changes have to be made.”
Henning, who has taken over the responsibility of assembling the team’s offensive game plan, left the stadium at 2 a.m. and returned at 6:30.
“There’s all kinds of different ways to get it done,” Henning said. “Usually it gets done better when you have better players.”
Players took news of Tollner’s dismissal in stride, exactly as they had accepted news of quarterback Billy Joe Tolliver’s trade to Atlanta a week ago.
Punter John Kidd already has moved into Tolliver’s empty locker.
“I think you have to as a person in the media sensationalize to either extreme,” linebacker Gary Plummer said. “It’s like what has happened now, or like what happens when you’ve won a couple of games and all of a sudden you’re headed to the Super Bowl.
“The portrayal by some people after this is that there are rats jumping off the ship. I don’t see that. It’s too early in the season, especially being one game out of first place to even have those thoughts in your mind.
“Looking at the last couple of days in the paper, obviously you want to sell papers and you need something to write about, and it’s newsworthy. But I don’t think it’s as newsworthy in here (locker room) as it’s being perceived outside. It happens. To me, it’s just another day in football.”
Spanos said there is no reason to address Henning’s status with the club, and after watching the Chargers lose, he said he’s disappointed but not discouraged.
“As far as last week’s game, I’ll have to admit I was disappointed in our defense,” Spanos said. “I was very pleased with John Friesz. We knew he was going to make mistakes, and he made some mistakes, but he came through in the second half. I saw something in our quarterback that pleased me. He looked so composed back there. It looks like he belongs; that’s the difference.”
The oddsmakers have made the Chargers heavy favorites to open the season 0-2 for the fourth year in a row.
“They’ve told us that before, but I don’t buy that bull,” Spanos said. “It’s a tough game, but if we go there ready to play, San Francisco is going to have to play real hard to beat us.”
As for Henning’s future, Spanos said, “I’m not even thinking about that. The last thing on my mind is Dan Henning’s future. We’re taking it a ballgame at a time. In my opinion, that’s up to (General Manager) Bobby Beathard.”
San Francisco Coach George Seifert was asked in Wednesday’s telephone conference call with the media to discuss the benefits of talent versus emotion.
“The best way to describe emotion is there was a lot of emotion at the Alamo and also a lot of dead people,” Seifert said. “It’s a matter of execution. That’s the difference. You become very emotional when you make plays.”
Upon further review, the NFL has awarded linebacker Leslie O’Neal his first sack of the year.
On the Steelers’ first possession Sunday, O’Neal dropped quarterback Bubby Brister for a four-yard loss on third and 12. Statisticians did not give O’Neal a sack, because they said it appeared Brister intended to run from the outset of the play.
O’Neal contended that Brister was preparing to throw a shovel pass, but was hit first. The league agreed.
Linebacker Junior Seau (foot, knee) is listed as probable for the 49ers’ game, but he did not practice Wednesday. “I’m on for Sunday,” Seau said.
The Chargers also listed Anthony Miller (thigh) and linebacker Billy Ray Smith (knee) as probable, although Miller didn’t practice.
“I think Miller will practice Friday,” Henning said.
Linebacker Henry Rolling (knee) was listed as questionable, and linebacker Galand Thaxton (knee) was listed as doubtful.
Henning said he is concerned with the injuries to his linebackers and added that Steve Hendrickson will double as a linebacker and H-back. The Chargers gave tryouts this week to former Phoenix linebacker Anthony Bell.
Henning said the team might add a fourth wide receiver to the 47-man roster this week. He said the team has been working with practice squad wide receiver Yancey Thigpen. The Chargers also gave tryouts to former Ram receiver Derrick Faison and former Raider receiver Mike Alexander.