Chargers Will Trade Lachey, but to Which Team and When?

All week long, the question regarding Jim Lachey has been: Will the Chargers trade him?

On Thursday, the question changed to: When will the Chargers trade him? Followed quickly by: To whom?

Lachey is the Pro Bowl tackle who was supposed to report to training camp Monday. But on Thursday he informed Steve Ortmayer, the team’s director of football operations, that he wasn’t going to report. Not now, not later.

Ortmayer turned around and announced that the Chargers will officially try to trade Lachey.

Actually, they have been listening to offers for several weeks while hoping Lachey would change his mind about wanting to go elsewhere. Sources close to Lachey said late Thursday that the teams closest to working out a deal are the Bears, 49ers, Redskins and Raiders.

But Stan Glick, Lachey’s Ohio-based financial consultant, said, “Buddy Ryan called me twice today.” Ryan is the coach of the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Indianapolis Colts, burdened by contract disputes with starting tackle Kevin Call and starting guard Ron Solt, reportedly are also interested.

Ortmayer wouldn’t be specific about what the Chargers will look for in exchange. But he indicated that he will seek players rather than draft choices.

“We need people on the field in 1988,” Ortmayer said.

Charger Notes

Mark Vlasic, the second-year Charger quarterback, took a giant step forward in the team’s four-man quarterback derby at Thousand Oaks, completing 5 of 5 passes for 50 yards and a touchdown in an intrasquad scrimmage against the Dallas Cowboys. For those keeping score, the Cowboys won, three touchdowns to one. The Chargers scored their touchdown on a 4-yard pass from Vlasic to wide receiver Timmie Ware. Ware was the Chargers’ leading receiver with 3 catches for 73 yards. Mark Malone, still the best bet to start the regular-season opener Sept. 4 in Los Angeles against the Raiders, completed 4 of 7 for 17 yards.