The Associated Press

SAN DIEGO - Still energetic at 41 and in his 19th season of pro football, Doug Flutie will start at quarterback for the punchless San Diego Chargers at home Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, replacing ineffective Drew Brees.

"I'm pretty excited about it," said Flutie, who has backed up Brees the last 1 1/2 seasons. "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."

That would be a radical change for the Chargers, who have lost 14 of their last 17 games and are one loss shy of clinching an eighth straight non-winning season.

Flutie substituted for 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.

Brees was unhappy about being benched.

"Of course I'm angry, of course I'm disappointed," he said. "I was actually leaning toward thinking I was going to get the start. But a decision has been made, and I support Doug 100 percent."

Brees, 9-15 as a starter, threw five interceptions and no touchdown passes in the Chargers' last three games.

Said Flutie: "There's not always a quick fix, but hopefully a change at the quarterback position can maybe re-instill some confidence in the other guys and get them to play well, as well."

Flutie hasn't started since 2001, when he led the Chargers to a 5-11 record.

PACKERS: Brett Favre hinted he wants to play for Green Bay next season rather than retire. The 34-year-old quarterback said he still hasn't made up his mind but would love to be on the field in 2004 - if not beyond.

"It's fun leading this offense. I don't think we've hit our peak," Favre said. "And I don't know if it's going to be this year, next year. I mean, I still think there's a lot left out there for us and a lot left out there for me."

Favre, a three-time NFL MVP who led Green Bay to the 1997 Super Bowl title, began pondering retirement a couple of years ago after a series of injuries.

But Favre is preparing to start his NFL-record 199th straight game, Monday night against Philadelphia, and needs four TD passes to tie Dan Marino's record of at least 20 TDs in 10 straight seasons.

He is tied for the league lead with 16 touchdown passes despite playing with a broken right thumb the last three weeks.

DOLPHINS: Miami could be without two Pro Bowl players, linebacker Zach Thomas and cornerback Patrick Surtain, against Tennessee on Sunday.

Thomas (groin) and Surtain (ankle) are listed as questionable on the injury report. Thomas leads the team with 104 tackles, and Surtain is second in the NFL with six interceptions.

GIANTS: Defensive tackle Keith Hamilton was indicted on a cocaine possession charge stemming from a traffic stop in May.

The case probably won't be resolved for several months, allowing the 12-year veteran to avoid any possible disciplinary action by the NFL this season. The league does not fine or suspend a player until he pleads or is found guilty.

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