CHARGERS UPDATE : NOTEBOOK : Chargers’ 1992 Draft Selections Haven’t Panned Out as Hoped

How about that 1992 Charger draft?

In Sunday’s game with the Broncos, of the 13 players selected in the recent draft, only seventh-round pick Deems May (tight end) made an appearance on either offense or defense.

The Chargers were 4-12 in 1991, and they expected immediate help in the 1992 draft, but early indications are they won’t get it. Of the top six players taken in that draft, only two remain on the active roster, and they don’t expect to draw much playing time.

First-round pick Chris Mims (defensive end), who earns an average of $700,000 a season, worked as a blocker on extra-point and field-goal attempts.

Mims was moved to defensive tackle recently in certain situations, and he said he told coaches he didn’t feel comfortable enough to enter the game.

“It’s totally different inside,” Mims said. “I just need some more work; I just can’t go out there and do it.”

Coach Bobby Ross said, “I think he will play more,” this week against Pittsburgh.

Mims did not play a down on defense last week.

“It was a mistake for us not play him last week,” Ross said. “It got into the heat of the game, and we weren’t playing a lot defense, we only had 47 plays and Blaise Winter was doing well. There was no need to change.

“But we do want to play him every football game, and we should have.”

Second-round choice Marquez Pope (cornerback) remains on injured reserve, and third-round choice Ray Ethridge (wide receiver) has been kept on the team’s physically unable to perform list since the first day of training camp. Ethridge was placed on the PUP list because of a hamstring injury, but his problem in practice has been an inability to catch the ball.

Fifth-round pick Curtis Whitley (center) and sixth-round choice Reggie White (defensive line) suited up for the Bronco game, but according to official game statistics, they did not play.

*

The Chargers have expressed concern with running back Eric Bieniemy’s inability to hold onto the ball while fielding punts.

At the end of Thursday’s practice, Bieniemy failed to field punter John Kidd’s first kick, which prompted special teams coach Chuck Priefer to throw his hat to the ground and then kick it--wide right.

Three kicks later, and it was wide receiver Nate Lewis who made like a Dodger infielder as he failed to come up with the ball.

Ross’ advice to Bieniemy and Lewis: “Catch the ball.”

*

Ross said the Chargers might play wide receiver Robert Claiborne more this week.

It will be news if he plays him less.

According to official game stats, Clairborne did not make it on to the field last week.

“We’ve got to find out what he can do,” Ross said. “The only way we can find out is to play him.”