Wading Through the Chargerspeak : Football: When is a move from first string to third string not a demotion? When Charger coaches say so.

Charger Coach Bobby Ross likes to preface many of his answers by saying, “I’m going to be honest with you.”

This makes you wonder, of course, about the validity of those answers that do not begin with, “I’m going to be honest with you.”

In due time, however, you discover there is no significant difference in either response.

Bobby Ross said before the game that his team was going to emphasize the pass in an exhibition game against the New England Patriots, and the Chargers ran the ball on nine of their first 10 plays.

Ross said that cornerback Donald Frank has not been demoted, but the team’s secondary coach said, “to be very honest with you, he’s running with the third team.”

Ross said before the Patriots game that Delton Hall was replaced in the starting lineup at safety by Floyd Fields because Hall was injured. Hall’s injuries, however, were apparently not life-threatening; he played against New England with the second team.

On Monday, Ross said, “Right now, based on the way Fields played, we’re still listing Fields ahead of him (Hall).” Hall, in fact, has been demoted, but Ross said there have been no demotions.

Ross was asked about defensive tackle George Thornton’s status Monday, and the first-year coach said the team “has not sat down and discussed who is first and who is second team.” On the field, however, it was obvious that Thornton has been bumped from second string to first team.

“I don’t want to tell you something that I haven’t discussed with George (O’Leary, defensive line coach),” Ross said.

It’s one thing not to tell Saddam Hussein when his country might be bombed, but do you think the 49ers are going to change their preseason plans if they find out Thornton will start instead of Tony Savage?

Secondary coach John Fox explained. He sat down for an interview, and like Ross, he said one thing while meaning quite another. He said he’s been trained in such maneuvers.

“I do a good job of playing stupid,” said Fox, who worked with former Pittsburgh Coach Chuck Noll last season. “I learned from the best. Big Chuck. How did Chuck used to say it? It’s the mushroom theory. It’s not my quote; this is Chuck’s: ‘Keep them in the dark and feed them full of (manure).’

“I’m being honest, though,” he added.

That’s what Steve Ortmayer always used to say, too.

If the Chargers opened the season today, would Fox start Tony Blaylock at corner over Frank and Fields at safety over Hall?

Fox said, “I’m going to be honest with you, I couldn’t tell you. It’s that close in my mind. I’m just being honest.”

Does Fox have any idea who is going to be starting in the Charger secondary this season?

“That’s what I’m trying to figure out,” he said. “I’m being honest. I mean I’ve got an idea; I mean, I’m not a total idiot.”

Who will start against the 49ers?

“To be honest I haven’t really decided yet,” Fox said. “I might start Cedric Mack this week or Marquez Pope.”

Moments later, he said: “Obviously we put a lot more stock in game playing than practice, so until we play another game there probably aren’t going to be a whole lot of changes.”

Does that mean he has already decided to start Fields and Blaylock against the 49ers?

“Yeah,” he said.

Is there any doubt that Stanley Richard will be the starting free safety this season?

“Now don’t quote me on this, but he’s probably the one guy that’s going to make it (the team),” Fox said. “I’m being honest.”

Isn’t it also safe to assume that Pro Bowl cornerback Gill Byrd will make the team? Will he start for the Chargers this season?

“Yeah, but don’t quote me on that,” he said.

Come on . . .

“You can do that, but don’t make it sound like there’s only one corner,” he said. “You know what I’m saying. It’s how you say it.”

And Donald Frank?

“Someone came to me after the game and said Donald Frank is third team,” Fox said. “He’s not third team; that’s just the group he is running with right now.”

Later in the conversation, Fox said, “To be very honest with you he’s running with the third team.”

Believe what you want.

“But that doesn’t mean he’s the seventh best corner out of that bunch,” Fox said. “I’m being honest with that. He’s not the first guy, all right, Ray Charles could see that. I’m just not ready to make a decision, and I’ll be totally honest with you, I’m not sure who the top four or five corners are going to be.”

The interview ended. Fox assessed his responses and said, “Now is that being evasive?”

Honest.

Charger Notes

General Manager Bobby Beathard said Philadelphia has called to inquire about the availability of unsigned nose tackle Joe Phillips. It’s known that the Chargers took a fancy in Eagles’ receiver Fred Barnett before training camp opened, but Barnett is currently injured.