Visit to Green Bay special for Whitehurst

By: JAY PARIS - Staff Writer | Saturday, September 22, 2007 3:10 AM PDT ∞

SAN DIEGO ---- After a stormy week, the Chargers need a feel-good story. While some want to back up the hearse to Chargers Park after Sunday's Boston Massacre, we present a Whitehurst instead.

Make it two.

Backup Chargers quarterback Charlie Whitehurst will see a familiar field and face Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.

The field is Lambeau, where he romped around as a 2-year-old.

The face is David Whitehurst, his father, who played quarterback for the Packers from 1977-83.

"It is really, really special,'' the younger Whitehurst said. "It think it's kind of cool to be on the same field as my dad was on.''

When growing up, Charlie admits he didn't think the Packers' No. 17 was all that special.

"I was like, 'Doesn't everyone's dad play in the NFL?' '' he said.

Not exactly. What's even more unique is a dad-and-son quarterback in the NFL.

Only 12 players have done it, and two of them will have their arms around each other Sunday.

"It's very difficult to get there,'' said David, a home builder in Georgia. "I feel I was in the right place at right time. Certainly if I entered the league today, I don't think I could hang on.''

Instead he hangs out with his son, the former Clemson star who has impressed the Chargers while going into his second season.

What David mostly tells Charlie is to hang in there. When No. 3 on the depth chart, you not only have to try harder, but bide your time.

"I would say look at Philip Rivers,'' David said of the Chargers' starter who sat behind Drew Brees for two years. "When he got his opportunity to play, he was ready. He was able to learn it for a couple years, and that certainly helps.

"All you can do is be patient and hopefully you get a chance to play at some point. But when you get that chance, you got to be ready.''

The Packers the elder Whitehurst led were willing, if not able. He started in 1978 when they went 8-7-1 and the following year in a 5-11 campaign. Not exactly up to Title Town snuff, but the elder Whitehurst said that didn't diminish the fans' enthusiasm.

Which makes Green Bay, well, Green Bay.

"It's a special place and they love their football,'' David, 52, said. "It's the smallest market in the NFL, but they always sell out that stadium ---- even in late '70s when we weren't very good.

"They just have a real passion for football and there is so much tradition there from the early Packers, the (Vince) Lombardi time ---- they are just good people and are really supportive.''

And minus the aid David gave a young receiver named James Lofton, it's possible Lofton doesn't make the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Right, David? The thought brought a chuckle that shot through the telephone line.

"He dropped a couple of my passes,'' David said of Lofton, the Chargers' receivers coach. "But I missed him many, many, many more times than that.''

Lofton said Charlie's old man wasn't bad.

"David was a tough, gritty quarterback who would run over a linebacker,'' Lofton said. "Charlie's dad was a great leader, even though he didn't come from a big school (Furman).''

Lofton recalled a game in Milwaukee that made them both famous ---- for a day, anyway.

"David threw me three touchdown passes in my second start in Milwaukee,'' Lofton said, "against the Saints.''

Sunday, all three will march into storied Lambeau Field. Charlie will be in pads; David and Lofton the ones reminiscing as it's alumni day for former Packers.

"It's funny, I've always been invited but haven't been back in several years because I was chasing Charlie around on Saturdays,'' David said of tracking Clemson football. "This just worked out, and to come back when Charlie is here is really awesome.''

Chargers notes

ILB Matt Wilhelm (calf) didn't practice again Friday and won't play Sunday. Tim Dobbins will make his first NFL start. ... RT Shane Olivea (back) worked for the first time this week, but there doesn't sound as if there is much of a chance he will go Sunday. Coach Norv Turner said Olivea has two more days to get ready, but it seems like a long shot. "If it was up to me, I would play,'' said Olivea, who is still moving stiffly. "But I have to convince Jack (OL coach Jack Henry) and Norv.'' If Olivea is down, it appears Jeromey Clary replaces him. If it's Clary, and not veteran Roman Oben, it will be Clary's first NFL start and he draws LDE Aaron Kampman, last year's NFC sack leader with 15 1/2. ... OLB Shawn Merriman is looking forward to smacking Packers QB Brett Favre. "It's going to be a pleasure to hit Favre if I get to him,'' said Merriman, who got to New England QB Tom Brady twice Sunday. "That's not out of disrespect, but respect. I would love to get a chance to put a nice lick on Favre because I know he is going to get up and laugh about it. Nothing personal about Favre, but I've always wanted to hit Favre since I was a kid. I want to be able to tell my kids I went out there and tried to knock Favre out and I got him.'' ... C Johnathan Ingram (San Diego State) had a tryout with the Packers on Thursday.

Contact staff writer Jay Paris at jparis8@aol.com.