CHARGER REVIEW : NOTEBOOK : Blaylock Enrolls in Byrd’s Film School

Cornerback Gill Byrd usually is the last man out of the stadium each night, because as quarterback Stan Humphries said, “he watches more film than anyone I know..”

This past week, however, Byrd had company.

“I sat in there and studied film with Gill Byrd,” Charger cornerback Anthony Blaylock said. “I tried to get some little hints from Gill to see how Gill gets all these interceptions from John Elway. He gave me some nice hints, and that’s what I used.”

Blaylock stepped in front of Mark Jackson in the end zone and intercepted an Elway pass to save the day.

When training camp opened this past July, Blaylock was an afterthought. Donald Frank was the team’s starting cornerback opposite Byrd, and rookie Marquez Pope was being counted on as the corner of the future.

Blaylock, however, emerged as the starter, and he has been one of the prime reasons the Chargers have been so successful on defense.

“In my opinion he’s the acquisition of the year,” linebacker Gary Plummer said. “He’s made a tremendous difference in our secondary. We always had Gill Byrd and our weak corner in the past, but that’s just not the case anymore.”

The Chargers were clinging to a 24-21 lead with five minutes left, so naturally they wanted the sure-handed Marion Butts clinging to the ball. In 681 career carries entering Sunday, Butts had fumbled only three times.

But when the Chargers took the field, Butts remained on the sidelines. So did Ronnie Harmon, who had not fumbled this season.

The back in charge of protecting the lead? Eric Bieniemy?

The same Bieniemy who had built a reputation at Colorado for being fumble prone. Bieniemy hasn’t exactly dispelled that reputation this season by leading the team in fumbles--two.

After he picked up four yards and a first down on a strong run to the outside, Bieniemy was tackled on the next play by Denver linebacker Michael Brooks. The ball popped loose and Denver safety Dennis Smith pounced on it.

“I had two hands on the ball,” Bieniemy said. “I don’t know where the shot came from.”

Why was Bieniemy and not Butts in the game?

“The coaches wanted a change of pace,” Butts said. “We wanted to give them a different look.”

Said Bieniemy: “They just wanted to change things up and get the ball outside.”

The walk off the field was a long one for Bieniemy, who said he wasn’t looking for a happy reception when he reached the sidelines.

“I didn’t want a friend,” he said. “You don’t need any condolences when stuff like that happens. The only thing you can do is say, ‘Look, I know exactly what I did and hope that we can get the ball back so I can redeem myself.’ ”

Bieniemy never got the chance. When the Chargers got the ball back, Butts was back in the lineup.

Humphries completed 20 of 27 passes (.741), which is the best performance in a non-strike game by a Charger since Dan Fouts hit 24 of 31 (.774) against Indianapolis on Nov. 30, 1986.

Something to ponder. If the Chargers defeat Indianapolis in San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium Sunday, they will have the same record as Kansas City and stand one game behind first-place Denver in the AFC West.

The Chargers have nine games remaining and will play teams that have a combined record of 22-37.

Coach Bobby Ross asked reporters not to reveal that the team was moving defensive end Burt Grossman from the left to the right side to take advantage of Denver rookie left tackle Russell Freeman.

Ross’ request came after Grossman and Chris Mims had detailed the team’s defensive plan to reporters.

The reporters, however, honored Ross’ request.

Butts began the game with 106 consecutive carries without a fumble.

In the second quarter, however, Humphries tried to hand the ball to Butts and the ball came free and was recovered by the Broncos.

Humphries appeared to turn the wrong way, thereby prompting a poor connection with Butts. The official scorer, however, showed no mercy. He credited Butts with the fumble, and the streak had come to a halt.

Butts has fumbled only six times in 702 carries in his professional career.

Defensive tackle Blaise Winter was helped from the field after spraining a knee.

A short time later there was an announcement in the press box: “Winter’s return is questionable.” At the same time Winter was back on the field trying to tackle Elway and Co.

The Chargers said after the game that Winter sprained his knee. His status next week “remains day to day.”

The Chargers invited local youngsters to make signs to show their support of the team.

One sign read: “Separated at birth: Elway & Mr. Ed.”

Tough kids.

The Bronco-Charger game drew 53,576, the largest home crowd this season. It also attracted some odd fans.

In the second half an orange-clad fan raced the length of the field only to be tackled by a crew of yellow-jacketed security officials. Later, another fan failed to make it to the 50-yard line.

Near the end of the game, a young lady began to take off her clothes in the stands.

“(George Thornton) pointed her out to me,” Grossman said. “He said, ‘look,’ like it was Haley’s Comet or something. I never did see her.”