Chargers Pass on the Chance to Take Rosenbach in Draft
The Chargers, apparently content with their quarterback situation for now, passed on a chance to take quarterback Timm Rosenbach of Washington State in the NFL supplemental draft Friday.
The Chargers had the seventh pick in the draft and were one of 12 teams that passed on Rosenbach, who was selected by Phoenix with the 13th pick.
Steve Ortmayer, Charger director of football operations, said that the selection of Texas Tech’s Billy Joe Tolliver in the second round of April’s regular draft was the main reason behind the decision.
“In our end analysis,” he said, “we decided that our commitment to Tolliver, after eight weeks of extensive training, puts him far enough ahead of where we would have been with Timm Rosenbach. We felt it would be too hard to get two young guys ready for the 1989 season.
“Had we not gone into the quarterback situation in the regular draft (taking Tolliver with a selection acquired in a draft day trade with the New York Giants), we would have been very interested in Rosenbach. But we decided instead to keep our first pick in 1990.”
Rosenbach led the nation in passing efficiency last season and in two seasons as a starter passed for 5,995 yards in Washington State’s quick-drop offense.
Rosenbach was one of three players selected in the first round Friday. The others were Miami quarterback Steve Walsh (by Dallas, picking second) and Alabama running back Bobby Humphrey (by Denver, picking 17th).
Dallas, Phoenix and Denver gave up their first-round picks in the 1990 regular draft.
The Chargers have been searching for a starting quarterback since the retirement of Dan Fouts before last season, and acquisitions have included Mark Malone from Pittsburgh last year, Tolliver and former Atlanta Falcon quarterback David Archer in the off-season.
San Diego State sophomore center Bonner Montler, who injured his left foot in an off-road motorcycle accident in May, might miss the 1989 season, Coach Al Luginbill said.
Montler underwent surgery to repair compound fractures in two toes sustained in an accident that took place while he was visiting teammate Darren Cooley in Oklahoma City over the Memorial Day weekend. Montler struck his foot against a rock on a trail.
Montler was the Aztecs’ long snapper last season and was expected to receive considerable time at center because projected starter Steve Blyth is recovering from knee surgery. Luginbill said Blyth is not expected to be ready for the season opener Sept. 2 at Air Force.
Luginbill said he likely will switch guard Nick Subis to center. Subis missed spring practice after undergoing surgery on his ankle and to repair detached retinas in both eyes.
Luginbill also said that Donnell Ragsdale, a wide receiver from Oak Grove High School in San Jose, did not meet NCAA freshman academic requirements and will enroll at Mesa College.
