Shipping Fonoti to Vikes a mistake

By: STEVE SCHOLFIELD - Staff Writer | Tuesday, October 18, 2005 10:43 PM PDT ∞

It's too bad the Chargers traded offensive guard Toniu Fonoti to the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday for a conditional seventh-round draft pick.

Fonoti, a second-round selection in 2002, has the potential to be one of the better linemen in the game.

I'll admit I'm looking at Fonoti through rose-colored glasses. I genuinely like Fonoti, who played one year of prep football, his junior season, for Herb Meyer at El Camino High.

"I'm sorry it didn't work out, but I wish the Chargers all the luck in the world," Fonoti said Tuesday. "All of the guys on that line are my friends."

A classy guy, Fonoti.

I can understand why general manager A.J. Smith decided to let him go, although I don't necessarily agree with him.

Injuries have forced Fonoti to miss 20 of the team's last 39 games.

Fonoti broke his hand against Denver in Week 2 and required not one, but two operations. The first surgery didn't ease the pain, so he sought a second opinion and then a third opinion.

He then had another surgery.

"I should be ready to play in another two weeks," Fonoti said.

Fonoti missed the entire 2003 season with an injured foot, although some thought he should not have been put on injured reserve for the entire season.

In essence, he has played just a little over two seasons.

Fonoti's weight has been a problem. While listed at 6-foot-4 and 350 pounds in the club's media guide, Fonoti has struggled to keep his weight below 400 pounds.

Fonoti's contract was the final straw. The Chargers had no interest in re-signing Fonoti when his contract runs out at the end of the season. They figured, why not get something for him now rather than a supplemental draft pick from the team that signs him.

Besides, the Bolts think they have a good replacement for him in Kris Dielman.

All are compelling arguments for making the deal.

But I don't like the deal.

I have trouble watching the Chargers trade away talent.

When healthy and when his weight is under control, Fonoti is a force, an escort that makes LaDainian Tomlinson's job easier.

Fonoti showed flashes of brilliance as a rookie, when he made Football Digest's All-Rookie team.

Last year, he started all 17 games in helping the Chargers surrender just 21 sacks, the fourth fewest in the NFL. For his work a year ago, www.sportsillustrated.com selected Fonoti first-team All-Pro.

At 23, Fonoti is still one of the younger linemen in the league, and you would figure his best is yet to come.

And when you consider all the nagging injuries the Chargers have had on their offensive line ---- to guard Mike Goff, center Nick Hardwick, and tackle Shane Olivea ---- wouldn't it be better to have Fonoti available for the stretch run? He would have made a nice insurance policy. Not having him around could come back to haunt the Chargers.

And getting a conditional seventh-round pick certainly doesn't appear like the Chargers are getting value for value. It'll become a sixth-round pick if Fonoti dresses for six games or starts three games.

The Bolts must have really wanted to get rid of him, which is too bad. Here's hoping this change works out for Fonoti and the Chargers.

+ Speaking of change, don't be surprised if the Padres have a completely new outfield next year. That would mean that Ryan Klesko, Dave Roberts and the productive Brian Giles would be gone.

I'm hearing talk that if the Padres can't get Klesko to waive his no-trade clause, they will release him and eat his $10 million contract.

And it is a good bet that Atlanta or St. Louis will outbid the Padres for the services of Giles, a free agent.

As for Roberts, he may not be tendered a contract by Dec. 20 making him a free agent. If the Padres don't keep him, don't be surprised if Roberts ends up back in Boston. Seattle and Arizona are other possibilities.

+ It was good to see Tom Craft's San Diego State football team score a big road win at Utah on Saturday. Now, if only the Aztecs can keep the momentum when they host New Mexico on Saturday night.

The Aztecs have a rather unique statistic concerning their 2-2 Mountain West Conference record. SDSU has defeated the league teams it lost to last year and lost to the teams it beat a year ago. If that trend holds true, the Aztecs should beat New Mexico. They haven't won a game against the Lobos in five years.

It's best for the Aztecs to start fast. Under Craft, the Aztecs are 16-2 when leading at halftime.

Steve Scholfield is senior sports columnist for the North County Times. He can be reached at (760) 740-3509 or stevescho@cox.net.