CHARGER UPDATE : NOTEBOOK T.J. SIMERS : Offense Wins, but Honestly?

On the final play of practice, Charger Coach Bobby Ross placed the ball on the one-yard line and instructed his offense and defense to collide at full speed.

Ross told the defense that if they prevented the offense from scoring they would not be required to run “gassers” after practice. He provided the same incentive for the offense.

Ross’ promise of such a reward ignited a major pep rally. The defensive players pounded each other on the back and began hooting and hollering. The offensive players gathered as a full unit and began pointing at the defense.

And then the offense cheated. Flat-out cheated. When Ross offered his prize, each unit had its second-stringers on the field. But unbeknown to the defense, the offense gathered en masse and broke from the huddle with the first-stringers on the line of scrimmage.

Before the defense could complain, quarterback John Friesz was faking a handoff to Marion Butts and then giving the ball to Rod Bernstine, who dived over the pile for the score.

The offense celebrated, while linebacker Junior Seau cried foul with Ross.

“They (defense) need to be more alert on that side,” Ross said, buying none of Seau’s arguments. “I didn’t see it myself, to tell you the truth. I was the referee; I was neutral.”

Defensive end Burt Grossman, who was playing with the second-stringers, said, “They put the damn ball on the half-yard line, so what do you expect? They could have done the center-sneak and gotten in there--if I was playing center.

“I cleared the way for the linebackers to make the hit, but Gary Plummer wasn’t in there. Of course they never put him in there in crucial situations.”

Defensive end Chris Mims, the team’s No. 1 draft pick, tried to sneak off the field without running with his losing teammates.

Grossman, with the help from an alert media representative, noticed and tipped off defensive line coach George O’Leary, who then put Mims on the run.

The Chargers have not inducted anyone into their Hall of Fame since 1985, and many of their former players have expressed unhappiness with the cold shoulder management has shown them.

However, the Chargers have invited more than 20 former players to be their guests at today’s afternoon practice at UC San Diego.

The Chargers intend to run 60 offensive plays in a scrimmage with the Rams on Saturday at noon at UC San Diego. Friesz will work with the first unit, and will be followed on the field by Bob Gagliano and Pat O’Hara.

Jeff Graham, who continues to practice with a fractured thumb on his throwing hand, will take the bulk of work in seven-on-seven drills with the Rams.