Spanos to Bernstine: Sign This Weekend or Risk Being Traded

Charger owner Alex Spanos has issued an ultimatum of sorts to tight end Rod Bernstine, his No. 1 draft choice.

It is: Sign this weekend or we might trade you.

Bernstine’s agent, Ralph Cindrich, expects the trade. He said getting the deal done this weekend is “a long shot.”

And he also said: “Candidly, the trade talk is something that I like. I know there are other clubs that know (Bernstine’s) worth and will pay for his value. I’m in total agreement with this. Let’s get out.

“I like it and would much prefer it this way, and so does Bernie. My preference is to go to another team. I think this is good. I think since the start of training camp, it’s the first productive thing to come up.”

A source said Cindrich is looking for a four-year deal worth about $1.4 million. Cindrich would not confirm or deny this, but he said the two sides are less than $100,000 apart.

Steve Ortmayer, the Charger director of football operations, agreed there’s less than a $100,000 difference.

“Am I going to give them what they’re (currently) asking for by this weekend? No,” Ortmayer said. “This is a negotiation, and a negotiation is give-and-take on both sides.

“To be honest, Mr. Spanos can’t understand why it (the negotiation) is not done. And he has said we need (Bernstine) in camp by this weekend or we should look around at possibly doing something.”

Spanos was unavailable for comment Thursday.

“(Bernstine) is a good young prospect,” Ortmayer continued. “We had a chance to see him working out in the spring, and we really need him in camp. He needs the fundamentals of a pro passing game.”

Ortmayer said he has not yet talked to any other teams about Bernstine, a 6-foot 3-inch, 235-pounder from Texas A&M.;

Cindrich, however, has said Cleveland and Washington showed much interest in Bernstine before the draft.

“Listen, it was more than a mild surprise that (Bernstine) ended up with San Diego,” said Cindrich, who plans to negotiate with Ortmayer again today. “Other teams were much more interested.”

The Chargers, who have said they will keep four tight ends, don’t have a healthy one right now. Kellen Winslow (knee), Pete Holohan (groin) and Eric Sievers (knee) did not play in Wednesday’s 11-on-11 scrimmage against Dallas.

Charger Notes Quarterback Dan Fouts is expected to participate in 7-on-7 drills today, Coach Al Saunders said Thursday. Fouts, recently bothered by a sore back, hasn’t practiced since training camp began two weeks ago, but he has asked doctors to let him throw. As of Thursday, he had been given the go-ahead, though he won’t be allowed to do every drill. . . . Backup quarterback Mark Herrmann’s bruised thumb will keep him out of today’s workout. His status is day-to-day.