CHARGER NOTEBOOK / T.J. SIMERS : Players Draw Fines for Denver Fight

SAN DIEGO — Tackle Broderick Thompson was fined $4,000, tackle Harry Swayne was hit with a $2,000 penalty, and many of their offensive teammates, including running back Marion Butts, were fined $1,000 for participating in a fight with the Broncos a few weeks ago.

“It was a lot of fun, but I didn’t realize at the time that you got fined,” Butts said. “I’m not going to fight anymore. I see a fight and I’m going take off and run the other way. That’s a lot of money.”

The fight began when Denver defensive lineman Brian Sochia took exception to Thompson’s block and took a swing at him. Sochia was fined $3,000.

“He threw the first punch and I was fined $4,000,” Thompson said. “It should be the same, or worse (for Sochia). I’m definitely going to appeal.”

General Manager Bobby Beathard said the league assessed $16,000 in fines against 12-14 Charger players, and while he doesn’t agree with the league’s verdict, he said it’s the players responsibility to appeal, if they so desire.

The players have also been informed that they will be fined $1,500 by the league for tossing a football into the stands. Beathard said cornerback Tony Blaylock was hit for a $1,500 fine after throwing a ball into the stands after his interception of a John Elway pass in the fourth quarter.

*

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported this week that Brown quarterback Bernie Kosar is not expected to be ready for Sunday’s game with the Chargers.

Kosar ran for the first time Monday since suffering a hairline fracture of his right ankle on Sept. 14. He reportedly ran with a limp.

“They don’t want me to practice for a couple of days yet,” Kosar told the paper. “The odds of me playing Sunday are pretty slim.”

Mike Tomczak, who was signed after Kosar and Kosar’s replacement, Todd Philcox, were injured, has completed 79 of 140 passes for 1,061 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions.

*

Wide receiver Nate Lewis, who is listed as questionable with a hip injury, was able to run Wednesday. “That was a pleasant surprise,” Coach Bobby Ross said.

Defensive end Burt Grossman is also listed as questionable, but Ross said Grossman’s injured ankle has improved and the coach would not count him out of Sunday’s game.

Cornerback Donald Frank sustained what the team called a mild ankle sprain in practice Wednesday.

*

Wide receiver Brian Brennan, who was claimed off waivers from Cincinnati on Tuesday, worked returning punts.

“If we were to play tomorrow, I suppose he would be back there,” Ross said.

Ross said he is considering using wide receiver Anthony Miller on kickoff returns along with wide receiver Robert Claiborne and running back Eric Bieniemy.

Brennan played eight years with the Browns before being signed by the Bengals, and now has the chance to play his two former teams in the next month.

“The nice thing about playing this week is that it is a big game for both teams,” Brennan said. “We played them when I was with Cincinnati earlier this year and beat them pretty good.

“It’s important that this team realize that their strength has been defense. They play very aggressively.”

Brennan won a game ball and enjoyed the finest day in his professional career at the Chargers’ expense in 1986. He caught seven passes for 176 yards, including a 57-yard touchdown pass from Kosar in the Browns’ 47-17 victory.

On his long catch Brennan fell around the seven-yard line, and while a pair of Charger defenders were nearby, neither made an attempt to touch him down. He got up and pranced the final few yards into the end zone to score with six seconds remaining in the half.

“I have a picture of the play,” Brennan said.