| 11.06.03 - Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer continued to hold off on naming his starting quarterback for Sunday’s game at Qualcomm Stadium against Minnesota, sticking to his previous statement that he’ll make the announcement later in the week.
Schottenheimer met with the media after Wednesday’s practice without saying which player – incumbent Drew Brees or back-up Doug Flutie – would start Sunday’s game.
“It doesn’t serve us any purpose to make an announcement right now when we don’t have to,” said Schottenheimer. “I haven’t gotten to the point where I’m ready to make an announcement.”
Both players worked in Wednesday’s session, but that’s really not unusual. Brees and Flutie, along with Cleo Lemon, who is on the practice squad, all get extensive reps during a normal Wednesday practice.
One reason to not make the announcement is to force the Vikings to prepare for both quarterbacks, a strategy not uncommon in the NFL.
While the Chargers will continue to run the same offensive scheme, Brees and Flutie run the system differently in many ways. For one, Brees is more of a controlled pocket passer, whereas Flutie likes to make things happen by moving around and scrambling.
Flutie, for one, believes there is a direct benefit to making an opposing defense prepare for both quarterbacks.
“From talking to other defensive coordinators, they put in a different plan for me when I play, they really do,” said Flutie. “They do things differently if I am going to play or if the other guy is going to play.”
“There’s certainly no advantage to (making the announcement), except maybe for (helping) your opponent prepare,” said Schottenheimer. “I understand the interest that everybody has, and with good reason. However, it really doesn’t benefit the Chargers in any way to make that announcement right now.”
Brees and Flutie continue to take the situation in stride.
“Coach is going to make the decision later in the week, and the team will go with that,” said Brees. “If it’s me, great. If it’s Doug, great. The team will support that person 100 percent. If it’s Doug, I’ll support him 100 percent. If it’s me, he’ll support me 100 percent. We’ll move on and try to win some games.
“I will continue to prepare the same way and hopefully I’m the guy.”
“We’re waiting for the announcement,” said Flutie. “He thought it was to our advantage if we wait until later in the week. He doesn’t want to let Minnesota know who is going to be starting until he has to.
“I don’t know. Maybe it’s better. Just let me know before the game.”
Because of the personalities involved, most quarterback controversies are pretty tense. This one clearly is not.
“They have developed a very, very close relationship, both professionally as well as personally,” said Schottenheimer. “I think that certainly is a positive with the situation we are in.”
It appears likely Schottenheimer will make the official announcement on Thursday. | |
