Bernstine, a Recent Arrival, Fits Right In

It was a struggle, but Rod Bernstine got there.

Late in the first half of Sunday’s 23-21 exhibition loss to the Rams, the Chargers’ rookie tight end caught an eight-yard pass from quarterback Rick Neuheisel and was almost in the end zone. But not quite.

Hit on the goal line by a Ram defender, Bernstine took a few steps backward, twisted and struggled around other white-shirted obstacles, and finally dived over two Rams into the corner of the end zone.

“Everyone wants to get in the end zone,” Bernstine said. “I tried to find any way I could to get in there.”

Bernstine, the Chargers’ No. 1 draft pick, is no stranger to struggle; he spent much of the summer in a prolonged contract negotiation. Less than two weeks ago, the All-American out of Texas A&M; ended an 18-day holdout when he signed a contract (three years with an option year) estimated to be worth almost $1.5 million.

On Sunday, Charger fans had a chance to evaluate Bernstine’s worth for themselves.

His touchdown gave San Diego a 14-6 lead. Bernstine ran an inside pattern and had to bump off the inside linebacker.

“After I caught the ball, I was kind of shocked because I had a helmet in my back,” he said. “I bounced off and gained my composure.”

Bernstine has maintained his composure since joining the team, despite the highly publicized contract negotiations.

“Contract battles come with the territory,” he said, adding that he hoped the fans thought he performed well.

“But I don’t put extra pressure on myself to try and do certain things for the fans,” he said. “I just have to perform to the best of my ability and keep a level head.”

Bernstine kept a level head, eluding five Ram defenders on his way to the corner of the end zone.

He finished the game with three receptions for 20 yards and one touchdown and earned Coach Al Saunders’ praise for his efforts.

“Rod did a great job catching the ball, and his blocking showed a week of improvement,” Saunders said. “He made some mistakes technically, but for only being in camp a week and a half, I’m really pleased.”

Bernstine said that he was displeased with his performance Aug. 15 against Dallas but that he worked hard to improve in the past week of training camp.

Neuheisel praised Bernstine for picking up the team’s system so quickly.

“He’s a super gifted athlete,” Neuheisel said. “I think normally when you put an athlete into a situation as late as he came in, they’d be much further behind. He’s had to learn about three different positions and lots of motions. You’d have to be a genius to learn everything at once.”

Neuheisel said he felt fortunate to be the one throwing the ball to Bernstine for the touchdown.

“It was a great play by Rod,” Neuheisel said. “He was the secondary read. He caught the ball and turned into Gary Anderson for a minute, getting into the end zone like that. It was a great play, and I get to benefit from it.

Neuheisel and Bernstine combined for another eight-yard pass reception later in the game.

“Rick has a good feel,” Bernstine said. “We’ve got a little combination going.”

Bernstine came out of the game early in the second half because his right hamstring was tightening up. He first hurt his leg in mini-camp last May and re-aggravated it last week. He said the injury was not very serious.

After the game, Bernstine was going in search of a phone to call his mother in Bryant, Tex.

“I talked to her this afternoon and told her I was going to score a touchdown for her,” he said.