North Carolina State University Athletics
Rivers moves up Chargers' depth chart to No. 2
9/28/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 27, 2004
By BERNIE WILSON
AP Sports Writer
SAN DIEGO (AP) - Former NC State quarterback Philip Rivers just got a lot closer to taking his first snap with the woeful San Diego Chargers.
Rivers was promoted from third-string quarterback to No. 2 on Monday, a day after Drew Brees was ineffective in a 23-13 loss at Denver that dropped the Chargers to 1-2.
Coach Marty Schottenheimer said Brees remains the starter. But if Brees were to get hurt - or get the hook - Rivers, the $40.5 million rookie, would get the call over 41-year-old Doug Flutie, who's now No. 3.
"I'm not sitting here all fired up like I've achieved something," Rivers said. "I'm pleased that I've made some progress, obviously, and shown them such, that they feel that I'm ready to be in that position."
Schottenheimer said he made the move to give Rivers more snaps during practice. Rivers had been directing the scout team against the No. 1 defense, running the plays that the upcoming opponent is expected to run. Rivers said he's gotten virtually no snaps with the No. 1 offense during practices so far.
It could very well be that Schottenheimer is preparing for a change at No. 1.
After a strong performance in a season-opening win at Houston, Brees has struggled in consecutive losses. He threw for just 8 yards in the first half of a 34-28 home loss to the New York Jets, and for just 16 yards in the first half at Denver on Sunday. He's completed just 54.2 percent of his passes, and his passer rating has tumbled to 77.1.
He's thrown for three touchdowns and two interceptions, and has lost two fumbles. He was pulled from the Jets game after sustaining a concussion, although he ran 12 plays and threw a 33-yard TD before Schottenheimer replaced him with Flutie.
Asked if he's looking over his shoulder because of Rivers' promotion, Brees said: "Absolutely not."
If a team uses its No. 3 quarterback in the first three quarters, the other two QBs can't go back in. If the No. 3 goes in during the fourth quarter, the other two would still be available.
Rivers was taken by the New York Giants with the fourth pick overall in April's draft, then sent to the Chargers for Eli Manning - taken No. 1 - and a handful of draft picks, including the Giants' No. 1 next year.
Although a contract holdout cost him 29 training camp practices and two exhibition games, Rivers said he's ready to play.
"I say that confidently. I'm not by any means going to play the perfect game, but I feel like I can go in there and make the plays and get the things done that can win us a game," said Rivers, who started an NCAA-record 51 games at NC State.
"That's not all on my shoulders, but I certainly feel like I can get in there and manage it and handle the situation."
Schottenheimer said Flutie "has been a fireman, if you will, the guy who would come in during the fourth quarter, and by putting him at No. 3, we don't compromise his ability to do that."
Said Flutie: "I didn't know we were into specialties. I'll be the closer, I guess. I'll do what's asked of me, whatever that might be."
Schottenheimer said Brees has made considerable progress.
"The Houston game comes to mind, but yesterday he missed some throws. every quarterback in the league misses throws, but there's a major spotlight given our circumstance, and so of course it reflects in that regard."
Quarterback is hardly the Chargers' only problem.
Wade Phillips' new 3-4 defense isn't striking fear into anyone. The Chargers have only three sacks in as many games, and opponents are completing 73.3 percent of their passes.
The Chargers, who have lost 21 of their last 28 games under Schottenheimer, host the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
