Seau, Chargers Far Apart in Talks : Football: Parties differ both on length of deal and the amount of money per year, linebacker’s agent says.

The agent for outside linebacker Junior Seau, the Chargers’ first-round draft choice, said he lowered his contract proposal to the team Thursday but that the sides remain far apart with their offers.

The agent, Steve Feldman of Newport Beach, declined to reveal the financial details of his latest offer. He did say it was the same length, but for less money, as a three-year deal valued at $1.8 million per year that the Chargers rejected earlier.

Feldman said he made the proposal in a meeting with Charger General Manager Bobby Beathard. Feldman said Beathard did not offer anything different from an earlier five-year deal valued at $700,000 per year.

Feldman’s latest proposal came a day after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced they had signed linebacker Keith McCants of Alabama to a five-year contract. Published reports have placed the value of the deal at $7.4 million, including a $2.5-million signing bonus. McCants was taken fourth in the draft, one player ahead of Seau. Feldman said he is seeking a better deal.

“I made no bones about it from the very beginning that I felt my linebacker was the best in the draft,” Feldman said. “I am still maintaining that position. I expect to get more (than McCants).”

But determining that figure immediately has been difficult. Both Beathard and Feldman said they have not been able to confirm reports of the value of McCants’ contract. If they are accurate, McCants’ contract would have a value of $1.48 million per year.

Feldman said he hoped the McCants’ deal would influence the Chargers to raise their offer quickly enough to reach an agreement before rookies are scheduled to report July 20. But Beathard said he will not be swayed by the Buccaneers’ actions.

“They have their plan, and we’ll stick with our plan,” Beathard said.

Charger Notes

The Chargers and tight end Arthur Cox have agreed to a one-year contract with an option year, his agent, Roger Kirschenbaum of Atlanta, said. Cox signed the agreement Wednesday, said Kirschenbaum, who declined to disclose financial details of the deal. Cox, 29, started all 16 games and caught 22 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns. The agreement leaves the Chargers with 10 veterans who have not agreed to terms.