Chargers Sign Wilcher; That Makes It One Down and 11 to Go

Running back Thomas Wilcher of Michigan--a ninth-round draft choice--became the first rookie to sign a Charger contract Thursday, but the other 11 draft picks are in danger of missing tonight’s opening ceremonies.

Rookies and selected veterans are scheduled to report to training camp this evening on the UC San Diego campus. Coach Al Saunders will deliver a pep talk, and then they’ll all dig in to a lavish team dinner.

But unless Steve Ortmayer, director of football operations, has a fantastic Friday, there will be extra food for everyone.

Ortmayer’s top priorities are to sign tight end Rod Bernstine, their No. 1 pick from Texas A & M, and cornerback Louis Brock, their No. 2 pick from Southern Cal. Bernstine’s agent, Ralph Cindrich of Pittsburgh, arrived in San Diego Thursday night and has a 6:30 appointment with Ortmayer this morning.

Meanwhile, Ortmayer said he spoke with Brock’s agent, Marvin Demoff, five times on Thursday, and Ortmayer made his first official offer, believed to be in the $900,000 range for four years.

Wilcher, who might also be tried as a defensive back, signed a series of one-year contracts worth approximately $200,000 over three years.

Other unsigned rookies are No. 3 pick Karl Wilson (a defensive end from LSU), No. 4 Mark Vlasic (a quarterback from Iowa), No. 5 Nelson Jones (a cornerback from North Carolina State), No. 7 Jamie Holland (a wide receiver from Ohio State), No. 8 Joe MacEsker (a tackle from UTEP), No. 9 Ron Brown (a linebacker from USC), No. 10 Anthony Anderson (a safety from Grambling), No. 11 Joe Goebel (a center from UCLA) and No. 12 Marcus Greenwood (a running back from UCLA).

The first practice is Saturday at 4:30 p.m.

“I hope to have them all there,” said Ortmayer.