PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : CHARGERS : League Acknowledges Bad Calls in Defeat to Rams, Henning Says

Charger Coach Dan Henning said league officials have advised him that several calls in last week’s game with the Rams were made incorrectly, as Henning had suggested earlier.

The 30-24 loss, however, still stands.

Henning said he has been told that penalties on center Courtney Hall and guard David Richards were made in error. He said league officials also agreed that the Rams should have been called for illegal procedure on the play that prompted safety Martin Bayless to be called for pass interference in the end zone on tight end Jim Price.

The Rams scored a short time later.

However, he said the league still maintains that defensive back Donald Frank was guilty of a foul that led to a pass interference penalty on the Rams’ winning touchdown drive.

“They called it on-the-field ‘interference,’ ” Henning said. “They now say it was face-guarding. It doesn’t appear to be face-guarding, it doesn’t appear to be interference and I’d like to know exactly what to tell Donald, because I don’t think he did either one of those things.”

Frank did not look back for the ball while trying to cover Ron Brown, which is used as damning evidence when an official considers calling a penalty for pass interference. Frank, however, never appeared to make contact with Brown.

“He’s got to make contact and then you determine if he was looking back,” Henning said. “Donald never lays a hand on this guy. . . . You got to make some contact. To face-guard you’ve got to be in front of the guy’s face; if he’s doing neither one, I don’t know what the hell the deal is.”

If the Chargers believe the officials have it in for them, consider the plight of the Cleveland Browns.

The Browns lost to the Redskins 42-17 last week, and in losing Cleveland drew 11 penalties. The Redskins, who were playing at home, were not penalized at all.

When Henning made his last appearance in front of the Charger Backers booster club, he delivered a speech, and, in a break from tradition, left without taking questions.

Several members expressed disappointment with Henning.

When asked about it later in the day by reporters, Henning downplayed his departure and said he was late for practice and did not have the time for questions.

Henning spoke to the Charger Backers on Friday, and before taking questions, he mentioned his previous appearance.

“It had been reported here that I didn’t answer any questions the last time I was with you,” Henning said. “Now, first of all you have to understand, without asking me why or what have you, what you read in the newspaper is not always gospel.

“Certainly, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John do not write for the papers in the San Diego area. I was late last time, and I wanted to get some things across to you and then I wanted to get out to practice. . . . I’ve got some time now and I’ll be glad to enlighten as to our interpretation of the Bible.”

Henning told the Charger Backers that running back Eric Bieniemy missed Wednesday’s practice with a knee injury, although he did not mention it Wednesday. Bieniemy said his knee has been sore, but he will play Sunday against the Browns.

Henning also said wide receiver Shawn Jefferson was fined $1,000 by the league for celebrating after his touchdown catch on the final play of the Steelers game earlier this season.

“He shook his head a little bit and he got a $1,000 fine,” Henning said. “It was the last play of the game; that’s ridiculous.”

Henning was asked about published comments by defensive lineman Burt Grossman, which suggested Grossman had grown weary from defeat. Henning said, “It sounds like, if what I read and hear--I haven’t talked with Burt yet--that he is not happy being here, or doesn’t want to hang around because he’s depressed the way things are.

“It’s tough enough to row the boat ashore with everybody rowing without having people getting up and putting their life vests on. If that’s the case, I’m going to be disappointed about it.”