Ross Determines Experience Was Factor in Loss

Charger Coach Bobby Ross didn’t make any apologies, but he did come to Monday’s press conference with plenty of excuses for Sunday’s loss.

“Houston was a better football team,” Ross said. “We need to be conscious of that.”

Why was Houston 27 points better than the Chargers?

Coaching? Talent? Preparation?

Nope. Ross said the difference was experience.

After some research, Ross came up with the following numbers.

Ross said Houston had the Chargers beat on the offensive line (7.2 years to 4), receiving (6.5 to 2.6), quarterback (9 to 1), defensive line (7.4 to 4), linebackers (6.3 to 4) and defensive backs (4.4 to 4).

Ross said the only similarity in experience was at running back, where Lorenzo White is in his fifth year and Marion Butts his fourth.

Does Ross have a point?

“We’ve got some good talent on this team,” linebacker Steve Hendrickson said. “I don’t know if it’s that they’re so much more experienced than we are, but that they’ve played together longer than we have.”

If the Chargers lose to Seattle (1-3) Sunday, Ross acknowledged inexperience would not be a viable reason.

“Maybe we’re more into a part of our schedule where we’re into a comparable setting player-wise,” Ross said. “I think that Kansas City and Houston were better than we were. I think we were probably close to Pittsburgh and Denver.”

Despite the four straight losses, Ross has not backed down from his original projections.

“What I’ve always said is that I think (the team) can be competitive,” Ross said. “I think I’ve pretty much stuck to that.”

But in July, Ross’ expectations sounded loftier than they do now.

“I think I know my team,” he said then. “I’m not looking at us to go to the Super Bowl, but I would hope that there might be a break or two and that we would have a legitimate chance at the playoffs.”

And now?

“I think we’ll know a lot more about where we stand in the league when we’ve played everybody,” he said.

After another Sunday breakdown on special teams, Ross and special teams coach Chuck Priefer said there will probably be some changes.

“We sure haven’t played to our ability in special teams since the season started,” Priefer said. “We had a good preseason. Maybe we were lulled into a sense of complacency. Whatever it is, every game we’ve had one major breakdown.

“Right now one of the major problems with our team is that special teams are not playing to their capability. We’re not contributing very much positive to the team, or very little positive.”

Priefer said the changes likely would be on punt protection and kickoff returns. The Chargers had a punt blocked and averaged less than 15 yards a kickoff return Sunday.

Priefer indicated he probably will stick with Eric Bieniemy as his return man for another week, but said Nate Lewis and Anthony Miller have been mentioned as possible replacements.

The Chargers activated cornerback Marquez Pope, tackle Eric Jonassen and safety James Fuller from the injured list and placed the three rookies on the developmental squad. Guard Terry Beauford was released from the developmental squad.

Ross listed running back Rod Bernstine (hamstring), receiver Nate Lewis (hamstring), defensive tackle Blaise Winter (knee bruise), end Burt Grossman (knee bruise) and linebacker Henry Rolling (buttocks strain) as questionable for Sunday’s game. But Ross expected them to be upgraded to probable by Wednesday.

General Manager Bobby Beathard said he spoke with free agent receiver Webster Slaughter’s agent, but did not make him an offer. Two weeks ago, Beathard said he would not pursue Slaughter.

Former Charger nose tackle Joe Phillips will sign a two-year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs this morning, said John Adler, Phillips’ agent.

“This was his best opportunity. He’s going to be reunited with (former Charger Coach) Al Saunders,” Adler said. “The Chiefs have gone out of their way to make (Phillips) feel wanted.”

Adler said Atlanta also made Phillips a contract offer and that San Francisco, Phoenix, Denver and New Orleans were interested in bringing Phillips in for a workout this week.

After watching a tape of Rod Bernstine’s failed fourth-and-one plunge in the second quarter, Ross said he agreed with the officials’ spot. Originally, Ross thought Bernstine had gained the necessary yard.

“It’s close enough that we should leave no doubt, and we did leave some doubt,” Ross said.

Ross said he was encouraged by pass protection--the offensive line allowed one sack. His passing game--receivers dropped only two passes. His pass defense--they allowed 197 yards.

Ross on No. 1 draft choice Chris Mims, who played 15 snaps Sunday: “He played all right. It was an average performance for a rookie.”