Charger Notebook : Gastineau May Be Headed to the West Coast
Don’t hold your breath. But don’t be surprised either if the Chargers check into the future status of Jet defensive end Mark Gastineau.
Gastineau retired Oct. 20 because he wanted to devote all his time to his fiance, actress Brigitte Nielsen, whom he thought had cancer of the uterus at the time. The 31-year-old Gastineau was the AFC’s leading sacker at the time with 7.
Gastineau and his fiance subsequently learned Nielsen did not have cancer. Instead, doctors said it was dysplasia, a precancerous condition that is not life-threatening if treated in time. Nielsen now hopes to continue her career.
But the only way Gastineau can return to football this year is to clear waivers. Sources inside the Jets organization say they won’t put him on waivers for fear of losing him. They would rather wait until the next trading period to see what they can get for him.
Meanwhile, Gastineau is through for the year. And he has made it no secret that he wants to be close to his wife when she continues her acting career in Los Angeles. The Jets’ sources say that means Gastineau’s short list (if he decides to play again) includes the Chargers, the Raiders and the Rams.
Steve Ortmayer, the Chargers’ director of football operations, said Wednesday he was unaware of any Gastineau interest in the Chargers. He also said any comments by him regarding Gastineau’s potential value to the Chargers would constitute tampering.
Asked how he would react if Gastineau ever became a Charger, defensive end Lee Williams said, “It don’t matter to me one way or the other.”
Charger defensive coordinator Ron Lynn said he has seen Gastineau this year on a very limited basis. But, Lynn said, “He’s a marvelous physical specimen. Even today he appears none the worse for wear.”
Gastineau has 1 more year on his contract with the Jets that calls for a base salary of $852,000 in 1989. That’s if he decides to come out of retirement. His agent, Mike Sullivan of San Ramon, did not return a phone call.
Charger Notes
The injury report for Sunday’s game against the Raiders at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium: Chargers--linebacker David Brandon (groin) doubtful; tight end Rod Bernstine (shoulder) questionable; cornerback Elvis Patterson (hip) questionable; tight end Arthur Cox (shoulder) probable; wide receiver Quinn Early (toe) probable. Raiders--defensive end Howie Long (calf) doubtful; center Bill Lewis (ankle) questionable; safety Vann McElroy (ribs) questionable; defensive tackle Malcolm Taylor (ankle) questionable; tight end Todd Christensen (calf) probable; running back Vance Mueller (groin) probable; tackle Rory Graves (ankle) probable.
The Raiders refer to Charger cornerback and leading interceptor Gill Byrd as “Bill Byrd” in their current weekly press release. The typo did not go unnoticed by whomever posts motivational material on the Chargers’ locker room bulletin board. . . . The Chargers may activate safety Pat Miller, who has been on injured reserve since Sept. 13 with a bad knee. . . . Charger Coach Al Saunders conducted an on-field, post-practice team meeting with his players Wednesday. “We just wanted to emphasize the importance of the rivalry between the Raiders and the Chargers, which has gone on for many, many years,” Saunders said. “We wanted to emphasize the importance of preparing for this game all through the week, and the importance of understanding the responsibilities from an assignment standpoint.”