At different times in the past three months, the San Diego Chargers’ linebacking corps was expected to be in shambles.
Steve Foley was shot by police on the eve of the season and lost for the year. Shaun Phillips was injured for several weeks. Shawne Merriman was suspended by the NFL for four games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Major losses, every one of them.
Somehow, the San Diego defense continued to be stout. Somehow, the Chargers are 10-2 and on the verge of clinching the AFC West with a victory over the Broncos today.
The Chargers can thank Marques Harris for helping keep the defense afloat during the tough times. The former Grand Junction High School and University of Colorado standout, who finished his college career at Southern Utah, has become a valuable part of the San Diego defense. He has 23 tackles and three sacks in his second NFL season.
“A lot of people expected things to be bad because of so many issues we’ve had, but it feels good to be a contributor,” said Harris, who signed with the Chargers after going undrafted in 2005. “I’ve always worked to get to this point. It’s great to make it in the NFL and help your team win.”
It’s enough to make a guy do back flips, which has become Harris’ trademark. Tape of Harris performing back flips after his sacks has been shown on national sports shows.
“People expect me to do it, so I will,” Harris said. “I’ve been doing back flips since I was a kid, but it’s kind of hard with all the equipment and helmet on. But unless we’re in wet, snowy weather, I will continue to do it. People seem to like it.”
And people seem to like Harris. He lives in Denver during the offseason and still has a presence in Boulder even though he left CU before his 2004 senior season amid Colorado’s recruiting scandal. Finishing at Southern Utah may have kept NFL teams away from Harris on draft day.
When he was a sophomore, he began Harris’ Kids to help underprivileged children at Manhattan Middle School in Boulder. He began informally with about 10 children, taking them on local outings or simply spending time with them.
Now the program is funded by several agencies and serves about 40 children. It has a fully functioning summer program, and Harris spends as much time with the kids as he can. Inspired by what he described as tough times as a kid, Harris said his program for children is what he wants to dedicate himself to after completing his NFL career.
“When he left, Marques could have moved on, but he is very involved in this,” said Martha Gustafson, the school’s principal. “I’ve never met anyone with a bigger heart than Marques Harris.”
It seems Harris has helped more people than the Chargers.
Panthers next Brady bunch?
Carolina: Don’t be surprised if the Panthers try to do something dramatic in the draft, like putting together a package to move up and take Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn with the No. 1 pick.
The Panthers are well-equipped nearly everywhere but at quarterback. The team is running out of patience with Jake Delhomme, whose days as an effective quarterback may be numbered. With Chris Weinke as Delhomme’s replacement option, nothing is going to happen now. But the Panthers may get aggressive in the offseason. Getting a potential franchise player such as Quinn could make Carolina a contender for the long haul.
Smith probably staying
Denver: Rod Smith, who will be 37 in May, likely will return next season as the Broncos’ No. 3 receiver. The team loves rookie Brandon Marshall, who will be get a chance to be the No. 2 receiver behind Javon Walker.
The Broncos, no doubt, want Smith back. He is unselfish enough to want to come back and finish his career in Denver while still contributing. But his contract will have to be reworked. The team and Smith will need to compromise.
Whatever happens, don’t expect any acrimony. There is a high level of mutual respect.
Eyes of Texans on Denver
Houston: It looks like the Texans will add to their stable of personnel and scouts, and they may consider people with Denver ties. Considering coach Gary Kubiak and general manager Rick Smith are in their first season with the Texans after long careers with the Broncos, this is no surprise.
Houston’s players, coaching staff and personnel staff already have a Broncos flavor.
Potential home for Plummer
Minnesota: It wouldn’t be a shock to see the Vikings in the mix of teams interested in Jake Plummer during the offseason. Plummer will not want to come back to Denver, because he wants to start. The Vikings like rookie Tarvaris Jackson as their quarterback of the future, but it will take time for him to develop. And it’s clear Brad Johnson’s days are numbered.
A veteran such as Plummer could be intriguing with Minnesota. Under coach Brad Childress, the Vikings run a version of the West Coast offense that Plummer is familiar with.
Around the league
At last week’s congregation of NFL general managers and salary cap gurus, the recent grievance wide receiver Ashley Lelie won against the Broncos was discussed thoroughly. The ruling is expected to affect future option bonus clauses in contracts. Contracts of most first-round picks include option bonuses, so teams already are getting prepared for the new guidelines. The Broncos and the NFL have appealed the ruling. … Don’t expect Oakland to retain personnel executive Mike Lombardi during the offseason. … Two names generating Pro Bowl buzz: Broncos guard Ben Hamilton and former Denver defensive end Trevor Pryce, now with Baltimore. …
It’s looking more and more like the Redskins will have to send Denver a third-round pick in 2007 and a fourth- round pick in 2008 for the Lelie trade that also involved the Falcons. …
You will be seeing this stat a lot in a couple of weeks: The Broncos haven’t lost four consecutive home games since 1990. Denver, which hosts Cincinnati on Dec. 24, has lost three straight home games. …
If offensive lineman George Foster plays more for Adam Meadows at right tackle the rest of the season, it could increase his trade value. Foster could be traded by the Broncos during the offseason. … Don’t be surprised if New Orleans tries to acquire former Broncos punter Todd Sauerbrun during the offseason. …
Oakland defensive backs coach Chuck Pagano, a Colorado native, may be headed to North Carolina to work for new Tar Heels coach Butch Davis. … Keep an eye on San Diego defensive lineman Igor Olshansky today against the visiting Broncos. Olshansky got into a scrap with Denver center Tom Nalen on Nov. 19.
If there is a head coach opening at Air Force or Wake Forest, look for Texans offensive coordinator Troy Calhoun, a former AFA quarterback and Broncos assistant, to be a top candidate. … A surprise candidate at Stanford, where Denver tight ends coach Tim Brewster is a potential replacement for fired head coach Walt Harris, is San Diego receivers coach James Lofton, a former Stanford star.
AT ISSUE
Switching QBs
What: Changing quarterbacks late in the season
Background: Switching quarterbacks is in vogue this season. Denver, Dallas, Miami, Tennessee, Arizona, Washington, Jacksonville, Oakland and Kansas City all changed QBs for various reasons. The Cowboys have enjoyed smashing success with Tony Romo, who took over for the aging Drew Bledsoe. Other teams are hoping for more of that lightning in a bottle, so additional moves could occur down the stretch. Chicago, Minnesota, Carolina, the New York Giants and even Pittsburgh could make QB switches.
Williamson’s take: If you make a switch, make sure it’s part of your plan and not because it has been successful elsewhere. Trust your system. Trust your quarterback options. Just because Romo has made Dallas a winner, it might not work in Minnesota, Carolina or New York. Many want the Bears to adjust their Super Bowl plan by replacing Rex Grossman with Brian Griese. Grossman may be struggling, but the Bears are 10-2. Would Griese really make a difference? Teams need to keep their senses. Jay Cutler is now the Broncos’ quarterback because he was going to take over down the road anyway. Jake Plummer struggled and was replaced.
THE HOT SEAT
Fox feeling pressure
Who: Carolina Panthers coach John Fox
When: Today at home against the New York Giants
Why: Fox’s Panthers have been inconsistent, as they were last season. Fox has been considered one of the better coaches in the NFL. He has accomplished a lot but needs to find a way to make his team a consistent winner. After losing at Philadelphia on Monday night, the Panthers fell to 6-6. This should not be a .500 team. Now, the Panthers must bounce back to make sure they enter the final three weeks of the season with a winning record by beating the equally confusing Giants, who are on a four-game losing streak. If the Panthers fall under .500 this late in the season, Fox will hear about it.
ROOKIE WATCH
CB has speed to burn
Who: San Diego CB Antonio Cromartie
When: Today at home against Denver
Why: Cromartie was one of the most intriguing players coming into the draft, playing only two seasons at Florida State. He sat out 2005 because of an injury. Still, the Chargers jumped on Cromartie with the No. 19 pick. He is an explosive talent with great speed and is expected to become a solid starter for the Chargers. For now, though, Cromartie is getting most of his work on special teams. He has 18 tackles this season and four passes defensed. Although Cromartie likely will be a player the Broncos focus on down the road, today their worry will be his speed on special teams.
Broncos mailbag: Bill Williamson posts a new installment each Tuesday on DenverPost.com. Previous mailbags also are available on the website.
Staff writer Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
