CHARGER NOTES : Mickles, In Football Pads, Keeps His Promise
Since almost the day he joined the Chargers as their first Plan B free agent signing this year, team officials have said: ‘Wait ‘til Joe Mickles gets in pads.’ ”
Last week he got his chance, and the results were as promised.
Mickles was the rushing leader in a scrimmage against the Rams, gaining 49 yards on five carries, including runs of 10 and 19 yards.
After going through a minicamp in which he was hardly noticed amongst such more high-profile Plan B acquisitions as Ronnie Harmon and Thomas Sanders, the evening was his coming out party as a Charger. The statistics are not overwhelming, but his hard running left an impression.
“That’s me,” Mickles said. “I’ve always been the type of guy who comes to life in training camp when the contact starts. Anybody can look all-world with shorts and helmets.”
But while Mickles looked strong running the ball in the scrimmage, he was acquired in large part to upgrade the special teams. As a rookie last season at Washington, Mickles played exclusively on special teams. And while like any running back, he values the opportunity to run the ball, he knows the Chargers are looking for special teams improvement. “Special teams is where the real football is played,” Mickles said. “I like going down and trying to make tackles; it’s challenging.”
The Chargers’ front office was well aware of Mickles’ ability. General Manager Bobby Beathard drafted Mickles in the 12th round last season out of Mississippi, where he rushed for 1,285 yards and caught 54 passes as a senior. When Beathard and several of his Washington associates joined the Chargers this year, Mickles knew this is where he wanted to go when the Redskins left him unprotected in Plan B.
“I had other teams interested in me, but I really like Bobby,” Mickles said. “He drafted me, and I knew a lot of the people out here. Plus I knew the system.”
That familiarity should help him, but it will not be enough to make the team. Mickles has plenty of competition in training camp at UC San Diego. Nine players are listed at running back. In addition to Harmon and Sanders, they include Marion Butts, last year’s leading rusher; Rod Bernstine, who has been moved from H-back; and veterans Darrin Nelson and Tim Spencer.
But none of this appears to discourage Mickles.
“I have never been the type to look at the competition,” Mickles said. “I feel if I play hard and do what is asked of me then I’m just as good as anybody.”
The Chargers might have their first good news on the contract front in several days.
Beathard said linebacker Cedric Figaro, one of seven unsigned veterans, met with him Monday afternoon to go over his contract, and he expects Figaro will sign and report today.
Beathard said he spoke by telephone with Steve Feldman, the agent for three holdout players, for the first time since another of his clients, defensive lineman Lee Williams, walked out of camp Saturday over the club’s refusal to renegotiate his contract.
Beathard said no progress was made in talks with Feldman, and that he still is waiting for cornerback Gill Byrd to sign and report. Beathard said Saturday he thought he had all but reached an agreement with Feldman on Byrd’s contract, but Feldman told him Monday he still had to meet with Byrd before the deal could approved.
Charger Notes
Wide receiver Troy Johnson, who has been hospitalized since Thursday after breaking three ribs and partially collapsing a lung in a scrimmage with the Rams, had a setback Sunday. Johnson’s lung collapsed again when doctors removed a tube from it, said receivers coach Charlie Joiner who said he spoke with Johnson Sunday. The tube was reinserted and Johnson remains at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo. . . . Linebacker Ken Woodard was to undergo further tests Monday to determine the nature of chest pains he experienced Thursday night. Coach Dan Henning said he expected further word by today. . . . The Chargers cut two rookie free agents Monday. Released were Willie Davis, a cornerback from Southern Illinois, and Ken Sale, a linebacker from Texas El Paso. That leaves the team two under the NFL maximum of 80 signed players. . . . Running back Darrin Nelson pulled a leg muscle in the afternoon practice, but Henning said he did not think it was serious. Offensive tackle Joel Patten, recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery, is not expected to begin practice until the week of the third exhibition game, Henning said.