Linemen, Safeties are Chargers’ Big Needs : Football: Plan B signings didn’t fill all team’s holes.
The Chargers completed their annual Plan B shuffle of rejects, retreads and reborn free agents Monday, and will now reach for safeties and offensive linemen in the upcoming NFL draft.
“Of the people we gained we think we’ve got some candidates to help solve some of our problems,” Coach Dan Henning said, “but not all of the problems.”
The Chargers (6-10) left 22 players unprotected in February, and while waiting for a final midnight tally, were expected to return seven players to their roster today.
They signed eight Plan B free agents, including quarterback Bob Gagliano, guard Mark May and the last-day acquisition of 6-8, 300-pound Cleveland defensive end Chris Pike.
“I wouldn’t say Plan B improves our team at this stage; I think you have to wait and see,” General Manager Bobby Beathard said. “You have to be realistic about Plan B. You are signing people that either somebody else didn’t want or didn’t think enough of them to protect.”
The Chargers didn’t think much of starting free safety Vencie Glenn and not only left him unprotected, but unwanted should he consider returning. Glenn advised teammate Martin Bayless Monday that he will be signing with the Los Angeles Raiders.
The Raiders also signed Joel Patten to exacerbate further the Chargers’ woes at left tackle.
“He was important to us only in the fact that we were weak at that position,” Henning said. “The left side is always a major problem. It has been a major problem and will be a major problem until you get the likes of Anthony Munoz or somebody like that.”
The Chargers will not only be looking for a left tackle, but also a left guard. They have decided to move starting left guard Courtney Hall back to center, where he distinguished himself as a rookie, and use starting center Frank Cornish as an all-purpose backup.
Eric Floyd, Mike Simmonds, Leo Goeas and Plan B free agent Harry Swayne will receive left-side auditions, but the draft may be the key to all their problems. If they can find a left tackle, such as Tennessee’s Charles McRae, then they will be able to entrench Goeas at left guard.
The Chargers went into Plan B free agency expecting to address their deficiencies at the safety position. However, they weren’t willing to pay San Francisco’s Ronnie Lott and couldn’t convince the 49ers’ Dave Waymer to listen to their offer.
They will try Anthony Shelton, who was released by the 49ers last season, at free safety in place of Glenn and have plans to shift dependable cornerback Gill Byrd to safety as insurance against Shelton’s failure to impress.
UCLA’s Eric Turner is considered the top available safety in the draft, while Notre Dame’s Todd Lyght grades out highest at cornerback.
“We made a definite commitment at the end of the year to change the safety position around,” Henning said. “We will probably go after a safety of some sort in the draft. It could be early, but it won’t be late.”
The Chargers have 14 picks in the April 21-22 NFL draft, and will be selecting ninth in the first round. In addition to their own choice in round two (36th pick), they will have Tampa Bay’s second-round pick (39th) because of the trade for running back Gary Anderson.
“I think the needs in the draft are to get candidates for the left side of the line, to get a quality defensive back, to guarantee that we have enough big people in the defensive line and get another quality wide receiver candidate,” Henning said. “Secondary and offensive line are always the area you’d like to stockpile people.”
The Chargers signed nine Plan B free agents last year, and got big-time contributions from Ronnie Harmon, John Carney and John Kidd.
This year’s class includes:
Cornerback Bobby Humphery (5-10, 180)--The Rams had defensive problems last season and didn’t protect Humphery, a ninth-round pick of the Jets in 1983, who joined Los Angeles via a draft-day trade last year. Henning said Humphery may be good enough to become cornerback starter in Chargers’ secondary, thereby accommodating Byrd’s shift to safety. “He’s a player I’ve liked since he was with the Jets,” Henning said. “He went to the Rams and they play more of a zone concept up there and he didn’t fit in as well. I think he will fit in better here.”
Safety Darren Carrington (6-1, 189)--He couldn’t stick with Denver or Detroit despite woeful needs in the secondary in each city. A fifth-round pick of Denver in 1989, who was released early last year before joining the Lions to become their second-leading special teams tackler. “He’s a project-type player,” Henning said.
Wide receiver Troy Kyles (6-1, 188)--A rookie free agent for the Giants, who was released and then was resigned to New York’s developmental squad. He was added to the Giants’ regular-season roster and caught four passes for 77 yards. “He has tremendous speed,” Henning said. “He was the best wide receiver that we worked out in Plan B.”
Linebacker Galand Thaxton (6-1, 242)--Thaxton spent last season on injured reserve after breaking ankle in training camp. He signed with Falcons as free agent in 1989 after release by Giants, who signed him as rookie free agent in 1988. Newly-hired defensive line coach Chuck Clauson told the Chargers that Thaxton was in line to start as inside linebacker last season before being hurt.
Guard Mark May (6-6, 290)--A nine-year starter for the Redskins before injuring his knee in ninth game of 1989 season. He hasn’t played since, but will challenge David Richards at right guard. “If Mark has something left, which we seem to think he does, he gives us leadership,” Beathard said. “Mark was really the heart and soul of the Hogs when he was at Washington.”
Defensive end Chris Pike (6-8, 300)--Started 10 games for Cleveland last season, but ended season on injured reserve with knee injury. “He is a monster of a guy,” Beathard said. “I mean he is just huge. We’re taking a little bit of a chance on him (because of his knee problems), but he does have ability.”
Tackle Harry Swayne (6-5, 270)--Had reserve role in 10 games for Tampa Bay. Played defensive end in 1987 and 1988 for Bucs before making switch to offensive tackle in 1989. If he can impress at left tackle, he’s got a job.
Quarterback Bob Gagliano (6-3, 205)--The second ‘g’ in Gagliano, Henning pointed out, is silent. Both Beathard and Henning have indicated that Gagliano will be given an opportunity to compete for a starting job. Both said it without cracking a smile. Both figure to be looking for employment elsewhere if this former USIU quarterback takes command of the offense.
Henning said quarterback Billy Joe Tolliver “is in the process of being trimmer,” and has lost five to six pounds.
He said Tolliver, John Friesz and Gagliano will join the running backs, wide receivers and defensive backs for “involuntary” workouts beginning Monday.
“That means if they want the opportunity to play here they will show up,” Henning said.
Running backs Darrin Nelson, Joe Mickles and Tim Spencer, however, do not figure into the team’s plans. Henning said he was under the impression that Nelson was going to sign with the 49ers and he said Mickles will be replaced by someone they find in the draft. He said Spencer’s future with the team will be discussed after the draft.
Safety Lester Lyles, who has yet to sign with another team, will not be invited back.
Charger Notes
The Chargers hit the streets to sign four players who have been out of work. They added defensive end Mitchell Benson, defensive back Derrick Kelson, wide receiver Keith McDonald and safety George Radachowsky. . . . Tight end Arthur Cox, who played at 285-290 pounds last season, had been advised to drop to 275 or not return to the club. The Chargers sent a representative to Atlanta last week to weigh Cox and were shocked to learn that he now weighs 252. . . . Henning said linebacker Junior Seau will remain inside, but will gain playing time as a pass rusher on the outside in certain situations. He said Lee Williams and Burt Grossman will compete for the starting left defensive end post. If Williams tops Grossman, he said Grossman will become a spot player. . . . He said Billy Ray Smith and Henry Rolling will share time at outside linebacker, and he said Leslie O’Neal has the talent to play anywhere he wants. . . . The Chargers will not use a high draft pick to grab a quarterback, but have their eye on a specific candidate, and if still available in the fifth or sixth round, will not pass on him. . . . Linebacker Gary Plummer broke his foot playing racquetball and will be in a cast for several weeks. Safety Martin Bayless underwent surgery on a bothersome ankle and also will be sidelined for several weeks.
CHARGER PLAN B SIGNINGS
Players the Chargers have signed as Plan B free agents:
Name Position Former Team Darren Carrington Cornerback Lions Bob Gagliano Quarterback Lions Bobby Humphery Cornerback Rams Troy Kyles Wide Receiver Giants Mark May Guard Redskins Chris Pike Defensive End Browns Harry Swayne Tackle Bucs Galand Thaxton Linebacker Falcons