Chargers Might Open Camp Minus Friesz
The Chargers, while reaching contract agreements with several draft choices Tuesday, might open training camp today at UC San Diego without quarterback John Friesz and might play the season without third-round pick Ray Ethridge.
Friesz, one of 14 veterans still unsigned, has asked the Chargers--through his agent Leigh Steinberg--for a $1 million base salary in 1992. Friesz drew a $120,000 base salary last season, and with incentives included, collected $275,000.
Steinberg specializes in making quarterbacks rich, and he has pointed out to the Chargers that 37 quarterbacks in the league presently make $1 million or more.
“Leigh has expressed his ideas and I have expressed mine,” said Bobby Beathard, Charger general manager. “John has moved his stuff into his room (at training camp), and I’m optimistic we can work it out.”
Although much of the Chargers’ success this season depends on the play of Friesz, there are no such immediate demands on Ethridge, the former San Diego CIF record-holder at 200 meters, who was a wide receiver in the Canadian Football League.
Ethridge missed a good portion of the team’s voluntary practice sessions, and when he did appear, his performance was disappointing. At the conclusion of the team’s summer school session he injured a hamstring muscle. Beathard said Ethridge might now be a candidate for the team’s “physically unable to perform” list, thereby making him ineligible to play this season.
If Ethridge went on that list, he would be allowed to practice with the team throughout the season.
“His progress at this stage is disappointing,” Beathard said. “It’s a different league than playing for Pasadena City College and in Canada. Whether he can compete at this level we are not certain. It’s a little shaky now whether he can compete at wide receiver.”
Ethridge’s agent, Mitch Stein, however, has a different view of the speedy wide receiver.
“He’s already proven that he’s a superstar,” Stein said. “I don’t think they would draft somebody in the third round and then not sign him because he pulled a hamstring.”
Ethridge’s best bet for survival, however, might be a year-long stint on physically unable to perform list. Wide receiver Johnnie Barnes, the team’s ninth-round pick, already has shown more promise than Ethridge.
The club enters training camp with 14 wide receivers, although only four are expected to make the final 47-man roster.
“I have a lot of confidence in Ray,” Beathard said. “But he’s got to pick it up and put it in high gear. The good ones are capable of doing that, so we’ll see.”
The Chargers signed first-round pick Chris Mims and 11th-round choice Keith McAfee earlier, and expect to add second-round pick Marquez Pope today. Beathard said the team has reached an agreement with Steve Feldman, the agent for cornerback Pope.
Beathard said the team is prepared to sign linebacker Kevin Little (fifth round), safety James Fuller (eighth) and kicker Carlos Huerta (12th). Talks continue with center Curtis Whitley (fifth), tackle Eric Jonassen (fifth), defensive lineman Reggie White (sixth), tight end Deems May (seventh), Barnes and defensive tackle Arthur Paul (10th).
Beathard anticipates a tough time in signing veteran nose tackle Joe Phillips, linebacker Leslie O’Neal and linebacker Gary Plummer. He said the team is close to completing a deal with safety Anthony Shelton and is waiting on tackle Broderick Thompson, who accepted the team’s contract offer earlier.
First-year players and selected veterans are due to report to camp today at noon and begin practicing Thursday. The remainder of the team will report July 22.