CHARGERS ’92 : OVERVIEW : Team Hopes All This Change Makes Sense

SAN DIEGO —  Good news: Charger General Manager Bobby Beathard says Coach Bobby Ross reminds him of Joe Gibbs.

Bad news: Gibbs began his coaching tenure in Washington losing the first five games.

Good news: The Chargers, along with the Colts, have the easiest schedule in the league.

Bad news: The Chargers had this fifth-place schedule in 1990 and went 6-10.

Good news: The Chargers are considered a team on the rise, and Ross gets the opportunity to make his NFL coaching debut at home against Kansas City, a team with the second-worst road record in the AFC the past decade.

Bad news: After Sid Gillman celebrated his coaching debut with the Chargers with a victory, the seven head coaches who followed have each lost their first game in command.

“Well, it’s time that changed,” Beathard said.

Change is what the Chargers have been all about. They have tried new coaches, new general managers, new quarterbacks and still have not advanced to the playoffs since 1982.

“Nothing brings it all together like winning,” Beathard said. “We start with a great test in Kansas City. We played them close last year, but they have had experience winning, and probably when it was close like that they knew they were still going to win. We have to get in the same frame of mind.”

The Chargers have opened the past five seasons with a defeat, but they have been swept off their cleats by Ross’ enthusiasm, attention to detail and chance once again for a fresh start.

But has anything really changed?

“I think we’re capable of being a much improved team over last year,” Beathard said. “We have to come together as a team; we have to prove we can do that before we’ll know how good we are.

“Every player has to put the team ahead of individual goals. That’s what makes good teams. If we’re capable of doing that, then I think we have a chance.”

QUARTERBACKS

Ross says the philosophy will remain constant throughout the season: “Runs keep you close, but passing wins.”

Bob Gagliano, however, is the starting quarterback.

So when Stan Humphries takes over . . . Humphries says he will dine out with the offensive linemen like Dan Fouts. As you might have noticed, Humphries looks like an offensive lineman. This is so he can go out in public with his beefy pals without being mobbed by all those admiring Charger fans who are looking for a great quarterback.

Change in quarterbacks might benefit the team in the short run. Expectations of now-injured John Friesz, who was beginning only his second season in the league, were running too high, as evidenced by Friesz’s own demand for $1 million a season.

Gagliano won’t make big mistakes or big plays; Humphries will make big plays and big mistakes. Take your pick.

Chargers went for experience in search of a clipboard toter and found Pat O’Hara, who spent his time at USC jotting down Rodney Peete’s and Todd Marinovich’s exploits.

Telling Statistic: Chargers’ new emphasis on the pass produced three touchdowns via the air in exhibition play; opponents posted eight.

RUNNING BACKS

Marion Butts accepts the team’s most valuable player trophy and says he couldn’t have done it without Bob Gagliano. Bobby Ross is not Dan Henning, but he is also not stupid. He sits down to do his game plan, pinches himself and realizes Gagliano is the starting quarterback. Run, Marion, run.

Rod Bernstine runs for free agency and scores touchdowns for fantasy football owners everywhere. Ronnie Harmon, one of the most exciting players to touch a football, gains more than 1,500 all-purpose yards and continues to go unappreciated elsewhere in the football world.

Eric Bieniemy has proven he will fall on hand grenade for his buddies, but what a waste. If Rams had guy like this, Ground Chuck would be back in business.

Telling Statistic: Ross became concerned when Bernstine bypassed mini-camp and summer school program because he wanted to work him as an H-back, catching passes out of backfield. Bernstine caught one pass for four yards in the exhibition season.

RECEIVERS

Shawn Jefferson accepts the team’s most valuable mini-camp and off-season practice performer trophy and then explains he was too tired to carry on during the regular season. “Shay-Jay,” as the radio honks call him, has gotten John Jefferson-like hype, and when he catches his second career touchdown pass for the Chargers, he will trail J.J’s three-year total by only 34.

Why don’t they have Anthony Miller returning kickoffs? It’s not like they have to worry about saving him for the playoffs. This is the team’s No. 1 game-breaker, and last year he landed in the end zone three times. The Chargers contend he will be better this year because he’s catching the ball. Now you know why they fired Henning; no one thought of trying that last year.

As long as they don’t have anyone to throw the ball, does it really matter if they have anyone else to catch it? Nate Lewis, who graces the media guide cover, led AFC in kickoff returns with a 25.1-yard average, however, he finished 33rd in the AFC number of pass receptions with 42.

Chargers talk about how they are a team on the rise, and then they announce they have kept a down-and-out Walter Stanley. Ticket refunds may be in order.

Telling Statistic: Miller caught 14 passes during the exhibition season, and he appears to be in 1989 form when he caught 75 passes for 1,252 yards with Jim McMahon and Billy Joe Tolliver throwing the ball.

TIGHT ENDS/H-BACKS

He was born Bert Deems May, Jr., but who wants to be called “Bert?” Deems likes hunting, fishing and golf. “JFK” is his favorite movie. He listens to country music and his favorite food is Jerry’s Fried Chicken. His favorite television show is “The Andy Griffith Show,” and Joe Montana is his favorite football player. His favorite team growing up was the Washington Redskins, which explains why Bobby Beathard drafted him.

Don’t know much about Duane Young except that he’s the Chargers’ starting tight end.

Derrick Walker graduated with honors from Craig McEwen’s Look-Ma-I-Got-No-Hands School last year, but an impressive training camp performance suggests that Walker can play prominent role in offense.

Chargers pick up Kansas City reject Alfred Pupunu and Las Vegas oddsmakers report a rush of last-minute money on San Diego.

Telling Statistic: Chargers released McEwen, who caught a total of 66 passes the past two seasons. If Bernstine doesn’t fill void left by McEwen, look for Walker to catch more passes.

OFFENSIVE LINE

It’s like coaching in Russia: In last seven years there have been six different offensive line coaches. These guys aren’t that bad.

In fact, Chargers say Courtney Hall is best center in the game. Must be. In his four-year career he had adjusted to four different starting quarterbacks. Chargers say Eric Moten is going to be one of the best guards in the game, but what are they going to say--”We really wanted Desmond Howard?”

Chargers say tackle Harry Swayne has become a dependable performer. Chargers suddenly go humble. Next to Ronnie Harmon, he might be one of the greatest finds in Plan B history.

Chargers continue to say guard David Richards and tackle Broderick Thompson have to go, but then keep in mind this is the same team that used a No. 1 pick on James FitzPatrick a few years ago. They’re not always right. Butts & Co. continue to pad their stats by running over this pair.

Mike Zandofsky and Leo Goeas add quality depth, but if Richards and Thompson are so bad, why aren’t Zandofsky and Goeas starting?

Rookie center Curtis Whitley makes roster; somebody had to be the 47th player, and if he can hide in the shadows, he can spend the next 10 years cashing paychecks while watching Hall hike the ball.

Telling Statistic: Running backs averaged an NFL-high 4.8 yards per carry, so somebody must be doing something right in the trenches.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Who needs Lee Williams? Chargers use No. 1 pick to take defensive end Chris Mims--the loser recently in a Greco-Roman wrestle-off with Barney Fife.

Burt Grossman puts on 20 to 30 pounds to keep himself from jumping offsides. Grossman will be seeking new contract at end of season. Leslie O’Neal recorded four sacks in final game last year before opening contract talks, so wait until that last game with Seattle on Dec. 27.

O’Neal will have nothing to complain about, which explains why he isn’t talking. He’s lined up on outside and has been told to go get the quarterback. He probably will and probably will spend February in Hawaii at the Pro Bowl.

Joe Phillips says he won’t play for the Chargers. The Chargers once said their future rested on Billy Joe Tolliver’s arm. Hey, people say things they shouldn’t say.

And in George Thornton’s case, people sometimes eat things they shouldn’t eat. Remember how much Beathard liked Moten? He liked him so much he gave up the chance to get Desmond Howard. Well, Beathard liked this guy more and took Thornton with the 36th pick (and Moten with the 47th). Exactly what was Beathard thinking?

Free agent Blaise Winter, 30, starts at defensive tackle. Youth movement is in high gear.

Chargers will line up with Winter and Thornton in the middle and back them up with Tony Savage and rookie Reggie White. Where do you think the Chiefs, Broncos, Steelers, Oilers, Seahawks, Colts, Browns, Bucs, Raiders, Cardinals and Bengals will run the ball?

Telling Statistic: Gary Johnson played in 142 games and has Charger-record 67 sacks; O’Neal has 51 1/2 sacks to date in 70 games.

LINEBACKERS

There are great athletes, and then once or twice in a lifetime there is an athlete like Junior Seau. He is not only blessed with remarkable skills, but it would be difficult to find anyone who works harder in practice. Chargers are going to unleash him on opposition’s quarterback, which should enhance his reputation. “You don’t like to play against him, but he’s sure fun to watch,” said Kansas City coach Marty Schottenheimer.

Gary Plummer makes his living getting in the way of running backs like Christian Okoye, Gaston Green and Eric Dickerson. This is a pain-inviting task, and yet he has played in 70 consecutive games. Chargers’ improvement in defense began in 1986--think about it--that was the same year Plummer began making tackles for this team.

Left outside linebacker will be manned by Henry Rolling, Billy Ray Smith and Kevin Murphy. Rolling remains an enigma, Smith tries to stay healthy and Murphy attempts to explain why a former starting linebacker could be so easily obtained for an eighth-round pick.

Steve Hendrickson, who was described by Ross as one of the team’s most valuable performers, will back up Seau, play H-back, participate on special teams and mow the practice field, if necessary.

Eugene Marve, who will back up Plummer, gives the Chargers three former Tampa Bay linebackers, and that’s something to build on.

Telling Statistic: Hendrickson scored as many touchdowns last season as Harmon--two.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Gill Byrd has intercepted more passes (27) than any other player in the game the past four seasons. He has dedicated himself to improving the Chargers both on and off the field since his arrival in 1983. He has been the team’s most inspirational player by the vote of his peers for four consecutive years.

But can he still play effectively as the Chargers’ No. 1 cornerback? Last year’s heel injury bothered him at start of training camp, and a pinched nerve in his neck might be more than he lets on. Father Time shows no mercy.

Tony Blaylock has a story to tell about how he was mistreated in Cleveland before being cut. If he’s still starting at right corner when Chargers play Browns on Nov. 15, he will be the story of the year.

Donald Frank has shown class and self-control in handling relentless criticism. If only he could be as effective in covering wide receivers.

Chargers liken Stanley Richard to Junior Seau. Let’s see.

Floyd Fields starts at strong safety, and that’s how much of a bust Delton Hall has been so far. Fields might prove to be capable performer, but he didn’t figure into team’s plans at opening of training camp and sank lower on depth chart with emergence of rookie James Fuller, who later went down with knee injury. Hall hits like a linebacker, and unfortunately also plays safety like a linebacker.

Safety Darren Carrington adds zip to special teams, and Sean Vanhorse gets the call in nickel coverage, to delight of receivers across the league.

Telling Statistic: Everybody knows about Byrd’s interceptions, but you win a Charger Backer membership if you can guess who was second to Byrd last season with three interceptions. Wrong. Darren Carrington.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Sam Anno’s job is to snap the ball on punts, field-goal attempts and extra points. The Chargers list him on their roster as a linebacker, but if they are forced to play him there it’s because everyone else missed the bus.

Abdominal muscle pull sabotaged John Kidd’s season last year, and still it wasn’t all that bad.

Time is running out: 10, 9 . . . Chargers trail by two in Kingdome, 8, 7 . . . final game of the season, 6, 5 . . . a victory puts Chargers in playoffs for first time since 1982, 4, 3 . . . the snap is good, the hold excellent, John Carney’s kick is . . . 2, 1 . . . was there ever a doubt?

Telling Statistic: Carney struggled in 1991, but his two-year field-goal accuracy mark with the Chargers is .727; Rolf Bernischke’s career total was .702.

OUTLOOK

The way the Chargers have explained it, they have Bobby Ross, this great coaching staff and the genius of defensive coordinator Bill Arnsparger. Throw in that easy schedule, and there is only one conclusion: 6-10.