Charger Notebook : Center Quillan Decides to Call It a Career

Center Fred Quillan has apparently decided to end his career after 10 years, Charger officials said Monday.

“He’s not sure that his priorities at this point in time are NFL football,” said Steve Ortmayer, Charger director of football operations, said. “He indicated that he’s going to retire.”

Quillan, 32, acquired from San Francisco June 2 for receiver Wes Chandler, was unavailable for comment. He left the Chargers’ training camp at UC San Diego about 9:30 a.m. Monday for his home in San Mateo.

“I think he sees that there is some stiff, young competition out there, and I think he’s not exactly sure that he wants to fight it,” Ortmayer said. “We told him to go on home and evaluate his situation over the next few days and let us know.”

Ortmayer said he did not expect Quillan to change his mind.

The Chargers now will receive a draft choice from San Francisco, contingent on how Chandler performs with the 49ers, Ortmayer said.

“We had felt all along there was a chance he would retire or wouldn’t make our team, and so consequently we had built some draft choice considerations into the trade,” Ortmayer said.

Seven offensive linemen with experience at center remain on the roster, including starter Don Macek, in his 13th season, seven-year veteran Dennis McKnight and second-year pro Dan Rosado.

Quillan, 6-feet 5-inches and 266 pounds, was voted to the Pro Bowl in 1984 and 1985. He was selected by San Francisco in the seventh round of the 1978 draft out of Oregon and played his entire career with the 49ers.

Charger Notes

Mitchell Brookins, a free-agent receiver, left camp. While with Buffalo in 1986, Brookins injured his knee and, according to Coach Al Saunders, was unhappy with the way the knee responded.