Charger Notebook : Newcomers Likely to Start at Tackle

THOUSAND OAKS — The Chargers still haven’t published a depth chart. Maybe, their critics would argue, that’s because they don’t have any depth.

But with each passing day it becomes more apparent the starting offensive tackles will be veterans Brett Miller and Joel Patten, both huge and both acquired in the off-season during Plan B free agency.

Miller, 300 pounds, came from Atlanta and has been in the league seven years. Patten, 307, came from the Colts and has five years in the NFL. Both are 6-7. They have 49 starts between them.

Last year’s starting Charger tackles were Ken Dalliafor and David Richards. Dalliafor is now with the Lions. The Chargers have shifted Richards to right guard.

Charger Coach Dan Henning said Friday that left tackle and center are the most important two positions in the offensive line in his scheme. That is why he has placed Patten at left tackle and the trio of Don Macek, Dennis McKnight and rookie Courtney Hall at center.

“Patten and Miller are going to be hard to beat out,” Henning said. None of which is good news for fourth-year tackle/guard James FitzPatrick. FitzPatrick was the 14th player chosen in the 1986 draft, but he has never lived up to his potential, has shown little improvement this summer and is in serious danger of not making the team.

The Charger defensive line continued to embarrass the Cowboy offensive line.

“Our defensive line is probably the strongest place we have personnel-wise,” Henning said. “They’re pretty good, and they like to display it. I really can’t think of a better place to be strong and deep in the NFL.”

The Chargers will be even stronger in that area if they sign No. 1 draft pick Burt Grossman, a defensive end from Pitt.

Steve Ortmayer, the Chargers’ director of football operations, said there was nothing new to report on negotiations with agents for Gary Anderson or Grossman.

Anderson is a veteran free agent who led the team in rushing last year. Grossman is the only unsigned rookie.

Ortmayer said the biggest problem in the Grossman negotiations is that nobody else drafted ahead of Grossman (other than Dallas quarterback Troy Aikman) has signed.

Grossman was the eighth pick of the first round. Once one of the players selected above him signs, it will give Ortmayer and Grossman’s agent, Robert Jackson, an idea of Grossman’s comparative value. The money and length of Aikman’s contract (six years and more than $11 million) is too much and too long to do Ortmayer or Grossman’s agent any good in preparing comparative numbers.

To date, the highest first-round pick, other than Aikman, to sign is Seattle tackle Andy Heck, the 15th player selected.

“Andy Heck stepped up to the plate and signed,” Ortmayer said. “Anybody drafted after him that hasn’t signed is doing himself a disservice.”

Five first-rounders picked after Heck have signed and reported.

Charger Notes

Today’s scrimmage between the Chargers and Cowboys will start at approximately 1:30 p.m. and consist of four 10-play drives for each offense. Charger Coach Dan Henning said he plans to give rookie quarterback Billy Joe Tolliver half the plays and divide the rest between Mark Malone and David Archer. Archer has a sore elbow. . . . Wide receiver Anthony Miller suffered an ankle injury in the morning workout. The Chargers said it was not serious and that X-rays showed no damage. But Miller will not participate in today’s scrimmage against the Cowboys. Center Don Macek, who missed Thursday’s practice with a bad ankle, returned to the field Friday. Rookie center Courtney Hall, still bothered by an Achilles tendon problem, did not practice and will not play in the scrimmage. The Chargers said X-rays showed nothing serious. “We’re keeping him out,” Henning said. “I don’t know how long.” . . . Former Charger quarterback Dan Fouts, in attendance at practice Friday afternoon, on Tolliver: “It’s a little early to make a judgment. But he has a nice delivery and his mechanics are flawless.”