Henning Explains Chargers’ Switch

A word of caution Monday from Coach Dan Henning to Chargers fans: Two consecutive victories are nice, but let’s not get all giddy just yet.

“It doesn’t mean that it’s an apocalypse,” he said. “That means that they’re getting better.

. . . It’s a start. It’s a good start. It’s a start in the right direction because we think it was two good football teams (New Orleans and Seattle) and two teams that had something important to work for.”

Henning said the difference the last two weeks was plain and simple.

“What we’ve seen here in the last two weeks is that we’ve made the same amount of errors and poor plays as we have earlier in the year,” he said. “But what we have seen happen is that players that heretofore haven’t made big plays are making big plays. They’re making plays to overcome the natural things that happen in the game.”

Natural things such as fumbles, interceptions, missed assignments--things that once were hot topics suddenly are being overlooked.

Henning cited Marion Butts’ fumble, John Friesz’s interception, John Kidd’s blocked punt and four holding penalties as critical errors that could have hurt the Chargers.

But their significance was greatly diminished because of the Chargers’ ability to make big plays. Henning listed Nate Lewis’ 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown; John Friesz’s 29-yard pass play to Chris Samuels in the closing seconds; scoring a touchdown on a two-minute drive; and the defense coming up with three turnovers as plays that were not being made three games ago.

“Those things hadn’t been happening before and they’re happening now,” Henning said. “They’re happening because the players are more confident in what they’re doing. The team is settled down. The experience is helping the young guys.”

Although the past two Chargers victories have come over playoff-caliber teams, Henning dismissed the notion that the Chargers are out to be spoilers.

“Our intent is not be a spoiler,” he quipped. “What happens to the other teams we play we don’t give a (expletive) about. We’re trying to get our team playing where they can feel confident to be part of that contention in the future.”

In the last three games, the Chargers take-away, give-away differential has improved from minus three to plus four.

Friesz’s audible call to Samuels that resulted in a 29-yard gain appeared more incredible to Henning when he viewed the films. He noticed that Ronnie Harmon was in the wrong formation. He was lined up on the right side instead of the left.

Harmon’s mental error wasn’t costly, but it could have been.

“If they’d have blitzed, we’d have been dead,” Henning said.

Chris Samuels’ broken fibula was set by Dr. Gary Losse, team physician. Samuels was injured on the second to last play of the game while making a 29-yard reception.

Henning said the operation was successful and Samuels already was home from the hospital. But Sunday night he wasn’t doing so well.

Samuels had a reaction to medication and had to be rushed to the hospital during dinner.

General Manager Bobby Beathard said Samuels, a 12th-round pick out of Texas this year, will be missed.

“You hate to lose a kid like that, because when he’s been asked to do something he’s done it well,” Beathard said. “He’s a pretty versatile kid. He did prove he could play in this league.”

Samuels’ roster spot is expected to be taken by running back Rod Bernstine, who has been on the injured reserve list with a knee injury. Henning said Bernstine would probably be activated Friday, but that doesn’t mean he will get his starting job back.

Henning said Butts will continue to start at running back.

Samuels’ season-ending injury was the most severe, but it was far from the only injury. Receiver Kitrick Taylor has a hyperflexed knee, but is probable for Sunday’s game. Craig McEwen has a sprained ankle and possible torn cartilage in his knee. Henning said he is questionable and probably won’t practice this week.

Tackle Harry Swayne (bruised leg), safety Stanley Richard (shoulder), linebacker Henry Rolling (sprained ankle), quarterback John Friesz (bruised ribs) and guard Eric Moten (neck) are all probable. Henning said Moten and Rolling would probably be demoted in favor of Mike Zandofsky and Billy Ray Smith. But he added that Moten and Rolling will still play a lot.

Henning said Smith’s play the last three games had added life to the defense.

“It would be ridiculous to say that we don’t play better with (Billy) in the game,” Henning said.

Henning gave the Chargers Monday afternoon off for the second consecutive week. Normally, the players have meetings with the coaching staff Monday afternoons.

He gave them last Monday off for their divisional victory over Seattle and called Monday’s victory over the Saints comparable to that.

Henning said the day off has become a motivator for the team.

“I don’t know what the hell they do on Monday afternoon,” he said. “I better go out with them one day and find out. It must be pretty good.”