Williams may be ready for Chargers

SportsLine.com report
Sept. 6, 2000

Running back Ricky Williams was listed as questionable for Sunday's game at San Diego with a bruised right foot, but practiced Wednesday to the surprise of Saints coach Jim Haslett.

"I looked around and he was out there," Haslett said of Williams, who spent the final 10 minutes of practice riding an exercise bike. "He did pretty well."

X-rays of Williams' foot taken Wednesday were negative. Haslett said Williams would be upgraded to probable by Thursday.

Linebacker Charlie Clemons and safety Rob Kelly again will be out Sunday and cornerback Fred Thomas is doubtful.

Cornerback Alex Molden, who missed last week's game after having emergency surgery to relieve a blood flow problem in his lower groin, practiced and said he felt like he would be able to play. Linebacker Darrin Smith is questionable with a hamstring problem.

HOMECOMING GAME: Williams will be playing in his hometown for the first time since he was the San Diego Player of the Year at Patrick Henry High School in 1995.

He's not the only one coming back to familiar surroundings.

Defensive tackle La'Roi Glover prepped at Point Loma High School in San Diego and later played at San Diego State while offensive tackle Kyle Turley is from nearby Moreno Valley and also played for the Aztecs. Fullback Terrelle Smith is another Moreno Valley native.

Defensive tackle Norman Hand spent the last three seasons with the Chargers while safety Darren Perry and tackle Marcus Price both spent time with the team.

HAPPY HAND: Hand said Wednesday is glad to see Ryan Leaf has overcome his physical and emotional problems to again be San Diego's starting quarterback.

"There was a lot of pressure on Ryan coming in as the No. 2 pick in the draft and he didn't handle it very well," Hand said. This year he's showing his teammates and everybody across the world that he can handle it.

"When you come into camp No. 3 and wind up No. 1 it's a compliment to him," Hand said. "He's a great kid and he works so hard."

Blake's mea culpa

Sept. 4, 2000

Defensive end Joe Johnson said he had never heard a quarterback apologize to the defense as Jeff Blake did Sunday when he said that if the offense had played to the level of the defense, the Saints would have won easily.

"You've got to respect a guy for taking responsibility like that," Johnson said. "That keeps things from being offense vs. defense."

The 187 yards allowed by the Saints on Sunday was the third-lowest total of opening day around the league.

BRING IT DOWN A NOTCH: Look for punter Toby Gowin's average to dip from the 48.6-yard norm he posted Sunday.

Desmond Howard' 95-yard return for the game-winning touchdown came when Gowin outkicked his coverage with a 58-yarder, and the Saints' lack of speed on special teams has the coaches telling Gowin to kick higher but shorter to allow the coverage teams to be in better position.