COSTA MESA, Calif. -- Coach Anthony Lynn will get once last chance to watch young quarterback Cardale Jones compete in a game situation when the Los Angeles Chargers face the San Francisco 49ers on the road in the final game of exhibition play.
Lynn would not say whether Jones will start in this one, but it’s likely the Ohio State product will get plenty of snaps as the Chargers try to speed up the development of the second-year pro.
With the Chargers for about a month after the team secured him in a trade with the Buffalo Bills, Jones described learning the offense like an intensive study for a test in college.
“I’ve been in the NFL for a year and a half and I’ve learned three offenses already,” Jones said. “So I’m just trying to keep learning and cramming as much as I can in this short window of time. And I’m going to be ready.”
Lynn said starting quarterback Philip Rivers will not play Thursday, but the rest of the quarterback rotation among Jones, Kellen Clemens and Mike Bercovici has not been decided.
“We’ve got three guys who have an opportunity to play, and we’ll see,” Lynn said.
Through three games, Jones is 18-of-37 passing (49 percent) for 185 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions. Jones has been sacked six times, posting a 40.9 passer rating.
Those numbers are representative of a player that has only been in the offense for a month. However, Lynn said he’s sees an aptitude in Jones’ overall mechanics of running the offense, and wants to see more improvement in that area.
“Just to keep getting better and have a command of our offense at the line of scrimmage and in the huddle,” Lynn said. “And just his second vision and seeing the big picture -- a couple things took place last week that I want our quarterback to see and prevent. But he’s doing well.”
Asked if Jones had a chance to overtake Clemens as the No. 2 quarterback, Lynn said: “No, I wouldn’t say that. But we’re still looking at everything and every position. We’ll see.”
Jones says he’s not concerned about the stressful process.
“I don’t think there’s pressure,” Jones said. “I think guys go back to the basics of playing within themselves, playing within the offense and we’ll have success.”
Veteran tight end Antonio Gates had to fight to make the roster as an undrafted rookie out of Kent State when he joined the Chargers in 2003 and understands the stress players like Jones are under. Gates offered some sage advice for players battling for a spot at the back end of the roster.
“My philosophy, and what I try to leave for them, is be critical of yourself, have thick skin and at the same time, control what you can control,” Gates said.
