CHARGERS UPDATE : NOTEBOOK : O’Neal, the Season Ticket-Holder, Won’t Talk About Team’s 0-3 Start

SAN DIEGO â€”  Defensive end Leslie O’Neal has vowed to remain silent this season because Charger Coach Bobby Ross wants everything to be positive this year.

O’Neal said that left him with nothing to say.

That hasn’t kept reporters from asking O’Neal questions.

What’s with this team and its 0-3 start?

“I’m still not speaking,” O’Neal said.

Why not?

“I’m still not speaking,” O’Neal said. “If I were to take the time to explain to (reporters) why I’m not speaking, then I might as well speak. Right?”

But fans want to know what’s wrong with the Chargers, and you are one of the mainstays here.

“Me, a mainstay? That’s new. I never looked at myself that way. If I knew I was a mainstay here I would have bought a home here a long time ago. Like a big $500,000 or $600,000 deal.”

You have been here since 1986. Why do things continue to go so badly?

“Well, I’m not speaking, that’s the first deal,” O’Neal said. “But if I was speaking, then the one thing I would tell you for sure is that I’ve learned what I have to say doesn’t make anyone happy around here. So why say anything?”

People have bought tickets, however, and they are unhappy.

“Hey, I have 30 season tickets myself,” O’Neal said. “I have 30 season tickets, so if there’s anybody (mad) at all, it would have to be me. How many guys out there do you know who have 30 season tickets?”

So are you ticked off?

“I’m not speaking.”

Ross does not expect wide receiver Nate Lewis to play against the Oilers, and he said wide receiver Robert Claiborne probably will be added to the roster.

The Chargers will have to release a player--or place Lewis on injured reserve, which is unlikely--to make room for Claiborne.

Starting right guard David Richards, listed as probable with a foot injury, did not practice. Ross said Richards received a shot in his foot and is expected to start against the Oilers. Mike Zandofsky played Thursday in place of Richards.

Former coach Al Saunders worked hard a few years ago to persuade owner Alex Spanos to pay for 50 yards of artificial turf on the Chargers’ practice field.

That artificial turf will go unused as long as Bobby Ross is in command.

“I don’t necessarily believe you’ve got to practice on the turf,” Ross said. “It’s harder, it’s hotter . . . most people are acclimated to turf by now. I’ll never use it unless it’s raining and we’ve got to go on it.”

The Chargers will play on artificial turf for the first time this season Sunday in the Astrodome. The Chargers have lost their last five games on artificial turf.