Malone Works Out for the Chargers, but No Decisions Made
Mark Malone stood on the Charger practice field Tuesday evening in a pair of Charger shorts. No, not No. 14. Those, like Dan Fouts’ jersey, are headed for retirement.
But if you held this pair in a mirror, you might think that. They were No. 41.
As for the question whether this is some kind of a backward sign of a quarterback to come, the answer might have to wait until the end of the week.
That is the timetable Steve Ortmayer, Charger director of football operations, has set for deciding if the Chargers will follow through on a possible deal for Malone with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“I don’t know what the Steelers’ timetable is,” Ortmayer said, “but we would like to wrap this up one way or the other by the end of the week.”
Ortmayer made his comment before watching Malone go through a 20-minute workout. Among those also viewing the workout were Coach Al Saunders and Chet Franklin, director of player personnel. Malone, who arrived from Pittsburgh Monday night, also underwent a physical examination and met with team officials.
“This the first time I’ve thrown since the end of the season,” said Malone, a graduate of El Cajon Valley High School. “(The workout) is not a great indication of anything.”
Malone attributed the inactivity to his weighing 10 pounds more than his normal playing weight. He was listed last season at 6-feet 4-inches and 222 pounds.
His visit was part of the Chargers’ search for a replacement for Fouts, who announced his retirement two weeks ago. Earlier Tuesday, the Chargers worked out David Archer, a free agent from Atlanta. Archer started 23 games for the Falcons in his first three seasons, but last season he completed only 9 of 23 passes.
The talks concerning Malone, the lowest-rated quarterback in the National Football League last season, have intensified since the Steelers obtained Todd Blackledge from Kansas City last week. But they have been complicated by concerns over Malone’s contract.
Malone reportedly is in the last year of a three-year contract that would pay him $500,000 in base salary and a bonus of $50,000 if he plays half of the team’s downs for the season. According to the latest figures from the NFL Players Assn., the 1986 average base salary for a starting NFL quarterback is $471,329.
Richard Bennett, Malone’s Washington-based agent, could not be reached for comment. But Malone indicated he is willing to consider modifications in his contract.
“This (with the Chargers) is an entirely new situation,” Malone said. “You see guys making $1 million arguing over $10,000. That doesn’t make any sense.”