CHARGERS UPDATE : NOTEBOOK : Jefferson Predicts a Victory at Houston
Wide receiver Shawn Jefferson has criticized the local fans, apologized to them, and now for an encore, he has guaranteed a Charger victory Sunday in Houston.
“Yeah, we’re gonna win,” Jefferson said. “Damn right, we’re gonna win. I’m predicting a win.”
The Chargers (0-3) are 11-point underdogs to Houston.
“It’s not like we can’t beat Houston,” Jefferson said. “I have no doubt in my mind we can win. Fans have their feelings and stuff, and they’re going to say what they want to say, but I’m just telling you how I feel.”
Jefferson’s burst of confidence coincided with his move into the starting lineup Wednesday because of bruised ribs and a hamstring injury to Nate Lewis.
“I’m not saying this just to say we’re gonna win,” said Jefferson, a Houston ninth-round pick before being traded to the Chargers last year in the deal for defensive end Lee Williams. “I really do feel that we can win. I really, really, really, really honestly and truly feel within my heart, with all my heart I feel like we can win.”
In perspective, it should also be pointed out that Jefferson “really, really, really, really” believed the Chargers were going to defeat the Chiefs, Broncos and Steelers, too.
After Jefferson had asked a reporter an unrelated question, wide receiver coach Jerry Sullivan fired an obscene and unintelligible remark at the reporter. Sullivan offered no further explanation and walked off.
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Charger owner Alex Spanos, who expected a more promising start to the 1992 season, said, “I haven’t given up. We’ve got 13 more games left; I’ve got a lot of hope left.
“I strongly believe I’ve got the best of everything going for me in the nine years that I’ve been here. I just can’t believe this thing isn’t going to be turned around.”
Spanos watched his team fall apart in the fourth quarter in Sunday’s 23-6 defeat to Pittsburgh, and he acknowledged he was upset.
“Sure, I’m frustrated and disappointed,” he said. “But I feel strongly we’re a better ballclub than we have been in the last nine years.”
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Williams injured his knee in last week’s game with the Chiefs and is listed as questionable.
Williams did not practice Wednesday, but he was able to run and told the media in Houston he would be ready to play against the Chargers.
Linebacker Lamar Lathon (knee) and safety Bubba McDowell (elbow) are also listed as questionable.
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The sister of linebacker Gary Plummer died earlier this week from colon cancer. Plummer left practice early Wednesday, and Coach Bobby Ross said he would return later today.
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Rookie defensive end Chris Mims lined up in place of Burt Grossman at practice, but Ross said there is nothing wrong with Grossman and that Grossman will start against the Oilers.
“Everything is status quo,” Ross said.
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The front office made much ado during the firing of Dan Henning over the “lazy practice habits” of their players. As an example, the front office pointed out that the players sat on their helmets.
The front office pointed out that this would not happen in Ross’ regime.
However, Stanley Richard was spotted laying on the grass using his helmet as a pillow for approximately five minutes during the team’s special teams practice Wednesday. Several coaches appeared to notice Richard but nothing was said.
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The Chargers re-signed wide receiver Robert Claiborne and added him to their developmental squad. Ross said he does not expect Lewis to be ready for the Oilers, but he said he will enter the game with four wide receivers, which suggests Claiborne might be added to the active roster later in the week.
