CHARGERS : Replay Fails to Provide Solid Proof of Interception

Slowed-down replays showed Monday that Charger cornerback Tony Blaylock did have one foot in bounds while making an interception in the end zone Sunday against Denver. But replays were inconclusive as to whether Blaylock was forced out of bounds by Denver receiver Mark Jackson.

Denver Coach Dan Reeves said Monday that there was nothing inconclusive about the replay he saw.

“There’s no question (Blaylock) was clearly out of bounds,” Reeves said. “He had one foot in. The other foot definitely hit out.

“I mean (side judge Howard Slavin) is looking around for help because all he knows is that the guy caught the ball. That’s all he looks for.”

Ross said he had not examined the play, but he didn’t want to argue with it.

“What the heck, if it’s in our favor, I’m going to agree with it,” Ross said.

Reeves said the Broncos will submit films of Sunday’s game and other Bronco games to the NFL office in hopes getting instant replay reinstituted next year. However, Reeves acknowledged an NFL official job’s is a difficult one.

“There’s some better way to get it officiated, but the game’s awful fast,” he said. “I mean, can you expect that guy to see that he caught the ball and had his feet in bounds? To me, that’s the part that instant replay plays such a critical part in. Because that’s a difficult call.

“So it’s tough. Officials have a tough thing to do. I mean, to me, it’s ridiculous to have a tool that solves those types of plays and not have it in use.”

The Broncos and Chargers voted for instant replay last year, but 21 votes were needed and only 17 were gathered.

Ross said he would be in favor of instant replay.

“I would vote for it now,” Ross said. “In the past I would not have, but I would vote for it now.”

However, Ross also said, “Calls even out over the course of the year. Nobody said anything about the seven bad calls that went against us in Houston.”

Ross defended his decision to play Eric Bieniemy instead of Marion Butts in the fourth quarter while the Chargers held a 24-21 lead. Bieniemy fumbled when he was hit by Denver linebacker Michael Brooks and safety Dennis Smith recovered.

“I think Eric gives us a change of pace,” Ross said. “He’s got some quickness to him. There’s been the reputation that he is a fumbler by some people. I haven’t seen that.

“I’m going to make my judgments based on what I see, not what his reputation is. Not what somebody else has seen from his college days or somewhere else.”

Bieniemy said he had both hands on the ball when he was hit by Brooks, but Ross didn’t agree.

“The guy made a good hit,” Ross said. “He should have had both hands over the ball and I don’t think he did.”

Ross said he would continue to play Bieniemy in the fourth quarter.

“I would use him,” Ross said. “I wouldn’t hesitate. We did it in the Indianapolis game. We did it in (the Denver) game. We’ll come back with him in the next ball game.

“Eric came to me after the game and said that that would never happen again. I believe him.”

The Chargers and Cleveland Browns are tied for the longest winning streak in the AFC with three consecutive victories.

Injury update: Leslie O’Neal still has some mild swelling in his right knee, but Ross said he expects O’Neal to play in Sunday’s game.

Blaise Winter has a second-degree sprain of his knee. Ross said Winter is questionable for Sunday. Junior Seau’s strained groin is fatigued, but Ross said he did not reinjure it Sunday.

Center Courtney Hall (hip) is also questionable, but Hall said he would play.

The chances of third-round draft choice Ray Ethridge playing this year are diminishing. Ethridge, a wide receiver, has been on the physically-unable-to-perform list all year.

I can’t foresee there being any changes there right now,” Ross said.

Ross also wasn’t optimistic about linebacker Billy Ray Smith returning to action any time soon.

“He’s at least two to three weeks away,” Ross said.

The Chargers held their first night practice since training camp. With daylight savings time ending Saturday, the team was working out in the dark by the time practice ended at 5:30 p.m.

“I feel like I’m out duck hunting, waiting for the sun to rise,” Charger linebacker Steve Hendrickson said.