Chargers to work out Rivers, Roethlisberger and Manning
By Associated Press, 3/18/2004 19:53
SAN DIEGO (AP) The San Diego Chargers have scheduled private workouts with the top three quarterbacks available in next month's NFL draft.
The Chargers will work out North Carolina State's Philip Rivers on Monday in Raleigh, N.C.; Miami of Ohio's Ben Roethlisberger on Tuesday in Oxford, Ohio; and Ole Miss's Eli Manning on Wednesday in New Orleans.
The Chargers' contingent will include general manager A.J. Smith, coach Marty Schottenheimer, assistant GM Buddy Nix, offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, president Dean Spanos and his son, John, a team scout.
''Its better to have these sessions three days in a row rather than spread them out over time because we get a chance to make immediate comparisons when everything is fresh in our minds,'' said Smith, who is trying to rebuild the NFL's worst team.
Smith said it's still too early to say whether the Chargers will use the No. 1 pick overall or trade down in an attempt to fill their many needs.
The Chargers have already met with Iowa tackle Robert Gallery, considered by many to be the top offensive line prospect in the draft. Smith said he also is contemplating visits with at least two defensive players.
San Diego was 4-12 last season and clinched the draft's top pick for the second time in four years. In April 2000, they traded the top pick to Atlanta, which used it to take Michael Vick. The Chargers picked LaDainian Tomlinson with the fifth pick, but have since seen their playoff drought reach eight years.
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By Associated Press, 3/18/2004 19:53
SAN DIEGO (AP) The San Diego Chargers have scheduled private workouts with the top three quarterbacks available in next month's NFL draft.
The Chargers will work out North Carolina State's Philip Rivers on Monday in Raleigh, N.C.; Miami of Ohio's Ben Roethlisberger on Tuesday in Oxford, Ohio; and Ole Miss's Eli Manning on Wednesday in New Orleans.
The Chargers' contingent will include general manager A.J. Smith, coach Marty Schottenheimer, assistant GM Buddy Nix, offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, president Dean Spanos and his son, John, a team scout.
''Its better to have these sessions three days in a row rather than spread them out over time because we get a chance to make immediate comparisons when everything is fresh in our minds,'' said Smith, who is trying to rebuild the NFL's worst team.
Smith said it's still too early to say whether the Chargers will use the No. 1 pick overall or trade down in an attempt to fill their many needs.
The Chargers have already met with Iowa tackle Robert Gallery, considered by many to be the top offensive line prospect in the draft. Smith said he also is contemplating visits with at least two defensive players.
San Diego was 4-12 last season and clinched the draft's top pick for the second time in four years. In April 2000, they traded the top pick to Atlanta, which used it to take Michael Vick. The Chargers picked LaDainian Tomlinson with the fifth pick, but have since seen their playoff drought reach eight years.
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