Leaf, Fan Have Argument

San Diego Charger quarterback Ryan Leaf had to be forced away from a verbal confrontation with a heckling fan on Thursday at San Diego, the latest episode in his short but troubled NFL career.

Several hours after the tense situation, Leaf said he gets the feeling that no one in the organization wants him around after his contract becomes voidable after the 2000 season.

“Maybe it’s in the team’s best interests to let me go, but I don’t want that to be the case,” said Leaf, the second pick overall in the 1998 draft who was benched midway through his disastrous rookie season. “It doesn’t seem like there’s anything positive around here at all right now.”

The fan had been heckling Leaf during the Chargers’ combined workout with the Miami Dolphins, including singing lyrics from the song “Lonesome Loser” by the Little River Band.

Leaf walked across the field, asking offensive coordinator Geep Chryst and security guards to come with him.

Leaf motioned at Peck, saying, “What’s wrong, man, have I hurt you?”

Leaf, who is 6 feet 5 and 235 pounds, was forced back by Chryst and defensive backs coach Rod Perry.

“They thought I was like going to go try to beat his . . . or something,” Leaf said. “I’ve been through that, getting that mad at somebody and have it be a big thing. So what I wanted to do was say, ‘Hey, look, I’ve grown up, I’m calm about it, I would like to understand why you would say that about me.’ ”

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Lawrence Phillips left a lot of room for improvement in his 49er debut.

Trying to resurrect his NFL career after washing out twice because of legal and disciplinary problems, Phillips finished with only six yards in three carries during a 24-23 exhibition win over the Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco.

Seattle Coach Mike Holmgren passed up a chance for the tie after a late Seahawk score. Rather than possibly sending the game into overtime, he opted for a two-point conversion attempt with nine seconds left, but Brock Huard’s pass fell incomplete.

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The Cincinnati Bengals failed in their latest effort to sign quarterback Akili Smith, the former Oregon star. The Bengals say they have offered a six-year deal for nearly $45 million but that Smith’s side doesn’t like the performance requirements. . . . Receiver Irving Fryar signed a three-year contract with the Washington Redskins. The five-time Pro Bowl receiver said he didn’t want to retire at the end of last season, but wasn’t in the Philadelphia Eagles’ plans and didn’t want to move his family again. He was lured back because the Redskins are close enough that he won’t have to uproot. . . . Steve McNair, troubled by back spasms, will not start tonight when the Tennessee Titans play an exhibition game at Arizona, Coach Jeff Fisher said.