Chargers have backup plan in Whitehurst

By MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer | Wednesday, February 20, 2008 9:17 PM PST ∞

Charlie Whitehurst has more NFL rushing touchdowns ---- one ---- than passing scores. In fact, he has never thrown a pass in a regular-season game.

But it wouldn't faze general manager A.J. Smith if Whitehurst is the Chargers' backup quarterback next season.

The NFL free agency period begins Feb. 29, and 2007 backup Billy Volek will be an unrestricted free agent. Volek's stock could be high on the open market after a clutch playoff relief appearance against Indianapolis when starter Philip Rivers injured his knee.

If Volek departs, Smith would scan the list of unemployed quarterbacks and assess his choices. But he certainly is comfortable that Whitehurst, a third-round pick in 2006, is ready for backup duty.

"We like Charlie," Smith said earlier this week. "Charlie has been 3. Does Charlie go to 2 if Billy is not here? I would say on paper he does."

Volek, who turns 32 in April, could be an appealing option for a quarterback-challenged squad because of his fourth-quarter heroics against the Colts combined with eight years of NFL service. He has started just 10 NFL games, eight of them coming for Tennessee in 2004 when he put together back-to-back passing yardage games of 426 and 492 yards.

On a free-agent list lacking quality quarterbacks ---- Chicago's Rex Grossman and Oakland's Daunte Culpepper are the biggest names ---- a player like Volek could suddenly find himself coveted. A team like Baltimore, which recently hired former Chargers offensive coordinator Cam Cameron to run the offense, could make an offer that includes competing for the starting gig.

The door remains open for Volek to return to the Chargers ---- Rivers is just four weeks removed from knee surgery ---- but if it closes with Volek employed elsewhere, Smith has confidence in Whitehurst.

"We drafted him in the third round, but everybody can't start," Smith said. "So you sit there and you wait for your opportunity. Maybe this is it, where he goes from 3 to 2.

"He's very talented. We like him a lot."

Contact staff writer Mike Sullivan at (760) 739-6645 or msullivan@nctimes.com. Comment at sports.nctimes.com.

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