Chargers give Flutie a fresh start

Still energetic at 41, and in his 19th season in pro football, Flutie will start at quarterback for the punchless San Diego Chargers at home tomorrow against the Minnesota Vikings, replacing Drew Brees.

Flutie replaced Brees in the fourth quarter at Chicago Sunday and led the Chargers (1-7) on their only scoring drive in an otherwise dismal 20-7 loss.

"I'm looking forward to getting on the field and trying to put the ball in the end zone, see if we can score some points," said Flutie.

Brees threw five interceptions and no touchdown passes in the last three games.

Waiting on Davis

The Carolina Panthers will wait until tomorrow to decide whether injured running back Stephen Davis will play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Davis, who leads the NFC with 992 yards rushing, missed his third straight day of practice yesterday with a nagging ankle injury . . . Brett Favre, the 34-year-old Green Bay Packers quarterback, hinted for the first time that he wants to play next season rather than retire. He told the Associated Press nothing is set in stone, but he would love to be on the field in 2004 -- if not beyond . . . New York Giants defensive tackle Keith Hamilton was indicted on a cocaine possession charge stemming from a traffic stop in New Jersey in May. The case most likely will not be resolved for several months, allowing Hamilton to avoid any disciplinary action by the NFL this season. Under its substance abuse policy, the NFL does not fine or suspend a player until he pleads or is found guilty.