Jim McMahon made an unexpected early debut with the San Diego Chargers Saturday night.
The seven-year veteran, traded away by the Chicago Bears Friday for a conditional 1990 draft pick, ran onto Soldier Field to start the second half against his old team, with San Diego leading 3-0. He stayed in for only four plays but started a scoring drive that ignited the Chargers and led them to a 24-7 exhibition drubbing of the Bears.
"I thought it was emotional for the guys in our lockerroom. They didn't know what to expect from me," said McMahon, not wearing the trademark sunglasses he donned in Chicago. "I think they came out and played a whale of a football game. I'm glad to see they've got that kind of character."Chicago's a good football team. I've played here for a lot of years and I know how good they are. I don't know if the Bears had an emotional letdown, but we were psyched up and did a good job."
McMahon was not expected to play but stayed up until 3 a.m. Saturday watching film of the Charger offense. He said new Coach Dan Henning told him he might go in briefly.
"I thought they were kidding when they said I'd start the second half," McMahon said. "He gave me three plays I was comfortable with, didn't have to move anybody and we ran one of the plays twice. So I was happy with it."
"We figured we'd throw you guys a curve," Henning joked. "No, honestly we decided to take a look at Jim and we told him he'd get in for a short time in the second half."
With the Soldier Field fans cheering, McMahon hit Barry Redden on a 10-yard passing first down on his second play. After two incomplete passes, rookie Billy Joe Tolliver replaced McMahon on a third and 10 situation at the Chargers' 45, and the Chargers kept on rolling.
Tolliver got the first down and two plays later hit Anthony Miller streaking down the left sideline for a 39-yard scoring strike, putting San Diego ahead 10-0 2:48 into the second half.
"I didn't have much hand in it," McMahon said. "It would have been nicer if I would have played the whole game and we won, but I wasn't ready for that."
"The game was almost secondary to what was happening off the field," Archer said. "(McMahon) did a hell of a job. . . . He brings excitement to the game."
Tomczak, the heir-apparent to McMahon, was 2 of 9 for 32 yards with the one interception in one quarter of action.
Rookie QB Brent Snyder played the final quarter for the Bears and guided them to their only touchdown after LaSalle Harper picked off a Tolliver pass deep in San Diego territory and returned it to the 12-yard-line. Brian Taylor dived in from 1-yard out four plays later to make it 24-7 with 2:24 to play.
Archer completed 5 of 10 passes for 74 yards in the first half and was sacked once.