Despite Release of Green, Chargers Are Counting On Improvements in Defense

With a straight face, the Chargers talk of improvement in their defensive line and secondary in 1986.

Coach Don Coryell and his new defensive coordinator, Ron Lynn, believe that the drafting of Oklahoma State’s Leslie O’Neal should strengthen the line, and that experience should help the backs.

The linebacking corps, however, is another matter, and with the Friday release of Mike Green for medical reasons, the Chargers have more questions than answers among their linebackers.

A three-year veteran from Oklahoma State, Green was waived after failing his physical as the Chargers opened the first of two mini-camps at the stadium.

Green led the team in tackles during his first two seasons, 1983 and 1984, but slumped last season when he was on probation following his arrest on cocaine charges.

Owner Alex Spanos said Green’s release is not linked to his past drug problems.

“It was simply that he couldn’t pass the physical,” Spanos said. “If there was a chance he could ever pass, we’d be happy to have him.

“Mike is a fine person, and with all the problems he had we hated to see this happen. He set a beautiful example (in freeing himself from drugs) and he helped us tremendously last year.”

Green underwent surgery on his shoulder and knee after the 1985 season, but it was a back injury that caused him to fail his physical, according to team physician, Dr. Gary Losse.

About six weeks after his surgery last winter, Green went to Losse complaining of back pains, which were diagnosed as a disc problem and pinched nerve in the lower back.

Green’s injury has been treated medically but has not responded well and may require surgery, Losse said.

It is not clear when or how the injury occurred. It may have been the result of years of playing football, Losse said.

Unless his condition improves, Green’s career may be over, according to Losse.

Green declined comment.

“He really was a gamer,” Coryell said. “He was a very good player for a couple of years. Without him in there now, there’s a wide-open spot.”

The leading candidate is veteran Shane Nelson, who hasn’t appeared in a league game since early in the 1982 season, when he was with the Buffalo Bills. Since then, injuries to his knee and Achilles’ tendon have sidelined him.

Shane Nelson is listed ahead of another Nelson, Derrie, who was one of the Chargers’ top special-teams players last year, and rookie Ty Allert of Texas.

Coryell said earlier this spring that the only linebacker whose play satisfied him last season was Billy Ray Smith. And he underscored that Friday by saying that he regards the position as the one that most needs reinforcement.

“As of now, we need the most help at linebacker,” he said. “We have some fine young linemen and defensive backs, and I think those are the two areas we’ll be most improved this year.

“We know Leslie O’Neal and (second-round draft pick) Terry Unrein are going to help us in the line, and we hope some of our other young linemen will really come of age.”

The most promising of the veterans is end Lee Williams, who had a strong first half before slumping in the closing weeks of last season. Other holdovers are Fred Robinson, Chuck Ehin and Earl Wilson, who showed up Friday at 293 pounds, well above his playing weight of 268.

“Maybe he is trying to get some Refrigerator-type endorsements,” said Lynn, referring to the Chicago Bears’ William (Refrigerator) Perry.

Another player who reported overweight is defensive back Jeff Dale, who at 224 is 10 pounds heavier than his playing weight.

Dale is one of a group of young but no longer inexperienced defensive backs that includes Wayne Davis, John Hendy, Gill Byrd and Danny Walters.

At linebacker, the Chargers expect two holdover starters, Woody Lowe and Linden King, to be pressured.

Joining Shane Nelson in attempting to come back from a prolonged absence is Mike Guendling, who injured a knee in training camp as a rookie two years ago and has since played only briefly.

The Chargers also list veterans Carlos Bradley, Mark Fellows and Craig Bingham. The top rookie candidates are Allert and Tommy Taylor of UCLA.

“There’s a great opportunity for a young player to come through,” Coryell said.

Don’t bet against a trade for veteran help.

Spanos said the Chargers would be willing to part with a future No. 1 draft choice to strengthen themselves at linebacker.

“We haven’t been pursuing it, but we will be open-minded,” he said. “We know we’re going to be improved on defense. . . We have to be.”

Charger Notes Defensive end James Lockette was not cleared to participate in the mini-camp. He is recuperating from a knee injury suffered last summer. He may be recovered in time for the opening of training camp in July. . . . Don Coryell was upset about the absence of Memphis State guard Jeff Walker, a second-round draft choice. “In my 14 years as a head coach, I can’t remember a drafted player not showing up at mini-camp,” Coryell said. “He must have bad advice (from his agent).”. . . . The career of offensive lineman Drew Gissinger has been declared over. Gissinger suffered a back injury while lifting weights more than a year ago, and the Chargers had known for some time that he would not be able to play anymore. . . . Others who did not appear in mini-camp for medical reasons were defensive linemen Ron Faurot and Tony DeLuca and safety Matt Johnson.