Times-Advocate from Escondido, California • 43

'Hi TIMES-ADVOCATE, ESCONDIDO, DEC. 18, 1979 D-3 fJlEac3cay CJogEaft for me. Its not too often you get cut and picked up by a division champion. But its easy being positive when youre around guys like this. Middle linebacker Bob Horns championship feelings: We were state champs in high school once, but, you know, that doesnt really seem to compare with this.

On the game: We had certain coverages to stop certain things. The screen passes gave us a hard time. But we stayed with our game plan and eventually we shut down the run. We pulled together as a team. Charger defensive tackle Louie Kelcher, who is still nursing a knee injury and sat out last nights game: just wish I could have gotten in.

Im going to work like hell the next two weeks and see what the coaches say. You just cant bounce any of the guys up front (Leroy Jones, Gary Johnson, Wilbur Young or Fred Dean) out of the lineup. Theyve earned the right to play. Its awfully tough not to play when youre injured, but its worse when you fell good and dont play. Charger special teams coach Wayne Sevier, on his feelings: This is better than sex, at least for one night.

Denver tackle Claudie Minor, who wore No. 75 instead of his normal 71: We tried to run a game on the Charger defense. No really, I tore it in the warm-ups. I guess it really screwed up the television people for most of the night. Bronco linebacker Tom Jackson: A lot of people got dinged and had to leave the field.

Thats the sign of a good, hard-hitting game in my book. More power to them in the future. Barney Chavous, Bronco defensive end: We played good football but it is just water under the bridge now. We have to get ourselves ready for Houston. Were going to have to put a lot of pressure on (quarterback) Dan Pastorini.

Red Miller, Denver head coach, on the Charlie Joiner fumble after a reception, which the officials gave back to San Diego: The referee said we never had possession. Heck, Steve Foley ran with it before handing it off and then we fumbled out of bounds. How far do you have to go for possession is established? Quotes from around the locker rooms after last nights 17-7 victory by the San Diego Chargers over the Denver Broncos in San Diego Stadium: Charger coach Don Coryell, who arrived late to his post-game press conference: Sorry men, the team locked me in the dressing room and then threw me in the shower. We played a great game tonight, but there is one thing that really makes me mad. Were wasting a lot of champagne in the locker room.

My guysdont realize youre suppose to drink that stuff and not squirt it all over people. Coryell explaining what happened when the Chargers lost a 32-yard field goal by Mike Wood in the third quarter: The referees caught us on a rule I had never heard of before. Losing the field goal was totally my fault because I was ignorant of the rule. We had Ralph Peretta (No. 53) lined up at tight end on the down before the field goal try.

Since he wears a linemans number he had to report to the official. When we didnt get the first down, Ralph told the official he was going in to snap the ball. I understand now that you cant have a man at an eligible receiver spot on one down and then move him to a linemans spot on the next. He has to sit out a play before you can change positions. Weve been doing wrong all year I guess and only got called for it tonight.

As it turned out, we missed the field goal on the next try and it could have been very costly. Coryell on the condition of wide receiver John Jefferson: Honestly I didnt expect him to play. I wasnt counting on him at all. I was until a couple of days ago, but I could see that he couldnt run during practice. When we came out for warm-ups and he still couldnt run.

I knew we couldnt play him. J.J., on his condition: I was really worried. I talked to my teammates during the week and asked them if I should play, test my shoulder. They said they thought they could handle it. A couple of time I almost went out there, they had to pull me back.

On his excitement before the game that seemed to say he was fit to play: I just couldnt reach to get into the positions I would have had to. I just couldnt run. I didnt want to hurt the team. J.J. wice more, this time on whether he would have taken a shot to play: I told them, Id take it if they wanted me to.

I could have gone that way. But they said no, to rest, they would win it their way. Quarterback Dan Fouts, outlining Denvers defensive approach: They didnt blitz as much as the first game. Theyre a great defense and we respect them. The key was having the time to throw and we had it all season long.

Any time you lose to someone, you have to have revenge. Denver didnt give us much deep. The touchdown pass was a play action, a slant and pump and then Charlie took off. Defensive tackle Wilbur Young on his thoughts: It feels great after all these years. Denver was tough.

They used those quick passes to keep us from getting to Morton. Young, on his snub in the Pro Bowl: Its over now, no sense worrying about it. If I cant go to Hawaii, at least I can go to Pasadena. Defensive back Willie Buchanon, who said when he came to San Diego, he was bringing a championship: It feels real good after what weve been through, all the training camp, 16 games. Im looking forward to it.

People have to play the Chargers in our place now. And that aint going to be easy. Chargers owner Gene Klein, a champion: At this stage of my life, this is super, this is the greatest. Veteran guard Doug Wilkerson, who has been through the bitter along with the sweet: We knew we had to play our game. It took us a while to get organized, but now, this is the biggest thing thats happened in my career.

I cant wait for the playoffs. This is whats its all about. Safety Pete Shaw, who spearheaded the Charger secondary with an end zone interception: I guess the press wasnt told Im starting again. I finally won my job back last week. Shaw, on his interception: It was a quick post and we had double coverage.

I just sat in the center and as soon as the receiver got close, I went for inside position and got the ball. Field goal kicker Mike Woods on his three-pointer and more: It was short (the field goal) and I hit it good. I was worried about Ralph (snapper Ralph Peretta). His neck was hurting and he couldnt bend over to see. But we still got it off in 1.3 seconds.

More: This season has been a bed of roses Associated Press Photo CHARGER QB DAN FOUTS DEEE-fense Continued from D-l pionship that had eluded the Chargers since 1965. Coryell was to achieve this championship with his offense, more specifically with his passing offense. He did just that. But, in the meantime, he built one of the most formidable defenses in the NFL today, a defense that clearly overshadowed defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburghs vaunted Steel Curtain earlier in the season and Denvers well known Orange Crush last night. San Diegos defense intercepted Bronco quarterback Craig Morton four times last night, one each by free safety Pete Shaw, linebacker Don Goode, comerback Mike Williams and strong safety Mike Fuller.

Shaws interception perhaps turned CHARGERS from D-l ceiver couldnt pick up his leg. That injury almost forced Jefferson back into the contest. I was really hyped to play, Jefferson said. The guys really had to hold me back when Charlie got hurt. I wanted to get out on the field, but the guys (reserve receivers John Floyd and Larry Burton) said they could handle it without me.

I really tried to play. During the week I was hurting, but I was getting better. I felt better every day and I thought that maybe today Id be okay. But I tried to jog before the game and there was no way I could go. I would have only hurt the team if I had tried to play.

I couldnt get my hands up quick enough to catch a ball. But Ill be well for the playoffs. The guys bought me an extra week to heal I didnt want to play tonight and 'We can only beat ourselves in the playoffs Fuller The guys bought me an extra week to heal Jefferson knew we could win. It was a great feeling having the home crowd behind us. We didnt want to let them down.

We want it all now. Jones spoke of we quite often, disdaining personal credit. There was only one aspect of the game he claimed single credit for. (Denver offensive tackle) Claudie Minor said a few things I didnt like, Jones said. I took the challenge.

I gave him what I had. Gary Big Hands Johnson was another driving force behind the Chargers defense. Playing his customary right tackle position, Johnson recorded four tackles, one assist and a quarterback sack of Morton resulting in a loss of five yards. We just had to take it to them, Johnson said. Its great playing at home.

Its going to be great to keep playing at home (the Chargers have the home field advantage in the playoffs). Thats what we were fighting for. It was a hard fought game. We were nose to nose out there. But, if we ever had any doubt, we never would have won it.

Strong safety Fuller, whose interception in the fourth period led to Mike Wood's 24-yard field goal, was calm and collected following the victory. They (Denver) dont have a lot of people who can beat you, Fuller said, crouched in his locker cubicle. Take away Upchurch (who left the game in the second half with a bruised heel and theyre hurt. We have the bigger guns. I was a little bit flustered in the first half, Fuller said, referring to the yardage gained by the Broncos swing passes.

But the team got straightened out in the second half. We plaved too much zone in the first half. "If we play up to our potential in the playoffs, nobody can beat us we can only beat ourselves. The big man on the line, left tackle Wilbur Young, the man who has blossomed into one of the brightest players for San Diego, had another fine outing, recording four tackles and assisting on four other tackles. We've really outdone ourselves, Young said, in his uncharacteristic soft voice.

We got off the ball right from the start. Were proud of the AFC West championship." In the end. amid all the champagne and celebration, there was a cake waiting to be cut in the locker room. Fittingly, it was for the Chargers defense, decorated with all the names of the 11 men who deserved the championship they achieved last night. The cake was handled most easily by the defense, much the same way they have handled opponents all season long.

It was devoured. the game around for the Chargers. He stepped in front of Denver wide receiver Rick Upchurch at the Chargers one-yard line and picked off Mortons line drive, saving a sure Denver TD and allowing the Chargers to go into the locker room at the half tied, 7-7. They ran what we call a four-play, Shaw said. Its actually a down-and-in.

What I have to do on that play is make sure I read my keys. My key was movement and then I knew I had to maintain inside coverage. I did that and then I saw room between Upchurch and myself and knew I had to get to the ball. I dont think I played all that well tonight. And when you dont play well, you have to compensate by making a big play.

The Broncos rushed for only 111 yards and although Morton passed for 236 yards, most were swing passes and screens that were effective only between the 20-yard lines. The only time Morton tried to go deep against the Chargers secondary, Williams leaped up in front of Upchurch and hauled in the interception at the Chargers seven-yard line. San Diego left end Leroy Jones, ho recorded one tackle and recovered a fumble was completely satisfied with the victory. Our goal was to shut them out, he said, standing with his hands resting on his waist and perspiration dripping from his forehead, but winning is the best feeling. We played sound defense.

We then have to play injured every week in the playoffs. Now I can get well and be 100 percent for the playoffs. What the injuries did was thrust Floyd and Burton into the spotlight. Floyd, the rookie from Northest i Louisiana started the game in place of Jefferson and Burton was on the field much of the time in place of Joiner. Ive never been so proud of a group of guys in my entire life, said a beaming Charger coach Don Coryell.

We were playing shorthanded without Jefferson and Joiner took a terrific beating. But Floyd and Burton made some big catches to save us. With Jefferson and Joiner on the sidelines, we had a great excuse to fold our tents. Those injuries were a great excuse to lose. But we didnt use them as excuses.

We just worked harder. One man who has worked hard, but hasnt gotten much of a chance to play this season is Burton. Coming into the game, he had caught just two passes for 32 yards. He caught two for 30 last night. I play behind two all-pros, Joiner said.

Thats the way its been all season. But when your number is called, like mine was tonight, youd better be ready. The Chargers obviously were ready last night and because of that they how own their first championship of finy kind as a member of the NFL. Stall Photo by Jim Band CHARGER QUARTERBACK DAN TOUTS HIT CHARLIE JOINER FOR 32- YARDS AND A TD ON THIS PASS.