Chargers Promote Humphries : Football: Gagliano upset after getting news he is out as the Chargers’ starting quarterback.

Seven days after saying his commitment to Bob Gagliano was “full and complete,” Charger Coach Bobby Ross named Stan Humphries the starting quarterback for Sunday’s game at Denver.

Ross said Gagliano did not play poorly in Sunday’s 24-10 loss to Kansas City, but he still found enough reasons to replace him.

“There are certain little things that Stan adds to our football team that I think it is important to us at this point in time,” Ross said Monday. “A little quicker release, a little quicker set up, a little quicker arm, a little stronger. That’s the basis for the decision.”

Gagliano, who has started just 13 games in seven NFL seasons, did not take the news well.

“This is not easy,” said Gagliano, 34. “I’ve worked hard. I respect Bobby Ross’ decision, but that doesn’t make it any easier.”

Said Humphries: “I’m excited about it. This is the reason I wanted to leave Washington.”

Ross’ decision brings backs memories of 1990, when Coach Dan Henning replaced Mark Vlasic with Billy Joe Tolliver after an opening-game loss.

When Ross decided on Gagliano a week ago, he said: “If things weren’t going well in a particular game in a quarter, it may be you would make a change. But at the same time, he’d (Gagliano) come back and start the next week, in my opinion.”

Is Gagliano confused?

“I’m not confused,” said Gagliano, who was visibly upset. “I’ve been in this a long time. I have particular feelings on the situation, but I’d rather not comment on them. I do have feelings, but they’re better left unsaid. But I feel it’s better to be supportive.”

Ross said sitting down Gagliano was difficult.

“Nobody said it was an easy decision,” Ross said. “But I’ll make those decisions that I think are best for our football team.”

Will Ross stick with his latest decision or will the Chargers play the quarterback shuffle?

“I’ll stay with Stan,” Ross said. “I told Stan that I felt like he was a hell of a quarterback. I thought he had some real good abilities and that we were going to give him the job and stick with it.”

Indefinitely?

“Yes,” Ross said.

Gagliano completed seven of 20 passes for 55 yards and two interceptions against the Chiefs.

“There are a couple things that we would like to have had back or done a little better, but overall he did not play poorly,” Ross said.

After four exhibition games, Gagliano completed 26 of 40 passes for 351 yards.

“I have nothing to be ashamed of,” Gagliano said. “I’ll be damned if I’m going to feel bad, because I know what I’ve done.

“I wasn’t disappointed by the way I performed. I think we need improvement in a lot of areas.”

The offensive line would be a good start. Gagliano was sacked five times for minus 50 yards and was running for his life nearly every time he dropped back to pass.

Given his exhibition performance and what Ross said was not a poor effort Sunday, Gagliano was left in wondering why he won’t be playing Sunday in Denver.

“Where’s the smoke?” he asked harshly. “If I’m the reason for it, and I’m not, that might justify things. But it’s their decision.”

Humphries, acquired from the Redskins Aug. 13 for a conditional fourth-round draft choice, completed seven of 10 passes for 62 yards and an interception.

The Chargers placed linebacker Billy Ray Smith, 31, on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, which he suffered in the first quarter Sunday.

“I think it’s a good move,” Smith said. “It’d be nice to let the leg heal totally and see how it goes after that.”

Smith played some special teams and one play on defense before injuring the same hamstring that has bothered him since early in training camp.

Ross expects Smith to be sidelined for four to six weeks.

“I can’t stretch out and really stride,” Smith said. “I can walk reasonably well, but that’s about it.”

Linebacker Kevin Murphy, acquired from Tampa Bay two weeks ago, was activated to replace Smith on the roster.

Ross said running back Marion Butts (knee and ankle) looks better and might play Sunday. Right tackle Broderick Thompson (bruised sternum) is questionable. Receivers Walter Stanley (eye) and Shawn Jefferson (hamstring) are fine.

General Manager Bobby Beathard said the Chargers still are undecided about holdout nose tackle Joe Phillips.

Beathard said the club will meet again today and then fax a proposal to John Adler, Phillips’ agent.

“We want to make sure when we do do something that it’s what everybody wants,” Beathard said.

Even though Phillips has said he is willing to play in San Diego, Beathard said the club still isn’t sure whether it wants him.

“That’s one of the things we’re talking about,” Beathard said.

One of things they are not talking about is a trade.

“We had no luck trading him,” Beathard said.

Ross blamed most of the offensive lines’ woes on mistakes.

“They’re correctable,” he said. “In several instances, we were breaking the assignment. A couple times we were beat physically.”

If Thompson can’t play Sunday, Ross said Leo Goeas would start.