With Draftees in Camp, Chargers Look to Sign Veterans : Football: Twelve veterans remain unsigned as the team gets ready to open camp today at UC San Diego.

Some things you probably never expected to see again in a lifetime:

--The Chargers opening training camp with all their draft choices in uniform.

--Bobby Beathard putting his arm around agent Steve Feldman.

--The Chargers making the playoffs.

Maybe it’s the humidity.

After amicable discussions Wednesday that resulted in a three-year contract for second-round pick Marquez Pope, Beathard and Feldman, Charger general manager and his negotiating nemesis, emerged with arms around each other.

“We’re buddies,” crooned Feldman, who represented a disgruntled Lee Williams last season.

There was no photographer on hand to document the unlikely scene, but history will show that on this remarkable day the Chargers also reached contract agreements with their 13 draft choices.

So where are they playing the Super Bowl this year?

Not so fast. The Chargers have all their draft picks in camp, but when they begin practicing for the first time today under Coach Bobby Ross at UC San Diego they are expected to line up with Jeff Graham, Bob Gagliano and Pat O’Hara at quarterback.

John Friesz remains unsigned and seeking $1 million in payment for his services.

“It’s extremely important,” for Friesz to be here,” said Ross. “What the hell, it’s really important. I can’t emphasize it enough from the standpoint of our football team. It’s extremely important for us if we’re going to go to that next level.”

Friesz said he is eager to begin work for the Chargers, but he’s also anxious to improve on his $120,000 base salary in 1991. The Chargers have indicated he has asked for $1 million, however Friesz said he has not demanded $1 million to pilot the Chargers in 1992, but he said, yes, he has requested such a payoff for 1993.

“I’m not going in there trying to break the bank,” said Friesz, who is still trying to recover from having his home burglarized this week. “We just want what’s fair.”

Friesz’ agent, Leigh Steinberg, said he does not anticipate a problem negotiating with the Chargers. “There’s time,” Steinberg said. “He’ll be there soon.”

In addition to trying to sign Friesz, the Chargers have another 12 veterans who are not under contract.

“That’s the tough part,” said Beathard. “The hardest work is yet to come.”

Nose tackle Joe Phillips, who has a history of missing time in training camp because of contract negotiations, is the betting man’s choice to be the last player signed this year. Phillips’ agent has already made a whopping demand to the Chargers that would make him the team’s highest paid player. It was rejected.

Beathard also expects difficulty in signing linebacker Gary Plummer and linebacker Leslie O’Neal. He thought he had an agreement with tackle Broderick Thompson, but Thompson has failed to sign the team’s offer.

Others who remain unsigned include offensive linemen David Richards, Courtney Hall, Leo Goeas and Mike Zandofsky, running back Rod Bernstine, kicker John Carney, punter John Kidd and linebacker Henry Rolling. Defensive lineman Tony Savage and safety Anthony Shelton have agreed to terms.

In other training camp news:

--Third-round pick Ray Ethridge failed his physical examination because of a hamstring strain. The team has been disappointed in Ethridge’s workouts, and has now bought time before having to decide whether to let him compete for a job or stash him as a practice player.

--Running back Marion Butts was fined for reporting late to camp last season after holding out for a renegotiated contract. Butts’ contract was never reworked, but Steinberg said that Beathard has promised to do so. Steinberg said Butts will report July 22 with the rest of the veterans.

--Anthony Miller, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery following a minicamp mishap, is ready to begin practice at full speed.

--Linebacker David Grayson, who is being counted on heavily for help, failed the team’s physical examination. Grayson broke his leg in his Charger debut last season, but is expected to begin workouts Aug. 1.

--H-back Chris Samuels, who suffered a broken leg last season, remains on crutches and is expected to miss this season.

--Plan B wide receiver Erik Affholter failed the physical examination and will undergo knee surgery today. Affholter is expected to miss at least four weeks of work, which should effectively end his bid to make the team.

--Bob Christian, a running back from Northwestern who had a brief stay in Atlanta last season, became the 99th player on the team’s roster. The Chargers will cut to 60 Aug. 25 and to 47 Aug. 31.

--Alex Spanos showed up at training camp Wednesday and complained that his back hurt. Someone suggested that he was just tired of carrying the Chargers on his back all these years.

“That’s what I was just telling them in there,” replied Spanos.