CHARGER NOTEBOOK / T.J. SIMERS : Ross’ Message: Don’t Let Down

After Wednesday’s practice, Coach Bobby Ross called his team together. After the coach talked for several minutes, the players raised their hands.

Ross explained later: “I asked how many thought beating them (Cardinals) was important.

“I just reminded them that preparation is what does it. Winning is accomplished here and then it carries over to the game field. You got to make up your mind right now.”

Ross was asked if anyone had not raised their hand.

“I didn’t notice,” Ross said. “I kept my head down; I didn’t want to see that.”

It’s December, and time for the Cardinals to lose.

Since moving from St. Louis to Phoenix in 1988, the Cardinals have compiled a 2-13 record in the month of December. They are 1-8 in Sun Devil Stadium with their only victory coming on Dec. 2, 1990 against Indianapolis, 20-17.

And here come the Chargers.

“I think they’re one of the better teams, maybe the top three or four teams right now, and I mean this sincerely, in the AFC,” Phoenix Coach Joe Bugel said. “I think they got excellent personnel who are playing super well.”

Ross also has taken a look at the Cardinals, and he said, “When you look at them on the video you don’t see a team that is 3-9.”

The Cardinals are 3-9, but they blasted the Chargers, 35-14 on Aug. 8 to open exhibition play.

“I don’t think it’s even the same San Diego football team,” Bugel said. “We were coming out of camp a pretty good football team, and it just so happened that night that (quarterback Timm) Rosenbach was hotter than a firecracker.

”. . . I know Bobby Ross, he has a plan, and he sticks to that plan. Much of the credit goes to him. When they started 0-4, nobody panicked. If you panic, that’s when things go haywire.”

Bugel was offensive line coach for the Redskins when General Manager Bobby Beathard hired Joe Gibbs. Gibbs’ Redskins opened the season 0-5 before finishing 8-8.

“Bobby Ross and Bobby Beathard--it’s a great marriage,” Bugel said. “I can remember Joe Gibbs and Bobby Beathard--great marriage. I know what he (Beathard) can do. He’ll get you players to coach, and that’s the name of the game: personnel.”

Bugel has struggled to find the players to make Phoenix a winner. He’s completing his third year with a 12-32 record, and there has been speculation that he will be dismissed at the end of the season.

“That’s probably the biggest thing in sports right now,” Bugel said. “If something goes wrong, it’s terminate, terminate, terminate. If your organization is smart and they’re focused, unless your team just flat out quits and plays dead on you, then you should get a chance to fulfill your obligations and finish something you started.

“One thing I learned at Washington, organizations win super bowls, organizations get in playoffs. One guy cannot do it by himself.”

Rosenbach, who missed last season with a knee injury, was hurt again earlier this year. Rosenbach returned to replace an injured Chris Chandler (ribs) last week, but four of his passes were intercepted in the Cardinals’ 41-3 loss to Washington. He also injured his thumb.

“Rosenbach was 13 for 13 with three touchdowns against us (in the exhibition season),” Ross said. “He didn’t get his pants dirty; nobody even touched him the whole game. He was sharp.”

Chandler, who completed 179 of 292 passes for 2,086 yards with 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions, is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game.

Bugel said the team will try to start Chandler, but if Chandler can’t go, then they’ll try to play Rosenbach. If Rosenbach can’t play because of his thumb, rookie Tony Sacca would play.

The Cardinals’ woes continue. Running back Johnny Baily, who has been returning kicks for Phoenix, will not play because of an ankle injury.

Starting right tackle Rick Cunningham is doubtful with an arm injury, while starting running back Johnny Johnson (groin), defensive tackle Reuben Davis (shoulder) and starting left tackle Luis Sharpe (ankle) have been listed as questionable along with Chandler.

The Cardinals already lost their two top pass rushers for the season, linebacker Freddie Joe Nunn and linebacker Ken Harvey.

Harvey knocked Charger quarterback John Friesz out for the season in the exhibition opener after hitting Friesz low and late.

“Unfortunately Harvey’s hurt,” Charger tackle Harry Swayne said, “but those other guys still have a Cardinal on the side of their helmet.”

Charger defensive end Burt Grossman participated in drills, but was unable to join practice due to a pair of sprained ankles. The Chargers listed him as questionable for the game.