Chargers Resume Talks With Friesz : Football: Quarterback could be in camp today. Linebacker Gary Plummer signs.

The Chargers re-opened discussions Sunday with a new presentation to John Friesz’s agent, Leigh Steinberg, and as a result, all parties are confident that the team’s starting quarterback will be in uniform, possibly as soon as this afternoon.

“Hopefully we will get it resolved (today) with Leigh coming down,” Friesz said. “I’m trying to get in.”

General Manager Bobby Beathard said he will meet with Steinberg this morning at UC San Diego.

Beathard announced the signing of linebacker Gary Plummer, and after meeting with running back Rod Bernstine late Sunday, Beathard said he expected Bernstine to report for duty today.

“I’m looking forward now to getting Friesz in here,” Beathard said.

Beathard declined to discuss specifically what he did to break the stalemate with Friesz.

In the past he has issued signing deadlines to players such as David Richards, Broderick Thompson and Stanley Richard. These players were told that the team would reduce its offer if they did not meet the signing deadline. In each case, they did.

“I sent them some language today that he (Steinberg) can decide on,” Beathard said. “It’s really no new change. He can interpret the change and explain it. I just don’t want to say anything else now.”

The new “language” in the team’s offer might provide Friesz a chance to earn $1 million in 1993, as he has demanded, through creative financing, such as deferred payments. It’s a regular practice, which has been used by the Chargers before.

Last year the team paid linebacker Leslie O’Neal approximately $1 million. Defensive end Lee Williams wanted to be paid the same amount, so the Chargers agreed to offer such money in deferred payments, which made the present-day value of their offer substantially lower.

The present-day value of the 1993 contract being given to Friesz would remain in the neighborhood of the club’s offer of $850,000, but the contract would call for $1 million in future payments.

Steinberg declined to say if he received such a new proposal. “If there communications between us, they are private.”

However, he said, “Our inclination is to try and solve this within the next day or so. It’s never been our intention to prolong this. It’s been a reasonably cordial disagreement not really over compensation, but over terms.”

Friesz, who earned a base salary of $120,000 in 1991, asked for an opportunity to earn $1 million in his new contract. The Chargers countered with an offer of $550,000 in 1992, and then increased that to $700,000 with an opportunity to earn an additional $3,000 per start, and at least another $2,000 for each victory beyond four.

The Chargers provided the same incentives in the second year of their offer and boosted the base salary to $850,000.

Steinberg said the Chargers’ offer was unacceptable and countered with a one-year proposal of $750,000. Beathard, however, has insisted on a two-year deal to prevent a similar holdout next season.

“I think there is a possibility of (it being resolved),” Coach Bobby Ross said. “I don’t know which way. But from what Bobby told me today I feel very encouraged it’s about to come to a head.”

The addition of Plummer, and the expected signing of Friesz and Bernstine, will leave the Chargers with two unsigned veterans, guard Richards and nose tackle Joe Phillips.

Plummer, who has recorded more than 100 tackles for four consecutive years, signed a one-year deal for $525,000 and reported to training camp.

“It’s like any other relationship, there has to be compromise,” said Plummer, who initially was looking for more than $600,000. “My wife taught me that a long time ago.

“(Holding out) is definitely out of character, but I felt I had been underpaid in the past and this was an opportunity to get to the point where I am fairly compensated. And they did that for me.”

Bernstine bypassed the team’s second minicamp and summer school practices, so Ross is concerned about the amount of information Bernstine will have to absorb. Ross intends to use Bernstine as both a running back and a pass-catching tight end.

“Rod fits into two slots, but he’s been out (of practice) to the point where I don’t know how he’s going to handle it mentally,” Ross said. “I’ve been told he’s very smart, and that would be good. Very good.”

Richards was happy with the club’s financial offer, but he said he has an interest in free agency and therefore he prefers a one-year deal to two years.

“If the chips fall the way it looks like they are going to fall the cutoff for free agency will be five years and I will be finishing my fifth year,” Richards said. “If that comes about, I want to have the chance for free agency.”

Beathard said Richards will have to accept a two-year deal to reach an agreement. “It seemed like everything was fine when I talked with his agent,” Beathard said. “I would expect to see David in here soon. It might be (today).”

Beathard said he is waiting for a counter-proposal from the representatives for Phillips.