Conference 7.286::sports_91

    In retrospect...the biggest item the Chargers need is a innovative,
    multi-facetted offensive scheme.  Where's Don Coryell?  Help??!!##&&**
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

Glenn what happened to Courtney Hall as a nexted generation "Mike Webster"
type Center. I don't think he played center all year ?

Jeff 

    Jeff he didn't play center.  Frank Cornish, rookie from UCLA, came in
    and could ONLY play center.  Courtney on the other hand could play
    either center or guard, so he moved over to left guard and Cornish is
    the center.  Those two along with Dave Richards, the right guard, are
    very good and solid, but the two tackles, specifically Broderick
    Thompson, are less than spectacular.  But Courtney, Cornish and
    Richards are a good strong nucleus, IMHO.
    
    Jeff, what'dya think about Zorich at nose for the Chargers?
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn  

Zorich will be wearing Bronco Orange long before the 10th pick in the draft. 

    Zorich has a great work ethic is one heck of a player, but his size has
    to be a question.  There's another very good nose tackle coming out,
    Moe Gardner of Illinois.  
    
    Joe

    Yea Joe.  I watched Moe when Colorado played Illinois.  He looked real
    good also.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    
    If anything, Gardner is smaller than Zorich.  I believe he's projected
    at linebacker, and may be a step slow for that position.  I've heard
    him referred to as a "tweener", and he may not even go in the first
    round.
    
    glenn
    

    Zorich reminds me of Mike Ruth of Boston College a few years back.
    Short, stocky and short arms. Maybe he should change over to the
    offensive line and play center.

Chuck   

    I think the Chargers should go after another WR so Anthoney Miller
    doesn't get double covered all of the time. I also feel that Rod
    Bernstien should be moved back to TE. Is there a team in the league
    that can stop an opponents TE??????? Zorich would be a nice addition
    however I think they need to help Tolliver out on offense as much as
    possible. I also agree with getting more OL,you never have too many OL,
    and keep Junior Seau at OLB.
    
                        Kenn
    
     just an oppinion from a Raider fan

    Someone contact SD and see what theyll give to NE for Irving Fryar,
    hed make a good addition to SD, maybe an OLman and a draft pick, 1st
    round I think would be a genorous trade....
    								MAB

    Bernstein for Fryar???

    All of the newspaper guys and radio talk show hosts are saying the 
    Chargers need a defensive lineman (nose tackle) and DBs.  I think 
    they should quit screwing around and get Joe Phillips signed cuz he's
    better than anybody coming out.  Beathard will find a way to find good
    DBs in the lower rounds - he always does.  What they really need with
    the first pick is a big, fast, competent wide receiver to take the 
    pressure off Miller.  Miller with occassional single coverage would be
    unstoppable.
    
    Re: .0, Vincie Glenn has been told to hit the road, so he won't be
    back.  Shelton has already been penciled in as free safety. Believe it
    or not, Sam Seale is the fastest guy on the defense, so he's better 
    than you think, although he should be a nickle guy.  Don Frank will 
    start in his spot next year.
    Seau will be good wherever he plays, but I agree his future is on the
    outside.  Chargers should trade B.R. Smith while he still has value.
    
    Finally, here is my assessment of the Chargers most critical needs.
    
    1) A Competent Head Coach.  They will never make playoffs with Henning.
    2) A Quarterback.  Can you say Steve Young or Mark Rypien?
    3) Another wide receiver.
    4) A safety who kicks butt.
    
    Doug

    That's pretty interesting Doug.  What do the papers say about the
    offensive line?  Do they agree with me that the O-line has come a
    long, long way?  
    
    
    Live from Charger Central......Glenn

    The consensus is that the O-Line has improved a lot, thanks mainly to
    Alex Gibbs, the offensive line coach.  He's a great coach who is the
    guy responsible for revamping the Raiders line as well (where he was 
    coaching until last year).
    
    The other thing that really helped was the ability of Courtney Hall
    to easily switch to left guard.  Frank Cornish (6th round) now plays
    center and was another typical Beathard draft day steal.
    
    Most observers still think they need a big time left tackle, in fact
    there is still some second guessing over the Chargers passing up
    Richmond Webb to go after Seau.  I think they made the right move
    though.
    
    BTW, I'm really glad to finally find some Charger fans to converse
    with.  It's lonely out here!
    
    Doug

    
    > BTW, I'm really glad to finally find some Charger fans to converse
    > with.  It's lonely out here!
    
    Correction Doug.  It should read "Charger fan".  I think I'm the only
    other one.
    
    FYI...Frank Cornish is going to have his own football card.  In the
    final update series from either Topps or ProSet, they've added a
    Cornish card.  The only reason I know is because I collect only Charger
    cards.
    
    Live from Charger Central......Glenn

    Well, Glenn, as long as I know you're out there, I'll pass on any
    information I come across.  The Charger flagship station, XTRA (out of
    Tijuana) has sports talk and news shows all day and night long so I'll
    have plenty of it.
    
    A lot of fans are calling in wanting the Chargers to deal Billy Ray. 
    I'd like to see the Chargers package him, Bernstein, and their first
    and second round picks for New England's in the first round - then take
    the Rocket.  What do you think about that?  Then the Chargers would
    fill a major hole with a game breaker and still have a second round
    pick (from T.B. for Anderson last year).  The price may be steep but
    that's what it will take to get a guy like that.
    
    Oh well, Henning would only screw that up too.
    
    Doug
    

    Mel Kiper said that the Chargers would pick up Barrett (I think that's
    his name) WR from UTEP.  
    
    If the Chargers move Seau to the outside then they'll need BRSmith on
    the inside with Plummer.  Or do people just want to get rid of Smith
    and use Figaro on the inside?
    
    Also, I'm not sure about your request for a QB.  I know that Beatherd
    is hot on Friesz and Henning likes BJTolliver.  Vlasic is a solid
    backup.  I'm not sure.
    
    You want the rocket eh?  It would fill a need for sure.  Is the rocket
    a head case?  If he's down to earth I might lean more for that, but if
    he's a space cadet then let him pass.
    
    Live from Charger Central.....Glenn

    I've heard that Reggie Barrett is pretty good.  I guess that wouldn't
    be a bad pick.
    
    Re: the BR Smith issue, your .17 mention of Figaro reminds me of what
    I heard a couple of weeks ago on the radio - the Chargers told Figaro
    he won't be protected under Plan B.  I was surprised about that.  The
    reason people want to move Smith is that Henry Rolling actually played
    better than him this year, and by the end of the season Seau was doing
    a good job inside. Can Rolling play inside?
    
    As far as QB goes, Friesz is way too green (don't put us season ticket
    holders through that again!) and Tolliver has all the necessary
    ingredients to be a great pro QB except the most important one -
    passing accuracy.  He would overthrow Manute Bol.  And Vlasic, my
    prediciton is that the Chargers won't protect him in Plan B and he'll
    end up playing for the Raiders (Remember, he was Ortmayer's pick).
    
    Why do I want the Rocket?  I can't speak for whether he's a head case,
    but I drool over the prospect of having the two fastest guys in the NFL
    (apologies to Darrell Green) playing WR at the same time.
    
    FLASH:  News from last nights talk show - The Chargers told OT Joel
    Patten and H-Back Joe Caravello that they will not be protected under
    Plan B (yawn).  Also, yesterday Spanos fired VP of Operations Jack
    Tiele who had held that position since 1968.  Spanos - talk about head
    cases!
    
    More later.......Doug

    Latest rumor heard last night on Sportsnight - Dallas wants to trade
    one of its #1s for Joe Phillips.  
    
    I'd tell 'em to pound sand if I was Beathard.
    
    That's it from last night.
    
    

    Hi Doug.  I agree with you.  don't let Joe Phillips go.  I'm surprised
    about Caravello though.  He was doing great at HB I thought.  This guy
    can block devastatingly.  
    
    FYI...I watch every Charger game off my satellite dish.
    
    Live from Charger Central......Glenn

 Joe Phillips needs to learn to stay away from Mission Beach restaurants
 with the "other" woman first.
 
 I had read somewhere that the Chargers were not at all happy with his
 "extracurricular" night life before he got his face stomped on and that
 they were furious with him afterwards.
 
 Bob Hunt

    
 > Joe Phillips needs to learn to stay away from Mission Beach restaurants
 > with the "other" woman first.
    
    What's with this?  I thought the initial reports were of an unprovoked,
    random attack?
    
    glenn
    

    He was at the restaurant with a woman who was *not* his wife.   I was
    in San Diego at that time and I seem to recall very few people thought
    it was just a random attack although it did look like it.
    
    I don't know if the whole truth ever came out or will ever come out but
    he was in the wrong spot at the wrong time with the wrong person.
    
    Bob Hunt

    Mission Beach rules!

    Well if you ask me (and you didn't but I know you would have) it's
    about time that the Chargers get some dirt, some character.  For years
    they've been sort of a vanilla, bland team.  I want some dirt.  You
    know, Steve Garvey was just a good ballplayer for years, but then when
    the dirt came out I liked him alot better.  The guy has some character,
    whether good or bad I don't care, I just want somethin' there.
    
    Anyway, some how it's fitting that a tough, nose-tackle grunt should be
    out with some "other" woman.  I like it.  Phillips has risen in my
    estimation!
    
    Live from Charger Central....Glenn

    
    Hasn't been anything this good since Lance Alworth, eh Glen(n)? ;^)
    
    Dickstah
    

    Glen, Garvey played tight end in college. Maybe he could bring the
    dirt.

    Chuck Muncie wasn't bad...

    ...until someone took the handle off the football ;-)

    Or maybe Muncie wasn't sure what white line to follow...
    

    RE: Phillips, we probably never will know the whole story, but the
    "other woman" he was with was Charger teammate Les Miller's girlfriend.
    But supposedly it was a "sanctioned" encounter (Miller had been there
    earlier in the evening).  Yeah, right.
    
    The problem that the team is furious about is that for months they had
    tried to get Phillips to seek help for his "drinking problem", which he
    refused to do until this incident.  He was **itfaced when he got beat
    up and probably never felt a thing.  Then he tried to hold the team up
    for his entire yearly salary, but they only paid half.  So they're mad
    at him.
    
    I say so what, good nose tackles are hard to find.  Do you think the
    Raiders would care about all these antics?
    
    Doug
        

    
    What about Muncie's contention that Dan Fouts was shot by a jealous
    boyfriend (husband?) when he caught her in bed with Fouts, forcing 
    him out of several games after he had suffered no apparent injury in 
    the previous week's game?  If that's not enough dirt to fuel NFL 
    conspiracy theorists (do we have any left in ::SPORTS?) for years, I 
    don't what is...
    
    glenn
    
               

    Yea, you guys are right.  Muncie, Fouts, there are some good stories
    there.  I have to feel that somehow it's fitting that a
    down-in-the-dirt nose tackle has a drinking problem.  It fits the
    position and they ought to pay him extra for it.  You're right about
    the Raiders.  They wouldn't care at all.  In fact, it would inhance
    their image of hard-nosed castaways.  Chargers need more of that.  The
    trick is to enjoy their quirks and use them to the teams advantage and
    not make such a big deal over it that it tears the team apart.  
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    
    > Hasn't been anything this good since Lance Alworth, eh Glen(n)? ;^)
    >
    > Dickstah
    
    Hey I think you mean the Lance Rentzel flashing don't you.  He was a 
    LA Ram, not a Charger.  I'm not aware of any good dirt on "Bambi".
    
    Live from Charger Central.....the original Glenn

    Hawk, I never said Alworth wasn't a Charger.  Of course he was a
    Charger, and then a Cowboy for his last season.  But we were talkin'
    bout dirt and I'm not aware of any dirt on Alworth.  I am aware of dirt
    on Lance Rentzel, however, but he wasn't a Charger.
    
    Live from Charger Central...the original Glenn

    I don't recall any dirt on Bambi, either.
    
    Lee

    	Lance Rentzell also played for the Cowboys, was married to Joey
    Heatherton, liked to dress up in raincoats and stroke his woody
    in front of little girls... 

    The confusion between the two Lances occurs very often and I wonder how
    Lance Alworth must feel to have his reputation sullied so often.
    
    John

I've always said that if *I* had been married to Joey Heatherton, the
last thing in the world I'd have been doing was showing my johnson
to little girls.

I'd have had a big girl at home to show it to....

'Saw

    'Saw,
        Maybe he showed it to little girls because it looked big
    to them and whenever he'd show it to Joey all she'd ever do
    was laugh. :^>
    
    Bull~
                  

    
    You're right, Glennnn, it was Rentzel.  Lance not only liked to display
    his prowess on the football field, but he also liked to display the
    prowess of his lance off the field.
    
    Dickstah
    

    Who is Joey Heatherton and what is he doing marrying football players?
    
    Mike (who was in the 3rd grade in '72)

    Lance Rentzel played most of his years for the Cowboys.  He may have
    been with the Rams for a while, but I don't remember it.
    
    Lance Alworth was with the Chargers, and there was plenty of dirt on
    him when he played on muddy days (bah dum dum).  The other thing about
    him was that he did Brylcream commercials.
    
    =Bob= 

    Wasn't Joey Heatherton in some of the Happy Hooker movies?

    She was in "Bluebeard" with the titles showing.
    
    
    JaKe
    

Mike

>>    Who is Joey Heatherton and what is he doing marrying football players?
  
*She* was the most gorgeous little blonde lady you ever 'saw.

Maybe another old fart can help our here, because she was one of the 
"something-something" dancers who were part of a famous TV show, but that's
all I can recall.

rick

    I can't believe you guys are challenging my assertion that Rentzell
    also played with the Rams.  If memory serves, the Cowboys traded him to
    the Rams.   :-)
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    	I think you're right Glenn.  If memory serves me correct quite
    a few of the Rams back then moonlighted as June Taylor Dancers so
    Lance would've felt right at home.
    
    				/Don

    Chargers left unprotedted are:
    
    David Brandon, olb
    Richard Brown, ilb
    Joe Caravello, hb 	<----surprise to me.
    Quinn Early, wr (please someone take this guy!)
    Cedric Figaro, ilb
    Vencie Glenn, fs
    Ron Heard, wr
    Sam Lilly, cb
    Lester Lyles, ss
    Craig McEwen, hb 	<----surprise here too!  Probably a mistake!
    Joe Mickels, rb
    Les Miller, nt	<----dangerous move.  Played nt all year with
    			     Phillips out after being beaten.
    Darrin Nelson, rb
    Terry Orr, rb
    Joel Patten, ot
    Mark Rodenhauser, c
    Gerald Robinson, de	<----surprise here too.
    Mike Simmonds, g
    Tim Spencer, rb
    Kitrick Taylor, wr  <----sort of surprise.  Good return man
    Mark Vlasic, qb
    Wayne Walker, wr
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    
    
    Vencie Glenn - Boston area rumor mill says Pats might try to reacquire
    the free safety they gave up on once before.....
    

    
    re:  Joey Heatherton
    
    She was one of The Goldiggers, dancers on the old Dean Martin Show,
    who left Lance Rentzel when he exposed himself to a child .......
    
    She also did a Simmons Beautyrest mattress commercial ...........
    
    - The Doctor (who has a Lance Alworth and a Lance Rentzel football card)

    RE: Charger Plan B
    
    Les Miller got pushed around a lot after Phillips went down - they can
    replace him.
    
    I heard Beathard say they put McEwen on Plan B because there are only
    two teams that run an offense where he can help, the Chargers and the
    Redskins.  My feeling is that if S.D. has to depend on him on offense
    then they aren't going anywhere anyway.
    
    Hope they can resign Kitrick Taylor - he is quick and a good return
    guy.
    
    I'm still surprised about the move to put Figaro on the street.
    
    
    Doug

    I understand the Steelers signed Charger Plan B WR Ron Heard yesterday.
    Dallas is talking to Mark Vlasic about backing up Aikman.
    
    Chargers are interested in:
              CB Dimry of Atlanta (YIKES!!, say it ain't so Bobby!)
              QB Hugh Millen of Atlanta.
    	      DB Dave Waymer of S.F.
    
    That's all for now.
    
    Doug

    thanks for the update Doug!
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    I understand the Chargers have offered Redskin unprotected OG Mark May
    a three year contract.  Don't know the terms.
    
    Doug

    Oh, that's great!  I was hoping they'd do that.  But who does that
    bump?  I thought Hall & Richards were strong, it's tackle where we need
    the help.
    
    Glenn

    My initial reaction was the same as yours, Glenn.  Unfortunately, good
    offensive tackles just aren't sitting around waiting to get picked up. 
    My guess is that they'll move Richards back to right tackle where he
    played two years ago (that is if May signs) and bump Thompson into a
    backup role, or maybe have him compete with Goeas for left tackle.
    
    But I'll bet ya a beer that May has a "gentlemen's agreement" with the
    Skins not to sign anywhere, and they'll take care of him later.  
    
    Something might have happened over the weekend - I'll listen to the
    show tonight to see if there are any new developments.
    
    Doug

    You may be right Doug, but there may be some pluses for him:
    
    1.  SD weather isn't too shabby.
    2.  He'd work for Bobby Bethard again.
    3.  He'd work for Henning again.
    4.  As a plan B guy, there'd most probably be extra $$ in it for him.
    
    Maybe that's enough to sway him.  I hope so.  
    
    Who's the other guy who plays left tackle.  Goeas & who?
    
    Glenn
    
    Glenn

    The other guys who played left tackle last year were Joel Patten and
    Floyd (forget his first name).  Neither were protected and I don't
    think that Patten is wanted back 'cause he always gets hurt.  Floyd is
    serviceable but that's about it.  Goeas played good for a rookie, in
    fact he made the all rookie team, but he had injury problems last year
    too.
    
    All I can think about is this: Jim Lachey (all Pro) traded for John
    Clay (retired due to injury) and Napolean McCallum (back with Raiders).
    Thanks Ortmayer, you jerk.  I think Al Davis "planted" him with the
    Chargers with instructions to do as much damage as possible, then when
    he got fired Davis would hire him back with a big bonus.
    
    No new news on the radio last night, they still are just reporting that
    there is a 3 year offer on the table to May.
    
    Doug

    Yea, thanks Doug.  Joel Patten is the one I was thinking about.  He
    looks more like a matador out there than a tackle.
    
    If you go back through the past notes you'll see I was yelling at
    Ortmeyer WAY back.  He really hurt the Chargers.
    
    Glenn

    This evening the Chargers announced the signing of Jets Plan B safety
    George Radachowsky.  5-11, 195, 6 year vet.  That's all I know about
    this guy.  Glenn, do you know anything about him?
    
    Doug

    Radachowsky is a BC graduate.  He was a late round draftee by the Colts
    when he came out of college.  He has spent most of his career with the
    Jets and he's one of these guys who gets moved onto and off the roster
    regularly, depending on what the situation is at DB.
    
    John

    Doug all I know about Rad is that Radachowsky is a BC graduate.  
    He was a late round draftee by the Colts when he came out of 
    college.  He has spent most of his career with the Jets and he's 
    one of these guys who gets moved onto and off the roster regularly, 
    depending on what the situation is at DB.
    
    
    WOW....That's AMAZING...John Hendry said the exact same thing I did!
    What a coincidence!  :-)
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    Well, I guess great minds think alike.  BTW, I was looking at the Jets
    Plan B list and Radachowsky wasn't even on it.  This guy must have been
    a complete free agent.
    
    Which tells me he must not be that good and the Chargers got him for a
    song.
    
    Doug

    On the other hand, maybe Bethard knows something we don't.
    
    Live from Charger Central.....Glenn

    The Chargers just announced the signing of their first REAL Plan B guy,
    offensive guard Mark May of the Washington Redskins.  Vitals - 6'6",
    290, 31 years old, 10 year vet.  Primary position is right guard, but
    can play right or left tackle as well.  Three year contract, no terms
    given.
    
    This fixes one hole.  Now they need another wide receiver, a couple of
    DBs, a QB, and most desperately a HEAD COACH (oh, is THAT all?) and
    they'll be set!
    
    This makes my weekend.  At least they're trying!
    
    Doug

    Yep Doug!  That's good news.  Any word on what the o-line will look
    like?
    
    X             X                 X                X              X
    Geoas	Hall             Cornish            May           Richards  
    Floyd
    
    How's this?
    
    From UPI -- Mark May, an original "hog" offensive lineman who started
    nine years with the Washington Redskins, signed with the San Diego
    Chargers because "I just got the feeling I was wanted there."
    	May, 31, won the Outland Trophy as a senior at Pittsburgh and was
    chosen in the first round of the 1981 draft.  He was selected by Bobby
    Beathard, the Redskins' general manager from 1978-88 who now fills the
    same post with San Diego.
    	"He's been around a successful team and he has been one of the
    leaders on that team" Beathard said.  "He's tough and competitive. 
    He's the type of guy you win with."
    	May, the first Plan B free agent signed this year by the Chargers,
    was on Washington's physically unable to perform list all last season
    after he injured his knee against Dallas in Week 9 of the 1989 season. 
    	Reconstructive surgery followed.  The 6'6", 290 pound May returned
    to practice midway through the season and said he had no problems
    physically.  However, the Redskins placed May on the Plan B list and
    encouraged him to find a new team.
    	"We got a good report from Dr. Gary Losse on his knee, so that's
    not a big concern," said Beathard. "Gary says he was really impressed
    with the way he looked."
    	Terms of the deal signed Friday were not announced, but May
    reportedly was scheduled to eard $535,000 in 1991 and $588,500 in
    1992.
    	A 1988 Pro Bowl choice, May narrowed his list to the Chargers,
    Raiders, 49ers and Cardinals, whose coach, Joe Bugel, was May's
    offensive line coach in Washington.
    	"I went to San Diego and had a long talk with Bobby," May said.  "I
    just got the feeling that I was wanted there.  There was a feeling of
    sincerity from everybody.
    	"I told my wife before I left that I was going to end up in San
    Diego.  I know the system there.  It's very comparable to our system."
    	Charger Coach Dan Henning said May would compete for a spot on the
    right side of the line.
    	May gained fame as a "hog," playing on an offensive line that opened
    holes for star running back John Riggins and helped the Redskins to
    three Super Bowl appearances in six years during the 1980's.
    	"He's got a great desire to continue his career," said Henning, an
    assistant coach with the Redskins from 1987-88.  "He's got fierce
    determination.  He has that type of attitude that brought Washington to
    where it was the last 10 years."
    
    Live from Charger Central........Glenn

    I can't get the San Diego papers where I live (Orange County) so I have
    to rely on the radio and news services for my info.  So I'm not sure
    what they're planning for the OL, Glenn.  But what you outlined looks
    good to me.
    
    I did just hear that the Chargers are working out Miami Plan B LB Rick
    Graf.
    
    I also heard that New Orleans supposedly signed Les Miller.  Miller
    probably wanted out - I'll bet Phillips had been messing with his
    girlfriend.
    
    I'll send along updates as I hear 'em.
    
    Doug

    The Chargers yesterday signed a nose tackle named Mitchell Benson, who
    last played for Indianapolis last year.  He's something like 6-3, 302
    lbs. 3rd year out of TCU.  That's all I know about this guy.
    
    Rumor has it the team will announce another Plan B signing today.  I
    think it's a running back.
    
    Doug
    

    
    Doug, this is what I have on Benson from the Scout's Notebook 1989 put
    out by Joel Buchsbaum and PFW:
    
    MITCHELL BENSON
    (6-3 1/4, 300 plus, 5.2) Texas Christian
    
    Notes:  Started for the better part of four seasons.
    
    Postives:  Massive man with excellent natural strength.  Power rusher
    who can dominate the blocker.  Has initial quickness and a surge on his
    power rush.  Good athlete.
    
    Negatives:  Overweight underachiever who lacks consistent intensity,
    endurance and sustained speed.  Need to improve his work habits.  
    Lacks good upfield acceleration at 300-plus pounds.
    
    Summary:  Could be a fine player if he lost weight and improved his
    endurance and intensity.  Has the talent to play, but must show he will
    pay the price.
    
    
    (He was the #2 rated NT that year with a grade of 6.0)
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    Word has it that the Chargers have offered Ram Plan B defensive back
    Bobby Humphrey a contract.  
    
    Supposedly they will do the same with Atlanta RB John Settle later this
    week.
    
    Doug

    Word has it that Gill Byrd will change to free safety next year!
    
    Here's good news....Chargers O-line finished 2nd in league in sacks
    given up (20).  Only Miami had less (16).
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    
    >    Word has it that Gill Byrd will change to free safety next year!
    
    Can we have one chorus of "Free Byrd" around about now?
    
    Dickstah
    

�    Can we have one chorus of "Free Byrd" around about now?
    

If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me.
Cause I must be travellin' on now, there's too many places I've got to see.
And if I stay here with you, now, things just couldnt' be the same.
Cause I'm as free as a bird now, and this bird you'll never chain.....


(We aims to please)
'Saw    

    OK, OK, now back to serious Charger business.........
    
    It makes sense to move Byrd because Donald Frank is coming on well and
    they did blow away some safeties (i.e. Glenn).
    
    I heard the Chargers signed another Plan B guy, a wideout who played
    for the Rams - I didn't recognize the name and can't remember it now.
    
    Is anybody else noticing that the press coverage of Plan B signings or
    possible signings has left a little to be desired?
    
    Doug

    There has been virtually no press on Plan B signings as yet in the
    local Colorado Springs Gazette.  Maybe interest is dwindling, or
    everyone is paying attention to the upcoming draft.
    
    My draft notebook is forthcoming.  Should have it any week now.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

                         CHARGERS IN 1991
    
                 AWAY                      HOME
    
    		San Francisco		New Orleans
    		L.A. Rams		Atlanta	
    		N.Y. Jets		Miami *
    		Pittsburgh		Cleveland *
    					Houston *
    		Denver			Denver
    		L.A. Raiders		L.A. Raiders
    		Seattle			Seattle
    		Kansas City		Kansas City
    
    * One of these games has to be a preseason game; the season ticket
    brochure didn't say which one.
    
    BTW, Kansas City signed Mark Vlasic -- that's a real bummerrrrr. 
    I'm sure Al Saunders (KC receivers and QB coach) had a lot to do 
    with that.
    
    Doug
    	 

    FYI on Chargers from Charger Powerline magazine:
    
    Last year Bethard did:
    	Plan B:  acquired Ronnie Harmon, John Kidd, John Carney & Mark
    		 Rodenhauser.
    	Drafted: Junior Seau, Leo Goeas, Nate Lewis, Frank Cornish, Derrick
                 Walker, Walter Wilson & John Friesz (all started during 
    		 the season)
    
    Charger Offense improved:  Chargers lead AFC w/141 yds rushing per
    game.  Marion Butts carried 265 times with NO FUMBLES!  He has fumbled
    twice in 435 career rushes.
    
    1990 Honors:
    
    Marion Butts	Chargers MVP, AFC Pro Bowl starter, AFC Offensive
    Player of week vs. NYJ, AP 2nd Team All-Pro, UPI ALL-AFC 1st Team,
    Football Digest All-NFL Team, Football News AFC All-Pro
    
    Gill Byrd		Chargers Most Inspirational Player, AFC Defensive
    Player of week vs TB, Football Digest All-NFL Team, Football News AFC
    All-Pro Team
    
    John Carney		Chargers Special Teams Player of the Year (19 for 21)
    
    Frank Cornish	Pro Football Newsweekly's all-Rookie Team, Football
    Digest's Rookie-All Team, Football News NFL all-Rookie Team
    
    Leo Goeas		UPI all-Rookie Team, Pro Football Weekly all-Rookie
    Team, Pro Football Newsweekly's all-Rookie Team, Football Digest
    Rookie-All Team, The National All-Rookie Team, ProFootball Writers Assn
    All-Pro Rookie Team, 
    
    Note that Leo Goeas missed the first four games of the season with a
    training camp foot injury but returned to start nine games at left
    tackle.
    
    Junior Seau		UPI all-Rookie Team, Pro Football Weekly all-Rookie
    Team, Pro Football Newsweekly's all-Rookie Team, Football News NFL
    all-Rookie Team
    
    Anthony Miller	AFC Pro-Bowl starter, UPI all-AFC 2nd Team
    
    Leslie O'Neal	AFC Pro-Bowl starter, UPI all-AFC 2nd Team
    
    Lee Williams	Chargers' Lineman of the Year
    
    Did You Know....
    
    ...San Diego's offense ranked first in AFC and 3rd in NFL with 141.1
    rushing yards a game.
    
    ...1st in NFL (tied w/Philadelphia) with 4.7 yards average per rush.
    
    ...1st in NFL w/special teams.  1st on kickoff returns, 1st on punt
    coverage, 4th on kick coverage and 8th on punt returns
    
    ...2nd in NFL in sacks allowed with just 20 (Miami had 16).
    
    ...5th D in NFL
    
    ...Chargers lead AFC with 234 sacks over past 5 years
    
    ...Gill Byrd has intercepted more passes in the last 3 seasons than any
    other cornerback in NFL
    
    ...placekicker John Carney set record for highest single-season fg %
    with .905 hitting 19 or 21.
    
    ...SD starting O was second youngest in NFL averaging just 2.4 years
    experience and 24.6 years of age.
    
    ...18 of Chargers last 32 games have been decided by 7 pts or less
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    Doug it's official that the Chargers have signed Ram cornerback Bobby
    Humphrey.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    Glenn, re .84 yeah I heard Monday morning that they signed him but
    Monday was so hectic I didn't have a chance to put in in here.  Thanks.
    
    Regarding your posting of Powerline comments, I was going to get on the
    soapbox the other day when I noticed you were getting info from it, but
    it was late and I didn't have the energy.  Now I do so its time to
    whine.
    
    First of all, you have to be careful when reading that Charger Rag. 
    That thing would have you believing this is a Superbowl team.  Guess
    what, SD is a 6-10 team 3 years in a row.  I've had it up to here with
    their rhetoric.  In the season ticket bill Alex Spanos included a
    "personal letter" to all his "loyal" ticket holders, saying how glad we
    should be that he didn't raise ticket prices for the 3rd year in a row.
    Gee thanks, Alex; why don't you give us a real coach with a real team
    to watch and maybe we won't care if you raise prices!
    
    With all those high achievements mentioned in the Rag, why is the team
    still 6-10?  I'll tell you why: the Head Coach sucks!  He's got some of
    the best talent in the league on defense, decent offensive talent
    (albeit young) and a great GM!  And he finishes 6-10!  Beathard's
    credibility is on the line with me because he convinced Spanos not to
    fire Henning, which ironically was the first correct intuition that
    Spanos had since he bought the team.  BTW, Henning's 6-10 record was
    also against a 5th place schedule.  He's bad, real bad.
    
    Prediction: They'll do mediocre again and fire Henning at the end of
    the 91 season.  I hope I'm wrong, and will gladly eat the crow if I am.
    
    In other news, I heard that New Orleans signed Quinn Early.  Nice guy,
    lousy wide receiver - good riddens.
    
    Ahh, I feel much better now.
    
    Doug
                                                                         

    Hi Doug.  You're right about Henning.  If you read past Charger notes
    you'll find that I'm not a fan of Hennings either, so you don't have to
    convince me.  
    
    Glenn

    The Chargers signed Plan B  linebacker Galand Thaxton of Atlanta.
    
    Got a hold of a SD newspaper today - in an interview Beathard said he
    was trying to sign either QB Hugh Millen of Atlanta or QB Bob Gagliano
    of Detroit.  The Detroit Free Press says the Chargers have already
    offered Gagliano a contract, but Beathard would not comment on that.
    
    He went on to say that the team is also trying to sign Giants WR Troy
    Kyles and Lions DB Darren Carrington.  He expects to sign a total of 3
    or 4 more players by the end of the signing period.
    
    On the flip side, this year the Chargers have been hit hard by Plan B
    signings off their own roster.  WR Wayne Walker has been signed by the
    Vikes, LB Cedric Figaro by the Colts, LB Richard Brown (awesome on
    special teams) by the Browns, and word has it that H-back Joe Caravello
    is on the verge of signing with the Chiefs.  OT Joel Patten is weighing
    several offers, so he is as good as gone too.  Some team also signed LB
    David Brandon.   That's a lot of guys we lost.  I'm especially bummed
    about Wayne Walker.  If he is healthy after knee surgery he would've
    definitely contributed this year.
    
    Don't forget, the Chargers already lost Vlasic, Early, Miller, Heard, 
    etc.
    
    I hope they sign a QB.  I'm not sold on the guys we have.
    
    
    Doug

    Yesterday the Chargers announced the signing of QB Bob Gagliano and DB
    Darren Carrington of Detroit, as well as OT Harry Swayne of Tampa Bay
    and WR Troy Kyles of the Giants.  They also lost another one, DE Gerald
    Robinson to the Rams.
    
    I think they should give the ball right now to Gagliano.
    
    
    Doug
    

    The Chargers lost the most players in the entire league to Plan B 
    signings (11), further illustrating what I've been saying - their
    roster annually contains outstanding talent top to bottom.  So why all
    the 6-10 finishes?
    
    Here's what SPORT magazine says of the Chargers in its Draft issue:
    "With such young talent as Anthony Miller and Billy Joe Tolliver, this
    team should be winning more games.  GM Bobby Beathard has been loyal to
    former Redskins assistant Dan Henning, but Henning could screw up a one
    car funeral.  The H-back offense has gone the way of the hula hoop, but
    Henning won't budge.  The Chargers need a running back (huh?), another
    receiver, and linebacker help.  Beathard will find the talent; the
    question is, with Henning as the head coach, does talent really
    matter?"
    
    I will continue my Henning bashing, no matter what the audience, until
    team management comes to its senses.
    
    Doug              

    According to my 1991 Draft Preview, from Pro Football Weekly the
    Chargers will draft OT Charles McRae in 1st round, DB Henry Jones in
    2nd round and QB Browning Nagle from Louisville with other 2nd round
    pick.  
    
    We'll see.
    
    Glenn

      What about Bobby Hebert for a QB?  It seems he would fit the style of
    the Chargers Offense.  I haven't heard of him signing with anyone yet.
    
      As to Vlasic,  I don't think he is a big loss..
    
    
    	Tim

Vlasic never had much of a chance, and I thought he was better than Tolliver.
But he wasn't Henning's or Beathard's guy, so audios.

From everything I've heard, New Orleans finally figured out they really blew
it last year with Hebert.  They now know that he's better than anything else
they've got and have every intention of signing and keeping him.  He's good, 
but he's not worth tearing your franchise apart to get, which is what the 
Saints would want.

Olerud's draft guide has the Chargers taking QB Brett Favre in the first round,
WR Willie Jake Reed of Grambling with one 2nd and some DB with the other 2nd
rounder.

I love that Nagle guy.  I like what PFW predicts.  I saw him in the Fiesta 
Bowl going crazy.  He could turn out to be a good pro.

BTW, last year I went down to Jack Murphy for the draft - the Chargers did it
up first class.  I was going to do the same thing this year but the baseball
Padres have a game that day and won't let the Chargers use the restaurant.
So I guess I'll end up in front of the TV at home.


Doug

    I don't agree guys.  I think the qb is solid because I believe Tolliver
    is very good.  Yes he had accuracy problems last year, but he's tough
    as nails and had no accuracy problems in college, so I think it's just
    a problem in his rookie year.
    
    I believe the Chargers need WR and DB help mainly.  
    
    

No accuracy problems in college?  I think he had a career 51% completion 
rate at Texas Tech.  I sit and the stands and watch him, not just on TV where 
it is hard to tell - and he overthrows guys who are wide open.  He's great
at the deep ball, but with Henning's offense they throw that pass once in 
a blue moon.  It's the intermediate routes where he's terrible, and those are
the bread and butter patterns in the NFL.  I'm also beginning to think that 
he's too short for a basically immobile guy.

I hope I'm wrong about Billy, I really do.  He's a great guy and people like 
him deserve to succeed.  But I don't know whether he'll ever be very good.

Glenn, I do agree with you on one thing, they need another wideout.  One of 
the reasons there were so few long patterns was that with the injury to Wayne
Walker, Miller was the only guy who could run 'em.  And the other team had 
two or three guys on him.  Billy Joe would be better with more ammunition, but
I still don't think you win championships with a 51% passer, and let's face
it - that's what Billy Joe Tolliver is.  

I'd love a big dish of CROW on this one - just imagine - Billy Joe Tolliver,
all Pro QB!

I got my PFW in the mail yesterday, it's a great draft issue! 


Doug

    You may be right Doug, but I still chalk it up to Rookie-Year
    butterflies.  
    
    WR and DB is what we want!
    
    Glenn

That's what I'm afraid of, he actually looked better his rookie year than
he did last year.

Did you see where Joel Bushbaum thinks Bethard will trade SD's first round
pick?

Doug

After hearing several interviews with Charger brass, I think they will 
draft UCLA DB Eric Turner with their first pick if he is still on the
board.  There are rumors that Tampa also plans to take him with the 7th
pick so he may not be around.  Also, Green Bay needs safeties and the Pack
picks just ahead of SD as well.

If Turner isn't there, I think they will take OT Charles McCrae if he is 
still on the board.  They also really like DB Stanley Richards of Texas but
it may be a reach to take him that high.

The Chargers emphatically deny they have any plans to take a QB with a 
first round pick in spite of what the press experts are saying.  Charger 
personnel people do not think that the QBs in this draft rate a high #1 pick.

I also heard Henning say that he likes Nate Lewis and Walter Wilson better 
than any of the wide receivers in this draft (obviously excepting the Rocket).
Being the idiot that he is, I guess he would say that.  Or he could be 
putting up the smoke screen.  I mean let's face it - Lewis is pretty good but
he was a late round draft pick last year and this draft is supposed to be
deep in receivers.  If we can't get one better than Wilson then this team is
in trouble and Beathard isn't as smart as I think he is.


Doug

    Well that sounds good to me.  I'd enthusiastically support the 1st
    round pick of Eric Turner and then linemen.  Sounds great!
    
    Glenn

Dr. Z of Sports Illustrated has the Chargers selecting CB Bruce Pickens of
Nebraska.  I'd go for that one too!  I just thought he would be gone by the
9th pick.

I heard an interview with the Charger beat writer on the L.A. Times yesterday
and he thinks Beathard has a surprise up his sleeve for Sunday's first round.
Either a surprise pick or some wild trade.

Could be interesting.


Doug

    I heard today that the Chargers may give #1 to SF for Steve Young.  I'm
    not sure how I feel about that however.  I don't think I like it.
    
    Glenn

Glenn, I hope you're still there to answer this quickly.  Where did you hear
that? (Re: .100)  I like it better than you because of our respective feelings
about Tolliver, but I'm still surprised at that.  I didn't think the Chargers
cared for Young that much.  If your rumor is true I would say it's because 
Beathard has complete confidence he can get all he needs from this draft later
on.

BTW, quoting from today's NATIONAL, "One NFC East club and one AFC West club
confidentially have determined that the draft is better than others 'from the
third round on'."  I'll bet that was George Young of the Giants and Beathard 
of the Chargers cause they're buddies and renowned draft day experts.

I'm ready for this to happen.

Doug

Doug -  That rumor re: Steve Young came from Fred Eddlestein.
    
	SAN DIEGO (UPI) -- The sheriff that San Diego Chargers expect to
patrol the secondary in the 1990s rode into town through the dust that
clouded the first round of Sunday's draft.
	The Chargers selected safety Stanley Richard of Texas with the ninth
overall pick in the draft after Raghib Ismael's decision to play in
Canada threw a wrench into weeks of pre-draft prognosticating.
	``Outside of the Rocket, we thought Stanley was one of the top two
players in the draft,'' said Chargers General Manager Bobby Beathard,
whose second choice for the first round was tackle Antone Davis, taken
by the Eagles before the Chargers turn.
	``He is just what you look for in a free safety,'' Beathard said.
	The Chargers will look to Richard to lead the next generation of
defensive backs on a team that has only fielded a good secondary for a
few years after some disastrous times in the early-and-mid 1980s.
	Although he split time at cornerback and safety at Texas, Richard
will likely step into the safety position vacated by Vencie Glenn, who
signed with the Los Angeles Raiders as a Plan B free agent.
	At Texas, Richard, nicknamed ``The Sheriff,'' became a leader of the
Longhorns secondary both in the lockeroom and on the field.
	He made 111 tackles and intercepted four passes.
	Recently timed at 4.48 in the 40, Richard is expected to help stop
the run on the line of scrimmage - San Diego's defense is weak in the
middle - as well as provide deep coverage.
	``He makes a lot of tackles and he makes a lot of interceptions,''
Beathard said. ``Plus, he can get your guys set on the field and when
you play the run-and-shoot offenses, he can line up on a wide receivers.
''
	If Richard begins his career at safety, veteran Gill Byrd will
probably remain at cornerback and be teamed with Martin Bayless, a
veteran who is a fair deep coverage man but more valuable at stopping
the run.


    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    Doug - why didn't the Chargers draft Reggie Barrett in the 2nd?  Any
    word from anywhere?  I suppose that they feel pretty good about the
    other two from last year.  They drafted a wr in the 4th that seems ok,
    but...
    
    Glenn

I don't know the specific answer to your question, other than to say that I
heard Henning say that they think the guys they have are better than what was
available in the early rounds (except Rocket).  I have a hard time believing 
that.  One thing I know for sure, Henning or Beathard (or both) feel that the
only wide receivers worth drafting in the first or 2nd rounds are the super
fast guys, and possession receivers are a dime a dozen.  The only two guys 
with that kind of speed were Ismael and Hill and I don't think they liked Hill.

What did you think of their draft?  I'm having a hard time getting excited 
about what S.D. did.  I know Bobby is a genious and all but I'm a little down
about losing next year's #1 for a lineman that isn't universally hailed as 
being great. If it makes us feel any better, I heard that the Chargers had 
Moten graded as one of the top 15 players.  If that's the case, why not take
him instead of Thornton or Bieniemy with one of those picks?

To make matters worse, a different writer in the NATIONAL gave the Chargers a
grade of C- because he says Stanley Richard can hit but can't cover, and they
blew next year's #1 on a marginal guy. 

Some of the later picks look intriguing.  They traded to get another 5th round
selection and with it took DB Floyd Fields from Arizona State.  I checked him
out and the scouts seem to think he can be pretty dominating.  Chargers may
have stole one there.  I hope so.  I also like their 10th rounder, C Mike
Heldt from Notre Dame, but I don't know where he'd play with Cornish and Hall
already on the roster.

The other guys, who knows?  How about Joaquim Weinberg from J.C. Smith College?
Bet you don't have any info on him!  Maybe he's another John Jefferson.


Doug

Thought I'd summarize an interview I heard last night with Bobby where he was
asked about the whats and whys of each Charger draft pick.

On Stanley Richard - In the days approaching the draft, the team felt that 
Richard would easily be available with the 9th pick.  The Chargers felt that 
outside of Ismael the two highest rated guys were Antone Davis and Richard.  On
draft day the they were really scared that both would be gone by the 9th pick.
Beathard said of Richard, "He fits what we need perfectly."

On George Thornton - Per Bobby, there only 3 quality big run stuffing type of
defensive linemen (Ted Washington, Pritchett, and Thornton) and of the 3 S.D. 
had Thornton rated the highest.  They particularly liked the Alabama-Tennessee
game where Thornton supposedly kicked both McCrae's and Davis' butts all over
the field.  "We know he has occasional weight problems but it will be up to us
to fix that."

On Bieniemy - Had no plans to draft him but when he was still available they
couldn't pass him - he's just too good.  "He gives us a different style of 
running that we don't otherwise have on the team."

On Moten - (Bethard was asked point blank why he paid such a huge price)  "We
had him rated as the 15th best player in the entire draft.  I will always 
be willing to spend next year's #1 if I can improve the team today."

(I still have a problem - if the above is true, why didn't they use the pick
spent on Bieniemy or Thornton for Moten?  Basically I do not believe this 
story - I think there was an internal fight going on, and I would bet money
that Bieniemy was Henning's pick.  Remember Dana Brinson?  Henning thought 
that he walked on water - he loves that kind of player - DP)

On Thigpen and (the other receiver) - "They're both big fast guys who have 
good hands and run good routes; Thigpen is a little quicker out of his breaks."

On Roland Poles - The team took a flyer on this guy - good lead blocking 
fullback type that they plan to try at H-back.  "A lot like Joe Caravello."

On Floyd Fields - (1st of all, he was injured recently which made his stock 
drop considerably and I didn't know that until yesterday-DP).  Beathard says he 
is a big hard hitting type of guy that has good cover skills but nobody knows
it because Arizona State played zone coverage all the time.

I still think that Fields may be the '91 Beathard steal if he gets healthy - DP

On OL Jimmy Laister - Beathard says he was highly recruited out of high school
but didn't keep his grades up at Auburn and transferred to Oregon Tech (Nate 
Lewis' school) and couldn't get back to Auburn.  He was great at Oregon Tech 
but that sure isn't the NFL.

He said a couple of other things that I don't remember about the remaining 
picks.  He also said that you never know about any of your picks until a
year later so he invited the journalist to grade him on this draft at that 
time and judge whether it was a good move to blow next year's #1.


Well, now it's time to sign 'em and get 'em to camp.  Then I'll go watch and 
see who I like.

That's it for now!

Doug

  		         1991 San Diego Charger Schedule
    
    PreSeason:
    
	Sat   Aug 3	    Houston		8pm  Note: all times Mtn Time
	Mon   Aug 12        @ Rams              8pm	
	Mon   Aug 19        @ San Francisco     7pm	
	Fri   Aug 23        Raiders             7pm	
    
    Regular Season:
    
	NBC   Sept 1	    @ Pittsburgh	2pm	
	NBC   Sept 8	    @ San Francisco	2pm	
	CBS   Sept 15 	    Atlanta		2pm	
	NBC   Sept 22 	    @ Denver	        2pm	
	NBC   Sept 29 	    Kansas City  	2pm	
	NBC   Oct 6	    @ Raiders	        2pm	
	NBC   Oct 13	    @ Rams		2pm	
	NBC   Oct 20	    Cleveland	        2pm	
	NBC   Oct 27  	    @ Seattle	        2pm	
	      Nov 3     	          -- open date -
    	NBC   Nov 10	    Seattle		2pm	
	NBC   Nov 17	    New Orleans	        2pm	
	NBC   Nov 24  	    @ NY Jets	        2pm	
	ESPN  Dec 1	    Raiders		6pm	
	NBC   Dec 8	    @ Kansas City	2pm	
	NBC   Dec 15  	    Miami		2pm	
	NBC   Dec 22	    Denver		2pm	
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

	Finally, I have some time to talk about the Charger draft.

	Going into the draft, I felt they had to concern themselves with 
	defensive backs, wide receivers, nose tackle and maybe more offensive 
	linemen.  The Chargers obviously felt that wide receivers was a lower 
	priority than myself, but...

	The Chargers drafted:

	Round 1:  Stanley Richard, S, Texas
	Round 2:  George Thornton, DT, Alabama  
	       :  Eric Bieniemy, RB, Colorado
	       :  Eric Moten, OG, Michigan State
	Round 4:  Yancey Thigpen, WR, Winston-Salem
	Round 5:  Duane Young, TE, Michigan State
	       :  Floyd Fields, DB, Arizona State
	Round 6:  Jim Laister, T, Oregon Tech
	Round 7:  David Jones, WR, Delaware State
	       :  Terry Beauford, OL, Florida A&M
	Round 9:  Andy Katoa, LB, Southern Oregon
	Round 10: Roland Poles, RB, Tennessee
	        : Mike Heldt, C, Notre Dame
	Round 11: Joaquim Weinbereg, WR, Johnson C. Smith
	Round 12: Chris Samuels, RB, Texas
	
	What do I think?  Well, Stanley Richard was a must.  George Thornton 
	will play nose, but if Phillips signed and is in camp (a very rare 
	occurence indeed) then I don't know about this pick, but you can't have 
	enough.  The defense looks pretty damn good at this point.

	Eric Bieniemy?  I dunno know.  Butts, Bernstine & Harmon seem fine, but 
	like you said Doug, he gives a different style of running.  Can he 
	control his fumbling?  I dunno.  He'll get hit a hell of a lot worse in 
	the NFL than at Colorado.  If he pans out, it'll give the Chargers a 
	"thunder and lightning" type of combo running backfield.

	Eric Moten...yea!  I see this pick, but trading next years #1?  I don't 
	think so.  Although I sure hope I'm wrong!  Kiper has him listed as the 
	#1 offensive guard in the draft, rating out at 8.8.  He says "...Eric 
	isn't a dominating performer, but he's solid in all areas - More of a 
	wide body (6'3" 298lbs), taking up a lot of space along the line - 
	However he does have the pulling speed to get outside on the sweep and 
	is adept at delivering a solid jolt to the defender pursuing the play.  
	His top effort of the season came against Purdue when he posted 10 
	knockdown blocks, escorting ...     ... well coach, fundamentally sound 
	football player, capable of coming into the NFL next season as a rookie 
	and competing for a starting job."

	The rest?  We'll have to see.  Mike Heldt sounded real good, Yancey 
	Thigpen sounded good.  Joaquim Weinberg?  I found NOTHING on him from 
	either Kiper of Buchsbaum.

	Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

Glenn,

Couple of reactions to your input in .107;  I'm slipping - I forgot to put it
in here that Joe Phillips was signed on the Friday before the draft.  So we
don't have to worry about that anymore.  It still sounds like the Thornton pick
was OK.

Second, I forgot to mention that Beathard also said that another reason they
picked Moten was this would now allow the team to have Goeas concentrate on 
playing left tackle ONLY - previously the plan had been to have him split his
time between tackle and guard.  Sounds like Cornish is going to the bench and 
Hall may be moving back to center, with Moten taking over left guard.  Thompson
and Goeas will probably compete for left tackle.

Finally, I heard "the idiot" interviewed last night.  Of course you know I'm 
talking about Henning.  It appears that I was dead on the mark about Bieniemy.
It was Henning that insisted they take him, because Henning said that on 
Sunday in the war room he was reminding everyone of the team's original ratings
(at the time their 2nd round picks came up).  Those original ratings had
Bieniemy as the best running back in the draft.

About the wide recievers.  Henning said that all of the WRs available in this
draft were the type that the Chargers do NOT like.  The only one that met the
mold of what SD wants (outside of Rocket) was Randall Hill and he only had a
14 yard per catch average in college.  If you check I think you'll see that
Thigpen had a 21 yard average and Jones was pretty good in that area too.  
Henning said that if there was a fast guy with deep route potential in the 
first two rounds then they would have taken a WR at that time.  He didn't refer
to Barrett by name, but I know he was talking about him when he said that the
team "didn't like the guy still on the board" when the Chargers 2nd round turns
came up.

By the way, the Chargers have signed a ton of free agents since Sunday - the 
best of the bunch seems to be this safety from Florida State - can't remember
his name - starts with a W.  He had a lot of injury problems in college but
supposedly is pretty well rated.  I think they signed 13 or so free agents in
all.


Doug

    OK Doug.  It all sounds pretty interesting to me.  We'll see shortly!
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    > Sounds like Cornish is going to the bench and Hall may be 
    > moving back to center, with Moten taking over left guard.  
    > Thompson and Goeas will probably compete for left tackle.

    Doug - What about the right side of the line?
    
         X		X		X		X	    X
       Goeas	     Moten            Hall         Richards?      May?
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

Hmmm.  When they signed May, I assumed he would move into right guard and 
Richards would move back to his original position of right tackle.

So this is how I see it:


         X             X              X            X               X
       Goeas	     Moten	     Hall	  May	        Richards
      Thompson	      Hall	    Cornish    Rodenhauser*	Thompson
       Floyd					                  Floyd

    * Long Snapper (may be getting his name wrong).

I'm hoping for a surprise or two out of the draft.  Maybe this Mike Heldt is
a good one.  I wouldn't mind seeing someone displace Floyd.  Floyd is a hard
worker, but come on.  Anyway, the model above lists 9 offensive lineman, and
I think that's how many they keep.

By the way, I heard a long interview with Stanley Richard.  He is a really
bright and enthusiastic type of kid, the kind that eventually becomes a team
leader.  I hope he plays as well as he articulates.

Doug

    Hey that's good to know.  With Richard coming in, I suspect that he'll
    be at safety along with Martin Bayless, and Byrd and the 2 Donalds
    (Frank and Elder) covering the other corner.  
    
    While we're at it, I suspect linebackers will look like this:
    
       XX               XX                 XX               XX
      Seau            Rollings          Plummer           O'Neal
                      BR Smith          BR Smith
    
    Agree?? Disagree??  What'dya think?
    
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    Relax fellows, you have Courtney at C ... what else do ya need for a
    OL ?

Glenn, re .112, I really think they're intent on moving Byrd to free safety.
I think they have Richard penciled in at strong safety, with Donald Frank and 
your good buddy Sam Seale at the corners.  They don't like Bayless cause he
can't cover.  I'm not an Elder fan.

As for the LBs, I like your picture and that's the way I'd do it, but they 
don't listen to me.  Seau will make more plays on the outside.  I don't know
if Rolling or Smith are big enough to be effective inside though.

Let's keep the dialogue rolling!

Doug

    If what you say Doug is correct, then we need a CB REAL BADLY.  Frank
    and Seale on corners doesn't exactly make my pickle squirt.  I like
    Bayless because he's tough as nails, but you're right about him not
    being great at covering.  I think I'd rather have 1 great corner and 1
    great safety, than 2 great safeties and no corners.  I dunno...we'll
    see.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

Frank started last year shaky, but by the end of the season I felt he was the
best cover guy on the team, and 2nd best overall DB to Byrd.  I like him a 
lot and he should have no problem stepping right in.  Seale has these real
annoying lapses of concentration (you know, the kind that end up costing TDs) 
but he's real fast and has stretches where he plays pretty well.  You're right
though, they need one more good cornerback.  One thing that has bothered me
about Bayless is that he always starts the season with a bang but then he
disappears by the 10th game.  I think it's because his style of play just 
wears him down.

I saw some brief TV coverage of last weekend's mini-camp.  They interviewed and
showed film of Joe Phillips.  He looked great!!!  He sounded upbeat and said
he has a lot of work to do but was looking forward to the season.  He said his
"hands felt slow", whatever that means.  But it looks like the team thinks he
is back, because they released NT Chris Pike (Plan B guy from Cleveland) over
the weekend.

I'm excited about that news because you could see the difference in the 
defense when Joe Phillips was gone.  He IS the most important player on the
defense in my book.  He pushes the middle of the line straight back on pass
plays, forcing one of the other lineman to help on him, thereby freeing up
Williams, Grossman, or O'Neil for the sack.

We're talkin' 50+ sacks this year!

Doug

It was reported last night that OL Jimmy Laister, whom the Chargers drafted in
the 6th round this year, left camp to go home to Oregon.  He said he was 
quitting football because of an irregular heartbeat that had been bothering 
him since he was 16 years old.

Doug

    Doug do you get the Chargers Powerline magazine?
    
    Glenn

Yeah, I sure do.  Remember in an earlier reply how I flamed out over some of 
the progaganda they throw in Powerline?  Sometimes they put some uselful
information in it, like the plan to move Byrd to safety.

Why do you ask?

*************************************************************************
Media Reports on Mini-Camp.  Summarized by me (my comments in parenthesis)

POSITIVES - 

Tolliver reports 20 pounds lighter this year.

Arthur Cox reports 27 pounds lighter (lost mostly from his head, no doubt).

Joe Phillips appears to be all the way back.

NT Tony Savage reported slim, fit, and playing really well.

Players impressing include:  Eric Moten (they're already raving about him)
			     Kittrick Taylor (I predict he will be our 2nd
						starting WR)
			     David Jones, WR
			     S Darren Carrington - Plan B
			     OT Harry Swayne - Plan B			     
			     Floyd Fields, DB 5th Round

Players disappointing include:	Walter Wilson, WR  Nagging injury, wouldn't play
				Justin Thigpen, WR  Could be a bust.(I hope not)
					Also had nagging injuries.
				Bobby Humphrey, DB Plan B

Henning was particularly pissed at Wilson and Thigpen.  He said they are now
behind others at that position.

Other tidbits:

They apparently plan to leave David Richards at guard.  So who will play left
tackle?

They expect Jimmy Laister back in June.

The word is that Stanley Richard was welcomed to the big time by being 
repeatedly burned by Anthony Miller.

More later,

Doug

>  Yeah, I sure do.  Why do you ask?
    
    Then I take it you're a season ticket holder?  I'd be interested in
    collecting Powerlines.  Do you know when Spanos started these
    magazines? 

>  POSITIVES - 
>  Tolliver reports 20 pounds lighter this year.  
      He's HOF material Doug.  We'll have to wait 25 years to see who's
      right.
>  Arthur Cox reports 27 pounds lighter (lost mostly from his head, no doubt).
>  Joe Phillips appears to be all the way back.
>  NT Tony Savage reported slim, fit, and playing really well.
    
    So far that's GREAT.  I'm an Arthur Cox fan.  I'd bet that as a kid, he
    used to play WR and still thinks of himself at that position.
    
>  Players impressing include:  
    Eric Moten (they're already raving about him)
    Kittrick Taylor (I predict he will be our 2nd starting WR)
      I like this kid.  I watched him vs. Denver and liked everything about
      this kid.
    David Jones, WR
    S Darren Carrington - Plan B
    OT Harry Swayne - Plan B			     
    Floyd Fields, DB 5th Round   <----This may be a BIG plus!

>  Players disappointing include:	
    Walter Wilson, WR  Nagging injury, wouldn't play
    Justin Thigpen, WR  Could be a bust.(I hope not) Also had nagging injuries.
    Bobby Humphrey, DB Plan B

>  Henning was particularly pissed at Wilson and Thigpen.  He said they are now
>  behind others at that position.

>  Other tidbits:

>  They apparently plan to leave David Richards at guard.  So who will 
    play left tackle?   
    
    I like Dave Richards.  I had him sign my football card of him
    and he's real nice.  I don't know about tackle tho.

>  They expect Jimmy Laister back in June.   
    
>  The word is that Stanley Richard was welcomed to the big time by being 
>  repeatedly burned by Anthony Miller.

    That's funny!
    
>  More later,
    
    I'll be waitin'

    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

Glenn, yes I'm a season ticket holder.  I believe that Powerline has been 
around as long as the Chargers have, but I'm not sure.  I know they predate
Spanos.  You'd be welcome to mine but I haven't been saving them.

News of the day.

The Chargers yesterday announced the signing of RB Rod Bernstine to a contract.
Don't know the duration, but in order for Bernstine to make the big bucks he
must play a full season, or close to it.  In other words, it is loaded with
incentives, with the premium bucks paid against the number of games he is 
healthy to play.  

That's the good news.

On the negative front, I listened to an interview last weekend with the 
Charger beat writer from the L.A. Times.  His name is TJ Simers and he used to
cover the Denver Broncos so maybe you heard of him.  Anyway, to Charger fans
the initials "TJ" stand for "The Jerk".  It was super depressing to listen to
this guy talk.  First of all, he only had a couple of supposedly "positive" 
things to say about the team.  One was that Dan Henning is getting a raw deal
from the fans in this town.  Can you believe that!  The other positive was 
that he felt Billy Joe Tolliver was one of the nicest guys ever in sports, and
that everyone in the media was rooting for him to succeed.
Beyond that, he said that Beathard blew it big time in throwing away next 
year's number one - that he is uncontrollable on draft day - that he falls in
love with too many players - that he gets away with ruining franchise futures
because of his success track record - and on and on.

He said they blew it by not getting a WR (I agree there), and that virtually 
guarantees Tolliver will fail next year.  Teams gang up on Miller and we have
nothing but slugs at tight end. (His words, not mine).  He also said Harmon is
the only other good receiver we have and now he probably will sit the bench 
since they drafted Bieniemy.  He said Tolliver is privately fuming that the
team didn't get him more help at wideout.

He said that the OL is still in trouble, that they don't have consensus in the
organization about what to do, i.e. have Goeas play tackle instead of guard,
moving Hall back and forth, etc.

He said they still have lots of dissension on the team and the only reason it
doesn't get real bad is that there is such a revolving door that malcontents
are given the boot, unless like Grossman they can play.

He said that Henning's future as coach 100% lies on Tolliver's ability to come
through this year. Spanos and Beathard supposedly don't b

    TJ is a Bronco maniac from WAY.... back, and living now in California,
    I guess that makes him a closet-broncomaniac.  I remember one year when
    he was a beat writer for the Rocky Mtn News and they had a survey of
    all the sports writers to predict how the Broncos would do that year. 
    His guess was undefeated!!  All the others said 10 and something or 9 and
    something, but this guy was really stupid!  As it turned out they had a
    good year but didn't go undefeated.  So, he hates the Chargers by
    virtue of his sultry affair with the Broncos.  So, with that as a
    basis, you quickly understand where TJ is coming from.
    
    I agree with alot said, however.  Henning's future does ride on Tolliver
    and I'm pissed they didn't pick up a JJ in the draft too.  I'd also
    like to see some consistency on the O-line, but we've been through this
    before, so we will again.  One thing I know is that a top-rated CB and
    WR would do WONDERS for this team!
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    Glenn, thought you'd get a kick out of this talk show exchange I 
    heard the other night.  The show is "Sportsnight" and is on this 
    50,000 watt station that is actually in Tijuana (XTRA).  The host is
    this guy named Lee "Hacksaw" Hamilton, who also is the voice of the
    Chargers and head cheerleader.
    
    CALLER:  	"Well Hacksaw, what are the Chargers going to do for a
    		head coach when that loser Henning falls on his face
    		again this year?
    
    HACKSAW:	Maybe they'll promote Lynn, or they could go in a 
    		totally different direction - I don't know.  But then
    		they're not gonna have to worry about that because I 
    		believe this team is headed in the right direction.  
    		You know, this roster was decimated when Henning took
    		over and it takes time to build a winner ......
    
    CALLER: 	I knew I was wasting my time, that you'd defend him....
    
    HACKSAW:	(becoming agitated)  You people always call up here 
    		bashing Henning - but that's OK, you'll be calling again
    		in December looking for playoff tickets, pal!
    
    CALLER: 	Face it, the guys a loser, he always has been .....
    
    HACKSAW:	That's it, keep it up.  Everybody's on his case when he
    		inherited a mess, just like he did in Atlanta, only they
    		didn't give him the time to turn it around down there.
    		But like I said, you'll be calling me for playoff tickets
    		at the end of this year, and I'll tell you to get lost!
    
    Yawn.  Same old argument.  There are definitely two camps around here;
    the media guys who defend Henning to the death, and the fans (like me)
    who are volunteering for tar and feather duty.
    
    I find it really intriguing how the media is in love with this guy. 
    I don't understand it at all.  I feel like the rest of the NFL must
    really be chuckling at this.
    
    
    Doug   
    		

    Isn't Henning the brother of John? Henning, the guy who does one
    of the newcasts on channel 4?
    
    Not that this has anything to do with anything...

    Re: Hacksaw Hamilton
    
    He used to do the Sportsline here in Phoenix before going to San Diego. 
    I loved it when he and a caller would get into it ;-)
    
    Mike

    Thanks Doug.  That was fun.
    
    I'm not a Henning fan, but then again, if they make the playoffs....
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    He Doug...you out there?  Any new news?
    
    

    Not true, he's alive and singin' in the Igloo.
    
    Glenn

Yeah, I'm still out here, but there's absolutely nothin' going on that I 
have heard about.  As always, I will pass on the news when I hear it.

Doug

    Well, hockey is over, basketball is on it's last leg....
    
    Can football be far away?  Only 1.5 months left.
    
    Hey Doug, let me know when you get your next Powerline.  I have to call
    the Chargers' PR Department every time to have them send a copy to me.
    
    Thanks.....Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    It's been 10 days since the latest news from the Charger camp and I'm
    beginning to feel the effects of the deprivation.  I feel weak, I can
    hardly sit up to type this in.  I have no hunger drive, beer
    commericials seem foreign to me.  I'm passing quickly, and there's only
    1 (alright maybe 2) things that can possible assist in my recovery.....
    
    
    
    
    I'll play the tape of the '81 Charger vs Miami Playoff Game!!!!!
    Yea!  That'll do it.  Fouts to Winslow!!  Strock to Rose!!  Footballs
    flying.  The familiar NBC sports music.  Bryant Gumbel at the
    microphone again!  I'll do it!!!
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    Ahh Glenn, I thik you need to get ut more.....
    
    REK

    
>    I'll play the tape of the '81 Charger vs Miami Playoff Game!!!!!
>    Yea!  That'll do it.  Fouts to Winslow!!  Strock to Rose!!  Footballs
>    flying.  The familiar NBC sports music.  Bryant Gumbel at the
>    microphone again!  I'll do it!!!
  
    Hey Glenn, you need to get an edited version of that tape.  It goes
    soemthing like this: with Miami leading 38-31 midway thru the 4th
    quarter and driving for a score, they *don't* fumble the ball away and
    let the Chargers tie it up and send it into OT.  Instead, Miami takes it
    it for the clinching TD while killing the clock and goes on to win
    45-31, and all after falling behind 24-zip in the 1st quarter.  What a
    great game that was, even though SD won.  Many, many :^)'s. 
 
    Joe

    I thank you for showing the sympathy and compassion that this notes
    file is known for.  I feel sooo much better in your company!  To know
    you're around friends at a time like this is comforting and makes me
    get goose bumps all over.  I can hardly stand it.  Even the 
    comraderie (sp?) at the Cheers bar couldn't top this togetherness.  ;-)
    
    (Now doesn't that just make you wanna puke!)    
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn
    

    Glenn, you need a cold shower - better yet (not to mention cold) :
    
    How about The Ice Bowl II ?
    
    Yeah, watch Kenny Anderson and Pete Johnson dissect the Chargers in 59
    below zero weather (wind chill included) ... heh heh heh ...
    
    Doc
    
    p.s. I wouldn't mind a tape of that Charger-Fish game, it was one of
    the 5 best football games I've seen in my life.

    Send a blank videotape, and I'll make a copy for you.
    
    Glenn

    Glenn, I received my new Powerline yesterday.  Comparitively speaking,
    it's pretty good.  It has the complete roster, biographies on the new
    draft choices, etc.
    
    Doug

    Thanks Doug.  I got my Powerline last week, and you're right, it was
    pretty meaty.
    
    I read a couple football magazines, and one picked the Chargers 4th,
    and the other picked them last in the division.  I'm not sure.  I
    haven't sized them up yet.
    
    Live from Charger Central......Glenn

    I saw the magazine that picked them last in the division.  The only
    thing I can figure is that there is a total lack of confidence in 
    Henning by those "in the know."  I mean, look at the talent on this
    team!  I realize I'm biased, but what do you think a Chuck Knox or
    a Bill Parcells would do with the Chargers?
    
    I was back east this week, and my football fan buddies back there 
    can't believe Henning is still on the payroll.  Oh well, one more 
    bad year and ole Dan's outta here!
    
    By the way, the Chargers signed this linebacker they really liked 
    from the WLAF - Wayne Dickson.
    
    
    Doug

Yesterday the three guys who beat the crap out of Joe Phillips were sentenced
to one year in prison each.


Doug

    The Chargers cuH-B/TE Joe Caravello.
    
    Marion Butts says he won't report to training camp until he gets more 
    money.  With incentives he made $417,000 last year, the first of a 
    four year contract.
    
    Henning says the club will decide by the 2nd preseason game who the 
    QB is going to be and give that guy most of the snaps the rest of 
    preseason.  
    
    
    Doug

    >  The Chargers cuH-B/TE Joe Caravello.
    
    	This is bad news.  Caravello is a bull, and I like him.
    
    >  Marion Butts says he won't report to training camp until he gets more 
    >  money.  With incentives he made $417,000 last year, the first of a 
    >  four year contract.
    
    	This really sucks.  When Beathard took over as GM, he read Butts' 
    	contract, tore it up and gave him the one he has now, and this is 
        the result?   This sucks!  Now we get to see if Beathard is worth
        his salt as a GM.
    
    >  Henning says the club will decide by the 2nd preseason game who the 
    >  QB is going to be and give that guy most of the snaps the rest of 
    >  preseason.  
    
    	No bitch here.  I'll support and root for whomever is chosen.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn
    
    
    Doug

    I made a couple of mistakes in .141 - Last year Butts was given a 
    2 year extension on his original 2 year contract.  Also, he made 
    $195,000 last year, including incentives, and he wants the $417,000
    straight salary THIS year.  The latest on this is that Beathard says
    if Butts has another good year this season then he'll tear the whole 
    thing up and give him a new one next year.  The problem I have with
    that is he told David Richards the same thing last year and now 
    Richards is holding out again this year.  Geez.
    
    All I know is that teams that are serious about winning rarely let 
    this family dirty laundry get aired in the press.
    
    I attended the Chargers/Rams scrimmage today in La Jolla.  The place
    was a mob scene, overflowing with fans.  The undisputed star of the
    show was none other than Eric "Sleeping With" Bieniemy (sorry Berman).
    He was pretty impressive, lots of yards and a couple of TDs.  The Rams 
    didn't bring any of their main men, though.  Friesz was great too.
    
    I fear that Lee Williams is history.  Beathard is really fed up with
    his BS.  He's holding out and it's not over money.  He doesn't want 
    to play for a losing team anymore. 
    
    I plan to go back down next week.  More later,
    
    Doug
    

    Heavy rumors out there that the Chargers and Jets are working on 
    a deal for unhappy DL Lee Williams.  S.D. is asking for New York's 
    #1 draft pick next year and DB Tony Stargell.
    
    Beathard has indicated that any deal involving Lee Williams must 
    include either a #1 draft pick or a top flight front line player.  If
    he doesn't receive an offer like that I have no doubt he'll let
    Williams sit forever.  He did that once with John Riggins.
    
    Butts continues AWOL.
    
    More later,
    
    Doug

    If Williams doesn't want to be on a losing team, why would he go to
    the Jets?  They aren't a winning team either.
    
    If SD wants to trade Williams, this is the time to do it.  He's been in
    the league 8 years (I believe) and will peak either this year or next
    then his talents will drop.  Any good GM trades just before the fall in
    talent.  This year or next year is the time to trade.
    
    Glenn

    Glenn, I agree with you 100%, now is the time to trade him...a little
    too early, but better than too late.
    
    The latest is that Beathard is talking to seven NFL teams, apparently
    the Jets, Cowboys, and Bucs have dropped out but now the Pats and the
    Packers are the front runners.
    
    They gave George Thornton #99, does that indicate how GONE Williams
    is?
    
    Doug

    Well, I've visited Charger camp a couple of times now, and here are
    my official, non-professional impressions as we get ready to start 
    playing preseason games.
    
    POSITIVES:
    
    WR Troy Kyles - He's big, he's fast, runs good routes, and can REALLY
    		    catch the ball!  I like him to start opposite Miller.
    
    RB Eric Bieniemy - If he plays in games the way he practices, they've 
    		       got something special here.  The guy is an 
    		       unbelievable physical specimen - his thighs are
    		       bigger than his waist it seems.
    
    LB Junior Seau - He's an absolute animal in practice and he's ready
    		     to have a big year - I can't wait to watch him when
    		     it counts.
    
    HB/TE Arthur Cox - I hate to admit it because I am NOT a Cox fan, but
    			he has lost a lot of wieght and is really looking
    			good out there.
    
    NEGATIVES
    
    The Quarterbacks - I don't see anything I like, all three leave a lot
    			to be desired.  Henning today announced that
    			Tolliver is the starter - no surprise based on 
    			what I've been seeing.  The really bad news is that
    			Billy overthrows guys in PRACTICE too!
    
    Secondary - Gill Byrd is still the only veteran with skill on the
    		roster.  Anthony Shelton was looking really good and was
    		the starter at free safety until he got hurt in Flagstaff
    		on Saturday.  Now he won't even play against the Oilers.
    		The Chargers have a lot of guys who are just OK, but 
    		nobody other than Byrd who have proved they can really
    		play.  Bayless can't cover my grandma, and he's still the
    		starter at SS.
    
    O-Line - 	With Richards and Thompson holding out, we have Hall and
    		a bunch of unprovens running around between positions.	
    		Mark May will help and I have confidence in Alex Gibbs, 
    		the OL coach.  Eric Moten looks promising and is getting
    		every single snap at left guard.
    
    Head Coach - Yeah, he's still there.
    
    Other news:  Henning says that from now on Tolliver will get 50% of 
    the snaps at QB.  They have NOT given #99 to Thornton, he has #93 (I 
    should quit believing everything I hear in the press).  Joe Phillips 
    is COMPLETELY back and looking great.  Henning says Stanley Richard's
    probable starting position is fading away with each day he misses.
    I can believe that after watching practice - he's missing valuable
    time.
    
    It is interesting to note the difference between the way the Chargers
    and Rams run their practices.  Robinson has the Rams go FULL ON in 
    scrimmages (fights every so often) while the Chargers do very little
    hitting.  Aside to Rams fans:  Look for their running attack to be 
    back in force this year - Robinson seems to be taking personal charge
    of that facet of their offense and is really stressing it.
    
    Unfortunately I have to miss the Oilers game this Sat. so I won't have
    a report on that, but I'll continue to pass along the news as I hear
    it.
    
    BTW, there is a new rumor every day with the Williams situation, but 
    I've decided to just wait until something real happens.
    
    Doug
    

    POSITIVES:
    
    WR Troy Kyles - He's big, he's fast, runs good routes, and can REALLY
    		    catch the ball!  I like him to start opposite Miller.
    
    			Good!  We need someone opposite Miller!
    			I SURE hope this pans out.  It would go a 
    			LONG way to helping this offense.
    
    RB Eric Bieniemy - If he plays in games the way he practices, they've 
    		       got something special here.  The guy is an 
    		       unbelievable physical specimen - his thighs are
    		       bigger than his waist it seems.
    
    			With Eric and Butts, it sort of gives the
    			Chargers and Thunder & Lightning backfield 
    			combination.  That's be great!
    
    LB Junior Seau - He's an absolute animal in practice and he's ready
    		     to have a big year - I can't wait to watch him when
    		     it counts.
    
    			Are they going to play him on the OUTSIDE?  Where
    			he should be?
    
    HB/TE Arthur Cox - I hate to admit it because I am NOT a Cox fan, but
    			he has lost a lot of wieght and is really looking
    			good out there.
    
    			I have a feeling he may be a gonner.  We'll see.
    
    NEGATIVES
    
    The Quarterbacks - I don't see anything I like, all three leave a lot
    			to be desired.  Henning today announced that
    			Tolliver is the starter - no surprise based on 
    			what I've been seeing.  The really bad news is that
    			Billy overthrows guys in PRACTICE too!
    
    			It's early in Pre-Season.  Give it 2 or 3 weeks
    			and then start worrying.
    
    
    Secondary - Gill Byrd is still the only veteran with skill on the
    		roster.  Anthony Shelton was looking really good and was
    		the starter at free safety until he got hurt in Flagstaff
    		on Saturday.  Now he won't even play against the Oilers.
    		The Chargers have a lot of guys who are just OK, but 
    		nobody other than Byrd who have proved they can really
    		play.  Bayless can't cover my grandma, and he's still the
    		starter at SS.
    
    			We need our #1 pick.  What's Beathard's history
    			on signing these guys?
    
    O-Line - 	With Richards and Thompson holding out, we have Hall and
    		a bunch of unprovens running around between positions.	
    		Mark May will help and I have confidence in Alex Gibbs, 
    		the OL coach.  Eric Moten looks promising and is getting
    		every single snap at left guard.
    
    Head Coach - Yeah, he's still there.
    
    			This is our downfall!
    
    
    Other news:  Henning says that from now on Tolliver will get 50% of 
    the snaps at QB.  They have NOT given #99 to Thornton, he has #93 (I 
    should quit believing everything I hear in the press).  Joe Phillips 
    is COMPLETELY back and looking great.  Henning says Stanley Richard's
    probable starting position is fading away with each day he misses.
    I can believe that after watching practice - he's missing valuable
    time.
    
    It is interesting to note the difference between the way the Chargers
    and Rams run their practices.  Robinson has the Rams go FULL ON in 
    scrimmages (fights every so often) while the Chargers do very little
    hitting.  Aside to Rams fans:  Look for their running attack to be 
    back in force this year - Robinson seems to be taking personal charge
    of that facet of their offense and is really stressing it.
    
    Unfortunately I have to miss the Oilers game this Sat. so I won't have
    a report on that, but I'll continue to pass along the news as I hear
    it.
    
    			I'll pick it up on the satellite dish,
    			so I should have a summary.
    
    BTW, there is a new rumor every day with the Williams situation, but 
    I've decided to just wait until something real happens.
    
    			Well, give me some of the rumors.  I need
    			somethin' to ponder.
    
    			As usual, I've subscribed to the San Diego Union
    			for the next 3 months.
    
    			Doug, have you gotten your latest PowerLine?
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    Bieniemy will need to hold on to the ball better.  He had that tendency 
    to fumble alot in college, and he's gonna be popped much harder 
    in the NFL.
    

    Bieniemy has small hands which undoubtedly has an effect on
    ball handling.  So, he could ALWAYS have fumbling problems.
    He might try one of those sucking devices that promise larger
    anatomy parts.
    
    Hoping to be helpful
    
    Cowboy

    FYI...I pulled this off the internet and thought I'd post it here.



Butts is not in camp, Lee Williams is not in camp, Stanly Richards is
not in camp and two starting guards are not in camp! We're talking
major players here if you know what I mean.
    
The backfield looks good with Bernstine getting more playing time in
Butts absence, Bieniemy looks good, I watch the Chargers practice
here at UCSD, and I tell you Bieniemy is a load! He breaks tackles and
goes %110. The coaches are really high on him but he twisted an ankle and
has not being practicing. I tell you, when he ran the ball up the middle into
the starting defense, he carried some bodies with him! As long as he doesn't
start laying the ball down I think he's going to be a good one. There's also
Ron Harmon and he always seems to pop for 7 plus yards a carry. The backfield
is in good shape but no one can carry the load like Butts. We need him because
the Chargers have to rely on the run for at least %75 of their offense. They
just don't have the passing attack with Miller at WR and nobody to help him.
Arthur Cox I like but he needs to control his temper and make the big catch!
    
Tolliver has been given %50 of the snaps and looks to have solidified(sp)
the starting job followed by Friesz then Gagliano. In practice I like Friesz
and my buddy liked Gagliano but we both agreed, we didn't think Tolliver
looked good. Hey what do we know! Apparently both Tolliver and Friesz did
well in scrimmages in Phoenix and Bob GAG-lianoed.
    
One guy to keep an eye on is Junior Seau. I'm willing to go out on a limb
and say that if he doesn't get hurt and the Chargers use him the way they
say their going to use him, move him around and use his speed, he will be
one of the bigger impact players in the NFL, Pro Bowl, no problema!
    
The Charger defense will be in the top 3, offense, maybe top 15 if we're
lucky. We need our offensive line to report!
    
PLEASE not another 6-10 season......
    
See Ya!

Dro

    David Richards signed.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    Read in the paper today that SD has offered Lee Williams to Tampa for
    several players and a high-round pick in next year's NFL draft.
    
    Joe

    Oh no Joe!
    
    Maybe we'll get (yuck) Gary "All Flash, No Substance" Anderson back.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    I say trade him straight across for Testaverde, he ain't doing the
    Bucs no good, and they ain't doing him no good. 
    
    

    Glad to see the author of .152 echoes what I've been seeing in camp - 
    I concur(ed) 100% with what he said, including the comments about 
    Tolliver and Gagliano.  I'm tellin' ya, it's scary when you see Billy
    Joe overthrow a guy by 5 yards when the guy is 10 yards away - and in
    PRACTICE no less!  But then, GAGliano hasn't looked any better so 
    whataya gonna do?
    
    OK Glenn, you asked for all the Williams rumors, so here are the ones
    I can remember....
    
    Williams to Dallas for a '92 #1 pick and Jim Jeffcoat.
    Williams to Tampa Bay for OT Paul Gruber.
    	"	Green Bay for OT Ken Ruettgers.
    	"	New England for DB Lippett or Hurst.
    	"	New York Jets for S Erik McMillan.
    	"	New York Jets for CB Tony Stargell.
    	"	New York Jets for a '92 #1 pick.
    	"	Atlanta for WR Mike Pritchard.
    			(Atlanta counters with Shawn Collins)
    			(SD counters for Collins AND DB Bruce Pickens)
    
    Williams to the Rams for WR Henry Ellard. (I'd be dancin' in the Murph)
    
    and, for today's rumor.........
    
    Williams to Tampa Bay for OG Ian Beckles (who?) and WR Bruce Hill.
    
    Remember, these are newspaper and radio guys reporting this.
    
    Other news:
    
    Ok, Glenn, you beat me to the Richards signing.  Holding out still are 
    Stanley Richard, Broderick Thompson, Butts, and Williams.  The Chargers
    said today they will begin taking money off the table for Richard's 
    offer for this year's pay because his value for '91 slips with each
    practice he misses.
    
    Spanos met behind closed doors with Beathard today to discuss the
    Richard and Williams situations.  I bet Williams gets traded by the 
    end of this week or next.
    
    In answer to your question about Seau, he is still playing inside LB.
    The difference is that this year he is kicking ass and keeping his
    mouth shut.  As I said in my earlier note, if this guy stays healthy
    he is going to be an absolute MONSTER.  You should see him in practice,
    sometimes he is in on the QB before he sets up to throw!  I know it's 
    only practice but ........
    
    As long as Henning's the coach, Cox has a job.
    
    No, I didn't get my new Powerline yet.
    
    Is our Internet friend a regular author about the Chargers?  If so, 
    keep throwin' the memos in here!  We need the variety.
    
    Stay tuned.....
    
    Doug

    I generally read a few articles over the internet from folks at UCSD. 
    It's good because you're so damn boring Doug! ;-)
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    Just tryin' to reflect the demeanor of the current head coach......I
    mean, talk about boring.
    
    Did you see what Henning said about Seau in Sporting News - that in his
    25 years fooling around in the NFL, he has never seen a guy have a 
    better training camp.
    
    TODAY'S NEWS:
    
    Grossman gave everybody a scare last evening when he had to be carried
    off the field with a knee, but it turned out just to be a sprain. 
    He'll be out a week.
    
    Good news - Stanley Richard and his agent are coming to San Diego on
    Friday to meet with Beathard Fri. night.  The reason for optimism is
    that Beathard reportedly told them there would be no more negotiating
    and to not even come to town unless they were going to sign a contract
    under the offered terms.  They're still coming, sooo....
    
    Doug
    

    Chargers signed #1 pick, Free Safety Stanley Richard.  3 year contract,
    alot of money.
    
    Chargers beat the Oilers in their 1st PreSeason game on Saturday.  I
    picked up the game on satellite Westar 4, transponder 22.  It wasn't
    bad.  The offense put 31 points on the board, and the D was ok also. 
    For the first preseason game, I'm thrilled.  Eric Moten and George
    Thornton did super jobs for their first games.  Seau was all over. 
    The guy who really impressed me was John Friesz.  Tolliver did ok, but
    wasn't consistent.  Friesz was smooth the whole time.  Not hot one
    series, and cold the next.  He was great.  Tolliver however, has the
    starting position and I guess you can't argue with 3 td's.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

I saw a videotape of the game, and I agree that Friesz looked pretty smooth - 
he's made a lot of progress.  But he did most of his damage against 2nd and
3rd stringers, you have to be careful about that.

I thought that Kittrick Taylor and Troy Kyles looked great.  I have no idea
why Wilson plays ahead of either one of them.  

Harmon was obviously sensational.

I think we still have problems in the defensive secondary.


Doug

    Didn't Billy-Ray get injured this weekend .....?
    
    Carlos

    Billy Ray Smith has a badly sprained knee that supposedly will keep
    him out 3-6 weeks.  
    
    Doug

    This is the time to trade Billy Ray also.  He's on the downward slide. 
    Trade him now while we can still get somethin' for him.
    
    I read an article that stated the Chargers should trade Billy Joe
    Tolliver even up for Phil Simms.  Since Simms isn't ready to throw in
    the hat yet it'd be good for him and would give Friesz time to develop. 
    I don't know how I feel about this proposed trade, but it's pretty
    interesting.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro
Subject: San Diego Chargers Report #3 + preseason
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Date: 5 Aug 91 17:56:38 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: University of California, San Diego
Lines: 59


SAN DIEGO CHARGERS Report #3


They played their 1st preseason game vs the Oilers @ Jack Murphy
Stadium on Sat. night.


OILERS 29  CHARGERS 31


Not a bad game to watch, considering its the preseason and the 1st 
team plays a limited time only. The game went this way and that
way until 2 missed extra points after TDs proved to be the
difference in the scoreline. 

Some major "accomplishments" for SD;

o They actually executed the 2 minute drill to perfection. As any SD fan
  would know from the last 2 seasons, that play was pulled from the
  playbook. A typical SD drill goes -10 yds, -10 yds, incomplete pass
  and punt. 

o Tolliver looked impressive, after a nervous start. Although most
  of his passing yards came in 2 plays, a 64 yd TD pass to Ronnie
  Harmon (thank you, Buffalo) and a 35 yd TD pass to HArmon again. 
  For once, there was some touch in Tolliver's passes and he was 
  sharp. He finished the 1st half 8 of 13 for 186 yds and 3 TDs. 
  Tolliver played 2 quarters, while Friesz & Gagliano played 1 Q each. 

o Harmon was fantastic. In addition to those long bombs, he caught
  some short passes over the middle, and had 1 rush for 51 yds.

o Surprisingly, the WRs, and without Anthony Miller (who was held out
  with a minor injury). Kirtrick Taylor, Troy Kyles & Yancey Thigpen
  were all very impressive.

Problem areas;

o Secondary problems... even Buffalo couldn't stop Moon & co., so I
  guess one should wait to see them play against a 'regular'
  offense.

o Offensive line: Looked terrible. With the Right Tackle Thompson
  still holding out and the Right Guard Richards signing in the 
  last week, they looked out of sync. 


Holdouts: Marion Butts RB
	  Lee Williams DE/DT
	  B Thompson OT

They signed #1 draft pick Stanley Richard on Sat night.

    I see where Broderick Thompson has finally signed a contract.
    
    Doug

    That still leave Lee Williams and Marion Butts out of camp.
    We need Butts.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

>    That still leave Lee Williams and Marion Butts out of camp.
>    We need Butts.
     ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
   
>    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

	Glenn!  What happened to yours?  :-)

	Claybone

    Humor....ah I get it!
    
    

hey, how about  'Saw's propBUTT - he only has one, but it is a start.

=Bob=

>hey, how about  'Saw's propBUTT - he only has one, but it is a start.

It may be *only* one, but it's a BIIIIIIIIIIIIIGGGGGGGGGG one!


8^)

    According to Pro Football Weekly, the Chargers have offered Williams to
    TB for Paul Gruber, OT, and were turned down, and to the Falcons for
    rookie WR Mike Pritchard, and were turned down.  The Falcons did counter
    with some other WR, but the Chargers turned that down.  It may be that
    Beathard is asking to much, was the opinion of the article.
    
    Monday, 8pm PDT, in Anaheim against the Rams.  Rams favored by 3.5
    points.  Should be a good game.  I'll pick the game up on satellite
    somewhere.
    
    Nothing new, that I'm aware of, on Marion Butts.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    The San Diego Union says that other teams are wary of Williams.
    The word is, if he can't be happy with:
    
    A) A huge salary (approx. $900K/year)
    B) All Pro Status for a few years now
    C) Playing in great weather
    D) Playing for an up and coming team
    E) Excellent coaching staff
    
    ....then why will he be happy playing in (pick one) Tampa, Dallas, 
    Green Bay, New York, etc?  For that reason Beathard may be asking too
    high a price.
    
    I heard a rumor that Houston offered unhappy DT Sean Jones straight up 
    for Williams.  I'd jump at that one but Beathard was quoted as saying
    that he doesn't want to trade "one problem for another."
    
    As for Butts, it's an unfortunate situation where neither side is 
    right, but Beathard will let him rot.  I hope Marion swallows his 
    pride and comes in, even though I don't think he's all wrong in this
    situation.
    
    I'll be at the game Monday night, in full Charger garb.  Hey, I can't
    let anyone think I'm a Ram fan, can I?
    
    Doug
    
    P.S. Did you see where Wayne Walker caught an 83 yard TD bomb Saturday
    night?  There's our other wideout.  Jeez......
                             
    

    OK Doug, I'll look for you!
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    Latest rumor:
    
    Williams straight up for Al Toon (saw this either in the Herald or USA
    Today)!!
    
    
    Nelly

    Yea, I saw that too.  How many years has Toon been in the league?  Does
    he have many left?
    
    Glenn

    Glenn, I think Toon's only 28.
    
    Joe

    
    	Al Toon is in fact only 28.  Born 4-30-63.  He has been a pro for
    seven years.  Last year he had 57 receptions with 6 touchdowns.  

In case anybody cares, the Chargers looked like amateurs last night.  
Billy Overthrow Tolliver was in prime form, I counted at least 6 or 7 blatant
overthrown passes in last night's game, won by the Rams 24-3.

Chargers are going nowhere with a guy that passes this inaccurately, and I
don't think you can teach that.  I'd be interested in considering contrary 
opinions to that.  Again, I say you can't teach better passing accuracy, that
it's a natural gift - either you got it or you don't.

They need another wide receiver, as it appears that Millers "dropsy" problem 
from last year has not gone away.  He flat dropped a perfectly thrown bomb 
from Friesz that would have been a 60 yard TD and turned the game around.

They need Butts back, and I'd go for the Al Toon rumor if it included a middle
round pick.  But they need another guy who can catch.

Doug

    Who's playing running back for them now?? Bernstein???
    
    
    Kenn

Bernstine's the guy for now.  There was hope that Eric Bieniemy would pick 
up some of the slack, but after much early enthusiasm by the media and others
(including me), it appears that Bieniemy could be a bust.  He just hasn't 
shown much.  I hope it's just because the OL hasn't come together yet, and not
an indication of his true ability.  

Doug

    Well Doug, you're right on the money.  Friesz looks to have both the
    touch, accuracy and arm needed to be the starting qb and I hope he 
    makes it.  I like Tolliver alot, but his throwing sucked.  He threw
    into the dirt, over their heads, on both sides, etc.  It was miserable. 
    
    I about died when Miller let that bomb go right through his hands. 
    Ouch!  You can't throw a ball better than that and Friesz had it there
    PERFECTLY.  Miller had 4 feet on the defender.
    
    In fact, there's nothing I don't agree with you on today.  Bieniemy may
    be ok, but DO they need Butts!!  Bernstine's good, but injury prone.  
    
    I think I saw you on TV.  Weren't you the one in the Charger outfit in
    the stands?  Oh yea...I saw you...sure...I remember!?
    
    Beathard needs to get Butts in camp, and deal Williams to end this
    episode.  Let's get it done, and start making some progress.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    The Chargers don't have a prayer of wresting Toon from the Jets.  Not
    even for a disgruntled, albeit talented, defensive lineman.  That one
    was just a pipedream.  I did once hear that the Jets might have offered
    Eric MacMillan for Williams, but I think the Jets were trying that to
    get Eric motivated into making tackles this year.  Again, it's a trade
    I don't think they'd make.
    
    In a few weeks, I think Williams can be had for a combo of non-first
    round draft choices, and I'd like to see him come to the Jets, but I
    certainly won't count on it.
    
    Dan

Speaking of Williams, there's a bunch of new rumors today.  Supporting what
Dan says in -.1, the Jets have apparently offered only a #2 draft pick, 
nothing else.  The Chargers say they have no interest in Toon, which I think
is always the excuse when the other team says, "get lost."

Today's rumors also include:

Minnesota wants Williams, but have no draft choices to trade and don't like
the Chargers demand of a starting wide receiver and another player.

Phoenix wants to make a deal but has nothing the Chargers want in return.

Houston doesn't like the Chargers demand for a #1 and some wide receiver named
Jefferson.

Other News:

Reportedly HEATED debate within Charger coaching staff over who should be the
starting QB, Tolliver or Friesz.  (If Henning values his job, he'll relent)

Great Move!  Anthony Shelton has been promoted to starting SS ahead of 
Martin Bayless.  That means 3 of the 4 starters in the secondary are first or
2nd year players.  By the way, Donald Frank was one of the few bright spots in
Monday's game.

Yes, Glenn, if the fan you saw in Charger colors was also hiding his face in
shame and dodging the insults of the Ram fans, that was me.  I especially 
enjoyed taking the heat over Henning's Einsteinish decision to refuse a penalty
and go with 2nd and 4 over 1st and 5.  I can still hear the laughter.

Oh, it's tough being a Charger fan.  The only thing worse would be openly 
supporting the Pats.

Doug

Date: 14 Aug 91 18:11:37 GMT
Organization: University of California, San Diego
Lines: 35


SAN DIEGO CHARGERS report + notes on 2nd preseason game:


SD 3  LARams 24

Terrible display on Monday night against the Rams.  It was
nostalgia night for SD.  We all got to see the old Tolliver
at QB, 13 for 33 with an INT.  Passes were flying everywhere,
nobody in the stands was safe.  Late releases, inaccurate
throws, no touch whatsoever...  We all got see more of the
famed passing attack highlighted by dropped passes, bad routes, etc.
LA justed crammed the def. line and dared them to pass the ball.

Friesz was not very good either.  Actually there is no QB 
controversy in SD; both their QBs stink.  The coaches had
some harsh words for the offense after watching the game
films on Tuesday morning.

#1 Draft pick Stanley Richard played badly.  It was his 1st
game on 1 week's practise...that's understandable.


Holdouts: Marion Butts RB: no progress
	  Lee Williams DE/DT: trade talks with Hou., could be traded
	  in the next week. Hou. needs DLinemen badly (heck, even
	  the Chargers were able to pass the ball on them). SD
	  wants at least 1 WR and 1st rd. pick or one of their
	  top 3 WRs.

    I'm out for the next week on vacation.....see you August 26th.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    Who's the other WR for now?
    

As far as I'm concerned, it's pretty wide open as far as the 2nd WR is 
concerned.  Nate Lewis is the listed starter, but I think Kittrick Taylor has
looked better.  Neither guy is going to put fear in your average DB.  I thought
Troy Kyles was going to emerge, but he seems to have been lost in the shuffle.

Well, the Chargers did it again.  They managed to look as bad, and in some
cases worse, than they did against the Rams as they lost to the 49ers 24-13.
Bright spots were Bieniemy (9 carries, 52 yards against SF 2nd string), Junior
Seau, George Thornton (2nd half).  Bernstine looked OK too.  

Negatives:  Lots of injuries, especially to the LB corps, really hurt the 
defense.  Defensive line is struggling.  QBs are basically bad.  Offensive
line really stinks right now, but they did early last year too but came on
later in season.  The main concern is that the offense basically has no
spark.  They really need Butts back.  The defense allowed a 11:30 drive for 
a FG beginning the 3rd Quarter, including SF pickups of 3rd & 14 and 3rd & 15
along the way.  

The radio talk show after the game was an audio horror show.  Most calls 
called for the sacking of Henning and/or Tolliver, but Beathard even took a 
few licks.

This team is in trouble.

Doug

Yesterday Marion Butts fired his old agent and hired Leigh Steinberg to 
represent him.  I heard Steinberg interviewed this morning and he says he
expects to have this situation resolved by the weekend.  He was going to talk
to Beathard by phone today and in person before tomorrow night's game with 
the Raiders.

Doug

    As reported last night, the Chargers received rookie WR Shawn Jefferson
    and Houston's 1992 1st round draft pick for Lee Williams.  Mel Kiper
    Jr. indicates that if Jefferson had stayed in school he probably would
    have been a 2nd round pick in next year's draft.
    
    Doug

    Mel Kiper, geez I hate that guy.. just sits there at the draft and
    goes e-e-e-e-e-e-.... knowhatImean?

    Well I'm back from vacation and I know y'all missed me.  Thanks.
    
    John Friesz named starting QB for the season after going 17 for 19
    passes against Raiders in the 2nd half.  He looked great!
    
    Doug you're right that the Chargers looked bad against the 9ers. 
    That's for certain.  Against the Raiders they also looked bad in the
    1st half, but once Friesz started hitting, the whole team really picked
    up.  I think the happiest guy was Anthony Miller.  I know he liked to
    catch that TD bomb.  It was pretty.
    
    Chargers were smart for snagging Mike Wilcher, LB from the Rams.  I've
    liked him for awhile.
    
    HOPEFULLY!!!@@*%^&%#$# The Marion Butts issue will be over shortly.  We
    need him in camp.
    
    I'm happy with the Lee Williams trade.  A WR and a 1st is good.
    
    Chargers @ Pittsburg on Sunday.  Go!
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    Marion Butts is now in camp.  His new agent Lee Steinberg is of the
    mind that the players should be in camp and then do the contract
    negotiating behind the scenes.
    
    Chargers trimmed to 47 players by releasing:
    
    	C Mike Heldt (drafted from Notre Dame)
    	CB Bobby Humphery (obtained from Rams)
    	DB Darren Carrington (formerly a Bronco)
    	DT Mark Mraz
    	FB Craig McEwen (sorry to see him go)
    	LB Andy Katoa
    	LB Stephon Weatherspoon
    	OT Mike Withycombe
    	RB Chris Samuels (surprised by this)
    	S  Martin Bayless (saw it comin' but don't like it.  This guy is
    			   tough as nails)
    	TE Terry Orr
    	WR Walter Wilson (what?#!$%&*)
    	WR Yancey Thigpen (drafted)
    
    I don't know if these are the FINAL cuts, as many may be resigned once
    they clear waivers.  We'll see.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    
    >>                    -< Butts In Camp, Recent Cuts >-
                             ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    Any Fragrant Fouls??????
    
    JaKe
    

Glenn,

My thoughts on Charger cuts and subsequent developments:

The Chargers today put 3 players on injured reserve:  SS Floyd Fields,
OL Mark Zandofsky, and TE Duane Young.  That opened up 3 roster spots so they
resigned Darren Carrington, Martin Bayless, and Craig McEwen.  That's the 
only reason those three guys went on waivers - nobody would pick them up, 
whereas SD was worried that the 3 put on IR would have been picked up.
I was real glad they got Carrington back because he's good on special teams.
As for Bayless and McEwen ---- YAWN!

As for the other cuts:

Samuels: You wouldn't be surprised he got cut if you saw him play.  Another
   	 Henning boob.  Can you spell Dana Brinson?

Wilson:  Good riddance!!!  He stinks.  A bust of a 4th round pick last year.

Thigpen:  I like what I saw with Yancey and was a little surprised that he 
	  got cut.  Maybe they can put him on the developmental squad.

Orr:  Got claimed today by the Washington Redskins.  

Heldt:  I liked this guy, but he wasn't going to make a team that already
   	has two centers.

I think the Chargers should look long and hard at that waiver wire, especially
for wide receivers.  Look who is available:

Wayne Walker, the ex-Charger who was catching bombs for Minnesota this summer.
Derrick Faison, the Ram who seemed to catch everything coming his way, but got
		lost in the Rams numbers game at that position.
Mike Alexander, a guy the Raiders love but they have too many good WRs.
		(But then again, he can't be THAT good if they kept Jamie
		Holland over him).
Rob Carpenter, of Cincy from Syracuse who....never mind, the Pats just 
		claimed him.

If SD needs help at inside LB, Cedric Figaro got cut by Indy.

More tomorrow, I'm sure.

Doug

Billy Joe Tolliver won't have this Note to kick him around anymore as today
he is being traded to the Atlanta Falcons for an undisclosed draft pick(s).

I feel sorry for Billy Joe because the bad San Diego experience wasn't his 
fault.  Henning NEVER should have been playing the guy.  Henning is the one 
they should trade!  We have suffered for two years of overthrown passes because
Henning was so dumb to have Billy Joe in there in the first place.  This whole
situation stinks.

The other thing is, what the hell can Atlanta be thinking about?  Of all the
QB attributes the "Red Gun" requires, Billy Joe has NONE.  Let's see, you would
need (1) accurate passing, (2) the ability to pick out any of 4 or 5 receivers,
(3) the ability to evade the rush, and (4) move out of the pocket every once
in a while.  The last time I checked, BJ couldn't do any of those things.

Well, Beathard rescues Dan again.  I figure that Henning's the next to go,
sometime this year.


Doug 

    Atlanta doesn't use the Red Gun, do they?
    
    Chris Miller will be starting in Atlanta for at least the next five
    years.
    

Notes off the internet:
    
    
Some notes on San Diego Chargers' transactions:

o Holdout RB & one of the AFC's top rushers, Marion Butts reported
  to training camp on Monday. No new deal was signed before he 
  reported. He lost approx. $84,000 in fines and bonuses for his
  holdout.

o Unofficial word has it that the much-maligned/boo-ed starting
  QB from last year, Biily Joe Tolliver is to be traded to the
  Atlanta Falcons for an "undisclosed-high-draft-pick/s". This means
  that SD fans in the stands will no longer have to be careful 
  of overthrown balls by him.

o That, of course, leaves 2nd year QB from U of Idaho, John Friesz
  as their starting QB for the season opener in Pitt. In a
  surprising move, SD put planB QB signing Bob Gagliano on injured
  reserve. The move was surprising in that 1) Gaglianio didn't know
  that he was injured and 2) Friesz is the ONLY QB left on the
  roster. Expect them to sign a QB off the waiver wire or deal for
  a backup. 

Re: .197, isn't that what Glanville's variation of the Run & Shoot is called,
the RED GUN?

    	The way the Falcons played last year they could call it the
    POP GUN.
    
    				/Don

       re- a few back,
    
      You said that it was Henning's fault that Billy Joe didn't do well 
    (something to that effect), but then you said he is missing what I feel
    are the prime qualities of a QB.  I'm not sure that would be Henning's
     fault.  If the guy doesn't have it, then thats him at fault, so to speak.
    
    
      I hope SD gets a good QB.  I think that is they're major problem now. 
    It would be good to see them back in the AFC west title hunt.
    
    	Tim

    Hi Tim.
    
    I think that BJTolliver has alot of talents, including a gun on his
    shoulder cleverly disguised as an arm, but Henning never nutured him. 
    He never was tutored or taught.  He was just thrown in and never 
    really was allowed to sit and learn from a master.  That's why it's 
    Henning's fault.  However, it's true that Tolliver isn't a running qb
    who could effectively run the Red Gun, but he can learn to pick the wr
    out of 4 or 5.  When Fouts was in SD, he had Unitas to learn from and
    Bill Walsh went over the mechanics with Fouts.  He was taught and
    molded and turned out well.  I believe that Tolliver can be a
    tremendous qb if given the same opportunity.  Elway is another who
    hasn't fulfilled his potential because he was thrown into the fire and
    never realy apprenticed.  Can you imagine Elway under the tutelage of
    Coryell and that offense?  
    
    As for Friesz, he has shown poise in the pocket, and reads the defenses
    pretty well.  Against the Raiders, Friesz got into the game with about
    8 minutes left in the 3rd quarter and subsequently went 17 completions
    for 19 attempts and really rallied the team. 
    
    Henning drafted and likes Tolliver.  Beathard drafted and likes Friesz. 
    Because of the performance against the Raiders and Tolliver's lack of
    performance during the entire preseason, Henning named Friesz as the #1
    guy and it's funny that, but once Friesz is named #1, Tolliver gets
    traded.  Beathard won and I hope (and believe) that Friesz can be an
    excellent quarterback.  Their qb problems MAY be over.  It'll be
    extremely interesting to watch the Chargers against Pittsburgh this
    week. 
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    I guess what I was saying is this:
    
    Two weeks ago Henning said Tolliver was THE guy, because Friesz was too
    inexperienced, etc.
    
    Then Tolliver has two bad games, and he not only isn't THE guy, but now
    he's out of the organization!?
    
    Who's in charge here?  I'm not sure what's worse, Tolliver, for not
    having major league QB skills, or Henning, for being so stupid to put
    in a guy without big league skills!
    
    I do disagree with Glenn, I don't think Billy Joe will ever make it in
    the NFL.  But when they put him in the game, what is the guy supposed
    to do - say, "I don't really have the skills or experience yet, so
    please don't put me in!"?
    
    Stay tuned,
    
    Doug

      Well the game against Pitt this weekend should be fairly even.  Both
    teams are coming up, with Pitt having a slight edge on defense.
    
      Both teams are looking for a "dominant" QB.  Boobsie has a ways to
    go, and obviuously the Chargers are starting over.
    
       Tim

 or maybe the rumors of Simms to San Diego are more than just rumors??

    Mike -
    
    The rumours of SImms to San Diego involved the Jints getting Billy Joe
    Tolliver.  With BJ gone, I can't see a deal - unless the JInts got
    Friez in a deal - but I doubt the Chargers will do that.
    
    JD

    The Chargers shoulda never gotten rid of 'ol Jimmy Mac IMHO.
    
    Carlos

    Chargers vs Steelers.....take Chargers +5
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

Subject: San Diego Chargers Season Preview


SAN DIEGO CHARGERS Season Preview:

Before getting into the details, here is the depth chart,
(courtesy the LATimes SD edition):

Offense

QB: Friesz, Gagliano
RB: Butts, Bernstine, Harmon, Bienemy
HB: Walker, Hendrickson
TE: Cox, Young
RT: Thompson, Floyd
RG: Richards, May
C : Hall, Cornish
LG: Moten, Zandofsky
LT: Swayne, Goes 
WR: Miller, Jefferson, Lewis, Taylor
Kicker: Carney


Defense

3-4 defense
RE: Grossman, Hinkle
NT: Phillips, Benson
LE: Hinkle, Thornton
ROLB: O'Neal, Wilcher
LOLB: Rolling, Smith
RILB: Seau, Thaxton
LILB: Plummer, Thaxton
RCB: Seale, Elder, Mack
LCB: Byrd, Frank
FS: Richard, Shelton
SS: Shelton, Fields
Punter: Kidd

COACH: Dan Henning (3rd year)


Preview:

OFFENSE: WIll there be any? That is the main question. A 2nd
year QB and a 34 yr-old backup who is not yet comfortable
with the system. Freisz's job is his to lose. The play calling will
be very conservative, we might yet see the rebirth of 3yds-and-a-
pile-of-dirt as well as student-body-right in the pros. When the
RB corps is as good as it is, go with the strengths. It will
not be pretty, the fans bred on Air Coryell will not be too
enthused, but if they win all will be forgiven. Look for lots
of running, lots of passes to the RBs and HBs coming out of 
the backfield. The only thing that the running needs is an RB
with speed enuf to pose a breakaway threat. Harmon & Bienemy
could provide that. The WRs are still a BIG ? AFter Miller,
everybody else is unproven. Will Jefferson develop
quickly to be that other man? Or will it be any of others?
IF SD gets into the hole in any game, forget it. They just
do not have any comebacks in them. 

DEFENSE: How much will the departure of Lee Williams affect
the play of the others on that def. line. They have a great 
bunch of players up front and in the LBs, its the secondary
thats the ? They have a rookie (albeit a very good one) 
starting at FS & a 2nd year man at SS. ANd little depth at
CB. 

SCHEDULE:

	Sun 9/1 ,  San Diego at Pittsburgh ......(NBC)
	Sun 9/8 ,  San Diego at San Francisco ...(NBC)
	Sun 9/15,  Atlanta at San Diego .........(CBS)
	Sun 9/22,  San Diego at Denver ..........(NBC)
	Sun 9/29,  Kansas City at San Diego .....(NBC)
	Sun 10/6,  San Diego at L.A. Raiders ....(NBC)
	Sun 10/13, San Diego at L.A. Rams .......(NBC)
	Sun 10/20, Cleveland at San Diego .......(NBC)
	Sun 10/27, San Diego at Seattle .........(NBC)
 	Week 10 - (bye)
	Sun 11/10, Seattle at San Diego .........(NBC)
	Sun 11/17, New Orleans at San Diego .....(CBS)
	Sun 11/24, San Diego at N.Y. Jets .......(NBC)
	Sun 12/1,  L.A. Raiders at San Diego ....(ESPN)
	Sun 12/8,  San Diego at Kansas City .....(NBC)
	Sun 12/15, Miami at San Diego ...........(NBC)
	Sun 12/22, Denver at San Diego ..........(NBC)


PREDICTIONS

They are in a competitive AFCWest, may not be the best
div. but it is very balanced. Going by past performances, I
can see them win these games,

@ Pitt., @Seattle, @ Jets and home vs. Atl, KC, Cle, Seattle,
NOrleans, Miami & Denver, total of 10 games, As you can see, 
I am optimistic.. allright VERY optimistic...but then as one
Cleveland fan put it so eloquently a while ago, sports is
one area where a man can be as illogical as he wants to.

SO here goes nothing...

GO CHARGERS


__________________________________________________________

Subject: San Diego @ Pittsburgh ... aaagh


SAN DIEGO 20  PITTSBURGH 26

Bad start to the season, not just in terms that they lost
the game, but in mental breakdowns that the team had in 
critical situations. I guess everybody can read the box-
scores for scoring details.

Freisz fumbled the ball at his own 30 yd. line on the
3rd play of the game, that cost them a FG. He started 
1 of 6 and looked extremely shaky in the early going. 
He then settled down to play much better, especially
in the 2nd half. I give most of the blame to the inept
offense to the play calling by the coaches. WHY IN THE
WORLD DIDN'T THEY RUN THE BALL MORE. Case in point; 
trailing 13-3 early in the 2nd half, they get the ball
for their 1st series. Bernstine runs off 5 yds on 1st down,
and WHY was Freisz throwing a pass on 2nd down? They were
able to run the ball, why not continue to run the ball till 
Pittsburgh shows that they can stop the run??? The Giants won
a Super_Bowl last season on that philosophy, go with your
strengths. Of course, Harmon got his usual quota of 
1-carry-per-game-for-20yds. WHY don't the coaches get the ball
to him more?? It seems obvious to every bozo watching the game
that Harmon CAN run. WHY THE #$%^&*@!#$%^&*( do they insist
on using him only as a 3rd down pass-catcher???!??
Add to that the regular quota of dropped passes & a missed FG,
no wonder the offense sucks. 

And the defense, aaaah the 5th best defense in the NFL last year,
1st best at giving up the big plays at the worst moments.
I can't even write about it, giving up a 89 yd TD pass (more like
a wounded quayle pass) to a scared backup QB running for his
life. Somebody somewhere blew a coverage BIGTIME. I blame the
def. coor. for blitzing when Pitt. was on their own 11 yd. line
with a 3rd-and-19 and a rattled QB. They were going to get the 
ball back in pretty good field position, give up the short pass,
don't let them kill ya deep. Where was the famed prevent-defense
when you actually needed it?? Grossman was 
almost nonexistent. SS Shelton was beaten badly for he 1st TD.
FS Richard was nowwhere to be found at times.

Well, lets look at the positives, if any...

o CB Gill Byrd had 2 INTs, and almost had another. HE was
  sensational, not just in the INTs but in close coverage too.
o Junior Seau was excellent, he was quick, strong, and was 
  great against the run and pass.
o WR Nate Lewis played well., nice fake for TD on a razzle-
  dazzle pass from RB Bernstine. 
o the team didn't quit even when things were going bad, and 
  showed some guts to stay in there till the end.

and thats about it. 

If were Piitsburgh, I would be concerned about their overall
play. They just couldn't punch the ball in when they had posses-
sion time and again inside SD's 20 yd. line. Bubby kept over-
throwing in those situations, and then would jump up & down.
Their defense will have problems against a more potent offense
than SD, (but then, whose offense isn't #) #) ), especially
physical teams like Giants or Redskins.. 

Next week, in that mistake-by-the-sea in SF against the 49ers.
Not easy, no way.. sir

I guess SD should adopt a new logo:
"The best-looking 6-&-10 team in the NFL"

    Well not too bad of a game.  Pittsburgh had the ball deep in SD
    territory a number of times and came away with FGs.  Seau was all over. 
    
    The O wasn't bad.  Friesz settled in and threw the ball very well in
    the 2nd half.  This game was winable, but when Pittsburgh hit that dump
    off for a TD late in the 4th, that did it.
    
    Chargers were competitive.  I liked the game.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

Heard this morning that Dan Henning fired the Offensive Coordinator. 

 

       It's true. Henning says he wants to be "more personally involved in
    the offense."
                                     Denny

    Here's the scoop Jeff.  Ted Tollner last year was the QB coach.  During
    the off-season, Henning promoted him to Offensive Coordinator and his
    playcalling during the preseason and the 1st game of the regular season
    was, indeed, offensive.  So, Henning fired him and will take over the
    duties of Offensive Coordinator as well as Head Coach.  I'm pleased
    with the move, because the playcalling DID stink.  And also, with
    Henning's own neck very close to being severed, it's understandable
    that he wants to control the offense.  My concern is that Henning has
    not shown that he's a dynamic, air-supremacy, original offensive
    thinking coach.  In fact, he's been the opposite - BORING.  I hope he
    can break out of that shell, and work the offense well.  This week,
    however, will prove to be a significant challenge...the Chargers play
    at Candlestick Park against the 49ers.  Ouch!
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

      I noticed that the chargers seem to have a somewhat tough schedule
    to begin with.  I would like to see them beat the 9'rs,  but if they
    don't, then it will be hard for them to recover from IMO.
    
    	Tim

    You're right Tim.  5 out of the first 7 games are on the road.  I'll
    just wait and see.
    
    Glenn

    Hey Doug.  Are you still alive or did the defeat @ Pittsburgh knock you
    off?
    
    Can you imagine the boost the Chargers will get if by some miracle of
    God they beat the 9ers @ San Francisco this Sunday.  If Friesz is hot
    and the D comes to play...  Their confidence will shoot straight up and
    they could really come on.  If they lose, they go 0-2 and are at the
    bottom.  This really is quite a pivotal game.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

      Every game is "pivital".  I remember a 77 seconds time frame that
    killed the Broncos season IMO.
    
    	Tim

    I'm still here Glenn, thanks for asking.  I recently had a death in the
    family which has knocked me for a loop and kinda made this fun and
    games stuff a low priority.  But I'm feeling better and will be back
    soon.
    
    Doug

    Ouch Doug.  That's no fun.  Sorry.
    
    Chargers lost to SF 34-14 on Sunday.  They kept pace with the 9ers VERY
    well during the 1st half, but in the 2nd half, they just got blown
    away.  Friesz again showed a good deal of poise and was very sharp in
    the 1st half.
    
    The good thing for the Chargers is that AFC West divisional rivals
    Denver and KC both lost this week, so the Chargers are only 1 game out. 
    Thanks Broncos & Chiefs!
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    
    
    
    Off the Internet.....
    
    
    
SAN DIEGO 14  SF 49ers 34

Well..you knew it was going to happen. Sf is too powerful
for SD to handle, w/ or w/out Montana. The surprise was that
SD hung in there till half-time.

Scoring summary

SD  7  7  0  0  - 14
SF  3 14 14  3  - 34

The play-calling by Dan Henning was pretty good in the 1st half.
He ran the ball more, mixed it up and in general kept the ball
moving. SD had a 14-10 lead with 1:50 to go in the half and then
the roof caved in on the defense. SF made a great adjustment in 
going to the TE Jones over the middle and Young just killed them
with the patented short-passing attack of the 49ers. SD just 
didn't get any passrush on the QB, and he just tore them apart.
A defensive mixup resulted in an SF score and SD trailed at 
halftime. 

The real damage was done in the 2nd half. On a 3rd and 1 at the
SF 30 yd. line, SD went on a double zone with FS Richard & SS
Shelton forming the 2 deep zone. But the SS never heard the 
defensive call and went with the TE. When the CB released Rice
to the SS, there was no-one & all that was there was free space
for Rice who went unmolested for a 70 TD. Game finis. Terrible
defensive mistake. And yet they still had a chance to get 
back into the game. They got fumble recovery at the SF 20 yd line,
and WHY IN THE WORLD did Henning want Freisz to pass on 1st down.
The running game was clicking so well, WHY not keep running till
they show that they can stop it. What happens, Freisz gets sacked
on 1st down, and they are out of FG range. And of any chance for
a comeback.

SD has some serious secondary problems, a rookie playing FS and
a 2nd yr guy playing SS. And most worrying is the fact that they
are not getting ANY pass-rush whatsoever. Their best pass-rusher
Junior Seau is an inside-LB. They should put him on the outside-LB
spot from which he can go after the QB. They have some depth at
ILB, so why not use Seau outside. But then, I stopped understanding
Henning a long time ago...

The WRs kept dropping passes, and "all-pro" Miller was the guiltiest
party in that respect. He dropped 2 critical 3rd down passes that 
SHOULD have been caught. 

The only bright spot was the great running game. Butts job as the
starter is on the line...Bernstine is playing really well. He just 
runs over people and a very good rushing-defense in SF had problems
stopping the SD run. That makes Henning's play-calling in the 2nd
half even more puzzling. 

Next week, the home-opener vs. the Atlanta Falcons. If they don't
win that, Henning's butt is on the line, if it isn't already...

Bobby Beathard yesterday went public with a vote of confidence for head coach
Dan Henning.  Responding to reporters' queries as to whether Henning would
survive past this Sunday if the Chargers lose to Atlanta, Beathard responded
that there would be no more coaching changes this year and that "Dan Henning
is fine."  I heard him elaborate later where he said that he didn't like the
players worrying about who their coach would be from week to week, so he felt
like he needed to do this.

I hope he is just trying to sooth player concerns because this season ticket
holder says Henning's job SHOULD be on the line!

I can't believe he'll make it past mid season if they continue to lose.

This team will struggle until it brings in a competent head coach.

Doug

    Chargers lost to the Falcons on Sunday 16-13.  I don't have any real
    gripes except one.  What was Henning doing on the last play?  
    
    Here's the scenario...Chargers drove to the 30 yard line (a 47 yard FG
    attempt.  Carney had already missed a 47 yd FG attempt earlier in the
    game) and had about 10+ seconds left in the game.  On 3rd down and with 
    ONE TIMEOUT REMAINING, Henning sent in the FG team.  Needless to say
    the FG missed and the Chargers lost.  
    
    Am I stupid here?  What's wrong with a 10 or 20 yard toss to get into
    better FG range, and then call the timeout and let the FG team onto the
    field for a higher percentage FG?
    
    Henning lost this game.
    
    Friesz look VERY good.  Good poise, good touch, completed over 50% of
    his passes with no interception.  Running game did will, both Bernstine
    and Butts.  But the D looks soft this year to me.  I dunno, but it
    seems so.  D will improve as Richard and Shelton get more playing time
    and O will improve with Butts coming into the backfield and Friesz
    getting more playing time.  But the one BIG bright spot is Shawn
    Jefferson, WR.  Is he the reincarnation of JJ?
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

ATLANTA 13  SAN DIEGO 10

ATL  7  3  3  0 - 13
SD   0  7  0  3 - 10

Boy, this is the San Diego that every team in the NFL has come 
to know and love. They couldn't even beat a team that had lost
19 straight road games. 

Pathetic offense, worse play-calling, lousy Wide Receivers, bad
penalties..the works. And 3 missed FGs didn't help either. I 
couldn't believe that play-calling. I have said this a xxxx times, 
why throw the ball so many times, PLEASE keep running the damn
football. Yes, Atlanta was giving them some passing room and in
effect saying 'we are gonna give you the pass, see if you can
pass the football on us'. The idea of the game is that YOU stick
to a game-plan based on something you are GOOD at, i.e. running
the ball, you don't get into a game and start things you are
not good at just because the other team is allowing that. 

Plus they miss a 47yd FG in the dying seconds that would have
tied up the game. I don't blame the kicker Carney, I blame Henning
for BAD time management in the last drive. They kicked the FG on
a 3rd-and-10 for heavens sake!! AND they STILL had a timeout left.
Run the ball up a few more yards and use that timeout to give
Carney a higher % shot. WHAT was Henning saving that timeout for??
the playoffs??..

Anyway, Henning's job is in deep s&*t. Even the "old buddy" Beathard
may not be able to stop Spanos from kicking him out. The problem is,
who is available for the job now...

The only bright spot was the running and the LBs. They finally put
Seau to rush some from the outside. Bernstine ran off 75 yds. and 
Butts about 65 yds, including a 45 yder. Nice platoon to have.. SF 
would KILL to get that sort of RBs. But then, SD wouldn't mind
having those WRs in SF. How about Taylor for Butts, straight up??

� Plus they miss a 47yd FG in the dying seconds that would have
� tied up the game. I don't blame the kicker Carney, I blame Henning
� for BAD time management in the last drive. They kicked the FG on
� a 3rd-and-10 for heavens sake!! AND they STILL had a timeout left.
� Run the ball up a few more yards and use that timeout to give
� Carney a higher % shot. WHAT was Henning saving that timeout for??
� the playoffs??..
 
 The only reason I've ever heard that makes any sense for playing it
 this way has to do with 3rd down.    That is, if you kick on an early
 down and somehow muff the snap or the placement, you can always fall
 on it and kick it again.
 
 It's a weak argument in my opinion since it assumes weakness rather
 than plays to a strength.   Any coach who loses a tight game with a
 TO still in his pocket hasn't done his job.
 
 Bob Hunt

    Yep Bob.  You're right.  Add to that the fact that Carney had already
    missed a 47 yarder earlier in the game and you really have a botched
    situation.  If he couldn't make it from 47 earlier, and there's still
    time on the clock, 1 timeout left and 3rd down....what do you do?  Kick
    a 47 yarder....NOPE.  You go for a 10 yard pass to get the FG try to be
    a 37 yarder.  Stupid!
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

The situation described in the past few replies isn't even the worst of it - 
The Chargers had the ball at their own 45 with 2 minutes to go and 2 time outs.
Any other team in the league that was moving the football as well as SD did
(during that time) would have moved it down around the 15 or 20 yard line.  
Hell, some teams would have scored a TD!

But not Henning.  He saved his timeouts and let 30 seconds run off between 1st
and 2nd down before he ultimately settled for the 47 yard FG attempt.  The most
maddening thing is not that he didn't try another pass before the FG, it was 
that the time had been allowed to run down THAT FAR to begin with!

He should be fired for taking a timeout to the locker room after the game, if 
nothing else.

After the game during his postgame interview, Henning placed the blame every-
where but on himself.  He had the gall to say that "we got the ball into 
position, but the kicker couldn't get it done."  I turned off the radio at 
that point.  

It really is better that Carney missed the FG.  If  he had made it, the 
Chargers might have lucked out and won the game, and nobody but me would be
questioning Henning's brains during that last drive.  This way we get to add
another example of incompetence to a long list for the inept head coach.

Situations like last Sunday have happened over and over and over again. Spanos
and Beathard must be stupid.  I can come to no other realization.

There is a famous restaurant owner/season ticket holder in San Diego who calls
the talk shows a lot.  Last year he vowed to never attend another Charger 
game until Henning was fired.  I'm almost ready to join him.  The games are
now absolutely no fun to go to.  There is no question in my mind anymore
why Lee Williams wanted out.  It is a situation in total disarray and will be
until they let Henning go.


Doug (with a sack over his head)

    It's great to have you back Doug.
    
    Glenn

       I think I used to day this about the Reeves during the Super bowls.
    I didn't see any of this game,  but if your on your own 45 and 2
    timeouts with 2 mins left,  then you better be able to mave the ball
    more than 25 yards if your going to be a winner.
    
      3 missed FGs means maybe a new kicker and from what I hear, a new
    coach.  JMO.
    
      Its Denver time Glenn,  and the Chargers better wake up,  because you
    know how Mile hi games are for opponents.
    
      Hate to tell ya, but Denver will put a show on that will leave the
    Chargers at 0-4.   I'm sure Denver will find a way to let the Chargers
    stay in the game,  but will still win.
    
    	Tim

The only way Henning coached teams win is to blow out the opponent, which will
not happen this weekend at Mile High.  It will be close, and Denver will win.

FYI, there is nothing wrong with John Carney.  He made 21 out of 23 field goals
last year.  The three he missed Sunday were from 47, 49, and 54 yards.  On two
of them, including the last one, he was kicking off the infield dirt at the 
Murph.  He's better than Treadwell (IMHO), or whatever his name is.

Doug

      Treadwell hasn't been super impressive, even though he did make all 3
    FG att last week.  He missed alot in pre-season, which doesn't count,
    but that still makes him questionable at times.  He also had an ok
    season last year.
    
      This game will be close only if Elway is pressured,  even SD doesn't, 
    well it will be a long day for Charger faithful, IMO.
    
    	Tim

    Tim... are you attempting to indicate that you think the 
    measley denver broncos will beat the MIGHTY JUGGERNAUT 
    SAN DIEGO CHARGERS?  
    
    C'mon Tim...get a life!
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

Even a dog like Henning occasionally has his day.......I wouldn't be that
surprised to see the donks go down, cause they ain't nothin' special.  As a 
matter of fact, the whole AFC West kinda sucks if you ask me.  That's another
reason why the SD situation is so depressing - it wouldn't take much to win
this division in '91.

Doug

Glenn, I can't believe I forgot to pass this news along:  Last night I heard 
the report that now the Chargers are going to assign a coach in the press box
the express responsibility for managing the clock at the end of halves.
Another move to hide yet another Henning deficiency (but remember, it was the
kicker's fault the other day).

Actually, from what I understand, most teams do this already.  I guess I'm 
just spoiled from the Dan Fouts/Coryell days.  Fouts never even had to look to
the sidelines for help.  He could move the team from his own 20 to paydirt
in 1 minute with 3 timeouts.

Doug

      Denver isn't mighty,  but I believe they are better than the
    Chargers, and it wouldn't suprise if SD beats Denver since any team can
    beat any other team on a given day.
    
      Who knows, this could be another FG war, which these 2 teams have
    been known to do against each other.
    
      I still see Denver winning....home crowd advantage definately helps..
    
    	Tim

    Boy, I definately agree with the previous note. I think the chances of
    S.D. coming into Mile-hi and winning are very slim. Denver has the
    defense and S.D. doesn't. I believe this game could be a laugher if
    S.D. doesn't get some pressure on Elway, considering S.D.'s secondary.
    My $.02
    
    BUDMAN
    

Another Henning game, another loss.  Nothing new to say.

The after-game radio talk show was interesting.  I would say that conservatively
speaking, 80% of all callers were demanding the removal of Dan Henning.
Many people also bashed Beathard and Spanos.

Henning's record with the Chargers - 12 Wins, 24 Losses.  Nice round numbers.
Counting preseason, they're on a 7 game losing streak.

Total depression has set in.


Doug

      SD has one great rushing attack going.  Why they went away from it
    was beyond me.  I thought they would stick with it more.  I'm not sure
    what Bernstein (sp?) ended up with,  but he had a good day.
    
      SD DL shut down the run for the most part.  Green got 3 decent runs
    in all day,  2 for TDs.
    
      Good luck agianst KC,  you going to need it;^
    
    	Tim 

    I'm not too disappointed in this game.  Butts is lookin' better all the
    time, and had Friesz hit on one or two of those passes into the
    endzone, we would have won.  Seau looked good on that interception, but
    we keep shooting ourselves.  It'll turn around and if not, we'll get a
    new coach and another high draft pick.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    Did Miller play?  how did he look?
    

Glenn,

I don't know how you can NOT be disappointed in that game.  They've lost seven
games in a row.  SEVEN.  The team is to the point now where they will only win
when they completely blow somebody out, which isn't going to happen too often.

And we aren't getting any high draft pick either, and if we're lucky, they'll
give us a new coach.  Remember, thanks to Bobby, Washington has our next year's
#1, and we have Houston's.  BTW, you should hear the 'Skins fans on the radio,
rooting for the Chargers to stink all year long!

Remember how the fans used to swear that Ortmayer was still working for Al 
Davis when he was the SD General Manager. (Lachey for Clay - AARRGGHH!)
Now they're saying that about Beathard and his old employer, Washington.

Doug

Miller has a pulled hamstring.  He played for about two plays worth.  On one
he was wide open in the endzone and Friesz couldn't get him the ball because 
he had to throw too soon.  Miller caught a pass for 8 yards on the other play.

The Chargers actually do better passing when Miller isn't in the game, because
they get normal coverage on the wideouts.  When Miller is in there, he gets
double teamed all the time and for some reason both Tolliver and now Friesz
feel obligated to try to get him the ball 'cause he's the star.  Then they
throw it into double coverage and it goes incomplete or gets intercepted. 

Doug

>Glenn,
>
>I don't know how you can NOT be disappointed in that game.  They've lost seven
>games in a row.  SEVEN.  The team is to the point now where they will only win
>when they completely blow somebody out, which isn't going to happen too often.
    
    Fans are fickle.  A 7 game losing streak isn't anything.  During the
    70's I was the ONLY CHARGER FAN IN THE COUNTRY, I think.  Steeler fans
    waited forever.  Things will turn around.  I think that the foundation
    is being built and being built well.  The offense has a good line and a
    great running game.  The QB needs to mature and gain experience. 
    That'll come.  The D misses Lee Williams alot, and it'll take time for
    Thornton, Richard and Shelton to come on.  But on balance they are a
    decent ball club.  We were a whisker away from beating Denver.  Seau's
    interception...Friesz just missing Jefferson in the end zone...it'll
    come.
    
    
>And we aren't getting any high draft pick either, and if we're lucky, they'll
>give us a new coach.  Remember, thanks to Bobby, Washington has our next year's
>#1, and we have Houston's.  BTW, you should hear the 'Skins fans on the radio,
>rooting for the Chargers to stink all year long!
    
    Yea that's right.  I forgot that, but Houston doesn't exactly appear to
    be the juggernaut they pretended to be before. 
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    
    
    
Subject: Re: Bobby Beathard
Date: 25 Sep 91 12:09:29 GMT

    
In rec.sport.football.pro, [email protected] (nod sivad) writes:
>>Does [Bobby Beatherd] still work for the Redskins?  I only ask because I
>> THOUGHT I had heard that he went to work for the SD Chargers...

>Actually, Beatherd frequently traded away the Redskin's 1st round picks
>while he was here.  1st round picks just confuse teams.  You should be
>grateful the Redskins are handling the first rounder for you this year,
>especially since it might be the first overall.  Look at all the flack
>Dallas took after picking Maryland.  We're doing you a favor.  Honest.  :-)

Actually, Beatherd is a genius at this game of trading.  Beatherd does
not "throw away" first and second round picks; he actually get ahead
in this game even though it isn't obvious at first.

While most teams go after first and second round picks (and thus select 
unproven players), Beatherd would trade Washington's prime draft picks
for proven veterans who can win.  That was how the Redskins became a 
football power in the past decade.  

The Washington fans were aghast at first at what Beatherd was doing,
but, when Beatherd's trades started showing big results over the time, 
the fans came to admire his strategy.

Yes, first round picks do confuse everyone, and they are awfully expensive.
And one player can't win games by himself.

San Diego Chargers fans, just have patience.  Washington didn't become
a power overnight.  It took some years of trading to get strong players
for each position.

My problem with the people who say, "just have patience" is this:  by that
statement they insinuate that this situation just became deplorable a few 
months ago at best or a couple of seasons ago at worst!  We die hard Charger 
fans have been living with the excuses of "just give us time" since 1984!

When Spanos bought the team he said his goal was to be in the Super Bowl 
within 5 years.  Maybe he really said "Toilet Bowl" and was misquoted.

I would feel better if Beathard came out and said, "Look, Charger fans, you 
have been SCREWED in the past.  Prior management said the team was improving
talent-wise, but they were really lying to you.  So now it is going to take 
some time to REALLY build this team the right way."  

But that isn't what he's saying.  I heard him say on the radio last night that 
this team has more talent than it did last year, but the team just has been 
playing poorly.  Well then, who's responsible for that??!!  Look at the 
defense, I think there are 6 number 1 draft picks on that side of the ball.
Even if you made a couple of screwy #1 picks, you oughta be good.  Last I 
checked our defense was 28th in the league.  

The Chargers do not need to rebuild.  The talent is there.

There is only 1 problem with the San Diego Chargers, and I have spelled it 
out ad nauseum in several prior replies.

I want the management of this team to be accountable for the situation, not
make excuses.  (Sorta like DEC)

Doug

    Doug -
    
    You think you have it bad.  The Giants went 18 years between playoff
    seasons (1963 - 1981) - and in that time, the fielded some horrible
    teams.  Yes, have patience.  It can be hard, it can be trying - but
    it makes one a better fan.
    
    JD - long time Giants fan - 
    
    

      Yes the Chargers almost won that game Glenn,  but Denver also had
    Elway overthrow Kay 2x for TD's, and of course ended up with FGs,  so
    it goes both ways.
    
      I thought SD did look good,  but just lacked something....don't know
    what though.
    
    	Tim

Just a word to pass on the mood of the stadium during yesterday's 14-13 loss
to the Chiefs.

The game was dominated by San Diego on both sides of the ball, but as usual 
they lost anyway - because it was a close game.

In one section of the stadium, individual fans held up letters that read
"DUMP DAN HENNING".  Kind of amusing.  At the scoreboard end of the stadium
fans taped up a sign to the wall that said, "Dear Alex, fire Dan Henning."
It was quickly ripped down by anti-1st amendment Charger security personnel.

NOW, FOR THE STATISTIC OF THE YEAR!!!

Since sometime during the 1989 season, the Charger's record in the last 13
games decided by 7 points or less is:

         0 WINS     13 LOSSES

Kind of sums it up.

Doug

    Phoenix got the Charger game as the regional game yesterday.  I agree
    with -1, the Chargers dominated the Chiefs all day, but just couldn't
    get points on the board.  They're at a point in their slump now where
    the battle is mental.  Obviously they can compete, but they lose their
    poise between the 20 and the goal line.
    
    I don't know much about the Chargers, but where did this Bernstine come
    from and since when are TE's allowed to be RB's? ;-)  He's quite a
    runner!
    
    Mike

    >I don't know much about the Chargers, but where did this Bernstine come
    >from and since when are TE's allowed to be RB's? ;-)  He's quite a
    >runner!
    >
    >Mike
    
    Rod Bernstine was drafted a couple years back as THE replacement tight
    end for Kellen Winslow, but he kept getting hurt, and things never
    quite panned out.  Well, they've been using him as a running back this
    year and the last 2 or 3 games from last year, and voila...a star is
    born.  Eventually, the NFL will get the Chargers to change his number
    since his number is indicative of a receiver and not a running back.
    
    This loss to KC really hurt I think.  This one was ours and we just
    couldn't punch it in.  I know of 2 times we were 1st & goal and came
    away with 3 points.
    
    This is what I think....
    
    I agree with Bill Walsh who continually said the Chargers rely TOO
    heavily on the run.  You HAVE to be able to throw some, but Henning and
    crew have Friesz second-guessing himself and now that shows.  This kid
    can throw just fine.  During preseason he was very accurate.  Against
    the Raiders he was 17 of 19 and did 11 in a row.  In college he broke 8
    million passing records.  This kid can throw, but he's questioning
    himself now and that hurts.  Did he throw deep once against the Chiefs? 
    I don't remember if he did.  Did Miller and Lewis forget how to catch?
    They need to practise the passing game.  I feel like sending some basic
    passing plays to Henning, y'know, down and in, down and out,
    buttonhook, post, flag, in the flat, look in, etc.  About the only pass
    being thrown is a curl out of the backfield by Harmon.  The run should
    be opening up the pass and we need to pass some to compliment the run.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

>    himself now and that hurts.  Did he throw deep once against the Chiefs? 
    
    He aired one out once to #31 late in the 4th, but it was incomplete. 
    It must have been about 35-40 yards.  I think it was the series after
    that long punt return by San Diego.
    
    Mike

      I caught some of this game,  and your right Glenn,  I did notice
    Friesz looking a little shakey.  He overthrew some that I saw,  or
    threw behind which ended up incomplete.
    
      I hope SD can get a victory against Faiders.  Schreoder and co don't
    seem to be clicking that well.  The LA defense is looking good,  so it
    should be interesting.
    
    
    	Tim

    Well last time Friesz played the Raiders he went 17 for 19, so maybe
    this is the right team at the right time to face.  A win would be
    sweet, and Tim, as a Bronco fan, you wouldn't mind the Raiders falling
    I'd guess.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    Someone on the internet suggested that the Chargers trade Marion Butts
    to SF for John Taylor straight up.  The thought process was since SD 
    can't pass and SF can't run, they'd both win.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

      Oh yes Glenn,  I would like to see LA go down,  and this SD team
    could do it if they pressure Schreoder.

    I didn't see the game but saw the stats. The Chargers had them beat
    in every key category. Time of possesion, yardage, turnovers, 1st downs
    etc,etc..but still lost. Can they shake out  of whatever it is their in  
    in time for the Raiders? A win right before the break especially over 
    LA could do wonders to turn things around. It's still not too late.
    
    BoB
    (for Indy and TB it's too late) 

    >A win would be sweet, and Tim, as a bronco fan, you wouldn't mind
    >the (awsome) Raiders falling I'd guess.
    
    It'll never happen, and even if it does the donks will be going
    down this weekend too, so it won't matter much....:-)
    
    
    Carlos

    Re. -1
    
    Ohhhh no.......it happened....oh well at least the donks got blown
    away :-)
    
    Carlos

    Allright Glenn!!!!  Way to go Chargers!!!
    
    Joe

Ya know, I got a chance to see some  of the Charger-Raider game yesterday, and 
I don't think it's a new coach you guys need.  The Chargers were clearly the 
more talented team, they just killed themselves with mistakes!  Holding, pass
interference, dropped passes, etc.  Unless Henning is teaching the guys to be
stupid, I don't think you can BLAM him.  

I was particularly impressed with Freise (sp).  He showed a lot of poise for an
inexperienced NFL QB.  Bernstien also looked good, gettign to holes quickly.

=Bob=

    Well we did it.  The monkey's off our backs.  Now only Cincy and the
    Colts are 0-n.  
    
    Chargers played well, and instead of getting FGs they got TDs and
    that's the real difference.  
    
    ALL BRONCO FANS owe me a soda....Coke Classic please....thank you!
    I was surprised at the lack of enthusiasm on the part of the Raiders,
    especially since they knew the Broncos lost.  You would think they
    would be up, trying to get a share of 1st place.   Oh.......
    I get it....they were up, but the MIGHTY Chargers crushed them.  OK, I
    can handle that.
    
    It's nice to have a win.  Bob I agree with you that Friesz may have a
    very bright future in the NFL.
    
    Glenn

    
    	The Donk fans at JaKe's get together woulda bought you
    	a soda..................  :^)
    
    	Claybroon

      Why do we Bronco fans owe you a coke?    Did you put a hex on Elway
    this weekend Glenn or was it Schroeder?
    
      I didn't see much of either game,  but I heard Biff sipped.  No
    knowledge of what schroeder did.....
    
        Tim

    >The Chargers were clearly the more talented team, they just killed
    >themselves with mistakes!
    
    I disagree, I think it's the Raiders that killed themselves with
    mistakes, like the beautiful bomb by Schroeder that Gault dropped
    that had seven points written all over it, or the other two key
    drives where the Raiders offense was moving the ball down field 
    relatively easily until the untimely Craig fumble, or that freak 
    interception. The Raiders let this one slip away.....IMHO.
    
    Carlos

    I hate to be the negative guy here, especially since I'm a Charger fan,
    but I feel I must respond to .260's reply.
    
    Let's don't get carried away with this win.  The only difference
    between yesterday's game and the others this season is that this time
    all the breaks went Henning's way - ALL of them!  How many times did
    the Chargers have the ball in Raider territory without scoring?  Answer
    - plenty of times (3 in the 1st half alone).  And how many plays did they
    have to run at the end of the first half to get the ball into the end
    zone from the 6 yard line?  Answer - 6! (I was waiting for Henning to
    mess up the clock on that one too!)
    
    Chargers had no turnovers, the Raiders had 3.
    
    One of the other TDs happened after Roger Craig coughed it up again and
    the offense got to start from the 13.  
    
    The Chargers happened to catch the Faiders on a down day.
    
    And they still barely won.
    
    No, I'm sorry.  Henning's record speaks for itself.  Glenn and any
    other real Charger fans reading this, don't get fooled by the nice
    little winning streak the team might reel off here (we may beat the
    Rams and Cleveland coming up).  All that will do is bring Henning back
    to his track record of losing 5 games for every 3 he wins.
    
    Any Charger fan that feels he/she is in this for the ultimate
    playoff/Super Bowl payoff knows that it won't happen with Henning at
    the helm.  That's why I choose not to be fooled any longer by
    occasional interludes of calm seas in Henning's stormy voyage.
    
    Everyone can see what talent there is on this team.  It should be a
    playoff team, even with Friesz at QB.  BTW I agree that Friesz looks
    real good and is going to be a winner, after they get rid of Henning.
    The one good thing they finally did was dump BJ and give John the ball.
    
    Anthony Miller has pulled the complete disppearing act.  They have to
    deal with that.
    
    Might as well beat the Lambs this week.
    
    Doug

      I'm not sure about Hennig.  Someone said in another note, that
    mistakes have lost games for SD,  and I agree.  I have seen them play 2
    games,  and in both,  mistakes killed them as they were driving the
    ball.  Holding, off pass interference, offsides, etc. are the problems
    I have seen.
    
      It seems the place kicker is doing better anyway.
    
      Tim

With the talent SD has in their linebacking corps they should be THE defensive
terror in the NFC. How come they aren't ? Does Henning not allow the LB's to 
attack the ball? Is he another one of those weenie read and react defensive
guys ?

The chargers should be racking up the sacks and dominating enough on defense
so that they can win games with a good running attack alone. 

I'm amazed at their record with the huge amount of talent they have. This isn't
a rebuilding team like the Pats or a team crushed with injuries like the colts.
These guys should be among the league leaders and when you've got the talent
and aren't producing the blame lies squarely on the coach. Even games that are
lost through mistakes should be blamed on the coach. Well coached teams don't
make mistakes that continually cost the team ball games.

Can Henning and get Walsh in there and they'll win a super bowl in 3 years....


Metz

    
>With the talent SD has in their linebacking corps they should be THE defensive
>terror in the NFC. How come they aren't ? Does Henning not allow the LB's to 
               ^^^
    
    This is an interesting statement, seeing as the Chargers are in the AFC
    WEst.
    
    JaKe
    

    Fred Edelstein on ESPN last night said that the Chargers are trying to
    get rid of (as in trade) Marion Butts, because he's in the doghouse
    after his protracted contract snafu.  I'd hate to see Butts go.
    
    Additionally, last week apparently there was a 3 team trade going like
    this:
    		Chargers trade Butts & 2nd round pick to Miami
    		Miami trades Richmond Webb to Atlanta
    		Chargers get Bruce Pickens....
    I think I'm ruining this, because somehow Mike Pritchard from Atlanta
    was in this also.
    
    Anyway, I like having Butts & Bernstine in there with Harmon in the
    wings.  My only questions is ...where's Bieniemy?  We should have never
    drafted him, IMHO.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn	

Subject: SD beats LARaiders!
Date: 7 Oct 91 16:07:17 GMT
Organization: University of California, San Diego
Lines: 45


SAN DIEGO 21  LA RAIDERS 13


SD 0 14 0 7 - 21 
LA 3  7 3 0 - 13 


aaah...the joy..the ecstasy...the feeling...being a 
Chargers fan is like going to an expensive restaurant;
the exterior is very nice, the people look good, but they
keep you waiting for 2 hours before they feed you anything,
and then even bad food starts tasting good. SD loses 8 in a
row (going back to last season), and then any kind of win 
is like a Super Bowl victory!

They won in a place where they have never won before in a
non-strike game. They won it by getting all the breaks
that they never seem to get before. They won it via...gasp...
choke...stutter...choke...sensible coaching. The WRs caught
exactly 1 pass all day, everything went to the RBs, HBs & TEs.
They ran & they ran & they ran the football. Ronnie Harmon
actually got to play on first down!! wow! They ran the ball
32 times for 158 yds (Harmon had 5 carries at around 
6yds a pop). They made smart decisions, they made good defensive
plays, the special teams were outstanding. When the Raiders
were stuffing the big backs early on in the game, they put
in 4 WR sets with Harmon in the backfield to spread things
out for the RBs. 

Henning had to make one gutsy call with 7 secs to go in 1st half.
Down 10-7, the ball on the LA 1.5yd line, 4th down, he eschewed
the game-tying FG to go for it with Butts, who punched it in
for the lead. 

The other big play was a 53yd fumble return by Henry Rolling
in the 4th Q, when LA (down 14-13) was driving.

The next game is in Anaheim against the Rams. 

Nobody's entering anything in this note anymore - must be a major "hangover"
from the last game.  Unbelievable.

Check out this newspaper column from a Rams' beat writer (that's RAMS, not
CHARGERS) about the buffoon's latest wizardry.


FOR HENNING, IT MIGHT BE ALL OVER BUT THE SHOUTING

Anaheim - "Idiot! Idiot! Idiot!" yelled the fans leaning over the dugout 
railing as San Diego Chargers coach Dan Henning jogged off the field Sunday
after his team's 30-24 loss to the Rams.

Just before he disappeared into the dugout runway, Henning looked up at his
unadoring fans and smiled.

Was he a happy idiot, too?  Didn't Dumb Dan realize he might have coached
his last game for the 1-6 Chargers?  Was he TOTALLY oblivious?  Didn't he 
know Chargers owner Alex Spanos had been watching the game from Greece, via
satellite feed?

It's a safe bet Spanos wasn't smiling any more than Chargers general manager
Bobby Beathard, who emerged from Henning's office with a stern face minutes 
after all the locker room shouting had ceased behind the closed doors.

Or maybe Henning was smiling because after he gets fired he knows he won't 
have to answer any more embarrassing questions like these:

*  Why did you punt on 4th and 16 from the Rams 34 yard line in the final
minute of the 1st quarter with your team on top 7-0?  Was that your way of 
playing not to lose instead of trying to win?

*  With one second left in the first half, why did you call a running play
on third-and-10 at your 1 instead of having your QB kneel or spike the ball
or throw it out of bounds?

*  Why did you call a timeout with 3:42 left to decide whether to kick a 
field goal or go for the first down on 4th-and-2 at the Rams 9?  Trailing by
nine points, you had to kick the field goal because you needed two scores to
win.

*  Why did you call three short pass plays, none long enough to pick up a 
first down if it had been completed, and then call a draw play on fourth-and
10 at your 38 with two minutes to play?  A draw play?

Henning left himself so wide open for second guessing so many times Sunday, 
it's a wonder John Friesz or Jim Everett didn't throw him a pass.

And suffice to say Henning's postgame explanations were as questionable as
his play calling.

Here's a partial transcript of reporters' questions and Henning's answers that
certainly should grab the attention of Spanos and Beathard.

Because Kevin Greene tackled Chargers running back Marion Butts in the end 
zone for a safety to give the Rams a 16-14 lead on the final play of the 1st
half, Henning was asked why he didn't have Friesz kneel down at the 1 to kill
the final second on the clock.
    Reporter:  "Why not (have Friesz) down it?"
    Henning:   "We were on the 1-yard line.  If we did that, it's a safety."
        (Not necessarily.  If Friesz had moved up behind the center after
         taking the snap, he would have had room to kneel.)
    Reporter:   "Why not have Friesz throw the ball out of bounds?"
    Henning:   "That's a possibility.....that's a possibility."
    Reporter:   "Did you consider it?"
    Henning     "Nope."
    Reporter:   "What about a quarterback sneak?"
    Henning:    "We don't run quarterback sneaks.  We have 250 pound running
                 backs.  We had three shots from the 1-yard line."
        (Yeah, three shots for the Rams to record a safety.  You weren't 
          trying to score from the 1, you were trying to get away from the
           goal line.)
    Reporter:   "Why not have Friesz spike the ball?"
    Henning:    "That's a possibility.  We could have done that."
    Reporter:   "Did you consider that?"
    Henning:    "We didn't consider that."


Is Henning's job in jeopardy?

That's a possibility - a strong possibility. Wonder if he has considered THAT. 

			<END ARTICLE>

    Well the Chargers lost a game to the Rams that they ABSOLUTELY should
    have won.  Let me ask 2 questions and assume that you're the head coach
    calling the offensive plays:
    
    Question 1 -
    	What play do you call when there is 1 second left in the half and
        the ball is on your own 1 foot line.  It's 3rd down.
    
    Question 2 -
    	What play do you call when there's 2:08 left in the game and you're
    	down by 6 at the opponents 38 yard line and it's 4th and 10?
    
    
    Glenn's Answer 1 -  I would say, you line a receiver up wide and 
    	drop back and toss the ball out of bounds over the receivers head.
    
    Glenn's Answer 2 -  I would toss a 10 or 15 yard pass to a TE 
    	over the middle or to a WR on an in route or to a RB out 
    	of the backfield.  The common denominator here is throw
    	the ball.
    
    
    Dan Henning's answers (Henning calls the offensive plays):
    
    Answer 1 - Run Butts off left tackle and let the Kevin Green tackle him
    	in the endzone for a safety.
    	
    Answer 2 - Run Butts (I think) up the middle and get 2 yards and lose
    	the game.
    
    
    I certainly cannot see why Charger fans want a new head coach ;-)
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

SAN DIEGO 24  LA RAMS 30


Man this one was an oh-so frustrating one that I have recovered
today to write this up. 

My weekly beef with 'coach' Henning;

 o with 1 sec to go in the half, the ball on their own 1 yd
   line, he calls a riunning play to Butts off left tackle. 
   Greene says hi to Butts in the endzone, safety! With 1 sec
   to go, there are 3 options in decreasing order of preference,

	1) you run a QB-sneak.
	2) u throw the ball outofbounds.
	3) u run a quick-hitter up the middle.

   YOU DO NOT run off-tackle on the side Kevin Greene is lined up.

 o SD trailing 30-24, 2:08 secs to go in the game, ball on own
   37 yd line, 4th down & 10 and Henning calls a draw play. I COULD NOT
   believe it!! Doesn't work, game finis...

This guy is unbelievable. Beathard keeps feeding rot to the fans
that Henning is a "widely respected man in the NFL circles". 
YOU BET HE IS RESPECTED. 27 other teams just LOVE him to death.

Freisz had a great day, 306 yds passing, 2 TD passes. But that was
all bcoz the Rams just jammed up the line of scrimmage, kept
blitzing and generally dared him to throw the ball. To his credit,
he did that beautifully; but the receivers refused to cooperate,
7 different catchable balls were dropped. At least 5 other long
plays were called back bcoz of holding penalties. Consequently,
they couldn't run the ball as much as they wanted to. 

The defense is of great concern. They can stop the run, but the weak
secondary keeps getting killed bcoz of pathetic pass-rush. How 
valuable Lee Williams was is being felt right now. Grossman has
been dogging it the entire season. The guy lines up in the
neutral zone TWICE in one LA drive!! Leslie O'Neal was almost absent.

Next game home against the Browns.

    Well the Chargers lost this one in OT to Cleveland 30-24.  It seemed
    obvious to me that Friesz tried to force that pass in there that
    Brandon intercepted and marched in for the TD.  
    
    It sure seems to me that the Chargers are passing a whole lot more than
    they probably want to.  Chargers lose another.  Now 1-7.  Next up at
    Seattle.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

      re-1  I would say SD passed more than they wanted to.  54 attempts! 
    Is this Air coryell or what.  When you have runners with 5+ yards per
    att,  then that seems the choice.
    
      I didn't want to see the spots win.
    
      Tim

Friesz said after the game that he was trying to put the ball in a spot 
where Lewis either had to make a great finger tip catch, or the pass would go
incomplete, but that he didn't get enough on the ball.

I was outta there before Brandon set foot in the endzone.

The fans love Friesz though.  Once he gets a coach who knows what he's doing,
Friesz will really blossom.

Running game wasn't working yesterday, so they had to pass.  Bernstine got 
hurt, not sure how serious.  It was a great game, but I'm not really crushed
because at this point I'm looking for as many Henning coffin nails as possible. 

After the Chargers lose at Seattle, will Henning finally get the axe?

    Damn Chargers !!!!
    
     really wanted them to Pound The Dawgs....  
    
    Oh Well,  The Donks win.....  Guess you can't have a perfect weekend
    all the time!
    
    ;^)
    
    Big Game

    I GUARANTEE that the Chargers won't loose this week.  They're in 
    San Diego and things are always better at home.  They WON'T lose!
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    re last
    
    Why, do they have a bye this week? :-)

    As a matter of fact, I believe they do ... that's the
    only way one could guaranteee such an outcome.
    

    OK, so someone's smart out there!
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

      Actually the Chargers can win this weekend even with the bye.  How
    you ask?
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
       Well according to some Charger faithful,  FIRE Henning and that
    would be the win;^
    
    
    	Tim

I missed seeing my first Charger game in 15 years when they lost to Seattle.
Now a bye week.....my blood pressure is going down, I actually feel great!

But just when I was feeling better, I read Gordon Forbes of USA Today and his
NFL midseason report.  He had different categories, one of which was "Coaches
in Trouble", or something like that.  Naturally, Dumb Dan was mentioned.

But this is what it said:  "Dan Henning: Talented coach who is taking a 
beating on the San Diego radio talk shows."

Yeah, he's taking a beating alright, and deservedly so.  But why does everyone
in the country think this guy is TALENTED.  Now, as far as I know, I'm the 
only person even close to San Diego that is participating in this topic, and
everybody around here knows by now that Henning is not a very talented head 
coach.  Somebody out there please tell me why it seems that the rest of this
big nation (especially football WRITERS) think Henning is talented!

BP back up to 190 over 90......oh well.


Doug

    Glenn you are no Joe Namath ... :-)

    The only question to be asked Brooks, is "Did they lose?"
    The answer is no, therefore I'm correct and that's all there is to
    that.  ;-)
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    Well the Chargers beat Seattle 17-14 on Sunday, but they almost let
    this one get away.  Congratulation to the Chargers, however I feel best
    for John Carney.  He hit his career best, 54 yarder, to win the game. 
    He hasn't been kicking particularly well this season.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    All I have to say, is I bet the Saints are REALLY scared comin' into
    San Diego this weekend.  Yes, it's the Saints (9-1) vs SD (2-8).
    Now, for the upset of the season!
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

Glenn, I agree with you on .286 that it was good to see Carney hit that kick,
especially with the situations the team has put him in this season.

But I disagree with your statement that he hasn't been kicking well this 
season.  Last year Henning and the team got him setup for kicks generally of
35-40 yards off of GRASS.  This year he has been asked to hit 50+ yard kicks,
many of those off of baseball dirt infields.  A couple of his misses (esp. the
one against Cleveland I think) JUST missed.  

He hasn't caught the breaks this year, and I think that is the primary
difference.  If he had been shanking his kicks, I would agree, but he hasn't.

Doug

    Doug, you're splittin' hairs on me buddy.  Carney is at about 66%. 
    That's what prompted me to say that he hasn't been kicking especially
    well this year.  Last year he only missed 1 I think.  So that's why I
    said what I said.  Note however that my comment is not to be
    interpreted as saying he's not a good kicker.  I think he's pretty
    decent and his kicking situations have often been awful.  But, I'm
    mighty happy he hit that 54 yarder.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    Well the upset of the year happened.  Chargers beat the Saints
    yesterday 24-21 in a pretty good game.  The first half was more wide
    open, and the second half really shut things down.  Anyway, Chargers
    won, next week @ the Jets.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

      Glad to see this.  The Chargers seem to beat the teams you think they
    would lose to.   This proves that SD does have what it takes,  but
    needs something extra (a head coach according to Charger faithful).
    
    	Tim

    Congrats to all you Charger fans out there, I know it's been a rough
    season for you guys, but at least you have the satisfaction of knowing
    that the Chargers can compete with/and beat some of the leagues best.
    
    Carlos

    Thanks guys!
    
    Glenn

     Well,  I'm glad the wasted it on the Saints.....  Hope the Donks
    really beat them into the dirt.  I hate Donk/Charger Games.....
    The bolts (as in lightening) always give the Donks a tough time
    of it no matter where they play.  What do ya say glen...  Tell `em 
    to give us a break
    
    Big Game

    As I pointed out in an earlier reply a few weeks ago, a Henning team
    runs off a 3-game win streak almost every year, so I expect them to 
    beat the Jets this weekend.  Then, when he has the faithful thinking 
    the team's on the right track, he (Henning) folds.
    
    Look for them to beat the Jets (no lock) and then come home to a packed
    house and ESPN, only to get blasted by the Raiders.  That would be
    vintage Henning.
    
    Even with that, the last three home games have been nothing short of
    outstanding.  The OT loss to the Browns and two consecutive last second
    wins against the 'Hawks and Saints.  This past Sunday the Murph was 
    coming unglued!  THAT was a football game!
    
    Doug

       Lose to the jets if your going to lose,  but BEAT THEM FAIDERS!!!

    I'll be out until December 2nd.  Have a nice Thanksgiving!
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

Glenn, I gotta come over to your side on this one.  I've been defending Carney
all year but he blew that kick Sunday night by kicking it real low.  Anybody
could've blocked that one. 

I think you're right, he hasn't had much of a year.

Also, I hear the Chargers have brought in another punter, as Kidd's punts have
been atrocious the last few weeks, especially Sunday night.  He cost SD major
chunks of field postion yardage with his 25 and 30 yard punts.  The team didn't
say Kidd is out,  but they're going to try out this other guy in practice.

On another subject, how about Dennis Green of  Stanford for the next Charger
head coach?  PFW said that Beathard called Bill Walsh about SF Offensive 
Coordinator Mike Holmgren and Walsh was trying to steer him toward Green.
I really like the way Stanford plays, so I think he would be a good one.

Doug

    Hi Doug.  You bring up a good discussion....head coach possibilities:
    
    Well, off the top of my head here's a list of possibilities,
    
    	*  Bill Walsh - proven NFL coach, likes West Coast teams, 
    		very good at developing young qb's.
    
    	*  Bill Parcells - proven NFL coach, already has a built in running
    		game and big O line.  Likes a mean D.  May demand more
    		control than Beathard wants to give up.
    
    	*  Mike Holmgren - Offensive co from SF
    
    	*  Dennis Green - Head Coach from Stanford
    
    	*  Ron Lynn -  He'll want to be in the HC race
    
    I can't think of anyone else immediately.
    
    I say in PFW that they'd like to see the Chargers trade O'Neal to
    Dallas for a 1 and 2 and Jeffcoat.  That's interesting.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

Walsh or Parcells, no way.  They will want total control and Beathard ain't 
going anywhere.  I've gone lukewarm on Ron Lynn recently.

Don't know much about Holmgren but another name I hear a lot is Dennis
Erickson of U of Miami.  I like Green better.  A name that is coming up about 
the Rams job is the coach at Cal, but I forgot his name.

Doug

    Parcells repeated once again, and on National TV, that he will not take
    a coaching job next year if one is offered to him.  He is quite content
    being in the broadcast booth.

     I like him there too...  I think he should start doing games 
    though.  Like to see Walsh take a coaching job just to get his 
    ass out of the booth.  The man is terrible !
    
    Big Game

    I like the way Walsh really brings along young qbs.  I heard him on a
    Charger game earlier in the year and he immediately saw that Friesz was
    taking too large of steps in his dropback.  He could help Friesz alot. 
    
    Chargers lost to KC in OT 17-20.  Chargers normally play well against
    Miami, so maybe this Sunday's game will actually be a challenge.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    Well the Chargers beat the Dolphins at Jack Murphy Stadium on Sunday
    38-30.  It was a great game and I'm very impressed with how much Friesz
    is improving.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    Get ready to play a real football team....
    
    HERE COME THE DONKS !!!!
    
    Donks Slam Chargerss
    
    Big Game

    Glenn,
    
    With Friesz developing as he is, do you think the Chargers would have
    any interest in Steve Young....who may be expendable due to the rise of
    Steve Bono and the return of Joe Montana?  In looking at teams with
    potential interest in Young, I thought that the Chargers might be in a
    strong position to acquire him....that is....they have quality in the
    area(s) that the 49ers would like to improve/add depth.
    
    Marion Butts (expendable perhaps as a result of Bernstine's emergence),
    Leslie O'Neal (good player....but a pain in the team's arse) and a
    draft pick would be a mighty tempting offer.
    
    Whaddaya think?
    
    
    Nelly

    >With Friesz developing as he is, do you think the Chargers would have
    >any interest in Steve Young....who may be expendable due to the rise of
    >Steve Bono and the return of Joe Montana?  
    
    I hope not.  I've heard the Steve Young to SD scenario every year for
    the past 5 years, and I've never liked it.  It's true, that essentially
    the Chargers are barren in the qb position after Friesz, but Young just
    doesn't turn my crank.
    
    >Marion Butts (expendable perhaps as a result of Bernstine's emergence),
    >Leslie O'Neal (good player....but a pain in the team's arse) and a
    >draft pick would be a mighty tempting offer.
    
    I want the Chargers to hold onto both Bernstine AND Butts and the
    reason why is that Bernstine is injury-prone.  Seems to me he's always
    out for this injury or that.  Butts seems tough as nails although he
    did have a foot injury last year and together it's a terrific running
    game.  O'Neal is a different story.  Why's he a pain the the team's
    butt?  I like O'Neal, and his value is till high.....I dunno how I feel
    about trading him.  In TSN or PFW lately they suggested trading O'Neal
    to Dallas for Jeffcoat and some picks.  Interesting trade thought.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    The accounts I've read of O'Neal's actions suggest that the team may be
    tiring of him.  Most notably, his run-in with the defensive coach when
    he pinned the guy against a locker at halftime.  Add to that incident
    his staggering drop in sacks this year (quite possibly attributed to
    the loss of Lee Williams)....and maybe, just maybe the Chargers would
    like to move him along.....?
    
    
    Just a thought....
    
    Nelly

    Good point.....you may be right.
    
    Glenn

      Well Charger fans,  I hope your coach desides to pull the big choke
    this weekend.  If its a typical charger/bronco game,  then the chargers
    should lose it in the 4th by 3-5 points.
    
      Denvers D needs to stop the run,  and if thats accomplished,  then I
    feel denver will win, without the above coaches help;^
    
       Tim

    Not bad Tim.  Sorry to inform you however, that .......
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

      That what Glenn, Hennig is already gone and a new coach shows up?
    
    	Tim

    No, that the mighty SAN DIEGO SUPERCHARGERS will eat bronco horsemeat
    on the field Sunday.  That's what!
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    Superchargers?   Maybe that should be Superchargless....They forgot to
    plug 'em in ;^)
    
    	Taped from donkland.....Tim

    3 Chargers made it to the ProBowl:
    
    		Gill Byrd
    		Marion Butts
    		Junior Seau
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    Congratulations to Gill Byrd on his selection!!!  At long last he gets
    just recognition for his last 4 or 5 years of excellent play.
    
    
    Nelly

    He Glenn...
    
    Wake up dude...  The Happless chargers and their moronic coach
    have no chance at derailing the MIGHTY DONKS.  The only way
    SD wins this game is if the Soilers make it meaningless on
    Saturday and the donks play the 3rd string.
    
    HTH
    
    Big Game

    He Glenn,
    With the impressive comeback lasted week agin the Fish, and a
    hopeful W over the Donks, will youse guys be askin' to keep
    Henning? Or is he gonzo, IYO?
    
    MikeL
    

    Hunter and Tim, I'm not interested in blind diarrehea of the mouth and
    nonsensical blabbering. ;-0  The Bronks will become sterile in San
    Diego on Sunday.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    Speaking of diarrehea of the mouth...  You might think
    about a quick reality check Glenn...  The Charges stand no
    chance against the Donks if the game means homefield for
    Denver and a first week bye...  Don't kid yourself big guy.
    
    Bg

      Your right Jack,  if the oilers win,  then Reeves just might play 2-3
    string,  or replace at least the hurt players.
    
      Glenn,  you always know what to say,  except this time.  It should be
    a good game,  and I have stated (in Bronco note)  I wouldn't be
    suprised to see Denver lose this weekend.   It should be close....
    
    	Tim

    Just curious,
    
    BG, do you ever offer any rationale for your assertions....or do you
    think it makes for more interesting reading just making off the wall
    comments?  Diarhea (sp?) of the mouth/keyboard fits your writing style
    perfectly!!  
    
    Glenn, you always provide support for you assertions...and it is
    appreciated.
    
    
    HTH,
    
    Nelly

      Wow,  this is the most action that this note has seen all year;^

    I guess I have to agree with you on Henning Glenn. The Chargers send
    Gil Byrd to the Pro Bowl (a choice that is at least two years overdue),
    along with Bernstein, and Junior Seau (I didn't know he improved so
    fast). They've sent B.R. Smith, O'Neil, Butts, Miller, and Courtney
    Hall will go a few times before his career is over.
    
    And they are what ?!
    
    4-11 ?
    
    geez ....

    
     Absolutely Not, Nelly !!!
    
     You're 100% correct,  I never provide any rational data to back
    up my totaly outragous remarks.  Hell,  that would take the fun out 
    of it...  Thanks for the complement.
    
    Big Game
    
    p.s.  Don't worry,  I'll be gone in about 1 month...  I always
         hit the road after football season. 

    
    > Glenn, you always provide support for you assertions...and it is
    > appreciated.
    >
    > Nelly
    
    It's evident to me Nelly that you have a very high IQ and are a man of
    reason and intelligence.  As for you Tim and Jack...;-)
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    >Hey Glenn,
    >With the impressive comeback lasted week agin the Fish, and a
    >hopeful W over the Donks, will youse guys be askin' to keep
    >Henning? Or is he gonzo, IYO?
    >
    >MikeL
    
    I'm not sure what will happen.  On one hand there's the issue of firing
    Henning, but having to start all over again with another coach and
    another staff.  But truly Henning does stink it up.  But there is some
    momentum going on and it's really only Henning's first year or two with
    Beathard.  So the question becomes, do you dump him and start over, or
    keep things onling as is and hope for improvement?  One issue is the
    record for the Chargers of late: 1988 6-10, 1989 6-10, 1990 6-10 and
    now 1991 5-11 (after Sunday's victory over the Donks ;-).  So the
    record would indicate NO momentum whatsoever.  But I think Beathard
    likes Henning.  
    
    Ideally, I'd like to see a PROVEN NFL winner come in who would already
    have a predisposition for a strong running game and would be minimally
    disruptive.  Parcells and Walsh come to mind, however.....
    
    So, Mike the answer is.....I think he's gone!
    
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    
     No,  whats obvious is that both You and Nelly are living
    in a dream world.   ;^)  If I wanted to listen to someone
    elses idea of what the facts are about a given sports team
    or personality I'd read the local Rag and listen to Ralph 
    Rotten or Jim Lasiter spew garbage.  Now,  if I want 
    entertainment, I read ::SPORTS_91.  It's just to bad that
    theres so many self appointed Ralph Rotten's in the conference.
    I guess that you just have to learn to "Value Others" inorder to 
    survive.  ;^)
    
    Big Game

 do my eyes deceive me or is the self appointed  Bad_Boy of ::Sports going
 sensitive on us? A kinda gentler Jack? say it ain't so...say it ain't so...

  ;^)

      Nah Mike,  Jack ain't gettin' soft,  its just x-mas,  so BG thought
    he would be K & G,  besides he is still gloating over that buck he got
    off of Paul..
    
      Just to think I used to toss the nerf around with you Glenn.  We used
    to be lunch time football buddies,  but I guess those days are over,
    and war is heck;^)
    
    	Tim
    
    Meaningful game 			Non-meaningful game
    
    Donks  16   Chargless  13		Chargless  20	Donks 17

    Soft....  ???  I don't think so...  I am only trying to protect
    my noting right until the season is over and I can fade back out
    till nexted(tm) year.  I'm kinda getting board in here any how.
    I miss Hoot, Parrot, Wardle and the others with whom you could
    have a bit of old fashion fun and not be called on the carpet for
    making outragous comments that anyone with an IQ bigger than their 
    show size should know are to stir the pot.  
    
    
    Yawn !!!
    
    
    BG

    Oh,
    So a MrT Wannnabee ,eh Monsieur Game?
    
    8^)
    MrT
    

    Latest I've heard is that Henning is gone with either Mike Holmgren,
    Richie Pettibon or Erickson from Miami replacing him.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    Well Erickson might be a good bet if The Gang That Couldn't Shoot
    Straight Mentality remains alive at Hoodlum U 8^). If all he's
    gonna do in Miami is keep the players out of trouble, then he might
    say Asta la vista baby and plane out to SD.
    
    Mikel
    

    Yo Doug!  Are you still out there?
    
    I have Monday and Tuesday off, so I'll see everyone on Thursday!
    Have a Merry Christmas!
    
    Glenn

    
  Love to stick around but I just don't seem to be able to build up
    the same kind of fever over other sports ...  Oh well...  Maybe !
    
    BG

Take a couple of days off from NOTES and what happens??  This NOTE explodes!

OK, so you want the real word??  After devouring the comments of the last few
days I gotta few of my own.

First of all, the hot topic of the week in San Diego on the radio talk shows 
is the subject of Henning's longevity as head coach of the Chargless (I like
that, Tim) ones.   It gets to the point where I want to puke because half of 
these know nothing couch potatoes who call in think Henning should stay.
(The reason is that they are Raider fans who know that anybody can beat 
THE IDIOT).  But I have to turn the radio off for fear that Beathard may 
actually listen to that garbage!  Read my lips........

H E N N I N G   I S   G O N E!!!!!   Cause if he ain't, this season ticket
holder is!

Every year Henning has been in SD, the team always looks good at one stretch 
of the season, and they're in that stretch right now for this year.

IT IS A MIRAGE.

Knowing my luck, they'll bounce the Donks (due to Oilers Sat. win) and then
there will be this cry to keep continuity of coaching and Henning will get 
to stay.  Evidently some "experts" in San Diego like the continuity of losing.

There was an article in the LA TIMES the other day where the writer listed 
in order of preference the 10 best head coaching jobs in the NFL that may be
available after this season.  #1 on this guy's list was San Diego.  His quote
was something like "the Chargers are a 9-7 playoff team in 4-12 clothing.  How
Henning could fail to win with this talent is a complete mystery.  He's gone."

I have heard all the rumors.  I just have to believe that Beathard already has
his guy in mind, has him lined up, and is just waiting until after Christmas 
(after all, let's be charitible) to blow THE IDIOT away.

The last rumor I heard, which is actually a nightmare, has John Robinson 
sitting out a year and then replacing Henning after NEXT season.  Please tell
me that one ain't true!  Henning has to go NOW.

On to Leslie O'Neal.  O'Neal has been a pain in the arse.  Henning says O'Neal
is one of those guys who is either in an "OK" mood when things are going his
way or he's in a TERRIBLE mood when he's pissed about something.  His sack 
total is down this year because for much of the time he has been asked to play
the role that Lee Williams refused to play earlier.  That is to take the 
inside rush angle so Grossman and Seau can take the outside.  That results in 
good team defense and lessor individual sack totals.  He's a real talent and 
it would be a mistake to trade him.  If the team gets a good inside rush guy, 
O'Neal will blossom again.

By the way, did you see that sack O'Neal put on Marino last week? Awesome!!

Well, now that I've written this book, there is nobody around to read it.

Happy Holidays everybody.

Doug

P.S.  For this week's prediction.  If Henning is already gone, I predict 
      a Charger blowout victory over the first_round_playoff_exiting DONKS.

      If Henning still has a chance to stay, I predict a DONK blowout victory!

	How's that for fence sitting!

    
     Doug,
    
     Both predictions were wrong.  The "First_Round_bye" Donks won the
    game.  In the process they also won the all important 1st round bye,
    and home filed advantage.  Yes, admittedly, it was not a pretty win
    but the Donks accomplished what need to be done and a few other this as
    well.  Gaston Greene broke 1000 yds in the game against the chargers.
    the Donks showed that they actually may be able to bring back their
    running game and Vance Johnson looks to be starting to become a factor
    for the Donks again.
    
    Great Win For The Donks...
    
    BG	

 Donks win again despite Elway 14-32 for 196 yards no td's and 1 interception.
 He also took 6 sacks. Yup definate HOF'er hahahhaaaaaa

 mike

> Donks win again despite Elway 14-32 for 196 yards no td's and 1 interception.
> He also took 6 sacks. Yup definate HOF'er hahahhaaaaaa

    So his stats stunk, who cares?  The bottom line is Denver won the game,
    finished 12-4, won the AFC West, and has a week off.  
    
    Joe
 

Any coach that still cannot have the team playing together on the 16th 
game of the season deserves to be tied to the pier near Anthony's Fish 
Grotto in San Diego.


12 men on the field. 

You have to be kidding this is a preseason type penality or maybe a hurry-up
offense penalty. 

Jeff

     The Hit&RunNoter strikes again.  No matter though,  The MIGHTY DONKS
    have once again proven that they are the masters of their own destiny.
    The Donks (and Elway) came through with could quite possibly be the 
    most important win for this team in 2 years.  The Donks put theselve
    in a position to win play for the AFC championship once and again and
    hopefully redeem theselve against their poor showings in Superbowls
    of the past.  Gotta Love them Donks... !!!  
    
     Now,  The Squeelers on the other hand turned in another dismal season
    which could very well end the 25+ year reign of Knoll...  This team 
    plays in the weakest division in pro football (including the WLAF) and
    still can't seem to put it together.  Childs...  Your team is Weak.
    They Stink and they'll never be any good.  The 4 SB's were all flukes 
    
    
    ;^)
    
    BG

Re: .341  Yeah, Henning's team shows its disorganization again.  Not only the
12 men on the field deal, but also they had to rush the play where Bernstine
scored the TD because the play clock was running down, and this AFTER a time
out!  Henning couldn't even get the play in when he had a time out to work 
with!

But redemption day is here.  The papers say he's getting the axe in a meeting
with Beathard today.

NBC yesterday had him gone already, with Bobby Ross of Georgia Tech as his 
replacement.

My hope is that tomorrow I can put and entry in that says "He's Gone!"

Yes, the Donks are in the playoffs with a 12-4 record, which is a lot more 
than the Chargers can say.  But I have to say I was not impressed with the
team in Orange yesterday, being at at the game.  Their defense played OK.
But without a 5th place schedule and the best home field advantage in football,
this is a very ordinary team indeed.  I think it shows how weak the AFC is.

Doug

      The Broncos show how the AFC is weak?  I missed something there.  The
    donk offense had one of their worst days that I have seen since
    Houston.   I think the Broncos  have one of the better defenses in the
    NFL.  They have capped many games this year,  especially since the
    offense has been inconsistant this year.
    
      Heres to SD for getting a new coach as a x-mas present.
    
    	Tim

    Once again I have to state facts (and I hate that)
    
    Team		Winning percentage of opposing teams
    ___________		____________________________________
    
    Luckaolo		.380 something
    
    Denver		.450 something
    
    Houston		.480 something
    
     Denvers offense was flat, no doubt !  But,  The Defense came through
    when needed and ice the game.  football is a team sport not and offense
    or defense sport.  It takes the whole team to win and thats just what
    the Donks have been doing, playing as a team !!
    
    BG

    Well Doug,
    You'll be back in yo customary seats next year with Henning and all
    henchmen gittin' the axe. Time to look upwards!
    
    MikeL
    

Doug is probably not in yet, so nobody steal his thunder by saying HE'S GONE!!!

I still think that not  all of the mistakes the Chargers made this year were 
coaching.  The players didn't seem to have their haids into the game when I saw
them.

The influence of the success of JJ in Dallas and coach Mac in NE may be why
SD is leaning toward Ross.  Possibly a good choice - if he takes it.  I don't 
know why any big time college coach would leave a campus where they are a god to
the pros, where everyone eventually gets fired.

=Bob=

    There's a lot of extraneous stuff that goes on with being a college
    coach that you don't have in the pros.  The worst extraneous thing a
    pro coach has to deal with is contract disputes.  Both college and pro
    coaches have to deal with the media.  Both college and pro coaches have
    to worry about their players getting in trouble with the law.  Both
    college and pro coaches have to worry about the pressure of winning.  Pro
    coaches don't have to worry about recruiting.  Pro coaches don't have
    to worry about alumni glad-handing.  Pro coaches don't have to worry
    about academics.  A pro coach will tend to have a higher base salary
    than a college coach and a college coach in turn will have more
    opportunities to make money through camps, shoe contracts and TV and
    radio show.  A pro coach therefore doesn't have to work as hard as
    outside activities to make money.
    
    I think a coach in the pros is better off overall but the right
    situation in college (and there are more of them) will tend to lead to
    better job security.  I've read that Bobby Ross is interested in the
    NFL because he doesn't like to do a lot of the things a college coach
    loves to do.  Conversely, Mac always loved recruiting, meeting people
    and doing appearances and he could have stayed at Syracuse until he
    retired; but his age was beginning to be used against him in recruiting
    and he wanted one more challenge before he retired.  He could have also
    stayed at UMass until he retired because he and his family loved (and
    still love) the University and the area, but the amount of political
    crap to be put up with at our flagship state university wore him down.
    
    John

I was on my way to a Xmas party yesterday when the Chargers held the news
conference, which was broadcast live on the radio.  All I can say is,

WHAT A CHRISTMAS PRESENT!

It was kind of sad, though.  Beathard was obviously very emotional.  I think 
the problem is that everyone who knows Henning personally really likes the man.
But unfortunately this is the NFL, and if you don't win you gotta go.  The 
thing is, last year at season ticket renewal time Spanos sent a letter to all
of us idiots saying that next season ticket prices were going up.  Well, 
there's no way he could raise prices and keep Henning, not with a 4-12 record.

Even if they thought he was a good coach he had to go.

The media is totally trashing the Chargers for blading Henning and his staff
two days before Xmas.  Beathard said they did it now so Henning could have a
head start on finding a new job.

Look for SD to name Ross the new man on Thursday or Friday, although it could
take longer than that.  Beathard said he gave Spanos a list of names that
includes Ross, Erickson, one other college coach, and 4 current NFL assistants.
The decision will be Beathard's.  He said the interview process will not be
long, leading me to believe that the job is Ross' if he wants it.


Doug

    Merry Christmas!  Happy New Year!  Henning Is Gone! 
    Fa La La La La, La La La La!
    
    OK, Henning is gone, but I REALLY hate to lose Ron Lynn (Defensive
    Coordinator) and Larry Pasquale (Special Teams Coach).  These guys are
    good, solid and have been instrumental in the turnaround of their
    respective units.  I heard somewhere that Beathard said he wants to
    have "significant input" into what assistant coaches are hired, leading
    me to belive that he also values Lynn and Pasquale and will push for
    their re-hiring.  At least, I hope so!
    
    Fa La La La La, La La La La!
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

Beathard said he was going to strongly recommend that the new head coach 
consider some of the current assistants,  but he wouldn't force the new guy to
take any of them.

As far as being sorry to see them go; if you remember, it was that logic that
lead Ortmayer (ouch, typing that name hurts) to shine on Shottenheimer and 
instead hire Henning.  They didn't want to break up the assistant staff at that
time, and Marty wanted to bring in his own guys.

So I say hire a great head coach that can build a staff that incluldes 
competent assistants, and we won't have to worry about it.

Pasquale is a great special teams coach though.

There was a blurb in yesterday's LA Times where Beathard says he will not be
announcing the name of the new Coach until after Jan. 1st.  So that probably 
means he'll do it today or tomorrow.

Doug

    Larry Pasquale was one of our assistants for my first 3 years at UMass. 
    He coached backs (DBs my first year, RBs for the next 2) but where he
    really shone was as special teams coach.  While the responsibilities
    for various aspects of special teams were shared among the assistants,
    Larry was really special teams coordinator.  He's about the best I've
    ever seen - meticulously prepared, enthusiastic (no one likes to play
    on special teams, a good coach has to get guys to want to play them)
    and well-schooled in all aspects of the position.  We've had some
    coaches at UMass who've been there for 20 years and some of his
    principles are still in use, and when I watch the Chargers (and before
    that, the Jets, where he was through 1989) I can see some of his
    techniques being used.
    
    I don't know much about the San Diego coaching staff but whoever comes
    in will be making a big mistake if they don't keep him and I'm certain
    that if they do, he won't be unemployed for very long.  Playing and
    coaching special teams takes a special breed because they are regarded
    as the poor stepchild of the game.  Larry is one of those people.
    
    John

    Pasquales emergence onto the scene in San Diego was immediately
    noticeable in the play of the Special Teams.  He did wonders.  I wish
    him well wherever he coaches, but I damn sure want him back with the
    Chargers!
    
    Ron Lynn also provided immediate improvement when he took over the
    defense.  Granted that this year the D fell abit, but things were
    turbulent with Williams leaving and rookies starting in the secondary.
    He still is to be given alot of credit.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

Is Bobby Ross a done deal yet?

Are there any other names being mentioned (other than Parcells, who is mentioned
everywhere)?

=Bob=

    Bob the main one I hear about it Bobby Ross.  I would have thought
    Dennis Green and Mike Holmgren also, but I guess not.  
    
    Any conjecture on what kind of team Bobby Ross, if head coach of the
    SD Chargers, will try to make the Chargers?  Flying passing offense? 
    Running team?  Balanced team? etc?
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    re-,1

    Bobby Ross has always had tough defenses...especially at Maryland!

    He just doesn't like all of the engagements of a college coach
    schedule, he'd rather watch films of opponents.

    B.A.

    What about offenses?  
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

I made a point of watching Ross' team, Georgia Tech, at the Aloha Bowl on 
Christmas.  One thing I liked immediately was even though Stanford was out-
playing Tech, Ross kept them in position to win and did just that at the 
end of the game.   Compare that to what we're used to seeing in SD, where
Henning's team would totally outplay the opponent, only to allow the other
team to stay in the game and steal it in the 4th quarter.

Ross was in San Diego yesterday for meetings with Beathard, who says that no 
offer has been made yet, although he hopes the deal can be finalized in the
next few days.

As for Ron Lynn, I won't be sorry if he has to go.  There are other defensive
coaches out there.  Look at Denver - everybody thought their defense was 
through when they unloaded Collier, and this year they had one of the best.


Doug

    The Chargers today signed Bobby Ross to a 4 year contract as head coach
    of the team.  "Official" announcement will not come until Thursday.
    
    Highlights of an interview with Bobby Beathard about the signing:
    
    * Ross wants to bring along two Georgia Tech assistants.  Which coaches
      and what capacity these coaches would serve in was not disclosed. 
    
    * Ross will interview all other current SD assistants for the remaining
      open positions.  Beathard wants all slots filled before the Senior
      Bowl.
    
    * Ross has reviewed film of the team extensively and has already 
      indicated there are some changes he would like to make, such as:
    
    	- Using a two back set, although not abandoning the one back
    	  attack entirely.
    
    	- Depending on personnel, he would like to transition to a 
    	  four-three defense instead of the three-four.
    
    *  Beathard says that Ross will have input in the draft and trades,
       as well as final say in the makeup of the roster.
    
    *  When asked what attributes attracted him to Ross, Beathard said he
       was particularly enamored with Ross' ability to be well liked by 
       his players while being a disciplinarian.  He also likes the fact
       that he is extremely well organized.
    
    *  Ross only talked to the Chargers about coming to the NFL, no others.
    
    Beathard was obviously very excited about this announcement.  He said
    that Ross was the guy he wanted all along.
    
    My opinion now is that Ron Lynn and several of the other defensive
    coaches are probably history, what with Ross wanting to go to a four-
    three defensive scheme.  Hopefully he'll retain Jack Reilly (QB coach)
    and Larry Pasquale.
    
    We'll know more soon,
    
    Doug
    
    

    Hey Doug!  This may mean that Seau gets to go back to being an outside
    linebacker.  If it's going to be a 4-3, then I'd see Plummer in the
    middle and Seau outside.  That'll make Junior happy.  
    
    Do you think this means that they'll move O'Neal to DE again?
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

Not a bad call!  By the end of this season, O'Neal was essentially playing
defensive end anyway.  And he rarely drops into pass coverage, so it probably
would make sense to make that move.  I don't think the coaching staff was 
happy with the way they were utilizing Leslie this year.  Other teams knew
that he wouldn't drop back into coverage, so there was no "surprise" factor
anymore when he rushed the passer.  He didn't start doing well until the end
of the season when he was lining up at right end and pinning back his ears.
(4 sacks against the Donks that way).  I think using him inside was also a 
failed experiment.

I notice where  both of Ross' offensive and defensive coordinators at Georgia
Tech have applied for the head job there, so they must not be the ones that
he is considering bringing to SD.  I wonder who they are??  Is Lynn's job up
for grabs??  I pray that Ross and Beathard blow away Chuck Clausen (defensive
line coach).  I thought that unit performed poorly this year, and was the main
cause of the defense's struggles.

But the main thing is taken care of!   We got a head coach who appears to be
a winner.  Time will tell.

Doug

    > I pray that Ross and Beathard blow away Chuck Clausen (defensive 
    > line coach).  
    
    You're right about that!  My understanding as to the decline of the
    defensive line and lack of sacks is a change in defensive line coaches
    (why would you do this anyway after the successful year they had the
    year before) and the loss of Williams.
    
    Maybe the D should look like this:
    
    	Grossman	Phillips	Thornton	O'Neal
    
    
    	    Rolling		Plummer		Seau
    
    
                             dbs
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

Chargers didn't change DL coaches by choice; Gunther Cunningham quit and 
left to become LB coach of the Raiders.  He wanted the Chargers to move him
to coach a different position on the defense because he felt that to eventually
make it as a Defensive Coordinator in the NFL he needed experience in all
parts of the defense.  SD said no so he split.  You may have noticed that the
LB corps on the Raiders played great this year in spite of having no talent
at the position.  

So what does Henning do?  Goes and gets an old crony from his Falcons days.


Glenn, I like your suggested scheme, except that I thought Billy Ray Smith
played a lot better this year than Henry Rolling.  But he may not have any 
gas left in the tank, and he's injury prone.  I also would like to see them
draft another defensive lineman.  BTW, Mitchell Benson was playing pretty well
at the end of the year too - Thornton was basically invisible.

I'm sure we'll do lots of roster talking in the coming weeks/months.

Doug

    You're right about Billy Ray.  When he was in there he was a fireplug,
    but he wasn't it too often with injuries and whatnot.
    
    I look forward to this off-season and preseason with alot of hope that
    they can do things right.  Please let us know when they sign their
    coaches, etc.  Communication lines out here are not the best, unless
    you want to know about the Broncos, then they're non-stop.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

Well, Bobby Ross was introduced to the media in a press conference yesterday.
It was actually quite interesting.  Ross came across very impressive as a no
nonsense type of guy who knows exactly what he wants to get done.

But at one point he was elaborating on how taking a 4-12 team to the playoffs 
may not get done "overnight", which I guess is an understandable comment from
a new coach.  Then Alex Spanos got up on the podium and said that he
expects the team to have a winning record this coming season and make the 
playoffs, regardless of what Ross just said!  Welcome to the pressure cooker,
Bobby.

Ross didn't give any specific insight into his personnel plans, other than to
say he will not leave town and go back to Georgia until he had hired his entire 
coaching staff.  So far, he has interviewed Alex Gibbs (offensive line), 
DL coach Chuck Clausen (no, PLEASE), and RB coach Bobby Jackson.  Beathard has
reportedly made "suggestions" as to which assistant coaches he would like to 
see Ross keep.

Ross also said that as soon as his staff is in place, they will hold meetings
to determine what Plan B acquisitions the team will make.  Then he will make
the arrangements to get moved out here and begin preparations for the draft
and training camp.

Rumor mill has it that Cincy may hire Ron Lynn and his whole defensive staff.

Postin' it as I hear it,

Doug

    
    I knew the Chargers would get Ross.  He stated during the year that he
    felt he made a mistake by dropping out of the running for the Browns
    job.  I think he'll do a fine job in San Diego...  but I'm still glad
    the Browns got who they got...

    Bobby Ross, the San Diego Chargers' new coach, hired two assistants
    from his Georgia Tech staff and might hire two more.
    
    Ross said Chuck Priefer, who coached Georgia Tech's defensive backfield
    the last four seasons, will coach the special teams.
    
    John Misciagna, who served as Georgia Tech's director of recruiting,
    will coordinate the Chargers' computerized game analysis.  Ross has
    also offered jobs to his Georgia Tech offensive and defensive
    coordinators, Ralph Friedgen and George O'Leary.
    
    
    My reaction:  Sorry to see Pasquale go.  He is a good coach.  But Ross'
    background in the NFL was that of special teams coach, so hopefully 
    there will be no dropoff.
    
    Doug

    Chargers are reportedly interviewing Carl Mauck (sp?) for the offensive
    line coaching position.  I think this guy played for the Oilers and has
    been coaching in the NFL somewhere.
    
    I don't know about this report, but I don't see how they could do
    better than Alex Gibbs.... I guess when a new guy comes in he wants
    his own people.
    
    Doug

    Carl Mauck was the starting center for the Chargers for many years.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    Don Macek was the starting center for the Chargers for many years (his
    twice-yearly battles with Denver NT Rubin Carter were legendary) and I
    believe Carl Mauck spent most of his career with Houston (he was one of
    Bum Phillips' favorites).
    
    John

    Now there was a Player... Good ole Rubin Carter.  Oh, and then
    there was Randy Gradishar.  Truly one of the greatest of all time !
    
    BG

    Not quite John. Mauck spent about 5-7 years in SD I think. He did have
    a pretty long tenure in Houston (love the way he used to stir up the
    Houston-Dallas rivalry), but he defintely made an impression on Charger
    fans. It was one of Houston's better trades though ....

    I never knew he played for the Chargers.  I only remember him as an
    Oiler, and I remember Macek as center for the Chargers.  Thanks for
    letting me know.
    
    John

    >Don Macek was the starting center for the Chargers for many years (his
    >twice-yearly battles with Denver NT Rubin Carter were legendary) and I
    >believe Carl Mauck spent most of his career with Houston (he was one of
    >Bum Phillips' favorites).
    >
    >John
    
    Surely John, you're weren't questioning my knowledge of who was a
    Charger and who was not?  Were you?  ~/~
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    No problem John, Mauck was the center before Macek, but Don wasn't bad.

    .......and the last, but certainly not least, member of that offensive
    line was.......one of the best pulling guards ever, Doug Wilkerson.
    
    Doug

    Jack Reilly, the Quarterbacks coach under Henning, was officially hired
    today by Ross as the team's QB Coach and passing game coordinator.  He
    is the only former Henning aide to be retained thus far.
    
    The Chargers also announced the hiring of former Colts assistant
    Sylvester Croom, who will coach either the running backs or tight ends.
    
    Ross said he will appoint eight more assistants by Sunday to complete
    his 11-coach staff, which also includes special teams coach Chuck
    Priefer.  Two likely newcomers are former Tech assistants George 
    O'Leary and Ralph Friedgen, who were in San Diego today to look at 
    real estate.
    
    Croom is a former offensive lineman with the New Orleans Saints who 
    coached running backs with Tampa Bay from '87 - '90 and with the Colts
    last season.  He was also an assistant at Alabama for 10 seasons.
    
    Also in the San Diego papers today was the report that Ron Lynn will 
    be hired today or tomorrow by the Cincinnati Bengals as its defensive
    coordinator.  It is likely that Lynn will bring Chargers LB coach
    Mike Haluchack and DB coach Jim Mora with him.  Lynn is an Ohio native.
    
    
    Doug                                                             

 considering Friez's improvement I'd say it was a good move to keep Rielly...

 mike

    We're still missing a man from those good Charger teams :
    
    T - R. Washington
    G - E. White
    C - D. Macek
    G - D. Wilkerson
    T - ???????
    QB - Fouts
    TE - Winslow
    WR - Joiner
    WR - Jefferson/Chander
    RB - Brooks/Johnson
    RB - Muncie
    
    Doc
    

    The other tackle was Billy Shields, who wasn't bad but definitely the 
    weak link on the line.  I'm not sure of the exact timing of all these
    guys, such as who played with who, etc.  I do know that Ed White 
    played both tackle and guard while he was there.
    
    Another thing about the discussion around Mauck - I remember that he 
    played for the Chargers, but I didn't think it was for a very long 
    time.  The long time Charger centers were Sam Grunieson (sp?) and 
    Don Macek.
    
    Doug

    Mauck played center for the Chargers 71-74.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    Wow .. it seemed liek he was there until 76 ... could have sworn I had
    a football card of him as a Charger in 75 ...

    I can double check it on my football cards or in my media guides.
    I'll let you know.
    
    Glenn

The San Diego Chargers named Jerry Sullivan, who coached the wide receivers
at Ohio St. in 1991 and at LSU from 1984-1990 as wide receivers coach; Carl 
Mauck as offensive line coach, Ralph Friedgen as tight ends coach and George
O'Leary as defensive line coach.

I also heard on the radio that they had hired a defensive backs coach - I 
think his last name is Fox, but I'm not sure who it is.  Maybe someone out 
there knows.

I think that about covers most of the assistant coaching positions except for 
a key one - Defensive Coordinator.  Rumored candidates for that job include 
Rod Rust and Bill Arnsbarger (sp?),  who is 65 years old.

Did they hire an offensive coordinator?

Doug

    Arsbarger (sp) is the new defensive coach...
    
    REK

    Bill Arnsparger, most recently Athletic Director at Florida, former
    Athletic Director (and Head Coach?  I cain't remember) at LSU, former
    Defensive Coordinator of the Miami Dolphins (2 times) and former Head
    Coach of the New York Football Giants.
    
    Nice to see George O'Leary get the post of Defensive Line Coach of the
    Chargers.  George is the former Head Coach at Liverpool (NY) high
    school and was hired as DL coach at Syracuse by Frank Maloney in 1980.
    (do you think the fact that he coached Tim Green in high school had
    anything to do with it?  Green played at SU and was the #1 choice of
    the Falcons in 1986, and still plays there)  Mac kept George on when he
    took over at SU, and George was hired as Defensive Coordinator at
    Georgia Tech when Ross got that job.
    
    John

    WOW!  he did wonders when he was Defensive coordinator with the 
    Dolphins. When he left, the Fins D got unbelievably terrible. And
    it's been that way ever sense... I wish the dolphins would get rid of
    Olovidoti..
    
    
    jeff 

    Hey,
    
     I heard the fish are trying to move into the WLAF...  ;^)
    
    Big Game Junta

    Doug -  Jack Reilly will call the plays.
         
    This is the way I have it so far.  Am I missing anyone?    


	Bobby Ross 		Head Coach
	Chuck Priefer		Special Teams
	John Misciagna		Computerized Game Analyst
	John Fox		Defensive Backs Coach 
	Jack Reilly		QB Coach & Passing Game Coordinator
	Carl Mauck 		Offensive Line Coach
	Ralph Friedgen 		Tight Ends Coach 
	George O'Leary 		Defensive Line Coach
	Jerry Sullivan		Wide Receivers Coach
	Bill Arnsparger 	Defensive Coordinator
	Dale Lindsey 		Linebackers Coach
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

�	John Misciagna		Computerized Game Analyst

	What the hail is this?  A plant to see if anybody is reading this 
note?

				/Don

    RE: .389
    
    Glenn, you beat me to the punch.  I had all the information in your
    reply entered in a reply - then my system crapped out and it didn't 
    take.  You missed only Sylvester Croom, the Offensive Backfield coach
    and Running Game Coordinator.  
    
    John Misciagna's actual title turns out to be "Quality Control", so 
    you can rest easy Don (.390), and no, there aren't many of us reading
    this anyway.  I heard Misciagna interviewed on radio tonight and he
    was asked just what in sam hill his job is supposed to be, since 
    nobody knew.  He says his job hasn't totally been defined but will
    include computer analysis of the opposition defensive tendencies, 
    helping to prepare for the upcoming opponents' defenses, and breaking
    down game films.  Maybe he'll make sure jock straps are washed properly
    while he's at it, I don't know.  He was Ross's recruiting coordiator
    at Ga. Tech, so they probably had to create a job for the guy.
    
    I also heard an interview with Dale Lindsey; not much you can say
    about him, he doesn't come across real impressively to me, but time
    will tell.
    
    I'm disappointed that they didn't keep Alex Gibbs (OL) and Larry
    Pasqule (Special Teams).  They don't come much better than those two.
    
    They aren't going to have an Offensive Coordinator; I heard the same 
    thing as Glenn, Jack Reilly will call the plays from the booth.

 Maybe he's a technowennie they brought in to invade the other teams in the
 league's systems...

 ;^)

    Every team in the league has a position such as that.  Whether he's
    called Quality Control Coach, Research and Development or Special
    Assistant, they are all involved with the following:
    
    1.  Working with the team's computer department on the design of
    whatever programs are used to produce game tendency analysis on both
    offense and defense.
    
    2.  Often working 2-3 weeks ahead, breaking down game films (ie,
    studying plays and analyzing them) and putting information into the
    computer program mentioned in step 1 above - down and distance, play,
    result.  This is the major component of developing a game plan - what
    does our opponent do in certain circumstances?
    
    3.  In some cases, self-scouting.  That is, he will break down his own
    team and put its information into the computer, to see what his team
    does as if his team was preparing to play itself and this helps make
    sure his team isn't getting predictable.
    
    4.  Various other coaching staff duties that don't fit into a neat
    slot.
    
    John

    Any chance that I could apply for an opening like that John ?
    
    DrM

    1992 Charger Coaching Staff:

	Bobby Ross 		Head Coach
	Chuck Priefer		Special Teams
	John Misciagna		Quality Control
	John Fox		Defensive Backs Coach 
	Jack Reilly		QB Coach & Passing Game Coordinator
	Carl Mauck 		Offensive Line Coach
	Ralph Friedgen 		Tight Ends Coach 
	George O'Leary 		Defensive Line Coach
	Jerry Sullivan		Wide Receivers Coach
	Bill Arnsparger 	Defensive Coordinator
	Dale Lindsey 		Linebackers Coach
        Sylvester Croom         Offensive Backfield Coach &
				Running Game Coordinator
    


			      Bobby Ross
				   |
		------------------------------------------
         Chuck Priefer         Jack Reilly          Bill Arnsparger
			       Carl Mauck           John Fox
			       Ralph Friedgen 	    George O'Leary 
			       Jerry Sullivan	    Dale Lindsey 
			       Sylvester Croom        

One thing Misciagna said he was going to do was evaluate the Chargers' 
computer systems to see if they meet the needs of the new coaching staff.
Sounds like an opportunity for DEC Sales! 

Doug

       DEC has had the NFL contract for a while now. We staged the system
    in Salem about 5-6 years ago. 'Networking' is the ticket.
                                   Denny

    Uh oh .... John, I would have to leave the company to pull it off am I
    correct ?
    
    Conflict of interest and all of that ?
    
    Doc
    
    p.s. Glenn, the Chargers have a lot of assistants huh ? According to
    the Hal Whitehair Theory Of Assistant Relativity, the Chargers should
    go at least 11-5 nexted year eh ? :-)

    OK guys, what's the best way to keep up with my Chargers during the
    off-season in your opinion:
    
    	1.  Subscribe to SD Union  (it comes 5 days late)
    	2.  Subscribe to PFW
    	3.  Subscribe to TSN
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    Don't know about the other two, but PFW becomes PFMonthly (or worse)
    during the offseason.  They'll have a post-SuperBowl edition, take a
    month off, come out with a pre-draft edition...a post draft edition and
    then come out evry six weeks or so 'til preseason.  Actually, that's
    not all bad due to the slowness of offseason football.  That is..they
    don't waste editions repeating earlier stories for the sake of going to
    print!!
    
    
    I've always liked PFW but couldn't stand getting it via mail on the
    Monday or Tuesday AFTER the games it was previewing!!!
    
    
    Nelly

I take both the Sporting News and PFW.  I like them both, but during the
off season if you're looking for Charger news I think TSN will be better.
PFWs off season news will be pretty outdated by the time you read it, since
it only comes out every other month or so until training camps open.

The SD Union (or Union Tribune as it will soon be called) is basically a rag.
The Charger stories will be few and far between, but it may supplement the 
TSN stuff and be more in-depth when there is news.  But I wouldn't subscribe
to it; just find a library that gets it and go down there every weekend and
check their copies for any stories.

If you really are set on subscribing to a SD paper, I would get the LA Times
San Diego edition.  At least then if there weren't any Charger stories you 
could get other decent stuff out of it.

Glenn, on a clear night with a good radio, I bet you could pick up "The Mighty
690" AM from Colorado.  It's the Chargers flagship station and blasts 50,000
Watts out of Tijuana.  They have a sportstalk show from 4-8 PST every night
and ALWAYS have Charger news.  It's where I get almost all of mine.
I've picked up a Denver station (KOA?) before at my house so I bet you could 
do it.

There's not much going on right now.  I heard the last of Beathard's weekly
radio interviews the other night.  The most notable things from that talk were:

1) A guy called and noted that Arnsparger likes the 3-4 defense, and Ross likes
   the 4-3, so which would the Chargers run?  Beathard says Ross will 
   probably go with whichever defense the talent on the team suits, but he
   thinks it will be the 4-3.

2) Another guy called and boy was he expressing a sentiment of mine!  He said
   the Chargers used to have the best uniforms in the league and then they
   changed them and now they're among the worst (yeah!).  He asked Beathard
   if they were going to put the lightening bolt back on the pants like the
   old days or make any other changes.  Bobby said he was in favor of a few
   changes, including the bolt on the pants.  He also said the team was going
   back to wearing blue at home next year.  But he doesn't want to get too
   radical about it cause he thinks that you lose "identity" when you make
   a lot of uniform changes year to year.

That's all folks,

Doug

    Amen ... I thought one of the best things about the Chargers was the
    lighting bolts on the gold pants ... bring 'em back !

    Hey Doug.  What's this about Courtney Hall makin' some wisecrack and
    now having to attend a mandatory Aids seminar?
    
    Glenn

    Hall's situation is related to a few months ago when he got involved
    in that embarassing event with the female prostitute that really 
    wasn't a female.  Remember?  The DA downgraded the charge to something
    like "making lewd comments with intent to ...." or whatever.  So now 
    he has to go to AIDS counseling or some such thing.
    
    Doug

    That's too funny!
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    I heard Bobby Ross on KOA's SportsTalk the other night and I came away
    with 3 definite points......
    
    	1.  He loves Marion Butts
    	2.  He loves John Friesz
    	3.  The defense has some definate holes
    
    FYI....Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

The Chargers said yesterday they will not entertain any offers for a trade of
either Marion Butts or Rod Bernstine during the current 5-day trading period
before Plan B.  There had been rumors that one of them would be traded,
especially after Bernstine indicated he was unhappy sharing time with Butts.

Also, the team said it would not allow QB Jeff Graham to participate in the
World League of American Football this spring, but there are three others 
that they would recommend do so (can't recall the names).

Doug

    Well with Bernstine's propensity for injury, I'd be inclined to trade
    him and keep Butts as opposed to the other way around.
    
    Glenn

      I thought Butts has been injured on & off that last 2 years....
    
    	Tim

    He had a foot injury that kept him out of the last 2 games last year, 
    but that's been about it.  
    
    Bernstine on the other hand is almost always out, just like this 
    year.  He was out for 5 weeks.  Besides Tim, who would you keep if you
    were coach?
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

      Thats a tough choice Glenn.
    
      Use Beinemy more is one.   This guy would be great in the one back
    set IMO.
    
    	tim

    Eric's to damn small !!   
    
    BG

      He aint no smaller than Sanders or Emmitt!  The guy has some powerful
    legs IMO.  He just needs to not fumble at the most inopertune time.
    
    	tj

Let's don't forget they also have the guy the Charger players voted MVP of 
the offense, Ronnie Harmon.

Doug

I don't have the Charger's Plan B list handy, but the one name I was unhappy
about is Kittrick Taylor.  In my opinion he was one of their best WRs this 
year.  Maybe he is a bummer in practice.  

I'm sure Billy Ray isn't going anywhere.  His wife works as a TV reporter in
San Diego and I don't think he wants to move.

Other notable names on the list were Sam Seale (bet that pleases you, Glenn!),
Martin Bayless, and Donnie Elder.

I'm sure XTRA will have some rumors today about who SD is interested in with 
respect to Plan B.

Doug

    Latest rumor I've heard is that Moon wants to be traded and SD keeps
    coming up because of running backs.  Moon to SD?  Maybe.
    
    Charger Schedule:
    	home: steelers, bengals, colts, bucs, and division
    	away: oilers, browns, colts, cards and division
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

     ...if that happened, I'd become a Charger fan again, and swear off the
    Oilers until Bud Adams croaked ...

      Moon is whining.
    
      SD has 2 wins over the colts come this year.  Reminds me of the donks
    over the pats....
    
    	Tj

�      SD has 2 wins over the colts come this year.  Reminds me of the donks
�    over the pats....
    
    I realize a win is a win, but I wouldn't be crowing too loudly over a
    9-6 victory that was sealed by the mistake of an inexperienced QB.

      I twernt crowing,  just stating that they should have wins against
    the worst team of the previous year.
    
      Plus a win is a win no matter how ugly,  just ask the faiders;^
    
    	Tim

    Moon on the Chargers...  Never happen !!
    
    BG

Chargers reportedly are interested in Steeler unprotected CB Delton Hall, 
with a plan to convert him to safety.  The new secondary coach,
John Fox, used to be with the Steelers.

I also hear that the Raiders are interested in Martin Bayless and Sam Seale.


Doug

    Martin Bayless would fit the Raider style of ball.  I've always felt
    that Bayless was tough as nails.  I, personally, don't want to see him
    go.  
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

I heard today the Chargers are interested in Donk WR Michael Young.  But I 
read last night in TSN that the Donks put Young on Plan B because they figure
he's so "loyal" he won't leave.

I'd like to get him.

Doug

      Young does want to stay in Denver,  but $$$$ talks...
    
      He is Mr clutch reciever that would be a big loss to Broncos, 
    especially since the underused Ricky Nattiel has been traded to the
    Bucs.
    
    	Tim

    I don't think Young will leave Denver...  He's as much as said so
    in the Denver papers..
    
    BG

>   I don't think Young will leave Denver...  He's as much as said so
>   in the Denver papers..
    
  could be doublespeak too, in order to get another club to offer him even
  more. He's ok as a receiver but he's not what you guys make him out to be.
  Then again the same goes for Big Bad John and that's never stopped you guys
  before for calling BBJ the second coming....

    
     There You Go Again Mikey...  You talk som much trash I'm not sure
    if you're talking with your mouth or your A$$.  
    
    BG

The last I have heard:

As far as anyone in the press knows, here is the current status of Charger
interest in Plan B players:

WR Jeff Query, Green Bay
DB Delton Hall, Pittsburgh
DB Jerry Gray, LA Rams

They were (are) interested in WR Michael Young of Denver but he has told them
that he wants to stay with the Donks.  I'm not sure there is anything more 
than curiosity when it comes to Gray.


***************************************************************************
I think this is how the defense stacks up as of today, and it ain't pretty.


	   DE		   DT		   DT		   DE
	Grossman	Benson or	Phillips	 O'Neal
			Thornton

	     OLB		   MLB			OLB
            Smith or		 Plummer	       Seau
	   Rolling

      CB							CB
    Frank		    SS		    FS		       Byrd	
			 Richard	  Shelton	


Looks to me like they could use at least two defensive lineman (pass rushing
end and another tackle), a cornerback or two, and a free safety, as well as
depth at LB.  Weak links of above scenario are Frank, Shelton, and the 
left DT position.  And of course Grossman the way he played last year is no
bargain.

Glenn, you still there?  What'ya think?

Doug

    Yea Doug, I'm here.  I'm watchin' the media and readin' the papers, but
    I don't see much goin' on.  
    
    Ya know, this bit about Plan B really bugs me.  The jerks say they want
    free agency, and then when they have the chance to market themselves to
    whatever team, they suddenly get an attack of the stupids and claim
    loyalty to their home team.  At least the kicker from Dallas saw his
    chance and jumped ship to TB.  Young would probably have a hard call if
    the Chargers decided to put some real $ on the table.  Sure he'd like
    to stay in Denver, but at the same time he has to provide for his
    family and future and all that.  I'd like to see him with SD.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    Taken from the internet......
    
Subject: San Diego 1-15????!!

Given the Chargers last place schedule, and the level of talent on this
team (quite high, they have been underachieving for at least 2 years now),
I am quite confident that they will finishg with a record of AT LEAST 7-9
next year, with 9-7 being the most likely regular season record.

They have an up and coming QB, but more importantly, the offensive
line has a lot of young talent, the running back corp is one of the
tops in the NFL (Butts, Bernstein, Ronnie Harmon and Eric Beinemy),
the defense should come together under Arnsbarger (sp?), the only
real areas of weakness are in the defensive secondary, and in
finding a 2nd serviceable wide receiver.

In no way will this team be less than 7-9, and to say they may
go 1-15 is pure uninformed lunacy.

>They have an up and coming QB, but more importantly, the offensive
>line has a lot of young talent, the running back corp is one of the
>tops in the NFL (Butts, Bernstein, Ronnie Harmon and Eric Beinemy),
>the defense should come together under Arnsbarger (sp?), the only
>real areas of weakness are in the defensive secondary, and in
>finding a 2nd serviceable wide receiver.
    
    I think this guy is right on the money with his assessment.  2nd WR,
    and secondary are really hot areas IMHO.  I sure hope that Shawn
    Jefferson pans out as the 2nd WR.  Nate Lewis was in that spot last
    year and I personally thought he was awful.  I'm not sure he could
    catch a cold.
    
    Glenn

    For the 2nd WR, they are still interested in Jeff Query - unfortunately
    so are a lot of other teams.  They need a possession type guy.
    
    The only new thing I have heard is actually old news; that is they are
    preparing (or have presented) a contract offer to Plan B DB Delton
    Hall.
    
    As for the Internet author's assessment, I'm in agreement except that
    the defensive line seems  a little weak to me as well.  We had only
    what, 29 sacks last year?  Not good enough.
    
    Doug

Did anyone else notice in TSN that the Chargers have signed a lineman from
the Dolphins?  I never heard about it until I read it last night.

Doug

    Don't know anything about it.  I'll take Simms.
    
    Glenn

    Yesterday the Chargers signed Delton Hall to a contract.  Hall was 
    formerly a CB for the Steelers and SD may move him to Safety.
    
    Doug

    Hey Doug....here's an afc west preview I got off usenet.  What'dya
    think? 

The Afc west preview by me--->

The Afc west is one of the two strongest divisions in the NFL.
I say it like that because I have no wish to reopen the old AFC west vs
NFC east string we had going earlier this year.

L A Raiders-
  This team at first glance looks in trouble.  No real Runner to speak
  of save Marcus Allen, and he ios over the hill.  QB trouble, Lack
  of a truly DOMINANT D.  The coach is not a chess type coach so he cannot
  pull off Shula or Knox type miracles.  But this team has a knack of looking
  this way, and succeeding.  I pick the Raiders this high for 2 reasons, and
  both go back to a similar source.  1:marinovich, if any team can make him
  a hero fast it is this team.  2:The Raider Mystique.  Those two reasons
  or lack of reason will boost the team up here.  Forecast:9-12 wins with a
  long shot at 13.
Kansas City Chiefs-
  This team is by far more talented, stronger, and maybe even better coached.
  But a lack of a good QB will hold them dopwn.  Do the Chiefs even know
  who it weill be?  Will it be Grandpa DeBerg, Mark "The Pickle" Vlasic,
  or some outsider brought in to do the job?  Forecast:Qb troubles hold the
     chiefs down to 8-12 wins with 13 being God's intervention.  That is
     Only if tehy get a QB.  With a Pro-Bowl caliber Qb that knew the system
     well they go to the super bowl and mash whoever comes their way.
San Diego Chargers-
  Denver fans are saying "wait where are my Broncos?".  Be patient.  The
  Chargers are an enourmously talented team that has been underachieving for
  many years.  Friesz looks to be a future probowl QB and with Bobby Ross
  coming in to coach, the O will get much better.  Henning's absence will be
  the Chargers biggest boost.  Forecast:6-8 wins with an excellent shot at 9
     or even 10 depending how fast Ross juices up the team.  
Denver Broncos-
  Bronco fans are going to be forced to endure another disappointment.  
  Denver went from Afc champs to out of it to Afc champs to REALLY out of it
  to AFC conmtenders...they will probably be out of it again this year.  
  Reves will be given his walking papers.  Forecast:5-8 wins or if Reeves
     gets his act together then 9 or 10 wins, but the 5-8 seems more likely.
Seattle Seahawks-
  No more Knox miracles.  That guy kept this team afloat and Behring is finally
  going to see how usefull Knox was.  Flores has not coached in a looong time.
  Much has changed, and the Seahawks are devoid of talent, unlike the Raiders
  when Flores coached.  Forecast:1-5 wins with 6 as an outside possiblity.

    You are dead wrong about the Seahawks.  Chuck Knox was holding this
    team down this year.  I think Flores will open up the offense more.  I
    think you will see a lot more scoring from the Seahawks this year.
    
    Glen
     

    re: -1.  That note was not my note.  I took it off the usenet.  
    
    Glenn

I mostly agree with Mr. Internet's evaluation, including the Seahack stuff.
Knox had been doing it with mirrors for the last couple of years.  Next
year they probably won't have a QB, and they have tremendous age on their
squad.  I do think they'll have more than "1 to 5 wins" though.

I disagree with him on Denver.  As long as the Donks are playing in Mile
High they will have the best home field advantage in football.  That place
is worth 3 wins a year by itself, so they'll win at least 8 or 9 games.

Being a Charger fan, hope springs eternal.  I think they could repeat Denver's
performance of a year ago and steal the division with the pathetic schedule
they will be playing.  It's unbelievably soft and the team has been 
underachieving for 3 years under Dan (the Idiot) Henning.  There is a lot of
talent on that team and Ross looks like the real thing.  Time will tell.

I totally agree with the Raider assessment.  They always find a way to pull
a rabbit out of the hat.  You watch, one of these Plan B stiffs (Audray Bruce 
or ??) will all of a sudden become awesome and they'll be OK.

KC will be good as long as Marty S. is the coach, but they'll always come up
a buck short.

That's what I think,

Doug

   > Kansas City Chiefs-
      >This team is by far more talented, stronger, and maybe even better
    coache>d. But a lack of a good QB will hold them down. Do the Chiefs
    even know > who it will be?  Will it be Grandpa DeBerg, Mark "The
    Pickle" Vlasic>, or some outsider brought in to do the job?
     
    
    Looks like it might be some outsider...The chiefs signed Dave Krieg
    of of the seahawks. While Krieg is only two years younger than DeBerg, 
    and is also a grandpa, I think he'll be the missing link for the
    chiefs. I've always admired Krieg for his guts and determination, and
    when he is hot he's in the same class as the Montana's and Marino's
    IMHO. The only problem is that he gets into slumps too. But the chiefs
    can overcome that if they can manage to keep DeBerg ready. Another
    thing to consider is both their ages, it wouldn't be to far fetched to
    have these two dinosaurs get injured....especially towards the end of
    the season when they're needed most....Oh well, looks like the seahawks
    just dropped down a notch, and the chiefs moved up a notch. Should be
    interesting to see how it all turns out. Go Raiders!
    
    Carlos

    Chargers lost Kittrick Taylor to Green Bay.  Green Bay signed him as a
    plan B free agent.....FYI.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    I saw the item about Taylor in the paper - a real bummer.  Ross
    was quoted by TSN as saying he likes the receiver corps, but I wonder
    if he still thinks so.
    
    Doug
    

    Read somewhere that it's expected that Stan Humphries will end up in
    San Diego this season.   More FYI.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

This is from the 1992 Draft Preview by Joel Buchsbaum and the editors of 
PFW:

Draft Needs for Chargers:

Quarterback - The Chargers finally appear to have found a quarterback in 
John Friesz.  He can't run, but throws a very nice ball, can unload 
quickly and senses the rush.  However, there is very little behind 
Friesz.  Look for Bobby Beathard to go after a proven backup.

Running backs - Loaded with Marion Butts, Rod Bernstine, Eric Bieniemy 
and Ronnie Harmon.  A switch to more of a two-RB attack appears to be in 
order.  The Chargers have had many offers for Bernstine, but new coach 
Bobby Ross wants to use him as a multi-position player.

Receivers - A lot depends on how Shawn Jefferson develops.  When the 
Chargers made the Lee Williams deal, they felt he was the player they 
needed to complement Anthony Miller.  But Miller struggled with injuries 
and Jefferson was not able to step in.  Nate Lewis also has potential, 
but a high-caliber receiver would tempt the Chargers.

Offensive Line - Need help on the right side, especially at right 
tackle, where Broderick Thompson struggled last year.  Harry Swayne and 
Eric Moten developed nicely on the left side before injuries forced them 
out.  Courtney Hall is one of the best young centers in the game.  ORG 
David Richards is average.

Defensive Line - If the Chargers go to a 4-3 under Bill Arnsparger, they 
will need another defensive lineman unless they play Leslie O'Neal and 
Burt Grossman outside and George Thornton and Joe Phillips inside.

Linebackers - Beathard may look for an inside or middle linebacker to 
move Junior Seau outside.  Seau's greatest asset is his ability to come 
off the corner and rush the quarterback.

Defensive Backs - Weakest area of the team.  Stanley Richard has A-1 
potenetial at free safety, but Gill Byrd belongs inside, and the 
Chargers have no proven corners aside from Byrd.

Special Teams - The kicking game fell off in '91 and cost at least two 
or three games.

Summary - The Chargers are not that far away, but they must find a 
couple of cornerbacks and an offensive right tackle if they are to turn 
the corner.

Notes - The Chargers' No 1 goes to the Redskins, and their No 4 is New 
England's.  They have Houston's No 1 and No 5 from both Washington and 
Atlanta.

1991 Draft Analysis - Richard started 14 games but was hurt by holding 
out.  He has pro Bowl potential.  Thornton started the last three games 
on the defensive line and flashed dominance , but he may have been too 
heavy earlier in the season.  Moten started the first 11 games before a 
neck injury slowed him.  He looked like a future stud when he was 
reasonably sound.  Bieniemy played well on special teams, but had only 
three carries all year in Dan Henning's one-RB attack.  Duane Young, who 
looks and blocks like a guard, missed the first 10 weeks with a knee 
injury and then closed strong.  WR Yancey Thigpen and SS Floyd Fields 
have raw potential.  Chris Samuels was a useful utility back before he 
suffered a serious knee injury.  Jefferson joined the Charges so late 
that he never had a chance to learn the offense.  He may have lost his 
confidence while trying to justify the trade.

Mock Draft - 
1st Rd (#23) CB Ashley Ambrose, Mississippi Valley State.
2nd Rd (#5) WR Courtney Hawkins, Michigan State.
3rd Rd (#7) LB Todd Collins, Carson-Newman.

The Chargers signed CB Sean Vanhorst from the Lions, LB Eugene Marve from 
the Bucs, and WR Derrick Faison from the Rams.  They also inked another 
guy but I can't remember who it was (heard on the radio) and the paper 
didn't have it this morning.

Doug

I'm outta here on vacation for the next couple of weeks, so when I get back
we should be ready for some serious draft discussion.

Doug

    From TSN:
    
    The Chargers may be in trouble as a result of Plan B defections.  They
    have lost deep snappers Randy Kirk to Cincinnati and Mark Rodenhauser
    to Chicago and wide receiver Kitrick Taylor, the AFC's third-leading
    punt returner, to GB.  They also lost defensive linemen Skip McClendon
    and offensive linman Mark May and are expected to lose defensive end
    George Hinkle and defensive backs Sam Seale and Martin Bayless.
    
    Plan B signee Cedric Jackson already has impressed the coaching staff
    in his move from running back to H-back.
    
    Beathard is a fan of qb Jeff Graham and has made Graham the leading
    candidate to back up John Friesz in '92.  That my come as a surprise to
    Bab Gagliano who was the No2 qb heading into the offseason.  "My
    feeling is that somebody missed on Graham," Beathard said.  "I might be
    proven wrong, but I think this kid's got something."
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

Mel Kiper says the Chargers' needs are:

         1) DB (two), 2) WR, 3) OL (two), 4) DT, 5) PK.

Mel projects the Chargers drafting Jimmy Smith  (Jackson St., WR) with the
23rd pick of the 1st round (with a pick they acquired from Houston), Marco
Coleman (Georgia Tech, LB) with the 5th pick in the 2nd round  (33rd over-
all), and Bernard Dafney (Tennessee, OL) 7th in the 3rd round  (63rd over-
all).

Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

Ourlads Draft Guide says the Chargers will take Ga Tech LB Marco Coleman
with their first pick.  I hope Kiper is right, I'd rather see him available
in round 2.

Beathard said that Plan B WR Eric Affholter has really been a surprise in 
mini-camp being held this week and last.  The Chargers have twice timed him
in the 40 yard dash on grass in UNDER 4.5 seconds.  Beathard says he and many
others were guilty of thinking Affholter was too slow.

Beathard is also very upset that the Chargers lost WR David Jones in Plan B
to the Raiders, because the team had supposedly made a deal with him not
to leave.  But appartenly Al Davis made him an offer he couldn't refuse.
The only other guys that Bobby expressed remorse at losing were the long 
snappers.  He didn't even mention George Hinkle, and I thought they would be
upset about that loss.

Apparently Kittrick Taylor liked his chances in Green Bay better than here.
Beathard says he put him on plan B because he liked Nate Lewis better as a
punt returner.

Other mini-camp news:  They say that WR Shawn Jefferson is looking AWESOME!
I've heard this from more than one source so there could be some truth to it.
But come on.... it's only MINI camp.  

QB Jeff Graham has looked good in drills.


Can't wait for the draft!!  Will Beathard trade his first round pick????


Doug

    From TSN:
    
    The Chargers have lost 22 players to Plan B in the past two seasons,
    including three starters in their secondary.  Starting safety Martin
    Bayless offered the team an 11th hour opportunity to match an offer
    from Kansas City.  "But Bobby Beathard told me I should resume my
    career somewhere else," Bayless said.  Starting cornerback Sam Seale
    said he received a call from the Raiders' Al Davis urging him to move
    to L.A.  "What do you think the chances are of Alex Spanos calling me?"
    Seal said.  He took the offer.  Last year, starting free safety Vencie
    Glenn jumped to the Raiders.  .....The Chargers added 10 Plan B players to
    their roster and said TB linebacker Eugene Marve and safety Delton Hall
    would have the biggest impact.  Hall, however continues to recover from
    knee surgery and has been unable to practice during the team's informal
    workouts.  .......Beathard said the addition of TB's Pat O'Hara means
    the team will not choose a qb in the draft.  O'Hara is playing for the
    Ohio Glory as a backup to Babe Laufenberg, a former Charger
    starter...... The loss of wide receiver David Jones left Beathard
    stunned.  Beathard drafted Jones, protected him all season on the
    team's physicallyu unable to perform list, then made a deal with him to
    remain despite being left unprotected.  The Raiders, however, made a
    hefty financial pitch to Jones and he walked.  ......Emphasis this week
    in the first of two minicamps will be on the passing game.  "We haven't
    even put in a running play yet," qb John Friesz said.  "We've been
    working out for 4 weeks and it's all been on the passing game."  The
    team also will switch to a 4-3 on defense and will take heat off the
    corners with more zone coverage.......It also appears to be more than
    coincidence that the Chargers lost 2 players, CB Sam Seal, and wr David
    Jones, to the Raiders.  You may recall that Steve Ortmayer, the
    Raiders' special-teams coach who plays an active role in personnel
    matters, was fired from his post as the Chargers' director of football
    operations in 1990.  ........The Chargers lost more players (11) to
    Plan B than any other team.  What stimgs most is the loss of veteran cb
    Sam Seals and developing young players such as Frank Cornish, George
    Hinkle and David Jones.
    
    Here's a thumbnail look at 6 Plan B signees who should make immediate
    contributions to their teams:
                  .
                  .
                  .
    5. Frank Cornish, C/G Dallas (from SD)  Cornish is big, quick, flexible
    and athletic, but his strength is hardly proportionate to his size.  In
    SD, he lacked intensity and too often finished a play on the ground. 
    But Dallas is trying to upgrade its interior offensive line, and he
    will get a shot to start at guard.
    
    The Redskins ....improved it by adding.....and sturdy inside player
    George Hinkle viewed by some as a coming star.
    
    Well Doug....this doesn't sound too good for the Chargers....
    
    Glenn

The Plan B defections of this year and last just goes to show you how deep
the talent runs on the team, and yet Henning couldn't win.  I also find it
iteresting that Ross was so surprised at how good the talent is when he held
mini camp recently.  He actually thought that the talent stunk since Henning's
record was so bad.  Not so.  Nick Canepa from the SD Union Tribune was on 
the radio last night and he says if the Chargers can't win 9 or 10 games with
their atrocious schedule they should pack it in for good.

I think the loss of Hinkle is the worst, myself.  He can play and the Chargers
have no depth on the DL.  The other one that I still don't like is losing
Kittrick Taylor.  He is a good receiver and punt returner.  I also forgot
to report here that Anthony Miller hurt a knee ligament in mini camp and will
be sidelined until JULY!  SD needs wide receivers, I don't care what they say.

I heard a rumor last night that the Chargers want to trade up in the 1st 
round for a shot at either Troy Vincent or Terrell Buckley.  I don't believe
that rumor.

Glenn, I should start hearing a lot more over the next few days, and I will 
post it here when I do.

Doug

    Thanks for the postings Doug.
    
    Glenn

    Charger Personnel Director Billy Devaney was interviewed last night,
    and he took phone calls on the air.  He says if all things are equal
    (and we know they never are), the Chargers would like to come out of 
    the first 3 rounds with a cornerback (top priority), a wide receiver,
    and a defensive lineman.
    
    One particularly amusing moment occurred when a caller begged Devaney
    not to take a running back in the top rounds.
    
    More later,
    
    Doug

Strong rumor - "Sources" say the Chargers want to trade a 3rd round pick
to the Giants for QB Phil Simms.  The media in San Diego is all over this one
but the writers in New York say they haven't heard anything about it.

Doug

    I wouldn't mind Phil Simms coming into San Diego as a backup qb and a
    tutor for Friesz.  A 3rd round pick seems reasonable to me for this. 
    Doug, what's your objection?
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

I just think we need help in too many areas to spend a 3rd round pick on 
a guy at the end of the line.  Plus, he's not the most durable guy in the
world.  I've seen the Chargers do this before in the past (remember the last
team Unitas played for?) and it just doesn't seem to ever work out.  
(Mark Malone, boy there was another beauty!).

I'd rather use the 3rd on a defensive back that Beathard likes in the draft.
Gagliano is good enough to back up Friesz, IMO.


Doug

     Besides, Simms is TOTALLY over-rated. Look at his career numbers
    compared to Dave Kreig. I think that you'd be suprised. There was a
    great article in (I think) "The National" (RIP) last year that ripped
    Simms. 
    
    Condo
    
    (Hi Doug)

>    Look at his career numbers
>    compared to Dave Kreig. 
    
    I'll give you numbers: 2 super bowl rings, one in which he was the MVP. 
    Only two short years ago he took New York to the playoffs before he was
    hurt.  
    
    	--dan'l

      NY's defense took them to the playoffs...IMO

>      NY's defense took them to the playoffs...IMO

Not in 1990.

They scored better than they had for a LONG time.  Before Hoss took
over, they were scoring in the mid-20s every game.  Hoss averaged
about 13 points.


Phil is a leader, intense, fiery, and (just for you Tim) Elway wishes he
had cojones like Phil 8^)


'Saw

Cajones or no cajones, it's all moot now anyway.  Yesterday Beathard said 
he no longer will pursue trade talks for either Simms or Humphries because
a 3rd round pick is too expensive.  Way to go, Bobby!

Doug

    Since when did Bethard start treasuring draft picks ? :-)

    thx 'Saw

Re .464   Beathard just wants a good deal.  I heard him interviewed again 
last night and he said he thinks he can use a 3rd or 4th round pick more
wisely than spending it on a QB.  (A washed up one at that IMO).

He also said that he hadn't talked to the Skins about Humphries since before
the Super Bowl, so I don't know where that rumor came from.

The interviewer asked Beathard if he would trade up or down in the first 
round.  He said he didn't "have what other teams want" in order to move up
so that won't be happening.  He also said he would be willing to do the
same thing as last year and trade next year's #1 during this years 2nd round
in order to get a player he likes this year, but he doesn't think any other
team would be willing to risk taking an additional #1 for next year when 
there may not be a draft.

Doug

Comments of Billy Devaney, Director of Player Personnel

(My comments in parenthesis)

1/23	Chris Mims, DL, Tennessee

	Charger staff split between Mims and Spellman, issue made moot when
	Bears selected Spellman one pick earlier.  Spellman is better now, 
	Mims possible better long term potential.  Needs to get stronger,
	has the frame to carry extra 20-25 pounds.
	(Boom or bust, wouldn't be surprised at either eventuality)

2/33	Marquez Pope, DB, Fresno St.

	Excellent size for a corner.  Great pure speed, timed at 4.38 on grass
	for Chargers.  Team couldn't believe how good he looked playing corner
	in East-West Shrine practices.  
	(I heard Pope in interview, he sounds very impressive as well - I 
	think they have a good one here!)

3/63	Ray Ethridge, WR, Pasadena City Coll and CFL

	Blazing speed.  Not a sleeper - everyone knew about him.
	(I heard Beathard say that he was the 2nd fastest guy at the combine,
	had the best vertical leap, and best standing broad jump.  But can
	he catch?)

5/117	Curtis Whitley, C, Clemson

	Mike Ditka type, loves the game.  Throwback type of player.


5/131	Kevin Little, LB, No. Carolina A&T

	Bit of a project.  Played DE in college.


5/140	Eric Jonassen, OT, Bloomsburg St.

	Good guard/tackle prospect.  Started at Penn St. before transferring.
	Big guy.

6/147	Reggie White, DT, NC A&T

	300 Pounder.  Dominated in college, great work ethic.
	(If he could only play like his namesake)

7/174	Deems May, TE, North Carolina

	On the come.  Getting better and better.  254 pounds.


8/201	James Fuller, DB, Portland State

	Scouts say he's too slow but he timed 4.55 for us.  Foot quickness is
	better than his 40 speed would indicate.  (Devaney seemed genuinely
	excited about this guy, maybe they have a sleeper here.)

9/231	Johnnie Barnes, WR, Hampton Institute

	Project.  Good size and speed with good hands.


10/258	Arthur Paul, DT, Arizona St.


11/285	Keith McAfee, RB, Texas A&M


12/315	Carlos Huerta, K, Miami

	Performed in big games.  Good range but not booming kicker.  Better
	than average length and EXTREMELY accurate.  We think he will come in
	and give Carney a run for his money.


USA Today rated the Charger draft a "C".  I would have to agree.  On Sunday
a lot of the "experts" in town were really on Beathard's case for taking Mims.
They also didn't like him reaching for Ethridge.

Everybody's an expert.  Only time will tell.

Doug

    Well Doug, I have to agree that I wasn't thrilled with the draft, but
    what can you do.
    
    Where is Mims going to play?  In other words, what will the front line
    look like?  In the literature I have it talks about Mims as a DE. 
    Well, what about Grossman and O'Neal?  I can't figure it out.  Will
    O'Neal go to outside lb?  Then what about Smith and Rolling?  We'll
    see.  Have you heard anything about this?
    
    Pope - I hope they use him as a corner.  The books I have talk about
    him as a safety.  Again we'll see.
    
    Ethridge - I guess the comment that Bobby Ross said about not
    disappointed in the offense is correct.  I about kicked the tv when
    they didn't pick Jimmy Smith in the 2nd instead of Pope.  Ross must be
    happy with the receiving corp, but how can he be?  Miller is injured
    and dropping passes, Lewis is not IMHO a starting receiver.  I hope
    like all getout that Shawn Jefferson becomes another JJ.  And I hope
    this guy Ethridge works out.  I read the same things you have
    here...blazing speed but mighty raw.
    
    Why did we pick up Curtis Whitley with a 5th.  Do we need a center? 
    Last I hear some guy named Courtney Hall was at that position. ;-)
    
    The others....no biggie, but I hope that Huerta gives our pk a run for
    his money.
    
    I still can't figure out the d:
    
    	X			X		X		X
    Mims		Thornton	Phillips	Grossman
    
    
    		X			X		X
    	    O'Neal		Plummer			Seau
    
    ?????  I dunno....
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

I share many of your concerns Glenn.  #1, Pope absolutely will be used as 
a cornerback.  He only played safety in college because he is a monstser 
hitter.  He has all the speed and quickness necessary to play corner.

Here is the gameplan with Mims.  He has the frame to support a lot more
muscle and weight, so there is plans to bulk him up and use him wherever
he works out best, outside or inside.  In the beginning he will probably be
just a 3rd down pass rush guy.  I know the team was unhappy with Grossman 
last year, so maybe they're sending him a message.  Also, maybe they have no
plans to move O'Neal back to end.  This whole situation is a real gamble.
The thing I don't like about it is that this scenario leaves no question that
they are counting on Thornton to make a significant contribution this year, 
and he was a total bust last year IMO.

I disagree with you about Jimmy Smith over Pope in the 2nd round.  A lot of
people had Pope as a 1st rounder and we had to get a quality secondary guy,
because all the good ones would be gone after the 2nd round.
I still disagree with the Mims pick and would have taken Pickens at that
spot.  Once they didn't however, I felt there would be a good WR in the 3rd
round, and I was bummed when Cleveland took Patrick Rowe (WR, San Diego St.)
at the end of the 2nd round.  I really thought he would fall to the Chargers
pick in the 3rd.  I know they liked him and would have taken him with that
pick.  So maybe Ethridge will blossom?  Also, I said it in this notesfile 
before, but I keep hearing it from Charger brass, that Shawn Jefferson is 
a completely changed player.  They say he is going to be awesome!  That is 
not me talking, but Charger coaches and Beathard.  The problem last year 
with him was that he got nothing but run and shoot training at Houston for 
the entire training camp and then came to the Chargers right before the 
first game and never got into the swing of the IDIOT's system.

The draft pick I'm intrigued by is the last 5th rounder Johanneson or whatever
his name is.  A big guy who started for Penn St. must be pretty good, and 
USA today had him as a possible sleeper.

That's it for now.  Keep the dialogue comin' Glenn!

Doug

    I'm intrigued by Johanneson also, for the reasons you state, but also
    because my wife went to Bloomsburg.  That's kind of a neat personal
    touch.  
    
    I'm a big fan of Jefferson's and I hope what you are saying is on the
    money.  
    
    Any word on the 92 schedule?  How about exhibition schedule?
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    The NFL schedule is late coming out this year because of the late
    change from the 18 week schedule (with 2 byes and no off week between
    the conference championships and Super Bowl) back to the 17 week
    schedule (with 1 bye and an off week between the conference
    championships and Super Bowl).  I expect it to be out either this week
    or next.
    
    The preseason schedule is known but not released.  The Hall of Fame
    game is August 1 and the regular preseason schedule starts that next
    weekend.  As far as the Chargers go, the only thing I know about their
    preseason schedule is that they're at New England on the weekend of
    August 15.
    
    John

    From TSN this week:
    
    Leo Goeas has been moved from tackle to guard presumably to press
    unsigned David Richards, who has been the team's starting right guard
    for the past 64 games.  Although Richards has played a consistent role
    in making the Chargers one of the top rushing teams in the league, the
    front office remains unimpressed with his play.....Eugene Marve, who
    was signed as a Plan B free agent from Tampa Bay, has been shifted to
    outside linebacker after working inside during the recent minicamp. 
    The Chargers appear concerned about the outside position, which was
    headed by henry Rolling and Billy Ray Smith last season....Denfensive
    lineman Burt Grossman, who dropped to 252 pounds at times last season,
    has been making an effort to improve his strength this offseason.  "He
    weighs 274 now and hs made substantial gains in a lot of his lifts,"
    said John Dunn, the team's strength and conditioning coach.  "Looking
    at his body, though, it still wouldn't be a good idea for him to take
    off his shirt and parade around." .....George Thornton, a second-round
    pick in '91 who was a bust as a rookie, was the highest graded
    defensive lineman at the minicamp.....Running back Eric Bieniemy, who
    gained a reputation for being a strongman in the weight room, has
    reduced the amount of weight he lifts and has dropped 10 pounds in an
    effort to improve his quickness.....Linebacker David Grayson had caught
    the eye of Coach Bobby Ross, but team doctors have determined Grayson
    will need further surgery on a leg that was broken last season. "I'm
    not saying he was going to be a starter, but that changes what we were
    thinking before going into the draft," Ross said.
    
    FYI
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

Also in the same issue of TSN was the draft analysis by its "Guru" who graded
all the teams' drafting efforts.  His ratings went like this:

Double Plus
  Plus
  - 0 - 
 Minus
Double Minus

This Rocket Scientist gave the Chargers a Double Minus as their draft grade,
saying he couldn't see any of SD's picks contributing at all.

Everybody has an opinion.


Doug

    Below is the 1992 San Diego Charger schedule.  Note that all times are
    Mountain Time.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn
    
    
    
1988 Record: 6-10-0
1989 Record: 6-10-0
1990 Record: 6-10-0
1991 Record: 4-12-0




			1992 San Diego Chargers Schedule
			********************************
    
        PreSeason:				Score:		Record:

	    August 8	8:30pm	@Phoenix	___________	_________

	    August 14	5pm	@New England	___________	_________

	    August 21	6pm	San Francisco	___________	_________

	    August 27	8pm	LA Rams		___________	_________


    	Regular Season:

    NBC	    September 6	  2pm	Kansas City	___________	_________

    NBC	    September 13  2pm	@Denver		___________	_________

    NBC	    September 20  2pm	Pittsburgh	___________	_________

    NBC	    September 27 11am	@Houston 	___________	_________

    NBC	    October 4	  2pm	Seattle		___________	_________

    	    October 11		       --Open Date--

    NBC	    October 18	 11am	@Indianapolis	___________	_________

    CBS	    October 25	  2pm	Denver		___________	_________

    NBC	    November 1	  2pm	Indianapolis	___________	_________

    NBC	    November 8	  2pm	@Kansas City	___________	_________

    NBC	    November 15	 11am	@Cleveland	___________	_________

    CBS     November 22	  2pm	Tampa Bay	___________	_________

    ESPN    November 29	  6pm	LA Raiders	___________	_________

    NBC     December 6	  2pm	@Phoenix	___________	_________

    NBC	    December 13	  2pm	Cincinnati	___________	_________

    NBC	    December 20	  2pm	@ LA Raiders	___________	_________

    NBC	    December 27	  2pm	@ Seattle	___________	_________

I don't mean to be pessimistic, but.......

Looks as if it will come down to a situation where the Chargers need to win
at the Raiders and/or at Seattle during the last two weeks in order to 
make the playoffs.  If that's the case, I don't like their chances.

Otherwise, a 5th place schedule isn't bad to have.  At least the Chargers
get to open at home for a change. 

Doug

The Chargers opened a 3 day mini-camp today, and below are the reports that
I hear.  Take 'em with a grain since they're coming from Lee Hamilton, voice
of the Chargers and a major shill.

Shawn Jefferson continues to look awesome and explosive.  (They must be paying
the radio station to say this.  It ain't a description of the Jefferson I
saw last year.)

Mims looked quick off the line.

Marquez Pope was impressive today.

WR Ray Ethridge dropped everything thrown to him.

Carlos Huerta was booming his kicks.

Besides Huerta, the lower round pick who looked very good was WR Johnnie
Barnes from Hampton Institute (8th round).

Six veterans refused to report/participate.  I didn't hear who they were but
I have a pretty good idea.  How about Plummer, David Richards, Broderick
Thompson, O'Neal, Phillips.  Just my guess.  Plummer for sure, cause he's 
unsigned.

If I hear more from this weekend I'll post it on Monday.

Doug

    Here are the names of the six who didn't show at last weekend's
    mini-camp:
    
    O'Neal, Hall, Phillips, Thompson, Bernstine, and Rolling. (I had 3 of 
    'em in .476).  All but Bernstine and Rolling attended meetings but 
    skipped workouts.
    
    
    More notes from the SD Union/Tribune:
    
    The club announced the signing of five free agents:  WR Jimmy Raye
    (San Diego St.), WR Keith McDonald (San Jose St.), LB Chris Collins
    (SMU), OG Donald Walkinshaw (Portland St.), and CB Wayne Williams
    (LSU).  The team released QB/Punter Thomas Bolyard and WR Arnold
    Field.
    
    Ross said receiver Craig McEwen caught only 54% of the passes thrown
    him at the April minicamp, which, if it were to continue, means he'd
    have no trouble catching a plane out of town.
    
    Defensive tackle George Thornton looks as if he just polished off an
    all-you-can-eat special, but the truth is, his weight is down to 310
    from a high of 331, Thornton said.  
      Still, that's not good enough for Ross, who says he needs to be at
    295 when he reports by July 15.  And if he's not?  Would Ross 
    consider fining him?
      "Damn right I will if he doesn't hit the weight," said Ross.
    
    Backup QB Bob Gagliano sat out the first minicamp because of a pulled
    abdominal muscle.  Now he's back, though it appears he's not over the
    injury.
      "He needs to have more zip on the ball, I'll tell you that," said
    Ross.
    
    Strong safety Delton Hall is practicing....CB Cedric Mack is not.  He
    recently had a bone spur removed from his ankle....Is it a coincidence
    that 2nd-round draft pick Marquez Pope is wearing former starter Sam
    Seale's jersey?  "It's a coincidence," said Beathard.
    
    Scratch another wide receiver.  Nate Lewis strained a thigh muscle on
    Saturday (5/9), but coach Bobby Ross said the injury is not serious.
    
    Coaches are drooling over wide receiver Shawn Jefferson, the star of
    minicamp.  "To me," said Ross, "he has been the guy who's really jumped
    out.  He's just gotten better and better."
    
    
    
    

    Thanks Doug for the report.  It's nice to hear some timely news.  
    
    Glenn

    Anything new Doug?  I haven't heard anything except that Ross is
    torqued at the guys not showing up to minicamp and that Mims doesn't
    seem as strong as Ross had thought so they won't use him inside.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

All I'm hearing these days is what I get in The Sporting News, and since I
know you see that as well, I haven't bothered entering it in here.  It's been
strangely quiet.

I didn't know about Ross' disappointment in Mims.  If he really is that weak,
then I think it's a bad draft choice at this point.  They already have one
Grossman, they don't need another one.

"Hacksaw" (radio voice of Chargers) has been on vacation and he's my primary
source of news.  He gets back on the 1st and I'm sure he'll have some updates.
Once I hear the news I'll post it.

Doug

>"Hacksaw" (radio voice of Chargers) has been on vacation and he's my primary
    
    Isn't that Lee Hamilton?  If so, he was here in Phoenix before moving
    to San Diego.
    
    Mike

    Re: Grossman,
    
    It has been reported that he has put on 20 pounds this offseason,
    having committed himself to a dedicated weight-lifting program. 
    Management has been pleased with his efforts thus far!!
    
    
    HTH,
    
    Nelly

    That'd be neat if Grossman decided to come through.  Thanks Nelly.
    
    Glenn

Re: .481 - Yeah, that's Lee "Hacksaw" Hamilton, formerly on the air in Phoenix
and Cleveland before that.  His co-workers at XTRA have hung him with a 
different unofficial nickname of "Moe" which fits a lot better in my opinion.
If you've ever seen the guy he looks just like Moe from the Three Stooges with
glasses.

Re: .482 - I heard the same thing about Grossman.  He was pathetic last year
and easy to push around, so it's good he got on a weight program.  He probably
wasn't going to play if he didn't.  

I heard a Bobby Ross interview on the Rams' station the other day.  He 
reiterated that he is happy with the offense and thinks it can compete with
anybody in the league, but he is concerned about the defense, particularly 
the defensive line.  He wants to improve the pass rush.  He said the wide
receivers have really come a long way this spring (didn't mention names) so
he's not as worried about that area.


Doug

    Chargers have signed their #1 pick, Chris Mims.  That's one down and a
    plenty to go.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    Chargers have gone back to having lightning bolts on their pant legs
    this year.  That's a good change. 
    
    Chargers will have dark jerseys as home uniform this year.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    Cool! I always liked that lightning bolt going down the laig.

The "fixing" of the uniforms won't be complete until they go back to the
original colors, royal blue, gold, and a little white - instead of navy
blue, white, and a little gold.

I saw the picture of the new pants, and they do look much better.

Doug

    Well Doug, if you feel that way, then they must go back to white
    helmets with yellow lightning bolts and their numbers above the
    earholes on their helmets too.  Also gray face masks and one-strap chin
    straps, not the 4 snap ones they have now that makes me think they're
    strapping on a fighter helmet.  Frankly, I like the uniforms as they
    are now.  They look good to me and are in keeping with the traditional
    look.  
    
    Now, if we can get them better on the field!.....
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    Hey Doug.  I'm lookin' to buy an old style white Charger helmet with
    the yellow lightning bolts, so if you see one and the price is right,
    then let me know please....
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

      Whats the right price?  $200 or so?
    
      Yes I'm a capitalised(sp?) when the situation is there.....
    
    	Tim

    Yea Tim....that's about right.  Do you have an in or something?
    
    Glenn

    Re: a few back - Glenn, my deal over the uniforms is basically with
    the colors.  Spanos came in and changed the main color to NAVY blue.
    The Chargers were NEVER navy blue, they were a more basic, or royal,
    blue.  Also, he got rid of the gold pants, which I thought were great.
    The deal about white helmets vs. blue is a nit, those kind of tinkering
    changes are made all the time and are no big deal to me.
    
    Bottom line: Spanos took what once were the best uniforms in the NFL
    (IMHO) and made them the most boring.  Putting back the lightening
    bolts will help but again that is just a small detail.
    
    But a Super Bowl title would make me forget all about this.
    
    
    Doug

While at the store yesterday I browsed through a recently released Pro
Football publication (Peterson's, I think) which painted a pretty bleak 
picture of the Chargers chances this year.

The writer was from a newspaper in Tacoma, and I have to give the guy credit
for doing his homework.  I didn't buy the magazine, and I didn't read any 
of the other teams' stories, but he had the Chargers "down" pretty well as 
far as personnel is concerned.

He has the Chargers finishing fourth, and thinks it will take Ross 3 years to
turn this team around!  Three years!?  They've supposedly been rebuilding for
the last 7 years!  

Predictably, he says Spanos is to blame for every part of the team's demise.
He even hints Spanos will blow away Beathard if they don't win this year.

He correctly points out that they will have a tough time duplicating the 
accomplishments of last year's special teams due to Pasquale's defection.  And
he predicts that the offensive line will experience problems in transitioning
from Alex Gibbs to Carl Mauck.  I think the guy is right on with both of
those points.

*********************************************************************

Here are my two "keys" to a successful season for the Chargers. 

1) They have to get a pass rush going.  The defensive backfield is not a 
   strong area on the team.  Last year opposing teams completed 60% of their
   passes against this defense.  Since SD doesn't have strong cover guys, 
   the pass rush has to flourish.

2) At least two additional wide receivers (in addition to Miller) have to
   emerge from the pack.  Otherwise, opposing teams' defenses will continue
   to load up against the run and blitz the hell out of Friesz in obvious
   passing situations.

Also, because of the way the schedule works this year, the Chargers need to 
be 8-6 or better going into the 15th game.  The last two games are intra-
division road games.

Training camp starts in three weeks.

Whadda ya think, Glenn?

Doug

    > He has the Chargers finishing fourth, and thinks it will take Ross 
    > 3 years to turn this team around!  Three years!?  They've 
    > supposedly been rebuilding for the last 7 years!  

    	I glanced through 3 of these magazines and found one that picked
        the Chargers to go to the playoffs as a wild-card team.  I, of
        course am convinced that this writer has a very high IQ.  Seriously
        though, I think they could make it as a wildcard.  
    
    > Predictably, he says Spanos is to blame for every part of the 
    > team's demise.  He even hints Spanos will blow away Beathard if 
    > they don't win this year.

    	I doubt it.
    
    > He correctly points out that they will have a tough time duplicating 
    > the accomplishments of last year's special teams due to Pasquale's 
    > defection.  
    
    	Absolutely correct and you and I spoke about Pasquale leaving last
        year.  That's an ouch!  Ross appears to have faith in the guy he
        brought from GT with him, so we'll see.
    
    > And he predicts that the offensive line will experience problems in 
    > transitioning from Alex Gibbs to Carl Mauck.  I think the guy is 
    > right on with both of those points.

    	Another note that's correct.
    
    > Here are my two "keys" to a successful season for the Chargers. 
    > 1) They have to get a pass rush going.  The defensive backfield 
    > is not a strong area on the team.  Last year opposing teams 
    > completed 60% of their passes against this defense.  Since SD 
    > doesn't have strong cover guys, the pass rush has to flourish.

    	I look for some improvement in the defensive backfield.  There's
    	Byrd, Richard and now Pope.  Hopefully that's jell!
    
    > 2) At least two additional wide receivers (in addition to Miller) 
    > have to emerge from the pack.  Otherwise, opposing teams' defenses 
    > will continue to load up against the run and blitz the hell out of 
    > Friesz in obvious passing situations.
    
    	Nate Lewis is dependable but unspectacular.  Shawn Jefferson is
    	supposed to be the second coming and hopefully one of the speeders 
    	that we drafted will blossom.
    
    > Training camp starts in three weeks.
    
    	Thank God!
    
    The one point I don't see here Doug is that virtually the entire
    offense revolves around the maturation of Friesz.  I hope he explodes
    on the scene this year.  Also, I'd like to see the Chargers trade
    Bieniemy for a good db.  If we keep all 4 rb's, I don't think we can
    keep them all happy.  I sure hope O'Neal comes around and joins in
    actively in Arnsparger's D.  He and Seau rushing the passer would be
    mighty sweet.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

You make a good point about Friesz, Glenn.  The other day I heard Ross 
interviewed at length and while on the subject of Friesz he said that John
had quickly picked up the new changes in the offense.  So hopefully he will
blossom this year.

Ross also talked about Shawn Jefferson.  He said Jefferson's route running
ability has improved like night and day from last year.  He's fast, runs
consistent routes and cuts, and can catch the ball.  Let's hope he's for real
and can stay healthy.  Also, did you see the blurb in TSN about this late 
round draft pick, Johnnie Barnes?  They say he is really coming on too.

As for Bieniemy, sometime ago I heard Ross say he was very impressed with his 
pass catching ability.  I think we will see Eric more this year, especially
coming out of the backfield on pass routes.  Ross is going to run more two
back sets this year so hopefully he will get more PT.  I hear what you're 
saying about trading for a DB, but one of the few things I agreed with 
Henning about was "you can never have too many good RBs."  So I have mixed
emotions about trading Bieniemy.  Bernstine will only be good for about 10 
or 12 games, if past history is any indicator.

Oh yeah, Ross also says he is still concerned about injuries to Grayson, 
Miller, and Carrington, but all of them are supposed to be ready by camp.

I would be more concerned about he plethora of unsigned veterans, especially
Joe Phillips, who says he ain't signing until the court case is settled.

Doug

    The latest I've heard regarding the Chargers' running game is that
    Bernstine will be playing H-back, with Butts and Harmon in the
    backfield.
    
    As far as the AFC West is concerned, I see the Chiefs as being strong,
    Denver to struggle somewhat with a tougher schedule than the free ride
    they had last year....the Raiders to be little more than
    adequate....the Seahawks likely to come in 5th....and the Chargers to
    compete for a wild card as a result of a very easy schedule!!!  I
    believe that their 'D' will blossom this year....and with their running
    attack, they can win some games even if their passing game is a no
    show!!  Denver took an average team with a much-improved defense to the
    AFC Championship game last year, due in large part to their easy
    schedule, which allowed them early success and the momentum necessary
    to carry them through the playoffs!!  The same could happen with the
    Chargers (getting TO the playoffs.....not THROUGH the playoffs!!!)!!
    
    
    Nelly
    

    Only 2 more days until training camp opens!  Hooray!
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    
    Only 1 more day until training camp opens!  Hooray!
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    > I glanced through 3 of these magazines and found one that picked
    >the Ch argers to go to the playoffs as a wild-card team.  
    
    That must've been the same magazine I bought, it predicted that the
    Donks would win the division again followed by the Chiefs, Chargers,
    Raiders, and the Seahawks. Of course I'm a little biased, but I think
    it's a crummy magazine and wasn't worth the five bucks. (I like Don
    Heinrich's preview, but I think he died and I'm not sure they'll be
    publishing that one...) I really don't think the Broncos are gonna win
    the division this year, and likewise I don't see the Raiders coming in
    fourth...'course I could be wrong....nah! I think the Chiefs have the
    best chance this year, followed closely behind by the Raiders and the
    Chargers. The Broncos are on a teeter-totter, last years easy schedule
    helped them win the division and as a result they have a tougher
    schedule this year which spells another bottom of the barrel year,
    which will result in another easy schedule, which will.....etc..etc..
    The Raiders have question marks on defense (one week they play great,
    the next they're lousy) and at QB...(will it be Marinovich, or
    Schroeder?). The Chiefs, Chargers, and Seahawks also have question
    marks at QB. Will Krieg answer K.C.'s prayers? Is this the year that
    Friesz blossoms? Is Seattle gonna go with McGuire? Who knows...
    This is my prediction:
    
    Chiefs   11-5  - win the division
    Raiders  10-6  - get a wildcard
    Chargers  9-7  - also get a wildcard
    Broncos   7-9  - if they're lucky
    Seahawks  5-11 - wait a couple of years
    
    Carlos
    

    > This is my prediction:
    >
    > Chiefs   11-5  - win the division
    > Raiders  10-6  - get a wildcard
    > Chargers  9-7  - also get a wildcard
    > Broncos   7-9  - if they're lucky
    > Seahawks  5-11 - wait a couple of years
    >
    > Carlos
    
    	Well Carlos, I hope you're right!  I'd take 9-7 and a wildcard
    berth.  After 3 years of 6-10 and last year at 4-12, 9-7 would be
    heaven sent.  But what I like the best is when the Chargers beat the
    Raiders ;-).  Just somethin' 'bout it!  Raiders @ Chargers on ESPN
    November 29th 6pm MDT.  Just givin' you grief!
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn
    

>    (I like Don
>    Heinrich's preview, but I think he died and I'm not sure they'll be
>    publishing that one...) 

I agree with you Carlos (although I hate to :^)), that's one of the best preview
mags around.  It probably just hasn't come out yet because I've already got his
college one.

>    The Broncos are on a teeter-totter, last years easy schedule
>    helped them win the division and as a result they have a tougher
>    schedule this year which spells another bottom of the barrel year,
>    which will result in another easy schedule, which will.....etc..etc..

Yes, for the 138th time the Broncos have a much tougher schedule than last year,
but what everyone fails to mention is that so do the Raiders and the Chiefs.
The schedules of Denver, KC, and LA are very similar.

In a very rough sketch of a prediction, I look for Denver to win about 10 games,
with KC, LA, and SD around .500.   The Chargers could contend for a wildcard if
their defense plays up to its potential; the Chiefs will pretty much go as Krieg
does (which probably doesn't bode well for them) but their defense should help
keep them a decent team; I really don't think the Raiders will be that good but
they'll still manage to be around .500 with Shell crackin' the whip.

These are not my official predictions - those will come later.  


Joe                                                          

    -< In case you haven't heard, Jim McMahon was traded to the Chargers >-
    
    
    

    Heinrich's magazine is out ... check B. Dalton bookstore in Framingham.

    > Heinrich's magazine is out ... 
    
    ... with new maneuvers?
    
    Hawk
    

    >....with new maneuvers?
    
    ok...I'll bite, what kinda new maneuvers?
    
    Carlos

      >>              -< You know, Heinrich Maneuvers... >-
    
    
    Ohh....I get it.....duhhh which way did they go George?
    
    I guess what threw me off is that my 'ol lady calls it the Heimlich
    Remover....
    
    Carlos
    

       I thought it was Hindlick maneuver!
                                   Denny

    Atually there are variations on the H.M. .... there's the Dean Smif'
    Var., the Elway counter, and of course the Wardle Manuver.

    Whatever it is....training camp opened today for the Rookies!  Hooray! 
    
    Ding dong the witch is dead, witch is dead.....ding dong....
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

The Chargers have several unsigned veterans.

John Friesz has been looking very impressive in the mini camps this spring
and summer.  Bobby Ross has been commenting how well John has picked up the
subtle changes being installed in the offense.  He has also been learning the
new "no huddle" offense that Ross is putting in as part of the overall
package.

That's the good news.

Today I found out that Friesz is holding out and not reporting to camp, which 
opened yesterday.

He wants to be paid - are you ready for this - ONE MILLION PER YEAR!

Looks like we're in for another long summer of holdouts.

Doug

Reports indicate the Chargers have offered John Friesz a multi-year deal
that starts at over $700K per year, with additional incentives for making
the playoffs, etc.  He was a no-show at today's practice.

Safety Floyd Fields and LB Dave Grayson flunked their physicals, but are
expected to pass them in a couple of weeks.

WR Ray Etheridge (3rd round) has been placed on the "Physically Unable to
Perform" list.   Nice pick Bob.

Day 1 standouts included WR Johnnie Barnes (8th, Hampton Institute) and 
WR Derrick Faison (FA, Rams '91),  as well as DT Arthur Paul (12th, Arizona)
and 1st pick Chris Mims.

I haven't heard anything but I believe Marquez Pope is still unsigned.


Doug

    The Chargers have signed 3 important players.
    
    	1.  Leslie O'Neal to a 1 year contract.
    	2.  Henry Rolling to a 2 year contract.
    	3.  Courtney Hall to a 2 year contract.
    
    		Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    Chargers also signed John Kidd, punter.
    
    I'm on vacation next week......see ya in the preseason!
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

I believe the Chargers have only one remaining unsigned player.

As usual, it's Joe Phillips.


Doug

Phillips reportedly told Beathard over the weekend either to trade him or
else he would "sit out the year."  He and his agent are asking for a package
of over $1 million per year.  

I had heard last week that the Chargers gave permission to the Eagles and
Dolphins to open talks with Phillips' agent.  But the Chargers say even if
they do trade him it won't be until after the 4th preseason game so they 
can assess their most pressing need and look for trade compensation in that
area.  I think it's just a ploy.

The Chargers cannot afford to lose Phillips - he is the heart of the DL.
The problem is that he knows it.


Doug

    John Friesz signed his contract on July 27th.  It's a 2 year deal worth
    1.55 million, but is laden with incentives that could push Friesz over
    $1 million in 1993 if Friesz or the club performs successfully.  Last
    year Friesz earned $280,000.  Hours later David Richards signed a one
    year deal.  Also the day before Rod Bernstine signed a one-year deal
    worth $690,000.   FYI.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    Any news on how long Friesz will be out? Who is likely to be his
    replacement.....Gagliano??? This has got to be a major bummer for
    charger fans, looks like another long year.....
    
    Carlos
    
    

    
    Cards (d)rroooollll!

    Heard that he's possibly out for the season.  If not, that statement
    alone says he's lost for quite some time.
    
    	--dan'l

Friesz is out for the season, the result of a cheap shot from Cards LB
Ken Harvey.  The two teams play in the regular season so that guy is dead 
meat.  I would like any self respecting Cardinal fan try to defend the cheap
shot Harvey threw on Friesz.  This is a major bummer.

Gagliano will be the guy until/unless they find another QB.  The talk shows are
full of talk about what Beathard should do.  My opinion is that it never works
when you try to bring in some castoff veteran.  I say they should go with
Gagliano, who is NOT THAT BAD OF A QB.  The Chargers have bigger problems 
elsewhere on the team, as was evidenced by the pounding they took from 
Phoenix.  The defensive backfield is in BIG trouble, and other than Grossman
and O'Neil, they have nothing on the DL.  As for quarterback, the problem gets
HUGE if Gagliano gets hurt.  They have nothing else, so that's the reason 
Beathard should bring somebody else in.

BTW, I think Phoenix is headed for a good season, especially if they keep 
Rosenbach healthy.  This guy is fantastic!  He went 13 for 13 against SD and
I believe he went 11 for 13 in the scrimmage with the Raiders.  He's the real
deal and if I was in a Rotisserie league I would grab him.

I mentioned the negatives of the game Sat. night.  As for positives, there
weren't many, but among them were the play of Eric Bieniemy (he's slimmed 
down some so I hardly recongnized him), Burt Grossman (he's really bulked up
and looking great), and I liked the play of DB James Fuller.

But they don't tackle very good, just ask the Cards.


Doug

    
    I'm not a Cards fan, but it looked like Harvey was blocked into Freiz. 
    Harvey is one of the better players on the team, and isn't really a
    cheapshot artist.  Rosy looked OK, but of the 13 passes the TD and one
    other were the only passes > 10 yards, and even the TD was on a short
    slant where Hill just blew by everyone.  The Cards were 4-0 in
    preseason last year, then Rosy got hurt and took the team with him.
    
    Brews
    
    

    I too am NOT a Cards fan.....but the replay I saw of the Friesz injury
    looked perfectly fine to me!!  I think it is most likely your blind
    loyalty to the Chargers that has blurred your vision of the play,
    Doug!!  In fact, when I heard the lead-in to the video, I was all ready
    to be repulsed by the ugliness of the hit.....and was surprised to see
    how innocent a hit it actually was!!
    
    
    I say trade for Steve Bono!!!!
    
    
    
    HTH,
    
    Nelly

No question about it Nelly, I'm pretty "blind" when it comes to being a Charger
fan, especially since this looked like it was going to be the first year they
had a chance to do anything.  Now this.

Here's why I think Harvey threw a cheap shot.  

1.  He took two or three steps after the pass was thrown (and drew the flag, BTW).

2.  He hit Friesz with his HELMET, not his arms or shoulders.

3.  Friesz had let go of the ball long before he got hit; in fact he was just
    standing there watching the play, knowing there SHOULD be no immediate 
    danger.

The only way I give Harvey a break was that his head was facing downward and
he may not have known the pass was thrown.  But he definitely did not get 
blocked into the QB; in fact another one of my gripes is that he beat LT Harry
Swayne so easily, maybe Swayne should take some of the heat here.

Some interesting perspective, the media are saying things like, "that's what
pass rushers are taught to do", so you can't blame them.  Also, for record, 
Charger mgmt. is saying it wasn't a cheap shot, but I still got a right to my
opinion. 

I think I'll go back to crying in my beer now.


Doug

    I saw the hit last night on Sportscenter, and it didn't appear to be
    that much of a cheapshot. It reminded me alot of the hit that Randal
    Cunningham took last season that tore up his knee, except that Harvey
    seemed to be more blocked into Friez that Popp was to Cunningham. I
    heard that a flag was thrown and I couldn't believe it.
    
    Dennis
    

Beathard has rekindled his interest in Washington Redskin QB Stan Humphries,
reportedly offering a 4th round pick.  Washington has not officially replied,
but reports indicate they are holding out for a 3rd round selection.


Doug

    Rumors are flying that the Chargers are looking to get Phil Simms from
    the Giants.

       Says in my paper Beathard is after Stan Humphries of the 'Skins
                                      Denny

�    Rumors are flying that the Chargers are looking to get Phil Simms from
�    the Giants.

Ya mean the future Hall of Famer leaving the Giants? 

>Ya mean the future Hall of Famer leaving the Giants? 


I doubt it.  George Young has said that there's no way he'll trade Simms
this century.

They should trade Hoss, keep the two other guys, and let Simms groom them.


'Saw

       In case you haven't heard, Stan Humphries has been traded to the
    Chargahs! Caught the tailend a the report on Headline Nooze. It was
    draft picks I think.

    Was Jim McMahon traded too?

       Not this time!

       Just heard it again, 3rd round pick.
                                     Denny

    That's a good trade, although I don't think Humphreys will take over
    the #1 spot right away. I expect Gagliano will be the leader for at
    least the first half of the season.
    
    Carlos

    
    FYI, the Cardinals had the NFL review the play on which Freisz was
    injured.  They have determined that Harvey was not at fault, and in
    fact, said that a penalty should not have been called.
    
    Brews

      Are they gonna overturn the game and change the score?-)
    
    	Tj

    Well, last week was spent at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, so I
    was abit out of touch.  I did, however, manage to read the USA Today
    everyday and when I saw that Friesz was out, the sinking feeling fell
    all over me.  I cannot think of another injury that would be more
    catastrophic to the Chargers than this one.  Bobby Ross kept the
    offensive terminology the same as last year and didn't alter the
    offense to much from last year all in the name of keeping things steady
    for Friesz.  Now he's out for the year.  It makes me want to smack my
    mother-in-law even more than usual.
    
    So, the Chargers get Stan Humphries, and Gagliano performs well in the
    win in NE.  I guess we'll just have to see.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

Good to have you back, Glenn - I was afraid you got TFSO'd or something.

You missed a lot while you were gone.  Chargers looked lousy against Phoenix
but pretty good against the Pats.  I'm most impressed with Bieniemy, he's 
looking very good.  Gagliano looks good; QB is among the least of this team's 
problems.  Other positives include Mims - he looked a LOT better last Sat.
Also, Anthony Miller is back in a big way.  He should have a good year.

Now for the negatives - the defensive backfield is a horror show IMO.  After
Byrd and Richard there ain't much.  Pope looks terrible, and I mean TERRIBLE!
With all the guys hurt (Shelton, et. al.) there is no quality depth.
They need Phillips to come back, otherwise there's no quality beef on the DL.

They still can use another wideout.  All the rumors around here are about 
picking up Slaughter from the Browns but I think it's just wishful thinking.

I'm gettin' ready for three home games in a row - 49ers, Rams, and the season
opener with the Chiefs!

Doug  

 
    > Good to have you back, Glenn - I was afraid you got TFSO'd 
    > or something.
    
    	No way you'll get that lucky Doug.  I'm here to promote 
    	Charger fever until ve occupy the verld! ;-)
    
    > Chargers looked lousy against Phoenix but pretty good against 
    > the Pats.  
    
    	Doug, what was the final score of the Phoenix game?  Wasn't it
    	somethin' like 35-14?  I know the Chargers won the NE game 20-10.
    
    
    > I'm most impressed with Bieniemy, he's looking very good.  Gagliano 
    > looks good; QB is among the least of this team's problems.  Other 
    > positives include Mims - he looked a LOT better last Sat.  Also, 
    > Anthony Miller is back in a big way.  He should have a good year.
    
	I keep reading in the SD Union about Miller and Jefferson.  Hope
    	good things come to pass.
    
    > Now for the negatives - the defensive backfield is a horror show IMO.  
    > After Byrd and Richard there ain't much.  Pope looks terrible, and I 
    > mean TERRIBLE!  With all the guys hurt (Shelton, et. al.) there is 
    > no quality depth.  They need Phillips to come back, otherwise there's 
    > no quality beef on the DL.
    	
    	One of the papers said something about the Chargers using a zone
    	defense, but the problem is that it's the twilight zone.

    
    > They still can use another wideout.  All the rumors around here are 
    > about picking up Slaughter from the Browns but I think it's just 
    > wishful thinking.
    
    	I read where Beathard said they haven't even talked about
    	Slaughter.  It hasn't even come up.  Bobby Ross keeps talking about
    	the wr's being the most improved part of the team.
    
    
    > I'm gettin' ready for three home games in a row - 49ers, Rams, and 
    > the season opener with the Chiefs!

    	FYI ~  ......TNT will be broadcasting the 49er/Charger game on
    	Friday night at 8pm EDT.
    
      	Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    
    Well Doug.  Tonight's the night.  I imagine Humphries will see some
    action tonight against the 9ers.  Any news on how Humphries is doing in
    training camp?   I'd expect to see alot of Gagliano and Humphries.
    
    I also imagine you'll be at the game, so have a hell of a good time for
    me.  I'll be lookin' for yer in the stands, which will be a real trick
    since I've never me yer and have NO IDEA what you look like.  Anyway,
    have fun.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    Isn't tonight's Chargers-49ers game on TV?  (TNT? ESPN?)
    
    
    py

Re: last - The game is on TNT


Glenn,

Yeah, I'll be there tonight - and I'm looking forward to it, even if it is
a preaseason game.  I am, however, committing the ultimate sin - I'm taking 
a 49er fan with me.  OK, OK, blasphemy I know - and I'm bound to take #$%&
from my season ticket neighbors, but it's only preaseason and they aren't 
big rivals.  Don't worry, I would never do this during the regular season.

Ross said this morning that both Gagliano and Humphries will play one quarter
each with the starting unit, with Humphries scheduled to play about a
third of the game in all.  I hear that Humphries has looked OK, but he is out
of shape BIG time; weighing in at a "hefty" 238 pounds.  Personally, I'm a 
long way from being sold on this guy - he sounds a little undisciplined to me.

Supposedly the team has given up on Phillips, and they have been talking to
the Dolphins about a trade.  I still wouldn't be surprised if he miraculously
signs early next week.

Enjoy the game on TNT.  By the way Glenn, I'll be at CXO3 the week after next,
I'll look you up.


Doug

    Because of tonights SD-49er game 2 baseball teams have a very rare
    Friday night off (Mets and Padres). Chargers always seem to supplant
    the Padres for a Friday night or Sat afternoon exhibition game. I
    wonder why the scheulers can't work out something.
    
    The Crazy Met
    

    'cuz the football team was there before the Baseball team, and they
    have first dibs on scheduling dates. I'm surprised that they didn't
    have the Chargers play home exhibitionist games that coincide with a
    Padres road trip. I think the Chargers are also responsible for
    maintaining the field, so the infield might be a little more bumpy than
    in a park where the baseball team rules the roost.
    
    Tom  

    I figured the Chargers had first dibs on scheduling. But there is the
    same scheduling issue during the first part of the real NFL season and
    the Padres never have a Sunday off because of that. Just wondering why
    the schedulers didn't work something out for the footbal exhibition
    season as well.
    
    The Crazy Met
    

    
    49ers 20
    Chargers 14
    
    Well, 1st team vs 1st team we won 14-3, but then the subs came in and
    things fell apart.
    
    Gagliano looked good to me.  Stupid Nate Lewis still can't catch a
    cold.  When he dropped the td pass from Gagliano during the 1st drive
    of the game, I though, here we go again.  Then Miller couldn't hold
    onto the next pass and lastly, Carney missed the FG.  A 13 play drive
    produces 0 points!
    
    Running game was good, the D looked good.  
    
    Doug, how's the competition between Huerta and Carney?  Have you heard
    anything?
    
    Doug, what station in LA will be broadcasting the Charger/Ram game on
    Thursday?  I need to call them to find out what satellite it's on.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    Glenn,
    
    Yeah, even for a preseason game it was pretty much a bummer - at least
    the 2nd half was.
    
    Lewis didn't make this excuse, but I'll make it for him - He was
    looking right back into the sun on that ball he dropped, but he still 
    shoulda had it.  Miller was running before he caught his.  No excuse
    there.
    
    Well, I'm finally off my pro-Carney bandwagon.  We just can't afford
    any more missed field goals.  So what if he has short kickoffs, give
    the job to Huerta.
    
    Ross was asked after the game Fri night about the Carney-Huerta duel,
    and he was cleary "piffed."  He said they were going to do "a lot of 
    kicking" this week and will make a decision.  Before the 'Niner game
    the job was clearly Carney's to lose.  But did you notice Carney's
    kickoffs?  They length of those were nothing to write home about
    either!  I hope they let Huerta kick on Thursday.
    
    KCBS, channel 2 usually does the Rams games, but I don't know if
    they're doing this one.  Glenn, assume they are and if I find out
    differently I'll let you know.
    
    My thoughts on the game:
    
    Gagliano looks good.  He's the starter.
    
    Humphries has a cannon for an arm, but he made a poor decision and
    throw on that one interception.
    
    The Marquez Pope move to corner is a bust.  They should put him at
    safety and forget about it for this year.  He looked terrible Friday.
    
    Chris Mims looked very good.  Maybe that's not a wasted pick after all.
    
    If Floyd Fields is the starting strong safety, this team is in trouble.
    
    The first string is overall pretty good, but other than running back,
    the Chargers lack quality depth just about everywhere.
    
    Boy, Bobby Ross was one unhappy camper after the game.  It's good to
    see a somewhat emotional reaction from the coach after listening to
    the Saunders/Henning post game comments the last 5 or 6 years.
    
    
    Doug
         

    
    Doug,
    
    My local paper doesn't show what personnel moves the Chargers 
    made to get to 60 players.  Do you have that information?
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

The most surprising of the Charger cuts was Carlos Huerta, the 12th round PK
selection.  The guy can kick field goals, but they didn't like him because his
kickoffs were too short.  Carney, whom they kept, has yet to make a field 
goal this season.

Nobody else of note was cut.  Some guys were put on injured reserve (i.e. Elder).
WR Ray Etheridge was put on the PUP list.

WR Derrick Faison was cut, as was lineman Darly Jenkins and QB Jeff Graham.
Nobody else of note that I can remember.  I don't think there will be many
hard decisions to get to 47 this year because depth on this team is fairly
non-existent.

Tomorrow's game is on KCBS, channel 2.

Doug

    
    Called KCBS and they're going to send the signal from SD to LA via
    fiber optics and not off a satellite, so it's unlikely that I will be
    able to watch the game tomorrow night.  
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    
    Well, for some reason the San Diego station beamed the signal off of S3
    and I picked up the game.  I had full video and audio and heard Fouts
    and Charlie Jones talking both on and off camera.  It was great.  
    
    I have to say that I really like Humphries.  I like the way he steps
    into EVERY pass and gets it there.  That last TD to Stanley over the CB
    in the corner of the endzone was superb.  Of course, you can't know
    what Gagliano did.  Beathard said after the game that Gagliano will
    probably start, but that it was up to Beathard.
    
    Nate Lewis surprised me.  Doug did you teach him how to catch?
    I would have liked to have seen Jefferson in the game, but never did.
    Bieniemy couldn't get anything done.  Seems to me he hits a pile and
    just falls over.  
    Harmon's run into the endzone was a thing of beauty and Thigpen did a
    great job of taking the defender out of the play.
    You have to give it to Carney......that 50 yarder had another 5 yards
    on it.  3 for 3!  That's great for him.
    
    Doug, I saw you last night!  You were seated in the seat on the right!
    I pointed you out to my wife last night....she said you were ugly
    enough to .... well ... nevermind!
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    Glenn,
    
    Can you offer an opinion on how Marion Butts, Rod Bernstine, Harmon and
    Bienemy (sp?) will be used this year?  I'm curious as to the likelihood
    of Butts repeating his 1200+ yard performance of 1990.
    
    
    Thanks,
    
    Nelly

    
    Nelly, it is my opinion that Bobby Ross REALLY likes Butts and I
    suspect he'll start every game that he can.  Bernstine, however, is too
    good to keep on the bench so he must play.  Last night Fouts said that
    Ross said that we have to get Harmon the ball in situations other than
    3rd down.  During that announcement, Harmon was in for the whole series 
    and score a TD on a swing pass from about 15 yards out.  Bieniemy is a
    kickoff returner and I don't see him as anything more.  
    
    After a team gets used to tackling Butts, the Chargers really like to
    put Bernstine in the game.  Bernstine is virtually as big as Butts, 
    but is much more of a slasher instead of a truck, and provides a
    tremendous style change for the D to have to corral.  
    
    But if Butts is starting, and Harmon's role is increased, Bernstine 
    HAS to play less.
    
    So look for Butts to start and Harmon's role to be more than just 3rd 
    down.  Don't expect anything from Bieniemy and a lesser role for 
    Bernstine, unless Butts gets injured.  
    
    Doug, what do you think?
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn
    

Here's what I think.......

Butts is THE man on this team.  He was awesome last night.  I have heard all
preseason long (including from Bernstine himself) that Rod will be used as a 
running back, an H-back, and a tight end.  Also as a running back split wide.
We have seen NONE of that (except RB) impemented......yet.  Do you think maybe 
Kansas City has a SURPRISE coming next Sunday???

Lewis was good last night, probably due to the session I personally held with
him on Wednesday (har).

There is raging debate on the talk shows about who should start at QB.  Lots of
people were impressed with Humphries last night.  My evaluation is that Stan
has the better arm for deep passes but Gagliano is more accurate on the short
stuff consitency-wise.  Either one will do - a great problem to have.

Yeah, Glenn, that was me (the ugly one) View level, section 31, row 2, seat 16.
(On the end).

Doug

    	Hey Doug
    
    		.....who did Ross name as starting QB?
    	        .....any news on Joe Phillips?
    
    	Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    Bobby Ross named Bob Gagliano as the starter.  It's not surprising. 
    He's been around alot longer.  He reminds me alot of Phil Simms.
    
    Alot of Chargers cut, but no real surprises IMHO.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn

    I'm out of town this week and thus cutoff from my regular sources,
    so I don't know what is going on at the wide receiver position.  They
    cut 'em all so all that's left are Miller, Lewis, and Jefferson (who's
    hurt).  Beathard must have something going.
    
    The 49ers cut rookie WR Mark Seay (who carved up the Chargers a couple
    of weeks ago) and I'd like to see SD pick him up.  Or get Slaughter or
    somebody!  All preseason long Ross has been saying he likes what he
    has at WR - obviously BS.
    
    Doug

Now Phillips says he's ready to come back.  Two days before the season.
Beathard countered with an offer that is less than Joe made last year.

Joe    Joe    Joe.......you need to learn.....

You don't mess with Bobby Beathard.


Doug

    
    	What a riot Doug!  Too funny!
    
    	Live from Charger Central.......Glenn
    
    

    
    Well, Doug.  Lemme see if I have any prophetic powers.....
    
    KC will play well in SD on Sunday, with Dave Kreig having a good day. 
    SD will show surprising strength on offense and will win the game
    24-17.  3 tds and 1 fg for SD.  Carney will hit a 37 yarder in the 3rd
    quarter.
    
    There you go Doug.  You don't even have to go to the game on Sunday,
    because you have the inside scoop right here!  Anyone else willing to
    venture a guess?
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn
    
    

    Yeah, I'll venture a guess.  The Chargers will look like dogmeat,
    especially on offense;  the offensive line will smell, Gagliano will 
    get sacked 5 times, hurried 10 others, and have 2 passes batted down.
    He'll go 8 for 27 or something like that.  Otherwise he'll have 
    a great day.  The defense will look great, but the Chargers will still
    get beat because of lousy special teams play, which will give up two
    TDs.
    
    That was the worst football game I ever saw.
    
    Glenn, are you sure you want to go see the Donks pound this pitiful
    bunch in person?
    
    As you might gather, I'm a touch disappointed.
    
    Doug

    
    > Well, Doug.  Lemme see if I have any prophetic powers.....
    
    As it turned out, I have antiprophetic powers.  Anything I said the
    opposite occured.
    
    
    > KC will play well in SD on Sunday, with Dave Kreig having a good day. 
    
    Krieg had a crappy day, not a good day. 
    
    > SD will show surprising strength on offense ...
    
    The offense sucked.  The running game was ok, but Gagliano couldn't
    complete a pass for anything and Miller and Lewis were dropping right
    and left.  Things really picked up when Humphries came in and pulled
    within 7 and then when we needed the D to stand up, they folded.  It
    hurt.
    
    Bobby Ross has announced that Humphries will start at qb for the
    Chargers against the Broncos.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn
    
    

Did the Chargers change their uniforms?

I was watching the ESPN wrap up show on Sunday evening, and it appeared
that their unis were black this year.

Have them changed them from the Navy blue that they used to be, or
was it just the video?


'Saw

    Must have been the video, 'Saw.  They were in Foxboro on August 14 and
    wore their dark uniforms.  They certainly looked navy blue to me
    (though with our lousy lighting it was hard to tell 100%).
    
    Uniform changes have to be cleared with NFL Properties a year in
    advance for merchandising reasons.
    
    John

>    Must have been the video, 'Saw.  They were in Foxboro on August 14 and
>    wore their dark uniforms.  They certainly looked navy blue to me
>    (though with our lousy lighting it was hard to tell 100%).
>    
>    Uniform changes have to be cleared with NFL Properties a year in
>    advance for merchandising reasons.
    
Thanks John.

I always like their uniforms, and with the present trend of everyone
going to black, I thought they might have also....


'Saw

Charger unis are still navy blue, only the lightening bolt down the leg is back.


Now, for the continuing saga (soap opera) of Joe Phillips:

Yesterday Beathard put an offer on the table for Phillips and his agent, and
set a certain time deadline for acceptance or the deal was off.  No response
was received from Phillips, so the Chargers extended the deadline by one hour.
Still no response.  So Beathard goes "live" on the radio and announces that 
Phillips will not be playing for the Chargers this year because of the lack
of response to the offer put on the table.

Here is the unbelievable part.  Joe Phillips calls the radio station while 
Beathard is on the air and ties to get on to talk to Beathard and accept the 
offer, saying he didn't get back to the team before its deadline because he
was having a birthday party for his daughter.  (A BIRTHDAY party???)

Beathard refused to talk to him on the air reiterating that the deal was dead
and that was that.

My question:  Did Phillips incur serious brain damage when he got the $#%*
kicked out of him a couple of years ago?  Or is he just plain stupid?

Stay tuned.

Doug

    
    Doug, that's unbelievable.  I'd like to get him into camp, but I'd also
    like for him to quit this stupidity every year.
    
    Live from Charger Central.......Glenn