Redden Comes to Chargers in Trade With the Rams
Barry Redden’s unhappiness as a back-up to Ram running back Eric Dickerson ended Tuesday when he was traded to the Chargers.
Redden was obtained in a trade that sent Buford McGee, a reserve running back, and two draft choices to the Rams. Redden, a free agent, was signed to a contract before the trade was completed. Terms were not announced.
For four seasons, Redden, a first-round draft pick from the University of Richmond, had served primarily as a back up to Dickerson, one of the National Football League’s leading rushers.
“Eric is a great player,” said Redden, from his home in Sarasota, Fla., “but I’m not going to shortchange Barry. I’d never been a backup. It wasn’t my idea of contributing to the offense.”
Coach Al Saunders, who has been looking for an every-down back to carry the ball 20 to 25 times a game, thinks Redden, 26, may be his man.
“He’s what we needed in a back,” Saunders said. “He has speed and the ability to block. He’s very versatile.”
Last season, Redden was the Rams’ second-leading rusher, with 110 carries for 467 yards and 4 touchdowns. He caught 28 passes for 217 yards and 1 touchdown.
“Redden has the ability to make the big play in the open field that we haven’t had,” Saunders said. “He’ll be an outstanding complement to (Gary) Anderson.”
Redden did not play his rookie season because of a knee injury, and then Dickerson was drafted in 1983. The next season Dickerson rushed for a NFL record 2,105 yards, and Redden asked to be traded for the first time.
He continued his requests and, a year ago, Ram Coach John Robinson promised to take action. When Redden failed to report to mini-camp last month, there was speculation that he would not show up for training camp this season.
He thinks the trade is long overdue.
“I feel like a two-ton slab is off my shoulder,” he said. “I feel I can breath.”
Redden does not foresee a problem in switching from the Rams’ run-oriented offense to the Chargers’ pass-oriented offense.
“I may have gotten the ball 10 times in a game since I’ve been with the Rams,” he said. “So, for me, it’s not really an adjustment at all.”
Saunders sees the addition of Redden as one more step in building a balanced offense. Last season the team ranked 24th of 28 teams in rushing, averaging 3.3 yards per carry.
“We have to improve in areas we’re not very good in,” Saunders said. “Redden will certainly create an aura of competition in his postion.”
The Rams gain McGee, who missed the latter half of last season with a knee injury, plus a 1988 second-round draft choice and a conditional middle-round draft choice. The conditional choice will be dependent on Redden’s performance with the Chargers.
“We’re not real happy about losing Buford McGee,” Saunders said. “He did great service here, but you have to give up something good to get something good.”
McGee, who said he’s healthy after arthroscopic surgery on both knees, doesn’t foresee problems playing behind to Dickerson.
“I don’t have any hangups,” he said. “I can see myself a role player. . . . If the Chargers don’t have any more use for me, I’ll play wherever I’ll have the opportunity.”
Saunders thinks Redden is ready to step out of the role-player mold. The coach likened the situation to one the Chargers faced four years ago.
“Chuck Muncie may have been the best to play the game at his position, but James Brooks was an outstanding player and was unhappy in his role as a backup,” Saunders said.
Brooks was traded to Cincinnati and was selected to the Pro Bowl last season. Saunders, smiling, added: “Hopefully, Redden can parallel that situation.”