Beathard, O’Neal Talk, but Not About Deal

Bobby Beathard, Charger general manager, and outside linebacker Leslie O’Neal had a 30-minute meeting Wednesday, but talk was cheap. A new contract wasn’t discussed.

“We just sat around and talked,” said O’Neal, a 20-day holdout. “I’ve seen him once before, so this is the second time we’ve really even talked to each other.

“Sometimes you have to go out and make an extra effort so somebody can know a little bit about you as a person, and they can feel comfortable dealing with your situation.”

Said Beathard: “He wasn’t here to talk about his contract, he was just here to talk. He seems real nice. I don’t know if it helps negotiations.”

O’Neal, who played in the Pro Bowl last season, said he thinks his agent, Marvin Demoff, and the Chargers are close to an agreement but said he wouldn’t make predictions.

“It’s a difficult situation for both parties involved,” O’Neal said. “(Beathard) really wasn’t here last year to watch me play.”

O’Neal sat out all of 1987 and half of 1988 with a knee injury. He played nine games in ‘88, starting one, then returned to start all 16 games last season, making 161 unassisted tackles.

Beathard is scheduled to meet with Demoff today.

Charger Notes

Guard Mike Simmonds dislocated his kneecap in the afternoon practice on Wednesday and was taken from the field on a golf cart. Simmonds spent the second half of last season on injured reserve after dislocating his kneecap against the Washington Redskins on Oct. 22. “He’ll be all right,” Charger Coach Dan Henning said. “I don’t think it’s that serious from what the doctor said.” . . . Henning said he would play his starters for about 50% of Saturday’s exhibition against the Rams in Anaheim. . . . Because of injuries, Henning said outside linebacker Billy Ray Smith (bruised thigh) will have to be ready to play Saturday, but he will be kept out of the game if possible. Tight end Arthur Cox (strained back) is doubtful. . . . Henning said Thomas Sanders and Rod Bernstine will get the majority of the work at running back Saturday, with Ronnie Harmon and Darrin Nelson coming in on third-down situations. . . . Charger General Manager Bobby Beathard said there were no further negotiations on the contract of first-round draft pick Junior Seau, the linebacker from USC.