Charger ‘Volunteers’ Had Some Incentive

The Chargers have been delighted by the turnout for their voluntary off-season practice sessions this year.

All it took was money.

The Chargers provided hotel or apartment accommodations and $200 a week to first-year players who agreed to stay in San Diego for workouts.

The team attracted more than 40 players daily for practice. Coach Bobby Ross said the team will have benefited from nearly 50 practices by the opening of training camp.

In addition to the workouts, Ross has urged each of the team’s draft choices and selected free agents to remain in San Diego until the opening of camp to run and lift under the team’s direction.

“If they are going to make the club,” Ross said, “it’s important they come into camp in good condition.”

Ross said he expects all draft choices to be here by next week.

Many of the veteran players have received more substantial payoffs in workout bonuses.

“A lot of the players have workout bonuses now negotiated into their contracts,” General Manager Bobby Beathard said. “They can be $10,000 or $12,000. For some, we gave them that and the apartment or hotel and the $200 a week.

“Some of it is kind of a joke. Most of them get enough money they don’t need it, but instead of paying a guy $300,000, we pay him $285,000 and give him a $15,000 workout bonus. For a lot of them, they just like to know they have a workout bonus. It’s pretty much that way around the league now.”