Charger Notebook : Ortmayer Says Clay Injury, ‘No Big Deal’

In the face of mounting criticism Monday, Steve Ortmayer, the Chargers’ director of football operations, stood by the trade announced Saturday that sent Pro Bowl tackle Jim Lachey to the Raiders in exchange for tackle John Clay and two “high” draft picks.

“The story of a deal is told in the future,” Ortmayer said. “It isn’t told in the present.”

But even Denver Coach Dan Reeves got into the act, saying he didn’t think it was “very good deal” for the Chargers.

Ortmayer said he was “disappointed” when he learned from team physicians that Clay’s back problems were going to prevent him from practicing with the team Sunday, Clay’s first full day as a Charger.

But he said he received assurances from doctors Monday that Clay’s injury was only “minor low back strain.”

“It’s no big deal,” Ortmayer said. “John will be on the field very soon. I would hope in the next couple of days. He’s probably ready now if we wanted to throw him in.”

Ortmayer refused comment on a published report saying the undisclosed draft picks received in the deal by the Chargers would be traded back to the Raiders for running back Napoleon McCallum if McCallum becomes free of his obligations with the U.S. Navy.

Ortmayer did say the Chargers are actively seeking to trade the draft picks, thought to be a third and fourth rounder in 1989. And he repeated that the Chargers are “covered” in the event Clay’s back injury doesn’t mend properly.

Charger Coach Al Saunders declined to publicly involve himself in the controversy surrounding the Lachey-Clay deal.

“My responsibility is to coach the football team,” he said. “Any questions that you have in regards to personnel transactions should be directed towards Steve. He can answer those questions for you.”

But, he was reminded, success or failure of the deal will directly affect his job status.

“That’s a fair evaluation,” he said, not needing to be reminded.

The Chargers have updated their depth chart with their newest acquisition--John Clay--listed as the starter at left tackle.

They have moved Dennis McKnight and James Fitzpatrick back to right guard and left guard respectively after a brief experiment that ended when the team traded Lachey.

The Chargers had also moved Gary Kowalski to left tackle during Lachey’s training-camp absence. Kowalski is back at right tackle. Clay’s position with the Raiders was right tackle.

If the Chargers hadn’t moved Kowalski, McKnight and Fitzpatrick back to their old spots, the team would have had both guards and both tackles playing new positions.

Other depth-chart developments worth noting:

--The Chargers are listing Gary Anderson as the starter at running back ahead of Lionel James and Tim Spencer, in that order.

--Jamie Holland is ahead of first-round draft pick Anthony Miller at one wide receiver slot. Rookie Quinn Early, a third-rounder, is starting ahead of veteran Timmie Ware at the other spot.

--The quarterbacks, in order, are Mark Malone, Babe Laufenberg, Mark Vlasic and Steve Fuller.

--Lou Brock, a second-round pick in 1987, is running at the No. 3 spot at right cornerback behind Gill Byrd and Leonard Coleman.

Saunders said “escapability, running, flushing, throwing the ball on the move” were the strengths of Malone and Laufenberg.

“Jamie Holland, right now, is further ahead of Anthony Miller in terms of performance,” Saunders added. “It’s that simple.”