Miller, Chargers Dickering Over Length of Contract

The Anthony Miller negotiations have taken an interesting turn.

Miller, a wide receiver from Tennessee, is the Chargers’ unsigned first-round draft pick. His agent, Bruce Allen, met for the first time recently with Steve Ortmayer, the Chargers’ director of football operations.

The two didn’t argue over dollars.

They didn’t even talk about dollars.

First, they must decide how long the contract will be.

Allen said Thursday he would prefer a three-year contract. “Two years would be even better,” he said. “I’d tap-dance for that.”

The Chargers understandably would like to get Miller under contract for a longer period of time. Allen said Ortmayer is looking for a deal that would last four or five years.

“It won’t be five,” Allen stated flatly.

Auburn linebacker Aundray Bruce, the first player selected in April’s NFL draft, remains the only first-rounder to have signed. Bruce signed with the Atlanta Falcons for a reported $4.1 million over five years.

“We’ll do a five-year deal for that kind of money,” Allen said, amending himself. “We’ll also do a six-year deal for the kind of money ($8.2 million) Tampa Bay paid Vinny Testaverde.”

Testaverde was the first selection in the 1987 draft.

The Chargers selected Miller with the 15th pick of the first round. Wide receivers selected at that point in the draft don’t make that much.

But until several first-rounders sign, it’s hard to judge just how much Miller will get from the Chargers.

Agents historically like to wait until the last possible moment before advising their clients to sign. But that’s not Allen’s style. Both of the Chargers’ last two top picks--Leslie O’Neal (1986) and Rod Bernstine (1987)--were brief holdouts.

“I told Steve that if Anthony Miller ends up being a holdout, it won’t be his fault; it will be ours,” said Allen, the son of former Ram Coach George Allen. “I am ready to negotiate at any point.”

Allen, an avid surfer, works in Phoenix but travels to San Diego frequently when the wave conditions are right. Last Friday, he worked the surf off Ocean Beach. He said he expects to meet with Ortmayer again in two weeks. If the two decide to rendezvous in San Diego, he will bring his board.

The Chargers’ summer training camp will begin for rookies and free agents July 15. Veterans must report by July 22.