Williams the Latest to Sit Out : Football: Defensive lineman’s agent says he expects Williams won’t report to training camp.
SAN DIEGO — Defensive lineman Lee Williams is expected to inform the Chargers today that he will not report to training camp.
Williams recently fired agent Mike Merkow and rehired agent Steve Feldman.
“Yes, I have been rehired and I now represent Lee Williams,†Feldman said. “And it’s my impression that Lee will not show up for training camp.
“I will not go any further than that at this time,†he said.
Feldman said he made repeated efforts to contact the Chargers, but he said none of his calls have been returned. He said the Chargers will receive notification of Williams’ decision not to attend camp later today.
He offered no explanation Tuesday night for Williams’ potential holdout, and Williams could not be reached for comment.
“It’s news to me,†General Manager Bobby Beathard said. “It’s tough to respond to that because I don’t know of any problem. I’ll just have to wait until I talk with Lee.â€
The Chargers’ veteran players are required to report to training camp tonight or they will be subject to fines of up to $1,500 a day.
Running back Marion Butts, the team’s leading rusher, has already indicated he will stay away from camp until his contract is renegotiated.
Williams expressed displeasure privately with his contract situation last season, and in the past has suggested to associates that he might be agreeable to being traded.
The Chargers made travel arrangements for Williams to fly from his home in Florida to San Diego today, but they have been unsuccessful in efforts to contact the player by telephone this week.
Last year, Williams reported to training camp and he demanded his contract be renegotiated per a verbal promise from former Charger general manager Steve Ortmayer. Beathard said he knew nothing of such a promise, refused to rework Williams’ deal, and Williams left camp.
He returned a few days later, fired Feldman and was told by Coach Dan Henning that he would not be fined. After hiring Merkow last season, who now represents Butts, Williams received a contract extension from Beathard during last season.
Williams remained unhappy, though, because the team continued to play him at defensive tackle rather than defensive end. He was selected to play in the Pro Bowl after the 1988 and 1989 seasons, but he failed to earn a trip to Hawaii last season after recording 8 1/2 sacks.
Williams needs one more sack to become the Chargers’ all-time sack leader with 67 1/2.
Williams attended minicamp in May and the team’s voluntary summer school in early June, but he withdrew from the summer session early and has since hired Feldman.
“I haven’t been told by Lee that he rehired Feldman,†Beathard said. “But it’s been rumored.â€
Feldman, who also represents linebacker Junior Seau, lost several Charger clients after his dealings with Beathard last season. Safety Martin Bayless stuck with Feldman last year, but recently he released Feldman when negotiations with the Chargers for a new contract bogged down.
