Benson Goes as Chargers Slim Down : Linebacker Traded to New England for a Draft Choice

The Chargers, continuing the process of reducing their roster to 60 by today’s 10 a.m. limit, Monday traded inside linebacker Thomas Benson to New England.

Benson was traded to the Patriots for a draft choice. The Chargers also waived nine players and put six on the injured reserve list.

According to Steve Feldman, Benson’s agent, the Chargers have shown an interest in acquiring cornerback Rickey Dixon, a first-round draft pick the Cincinnati Bengals have not been able to sign.

“While dealing with other players, I brought up the fact (to the Chargers) that we certainly wouldn’t mind if Rickey Dixon ended up with the Chargers,” said Feldman, who also represents Dixon and Charger defensive end Lee Williams, who signed last week after a prolonged contract holdout. Steve Ortmayer, Charger director of football operations, said the Chargers and Bengals have had no discussions regarding Dixon.

“Rickey would love to go to San Diego. I’ve talked to him about it. His favorite colors now are blue and white.”

But Ortmayer insisted, “His (Dixon) name has never been mentioned between the two organizations.”

The Bengals have offered Dixon $2 million over four years, and have said that if they cannot sign Dixon, they won’t trade him. Dixon wants 2.5 million over four years.

“We have told him that he has to sign for $2 million if he wants to play this year,” Mike Brown, assistant general manager, said. “We will not trade his rights, if at all, until after the season.”

Feldman, meanwhile, talked without hesitation of the Chargers and Dixon.

“Every time I see Steve Ortmayer, I bring it up,” Feldman said. “Just call it my persistent nature.”

Dixon’s displeasure with the Bengals’ contract offer stems from the salaries of the players drafted immediately preceding and after him. Paul Gruber, drafted fourth by Tampa Bay, is receiving a reported $679,000 for five years. Tim Brown, drafted sixth by the Raiders, signed for a reported $2.7 million over four years.

Dixon has said he is prepared to sit out the season if he does not get what he wants.

The trading of Benson, meanwhile, came as somewhat of a surprise simply because he was entering his fifth year in the NFL and represented some experience at a position loaded with rookies.

According to Coach Al Saunders, if the season were to begin today, rookies Chuck Faucette and Cedric Figaro would be his two starting inside linebackers.

Faucette has played in all three Charger exhibition games and started twice. Figaro, however, has seen limited playing time because of a bad back. He has played in two games with one start.

Still, Saunders wasn’t discouraged.

“Because of the progress of Figaro, Faucette, Gary Plummer and Jeff Jackson, we felt Thomas was expendable at this time,” Saunders said. “Faucette and Figaro are clearly the best players in that position.”

Said defensive coordinator Ron Lynn: “Experience doesn’t do any good if the performance isn’t there.”

Benson was unavailable for comment.

“He was really stunned, but he said maybe it would all work out for the best in New England,” Feldman said. “He gave it his all in San Diego, just like when he was in Atlanta.”

The Chargers acquired Benson in a trade with Atlanta on July 25, 1986. In return, Atlanta received the Chargers’ 1987 sixth-round draft choice. Benson started 24 games for the Chargers during the last two seasons, and was one of just six players to start all games in 1986.

Benson was one of 16 players trimmed from the San Diego roster Monday. Those waived were kicker Steve Deline, punter Rick Tuten, tight end Mike Flagg, offensive linemen Greg Feasel, Joe MacEsker and Ed Miller, nose tackle Dee Hardison, linebacker Johnny Taylor and running back Pat Franklin.

Those put on the injured reserve list were offensive linemen Joey Howard (knee) and Stacy Searels (broken hand), safety Demetrious Johnson (Achilles), linebackers Ken Woodard (knee) and Alvis Satele (shoulder), and running back Kevin Scott (toe).

There are now 68 players in camp, and 70 on the roster. The Chargers plan to move eight more players this morning.

Charger Notes

Defensive lineman Joe Phillips and linebacker Chip Banks continue to hold out. Harold Daniels, Banks’ agent, said there is no new progress to report. . . . Free safety Vencie Glenn was on crutches and in a soft cast after spraining his right ankle during Monday’s practice. It’s the third time since the team’s May mini-camp that Glenn has turned the ankle.