CHARGER REVIEW : NOTEBOOK / T.J. SIMERS : Thompson Feels Like a Forgotten Man

Broderick Thompson, the Chargers’ starting right tackle, remained home last night while his teammates began the exhibition season.

And he didn’t like it.

“It’s time to get in,” Thompson said. “I’m tired of sitting out. We’ve got to sit down and talk; we’re not that far apart.”

The Chargers have taken a hard-line stance with Thompson, and for undeclared reasons General Manager Bobby Beathard has declined to respond to phone calls from Thompson’s representative Jeff Irwin.

“I’m not a first-rounder, I was a free agent and I was cut before,” Thompson said. “They don’t want to pay a guy with that kind of record. But I’ve been their most consistent linemen, I’m the only lineman left from 1987 and I was voted team captain by my peers. Maybe my holding out makes them think they look halfway bad. I’m just not getting any respect.”

Thompson has started in 51 consecutive games for the Chargers after being acquired as a free agent before the 1987 season. He started 32 games at left guard for the team before making the move to right tackle.

Beathard said he talked with Thompson’s agent Friday morning and was promised a return phone call later in the day, but he said Saturday night he’s still waiting.

Leslie O’Neal has talked about lifting the play of those around him this preseason, and by way of example, on the team’s initial defensive play Saturday night he smothered Houston running back Allen Pinkett for no gain.

Before the game, reporters who cover the Chargers on a daily basis placed the over-and-under on linebacker Junior Seau jumping offsides this preseason at three times.

With three exhibition games to play, Seau already one offsides penalty on his rap sheet. He was flagged on the Oilers’ second possession for an early start.

Running back Marion Butts carried the ball 265 times in 1990 without fumbling.

On Rod Bernstine’s first carry Saturday night he had trouble on the exchange with quarterback Billy Joe Tolliver and fumbled. Bernstine fell on the ball--for a one-yard gain.

First sign of the new season at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium: “Beathard Get Your Butts in Gear.”