Spanos’ Effort to Sign Cade Is Unsuccessful

“We’re not finished yet.”

That has been the rallying cry of Charger owner Alex Spanos after many of the transactions that have enriched his team’s roster this summer.

But Spanos was close to amending that statement to reflect a deep sense of frustration Tuesday afternoon after a rare, face-to-face meeting with an athlete and his agent.

Following a 60-minute showdown with defensive back Mossy Cade and his representative, Jon Teer, Spanos declared the Chargers were all but ready to give up on ever signing the elusive player, who was the team’s No. 1 draft choice last season.

Spanos has been actively involved in reshaping the lineup this season, but until now, he has refrained from conducting negotiations on his own. However, out of a desire to put a happy finish to a protracted series of talks with Cade, going back to April, 1984, Spanos sat down with the player and his agent.

“It was no good,” Spanos said afterward. “I’m not going to completely close the door, but basically it is closed unless something drastic happens fast.”

Spanos had gone into the meeting determined either to sign Cade or end talks permanently. He didn’t get his man, nor did he leave much room for continued negotiations.

The Chargers were willing to pay Cade $1.55 million on a multi-year contract, according to Spanos.

The offer was rejected, prompting the owner to exclaim, “I don’t know who they think they are, but I’m not going to sit back and wait much longer.”

But Cade would probably not be guaranteed a starting job in the immediate future even if he signed tomorrow.

The Chargers have been satisfied with the development this summer of their young secondary, which includes Wayne Davis, Jeff Dale, Gill Byrd and Danny Walters.

Cade would certainly add depth, and he might beat out one of those players once he got in shape and learned the system. Perhaps as important, his addition would allow the Chargers to consider trading a defensive back to strengthen another position.

Cade and Teer were reluctant to discuss their meeting with Spanos.

“We understand his position,” Teer said. “We felt fortunate to meet with him. The Chargers are very adamant in their position.”

Cade put it a bit more succinctly. “I don’t want to say anything that would make them mad,” he said. “They’re already mad enough.”

Cade and Teer were later driven to the airport for a flight to Texas by assistant general manager Tank Younger, who had handled the bulk of the negotiations for the Chargers before the Tuesday meeting with Spanos.

“I’m an extreme optimist by nature,” Younger said, “but I’m not optimistic about this situation now.”

Cade, who played for the Memphis Showboats of the United States Football League last spring, recently fired Perry Deering as his agent and replaced him with Teer.

Younger said that before Teer was retained, Cade had suggested he would find a figure in the $1.6-million range acceptable. But that number was flatly rejected by Cade Tuesday.

“Mossy had requested to meet with Mr. Spanos to see if something could be arranged,” Younger said. “Mossy said he wanted a chance to explain his position.”

Spanos later said he would probably wait another week before ending the pursuit of Cade. The Chargers have until Tuesday to reduce their roster to 45 players for the start of the regular season.

Regardless of what happens with Cade, the Charger owner said he will continue to pursue players at other positions, including the offensive and defensive lines. He also remains interested in running back Gary Anderson of the Tampa Bay Bandits, but said there is nothing imminent.

Times Staff Writer Steve Dolan contributed to this story.