Leaf Can’t Stand the Heat, So He Leaves Charger Kitchen

Ryan Leaf is on the run, and the Chargers aren’t sure if they are going to see him again.

After a preseason workout at the team’s training complex almost a month ago, San Diego fullback Fred McCrary delivered an impromptu pep talk with a stinging bite to Leaf, calling the quarterback, among other things, “fat” and “out of shape,” while imploring him to better prepare for the upcoming season.

An outraged Leaf left the facility and has not returned, missing almost the entire off-season plan outlined for Leaf by the Chargers.

“That’s accurate,” said Charger Coach Mike Riley, who has not seen Leaf since mid-March, talking to him only once in that time. “Frankly, we have failed in what we wanted to get done with Ryan this off-season before minicamp.”

Leaf, who appears well on his way to establishing himself as the biggest draft bust in NFL history, was the second player taken in 1998. After a series of blowups, poor play and a shoulder injury that sidelined him last season, the team had hoped for an off-season turnaround.

But Leaf has failed consistently to make an impression in weight-room workouts, and drew the ire of General Manager Bobby Beathard after missing an early off-season training session. Beathard has become so disgusted by the situation that he is contemplating retirement and turning his duties over to director of player personnel Billy Devaney after the draft.

“I told the coaches here that our job is to continue to try and reach out to him, work with him and find Ryan’s button,” Riley said. “But I also told them that we cannot let him slow us down. We have a tremendous work atmosphere in place and we can’t lose that by obsessing with him.”

A Charger spokesman said he had no idea how to reach Leaf.

The organization is now preparing for Saturday’s draft with the expectation that Leaf will not be a part of their plans. The team’s salary-cap situation and financial commitments to Leaf preclude them doing almost anything but keeping him on their roster, although Riley said he has no expectations of seeing Leaf participate in workouts any time soon.

Beathard asked permission from Avenger Coach Stan Brock, a former Charger player, to meet with the Arena League team’s quarterback Todd Marinovich today to assess his condition as a potential replacement for Leaf.

“If Todd is ready to go and would like to take advantage of this last opportunity then I would think he would be a part of our plans,” Riley said. “We’ve had Jim Harbaugh and Moses Moreno throwing every day, but we need four quarterbacks, and in addition to Todd, I would think we would also draft or sign a free agent player from college to be a part of that group.”

Casey Wasserman, Avenger owner, said Marinovich’s contract with the Arena League team will not prevent him from signing with the Chargers if afforded the opportunity.

Marinovich replacing Leaf is a funny headline all by itself. Marinovich was the Raiders’ 1991 first-round draft pick and a huge bust, reduced now to being a backup quarterback for an Arena League expansion team.

Leaf, meanwhile, has gone to Alabama seeking a third opinion from Dr. James Andrews on his surgically repaired shoulder.

There is a feeling within the organization that Leaf is too embarrassed to face his teammates again and might be using his shoulder as an excuse to miss the mandatory minicamp two weeks after the draft.

Leaf, an outcast almost from the outset in the Charger locker room, has had similar problems in the past and has shown a reluctance to accept responsibility or be accountable for his behavior until compelled by club policy. Team officials hope he will return sooner rather than later, making his comeback more low key than having to appear before the entire team at minicamp.

More than 40 players have been working out at the team’s practice facility, and Leaf had been encouraged after last season to join them to improve his standing within the team. But after being called out by McCrary, Leaf told Riley he would conduct his training routine with a personal trainer elsewhere.

“Being here has been the focus of our initial discussions with him,” Riley said. “For him and the position he plays with this team, joining in the day-to-day work is very important for him. And it’s not happening.”

Some within the Charger organization wonder if they will ever see Leaf again, speculating he might use his sore shoulder to remain on the sideline and eventually win his release from the team to start fresh elsewhere.

“I anticipate seeing him again,” Riley said, “but I have my doubts when he will throw again.

“And that’s why we have to go on. We can’t let this affect our preparations. Our off-season program ends [today]; it’s over and he’s not been here. We’re in minicamp next and moving on.”