Chargers Reject Another Offer for Anderson : NFL: Deal would have included third-round pick in 1990 and conditional second-round pick in 1991, based on Anderson’s performance.
The Chargers have rejected a second trade proposal from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for running back Gary Anderson, Charger General Manager Bobby Beathard said Wednesday.
Beathard said he turned down an offer, made by Tampa Bay Coach Ray Perkins Tuesday night, to bring the Bucs’ third-round pick in this year’s NFL draft and a conditional second-round choice in 1991 to the Chargers in exchange for Anderson.
The second-round choice would be contingent upon Anderson gaining at least 1,000 combined yards passing and rushing in 1990, Perkins said. If Anderson failed to achieve that, the 1991 pick would be in the third round.
The offer came after Beathard had turned down an offer of Tampa Bay’s third-round choices in 1990 and 1991 earlier Tuesday, Perkins said.
Beathard said he is asking for Tampa Bay’s second-round choice this year, 30th overall, as part of a deal for Anderson. The Chargers do not have a second-round choice, having traded theirs to Chicago for quarterback Jim McMahon. But Perkins said he is intent on keeping that pick.
“We’d like to have (Anderson), but if it means giving up that second-round pick, we’re not going to do it,” Perkins said. “We have it, and we’re not giving it up.”
Perkins also said he did not consider the 1,000-yard requirement much of a condition for the 1991 draft choice.
“He should have no trouble getting that,” Perkins said.
Actually, Anderson’s track record is not that clear.
Anderson, who sat out the 1989 season in a contract dispute, gained 1,301 yards rushing and receiving in 1988 when he was named the Chargers’ most valuable player. But in his previous three seasons, he achieved that level only once: 1,313 yards in 1986. He gained 851 in 1985 and 763 in 1987.
Beathard said he talked with Tampa Bay again Wednesday but no new proposals were made.
“The truth is, we have a lot of things going on now beside that,” Beathard said. “We have to go about our business and see what happens.”
Tom Flores, general manager of the Seattle Seahawks, said he also has spoken to Beathard this week about Anderson but has not made an offer. He said if the Seahawks make one, it likely would not be made before the start of the draft Sunday.
Charger Notes
Normally, the NFL would have announced the Chargers’ 1990 schedule by now. But this is not a normal year. The change to a 16-game schedule over 17 weeks and the later finish to the baseball season because of the spring training lockout has delayed the process. League officials expect to release the schedule by the first week of May, a Charger spokesman said. . . . The Chargers announced that they plan to have a cheerleading squad for the first time since 1978. Tryouts for the 1990 squad begin May 26 at the University of San Diego gymnasium. For information, call 1-800-457-7575.